Lamar County AlArchives News.....The Vernon Courier December 24, 1886 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Veneta McKinney http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00016.html#0003775 April 1, 2007, 8:16 pm AL Dept Of Archives And History December 24, 1886 Microfilm Ref Call #371 Microfilm Order #M1992.4966 from The Alabama Department of Archives and History THE VERNON COURIER ALEX A. WALL, Editor and Publisher VERNON, LAMAR CO, ALA. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1886 VOL. I. NO. 30 Subscription $1.00 Per Year BANK NOTES – Poem – [M. A. Childs, in Rambler] ---- TYPEWRITERS – Two Thousand Of Them Employed In Chicago Intelligence And Good Looks A Recommendation – The Sunshine Of Many ---- - “Ready For Action” – Two “Mashers” Sad Fate (NOTE: First column is cut off and can’t be read) ------ female typewriter is mostly a ---- good-looking young woman --- teen to twenty. There are now --- two thousand of them in Chicago, --- number is rapidly increasing. --- reason for her youthfulness is found --- fact that the typewriting business is still in its infancy, while the fact --- good looks is merely another --- tion of the laws of natural selection. Old girls do not lean new tricks --- of earning a livelihood, and young ones who have essayed the – with success have not et had – grow old. The attractive and --- circulars of some typewriting --- shorthand schools have led many --- ngered Biddies to take a “typo- ----course,” but the invariable re----such cases has been that the as—females soon returned to their --- in the kitchen sadder and wiser --- Chicago is being educated to --- standard of taste in this matter. -- -male typewriter to be a success --- city must be not only --- and good- looking, but refined, --- and educated – with the tact – her employer’s grammatical ---without injuring his dignity, and --- of throwing his few vague and – generous thoughts., badly ex—into a clear, concise, and ex--- communication. ---gets to work either at eight or --- o’clock – at nine in lawyer’s business – and at eight in the general run –--- ness offices. She generally arrives about fifteen minutes late, with a --- smile on her face, a pleasant “Good morning: on her tongue, and a --- novel and a lunch-box on her --. After hanging up her hat and – in the closet and asking anxiously – the office boy’s mother’s rheumatism she takes the cover off her machine and spends half an hour wiping it with a cloth and oiling its joints with a --- ure oil-can. Then she steals a --- the list of marriage licenses in – morning paper, after which she – a plug of chewing-gun or caramel in her mouth, hides her novel under her little apron, and settles down in her chair at the machine as though --- for business. But neither she nor her machine is ready for work. --- a sheet of paper between the – and starts --- briskly to write a – note to her darling Eleanor – from whom she had a letter this morning. She goes along at a 2:40 pace for about ten seconds, when she abruptly stops and flings back the top of the machine with a vicious snap. She juggles the paper a minute, -- the cranks, and pulls a hair--- and her back hair, and jabs it at -- , and sticks her gum plug be—the leaves of her novel, and slams the machine into place, and starts. It usually takes the girl and her machine about an hour every morning to come to an amicable arrangement by which work may proceed with --- and dispatch. They are all bright girls, every mother---- of them – I mean mother’s ---“said a man in the business, “--- of employed hundreds of the girls --- thousands of the machines; --- one of the sir, bright as a new --- Slouches have no place in the business. I’ll tell you how I average it. First, they must be up to the – grad of female school teachers --- intelligence and education; seconds, - - must be up to the average of the – women in the fashionable stores in the matter of good looks. You see a --- teacher needn’t be good –looking, -- must be smart in her grammar, spelling and figures; while a high---- highly paid salesgirl needn’t be – education to speak of, but must --- tty and gracious. Now, type--- must be both. A good education is absolutely necessary, and good looks--- and an ability are also necessary – to obtain or retain a good position. Why? Well, I hardly know. I – state the fact. I suppose its’ – nature for people to like pretty girls near them. A pretty girl type—is a spot of everlasting bright – in a dreary office. The system – -- disadvantages. The best of --- when they take the notion, will --- and marry regardless of who is --- venienced. May be we shall have ---old typewriters by-and-by when – of pretty girls run out. At --- the market is well stocked. My --- , I’ve noticed, always prefer pretty girls, and so I employ that kind.” “Do you give a girl in with every machine?” “Like a chromo to a pound of tea or a piece of pie to every fifteen-cent meal? No, we don’t. But if a man who buys a machine wasn’t somebody to work it we can give him an expert hand. We always have a list of girls waiting to take situations.” There are about five thousand typewriting machines in use in the city. A large number of these are operated by their owner or by male operators, but about three thousand machines in use in the city are run by professional operators, and of these at least two thousand, it is estimated, are females. About three- fourths of these female operators are able to write short-hand – short-hand and type-writing now going hand in hand. It would seem as if in a very few years all these young women will have a monopoly of the short-hand business. The number of male learners of the art of stenography is decreasing every year. In every business office of importance the type-writing operator takes her instructions in short-hand, the merchant dictating the substance of what the wants to say to his correspondents, and the young women writing the letters on the machine at her leisure and having them all ready to sign before mail hour. But all these dry details of the type writing business are pretty well known to the public. What the public is perhaps not so well posted on is the etiquette of the typewriting machine. Future editions of books on etiquette will probably contain a chapter on typewritten missives in their relation to social forms. Perhaps such a chapter is already published elsewhere. A reporter would be about the last one to see it, for