Unlucky Men

1901

"The unlucky men are all kin; they all have certain qualities alike," says An American Mother in The Ladies' Home Journal. "They have eyes keen to look into the root of things, but which also dream dreams and see visions; they have hot human blood, they love or hate in no half way measure. To each of them, too, comes at times — no matter what the business or pursuit may be by which they strive to push their way among men and to grow rich — a sudden disgust of it, heartfelt and real, a contempt for the work and for its successes. They dream of something before them better than money or office, and they try to clutch at it. So they go through life groping for success with one hand and for their dream with the other, and they lose both. We must choose either God or Mammon as master and keep faith with him if we mean to succeed."

In Memoriam – R. A. Smith

1885, Leon, Iowa area

R. A. Smith died at his residence in Eden township, April 7th, 1885, aged 47 years, after an illness of 18 months.

Deceased was born in Illinois in 1838, and the same year his parents emigrated to Van Buren county, Iowa. In 1864 he was married to Miss Rebecca Perdue, of Decatur county, Iowa. He leaves a wife and 6 children, who mourn the loss of a kind husband and tender father. Services were held at his late residence on the 8th by Elder Wm. Anderson and the undersigned in singing, prayer and reading part of the 15th chapter of Cor. and part of the 4th chapter of 1st Thes. Mr. Smith was well respected by his neighbors, as shown by their kindness during his illness, and their presence and assistance at his burial, which took place at the Leon cemetery. S. A. GARBER.


WOODLAND TP., April 8th, '85

For the consolation of Miss Undine Smith on the death of her father who died the 7th of lingering consumption.

We miss thee, dear father, as we gather
Our household together for prayer or repast.
We miss thee at morning, we miss thee at noontide.
But more at eve when we meet around the hearth.

We look toward the spot, where we're wont to behold thee,
And naught but the vacant chair meets our sad gaze,
But the eye of affection is aided by memory,
And still thou art present though laid in the grave.

We watch for thy coming when twilight shades gather,
And often we listen to catch thy loved voice,
But never on earth shall its glad tones delight us,
Nor again shall thy presence our hearts rejoice.

We miss thee, dear father, at morning, at noontime,
And in calm evening we miss thee more still,
But God in his mercy saw fit to remove thee,
He knows what is best, we bow to his will.

— Mrs. E. E. B.

Good Business Men

1899

Richard Cadbury, who died in Jerusalem in the spring of the present year, was one of those hard-working men who build up their own fortunes, and in doing so make the fortunes of many whom they employ. When his father died, thirty-eight years ago in Birmingham, England, Richard and his brother George found themselves the proprietors of a grocery business, one of the features of which was the manufacture of cocoa and chocolate. In it were employed a dozen men.

The sons determined to devote themselves entirely to the making of chocolate and cocoa. To-day the firm employs twenty-four hundred people in its extensive works on the outskirts of Birmingham, and the populous little town of Bournville is wholly dependent on the Cadbury enterprise for its existence.

It was, however, in relation to his workmen and workwomen that the best side of the successful business man was manifested. As prosperity came to him he allowed a share of it to fall in their way. And he not only showed by his conduct that he believed master and men to be one in aim and interest, but also that he recognized a higher Master of the business than Richard Cadbury.

The day's labors were always begun by gathering the people together for a few minutes of quiet acknowledgment of dependence on the goodness of God, and His ever-mindful care.

Richard Cadbury and his brother had a personal interest in every worker. When the women left the firm to get married, — the only thing they ever left for, — the brothers knew just where they went and how they were getting on. Such simple friendliness between employer and employed is the best check to the spirit of suspicion that in the present day divides the worker from the capitalist. — Youth's Companion.

Memorial to Henry Clay Twice Struck by Lightning

1910

At Lexington, Kentucky, Shattered by Electric Bolts

Lexington, Ky. — It is a singular coincidence that lightning twice in succession has destroyed the statue erected in the cemetery here to the memory of Henry Clay. Years ago the people of Kentucky, proud of the greatness of Henry Clay and his distinguished public services, erected a handsome memorial to him in the cemetery where his ashes repose. In 1903 lightning shattered the statue crowning this memorial and steps were soon taken to repair the statue. A new one was placed in position the past summer. Before it could be dedicated lightning again destroyed it.

