New Hampshire Neighbors — Hiram

New Hampshire/Maine, 1916

On Tuesday Mr. Albert F. Berry was sworn as Assistant Postmaster at Hiram Postoffice. This is a very good selection. Mr. George C. Bray, who has given excellent service as postmaster, has resigned and will soon leave the State to engage in other business.

Lieut. John W. Hubbard of Fryeburg visited his daughter, Mrs. Arthur W. Sadler, and his sister, Mrs. Mary E. Young, Tuesday.

We have not seen but about half a dozen fruit trees this year that have been stripped of foliage by brown-tailed moths.

Mr. Eli C. Wadsworth, whose buildings were burned July 29, has bought of Mr. Calvin F. Clemons, the farm formerly owned by Hon. John H. Spring, of 160 acres with ample buildings and he removed to it September 4th. Mr. Wadsworth was born upon the Spring farm, which adjoins his homestead. Llewellyn A. Wadsworth, who was severely burned at the fire on his back, right arm and shoulders, went to East Brownfield Tuesday to be treated by Dr. Marston. He is improving.

Mr. Cyrus H. Goodwin went to Brownfield Tuesday.

We note with pleasure that our old friend, Col. Abram W. Smith, of Topeka, Kansas, a native of South Hiram, has recently been selected at the primaries as a Republican candidate for Presidential elector. As he received 1889 votes more than any other Republican and 44293 votes more than any Democrat, it looks as if he would get there. He is a typical son of Maine. He went to Pennsylvania at the age of 17 and enlisted in the Union army, serving four years. He was in a rebel prison 18 months. He went to Kansas after the war. He was chairman of the Board of Managers of the Kansas Department in the Columbian Exhibition in Chicago in 1892. He has also served as state senator, speaker of the House of Representatives, candidate for Governor and U. S. Pension Agent. His lecture on the "Romance of the War," has won for him a reputation as one of the finest orators in the West, and his many friends have watched with pleasure and pride his long, useful and successful career.

James Evans, Esq., a prominent citizen of East Hiram, died Sept. 5, of Bright's disease, aged 77 years. A more extended tribute to this excellent man will be given later.

Master Charles Rounds of Malden, Mass., a grandson of Hon. Charles E. Hubbard of Kezar Falls, is visiting his aunt, Mrs. Mary E. Young. On Sunday morning he attended the Universalist church, and sang "The Holy City" as a solo. His wonderful voice and singing were a rich treat to all who heard him.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 12, 1916, p. 3.

Sweden

Maine, 1916

The grange service at the church Sunday was well attended. Rev. J. H. Little gave a fine talk, the church was beautifully decorated with flowers, potted plants, fruit and vegetables from field and garden.

Arthur Flint and family from Bridgton Highlands attended the grange service Sunday afternoon.

H. D. Stone and family entertained guests from Norway Sunday.

C. W. Bennett with his brother James and wife are visiting their brother Oscar Bennett and wife at Norway.

Ethelbert Bennett and family, Mrs. Martha Bennett and John Woodis and wife took an auto trip to Crawford Notch Sunday.

Mrs. O. P. Saunders spent several days in Bridgton last week.

Mr. and Mrs. Dell Holden and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Saunders took an auto trip to Portland Thursday.

Charlie Bailey has been hauling boards for H. H. Bisbee.

Bernard Maxwell visited his grandmother Mrs. O. R. Maxwell, at W. W. Wilson's Sunday.

Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Bennett, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Evans and Miss Ruth Chadbourn attended church at Bridgton Sunday morning.

Mrs. M. E. Perry is entertaining a lady friend.

Mrs. Lindon Merrill was in Bridgton Friday.

Annie Perry called on Josie Bennett Thursday afternoon.

Mrs. Wallace Cummings from Albany visited at Ernest Bennett's recently.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 26, 1916, p. 3.

Hiram

Maine, 1916

On Sunday afternoon Rev. Frederic Bannister preached an excellent sermon from John 21:9 on the "Dignity of Labor and the Value and Importance of Little Things." Mr. Files, the teacher of Cornish high school, sang a solo, "The Home Land", which was well appreciated.

Mr. James O. Miller of East Hiram is in very poor health from heart disease.

Mr. George H. Goodwin is slowly recovering from paralysis.

Mrs. Alice L. Goodwin is in poor health.

The fire escape at the village school house built by Messrs. Megquier and Jones of Portland, is an ample safeguard for the pupils, and the plank walks laid by Mr. Charles J. Small are very convenient in wet weather.

The two corn shops are about closing. The amount packed will be much less than the average.

Mr. John Cram is keeping the State road in repair, giving it diligent attention.

