davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-27
IMPROVE MENTS
IN ROADS AID.
FARM VALUES
Commission Determining
Actual Profit Through
Highway Betterment.

Washington, D. c., Nov. 27-To
act dollars and cents effect on q
county of the improvement of bad
roads, specialists of the Office of Pub
lie Roads and Rural Engineering Of
the U. S. Department of Agriculture
made economic surveys in eight
counties in each of the years from
1910 to 1915, inclusive.
This study of the increase in the
values Of farm lands in the eight
counties reveals the rather interest
ing fact that following the improve
ment of the main market roads the
Increase in the selling price of till
able farm lands served by the roads
has amounted to from one to three
times the total cost of the improve
ments. The increase in values in
those instances which were recorded
ranged from SO per cent. to 80 per
cent. in Spotsylvania county, Va;
from So to 1914 in Dinwiddie county,
Va; 70 to 80 in Lee county, Va: Is
to 100 in Wise county, Va; 9 to ia
in Franklin county, N. Y; so to 100
in Dallas county, Ala; rs to so in
Lauderdale county, Miss; and from
SO to 100 in Manatee county, Fla.
The estimates of increase were bas-
ed for the most part upon the ter
ritory within a distance of one mile
on each side Of the roads improved
In Spotsylvania county a careful
record was made in 1910 of 35 farms
located on the road selected for i'm
provement. Of the seven farms sold
in 1912, the prices actually paid
show increases of from 81 to 116 per
cent. over the 1910 valuation. The
average value after the roads were
improved was $2826 per acre as
compared with $17.31 previous to the
Improvement. In 1913, four transfers
of farm land were on the basis of
$30.11 per acre, whereas the prop
critics were listed in 1910 at only
$13.89 per acre. It appears that L.
451 acres sold in 1914 increased in
value $28, 800, or 80 per cent, or from
$24.46 to $44.1O per acre.
In D1nwiddie county, Va, the ac-
tlal price of 43 farms sold or offered
for sale from 1909 to 1914 ranged in
price from 1898 to $43.74 per acre
before the roads were built, and from
$24.7O to 1880 per acre after the
roads were improved.
In Lee county, Va, a study of eight
tracts along the roads before and
after improvement indicated that
these properties increased about $23
per acre, or about 70 per cent.
In Wise county, Va.,a a study Of
eight representative farms located on
roads showed that they increased in
value from an average of $4,000 per
acre before Improvement to 1914
after the roads were improved. There
were increases in valuation in other
sections OF from $50 to $50, or even
500 per acre.
In Franklin county. N. Y, the fig.
ures seem to indicate that, the change
from earth, sandy and loan roads to
bituminous macadam was followed by
increases averaging $3.50 per acre,
or about 30.7 per cent. -
In Dallas county, Ala, careful in
vestigation seemed to indicate that
road improvement has added at least
IS to each acre of land within q half
mile of improved roads. Tracts sold
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-27
American Petroleum

The first reference to the discovery
Of petroleum in America is contained
in a letter written on this date in 1929
by Joseph de- la Roche d'Allion, a
French missionary to the Indians He
had crossed the Niagara river and
made his way southwark through wes-
tern New York into northern Pennsy1-
vania, where he found a spring from
which oil flowed. This oil was highly
esteemed by the Indians for medicinal
uses. The letter of the priest was
published in 1882 in Sagard's Ellis
toire du Canada" This Oil spring was
probably identical with the one res
cribed by the Massach usetts Magazine
in 1888: ''In the northern part of
Pennsylvania there is a creek called
Oil Creek, which empties into the AL
legheny river. It issues from a spring,
on the top Of which floats an Oil, sim
liar to that called Barbados tar, and
from which one. may gather several
gallons day. Troops sent to guard
the western posts halted at the same
spring, collected some of the oil, and
bathed their joints with 1t. This gave
them great relief from the rheuma-
tism with which they were afflicted
The water. of which the troops drank
freely. operated as a gentle purge"
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-27
RATHEMAN Tells
OF ORGANIZATION
OF RAW MATERIAL.
German Expert Writes
Book on His Experiences
in This Line.

