davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-11-26
Isolated Island OFF Key
West No Longer Naval Base

Originally started in 1846, upon
the recommendation of Andrew
jackson, as a protective stronghold
for national defense against posi-
BILE invasion by foreign troops en-
tering the Gulf of Mexico, Fort JEFF
ferson proved ineffective as naval
base. Its history, however, has been
exciting enough to lure scores OF
adventurous travellers to the re-
mote, romantic isle Here, for more
than nine decades, the heavy, ma
sonry outer walls protecting the
fortress have withstood the restless
pounding of shark-abounding wa
tiers, observes a writer in the Wash
ington Post.
Fort jefferson was only fairly
completed by 1860, having taken
more than IA years to build. Re-
quiring almost fabulous labor to de-
velop it's main structures, a vast
sum of money has been expended
to build them. Transportation of
bricks and other building materials
to the distant sea base was slow
and costly process. 1t is estimated
that more than 40,000,000 bricks
were imported from the mainland,
from cities as far north as Philadel-
phia. The careful toll and skill ex-
ecuted by it's builders never proved
quite sufficient to withstand the fu-
rious cyclones which arise from
time to time in the Florida straits.
Many sturdy bricks have been sud-
denly wrenched loose from the stone
walls by the intense velocity of cy-
clonic winds.
It is related that during these
storms, food, while being carried
from the cook house, has been blown
far out to sea. At such times coral
would rise from the ground and be
hurled through the air with danger
Gus force. Because of these cy-
clones, and inasmuch as the island
was considered to have outlived its
original purpose by 1872, the fort
was abandoned as naval base. 1t
was garrisoned again in 1898 during
the Spanish-American war. On its
famous last trip en- route to Cuba
the battleship Maine stopped at the
naval station.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-11-26
Ancestors of Cats Were
Worshiped by Ancients

Did you ever want to know where
cats came from? The pet cats we
have. You can say they came from
Europe, but that doesn't really an
swer the question.
The ancestors of our cats were
wild cats, just like the wild cats in
existence in Europe and Northern
Africa. But these animals aren't
like the American wildcats, de-
clares writer in the Washington
Star. These ancestor cats" are
pretty much the same as our short
haired ones. The European species
is called 'Felis sylvestris' by scien-
lists and the Egyptian species is
"Felis ocreawa."
Probably the Egyptian wild cats
were domesticated first. Way, way
back in the dawn of history, the
Egyptians worshiped their tame
wild" cats. Temples were built
for them, priests cared for them
and the cats ran at will all over
the cities.
But even if the cats made fear
full noise, nobody wanted to do
anything about it, because all the
people had been taught that the
cats were gods and it wouldn't do
at all to make the gods angry. So
the cats were everywhere and lived
very easy lives.
In the old Egyptian tombs num-
mified cats have been found. Prob
ably some of these cats were car
ried in ships to Europe and there
they crossed with the European wild
cat. And we get our fancy long
haired and special-color cats from
these by selective breeding.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-11-26
CHURCH THAT SAVED LIBERTY
BELL OBSERVES 18TH YEAR

Zion Evangelical and Reformed
Congregation of Allentown, Pa,
which was founded, in 1852, cele-
brated it's 175th anniversary recent
ly. This old church is famous for
having given protection to the Liber-
ty Bell during the critical period of
the Revolution when General Howe
defeated General Washington and
occupied Philadelphia.
Removed from Independence Hall
in Philadelphia on September H.,
1777, the Liberty Bell was taken to
Allentown on supply wagon under
guard of North Carolina and Virginia
cavalry. AS every school child knows,
the Liberty Bell now rests in its ORR
ginal shrine in Independence Hail.
where thousands of people visit
every year,
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-11-26