he would be ashamed to be found dead with a book on etiquette in his possession. There is a legend related of a young woman in Hoosierdom who got mad when her lover sent her a letter written with a typewriter, and sharply replied to the effect that she wasn’t to be wooed by machinery, and that all bets were off. This story is probably untrue, for Hoosier girls are not apt to turn up their noses at eligible young men, except for some radical fault. The serious questions suggested by the story are: First, is it allowable to use a typewriting machine in polite, social, and friendly corresponded? Second, is it allowable to use it for love letters? Third, would a proposal of marriage written his way hold good in a breach of promise came in a court of law? These be (sic) questions that come home to all of us. The first question should be answered by the affirmative. The second question is a poser. If the young man has got it had he may be glad to get any sort of a letter, and vice-versa. The opinion of an authority in such matters is that the machine can be safely used up to a certain stage of the courtship and must then be discarded for the more warmly- appearing handwriting. For instance, Miss Smythe, who operates a type-writer for Packer & Co., makes the acquaintance of Mr. Jones, a retail salesman, at a little friendly social. They become interested in each other. The stupid Jones does not know how to improve the acquaintance, much as he deserves to do so, and for all he can do may probably defer see her again. But Miss Smythe’s womanly wit bridges the chasm. She writes to Mr. Jones – and here the typewriter is allowable asking some little thing that will insure a reply and open Jones to further acquaintance. She writes: Dear Mr. Jones: I am sorry to trouble you, but I want so much to know, and I am quite sure you can tell me, who is the author of the beautiful little poem you recited that very pleasant evening at Mrs. Brown’s it began: “Why doth my heart so strangely move? Why am I sad and vexed? Is it because I gave my love Before that it was axed? Your sincere friend, Marie Edith Smythe Then Jones will reply that the poem is by Mr. Browning of London, and is entitled, “Twixt Sappler and Chrylaslies” page 220, canto 48. If Jones is properly caught he will call around with a copy of the poem and invite Miss Smythe out to a quiet place in the park where they may read it together. Up to this point, and even further, typewritten letters are permissible, but when Jones kisses Miss Smyth’s hand at parting, and tells her what salary he has, and the sort of woman his mother is, and how it is his ambition to have a little home of his own with a congenial companion, it is proper that Miss Smyth’s next note should be written altogether in her own handwriting Jones will lie it. If this disposition should be of help to young persons whose path to matrimonial bliss is blocked by this question of etiquette the writer will be amply repaid. In a basement office on La Salle Street a pretty typewriter sis at the front window in full view of the passersby, and it is quite a common thing to see a row of mashers, or dudes, strung along the railing gazing down at the seemingly unconscious operator. The other day the young lady got annoyed by the persistent attentions of two English-looking individuals, and sent the office boy out to tell a policeman to warn them off. The officer the boy struck happened to be Steve Rowan of Pipperary, and if there is any one thing Steve likes worse than another it’s a mutton-chop whiskered Englishman. Very few words were exchanged between Steve and the Englishmen before the latter made an insulting remark and Steve promptly marched the pair to the station, where they were liberated on promise to dropt eh masher business sand let modest girls alone. The typewriting machine was invented by a Milwaukee editor in 1867. The benefits conferred to the world by editors will probably never be fully known. The Milwaukee editor had two partners, but as soon as he met a man with money, and willing to part with it, he froze the partners out and took in the capital St. The machine has been improving ever since and is now rapidly going into general use. It looks as if the day were coming when the reporter will carry his printing machine around with him and print a speech or an interview while it is being spoken. The salaries of women typewriters range from $25 to $75 a month, with an average of about $45. When a bright girl has mastered the rudiments of shorthand and the typewriting machine she is usually able to get a situation at about $6 a week in an office where there is little to do and no hurry about it. After a year’s practice she will be able to take a situation where more expert work is required, and where the salary is proportionately higher. A proficient young woman who can write shorthand rapidly from dictation and drive the writing machine at the rate of forty words a minute can command a salary of $12 to $15 a week. That these wages are too low very few who are not employers of labor will deny, and yet they are princely when compared with the salaries paid to young women in many of the big retail stores. – [Chicago Tribune] GERMAN RAILROADS – A Prominent Merchant’s View on Some Interesting Foreign Topics John Wannamaker, in speaking of his recent European trip said “In Germany the government controls and operates all railroad but one. The plan has been in operation two or three years, and while it is profitable to the Government, the revenue derived from railroad sources being greater than the appropriations for railroad purposes, still I am convinced that competing private corporations serve the interest of the people better. Both passenger and freight rates are higher in Germany than in this country. There is a disposition on the continent to put all railroad service on the same footing as the postal service in Great Britain. I found a trend toward the abandonment of the second-class grade of traveling. The idea is to retain the first and third class coaches and add a fourth-class coach, which is simply an empty baggage car without seats, where the passenger has his choice of standing or using a portable stool, or like the elephant, using his own trunk. Everywhere I found that great interest was felt about America, and the people were constantly asking about the possibility of success if they came here. This is especially true among the