davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26
Falls of Niagara as
Pictured by Hennepin

Father Louis Hennepin saw Niagara
when he went West to the upper Mis-
sissippi with La Sales expedition In
1879. He had poor eye for dis
tances, for in successive narratives he
measures Niagara's height as 500 and
600 feet, instead of its maximum Of
162, but he had a flair for vivid word
pictures:
"Betwixt the Lake Ontario and Erie
there is a vast and prOdigiOus cadence
Of water which falls down after sur
prising and astonishing manner. in
formuch that the universe does not at
ford its parallel. TITS true Italy and
Switzerland boast Of some such things,
but we may we'll say they are but
sorry patterns when compared to this
of which we now speak. 1t
(the River Niagara) is so rapid above
the descent that it violently hurries
down the wild beasts while endeavor-
ing to pass it to feed on the other side,
they not being able to withstand the
force of it's current, which inevitably
casts them down headlong above GOO
foot New York Times.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26
Ruins of Ancient City
Long Hidden in jungle

After being hidden for centuries in
a tangled-up mass Of Jungle, the an
cient city of Gedi, has come to light
only 80 miles from modern Mombasa.
Professor Fleure, Of the University
college Of Wales, who has been visit
ing Kenya colony with the members
of the British association, believes
that Gedi, known in Kenya as the
buried city," is of Persian origin and
at least six hundred years old. The
ruins disclose q fine Arabic writing,
especially in the mosques and tOmbs.
Professor Fleure thinks that Gedi
would well repay Investigations by
archaeological and chronological experts.
He does not believe these would be
difficult in view of the profusiOn Of
evidence provided by the ruins. The
town was known to tribes on the
coast for many years, but it was
Stunned by them because they re-
garded it as being haunted by the
spirits of the dead, who wreak special
vengeance on intruders. The lighting
of a fire in the precincts Of the ruins
was considered particularly dangerous
by the negroes, even If the fire was
only cigarette.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26
information of Value
in Old-Time Scrapbooks

Keeping scrapbook Is nothing like
as common as 1t once was, but still
a lot of folks cling to the old-time prac-
tice of preserving newspaper clippings.
bits Of poetry and other items Of in
terest in this way. How the scrap.
book hobby started no one appears to
know. but for generations it has been
customary to save things for ready
reference.
The time was when nearly every
body kept scrapbook, and no doubt
many filled volumes could be uncov-
cred. hidden away among things sell
dom seen or used. The old-time
scrapbook was called upon to settle
many an argument, for often the
scrapbOok contained matter of con-
trOversial nature. In the old days 1t
was nothing uncommon for a public
speaker to run afoul of q chronic
scrapbOok keeper.
Often the keeper of scrapbOok
specialized in preserving matter of
certain kind, and the practice still is
kept up. ScrapbOOks Of that type may
be filled with lot of valuable infor-
nation pertaining to a specific sub
ject. Often a scrapbook kept for a
lifetime is an index to the character
of the keeper. and in that way de-
scendants have learned more of their
forebears.-Louisville Courier-JOurnal.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26
Worlds Oldest Library
Discovered in SYRIA

What is supposed to be the most
ancient library in the world, consist
ing of documents written In the first
alphabetic signs known to savants,
was discovered in Syria by a French
archaeological expedition. Eighteen
large and small tablets, engraved with
letters that are neither hieroglyphics
nor Assyrian cuneiform characters,
but evidently parts Of the first alpha
bet made Of % and q signs, were
found by young Alsatian archeologist
on the Syrian ceast of the Mediter-
ranean, at a place called Ras-Shamra,
near Iatakieh (Ladikiya). The expe-
dition had discovered there necrop-
oils, the 4,OOO-year-old ruins of a
Phoenicfan palace and town, and
numerous ancient vases, jars and
statutes of great archaeological and
historical value. The opinion was put
forward by the Academic that these
ruins represented traces Of an AEGEAN
colony that existed on the Phoenician
coast 1900 years before the present
era. and whose civilization was of the
Mycenian period. Solomon Reinach,
the famous French historian, who was
present when the report was pre-
scented, declared that the discovery
was a most extraordinary one, and
that It would be of the greatest i'm
portance for the study of ancient his
tory.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26
Indian Ruler Famous
for Astronomical Study