Fulgurites are CLASSY formations,
or lightning tubes, due to the fusing
of loose sand along the path of a
lightning discharge beneath the sur
face of the ground. They have been
known for ages, although they are
not especially common. They are
found of various sizes, notes writ
er in the Indianapolis News, from a
fraction of an inch to several inches
in diameter, and in some cases
extend more than twenty-five feet in
to the ground. The inner surface
is of smooth glass, while the outer
consists of rough, incompletely
fused particles of sand, and often
bears longitudinal ridges and fur
rows. The tubes frequently are
twisted in spirals and are sometimes
branched. At one time they were
believed to have been formed by ex-
cretions from the roots of plants.
Their true origin was first explained
by DR.. Hentzen, of Paderborn, Ger
many, in 1905. Darwin, in his MAT
uralist's Voyage Around the World"
tells of finding these tubes in large
numbers along the Rio de la Plata,
in South America, where shifting
sand hills had left them projecting
above the ground.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-11-26
Spencer's First Writing
on Sand, Snow, Ice, Brick

Plat r. Spencer, whose system
of penmanship, often lavishly en-
bellished, was taught in many
schools throughout the country, was
born at East Fishkill, N. Y, Novem-
Der Z, 1900, the youngest of eleven
children. When he was ten years
old his family set out for the West,
settling at Jefferson, Ohio. Always
passionately fond of penmanship,
Spencer began writing in his early
years upon anything available
sand, snow, ice, brick, and fly
leaves of books, and taught his first
writing class in 1915.
After some experience as clerk in
store and supercargo on a lake
vessel, notes a writer in the Cleve-
land Plain Dealer, Spencer entered
on his life work as teacher of
penmanship. Besides conducting his
own school in log house on his
farm at Geneva, Ohio, he travelled
around the country teaching and
lecturing in various academies and
business colleges. Through his adj
dresses he was instrumental in
founding business colleges and in
promoting the American system of
business education.
Spencer was among the earliest
to recognize the promise of James
A. Garfield and to encourage him to
enter public life. He was instru-
mental in securing his nomination
when first elected to congress.
Spencer was married and had six
sons and five daughters. He died at
his home in Geneva, Ohio, May 16,
1864.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-11-26
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM IN
DANGER

In a recent address, Mr.. Robert
L. johnson, president of the National
Civil Service Reform League, scored
the record of Congress in writing
more than a hundred Innocent
sounding" riders in bills which
tended to break down the Merit
System.
"A make-believe career system"
half spoils and half merit, will be
foisted on the Federal Government at
the next session Of Congress If the
'much-heralded reorganization bill''
passes, Mr.. Johnson declared. The
present condition Of the Government
service, starting about 1880 and in
creasing rapidly since 1888, he stat
ed. Is now part spoils and part merit,
and 1t Is proving unsound in every
respect. He warned that 'the spoils
forces will never willingly relinquish
the power OF patronage"
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-11-26

The American people condemn old
world governments for their consta II
wars. The methods and diplomacy
Of Spain, Russia, Italy, Germany and
Japan give US a pain" and fill u
with disgust. Nor, do we think any
too well of our friends, Britain and
France, on account Of the way in
which they jockey with the others.
Congress made a careful survey of
the situation few weeks ago and
passed a Neutrality Act to keep the
United States out of war.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-11-26
THANKSGIVING

THANKSGIVING DAY is commonly,
If not correctly, supposed to be an in
stitution borrowed bodily from the
New England Puritans, who, per-
haps, substituted it for the ancient
holidays of the Christian Church,
which they eschewed.
Christmas and Easter were ana
thema to the Massachusetts Bay
colonists as festivals pertaining to
prelacy in the mother country. The
older folk pursued their usual labor
on those days and the little folks
crept unwillingly to school,
Nevertheless, the grim founders of
that colony nursed a very marked ap-
petite for good things to eat and
made their one festival an occasion
for the qualification of their palates,
specifically banning, however, such
Enthusiastically prelatical vanities
as mince pies and plum puddings.
But Thanksgiving Days are older
far than the Puritan colonies. From
times immemorial TIE Deums were
sung by nations after victories in war
and after providential blessings OF
various sorts in times of peace.
One of the first proceedings of the
settlers of Maryland was to give
thanks to God for leading them to
such a beautiful country, and Mary
landers have been following the ex-
ample set by their forefathers down
to the present time.
The New Englanders, however,
seem to have originated the practice
of Jumping their thanksgiving on a
specified day in each year, while
other people scattered them as occa-
sion for them arose.
At many times in the history OF
the American colonies and States
special days have been set for the ex-
preston of gratitude to heaven for
favors received, but, perhaps, on the
whole, the New England practice was
the better one.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-11-26
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE
a UNIONS