farmers, who are very much discouraged. American products are finding their way to every nook and corner of the continent of Europe. I saw a load of American straw hauled through the streets of Zurich and I was told that the price was eighty-five cents per hundred pounds, which is the same price I have often paid here. From what I is said about America abroad I am satisfied that there are others beside ourselves who believe that America is the greatest country in the world.” – [Philadelphia Times] SOUVENIRS OF TRAVEL – Interesting Collections Made by Various Pilgrims in Europe The art of buying appropriate presents during a foreign tour is one to be learned only by experience, and there are many little pleasant ways of making up such presents not known to the general public. A lady friend of mine was making a book of travels for another friend in America, and she was doing it without writing a paragraph. She had a very handsome scrapbook, and she made it a rule to gather flowers and pictures wherever she visited, and to paste them in her book over a description of the place cut from the guide book. She put in her hotel bills, her street car tickets, and samples of the coinage and postage of the various countries. As complete it made a most beautiful souvenir of her trip and it took but very little work. It made such a present as could be got in no other way. Another lady was making up a set of odd china and she bought a new piece at each city she visited. She had cups from Dresden, Paris and London, and other places from nearly every one of the great cities of Europe. I know of one or two people who have bought sets of solid silver spoons, purchasing one in each city and having the name of the city engraved in the bowl of it. The bowl was first gilded and the white silver shining out in the letters of the city’s name produced a beautiful effect. Nearly every country has a different style of spoons and in England, Ireland, and Scotland every city has its peculiar mark which must be placed on all of the silver made with in it. Of course, it costs more to buy the spoons separately than as a whole, but the oddity of the collection and the memories called up by their use is worth much more than the difference. – [Carp, in Cleveland Leader] A New England politician who felt himself slandered wanted to sue the Springfield Republican for one million dollars damages. His lawyer advised him to make it fifty thousand dollars, and the jury said he must be satisfied with a cent. Few men know the value of their own character until a jury has talked the case over. – [Detroit free Press] DOG’S EARS – Some Good Reasons Why They Should Never Be Cropped Sir Edwin Landseer, one of the judges at the dog show in London, England, endeavored to exclude all dogs that had been mutilated by ear-cropping or otherwise. The principal reason for Sir Edwin’s protest is that the cropping of ears is most cruel and hurtful to the dog. The cruelty complained of it not in the operation – that, after all, is a small matter. It consist in depriving the animal of a defense which nature had given it against the entrance of earth and sand into the ears. The entrance of these into the ears distresses the dogs much, causing deafness, abscesses and cancer. All dogs, more or less, require to be protected from sand and earth by overlapping ears; but especially do terrier –literally “earth dogs” the species which, of all others, is most persecuted by cropping. They go into a burrow their ears get full of sand, and they suffer ever afterward. Surely Sir Edwin Landseer is right in saying that judges of dogs out not to sanction such gross treatment of the animal and that the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to animals should look to the practice. The only excuse that can be set up for this system is a delusive one. It is said that fighting dogs fare better with their ears cropped, and the exigencies of fighting dogs have set the fashion for all others. It is true that if an ear be gone it cannot be torn, but then it is forgotten that even for fighting purposed the ear is often a protection. All these fighting dogs have what are termed “point” One has his way of seizing the leg, another fixes upon the throat, and yet another makes a dash at the large gland behind the ear, which is the dog, is as sensitive as the most sensitive gland in the human body. Deprive the dog of his ear and the assistant ran get a good bite at tit and lay his adversary low. Leave the dog its ear and the assailant’s grasp of the sensitive glands is impeded by the folds of the ear and rendered much more feeble. Thus, even to the fighting dog, the long ear is a positive defense – [N. O. Picayune] EASTERN PROVERBS There are some general and almost constant peculiarities noticeable in these proverbs, such as the pervading unpopularity of the sister-in-law (who seems to be in as bad color as mother-in-law with us), the perpetual allusions to the kangri or little portable Cashumerican stove, which ought to make the insurance premiums high, the appearance of a certain female lunatic and saint entitled Lai-Ded, etc. but the proverbs are, as a rule, far too racy to have much common form. Her e is a delightful variant on adding insult to injury: “I am not so angry at the cat eating the ghee as I am at her shaking her tail.” “May roses be to your mouth” is surely a most elegant fashion of replying to a pretty speech from somebody else, whether there is or is not an undercurrent or sarcasm in it. “Ten wives, but eleven dispositions, “is much better than “Many men, many minds,” though, perhaps, it has a rather more limited intention. – [Saturday Review] CONTRACTION OF THE HOOF A hoof contracts from dryness consequent upon a state of inflammation of the interior of the foot, or from want of nutrition of the horn at the origin of its growth at the coronet. The injury is difficult to repair because the vascular tissue of the foot which connects the hoof with the interior part of it becomes absorbed and in part lost. The remedy is to rasp the hoof quite thin; to leave the frog untouched, so that a healthful pressure may be exerted on the interior of the foot; to kept eh hoof dressed with a mixture of glycerine, molasses and water in equal parts, and to cover it constantly with a bandage to keep it moist, and to apply blistering ointment to the coronet. – [N. Y. Times] A SACRIFICE OF FRIENDSHIP - joke PITH AND POINT - jokes WAR ELEPHANTS – How They are Utilized by the British Indian Army in Burmah Attached to the British Indian Army, which is now in Burham trying to wipe out the murderous bands of Dakoits that are affrighting the country, is an elephant battery. Seven-pound guns, including their carriages, are fastened to frame-work and hoisted upon the backs of the elephants. In this way the troops are able to transport their artillery through long stretches of country where there are no wagon roads, and where they would not be able to take their cannon if they did not have beast of burden strong enough to carry the artillery on their backs. When the troops meet the enemy the guns are quickly unloaded by means of a tripod, to which is attached a swinging arm and tackle. The elephant takes a more humble place in war nowadays than formerly. He used to be one of the combatants, but in these days of gunpowder and bombshells he has been reduced to the transportation department. Centuries before the Christian era the rulers of Egypt maintained stations as far south as Khartoum for the sole purpose of collecting wild elephants to be trained for war purposed. They were used not only to carry archers and javelin hurlers into the field, but were also trained to rush upon the enemy and trample them under foot. While opposing warriors on their elephants fought at short range, the elephants themselves would fight each other. It is said that the notion that the Asiatic elephant is superior to his African brother dates from the time when, in a battle between Antiochus III, King of Syria, and Ptolemy Philopator, in 217 BC, the Asiatic elephants in the army of the Syrian monarch killed every one of Ptolemy’s African animals. This idea of the superiority of the Asiatic elephant is still held by many, though it is probably groundless. – [Chicago Times] SPANISH GALLEONS – Remarkable Specimens of a Peculiar School of Naval Architecture The need of greater passenger accommodation, due to the development of American colonization, caused the Spanish ship-builders to load the decks with towering forecastle and poop structures, each containing tow or three tiers of cabins, instead of meeting the new demand by planning ships adapted to different conditions than had before obtained. Thus at each extremity of the vessel was a top-heavy fabric having a height equal to nearly a fourth of her length, and rendering it dangerous to carry even the lower canvas in a fresh breeze; while the sides “tumbled home,” as soldiers term it, that is to say, incline inward toward each other as they rose, so that the greatest breadth was below the water line, the least on the upper deck. Round-bowed and square- sterned, steering badly and commonly overloaded with cargo, the rate of progression was, under the most favorable circumstances, not more than twenty- five leagues a day. Therefore, usually about fifteen days were required for the last and most perilous stage of the homeward voyage that froze Azores, distant only eight hundred miles from the western coast of Portugal. The active life of a Spanish ship was short, even if she escaped the perils of weather and warfare, no vessel being considered fit for further ocean service after at the most, four voyages to and from American. This was partly due to no adequate method of sheathing being known by which the sides under water could be protected from the attacks of worms, and in part to radical defects in planning and construction. A galleon of four hundred tons burden, the average size, would be allowed a keel length of sixty feet, little more than that given to an English ship of only one hundred and fifty tons. The length of the upper deck being some ninety feet, with huge protecting bow timbers in addition, the effect of the relatively immense superstructure was to cause the vessel to pitch and strain to an extent which frequently opened the seams, the keel being too short to ride a two or more waves at once and so lessen the abruptness of her rise and fall. The rule was that the foremost should have the same length as the keel and the mainmast that of the upper deck, the mizzenmast and bowsprit being each sixty feel long. On each mast were two or three yards, and over the ower ones were large basket shaped “tops” forty or fifty feet in circumference, which in action were filled with musketeers. the traveler in the East who meets with some of the Spanish-built steamers trading to the Philippines may still see in the heavy bows, the he massive tops and the old-fashioned window-fitted ports a curious survival of some of the features of the ancient galleon. – [Gentleman’s Magazine] EARLY DETROIT – The Characteristics of the French Settler’s Principal Livestock Bees are very commonly kept, and were of no small profit. Of course, among a race whose favorite emblem, the cock, flourishes on every steeple, there was no lack of chickens. Ducks waddled along the shore, and incredible numbers of tame geese hissed and squalled at the passersby, aided in their chorus by the yelping of small dogs, which were also quite common enough. Turkeys wild and tame abounded. Their cattle were small and not very good. Two of their oxen could perform any heavy amount of labor compared with the average of working cattle to be found now. Hogs were numerous, of such long, gaunt proportions and huge heads that they have been generally distinguished as the “alligator” breed, from a caricature resemblance to that ungainly beast. Turned into the woods to forage for substance, they became wild and shy. Many years ago the island above Detroit was badly infested with rattlesnakes, and a drove of swine were sent there to destroy them. The hogs soon thinned out the snakes, but in the course of time became very numerous and lost all the habits and characteristics of tame animals. From those the island derived the name it has always borne until it ceased to be euphonious to refined ears and is now known indiscriminately as Belle Isle, and He Aux Cochous or Hog Island. It is now a city park, awaiting the future of municipal taste or vandalism. But the most important animal was the horse. In most countries physiologists trace out resemblances in character between the intelligent animal and his master. How far this is fancy and how far founded in truth it is unnecessary to decide. But there is no doubt the horses of this region possessed characteristics quite peculiar. Authorities differ concerning the original of