The Christian Endeavor Society will meet on Monday evening at the Universalist church. The union of the Congregational and Universalist churches is an indication of good will and fraternity that should be encouraged by all Christians and public attendance generally. We hope that many who are indifferent will rally to its support. The lasting and beneficent influence of such union service can hardly be overestimated. The children are the hope of the nation and on their sunny hair gleams the dawning light of better days than the earth has ever seen. Let them be instructed and encouraged to lay good foundations for the lives and duties that await them.

—The Fryeburg Post, Fryeburg, Maine, Sept. 26, 1916, p. 3.

A Pertinent Question

This cartoon looks like The Outbursts of Everett True, or at least the same artist, just going by memory. It's certainly the same idea, the main character being insanely irate at the various slights in life. It's from 1909, The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Oct. 9, 1909.

Archaeology in London

1902

Archaeology, according to Dr. Freshfield, who lectured at the London Institute, becomes an absorbing passion when once the initial stage is passed and the victim is too engrossed to find time for any other occupation.

He can find no better field for exploration than London — even without the aid of the steel excavator. He can see excellent Roman remains while doing business at the money order department of the post office. With a little more trouble he can study Saxon remains in Edward the Confessor's Chapel or the Chapel of the Pyx, at the Abbey. The Tower and the Bow Church woo him with allurements of the Norman style. Then the parochial records of the city and of the city companies call for the explorer who has caught the fever.

He will have the joy of learning that the plague of London was preceded by three other worse plagues in the same century, and that the dog — not the rat — was officially regarded as the disseminator. After this we may expect to see stockbrokers forsaking golf and gold and rubbing brasses in Westminster Abbey. — London Chronicle.


"Epitaphy"

A man may be simply mulish during his lifetime, but in the obituary notice it is always said that he had the courage of his convictions. — Denver Post.

Ostentatious Humor of the Day

1896

Little Brother — "Do you know what 'ostentation' means?" Little Sister — "The way other people show off. — Puck.

The sun never sets on the British dominions, and it rises occasionally in London. — Puck.

The great grief at forty is the discovery that eye-glasses are not becoming. — Atchison Globe.

An egg and an office-boy differ in that one is best when it's fresh and the other isn't. — Philadelphia Record.

Border — "I never eat shad." Wyld — "Why?" Border — "It always reminds me of boneless codfish." — Puck.

The Professor (awakening) — "Is there anybody in this room?" The Burglar — "No, sir." The Professor — "Oh, I thought there was." (Falls asleep again.) — Life.

"Fannie, I have told you time and again not to speak when other persons were talking, but wait until they stop." "I've tried that already mamma. They never stop." — Texas Sifter.

First Woman — "I was suffering untold agony." Second Woman — "Dear me! What did you do?" First Woman — "Oh, a neighbor happened in just in the nick of time and I told her." — Detroit Tribune.

She — "I hope, dear, you were not thinking of business in church this morning. You know your thoughts should be of higher things?" He — "Well, I was thinking of that $22 bonnet of yours. Is that high enough, think you?" — Statesman.

Absent-minded Professor — "I don't know what's the matter with me, doctor, I am perpetually limping to-day. Is it locomotor ataxy, I wonder?" Doctor — "Why, professor, you are walking with one foot on the curbstone and the other in the gutter."

Romantic Miss — "Have there not been moments in your experience when life seemed full of unsatisfied wants?" Mr. Hardhead — "Y-e-s, that's so." "At such times I always fly to music for relief. What do you do, Mr. Hardhead?" "I advertise." — Spare Moments.

"Some folks think this Venezuelan affair will be settled without trouble, but I'll dogon if I do," said Mr. Janson, as the crowd about the grocery store made room for the old man. "I never see one of these here line fence quarrels yit that didn't wind up in a fight!" — Indianapolis Journal.

"I don't know," muttered Rivers, picking himself up from the sidewalk and moving on with a perceptible limp, "whether there is any such thing as a bicycle face or not, but I am thoroughly convinced of the existence of the phenomenon known as the banana skin." — Chicago Tribune.

How Landseer Worked

1904

The man who can accomplish work at a dash is probably the one who has spent patient years in preparation for it. An enthusiastic English sportsman, Mr. Wells, of Redleaf, Penshurst, had engaged Landseer to paint the portrait of his favorite dog. But the artist was one of those who put off their duties as long as possible, and one day Wells, who had been growing more and more impatient, showed his feeling by some sharp expression.

"I know I have behaved shamefully," said Landseer, "but I will come down next Thursday and stay till Monday, and the picture shall be done before I leave."