Berlin, Nov. 27-Dr Walter
Rathenau, in charge Of all raw ma
terials for the German government
has written a book in which the, IA
nous wizard" describes the enor-
nous difficulties that confronted him
when he was called to his post by the
war minister and the wonderful re-
suits accomplished.
when we started our herculean
work the war department gave us
four small rooms" the great organ
izer says. 1.-The war minister thought
that these offices would be sufficient
and he was greatly astonished when I
informed him within two weeks that
I needed at least five times as much
space.
after much parleying got 20
rooms, but in another month I had
to request 40 more. That necessitated
the removal Of whole sections of the
war department. More than 100000
important documents had to be trans
ported to other. buildings and the
work took weeks.
"In the meantime our labor threat
ened to come to a standstill. AL
though we put desks in every pos
sible corner, and even in the hall
ways, we were not able to make room
for our ever-increasing working force.
When we finally got our 60 rooms we
were as cramped and crowded as be-
fore, and we continually had to ask
for more and more space. Our Of
fees now cover an entire city block
and we still need more room.
It is difficult to give description
of our work, because much Of what
l. 49, 4
remain secret until the war ends. The
public has no idea of the difficulties
we had to overcome and the tremen-
dous labor that was necessary to, en-
able the empire successfully to defy
the British blockade. Every man in
our department worked from 1e to IS
hours every day, including Sundays
and holidays, ana we all only regret
ted that the days did not have 48
hours, instead of only "a.
Conferences were always in prog
ress from o'clock in the morning
be made continually, and often it be-
came necessary to alter them before
they were completed.
''It was hard work, but we won out.
One of our advantages was that the
press paid little attention to us, and
we were not hampered by public crit
fcism. Sometimes professors called
to tell Us that we were all wrong, and
would have to start anew. Then
members of the Reichstag came to
convince us that the professors were
as wrong as ourselves.
1--WE had to listen to- this talk and
that meant the loss of much valuable
time, but otherwise it did not hurt us.
''Our success is principally due to
the fact that the German industries
adapted themselves to the war condi-
tons with astounding rapidity and
energy. Our manufacturers carried
out their task enthusiastically and
without losing any words"
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-27
Warfield Got His
Start By Peddling
Ice at Ball Game

David Warfield. who, has revived
this season his greatest success, ''The
Music Master will pass the half CEN
fury mark in his ife's Journey tomor-
row. Mr.. Warfield broke into the
theatrical world in the humble capac-
ity of usher, and slowly and by de-
grees wormed his way on to the stage.
At first audiences Missed and hooted
at his efforts to amtlse them, but after
a time he became sufficiently prof.
Gent in his art as to be able to go on
the stage without fear of being greet
ed by a shower of vegetables. He
scored his first real success by at
tending a ball game between actor
mines. and, clad as a Jewish peddler,
selling pieces Of cracked ice as sow
enirs. He was the big hit of the oc-
casion, and the eighteen perspiring
men who played ball on the field did
mt get much attention.
Mr.. Warfield was born in San Fran
cisco on Nov. %, 1856. About as
soon as he could toddle he began
haunting stage doors. When he was
old enough he applied to Wally Wal
lace, father of Edna Wallace Hopper,
for an usher job. Mr. Wallace was
the usher king Of San Francisco,
and supplied those functionaries to all
the playhouses of the city. For five
years young Warfield ushered in the
Bush Street Theatre, but all the time
he was hankering to get up on that
old stage and show the populace a
thing or two about acting. His first
job was a a "supe" In a muslca; pro-
duction, but he made a jeering re-
mark about the chorus, and was fired
instanter. His next appearance on
the stage was as member Of a travel
ing stock company which played the
kerosene circuit Of 4California-or,
rather, started to do so, for 1t failed
after a few days. The stage-struck
kid then-atried an imitation stunt on
the patrons of a vaudeville house, but
he was SO nervous that he failed COM
pletely. After several other attempts
in the same direction, his reputation
got SO bad that audiences Missed him
down before he started. He then left
San Francisco to it's fate, and made
his way to New York, where's he fell
in with William A. Brady, also a ma
tive son Of San Francisco. Brady
gave him chance, just for charitys
sake, and he played the roles of a
country jay and an Irishwoman with
fair success. It was not till the &C.
tors ball game that he had a chance
to do his Jewish peddler stunt. Since
then his address has been Easy street.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-27

from IS to $40 per acre were sold
again after road improvement at
from $40 to SIS per acre.
In Lauderdale county, Miss, the
total assessed valuation of real
property outside of the city was ST.
757,546. This increased in 1914 aft
er road improvement to $3,183,SO9 or
1914 per cent. Local real estate men
place the increase in land values on
account Of improved roads at from
25 to SO per cent.
= In Manatee county, Fla, careful
study of sales, and real-estate records
indicated that the improvement OF
roads has added from 10 to 100 per
cent, or at least SIS per acre, to the
selling price of all lands within one
half mile of improved roads This
would give a total of $611, 200, or
more than twice the value of the
bonds issued.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-27
DeFOREsT. CAPTAIN.