This elemental action seems typical of the life of Clay himself. He was one of the commanding figures of his time, distinguished as a statesman, orator and diplomat and greatly admired by millions of Americans. His one great ambition was to be president of the United States, but his prospects, even when most promising, were always shattered, just like the statue on the top of the imposing shaft, which a grateful state has erected in his memory.


Boastful Men

Men are inclined to boast, yet, according to statistics, three out of four are buried at somebody else's expense.


Heroes

Hero worship cannot be eradicated from humanity. It is well that it is so. It is a splendid thing to have heroes in history as definable ideals. It is a great thing to have also some living heroes as great ideals of our dally lives. But, above all, it is supremely important for us to keep before our minds the divine Master as a perpetual ideal. Looking up to him we grow toward God. — Rev. Oliver Huckel, Congregationalist, Baltimore.

Flowers in the Home

1883

Flowers! How our thoughts brighten at that word! They fly back over, ten, twenty, thirty, aye, forty years, to the times when we wove garlands from the wild sweet blossoms. What dainty, golden necklet we have since worn has given us the pleasure we felt when we decked ourselves in a simple daisy chain?

But I did not take up my pen to write of our sweet childhood; I wish to speak to my sisters of the home; I wish to remind them that nothing will make a home truly refined but flowers. Ah, they are infinitely more than rich furniture, and even more than books or pictures, or music itself, for they speak to all. None are too old, too young, too ignorant nor too refined to be taught by those sweet, fragile teachers. Then, busy, planning housewives, find a place for something that will tell you "God is love" — a little flowering plant.

It need not be a rare exotic in a costly vase. Primroses, violets, hyacinths, or any sweet, simple flower in an ordinary pot is quite enough. But you can make your pot quite a work of art with a little patience, ingenuity and corks. Take a flower-pot, a small wooden box, or anything convenient, and glue on fragments of corn until the outside is covered with a rustic coat. Then fill with mold and plant your flower.

Another way is — paint your pot or box a dark brown; then, when, it is dry, gum on some of those pretty, cheap scraps in wreaths or groups, and finish with a coat of clear varnish. Yet another way is to adapt common sea shells and pebbles. Ah, they are little things, but they will brighten a room, and perhaps a sad, dark, weary soul. What memories they awaken!

But a week ago a pot of spring flowers was placed in my hand, and with their sweet breath floated the memories of ten years ago, when I gathered the wild flowers and wove them into garlands; when I was not alone, but had the companionship of one who now sleeps in God's Acre beneath the flowers, when my faith in God and man was unshaken; and for that glimpse of my fair, pure childhood I was stronger and better. Then find a place for flowers. For all your care and trouble their sweetness and beauty will reward you fourfold. — The Toronto Globe.

Cardiff Giant To Be Exhibited Again

1900

THE BIG FAKE

Cardiff Giant is to be Placed on Exhibition Again

History of the Famous Fake From Fort Dodge.

P. T. Barnum Once Offered Sixty Thousand Dollars for It

Dubuque, Jan. 1. — All the older residents of Webster county and the country in general are on familiar terms with the history of the celebrated Cardiff Giant, that made a fortune for its owners in a few weeks and startled the whole scientific world. Had it not been for the shrewdness of Prof. Marsh of Yale, who refused to be gulled into the commonly accepted belief as to the genuineness of the image the public might have been humbugged indefinitely and the coffers of the owners of the Giant filled to overflowing.

The true birth of the Cardiff Giant was in the brain of George Hull, a Connecticut Yankee, who had the huge block of stone mined near Fort Dodge and transported with infinite difficulty to Boone, where it was shipped to Chicago, where the giant was chiseled out and treated with the proper acids to give the discoloration of age. It was then shipped to Union, New York, and, reshipped to Cortland, and thence carried during the night to the farm of "Stubb" Newell, in Cardiff, and duly buried by moonlight. That was in 1868.