On Thursday he arrived, just in time to dress for dinner, and his first remark was, "Oh, your man tells me you are going to drag the great pond to-morrow! Hurrah! I am just in time. That is a subject I have often meant to paint, and I shall get any number of sketches done."

This was an unpleasing announcement; but the host bore it. Landseer did a capital day's work for himself, and the next morning, when he came down to breakfast, he said:

"Mr. Wells, I hear you are going to shoot to-day, I've been looking forward to that for a year or two." So it went on until Sunday morning, and then Wells, who was very particular about seeing his guests at the early service, said to Landseer:

"I suppose you are going to church?"

"I don't feel like going," said Landseer. "I think you must excuse me."

"Oh," said Wells, in a blaze, "do just as you think best! You know well enough that this is liberty hall — for you, at all events."

"Thank you," said Landseer. "And I am going to ask you to let me keep Charles Mathews with me, to amuse me."

Wells vouchsafed no answer, and away the people went, leaving these two to their own devices. The minute the house was clear they hurried to another room, which Landseer had specially arranged for the purpose. The head gamekeeper was there, holding the dog, and Mathews assisted when there was need, at the same time amusing Landseer. When the party returned from church the picture was painted, finished, and framed on the wall. Written on the trunk of a tree in the background were the words: "Painted at Redleaf in two hours and a half."

Cat Mummy Found in Ceiling

1900

Body of Inquisitive Cat Found After Many Years

Egyptian mummies are not so much of a rarity nowadays as they once were, in fact they may even at present be looked upon as an article of commerce, but the body of a mummified cat found at Germantown has claims to be regarded, as a curiosity. The mummy is now to be seen in the window of 14 Chelten avenue, Germantown. The preservation of the body is perfect, the ears and even the tail being in good condition.

The house indicated is occupied by the family of J. S. Pryor. Mrs. Pryor says that when the ceiling of the Methodist Episcopal church, on Haines street, was being torn down for repair Oct. 24, 1877, the workmen came across a hard substance embedded in the ceiling. On being dug out the substance was cast aside. Mr. Pryor, who was watching the repairs, brushed the accumulated dust and dirt from the castoff object, and the mummified body of a cat appeared.

How the quadruped got into the interior structure of the ceiling, there to die, is a mystery. The church was built in 1858. The only plausible theory so far presented is that the cat, by some means, got into the ceiling while the original plastering was in progress and tarried until sealed in. The plaster on hardening became air-tight and the cat by exhausting the air in its adopted prison cell unconsciously preserved its body intact.

The Pryors intend to give the curiosity some day to the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences. — Philadelphia Times.


Love

Love is one part instinct and nine parts imagination.

The Boy Organist — Mozart

1874

Mozart's first experience of a large organ was in the monastery of a little town on the banks of the Danube. He was then only six years old, and in company with his father had left his home in Salzburg, and started upon a long course of travel.

All day long they had been sailing down that majestic river, past crumbling ruins, frowning castles, cloisters hidden away among the crags, towering cliffs, quiet villages nestled in sunny valleys, and here and there a deep gorge that opened back from the gliding river, its hollow distance blue with fathomless shadow, and its loneliness and stillness stirring the boy's heart like some dim and vast cathedral.

The company of monks with whom they had been traveling that day were at supper in the refectory of the cloister, when father Mozart took Wolfgang into the chapel to see the organ.

And now as the boy gazed with something of awe upon the great instrument looming up in the shadows of the great empty church, his face lit up with serene satisfaction, and every motion and attitude of the little figure expressed a wondering reverence. What tones must even now be slumbering in those mighty pipes? Tones which, if once awakened, could give utterance to all that voiceless beauty which the day's scenes had showed him — life and death, present and past; the peaceful river and the deserted ruin; the sunshine unfailing and the unfailing shadow at its side.

"Father," said the boy, "explain to me those pedals at the organ's feet, and let me play?"

Well pleased, the father complied. Then Wolfgang pushed aside the stool, and when father Mozart had filled the great bellows, the elfin organist stood upon the pedals, and trod them as though he had never needed to have their management explained.

How the deep tones woke the somber stillness of the old church. The organ seemed some great uncouth creature, roaring for very joy at the caresses of the marvelous child.

The monks, eating their supper in the refectory, heard the tones and dropped knife and fork in astonishment. The organist of the brotherhood was among them; but never had he played with such power and freedom. They listened; some grew pale; others crossed themselves; till the prior rose up, summoned all his courage, and hastened in the chapel. The others followed, but when they looked up into the organ-loft, lo! there was no form of any organist to be seen, though the deep tones still massed themselves in new harmonies, and made the stone arches thrill with their power.