There lived In India, IN the Seven
teenth century, a ruler known as
Maharajah Jai Singh II, and being
keenly interested In astronomy he
evolved a series Of structures which.
though not now used for practical pur-
poses. constitute the most unique as
Economical instruments In existence.
He appears to have collected all kinds
of astronomical books, and sent some
workers to foreign countries to gather
information. Having determined the
kind Of instruments required on which
to make the necessary recording of the
movements of the heavenly bodies. he
selected FIVE places in India as the
centers In which the observations
should be taken. The first he built
at Delhi, and then others In Jaipur,
Ujain, Benares. and Aathura. The
observatOries in Delhi and Jaipur
have been carefully restored. In ad-
ditipn to q number of metal instru-
ments he erected large masonry In
struments, some of them as high as 30
feet. Very careful records were made
of the observations Of his staff OF
workers, and modern astronomers
have expressed surprise at the valu-
able information thus collected. The
ruler responsible for these interesting
instruments died in 1743 and his
wives, concubines and science expired
with him on his funeral pyre.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26
Old Structures High
as Modern Skyscraper

The skyscraper is probably our
most striking achievement, says Emil
Lorch, professor of architecture.
Europeans are thrilled by its dar-
ing fusion of art and science and by
the unusual street effects, and sky
line created by these huge towerlike
masses which rise here and there
above our cities much as do the cathe-
drals over the lower and more even
outlines of foreign towns.
ut must not be assumed, however,
that high buildings are of recent or
American origin.
1.-THE Great pyramid of Egypt, built
$500 years ago, was originally nearly
500 feet in height, with a base 760 by
76O feet, covering Is acres, or an area
equaling one-third that of the original
campus of the University of Michigan.
Its height equals that of 45-story
building. The interior of Beauvais
cathedral is nearly 100 feet high; it
is $50 feet to the top of the dome
of st. Peters in Rome, maximum
for masonry construction being
reached at about 500 feet in the tow
ers of Cologne cathedral and in the
Washington monument.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26
Christmas Fireworks

Both the Chinese and Hindus en-
pleyed fireworks in their religious fes-
rivals long before Europeans knew Of
gunpowder. Other people copied them.
Ancient races used firecrackers, roman
candles, and fireworks in connection
with the winter solstice celebration.
Such pagan ideas have since been in
corporated into modern religious and
other observances. In Italy and other
countries this pagan feature continues
in some Christian religious festivals to
this day. Christmas eve in some Of
the Southern states resembles the
Fourth Of July. There are elaborate
fireworks displays, and the children
get firecrackers in their Christmas
stockings.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26
From BAD To Worse

A rich old Chinese mandarin had
two wives Said the first to him one
day: II wish you had not so many
gray hairs. People jeer at me and
call me an old mans darling" I'm
that case, my DEAR" he said, Il will
pull them all out" And he did so.
Shortly afterwards his second wife
came to him complaining that now he
had only black hairs on his head, she
looked, by contrast, horribly old
woman. Don't worry, my dear. will
pull them out" he said soOthingly.
But when he had pulled out all the
gray and all the black hairs the man.
DARN was completely bald. And
neither of his wives would have any
more to do with him.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26

The Committee appointed last session
of this Board to check up on County pa
TENTS at the University Hospital filed
I'VE. the undersigned, hereby submit
report on the University Hospital We
found the record kept In very efficient
manner and same shows that applications
ed as follows:
6 by John Ettel
81 by p. I. Wilcox
= by F. y: stepan
not signed by any commissioner.
2 belonging to Kanabec County and
charged to US.
This is true to the best Of our knowl-
edge.
F. w. Stepan
And. P. Edin.
This report was on motion approved.
The Board entered into a contract with
J. .. Adams Company for what Grader
Blades will be needed for the ensuing
year.
Minutes Of last session of this Board
On motion the Board adjourned until
Auditors Office. Pine City, Minnesota.
February 3rd. 1881. Nine o'clock A NJ
The Board met this day pursuant to
adjournment. All members present.
mate of amounts needed for maintenance
Of the different State Aid Roads in the
Commissioner Oakland offered the fol-
lowing resolution and moved its adop-
Be 1t Resolved: That the following
amounts be and are hereby appropriated
for the various State Aid Roads within
the County:
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26
Good Grounds

The young wife was seeking sep
aration from her husband on the
grounds of cruelty.
"But isn't your husband the cap
tain of Brownton Harlequins?" asked
the Judge, with awe, being himself a
keen follower Of rugby football.
"Yes, your honor" was the reply /;
land that was where the trouble
started. could do with him showing
me how we'll he had tackled by
tackling the dog; but when he used
baby to show me how he threw the
ball into the scrum-well, that was
the end."-LOndOn Mail.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26
Quake Every Half Minute

Every half minute an earthquake
occurs somewhere on earth. Great
ones powerful enough to destroy towns
happen about four times year. Two
especially sensitive zones exist: l.
along the almost continuous stretch
of the Alps, Caucasus and Himalaya
mountains; 2-along the whole noun
famous circle of the Pacific. Often
shaken Italy is in the first zone, Cali
fornia and Japan in the second. East
ern North America along the Ap-
palachian chain goes through a no.
ticeable, but usually harmless quake
at least once year, and a damaging
one at about five-year Intervals
Time, the Newsmagazine.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26
He Knew the Law