Burglars and chicken thieves are
again at work about the city. Last
night the residence Of H. N. Ayres,
shoe dealer, at Long Hill was enter
ed. Several articles were taken,
among them being a valuable over
coat. The chicken thieves confined
their efforts to another section of the
city. When Frank M. Garfield, the
attorney, closed his hennery last
night there were eight beautiful leg
ing he found that somebody had been
there during the night and had taken
the hens with them. 1.-THE worst Of
it is" he said to-day, "the hens were
just beginning to lay"
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-27
THANKSGIVING
TIME

reminds us this year particularly that
we have many things to be thankful
for. We kept aloof from a world war
and we have been blessed with unusual
prosperity.
For the family reunion dinner, the
real old fashioned kind, the following
suggestions therefore may be in order:
CARVING SETS, CUT GLASS WARE,
FRUIT KNIVES, SILVERWARE
This stock Is all of first class quality
and is priced to bring about quick
sales. We do not carry stock to sell
merely because it looks we'll, but stock
that lasts well also. And stock Is first
class and looks 1t.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-27
ACTOR SHOOTS SELF.

New York, Nov. 27-Charles, Case,
an actor, accidentally shot himself
near the heart in his hotel room here
today while cleaning a revolver. He
died shortly after. Case was a mono
logist, and was to have gone to Erie.
Pa, today to keep an engagement. His
home was in Buffalo. He was So
wears old
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-27
Whom. johnson Mad. q Dl.nder.

Where JOHNSON Made Dtsnder.
The present Blackfriars bridge Is q
comparatively modern structure, which
replaced the bridge Of Robert Mylne
after the latter had endured, with much
alteration and repair, it Is true, for
nearly a hundred years, Mylne's do
sign, It will be recalled by those famil-
lar with their Boswell, was attacked
by johnson with that arrogance and, let
me sadly add, ignorance which he was
too wont to display In subjects OF
which he knew very little. johnson.
with weight of words which might
have tested any bridge, declared that no
structure with elliptical arches could
bear heavy weights. Mylne's bridge
has gone, but the elliptieal form OF
arch remains, and very beautiful Il is
and adequate for a weight Of traflc Of
which johnson never dreamed.-West-
minister Gazette.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-27
A Useful Coffin.

A writer in an English church maya
zine once found In a GOLFERS cottage
In Staffordshire q coffin used a. a
bread and cheese cupboard. Notwith-
standing his wtfe's remembrance, he
told the story Of the coffin as follows:
Eighteen years ago ordered that
coffin: The wife and mo used to have
a good many words. One day she
said, T1l never be content TIL see
thee In thy coffin We'll, LASS said,
If that'u content thee it'll soon be
done ~
''Next day gave directions to hays
the thing made. In a few days It.
came home, to the wife's horror. I got
into and said, Now. lass, are thee
contentr She began to cry and want
ed the 'horrid thing taken away. But
that wouldn't allow. In the end she
got accustomed to seeing It, and az We
wanted to- turn It to some use We had
some shelves put in and made It into q
bread ana cheese cupboard. We have
never Quarreled since It came"
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-27
LOOK OUT FOR RUNAwAYs.

Went AWAY boy about IT years
Of age by the name Of William Mich
OILS, who served an apprentice to the
joinering business. He took away
with him three or four suits of
clothes. He is of short thick build;
light compledoned; litish hair and
eyes; careless in business. This is
also to forbid all persons harboring
or trusting said boy on my account
as T. will pay no more debts of his
contracting James jennings.
Be it further noticed, that the
subscriber be fortunate enough to
have I'VE out Of six good ones, would
venture to take another If he will
come with good recommendations
and Of about Is or 16 years of age;
to such a boy good encouragement
will be given.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-27
ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO.
FOR SALE.