"It is the devil himself," cried the first one of the monks, drawing closer to one of his companions, and giving a second look over his shoulder into the darkness of the aisle.

"It is a miracle," said another. But when the oldest of their number mounted the stairs to the organ front, he stood petrified with amazement. There stood the tiny figure, treading from pedal to pedal, and at the same time clutching the keys above with his little hands, gathering handfuls of those wonderful chords as if they were violets, and flinging them out into the solemn gloom behind him. He heard nothing, saw nothing besides; his eyes beamed like stars, and his whole face lighted with impassioned joy. Louder and fuller rose the harmonies, streaming forth in swelling billows, till at last they seemed to reach a sunny shore, on which they broke; and then a whispering ripple of faintest melody lingered a moment in the air, like the last murmur of a wind harp, and all was still.

Burlesque Queen Dances to Disprove Charge of Indecency

1916

Burlesque "Queen" Edifies Chicago Court as She's "Walkin' the Dog"

Chicago, Oct. 18. — Judge Samuel A. Trude's court in the city hall had all the aspects of a burlesque show for five or ten minutes yesterday afternoon.

A petite brunette stepped to the judge's bench, tossed her head, flashed a smile to the jury, then threw off her heavy outer cloak, and in a trice was "Walkin' the Dog" and doing other syncopated steps about the small enclosure in a dance to a ragtime accompaniment sung by herself.

It was Miss May Mills, leading lady of the "Follies of Pleasure," dressed in her spangled costume of gold and silver, demonstrating the exhibition for which J. H. Herk is on trial on charges of keeping a disorderly house, alleged to have permitted immoral dancing and acting in the Gaiety theater, 531 South State street, of which he is manager.

"Just Walked Like This"

Miss Mills was the star witness for the defense. It is upon her interpretation that the attorneys for Herk hope to prove the charges against him groundless.

"I simply walked like this," said Miss Mills between snatches of the song, as she deftly paced the small enclosure.

"I swayed like this and I waved my arms like that," demonstrating.

She pirouetted in front of the jury box, skirting the fenced enclosure, and brought up with a stamp of her foot, an appealing gesture and a toss of her head.

"Whoopee!"

"Whoopee!" cried some one in the rear of the courtroom, carried away momentarily. A stern bailiff quickly restored him to order. Then the spectators in the courtroom broke into applause, but this, too, was quickly silenced. There were some, however, who did not applaud. They were the members of the Women's Church federation, complainants to the charge, and others allied with the prosecution.

Judge Trude at the beginning of the song and dance was seated viewing the exhibition with becoming austerity. Before it was half over however, he was pacing back and forth behind his chair, his hands folded behind his back, his face beaming in a broad smile.

His opinion of the dance, however, he refused to communicate.

No Jass Band Around

"I'm afraid I won't do very well," said Miss Mills when called to perform. "You see, I have no music."

"Attorneys for the defense will probably whistle for the young lady," suggested Assistant City Attorney Bippus. But this they declined to do.

The name of Chief of Police Healey was drawn into the hearing yesterday. Witnesses for the prosecution testified to making repeated complaints of alleged immorality and lewdness permitted at the theater. No action so far as they knew, they testified, had ever been taken on the complaint.

Tights Shock Copper

Herk, the manager, when called to the stand, told of one complaint which had been brought to his attention. A policeman, he testified, had notified him that he would have to prohibit the wearing of tights by actresses. He saw the chief personally, he said, and complained that such action was discrimination and was told to "go ahead and run the theater as usual."

It is expected the case will be given to the jury this morning.

Mrs. George W. Hall, of 416 West Forty-sixth place; Mrs. J. G. Boor, of 832 Buckingham place, members of the Women's Church federation, and F. A Beale, of 4806 Forrestville avenue, testified to the immorality of the dance of Miss Mills. In their testimony they described the dance in detail, asserted that the costume worn by her was transparent, and that she deported herself offensively. It was to disprove this that Miss Mills gave her "skit." The costume worn by her yesterday, which she asserted was the one used by her in the dance, was not transparent.

—The Fort Wayne Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Oct. 19, 1916, p. 7.

Their Long Span of Life -- "Same Razor Everyday, 53 Years"

1922

London — Setting forth a compilation of the longevity of many of the common-place things in life — things which though soon every day are scarcely given thought — the London Mail points out that the length of useful life possessed by articles of man's handiwork forms an interesting speculation, and one which is full of surprises.

"For instance, an artificial leg had been worn by its owner for sixty years and was still serviceable at the end of that time.