Both of the great labor organiza-
lions of the country are committed
to programs for the organization of
Government employees. The Ameri-
can Federation of Labor at the Den
yer convention passed a resolution in
favor of applying collective bargain
ing to all branches of the Govern
ment service. The c. 1. o. is COM
mitted to the same objective The
Government has repeatedly denied
the right of Federal employees to col
lective bargaining.
theoretically the Government is
a just and model employer. The
Civil Service guarantees public en-
ployes that all their rights will be
protected. Nevertheless, the injec-
ton of politics in our public affairs
substitutes pull" when there is sup
posed to be a refined merit system.
There is rushing business carried
on in supplying jobs to faithful party
workers. This creates a weakness
in the Civil Service that thousands
Of Federal employees complain about
as their just claims for advancement
are showed aside in order to grant
preference to outsiders who are back
by the political machine.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-11-26
Bla cker Than Coal

To most of us coal seems to be
the limit of blackness, but there is
one substance that is much blacker;
silica black. It is formed of coal
crushed to fine powder and mixed
with pulverized silica. This COM
pound is heated in a vacuum at
a temperature of 600 degrees Fab
renheit, and when the gas and 9TH
er products have been driven off the
residue is found to be much blacker
than coal, says a writer in London
Tit-Bits Magazine. Silica black has
many uses-paints, shoe polishes,
insecticides and fume absorbents
usually contain a certain proper
ton of it. Its value lies largely in
the fact that it mixes easily with
oil, the color is permanent, and it
resists acids and chemicals.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-11-26
Funeral Services Held
for Famous Charter Oak

The tree known as the Charter
Oak, famous in American history as
the traditional hiding place of the
Connecticut royal charter, was
blown down during storm on Au-
gust 81, 1856. Afterward its age
was computed to be nearly a thou
sand years old, states a writer in
the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
When Sir Edmund Andres became
governor general of New England
in 1887 he went to Hartford to claim
the charter granted in 1852 under
which the colonists had enjoyed a
large measure of self-government
and which the crown maintained
had been forfeited. At council
meeting Andres demanded the sur
render of the priced document. The
colonial officials protested and the
governor made a lengthy speech
which lasted until after dark. Sud-
denly all the candles were extin-
guished and when they were re-
lighted the charter had mysterious
ly disappeared from its place on the
table. According to tradition, it had
been spirited away by Capt. Joseph
Wadsworth and hidden in the hollow
trunk of Ahe large oak.
The hiding of the charter, how
ever, did the colonists little imme-
diate good. If Andres had no char
ter to seize, neither had the colo
nists a charter to appeal to, since
the governor general dissolved the
existing government and sup
pressed their liberties. Two years
later, however, after King James II
had been deposed and Andres dis
charged from his Office, the char
ter was brought from its hiding
place and recognized by William
and Mary as the supreme law Of
Connecticut.
It was never proven that the char
ter was hidden in the oak, and the
honor was not attributed to that par
ticular tree until 1889, more than a
century after the visit of Andres to
Hartford. However, after it's de-
struction by the storm, the historic
tree was so reverenced by the peo-
pie of Hartford that funeral ora
ton was delivered in its honor and
the spot where it stood marked by
q granite monument.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-11-26
Children Fear Snakes
ONLY When Misinfcrmed