The subscriber offers for sale at
public vendue, II not previously sold
at private sale, good two-story
dwelling house and a good convenient
barn; together with d good garden,
and about half an acre of land; with
a never failing we'll of water within
a few feet Of said house; and a COM
modius wharf Said property is sit
uated near the west end of Saugu-
tuck bridge in the town Of Norwalk
and is pleasantly situated for mer-
chant, tavern or mechanic.
Also-will be sold at said time two
Wagons, one chair ands number
of other articles not here enumerated.
Conditions Of sale will be made
ADD BRIDGEPORT AS
known at the time and place. Saml
Pearsall. Jun.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-27
WANT TO CARRY CLUBS.

York there might perhaps be some
chance for one-tenth of the men who
are candidates for position on the To-
cal police force. Since It was an
nounced a few days ago that the po-
lice commissioners decided to ask the
council to make provision for the ap-
pointment Of ten more patrolmen, IS
men have been : button-holing the
various commissioners
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-27
b. b. PLAYERS ACTIVE.

rule In baseball circles just now. The
first mines OF the Protector and Amer
lean clubs, the second mines of the
same clubs and the first nine of the
Bridgeport club with q selected nine
Of Mullins have arranged games.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-27
BRIDGEPORT as Il WAS
1OO15O-20-YEARS AGO
lTaken from the Files Of The Evening Farmer)
TO RATTLE HORSE.

There is to be a trot in the Bridge
port Association park Thursday aft
ernoon between Cracker-boy and
Rocket, the former to wagon and the
latter to harness. The trotting horse
60 Softly is also to be ratified off at
the same time.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-27

Philippe OF the House OF Orleans, the
second republic. the revival OF the
empire, and. in 1871. the third re-
public, under which, as in, the days
Of Clovis, France is again fighting for
it's life against the Teuton invaders.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-27
TWENTY YEARS AGO.
LOSES DECK LOAD.

The Schooner Ayr from.St Johns,
N. B., entered this port this morn
ing. She is bound for Norwalk, load
ed with shingles. When off Cape
Elizabeth a heavy sea came aboard
and carried off a portion Of her deck
load. ;.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-27
FIFTY YEARS AGO.
NEW COLLECTOR READY.

Capt. John Brooks, the newly ap-
pointed collector for this port will en-
ter on the discharge OF his official
duties next Saturday. Mr.. Booth will
retire to private life, carrying with
him the kindly feelings Of the entire
community.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-27

Twenty-three Thousand soldiers who
have been doing duty On the Mexican
border were reviewed by Br1gadisr-
General James Parker,
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-27
THE JOURNEY OF LIFE

Beneath the waning moon walk at
night
And muse on human life-for, all
around
Are dim uncertain shapes that cheat
the sight,
And pitfalls Turk, in shade along the
ground,
And broken CLEANS of brightness,
here and there,
Glance through, and leave unwarmed
the death-lilke air.
The trampled earth returns a sound
of fear
A hollow sound, as If I walked on
bombs;
And lights that tell Of cheerful hours
appear
Far off, and die like hope among
the glooms.
A mournful wind across the land
scape files, = .%'>
And the wide atmosphere is full Of
signs.
And I, with faltering footsteps, jour-
ney on,
Watching the stars that roll the
hours away,
Till the faint light that guides me
now is gone,
And like another life, the glorious
Shall open DER me from the empires;
hight ~
With warmth, and certainty, and
boundless light.
William Cullen Bryant.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-27
CAVE JOHNSON DIES.

Nashville, Nov. 27.-Hon. Cave
Johnson, postmaster. general under
President Polk, died at noon on Fri
day last, aged u years
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-27
RANDALL ESTATE.

In the will Of Fred Randall Of
Trumbu11 fled for probate. his widow.
Sarah II. Randall, receives most of
the estate. IT consists Of the farm
OF eight acres on Chestnut Hill, Trum-
bull. 4 SON. George L. Randall. is
bequea<l1ed an automobile. Other
heirs arc Albert b.. Sherman M. and
Mary Harriet Randall. The estate
. estimated at 100000,
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-27
SCHOONERS SINKS.

The Masts of a sunken schooner
sticking out of the water were seen
Sunday off Southport About Is feet
of the masts' heads were out Of the
water and the vessel was headed
nOrthWard
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-27

This. IL the best day the weird has
ever seen. Tomorrow will be betters-
r. 4. Campbell,
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-27
THE LAD FROM
CROW WING COUNTY.