"The average life of a locomotive engine is about twenty years, but there are many cases on record of this term being greatly exceeded. One built in 1846 worked for a period of over fifty years, first as a passenger, then freight, and finally as a shifting engine. Another completed over two million miles, equal to one hundred year's service, on the ordinary basis of twenty thousand miles a year.

"In the year 1913 a town in Wales was using a fire engine which had been in active service for seventy years on end. But this record pales when compared with that of an engine which was still in use at the beginning of the present century by a firm of metal rollers in Birmingham. This, a beam engine, was erected in the year 1767, and worked continuously for one hundred and thirty-six years before it was last pulled down and replaced.

"There is a case on record of a man using the same razor every morning for fifty-three years."

—Appleton Post-Crescent, Appleton, Wisconsin, Jan. 23, 1922, p. 4.


1899

A Long Service

In remote parts of Scotland the old Covenanters' love for long services on the bare hillside still lingers. At Dingwall a recent communion service in the open air lasted from 10 a. m. until 4 p. m. without exhausting the staying power of the congregation.

Home Made Poems by Sara Kenugen – "Mary's Lamb"

1928

HOME MADE POEMS
By SARA KENUGEN

MARY'S LAMB

Our Mary had a little lamb,
'Twas made into a fur.
And tho the day was boiling hot,
It always hung on her.

One day she wore her lamy lam,
To church, which was quite near;
When, lo, the choir began to sing,
"There'll be no necking here."

Our Mary then was hopping mad,
And tossed her head in air.
You go to ...... Celeron she said,
You'll find a plenty there.

She visited a candy store,
And met a nicey man;
He said "altho" it's very warm,
You wear your lamy lam.

This was too much for Mary dear,
So home she straightway ran;
And on the floor she threw,
Which came from lamy lam.

A playful pup awaiting near,
Mischievous work began,
And soon a bunch of fuzz was left,
Of what was Mary's lamb.

Mr. Editor:
You cannot make a lady's hand bag out of a sow's ear, let alone a whistle from a pig's tail. The Creator never made MAN his masterpiece to be a church deacon in the morning and to eat apples with Eve in the evening.
Yours,
SARA.

—The Warren Tribune, Warren, Pennsylvania, September 8, 1928, page. 3.

Probably Hobo Burglars Stocking Up for Winter

Lisbon, Wisconsin, 1911

BURGLARS AT WORK

Raiding Stores in Northern Portion of The County—Schroeder Loses $100

Lisbon, Nov. 21.—Last Friday morning when Frank Schroeder went to his till he found that it had been smashed and emptied during the night and about $20 in cash taken. On further investigation he found that he was the loser of shirts, pants, coats, jewelry and watches. The loss will be hard to estimate, bit he is sure that $100 worth of goods were taken. It looks like hobos' work — just stocking up for the winter.

The long-needed electric bell is now installed at the Soo crossing in Templeton. This is one of the bad railway crossings as it is less than fifteen seconds sometimes from the time a train appears under the N.W. bridge until it crosses the highway, and the heavy grade of the N.W. road obstructs most of the noise and sound of the train and whistle, which may be sounded north of said crossing.

Mrs. Sarah and Miss Luella Bonham and Miss Winnie Campbell left Wednesday for a few weeks' visit with relatives and friends in Missouri.

Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Brown and Mrs. E. Gerken left last week Thursday for Decatur, Ill., where they will visit their sister, Mrs. Chester Christman. They expect to return this week.

Fred Stier returned Thursday from Sheldon, where he was deer hunting. He brought home one of the choicest does that ever came to this town.

George W. Elliott left Friday for Leona, where he will visit his brother, R. S. Elliott, M. D., and also to look for deer. We hope he will escape the buck fever.

There is nothing doing at the big well at the N. W. depot. The drill is stuck at the depth of 690 feet, where it has been for over a month. Charles E. Weaver, James and Robert Booth returned from Sheldon Tuesday. Charles and Bob each had a deer. Jim got a skunk.

H. W. Abel drove to Colgate Sunday, where he attended the funeral of Mrs. J. Busse.

Rev. Mr. Kaper went to Juneau last week to attend the dedicatory services of a new church on Sunday. Dr. Rollins conducted services here in his stead. The Ladies' Missionary society will meet next Wednesday with Mrs. George McKerrow. Don't forget the big fair and chicken pie supper this afternoon and evening in the M. E. church parlors.

—The Waukesha Freeman, Waukesha, Wisconsin, November 23, 1911, page 5.

The Jollier (humor column)

1922

A big wheat crop is predicted. Say it with flour.

These June nights are even better than the famous Arabian nights.

Nineteen seniors at an Ohio girls' college are engaged. And yet people ask: "Does education help?"

A success is a self-starter. A failure is a self-stopper.

