davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-21
.SNEEzlNG ONCE FATAL SIGN
Superstition Was the Origin OF
Phrase, "God Bless You'll" Still
Heard in Europe.

Sneezing from very remote times
has been regarded with superstition.
Our forefathers went to bed again if
they sneezed while putting on their
shoes. A sneeze to the right was
deemed lucky; TO the left, of evil pOr-
tent. To sneeze near a burial place
was very unlucky, says the London
Telegraph.
Tradition has it that sneezing was
at first a fatal sign-every human be
ing sneezed but once and then died
but Jacob petitiOned the Creator to
remove the sneezing ban and succeed
ed. Thence arose the once universal
custom of sa1uting a sneezer with
God bless your or MAY you live
lOngI" The custom still obtains in
some parts of Europe.
In England not only was a sneezer
blessed, but friends raised their hats
to him as well. In an old book, ''The
Code of Conduct" it is directed that
eff his lOrdship sneezes We are not to
bawl out God bless your but bow to
him handsomely" All over the world
the sneeze was recognized. Whole
nations were under orders to make eX-
carnations when their king sneezed.
Sneezing was believed to be a sure
cure for hiccups and was also looked
upon as a sign of sanity. If ancient
and universal belief goes for anything
it is good to sneeze.
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-21
| lips to the palm he had caressed and
walked slowly to her room.
CHAPTER XVI.
The Crash.

The Crash.
The several days following Dawes
unexpected call at Las Palmas Alaire
spent in delightful reverie. She had
SO often wrestIed with the question of
divorce that she had begun to weary
of ii. She gave up trying, at length,
and for the time being rested content
in the knowledge that she loved and
was loved. A week passed while she
Rugged her thoughts to her breast, and
then one evening she rode home to
learn that Ed had returned from San
Antonio.
But Ed was i'll, and he did not ap-
pear at dinner It had been years
since either had dared invade the 9TH
er's privacy, and now. inasmuch as her
husband did not send for her. AIaire
did not presume to offer her services as
nurse. As a matter of fact, she con-
sidered this quite unnecessary, for she
felt sure that he was either suffering
the customary after-effects of visit to
the city or else that he lacked the
moral courage to undertake an expIa-
nation of his hurried flight from the
ranch. In either event she was glad
he kept to his room
When Austin made his appearance.
on the day following his return, his
bleared eyes, his puffy, pasty cheeks,
his shattered nerves, showed plainly
enough how he had spent his time. Al
though he was jumpy and irritable, he
seemed determined by an assumption
of high spirits and exaggerated friend
illness to avert criticism. Since AIaire
spared him all reprOaches, his efforts
seemed to meet with admirable sue
cess. Now Eds opinion of women was
not high, for those with whom he ha-
bitually associated were of small in
tel1igence; and, seeing that his wife
continued to manifest a complete in
difference to his past actions, he de-
cided that his apprehensiOns had been
grOundless. If Alaire remembered the
GuZman affair at all, or if she had sus-
pected him of completely in it, time had
evidently duIled her suspicious, and he
was a little sorry he had taken pains
to stay away so long.
Before many days, however, he dis
covered that this Indifference of hers
was not assumed, and that in some
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-21
sulphur and rheumatism.

One of England's most distinguished
physicians has just reported valuable
piece of information that he learned
from cosby old lady who was ad-
dicted to the habit of giving medical
advice To her acquaintance, says the
Los Angeles Times. She gas some Of
this advice to one of the learned physi-
clans patients who was suffering from
rheumatism in the hands, suggesting
that the patient put sulphur In her
stockings" The patient took the ad-
vice and the rheumatism in the hands
disappeared; also a silver ornament
worn on the patients wrist turned
black.
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-21
USE MOTOR VACUUM CLEANER
Its Appearance in Los Angeles
Method Is Practical.

The latest municipal development TO
make its appearance in the western
part Of the country is the motor vacuum
street cleaning apparatus, which has
been adopted by the city of Los An
geles, Cal, says Power Wagon. For
months this newest of street cleaning
features had been under discussion,
but it was not until short time ago
that it was really put into practice.
That this new cleaning method is en-
tirely practical has been proved by
days OF actual demonstration.
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-21
He Would Pay.