The late Haley Fiske Of insurance
fame told this story at an insurance
mems banquet in New York.
IAN American company" he said,
Opened q branch in eastern Europe
and was soon doing well.
"A rich peasant visited the main
office one day. insured his farm, and
then said to the manager:
SNOW, then, sir, I must have ev-
erything plain and clear before I 60.
Exactly what would get If my house
and barn were to burn down tonight?
"sNot more than ten years and not
less than three" said the manager.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26
Chalk That Up

Pat O'Hara and Mike Murphy (who
strangely enough, were Irishmen) had
taken jobs at colliery. Pat one
morning broke his shovel when he was
down in the mine. He was too lazy,
however, to take it to the surface with
him, so he left it for his friend, writ
ing on it in chalk:
stake my shovel out, Mike, I've for
gotten it!'
But friend Michael knew Pat of old,
and refused to be caught by such
trick. So he rubbed the message off
and substituted one of his own:
"Take 1t out yourself. I've never
seen it."-London Answers.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26
Diamond Splitters

The business Of the diamond "split-
ter" is dying trade. By an intimate
knowledge Of the stones construction
this person was enabled to split dia-
mond as a preparation for economical
cutting, and when this was done sue
cessfully a considerable saving on Ia
Dor and material resulted. At one time
every establishment where diamonds
were cut had one of these experts, but
modern methods have dispensed with
the hand-splitting operations, and
while there are several diamond cut
ting plants in New York there are but
three splitters and there is not work
enough for this trio.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26
Navajo Indian Lore

The Smithsonian institution says:
1.-THE Yebechai are nature gods of the
Navajo whose chief function is heal
in the sick. The so-called Yebechai
dance is q ceremony for this purpose.
Up to some years ago representations
of the gods were painted in colored
sands at the ceremony and wiped out
at the close. Later, the Navajo began
to weave the Yebechai figures in rugs
for sale. These rugs are usually made
on q hand loom. This may easily be
told If the designs are alike on both
sides as to form and color. Such spe-
cimens were never common"
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26
Hoards Found by Soldiers

Many boards of ancient and mediev-
al coins were found by soldiers dur
ing the World war while they were
digging trenches. Not many years ago
at Brescello there was dug up hoard
containing $4,000 pieces Of gold, all
dating between 46 and 38 B. G. Geld
coins are the most desired by numis-
matists, because gold shows no effect
from burial in the earth, whereas sill
yer, especially if buried in volcanic
soil, turns black or tends to mass or
shows crystalline change that makes
it brittle. Bronze tends to oxidize or to
become covered with an accretion Of
verdigris.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26
Comfort in the Desert

A train ride through some of the
southwestern country, often very un-
pleasant on account of the intense
heat, is to be made more tolerable by
the use Of railroad coaches that have
been made heatproof to a consider
able degree A special window glass
is made use of which cuts off much
of the heat of the sunshine. 1t also
cuts off some Of the light, but in this
open country there will be sufficient
for all purposes. The woodwork Of
the car Is also treated to resist the
action of heat.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26
Airplans Sis.als

Signals given BY airplanes flying in
formation are made by hand motions,
motions Of the head. the tipping Of one
wing or both wings alternately. Often
the rear man h one formation WIN
signal the leader Of the unit following
him, - that he will knew what the
unit ahead ~ abeut to Dc.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26
Phones Importance

What would this nation be without
the telephone2 We enjoy its maxi
mum development here. The time-sav-
ing resulting from its use Is so great
that it cannot be figured. It is one
Of the chief reasons why the United
States, one Of the largest nations in
territory, but with only 100000
population, can show such record
breaking achievements and develop
ment In all sections-there is no iso-
iation.-St. Louis County Messenger.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26
Tin Cans Salvaged

Salvaging millions of tin cans
around Western mining camps has
been found a profitable business. The
process RECEIVERS both the tin and the
steel, an average Of three tons of tin
being recovered weekly and nodded
into ingots to be used for making new
cans.-Popular Mechanics Magazine.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26
"Sea of Atlas"

The Atlantic ocean was first men.
tened by that name by Herodotus. the
Roman historian. The present form Of
the name is from the Latin Atlanticum
Mare, meaning the Sea Of Atlas. In
ancient days the name applied onk to
the sea beyond Nsuat Atlas In north
western Africa.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26
Darwin's Theory