Hint to Ireland: An alley-apple a day won't keep the doctor away.

At the time of going to press another movie star was married.

In Indiana, a janitor stole $80,000 from the bank. This was the best he ever cleaned up.

An optimist is a man who plants an orchard near a school house.

Thanks to radio broadcasting sermons, a man can stay at home and claim he has been at church.

One way to keep a daughter at home is to feed her on onions.

A school of politics for women has opened. First lesson should be smoking bum cigars.

It's an unlucky angler who doesn't even catch one to lie about.

Americans in Germany say they are charged too much. Germans want them to feel at home.

This business revival could stand a little more shouting.

The only objection to living in the country is you have to go to town for your vacation.

No girl buying clothes wants the most she can get for her money.

In Detroit, a madman whipped his landlord and escaped. But all mad men can't do that.

We will investigate Turkish atrocities. The Turks will be glad to give a demonstration.

—The Coshocton Tribune, Coshocton, Ohio, June 19, 1922, page 4.

Girl Dies in Sunday School

1903

Swallows Mouthpiece of a Toy Balloon While the Service Is On and Chokes

New York, March 3.—Emma Rauch, 9 years old, swallowed the wooden mouthpiece of a toy balloon and died in the presence of the entire Sunday school of the Ainslee Presbyterian church in Brooklyn. The child bought the penny balloon while on the way to Sunday school. She inflated it in the church, but the mouthpiece slipped into her throat. Superintendent Follett tried in vain to extract the wood. He then summoned physicians and the child's parents. When it was seen that all efforts were futile and the doctors announced that death was approaching the whole school knelt and prayed until life was extinct.

—Davenport Daily Republican, Davenport, Iowa, March 4, 1903, page 1.


SWALLOWED TOY BALLOON

Strange Scene in Brooklyn Sunday School

NEW YORK, March 2—A remarkable scene was enacted in the Sunday school of the Ainslee Street Presbyterian Church, in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn yesterday. A short time before 10 o'clock Emma Rausch, nine years old left home for Sunday school. On the way she bought a penny whistling balloon. This she took into her class and while inflating it for the amusement of her classmates, the wooden mouth piece slipped into her throat. She gasped, and pain showed in her eyes. The children became alarmed and their exclamations of fright attracted the attention of Chas. Follett, superintendent of the Sunday school. He called to a trustee of the church and they worked to extricate the toy from the throat of the fast choking child. Not until she became unconscious was it believed that her condition was critical. Physicians were hastily summoned but could do nothing for her. When they announced that death was near the Rev. D. S. Dawson raised his hands and asked that all kneel and pray. Then he prayed aloud and fervently for the soul that was passing before their eyes.

The child's parents, who had been sent for, entered as the clergyman was about to begin his prayer. The meaning was clear to them, and they knelt sobbing beside their child and on the wings of the prayer of their playmates and friends the child's soul was borne away to its maker. Tenderly the body was carried to an adjoining room and Dr. Dawson led the awestricken congregation in a memorial service in place of the regular Sunday School exercises.

—The Daily Republican-News, Hamilton, Ohio, March 2, 1903, page 1.

Note: The Davenport paper had "Rauch" and the Ohio paper "Rausch" for the child's name.

Drunks Sentenced to Church Attendance

1911

DRUNKS DISLIKE NEW RULE

Cordele (Ga.) Mayor Has Novel Method of Cleaning Up Town.

Cordele, Ga., June 6 — Disgusted by the action of Mayor Dorris in announcing that all white persons convicted of drunkenness must either accompany him to church for ten consecutive Sundays or serve thirty days on the streets, chronic drinkers are taking the pledge or getting out of town.

The first man to receive the mayor's novel sentence was Scott Thomson, a well-to-do business man. Thomson accepted the church end of the sentence but he did not seem to enjoy the sermon.


BOLT GOES THROUGH GRAVE

Steel Casket Attracts Lightning—Fear Body Is Mangled

York, Pa., June 7.—Lightning played a queer prank in Prospect Hill cemetery, passing through a grave containing a metal casket and then tearing to pieces a large tree nearby. An investigation will be made to see if the casket is shattered.

The caretaker says that it seemed, as if a ball of fire had passed along the ground, entered the grave and came out of the other end. It is feared by relatives of the dead man that the body may have been thrown from the casket and mangled by the bolt.

—Indiana Evening Gazette, Indiana, Pennsylvania, June 7, 1911, page 4.

George Washington Meets Fast-Talking Modern Man

Anaconda, Montana, 1914--

Some Observations by the Wanderer

What would the immortal George Washington say if he came to Butte for a day?