II happened at a Christmas party.
4 pretty young lady had asked one OF
the male guests TO pass q dish Of al
mOnds and raiSins-
with pleasure" he replied. 'fbut do
you know that what you have asked
Tor is called in the yernacular Kiss
miss and that the penalty OF q kiss
attaches to the requeStT
is that SOE" answered the lady,
calmly. Il must consult my husband"
And she called across the room TO him,
and repeated the observation
Quite So" he replied. According
to custom it is a just debt and must
be paid. But is the gentleman aware
Of the arrangement made when We
were married-that I must settle all
my wife'S liabilitieS7'
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-21
Old Queen Thun-
der Clapped
With Pleas
ure,

"Old Queen Thunder clapped with
pleasure Are we going TO have some
| funF she asked.
That all depends said the Wind.
Depends on what, Mr.. Windr
asked King Thunder.
I'd like TO have q little exercise
And all the leaves on the trees trem-
bled, for well they knew what the wind
meant by little exercise The Breezes
were a family who did not exercise
quite so hard-but the Wind-wen. he
had absolutely no consideration for
anyOne-least OF all the leaves. So
they were shaking while the Wind was
talking.
" If 1 had bones,' said the Wind, 4
would say they were getting stiff
It's true, you can't very well say
that answered Queen Thunder-while
down on the earth people said:
Tt must be going TO thunder and
lightning pretty badly in a few mo-
ments. Do you hear the rumbIesT
''And they all rushed about taking
in things from pOrches and closing
windows.
But I can say that I am getting
quite slow and stiff from not blowing
said the Wind. 1T makes me just as
stiff as it would if I had bones and
hadn't stretched them for days and
days.
Z can understand that said King
Thunder. I am feeling the same way
about roaring and crashing and bang
ing
so am L said Queen Thunder.
Shall I call the lightning childrenT
OF course, OF course said King
Thunder and the Wind said:
"Heigh-ho, heigh-ho,
I'll blow and I'll blow
The thunders will crash.
Wen move with a dash
The lightning Wen call
Wen have regular ball"
'SThe lightning came quickly enough
and flash after flash few across the
sky. All the people went indoors, and
the Wind was delighted.
we have everything TO ourselves
he said happily. No one is around TO
bother US. We've frightened them all
away, hurrah, hurrahr
awe need a party like this said
King Thunder. We've been so lazy this
summer. We have hardly given any
storms at ALL
"And he said this with as much pride
as if he had been talking about fine
performances he was able to give.
It's so funny said Queen Thunder,
that people don't see how fine and
royal We are. Just think how powerful
we are! We can make so much noise
We are a great, wonderful. glorious
king and queen. So full OF life and
gayety.'
''Now each time the Queen spoke
there were great sounds Of thunder
and the same thing happened when the
King talked. Their voices are rumbling
and roaring just as they say.
when the wind spoke he blew. He
can't talk very well and stay still. And
- Il
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-21

newals are necessary; availability as
a base for another type of surface If
desirable; attractive appearance.
The durability of concrete roads has
not yet been fully proved because there
are no old pavements in existence. The
condition of those which have under
gone several years service indicates
they wear well.
The disadvantages of concrete as q
road surface are its noise under horse
traffic; the wearing OF the necessary
joints in the pavement, and the ten
dency to crack, with its consequent
rapid deterioration; the difficulty of
repairs when these become necessary.
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-21
MILEAGE OF CONCRETE ROADS
There Were 100000 Square Yards
of 1t in 1914 and Only $4,000
Yards in 1909.