A year later Newell "happened" to be digging a well and "much to his surprise" came across a strange image. The news spread about the unearthing of a fossil man of gigantic stature and thousands of people were soon flocking to see the "discovery." Over seven thousand dollars were made before it was removed from the hole where it was buried. It was then placed on exhibition and shipped about the country, no one daring to doubt its genuineness. Finally "Tamus" became so popular that P. T. Barnum offered sixty thousand dollars for his services for three months, and thereupon a number of other pieces of stone about the country were "discovered" and were claimed to be "original Tamuses." It is even now said that the giant of the world's fair was not the original "Tamus, God of Gods." Thousands thought that they were gazing on the biggest humbug on earth, when they were told that Tamus was the original Cardiff Giant. It is said that all this while the great original was slumbering peacefully in the freight office of the New York Central at Syracuse.

By some odd way the stone found its way to Syracuse, was stored away in the freight office and relic hunters left him unmolested. The road kept a bill on file in its archives for freight due from someone, who could not be found.

And now, it is said, after his retirement of fifteen to twenty years, the Cardiff Giant, dug from the gypsum beds of Fort Dodge, is to be again placed on exhibition, this time advertised as the biggest fake of the century.

—Waterloo Semi Weekly Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Jan. 2, 1900, p. 1.

By God's Judgment — Will Purvis Slipped Through the Noose

1899

And Accordingly the Man Convicted of Murder Most Cowardly is Let Free by the Executive of the Bayou State — Cannot Be Retried

A case of modern "judgment" has just been brought to the attention of many who had forgotten the strange case of Will Purvis of Mississippi, through the pardon that was granted to him a few days ago by Gov. McLaurin. Purvis figured conspicuously in the great whitecap sensation of several years ago, and his release from the penitentiary terminates a case which for sensational developments and dramatic details stands remarkable in the history of criminal jurisprudence.

In 1895 Purvis was accused of the murder of Will Buckley, a fellow whitecapper of Marion county. Buckley had fallen out with the band with which Purvis was said to have been one of the most aggressive members, and he had made open threats that he would divulge their secrets and bring them all to punishment. One of the oaths of the band prescribed to each member upon initiation was that the first man who turned traitor was to suffer death. Accordingly, a meeting was held to try Buckley, and he was condemned to die. Purvis participated at this meeting.

Shortly afterwards a second meeting was held to select the men who should execute the sentence of the band. This meeting Purvis failed to attend, whether from excess of caution, from accident or from qualms of conscience is not clear. Naturally his absence aroused the suspicions of his comrades. Nobody but the men present will ever know what took place at this second meeting, and there is nothing positive but that shortly afterwards Buckley was assassinated one evening after sundown on his way home from work. It was rumored around the neighborhood that Purvis was the guilty man. The rumors gained credence, and Purvis was arrested. At the trial Buckley's brother, was with him on the night he was murdered, testified that he recognized Purvis as the murderer.

Whether innocent or guilty, Purvis was sentenced to be hanged, and the day of execution was fixed and the gallows erected. The hanging was to be a public one, and as there had not been one in many a year in the neighborhood, crowds from all over the country gathered to witness the gruesome event. There were the usual preliminaries which attend such occasion. The prisoner was led upon the scaffold and allowed to say a last word. A minister of the gospel walked with him in the shadow of death and offered up prayers for the salvation of his soul.

At last the fatal moment came. The black cap was pulled down over the horrified eyes of the prisoner, and the noose was made fast around his neck. There was a hush in the great multitude of spectators, a pause, and then the trap was sprang and the body shot downward through the trap. Many sickened at the sight and turned away. For a moment the body writhed and quivered in midair, and then the knot slipped and the prisoner fell heavily to the ground. A wild shout greeted this denouement, the first of its kind the people of Marion county and the adjacent counties had ever witnessed. Eagerly the crowd pressed forward and assisted Purvis to his feet. As soon as he began to revive he called God to witness that he was innocent of the crime of which he was accused, and for which he had almost paid with his life.