the breeds of ponies found here, and the time of their general introduction. From the varying characteristics of the ponies, used by three French and Indians, there is reason to suppose them of very different origin. The Indian ponies resembled the mule in shape, being generally thin-chested, with dropping head and slouching gait. He was rarely used except as a beast of burden, the Indians having no vehicles, and when ploughing was to be done, their French neighbors were called into do this important work. The powers of endurance of this persecuted animal were great, but if he possessed speed or other showy qualities he got small occasion to exhibit them. He was a very meek looking beast. – [Magazine of Western History] PAGE 2 THE COURIER ALEX A. WALL, Editor and Proprietor Vernon, Alabama Friday, December 24, 1886 The President has ruled out the round dance at the White House. For country points and small villages the license heretofore $100 on liquor will for the next year cost $125. There has been a proportionate increase for license in town and cities. On the 13th Governor Seay granted a respite to Jim Miller, a negro sentenced to hang in Choctaw County on the 17th for murder. Friday January 14th is the extent of the respite. The amount of last year’s appropriations remaining on hand for the river and harbor work in Alabama is as follows; Chattahoochie $26,000, Columbia $8,256, Mobile Harbor $90,000, Black Warrior, $102,000, Tallapoosa $8,139, Warrior and Tombigbee $37,000. Charleston is surrounded by burning forests, which envelope the city in a cloud of smoke. And this in addition to regularly recurring shocks of earthquake, the sun hanging in the heavens by day like a great ball of fire, and the moon at night being as red as blood. A LAWYER SENTENCED TO PRISON Louisville, Dec. 11 – The Court of Appeals affirmed the Circuit Court ‘s decision today, and decided that Lawyer John J. Correlison, who cowhided Judge Reed of the Superior Court at Mt. Sterling, Ky., for making an adverse decision against Correlison, would have to go to jail for three years in addition to paying a fine. It will be remembered that Correlison’s victim, Judge Reed, was so mortified at the cowhiding that he committed suicide. The steamboat J. M. White, from Vicksburg to New Orleans was burned to the waters edge at Blue Store, Point Coupe, thirty miles below Baton Rouge on the 13th inst. Her cargo consisted of 2,100 bales of cotton and 6,000 sacks of seeds. Her cargo was valued at $90,000. She was regarded by many as the finest and fastest boat ever run on the Mississippi. She was built at a cost of $225,000. About 60 lives were lost. They have an agricultural organization up in Franklin County called the “Wheel.” At a meeting of the Wheel a few days ago one of the members charged another with stealing corn from his fields. The case was tried by the society and the corn thief found guilty and expelled from the society. Not only this, but it was ordered that his name be published in the “Wheel”, the organ of the society, which was done. – [Iron Age] SAM JONES ON THE OTHER SAM From the Omaha Bec. We have a few old red nosed devils who will drink as long as they live, but they will soon go out. Sam Small says it takes more money to paint a nose red than it does to paint the capitol at Washington with the best white lead in the world. He spent $10,000 in bug juice to put on his nose, and only got it to a pale pink at last. PRESIDENTIAL ECONOMY – [Cincinnati Enquirer] President Cleveland is more sparring than any of his predecessors of the appropriation made by Congress for the contingent expenses of the White House. The contingent fund covers stationery, telegrams, books for library, purchase of new carpets and furniture, cost of keeping carriage and horses, etc. the apportion for Grant’s last presidential year was only $6,000, and Grant spent every cent. Hayes, at the end of his first year in the White House, had an unexpended balance of 19 cents out of a contingent fund of $7,000. For his last year he had a contingent fund of $10,000, out of which he save $39. Arthur managed to save only $686 out of $10,000 contingent fund of his first year, and that was the largest balance he had on hand at the end of any year while he was the occupant of the White House. Mr. Cleveland saved $3,348.81 during his first year out of a contingent fund of $8,000. THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION Washington, Dec. 6 – The Board of Promotion of the Constitutional Centennial Celebration in 1889, The World’s Exposition in honor of the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America in 1492, and the permanent Exposition of the three Americas, an outgrowth of the World’s Exposition, proposed to be held in the City of Washington, met in Convention in this city today. The convention adopted a series of resolutions providing for the appointment of a committee of fifteen members to prepare a suitable memorial, setting forth the objects of the convention, which is to be presented to Congress with a view to securing its endorsement and appropriations necessary to carry the programme for the proposed celebration into effect. An Angeoriac doctor named Prengracher has just saved the life of a child in the last stages consumption. The little girl, wasted almost to a skeleton, was taken to a hospital in Paris. After along hesitation Dr. Prengracher decided to risk an operation, first chloroforming the child. He made a cruciform incision between the fifth and sixth ribs and burned out three cubic centimeters of the diseased portion of the lung with a red hot iron. In three weeks the wound healed and the blood coursed healthily through the child’s veins. She picked up, the flesh grew strong and she was sent home cured. The profession says it was fine surgery, but not original – Ex. Special to the Advertiser Greenville – Dec. 14 – As Col. Cheves, one of the temperance lecturers who have been lecturing here during the past week, alighted from the hack to take the train for Montgomery this morning just before day, he was assaulted by Mayor J. T. Perry and badly beaten, the latter claiming that he was insulted by some remark made by the lecturer during his lectures last week in reference to him. As the train arrived just about that time, both Messrs. Bauchamp and Cheves got aboard and went to Montgomery. Col. Cheves, however, returned to Greenville on the 9:05 a.m. train and was met at