The mileage of concrete pavements
in the United States has increased rap
idly, and it is likely to continue to in
crease. There were 100000 square
yards of it in 1914 and only $4,000
square yards in 1909. The principal
advantages of concrete pavements are
said TO be durability under ordinary
traffic conditions; a smooth, even sur
face; absence OF dust; comparatively
small cost of maintenance until re-
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-21

the ngntnlng al
ways flashes when
there is a good
storm.
"As they all got
very excited talk
ing and Boosting,
the storm became
worse and worse.
Shutters came off
from windO Nv S,
plants in gardens
were knO ok e d
quite Il a { a u d
b e inches a n d
chairs which had
been left in gar
denS or on the
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-21

porches were overturned.
"But the Wind said when the storm
was all over and he was going to be
quiet and rest for awhile: swell, this
has done me good And I do believe it
has done the grown-ups and children
good. They have had day after day OF
sunshine, and now they know that old
Mr. Sun isn't the only creature in the
world. There is the storm wind, King
and Queen Thunder and the lightning
children %"
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-21
II Was All RIGHT.

Alberta-Oh, Harry, hope what I
am going TO say won't pain you; but I
love George better than you, and
think you ought to know.
Harry Cbitterly)-Well, well, give
me back the engagement ring.
Alberta eagerly)-Thanks, Harry,
how noble OF you; but you needn't
worry about the engagement ring;
George says I may continue TO wear it
-PearSOn's Weekly.
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-21
TbeIiHIe oebts

The girl who borrowed SO from a
schOolmate would be pretty sure TO
pay it back. The thought OF that in
debtedness would always be with her,
until it was discharged But the little
borrowings. pencils, postage stamps
and even such things as handkerchiefs
are very likely to be forgotten Keep
your little debts in mind and do not
incur them unless you must--GirI's
COMPANION
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-21
Growth of Good Roads.

The Improvement Of public roads in
the United States is now very rapid.
and while an enormous amount Of
work remains to be done, the highway
system is no longer a reproach TO the
country.
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-21
o.. Kinh IL Cant

mamma, what is a crank7' asked
Billy.
"why. it is something you turn a
wheel with"
seNow. isn't that funny. Whatever
made Aunt Laura say that papa was a
erankz''
Il suppose she meant that father
makes the wheels go round and sup
ports ali his relations" said mother.
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-21
,stiIt-waikino Crane Needed.

In many places the method OF max
Inging good roads" is to plow them
down the center and decorate the
rOadbed with sod. This provides a
surface which can be Travelled only by
the stiIt-waIking crane.
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-21
New Vegetables.

Order a small quantity OF seeds OF
vegetables that you have not tried be
fore. You may like them and vari-
ETY. viii never do harm.
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-21

L nave DEe1
s o quiet an d
good the Wind
said, 'andrm real
ly feeling very
poorly from no
exercise
- Now old King
Thunder and old
Queen Thunder
had been sleeping
for some time.
They heard the
W Ind mOving
about as If he
were getting rath-
er xcite d and
restless.
w ha is I'D.
old WindF asked
King Thunder. as
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-21
ExperIenes Teaches

Spiher-I have often wondered at
your brflliancy, your apness at repair
tee, your
Whiher-H it's more than q dollar.
old top. I can't do a thing for you.
I'm nearly broke myself.
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-21
Twelve THIRTY

Frank shall talk to your father
the first thing in the morning.
Maude-Then I'll call him right
down.
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-21
Force of Habit

II want three eggs and boil them
three minutes. I am hunGy-h0Y
soon can have themg'
I'm a minute, sir"
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-21
Er,,tt QUALITY

Preserve the life OF your trees and
Increase both quality and quantity Of
your fruit by pruning ana spraying.
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-21

Actions speak louder than words,
and actions are what are most needed
nowadays.
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-21
Garden Tool RepaIr.

Now is the time to repair garden and
farm tools and add new ones TO next
seasons supply.
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-21

Every woman's pride, beautiful, clear
white clothes Use Red Cross Ball Blue.
All ErOcers. Adv.
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-21
/ MNYSg[NNl
H FAIRY TALE
81 hAM @AHAI1 BONNER
THE STORM.

''The Wind" said Daddy. Thought he
must have q frolic
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-21
Go After Success.