But law is law, and the sheriff soon ordered the people to stand back and began preparations for a second attempt at execution. The people now asserted themselves. They cried down this act and threatened violence. To them it was an inscrutable sign on the part of Providence that Purvis was really innocent, and that a judicial murder had been prevented by divine interference. Purvis was taken back to jail, and soon afterwards was rescued by a mob. Gov. Stone, who was then in office, was besieged by pleading and threatening letters in behalf of the culprit, but he remained firm. When Gov. McLaurin came into office Purvis was recaptured, or, rather, he was brought back to jail by his friends, and his sentence was commuted to imprisonment for life.

"God's judgment" seems to have deeply impressed the people of Marion county. A brother and an uncle the murdered man signed the petition to the governor clamoring for Purvis' pardon, and all the Marion county folks attached their names to the document. The entire state of Mississippi seems to be on the side of Purvis, and very likely on the side of justice, so far as any one knows.

—The Lima News, Lima, Ohio, Feb. 11, 1899, p. 3.

Is Insanity On The Increase?

1881

Either insanity is on the increase, or the freaks of insanity are brought more prominently before the public than ever before. Scarcely a daily paper but what contains the doings of some crank, and insanity is used as a cloak for all kinds of crime. Last week a man presented himself at the White House and asked to see President Arthur, presenting a letter of introduction which read:

"John Woling: You are hereby notified that Dr. John Noetling is lawfully elected President of the United States, and occupies the White House every day."
"(Signed.)" "ALMIGHTY GOD"

The man was immediately arrested but made a desperate resistance, drawing a revolver, but was overpowered before getting an opportunity to use it. He gave his name as Dr. John Noetling.


Jesse James Gang

The James boys are now reported to be in Kentucky, where several attempts have been made to capture them, but failed. It is also reported, on what claims to be good authority, that Jesse James shot and killed another member of the gang a week or two ago, something about a woman. We hope that he will keep on thinning them out.


Ingenious Swindle

North Carolina will have to be credited with originating the most ingenious swindle of this age of swindlers. Several years ago a man pretending to be half-witted went around the country instituting suits against the responsible men of the community for amounts ranging from twenty-five to seventy-five dollars.

Some parties defended their cases and he did not pretend that they really owed him anything, but acted like a partially demented man would naturally act in such a case, but most of the parties paid no attention to it and judgment was rendered against them by default.

The man never tried to collect any of the judgment and so the thing rested for a year or two, until time enough had elapsed to prevent an appeal. Then the man turned up again not near as crazy as was, and the people of that country found that those judgments were collectable and would have to be paid. While there was no great amount against any one man, yet the aggregate sum amounted to thousands of dollars.

That country is just a little too hot to hold him so he is doing his collecting by an agent.

—The Appanoose Times, Centerville, Iowa, Nov. 10, 1881, p. 2.

Who Loves Not The Star? (poetry)

1878

WHO LOVES NOT THE STAR?

Who loves not the Star-light,
Which gladdens the night
And makes the world happy
With heaven's bright rays?

Oh, who shuns the Star-light
Which God freely sends,
To bless and to prosper
His foes and his friends?

Is there a poor mortal
Self prisoned somewhere,
Far from the warm Star-light
And heaven's pure air?

Where glitters the purple,
With gold spangled o'er,
And rich colored carpets
Bedizen the floor.

Where gas rays alone
Flicker dim, like the lights
Oft seen in a church-yard
On foul murky nights.

And curtains hang over
The windows, like clouds
Which blacken the heavens,
Or like ghastly shrouds

That covers the forms
Of the dead and decayed,
Oh such, while they live,
Are in graves ready-made!

Oh then, the bright Star-light
To me freely give,
With beams all celestial
As long as I live.

Yes, when I am buried,
'Twill be time enough quite,
To draw the tomb's curtain
And shut off the light.

—Daily Star, Marion, Ohio, Jan. 10, 1878, p. 1.