the depot by a large crowd of the best citizens in the place and escorted to the residence of Major D. G. Dunklin, where he now is in a suffering condition. There are two deep wounds on his skull, which a physician says were made by the use of some blunt instrument. Besides, there are a number of other bruises on his person. Owing to the time, place, and manner of the assault, great indignation was felt and expressed by our citizens, and excitement ran high during the day. No violence, however has been resorted to, and it is probable that the affair will be settled by the courts. THE STORY OF MAD-STONE [Fort Worth (Texas), December 4th - Cor. New York Mail and Express] Miss May Bartlett was bitten yesterday by a dg which, from all indications, is mad. A mad-stone owned by W. R. Sanner, of this city, has been applied and adhered several times, drawing out the poison. This stone has something of a history. In 1848 Captain Wilson, of Alabama, killed a white deer in Talladega County, and search was made in the stomach for a stone. One was found a little larger than a goose-egg, with a flat surface on one side It resembled a petrified sponge. The stone up to this time has been used in upward of one thousand cases. Captain Wilson gave the stone to Mr. Cowan, who lives near Handley, in this county. Mr. Cowan, as a token of great friendship, gave the stone to W. R. Sanner, who would part with it for no amount. The philosophy of the operation of the stone and the reason it is found in the stomach of the white deer is given by the Indians as follows: “The white deer is more susceptible to vegetable poisons taken into the stomach when eaten with grass. To preserve the life of the animal, nature has placed in the stomach this porous stone, which at once absorbs the poison, neutralizes it, and saves the deer’s life. The stone applied to a bit into which poison has been injected at once draws it out, and when its pores are filled drops off; being soaked in milk the stone is made pure again and ready for another application.” WALKER & DONOGHUE, Dealers in Staple and Fancy groceries and plantation supplies Columbus Miss. Keep constantly on had a full supply of all goods usually kept in a first-class grocery house. Give us a call when you are in the city. Mr. GEO. TAYLOR is connected with the above firm and will be pleased to see his friends and will sell them goods at rock bottom prices. W. B. SPANN of Lamar County with NATHAN & OPPENHEIMER Whole sale & Retail Dealers in Staple & Fancy Groceries, Tobacco, cigars, plantation supplies, etc. Wholesale dealers in liquors, wines, etc. Columbus, Miss. Note: I respectfully solicit my friends from all parts of the country to call in and see me when in the city. Will sell you goods at a very small margin above cost. I am ever thankful to my customers for the past favors. – W. B. SPANN J. A. JORDAN of Lamar County in now connected with TROST & SOLOMON Wholesale and Retail Dealers in Wines, Liquors, Cigars, & Tobacco. Columbus, Miss. Call and see him before purchasing elsewhere. L. S. METCALF, with T. O. BURRIS, Columbus, Miss. Groceries, Dry goods & shoes, hats & caps & clothing. Note: I respectfully ask my friends of Lamar and Marion to give me a call when in the city. Will sell you goods at a very small margin above cost. L. S. METCALF. OTTLEY & NEWBY Dealers in Crockery, Glassware, Lamps, Guns, Pistols, Powder, Shot, Steel, Iron, nails, Castings, Sash , doors, blinds, and a full line of stoves and tinware. Special attention paid to the repairing of tin work. No. 51 Market Street, Columbus, Miss. Cotton! Cotton! Cotton! S. E. WEIR & Co. Kennedy, Alabama Pay highest prices for cotton, country produce, &c, and sell all goods at rock bottom prices Fancy prints 4 ½ @ 7 Ladies Hats 25c to $3.00 Brown Domestic 7/8 5c Men’s hats, 25c to $3.50 Brown Domestic 4-4, 6c Kip Boots, $1.75 to $3.50 Cotton Checks, 6 ½ @ 7 ½ Kip Brogans, $1.00 to $3.15 8 oz Osnaburg, 10c Best Brogans, $1.25 Dress goods, all styles and prices Men’s and boys clothing, latest styles and lowest prices. Muzzle and breech loading guns, $2.50 to $35. Stoves with full line of fixtures, $10.00 to $20.00. We keep constantly on hand a full stock of bridles, saddles, harness, &c. Also good and fresh line of groceries, such as salt, flour, meat, lard, sugar, coffee, and all shelf goods, that we will sell as low as any market. Bring us our cotton and produce and we will pay you the highest cash price for same and sell you any and all goods kept in a first-class store, as cheap as money will buy them in any market. You will find it to your interest to give us a call before purchasing elsewhere. Mr. GARLAND SMITH will be found always on hand to serve his friends and the public. S. E. WEIR & CO. W. G. RICHARDS & Son – Dealers in general merchandise and country produce. Fernbank, Alabama. Not in favor of two weeks court, but selling goods low for cash. Headquarters for dry goods, notions, general merchandise, hats, caps, boots, shoes & clothing. Choice family groceries, including the best coffees, crockery, queensware, earthen and wooden ware, and a thousand and one “Nick Nack’s” which can not be enumerated always in stock. A car load of flour just received, which will be sold at a small margin above cost. We mean business, and I will sell any and all of our goods at rock-bottom prices. Columbus prices paid for cotton, hides, chickens, eggs, and all country produce. Please ask for what you want, we like to show our goods. Established 1867. Cash Store. A. A. SUMMERS, Special announcement for Fall and Winter. The best selected stock of general merchandise ever brought to Vernon. Now on exhibition fine clothing and dress goods at giving away prices, hosiery and furnishing goods at astonishingly low prices. A fine line of notions in abundance at a great discount. No lady can afford to buy elsewhere before seeing my goods and prices. Bargains in shoes, boots, and hats, never heard of before in Vernon. A full line of medicines, hardware, and goods of general utility. Call and see the attraction for yourself. Established 1856. 