Leslie Joseph Bush. who was Con-
ME Mack'S leading twirler this year,
will be twenty-three years old today.
Leslie won fifteen games in spite OF
the rest Of the Athletics, which was
quite feat, and lost only twenty-four.
This proves that Bush is quite hurl-
err, for a man who could pitch forty
pastimes for the Mackmen last season
and lose only two dozen of 'em had to
put lot OF stuff on the old pill.
Bush was born on Nov. FL, 1893,
In Brainerd, the capital and metropo-
lis OF Crow Wing county. MINI.
Brainerd doesn't make very big
noise on the map. but 1t has gained a
lot OF glory in the past from the ma
tive bailiwick of Bush and .'Chief'
Bender.
AS a kid, Bush played on school ana
other amateur teams in Brainerd, and
held down every position on the dia-
mond except that Of backstop. At
the age Of eighteen he got a. profess
sional job as pitcher with the Missou-
la, Mont. club Of the Union Associa-
ton. He spent only one season In
the minors, for Mack's scouts report
ed that he was o. K. and heGoined
the Athletics in 1913. In the worlds
series that year he was sensation
by standing the Giants on their heads,
metaphorically speaking. and holding
them to Ave scattered hits. In the
1914 series Bush pitched the best
game for the Athletics, holding the
Braves at bay until the twelfth inn
ing, when they got the winning run:
A ~x~y, . iAH a .D1~{1.
adelphia girl, which caused a lot Of
grief among the maidens Of Grow
Wing.
Bullet Joe broke into the pitching
hall OF fame this year, when he pitch
ed a no-hit game against Cleveland.
Only one Indian got on first base.
Bush expects to become a shortstop
when his pitching wing is worn out,
and he has shown considerable skill
as an infielder in practice games.
There was young Teller named
Booker
who spent an his time playing soccer;
And when he went broke
And said, the poor b1oke;
well. I'll take my watch out and
hook 'er."
When the National League moguls
meet next month it Is more than like
~ that a rule will be adopted pro-
hibiting the sale of a player. except
by waiver, after the first Of August.
Such a move will have the indorse-
ment Of all fans. Making weak
teams weaker in order to make strong
teams stronger, when the pennant
chase becomes close and hot, doesn't
appeal to baseball followers as a
sporting proposition. It seems that
the magnates are beginning to real
ize that such tactics are not profitable
In the long run.
Benny Kaun has been strangely 81
lent as to his plans for the future, but
it Is understood that he has about
decided to retain McGraw as manag-
er Of the Giants.
This Is the season of the year when
baseball ''nnarvels'' and "phenoms'
begin to bob up, but subsequent events
will prove that most Of them are
well suited to playing the title role
in shakespeares drama, Much Ado
About Nothing"
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-27

This is the season Of the year when
baseball "marvels'' and "phenoms'
begin to bob up, but subsequent events
will prove that most Of them are
well suited to playing the title role
in shakespeare drama, Much Ado
Asbous Nothing"
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-27

1a..asr WANT Ads. ons Cent word.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-27
There was = young. Teller named
Booker
Who spent all his time playing soccer;
And when he went broke
And said, the poor b1oke;
well. I'll take my watch out and
hook 'er."

Benny Kauff has been strangely ST.
lent as to his plans for the future. but
it Is understood that he has about
decided to retain McGraw as manag-
er of the Giants.
The Devils Lake world and inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1915-1920, 1916-11-16

st oprSDissppsssiaas Fre,atssr Ltfs.
Mhereigstilla keensdelight III watch.
ing the rapid ALTERATION Of sIfrontler.
life. The frontier town began with a
few scattered dwellings on the out
skirts and then a single block or two
0f cheaply built frame structures run.
hing parallel with the railroad. In
other days the first sign one saw. on
the frontier, andsthe largest was "Sa-
LOOM" Next in order was "Hotel,' = then
Restaurant 2 Bank. ana, if land
boom was on, Real Estate Now no
frontier town., however. small. Is with.
out the latest attraction Of moving
PICTURES" and, thanks fo tie develop
ment Of good roads and Of the automo-
bile industry, the largest sign now sup
planting Saloon is the word Ca
In the background may be
seen the steeple Of a church, but you
will always. 10 matter how small the
town may be. seeathe American Aag
That flies In front Of The American
schoolhouse. That bag u salWayas in.
night, even when the porch of the
r~hufchsis below the skySline.-Leslie'a,s
-IEG Re