Proverbs from the Talmud

The ass complains of the cold even in July.

A single light answers as well for a hundred men as for one.

Teach thy tongue to say: "I do not know."

Thy friend has a friend, and thy friend's friend has a friend; be discreet.

Deal with those who are fortunate.

The doctor who prescribes gratuitously gives a worthless prescription.

The soldiers fight, and the kings are heroes.

Make but one sale, and thou art called a merchant.

If the fox is king bow before him.

The rivalry of scholars advances science.

The world is saved by the breath of school-children.

Even to rebuild the Temple, the schools must not be closed.

If a word spoken is its time is worth one piece of money, silence in its time is worth two.

Blessed is the son who has studied with his father, and blessed the father who has instructed his son.

Rab said: "Men should be careful lest they cause women to weep, for God counts their tears."

In cases of charity, where both women and men claim relief, the latter should be first assisted; if there should not be enough for both, the men should cheerfully relinquish their claims.

Rabbah said: "When one stands at the judgment seat of God these questions are asked: "Hast thou been honest in all thy dealings? Hast thou set aside a portion of thy time for the study of the Law? Hast thou observed the first commandment? Hast thou in trouble still hoped and believed in God? Hast thou spoken wisely?"

The Dying Wife (poetry)

1878

The Dying Wife.

Lay the gem upon my bosom,
Let me feel her warm breath,
For a strong chill o'er me passes,
And I know it is death.
I would gaze upon the treasure—
Scarcely given ere I go—
Feel her rosy, dimpled fingers
Wander o'er my cheek of snow,

I am passing through the waters,
But a blessed shore appears;
Kneel beside me, husband, dearest,
Let me kiss away thy tears;
Wrestle with thy grief, my husband,
Strive from midnight unto day;
It may leave an angel's blessing
When it vanishes away.

Lay the gem upon my bosom,
'Tis not long she can be there,
See! how to my heart she nestles,
'Tis the pearl I love to wear.
If in after years beside thee,
Sits another in my chair,
Though her voice be sweeter music,
And her face than mine more fair;

If a cherub call thee "Father,"
Far more beautiful than this,
Love thy first-born, oh! my husband!
Turn not from the motherless;
Tell her something of her mother—
You may call her by my name!
Shield her from the winds of sorrow!
If she errs, oh! gently blame.

Lead her sometimes, where I am sleeping
I will answer if she calls,
And my breath will stir her ringlets,
When my voice in blessing falls;
Then her soft black eyes will brighten,
And shall wonder whence it came;
In her heart when years pass o'er her
She will find her mother's name.

It is said that every mortal
Walks between two angels here;
One records the ill, but blots it,
If before the midnight drear
Man repenteth — if uncancelled,
Then the right-hand angel weepeth,
Bowing low with veiled eyes.

I will be her right hand angel,
Sealing up the good for Heaven;
Striving that the midnight watches
Find no misdeeds unforgiven.
You will not forget me, husband,
When I am sleeping 'neath the sod;
Oh, love the jewel to us given
As I love thee — next to God!

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.

Lyrics of Life: "The Little Valleys" (poetry)

1921

Lyrics of Life
By Douglas Malloch

THE LITTLE VALLEYS

The little valleys lie so far
From where the busy cities are
That men may live and men may die
And never find them where they lie,
The little valleys near the sky.

Shut in by plain and sturdy hills
That feed the grasses with their rills,
The little valleys do not seem
A part of all life's roaring stream—
But just a landscape and a dream.

A few green acres, that is all,
The mountains like a garden wall
In quiet peace to shut them in,
To shut away the dirt, the din.
And all the world of noisy sin.

And, oh, I wish that weary feet
Could find the little valleys sweet—
And, oh, I wish the weary heart
That feels the bruises of the mart
Could find this little world apart!

"God's gardens," so I call the vales
Up yonder by the mountain trails;
And you who cry for heaven's aid
You will not find it, I'm afraid,
Where man his busy world has made.