Is the fear of snakes born in us?
Science says not. No child fears
snakes unless he has been previous
ly frightened about them. When we
are too young to remember, we
catch the fear from older persons,
asserts a writer in the Detroit News
Among many absurd ideas is that
a snake stings with it's tongue; that
a milk snake milks cows; that a
hoop snake rolls; that any snake has
power to "charm" and that female
swallows her young.
There is some slight evidence for
the last statement, although the fact
that snake when cut open is found
to contain young is no sign she swal-
lowed them. Some snakes are vivi-
parous Clearing their young alive)
while others are oviparous (egg lay
ing).
The several kinds of garter
snakes, water snakes and the little
brown snake give birth to living
young.
The black snake, the milk snake,
and the grass snake are among the
egg-laying species.
Snakes eggs may usually be rec
ognized by their longish shape and
white leathery covering.
The time for Matching varies with
weather and other things. With the
pretty green or grass snake, it takes
about two weeks.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-11-26
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE SERVO Es

Ancient and Modern Necromancy,
Alias Mesmerism and Hypotism, De-
nounced" will be the subject of the
Lesson-Sermon in all Churches of
Christ, Scientist, on Sunday, Novem.
Der 2S.
The Golden Text will be from Pro-
verbs 14:22 do they not err that
devise evil? but mercy and truth
shall be to them that devise good"
Among the citations comprising
the Lesson-Sermon will be the fol-
lowing from the Bible Eek. 21:27
81 will overturn, overturn, overturn
it. and it shall be no more, until he
come whose right it is; and will
give it to him."
The Lesson Sermon also will in
clude passages from the Christian
Science textbook, Science and
Health with Key to the Scriptures, /"
by Mary Baker Eddy, among which
is the following, page 100 1.-THE
truths of immortal Mind sustain
man, and they annihilate the fables
of mortal mind, whose fiimsy and
gaudy pretensions. like silly moths,
SINCE their own wings. and fall into
dust"
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-11-26
INCREASE IN PRICE OF BREAD

Average bread prices have gone
up per cent in the last two years,
and on Aug. II, 1887, the average
cost was SO cents laof, the highest
seven years, according to D. E. Mont
gomery, Consumers Counsel for the
Adjustment Administration. The
findings are based on study OF
bread prices in fifty-one cities.
The increased labor costs during
the period appear to account for only
IN per cent rise. Wholesale prices
of white bread ingredients have actu-
ally gone down in the past two years,
except for a few months during the
summer of 1886, and the processing
tax cost of " rent a loaf has been
removed, Mr.. Montgomery points
out.
This rise in the cost of bread is
estimated to have added $50, 100000
q year to the consumers food bill.
1t is argued that this increase would
be socially justified if it went into
the pockets Of laborers and farmers
in wages and higher wheat prices.
The AAA economist says, however,
that only half went to labor and
none to farmers fact which would
seem to call for action of either the
consumers or the Government, or
both.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-11-26
Mogul Diamond Is Among
Gems in Moscow Exhibit

In an unpretentious room in the
Moscow treasury, there is a simple
glass case that contains the Great
Mogul diamond, one of the largest
in the world.
This priceless stone, formerly
called the Orlov in honor of the
count who ran many risks to pro-
cure it for Catherine IFS collection,
has a long and colorful history.
Originally weighing 300 carats, it
adorned the throne of the Persian
Nadir Shah until 1772, at which time
it passed into the hands of the ex-
travagant Russian empress.
Nadir Shah, to crafty a whim,
decided to have it cut differently.
The recruiting was performed, but
the Great Mogul lost 100 priceless
carats. However, still flawless and
of brilliant luster, it ranks among
the leading diamonds of the world.
The treasury buildings collection
consists of several thousand pre-
cious stones. Afghanistan tribes
bought secretly in China to grace
the crown of the Empress Gather
inc, chrysolites gathered from the
Red sea by Crusaders, rare emer-
aids and rubies, diamonds famous
throughout Indian and Persian his
tory, all having curious legends Of
their own, are set simply in black
velvet castings in the treasury mu-
scum.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-11-26
OLDEST WOMAN'S FACE IN THE
WORLD