II you want success. you'll have TO
90 after It
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-21
Smaller Buns

Mrs. Crimsonbeak-Do you think
our baker is intemperate7
Mr.. Crimsenbeak-Yes
"Too bad
sWen. there is some hope. You
know he Is cutting down ne size of
his buns now
The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-09-26
id-Continent Oil Field, Now Greatest
In the World, abandoned As Hopeless
By Pr0Spect0rS of the Civil War Davs
Tearing Away of Few Corn
Stalks to Take Picture of
First Well Considered a
Waste, by Land Owner.

In the winter of l8dO-6l, a group Of
prospectors abandoned the first serious
attempt to develop what is now styled
the "Mid-Continent' oil field, says
Sinclairs magazine, in an article on
the Discovery OF the Mid Continent
Fields Early settlers of Kansas had
known OF "oll springs" the product Of
which was used occasionally Tor medi-
oinal purposes. so when word was re
ceived from the east that a new in
dustry had sprung into prominence as
a result OF Colonel brakes discovery
OF petroleum., several pioneers under
took the drilling of wells in the vicinity
OF Paola, Miami county, Kansas. This
was in 1850 Several shallow wells
were completed, but the showing of oil
was slight and their dreams OF wealth
were dissipated,
Waited Twenty-Five Years.
The second attempt was made some
twenty-five years later. Natural gas
was found by the drillerS, and few
wells yielded a heavy grade OF petro-
leum in small quantities. This oil was
used locally for lubricating purposes.
but little of consequence was accom-.
plished for another decade.
The third attempt was made in 1892
by W. NJ. Mills of Osawa,omie. Kan.
and this also, so far as he was GOA
cerned, was failure. Mr.. Mills drilled
two wells ner Neodesha, Kan. One was
on the DR. Allen farm on Fall river
the other on the John Keys farm on
the Verdigris riveN In each well he
found OIL but his funds were practical
ly exhausted and as none of his nearby
friends had sufficient faith in the out
look to lend him assistance. he capped
both wells and started on a determined
hunt to find someone somewhere VINO
would take up the work which appeared
so nearly completed
His search carried him finally TO
Pittsburg, where after meeting rebuffs
in several quarters he succeeded in in
teresting Mr. J. NJ. Gufiey and Mr. John
n. Galley. These courageous pioneers
not only took over the Mills holdings
but also acquired leases on other prop
critics in the neighborhood and started
active drilling operations. Their first
we'll was on the Haig farm about four
miles southwest OF Neodesha and their
second was on the Pierce brothers farm
south of Ncodesha. The first yielded
gas, and in the second was small
showing of oil, but it was not until the
Mills wells were reopened that they
were rewarded for their confidence.
"Shot" a Well in 1898.
II was in August, 1893. that at their
direction the hole on the John Keys
farm was cleaned out and shot" By
shooting" is meant the discharging Of
a quantity Of nitroglycerin in the oil
The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-09-26

field which has produced more than
4O,0O0,OO0 barrels Of crude petroleum.
After reoounting the striking Of oil,
a faithful narrative OF this ort cannot
be ended with a sweeping reference TO
ever increasing wealth." in the style OF
the old-time love story which left the
hero and the heroine under obligations
10 live happily for an indefinite period
after the honeymoon disappointment
and encouragement were IN store Tor
MeSsrs. Guiiev and Galley, but though
their initial efforts a. win recognition
for the Mid Continent fields were to
them Improbable, 1t should be recorded
that their faith in the industry remained
mistaken.
Lost 100000 In Wildcats.
Well after we'll was drilled They
were not all dry, but none came within
speaking distance OF the "gusher" class,
The number was increased to 100. hut
the aggregate production was only Us
barrels daily. This was in 1895 and
they had lost upwards OF SOOm II
is not surprising, therefore, tha, they
consented to sell their holdings to the
Standard Oil interests,
The purchaser was the Forest Oil
company, which had been operating in
Pennsylvania. Its managers gave com
paratively little attention to the new
fields II one can Judge from the lack
Of energetic development work durink
the period of the Forests ownership.
but the inference should not be drawn
that the Standard Oil men did not be.
lievc these fields would maintain their
production. a sO-barrel refinery to
handle the output was built in 1897 by
the Standard Oil company of Kansas,
and about three wears later the Forest
Oil company rellnquiShcd its title 10
the producing properties in favor OF the
new subsidiary which was destined to
occupy for All extended period a com
manding position in Oklahoma and
Kansas. The new subsidiary was the
Kansas Oil and Gas company, the name
OF which was soon changed to the
Prairie Oil and Gas company II was
controlled by the Standard Oil company
of New Jersey through the National
Transit company and the basis fox It's
organization was the work done by Mr.,
Mills and continued by Mcsrs Guffey
and Galley Its initial authorized capi.
talizaton was only 10000 but within
seven years this was increased to So
100000
The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-09-26
- -
MEN NOW ON BOARD.
Women Who Started OIL Company Alst
Take Up Zinc Mining.