You must come tramping over hills.
Come follow singing whip-poor-wills,
Must journey long and clamber high
To where God's hidden gardens lie—
The little valleys near the sky.

—Mountain Democrat, Placerville, California, October 29, 1921, page 6.

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 - 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.

Brother Isaiah, Healer: Blind Hope Leads Crippled and Suffering

1920--

NEW ORLEANS, April 3. -- The lame, the halt and the blind are beating a track to the door of "Brother Isaiah," who cures, he claims, by the laying on of hands.

"Brother Isaiah" was christened John Cudney. He is 75. He has been variously Mississippi River derelict, peddler of kindling wood and watchman on a government dredge.

Now he lives with an aged sister in a houseboat and day after day and far into each night prays with the sick and afflicted who come for his aid.

Many testify to his power to cure by faith. Others scoff. His followers emphasize his refusal to accept money or gifts.

When Cudney left the dredge he walked about the water front aiding the infirm he met. His fame spread. Now it is not uncommon for thousands to stand on the river bank watching him at his "miracles."

At first only the poor and illiterate came. Now, blind hope leads; white and black, poverty-stricken and wealthy come to him for aid. Once he prayed 22 hours and had to turn away supplicants to obtain rest and food. He prayed with them all that night in a driving rain until 6 o'clock in the morning.

Failed With a Few

For a while it looked bad for "Brother Isaiah." Some of those who had apparently been benefited found their joy was premature.

But the crowds came back when he said he had failed in some cases because of the "supplicant's lack of faith."

Others attested to complete cures; friends and relatives backed them up. One is Mrs. Emilia Letarovich, who for seven years had been an invalid. She walked away from the healer's boat crying that she was cured.

Careful checking of "cures" or "benefits" reveals that the Miracle Man has had little success in relieving those affected by organic diseases. But he has cured or benefited those who ailments might be due largely to imagination, shock or mental condition.

Woman Was Cured

Friends of Mrs. Alex Pujol, wife of the deputy commissioner of public works, who could scarcely walk or move her fingers because of rheumatism, say that she can now walk across the room and use her hands more freely than she has in years.

"This is the power of the living God," "Brother Isaiah" tells his crowds. "I lay my hands on and life takes place in the flesh of sickness. It is the spirit of the Lord that makes them well. None is cured save he who has faith in the Lord and his works. Those I have healed are healed by faith."

--The Des Moines News, Des Moines, Iowa, April 3, 1920, page 4.


"BROTHER ISAIAH" IS ORDERED TO USE SOAP
Healer Must Wash His Hands Between "Layings On," Declare New Orleans Board of Health

NEW ORLEANS -- "Brother Isaiah," aged "faith healer," here has fallen afoul of the state board of health which alleges he doesn't wash his hands between "laying on."

The "Brother" says he is entirely willing to use any soap prescribed. The mayor and police of New Orleans have refused to take action against the old man, because they say most people are anxious to have him continue his "healing."

Since he began his ministrations about a month ago the multitude that daily attends his sermons has increased to the point where the Red Cross has been forced to erect tents to care for the sick who await his treatments.

The old man will accept no money whatever.

Dr. Oscar Dowling, president of the State Board of Health, made the protest that the "healer" did not wash his hands between "layings on."

"Brother Isaiah" immediately stated his willingness to use soap.

Two crippled boys gave the old man soap when the first attempt to check his meetings was made. They ran away when he tried to pay them.

--Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, Wisconsin, April 4, 1920, page 10 of Part 2.

Railroad Workers: Sick Children and Some Die

Huron, South Dakota, 1909--

Among the Railroad Workers

Happenings in Shop and Home

Engineer Vance has been on sick list for some days.

E. G. Ball has been constructing cement walks at his residence, 611 Frank.

Miss Linnie Kesler was quite sick the last of last week.

The Infant child of Conductor Gross, who has been quite ill is said to be entirely out of danger.

Little Howard Rilplogal, the infant son of Walter Riplogal is under the care of Dr. Foxton. He is suffering from bowel trouble, as are so many little ones this weather.

Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Ball, parents Mrs. G. R. Dickson and E. G. Ball are visiting at the Dickson home. They arrived Monday evening from Egan, S. D., where another daughter lives. During the last year Mr. and Mrs. Ball have traveled in the southern and eastern portions of the United States and after a short visit here will probably tour the western states.

No. 16 came running two sections this morning, owing to the many Elks en route to their convention.

T. F. Keater has been laying for several days.

Mr. Joseph Thorsness has taken a 30-day leave of absence and gone to North Dakota, where he will, perhaps run a threshing engine.

Harry, the little nephew of Mr. Koerner (the foreman of the Co. blacksmith shops) was drowned while fishing with a crowd of little boys Monday forenoon. Harry has made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Koerner for two years since the death of his mother and they have come to look upon the boy as almost their own. He was a bright and winning little fellow and will be missed by his little playmates. The sympathy of all is with Mr. and Mrs. Koerner in this affliction.

Margarette Adell Dickson, only daughter of George R. and Margarette B. Dickson, passed away Saturday morning, August 14th, aged seven months and four days. The little one was suffering with ilio-colitis aggravated by the intensely hot weather and the fact that she was teething; she lingered but a few days after the illness manifested itself. All that loving hearts and helpful hands could do, all that medical science could lend was taxed to the uttermost but the mission of the little life had been fulfilled and the angels whispered softly, in her ear — "Child, thy Father calls thee, stay not here," as they gently bore her, robed in shining white to their blissful realms of light. At two o'clock Sunday afternoon funeral services were conducted at the home by Rev. Rifenbark, who spoke most beautifully from the text — "Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." The choir rendered "Sometime we'll understand" and "Safe in the arms of Jesus" while a friend sang "Beautiful Baby hands." Sympathizing friends filled the house with blossoms and beautiful floral emblems were received from both the B. of L. F. & E. and Prairie Rose No. 5.

God never does nor suffers to be done aught but what we ourselves would choose if we could see the end of all events as well as He.

Mr. and Mrs. Geo. R. Dickson wish to tender their heartfelt thanks to the friends and neighbors who assisted so kindly, and aided in so many ways during the last illness of their beloved little daughter and especially to express sincere gratitude to Prairie Rose lodge, to the B. of L. F. & E., and to Mrs. Porter, Mrs. Eldridge, Mrs. Thorsness and Mr. Kester particular for their untiring efforts in her behalf.

--Weekly State Spirit and Dakota Huronite, Huron, South Dakota, August 19, 1909, page 1.


DEATH OF BABY GIRL.

Seven Months Old Child of Mr. and Mrs. G. R. Dickson Died Suddenly This Morning.

Margarette Adell Dickson, aged seven months and four days, the little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. R. Dickson died suddenly this morning at 8:35 o'clock of ilio-colitis. The little one was taken sick on Monday morning, but yesterday was thought to be improved and today appeared to be almost recovered, when at eight o'clock she was taken with convulsions and died in a short time. She was a happy natured child and one that everyone loved, and the sincere sympathy of all will be extended to her parents.

The funeral services were held from the house at 617 Frank street at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon. Four young ladies acted as the pall-bearers.

--Weekly State Spirit and Dakota Huronite, Huron, South Dakota, August 26, 1909, page 4.

Comment: Even though the article of the 26th says she died "this morning," obviously the funeral was a Sunday past, and the first article says she died August 14. So it just took a little while to get this formal obituary in the paper.

Marriages In Heaven, Says Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

1922
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MARRIAGES IN HEAVEN SAYS SIR CONAN DOYLE

NEW YORK, April 10.- There are marriages in the spirit world, but no births, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle said today.

The celebrated English creator of "Sherlock Holmes," who has come to America to lecture on matters psychic, made this statement, in giving reporters a more intimate view of the next world as he conceived it than on his arrival yesterday on the steamer Baltic.

Marriages, he said, were on a higher level than in this world. They constitute the mating of affinities and always continue happily. Indeed, he said, there was a very complex form of society of the world hereafter.