The dapper young swell would greet him, of course, with a few remarks, and into his speech inject enough of the present day lingo to make the father of his country wonder what the world is coming to.

"Lo, old top; you look like the ready-cash gazabo come to pipe the gang. Now, for a starter, suppose you shoot your lamps at that across the pike -- isn't she a pippin?"

"Old top, lamps, pippin? I do not understand your language, sir."

"Now, what do you know about that? Wouldn't it crimp you? Forget it, bo, get wise, take my hunch and polish your peepers. I'll put you next to yourself. You sailed in to see dear old Butte, didn't you? Then take my wing and we'll trek over to the swellest cabaret you ever bumped into. Some doings over there, believe me."

"Believe you? Why, my good man, I cannot believe my ears, or" -- his gaze riveted on a wisp of modern femininity, garbed up to the minute -- "my eyes, either."

"Ah, what's the gag; hereto pipe the procesh, ain't you? You're handing me something but don't you do it, see? You need a gin ricky; or how would a flapdoodle kerplunk dingbat at the Dutchman's strike you? Your pipes hot? Come on over to the glassy mahogany and we'll look at Reuben. No? How'd a trolley down to the place where they give a correct imitation of the hesitation and the bunny hug hit you? Can you fall for the dance? Looking for a joy ride? Name your choice and I'll dig; let's paint the old burg a lurid carinine, eh? Get me?"

"How strange it all seems. Would that my sleep had not been disturbed by the Mexican silence at Washington."

"Come out of it, old scout; you haven't sized up this dump yet. There's peaches and cream all over town. Take my steer and don't let any good thing get by."

"Farewell, my country; again, farewell my countrymen. This is not my counter -- these are not my countrymen. By heck, where am I at?"
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The old-fashioned man who established a checken ranch that his heir might enjoy the fruits thereof has a son who is doing his best to keep tab on the chickens.
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The average man who comes to see the sights of the town usually obtains his first impressions in the big mirror behind the mahogany.
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A new suit of clothes, a shine, a shave, a hat with the bow behind and a $10 bill have made millionaires out of many hard-working men.
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The apple of mother's eye sometimes develops into a pippin; often is regarded as a winesap; sometimes as a wealthy, but more than ever, as the summer approaches, she swings into the early transparent species.
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Father used to black his boots with soot from the stove lid and mother, on Sundays put a little corn starch on her ruddy chin. Both used charcoal on their teeth and read the Bible and preferred each other's company on all occasions. This day brings forth sons and daughters who never open the family Bible, never both about father only when money is needed and never mention mother's name in society and prefer any other company to that of their parents.
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Sometimes it is a fact that the man who picks his teeth with his fork and wipes off his whiskers with his knife and uses his fingers to lift the flapjacks to his mouth and passes up the finger bowl can write a check for thousands and live in his own house.
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It has been written that he who hesitates loses. That's all at variance with fact today -- the one who can hesitation best wins the prettiest girl.
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The good fellow invites half a dozen up to the bar and throws up two of the biggest silver dollars he can find. He accompanies his wife to church and fishes around in his pocket for the smallest nickel to throw into the plate.
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The majority of residents of Anaconda are not aware of the fact that a railroad used to run from a point near Washoe park diagonally across lots to Sheep gulch, up to a great quarry from which many hundreds of carloads of building rock had been taken. Lime rock also was mined in that part of the gulch and there were lime kilns there, too. Only traces remain of that once important industry.
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A man who says he is a pioneer of Anaconda, having come here about 17 years ago, accompanied a real old-timer up Park avenue the other day. Passing the brick building across the alley west of the Montana hotel the old-timer said to his young old-time friend:

"That building was the first brick church in Anaconda, one of the very first churches built here, if not the first."

The 17-year old-timer looked up and down the sides of the brick house and then at the old-timer. "That right? That a church once?"

"Sure it was, built by the Rev. Mr. Stanley, a pioneer South Methodist minister."

"Well, I'll be -- I didn't know that."
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And John L. Sullivan visited Anaconda in the early '80s, in the heyday of his importance as a fistic expert. He drew an enormous crowd to the old skating rink down in First street, since named Commercial avenue.
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One sees a very large number of things in one day in Butte if one be inclined to observe things in passing. One can almost say that one sees some things that are not in sight, so much is there before one's eyes. So much may be seen now that could not be seen a month ago. Butte is a remarkable town in many remarkable respects. It grows, it keeps apace, as they say in suffragist meetings, it is in some respects ahead of itself, and it never looks back to see if the rest of the procession is coming.
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The observer notes a wonderful change in everything, including fashions, since last fall. Now they wear high hats and flat hats, whereas last fall they wore flat hats and high hats, only they were built on different lines last fall.
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The observing visitor also notes a radical change in man's apparel. Looking back 25 years ago the observer beholds a kindly old gentleman in the act of shooting a man wearing a thing called a coat that looks more like something that someone had thrown out of a window and which fell on something alive. Nowadays that thing is called a top coat and the man wears it without molestation -- for it is vogue.
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The whiskey is the same, the people are the same, the atmosphere is the same, the cigars are the same, the hotels are the same -- only some visitors imagine that because they are away form home they can stand more abuse than they can at home.