RINGLING Okla, Sept 2l-(Spc-
cial Big Star Oil company No |,
which was organized by women and at
the outset had women constitute its
board of directors. has added to the
board two men, Edward Lowthcr of
Guthrie and Charles Selby, county at
torney of Oklahoma county This com
pany has 300 acres leased and Is
drilling at 800 feet in Mulhall town
ship, Logan county. The incorporators
are Gertrude Chaifee. Leda Pruct'. I.
Mary Couch, Msudc Leckner and Mary
D. Couch The company office is 500
Security building. Oklahoma City
The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-09-26

the force of the explosion out through
the top OF the casing. The pump then
was started and in ten days test the
John Keys well yielded an average Of
eighteen and one half barrels a day.
This was the humble beginning of a
The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-09-26

producing sand in order that the cavity
below the bottom of the casing may he
increased in diameter, and larger
pocket formed for the oil to sep into.
Shooting also has the effect OF produc-
ing a suction on the sand by reason of
The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-09-26

SHOT q We'll IN 1873.
II was in August 1893, that at their
direction the hole on the John Keys
farm was cleaned out and shot" By
shooting" is meant the discharging Of
a, quantity of nitroglycerin in the oil
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-11
LADDONIA LETTER
Great Union Revival On-A Wander
er Dies Among Strangers But Gets
Christian Burial.

Laddonia, Mo, January s, 1911
The revival meeting is on, conducted
by Rev. Trig Thomas, assisted by the
five churches of the town. Much in
terest is being manifested, forceful
sermons are being preached and the
prayer of the good people is that Lad
donia may be a town known to the
world for its righteousness.
The election held for the electric
light franchise was unanimous for
the franchise.
H. B. Bill was sick with asthma
last week.
Ward, little son Of Rev. Olsen, has
been quite sick with pneumonia. also
Bevie Day, daughter of Chever Day,
John Morris bought from Frank
Barnes fine driving horse for $14O.
w. R. Grail, stranger, having
lately come to Laddonia, died last
week from pneumonia. He was sick
several days. No one could learn his
whereabouts, he being a wanderer'
He has a son at Denver, Colo, also
brother at Quincy, ILL.,, but no word
could be received from them. He was
buried in the Laddonia cemetery.
Peace to his ashes.
]. e. Burch has purchased ]. w,
Coons' neat little residence in the
West-End. Mr.. Burch and family will
move about the first of February.
Mr.. and Mrs. Coons will reside on
their farm FIVE miles north of town.
Rev. e. v. Campbell and wife re-
turned to their home in Laddonia
after a visit with Mrs. Campbell's
brothers, the Stotler boys,
c. e. Carlson has purchased from
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-11
Celebrates Birthday.


A number of friends and relatives
gathered at the home of Mr.. and Mrs.
Cum Carter, east of town, Sunday,
to join the latter in celebrating her
3Sth birthday. Those present were:
Mrs. Bozier and son, Forest; Mrs.
Austin Carter and sons, Craig and
Walker, and Austin Crump, all of
Santa Fe neighborhood; Arnold Con-
rad and wife, of Moberly; Curtis Will
son and wife, of Benton City; and
Mrs. Emma Sue Reed, OF Mexico.
Mrs. Carter served one or those
fine high noon dinners for which she
is justly famed and most enjoyable
day was spent by all. The guests de-
parted for their homes at a late hour
wishing Mrs. Carter many happy re-
turns OF the day.
One Present.