Sir Arthur said that the great agreement among spirits of various nationalities as to life in the spirit world will be one of the strongest proofs of the existence of such life. He added that the spirit world was all about us but that it was expressed in colors and sounds which our senses were too gross to understand.

Sir Arthur said that some ministers taught that it is hard to get into heaven, but a normal, decent person could not keep from going there after death.

Asked about a suicide, Sir Arthur said that no one could force the hand of providence, and that a suicide would have to bear in the spirit world the trouble that had caused him to end his life.

He said that the object of life was to spiritualize ourselves and that riches and successes here did not count against that.

Some Stumbling Blocks

Climatic conditions are one of the stumbling blocks in the path of mediums, declared Sir Arthur.

Expressing the belief that all could become mediums if the talent were developed, Sir Arthur said that it was through ectoplasm that conversation with the spirit world was conducted.

"Ectoplasm," he explained, "is a substance emanating from the medium. At first it is a vapor or gas, which becomes glutinous or puttylike, and in that state can be felt.

"I have felt it myself; it can be photographed. I have a number of photographs.

"It has been analyzed by Dr. Schrenck-Notzing in Germany and by Parisian scientists. It has been found to contain phosphates, carbonates and sulphates, and some other substance undetermined.

"It is only on ectoplasm that a spirit can materialize. A spirit passing through it becomes visible to the medium. I saw my mother's face in the ectoplasm following her death a few months ago. There is not the slightest question about that. It was while I was in Australia. The face seemed as solid as in life."

--Nevada State Journal, Reno, Nevada, April 11, 1922, page 5.

Divine Healer Stops Flow of Blood Following Fight

Indianapolis, 1917
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A divine healer demonstrated to Sergt. Thomas and a squad of police Saturday night his power when he stopped the flow of blood from a number of stab wounds which Mattie Brown, colored, 715 West Thirteenth street, suffered. It is said the stabbing was done by Grant Lightfoot, colored, of the same address, who alleged the woman owed him 50 cents. The Brown woman ran to 416 Cora street where the police were called. Lightfoot escaped.

The woman was lying on a bed bleeding profusely from the wounds. The police said a young negro approached and asked to be permitted to see her. The crowd that had gathered around the woman was ordered back by the police and the negro approached and waved his hands over the wounded woman while he mumbled strange words. The police said the bleeding stopped in about a minute. When questioned by the police all the man would say was that he was a "divine healer." The woman was sent to the City Hospital, where it is said her condition is serious.

--The Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis, November 12, 1917, page 8.

Man Gets Bats in His Belfry, Acting Crazy

Idaho, 1906
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MAN GETS BATS IN HIS BELFRY

IMAGINES HE IS THE CREATOR AND WANTS MANY THINGS CHANGED.

Fellow Giving His Name as Frank Merriman Goes Crazy at Wooley Ranch and is Brought to Town.

Last Tuesday afternoon John F. Burton came to town from the upper Wooley ranch with a fellow who has bats in his belfry and seemed ready to be turned over to the officials for safe keeping.

Very little could be learned of him and it was almost impossible to get anything coherent out of him, and the only name that seemed to stick in his mind for any length of time was Frank Merriman. He is known to have worked in the vicinity of Henry during the past summer and winter, but is not known to have shown any insane tendencies before. He came to the Wooley ranch about ten days ago on a dilapidated pair of snow shoes and said he was going to travel on them to Colorado, but was induced to stay and when his hallucination took a form that pointed toward the dangerous he was brought to town.

He seems possessed of the idea that he is the creator and when anything does not suit him he wants to kill it or change it to his idea. One thing about the buildings in town did not suit him and he wanted them all cut down to one story with one room 8 x 12. He was taken to Pocatello yesterday afternoon by Deputy Quigley and will not doubt be taken to the asylum at Blackfoot at an early date.

--The Soda Springs Chieftain, Soda Springs, Idaho, March 29, 1906, page 1.

Comment: Headline "Brought to Town," town might not be the word, illegible.