1886 Still here. N. GROSS AND COMPANY. We are now receiving one of the largest and best selected stock of dry goods, notions, boots & shoes, hats and caps, and clothing, gents furnishing good, that has as yet been received in this city, to which we call it’s attention of all of our Lamar friends. Our intention is to sell our stock at rock-bottom prices, and as we buy our goods for cash, we can of course offer you goods at figures which are astonishingly low. We would call special attention to the wholesale trade. Respectfully, N. GROSS & Co., Columbus, Miss. Note: We have secured the services of Mr. S. WOLFF, who will pay the highest marker price for cotton, and would be glad to see all of his Lamar friends. Call on him. N. GROSS & CO. COLUMBUS MARBLE WORKS. Monuments and Headstones of every description furnished to order with the best of stock. I invite orders for anything in my line from all parts of the country. Don’t be deceived before calling at my yard, for seeing is satisfaction. Everything warranted. LIST OF PRICES OF PLAIN HEADSTONES LENGTH WIDTH THICKNESS 3 ft. 0 in. x 1 ft 0 in x 2 in $12 3 ft 6 in. x 1 ft 2 in x 2 in $15 4 ft. 0 in. x 1 ft. 4 in x 2 in $20 5 ft 0 in. x 1 ft 6 in x 2 in $25 All work done on short notice. Material and work warranted the best. Correspondence solicited. W. H. NEWLON, Columbus, Miss. Fall and Winter Goods. F. OGDEN & Son. Cansler, Alabama. Dry goods, boots, and shoes. Dress goods, prints, notions, etc. Also keep constantly on hand, flour, meat, sugar, and coffee all of which will be sold as cheap as the cheapest. A fine line of snuff and tobacco and in fact everything usually kept in a first-class dry goods store. Give us a call and be convinced that we mean what we say. We wish to call especial attention to our wool carder which is now in first-class repair. We have with us Mr. W. T. TROTTER, an experienced hand in carding, and who will take pleasure in giving prompt attention to all wool brought to our carder. F. OGDEN & Son. Cansler, Ala. Clothing and hats. When you want a first-class article in the clothing line or a first class shirt or hat, call upon the clothing and hat store where you can select from a very large, nice stock of all kinds of goods for men’s wear. We deal especially in men’s goods, fitting a man from head to foot. We carry suits from $6.00 to $30.00. We have attached to our store a Tailoring Department, with a large stock of piece goods and trimmings to make suits to order. Call and see us when in the city. BUTLER & TOPP, No. 55 Main, Columbus, Miss. PAGE 3 THE COURIER Published Every Friday LAMAR DIRECTORY ALEXANDER COBB Judge of Probate R. E. BRADLEY Circuit Clerk S. F. PENNINGTON Sheriff L. M. WIMBERLEY Treasurer D. J. LACY Tax Collector W. Y. ALLEN Tax Assessor JAMES M. MORTON Reg. in Chancery B. H. WILKERSON Co. Supt of Ed. R. L. BRADLEY Representative ALEXANDER COLLINS Coroner N. L. TRULL, County Surveyor COMMISSIONERS R. W. YOUNG W. M. MOLLOY ALBERT WILSON SAMUEL LOGGAINS S. J. SHIELDS – Attorney-at-law and Solicitor in Chancery. Vernon, Alabama. Will practice in the Courts of Lamar and the counties of the District. Special attention given to collection of claims. J. D. MCCLUSKEY – Attorney-at-law and Solicitor in Chancery Vernon, Ala. will practice in the Circuit Courts of Lamar, Marion, Fayette, and Walker. The Federal Court and Supreme Court of Ala. Special attention given to collection of claims. NESMITH & SANFORD, Attorneys-at-law will practice in all the Courts of Lamar, Fayette, and adjoining counties. THOS. B. NESMITH, Vernon, Ala. J. B. SANFORD, Fayette, C. H., Ala. A. J. STANFORD, Attorney-at-law and Solicitor in chancery Beaverton, Alabama will practice in the Circuit and Federal Courts of Alabama. Special attention given to the collection of claims. ABRAM I. HUMPHRIES. Attorney at Law. Columbus, Miss. Special attention to collection of claims SAM’L M. MEEK, WM. C. MEEK - S. M. & W. C. MEEK, Attorneys and Counselors at law. Office on Military Street, (Opposite Court House), Columbus, Miss. Will practice in the Courts of Lamar County, Alabama LOCALS Of course everybody knows tomorrow is Christmas. Esq. J. D. MCCLUSKEY went to Columbus on business this week. New goods and Low prices at Geo. W. Rush & Co. Rev. G. M. G. DUNKIN, of the Bexar Circuit, and brother gave us a pleasant call last Saturday. The sheriff has placed a new stove in the jail cage which adds greatly to the comfort of the prisoners. For a fine overcoat go to A. Cobb & sons. They will sell you one cheap. We learn from Circuit Clerk BRADLEY that he has finished the final Record Book, and the business of his office is in good shape. Out of the seven cases tried last week on the Memphis & Birmingham RR. Only one received more than was asked per acre. Col. T. B. NESMITH was employed by the railroad and S. J. SHIELDS by the citizens who refused to give the right of way. We are not selling at coast, but just a little over cost. – Geo. W. Rush & Co. Rush & Co. kindly request their customers who have tickets with them to call and settle. If you wish to purchase books, go to Rush & Co. who will give you rock bottom prices. For sick headache, female troubles, neuralgic pains in the head take Dr. J. H. McLean’s Little Liver and Kidney Pillets. 25 cents a vial. Old people suffer much from disorders of the urinary organs, and are always gratified at the wonderful effects of Dr. J. H. McLean’s Liver and Kidney Balm in banishing their troubles. $1.00 per bottle. Special bargains in clothing, boots, & shoes. Call and see for yourself. Geo. W. Rush & Co. The Railroad is not here, but we are selling 7 ¼ lbs coffee, and 14 lbs sugar to the dollar, and most anything else as low as it can be bought anywhere else. Geo. W. rush & Co. See the Xmas tree in this issue. BIRTHS On the 16th. Inst, a girl to Mr. and Mrs. OSCAR GUYTON. On the 20th inst, a 10 pound boy to Mr. and Mrs. GEO. RUSH. On the 20th inst, a girl to Dr. and Mrs. M. W. MORTON. We wish the new comers Good speed and a long and happy life upon the land. Rev. Mr. WOODS preached at the Baptist Church last Sabbath to a large audience. Prof. BLACK dismissed his school on Tuesday evening for the Christmas holidays. Hon. R. L. BRADLEY and Mr. TOM CHANDLER visited Columbus this week. Fine Louisiana molasses for sale at Geo. W. Rush & Co. If your kidneys are inactive, you will feel and look wretched, even in the most cheerful society, and melancholy on the jolliest occasions. Dr. J. H. McLean’s Liver and Kidney Balm will set you right again. $1.00 per bottle. All the young men who have been boarding at the Hotel and attending the High School left this week for their homes. We hope all of them will return after Christmas. Capt. S. J. SHIELDS is visiting in Aberdeen this week. The Courier wishes all of its readers a pleasant and happy