--The Anaconda Standard, Anaconda, Montana, March 22, 1914, page 4.

Easter, The Glory of the Lord is Risen Upon Thee

1906--

EASTER -- festival of the springtime, commemorative of the great event which is the foundation of our religion and upon which is builded our hope of better things -- is the great Christian holiday. The resurrection and its lesson -- these are the keynote of our belief; around them gather our hopes and upon them is firmly established our faith. There is no heart that does not respond to the inspiration of the Easter thought; there is no soul that is not awakened by the lesson that it brings.

Hope and faith -- these are the suggestions of Eastertide. Hope of better things and faith that these things are to be, these are as natural to the human heart as is the song of the bird in the spring sunshine. The faith for which Easier stands is inherent; it "depends upon a sense of it begotten, not upon an argument for it concluded." As the spring sunshine, obscured for a time by lowering clouds, finally bursts forth in renewed splendor, so this faith, weakened perhaps at times by doubts, conquers them at last and finds strengthening power in the passing trials of this life.

And our hope, renewed by this faith, finds proper expression in the jubilant note of Easter, the highest thought of the soul. The Christian church has not invented this festival; the human heart has ordained it in response to the demand born within us for an expression of the reviving hope of eternal life. The austerity of the old Puritans frowned upon this, as upon other church festivals, but it has survived as all ceremonies must endure which have their origin in some deeply rooted necessity of the human nature.

In the awakening of living things from apparent death which takes place at the Easter season, we find the symbol of the eternal life for which we hope and in which we have faith. Our physical being responds to the inspiring call of the springtime and our spirits answer to the call of Easter; we find abundant reason for singing its carols; these songs are the expression of the heart's desire; they are the voicing of our strengthened hope. It is the song which the prophet sang, ages ago: "Arise, shine; for thy light has come, and the glory of the Lord is arisen upon thee."

--The Anaconda Standard, Anaconda, Montana, April 15, 1906, page 1 of editorial section.

Easter in Buenos Aires, A Feast of Flowers

1915--

Easter in Buenos Aires, the capital of the Argentine Republic, is literally a feast of flowers. Nowhere else in the entire world, perhaps, are they seen in such rich and fragrant profusion as there on that greatest of church feasts. The entire city, it seems, sends gifts of flowers to friends and loved ones on Easter morning -- dainty, sweet-smelling violets, both white and purple, lilies of the purest white and gold, camillas, white roses and pomegranate blossoms.

The houses are decorated with wondrous floral displays and the altars in the churches are fairly loaded down with the beautiful blooms. Everyone wears a flower of some sort on Easter day, the women seeming to prefer white violets and the men a rosebud or a boutonniere of choice blooms. Flowers are indeed appropriate reminders of Easter and its message, and in Buenos Aires they are particularly effective.

--The Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, Illinois, April 3, 1915, page 3.

Easter - The Good News in Church This Week

1908--

Easter Sermons in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Universalist Church - "The Easter Alleluia," Rev. W. A. Pratt.

First United Presbyterian Church - "The Glory That Followed the Sufferings of Christ." In the evening service, "Sadness in the Midst of Joy."

Westminster Church - "Like Unto the Son of God," Rev. Geo. W. Bryant.

Bethany Congregational - "The Risen Christ," B. H. Morse, minister.

First Lutheran Church - "Glory of the Empty Tomb."

The other churches, and these as well, have numerous Easter anthems, recitations, hymns, cantatas, and special programs.

Musical selections from around town include, "From the Depths," "Let Mt. Zion Rejoice," "To the Hills I Lift My Eyes," "Mary's Offering," "As Panteth the Hart," "Unfold Ye Portals Everlasting," "Welcome Happy Morning," "See, the Day Is Dawning," "They Have Taken Away My Lord," "Christ Is Risen," and quite a few others.

The First Baptist Church's recitations are "Christ the Lord Is Risen," "What Does Easter Mean to You?," "Easter Bells," "The Light of the Easter Morning," and, by the class of the primary department, "How Daffodils Come Up."

--The Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, April 18, 1908, page 11.