What happened 10000 years ago
when sacrilegious stone-age genius
broke the most sacred taboo of his
time and carved the first human por-
trait. One of many features in the
December 9Th issue of the American
Weekly, the big magazine distributed
regularly with the Baltimore Sum
day American. Your newsdealer has
your COPY.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-11-26

Bread and butter letter is the pop
ular name given to a brief note of
thanks written by departed guest
to his host or hostess. The term is
particularly applicable to the letter
of appreciation which a person is
expected to write to a friend after
having spent a few days under his
reof. It received its name from the
fact that the writer of such letter
has enjoyed his friends dread and
butter" hospitality. Such letter
should be posted within two days
after the guests departure.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-11-26

The Massasauga rattler Is a
short, thick-bodied snake about two
and half or three feet long, gray
ish in color. 1t is sluggish snake,
slow to bite, and would rather flee
than fight. It prefers the vicinity
of swamps. His gentlemanly quail
ity exhibits itself in giving warm
ing Of his presence by means of
a buzzing sound or rattle, which he
produces with the buttons" on his
tail. Rattlers cannot leap at you.
They cannot strike over two-thirds
their length.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-11-26
Questions And Answers
WHAT'S WHAT ABOUT SOCIAL
SECURITY

@. go My husband has just died
and the undertaken has given me a
paper to fill out and told me to file
a claim for payment under the old
age insurance provision of the Social
Security Act. Should / do so?
A. 92 The Social Security Board
is making lump sum payments now
to eligible workers, or to the estate
or relatives of deceased eligible
workers, under the old age insurance
provisions of the Social Security Act.
Many undertakers are seeking to
help the relatives of deceased work
ers by calling their attention to the
fact that a lump sum payment may
be due them under the law Whether
a payment is due to you can not be
determined on the basis of the in
formation you have given. Call at,
Or write to your Social Security
Board Field Office for information
and assistance.
@. SO How much does the FEEDER
al government give for one person
lnder the old age assistance pro-
gram?
A. SO The public assistance pro-
gram is a State Federal program, adj
ministered by the State, in accord
lnce with the State law which has
been approved by the Social Security
Board meeting the requirements
Of the Social Security Act. The Fed
eral government makes grants to the
State matching dollar for dollar the
mount given by the State to quail
fed needy aged person, up to max
mum Federal grant of SIS month
Tor each person.
Q. "a Where will get forms on
which to make my monthly Social
Security tax returns?
A. "a Title VIII of the Social
Security Act requires an employer to
make monthly tax returns to the Col
iector of Internal Revenue. These
returns are made on Form SSH. A
copy of this form has been sent to
you. When you make your return
ask the collector of Internal Revenue
to send you additional forms on
which to make future returns. Make
all tax payments to the Collector of
Internal Revenue and do not send
cash or checks for taxes to the Social
Security Board.
Q. 95 Since last January 1,
have received $3.50 a month as an
employee in an automobile agency.
My sixty-fifth birthday is next Nov
ember g. will l get anything under
the old age insurance program? If
so, how much?
A. 95 You will be entitled to a
lump sum payment under the old
age insurance provisions Of the Soc
ial Security Act. You should file
claim for the payment which will be
due you. Your Social Security Board
Field Office will assist you. No fee
is charged by the Board for filing
claim. The amount of the lump
sum payment will be 3k per cent
of your total wages, that is, $3.50
a month for 10 months) $4,000. The
navments will he SS7 20
@. SO Does my employer have to
give me receipt for the Social Sec
urity taxes he deducts from my
wages?
A SO Your employer is required to
give you written statement of the
Social Security taxes he deducts from
your wages.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1937-11-26
Habits of the Kingfisher

The handsome kingisher digs
holes in banks beside streams and
lakes. Both male and female take
part in the work, and often the hole
is five or six feet long. The birds
use their bills as well as their claws
while digging, and their purpose is
to provide a passage to the nest
where they will rear their young
The nest is placed in hollow at the
end of the tunnel.