Charles Darwin did not teach that
the human race is descended from
monkeys. The theory. predicated upon
his belief IN natural selection, sug-
gests that man and an anthropoid ape
descended from q common ancestor.
It IL believed that the divergence of
the humanoid and anthropoid types oc-
CURED perhaps q million or more years
ago. Exchange.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26
Radium Minerals

The principal minerals containing
the uranium and therefore radium are
pitchblende, carnotite and autunite.
The first of these consists of the oxide
Of uranium, more or less pure, and it
is found principally in Czechoslovakia
and in the Belgian Kongo. The second
is vanadate Of uranium and potas-
stun. 1t is mined in Colorado, Utah
and Australia. The third is q phos-
phate Of uranium and calcium and is
mined In Portugal and the United
States.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26
Sporting Term

Recover the ashes" means to win
U return contest after Q previous de-
feat II ID derived from the meek
epitaph published By the Sporting
Times On the anal defeat Of the ing.
ush cricket team By the Australians
"h1glisa cricket which did
at the Oval August %. 1885,. !.
The bsly wiz be crenatsd and tie
asAes tAkea 70 ARstraiia."
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26
Won Fame for Engineers

p. p. Baker and r. G. Dickinson are
the engineers who developed the De
lon circuit breaker, that opens any
high-voltage power circuit in a frac-
ton of second. Their paper describ-
ing the device won first prize at a
meeting of the American Institute Of
Electrical Engineers.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26
Observing Rainbows

ObSefVIuB N8IubOWS
The rainbow may appear to be OF
varying size. 1t is always seen along
the circumference of q circle whose
center is on a straight line with the
eye Of the observer. hence no two PEI.
sons see strictly the same bow. The
width of the colored bands increases
as the size of the raindrops decreases.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26
Salvation Army's Birth

The Salvation army, which was first
known as the East London mission,
and later as the Christian mission, was
founded in 1865. In 1873 the name the
Salvation army was adopted.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26
Modern Architecture

, Askit-How are things out at that
new town? Are they building many
houses?
Tellit-No; there are so many I'LL
ing stations they don't seem to have
any room for anything else.-Patb-
finder.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26
Happiness and Sorrow

The wide domain of happiness has
never been mapped. but sorrow has
been survey and known in every
part-Elbert nUbhard.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26
Penalty Of Deceit

No man, for any considerable Pc
riod. can wear one face to himself ana
another to the multitude, without
finally getting bewildered as to which
may be true.-Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26
Dirty English City

Newcastle-on-Tyne is one Of Eng
lands smokiest cities-approximately
900 tons of dust, ash and tar settle
on every square mile in the city dur
ing year.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26
Slethfulness Not for Hin

He that from his childhoed he's
made rising betimes familiar to him
WIN not waste the best part of bis life
In drowsiness and lying abed.-Locke.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-02-26
Gust Gjertson,
President of Council
Pro tenn.

Commissioner Stepan moved that this
Board recommend that the Village Of
Sandstone be granted the refund asked
for provided it is not taken out of the
allotment for State Aid Roads given to
Pine County.
ter from the Recorder, Askov Village, in
regard to refund due said Village out of
the County Aid Road Fund. The matter
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-09
JOyR|DE CHARGES
|. FACED BY Il BOYS
Arrests Made in Maryland
and Virginia in Theft
of Three Autos.

Eleven youths accused OF stealing
three automobiles here Friday have been
arrested by Maryland and Virginia au-
thorities and turned over to headquar-
ters detectives, who returned them to
this city.
The boys, four Of whom are colored
have been charged with joyriding and
probably win be arraigned In Police
Court tomorrow morning.
Police at Fredericksburg stopped seven
of the youths with two cars reported
stolen from Cornelius Morse, $40 Twer-
ty-third street, and Robert B. Ball, 1881
@ street. short time after lookout
for the machines had been telephoneo
to the Virginia city.
The boys gave their names as Smith
L. Thompson. rs, Of 3508 New Hamp-
shire avenue; Hugh Peden, l6, Of 34i1
Brown street: Julio NJ. Archino, Is, 4012
Fourteenth street; Vernon G. Hall, l6,
of 2BI7 Thirteenth street: Russell e.
Knodie. is, of 613 Park road; Phillip
r. Wachter. Is, Of 1913 w street and
Roy T. McAllister, is, OF 722 Park road
The four colored boys were taken into
custody by Silver Spring police short
time after the Maryland officers had
received word to be on the watch for
a car reported stolen from Lee Phersey,
S19 r street.
They were booked as Hewitt Todd
10, Of 1888 Marion Court: James Boyd,
II, Of 802 o street Charles Franklin.
IL, of 1893 g street, and Henry Brown,
II, of As Bladens court.