Christmas. We will move the Courier office into the west end of Mr. E. W. BROCK’S Store house in a few days. Remember this and give us a call. Mr. ALLEN FIELDS and Mr. TOMLIN, of Fern Bank, at the last drawing of the Louisiana State Lottery drew $15,000. Tax Collector D. J. LACEY is and will be at the Court House until the first of January for the purpose of collecting the unpaid taxes. Those behind with their taxes would do well to call and settle. Mr. A. H. SANDERS is now located in Vernon, and has photograph gallery up and ready for business. When you are in town call and have your picture taken. Sheriff PENNINGTON skipped over to Aberdeen this week on official business. He got his man, as he always does, when he goes for ‘im. JUST RECEIVED HUGH PENNINGTON has just received a full and varied stock of shelf goods, fancy candles, nuts of all kinds, raisins, apples, oranges, and a number of other nice things. All of which he intends to sell at a small margin above cost. A full line of tobacco and cigars kept constantly on hand. His terms are ---- over the Cash and get a heap for a little. A bank with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars was organized on the 17th inst. at Sheffield, Alabama. This place is destined to be a mammoth city. Animals are often afflicted with a disease called the mange, the same disease in human beings is called the itch, and is highly contagious; to cure it mix flour of sulphur with Dr. J. H. McLean’s Volcanic Oil Liniment, bathe it thoroughly, and take Dr. J. H. McLean’s Liver and Kidney Balm. Mr. J. W. MORTON requests us to say to those who are owing him for work, unless they call at his shop and settle, he will place their accounts in the hand so f an officer for collection. He says he means business now, so you’d better settle up. In cases of Fever and Ague, the blood is as effectually, though not so dangerously poisoned by the effluvium of the atmosphere as it could be by the deadliest poison. Dr. J. H. McLean’s Chills and Fever Cure will eradicate this poison from the system. 50 cents a bottle. Imperfect digestion and assimilation produce disordered conditions of the system which grow and are confirmed by neglect. Dr. J. H. McLean’s Strengthening Cordial and Blood Purifier, but its tonic properties, cures indigestion and gives tone to the stomach. $1.00 per bottle. NOTICE Parties indebted to the undersigned are earnestly requested to come and settle notes and accounts without further notice. – A. COBB & Son NOTICE Parties indebted to HALEY & DINMAN will find their accounts with W. G. MIDDLETON, Esq. unless settled by December 1st. HALEY & DINMEN LOST DOG – Estrayed from G. E. BANKHEAD’S place on Wednesday night December 1st, a Setter Dog, with white and liver colored spots. Will answer to the name Bevis. Anyone returning the dog to the above named place or any information as to his whereabouts will be rewarded. ATTENTION All parties indebted to the undersigned, either by note or account, are requested to come and settle at once, less said indebtedness will be placed in the hands of an office for collection. S. F. PENNINGTON THE CHRISTMAS TREE – Poem arranged in shape of a Christmas tree – [Philadelphia News] Mr. JOHN G. SMITH of Auro gave us a very pleasant call last Saturday. We are pleased to hear that he has a large and flourishing school at Hickory Grove School house. County Superintendent of Education, B. H. WILKERSON was in town on official business last Saturday. He dropped in to see us and informed that everything was quiet in his section. Prof. J. R. GUIN, of the Fernbank High school was up on a visit last Saturday to his home and many friends in town. Mrs. DELLA HILL and Miss JALA HILL enlivened our sanctum last Saturday evening with their pleasant smiles. Call again ladies. On Sunday morning last Mr. MAL FOWLER, our compositor for the past four months, left for his home in North Alabama. He carries with him the best wishes of the editor of this office. A more attentive and correct printer we never knew and it was with regret we parted with MAL FOWLER. The Morrison Tariff bill has gone dead for awhile by a vote of 149 yeas to 154 nays. Frequently accidents occur in the household which cause burns, cuts, sprains, and bruises; for us in such cases Dr. J. H. McLean’s Volcanic Oil Liniment has for many years been the constant favorite family remedy. S. E. WEIR & Co., Kennedy, Ala are selling stacks of goods. They buy their goods so close and sell so cheap, that they have been able to successfully compete with and sell number a bills around Birmingham. In fact they have sold several bills that went directly to Birmingham himself. Disease lies in ambush for the weak; a feeble constitution is ill adapted to encounter a malarious atmosphere and sudden changes of temperature, and the least robust are usually the easiest victims; Dr. J. H. McLean’s Strengthening Cordial and Blood Purifier will give tone and vitality and strength to your entire body. $1.00 per bottle. CITATION NOTICE The State of Alabama Lamar County To M. F. CAMPBELL, Guardian over the estate of M. C. KEMP, a minor. This is to notify you to be and appear at a Probate Court to be held for said county, on the 2nd Monday in January 1887, it being the 16th day of said month, and file your accounts and vouchers in final settlement of your Guardianship, else the court will proceed to credit said account from the papers on file in this office, and render judgment accordingly as the papers may show. Given under my hand December 2nd, 1886. ALEXANDER COBB, Judge of Probate FARMER’S INDEPENDENT WAREHOUSE. We have again rented the Whitfield Stables, opposite the Court house, for the purpose of continuing the Warehouse and Cotton Storage business, and we say to our friends and farmers of West Alabama and East Mississippi, that we will not be surpassed by any others in looking after the wants of our customers to make them conformable while in Columbus. We will have fire places instead of stoves for both white and colored; separate houses fitted up for each. We will have also good shed room for 100 head of stock more than we had last year; also a convenient and comfortable room for our friends who may come to Columbus. We do not hesitate to say that we can and will give you better camping accommodations than any other house in the house in the place. Mr. J. L. MARCHBANKS of Lamar County, Ala., and MILIAS MOORHEAD, of Pickens County, Ala., will be at the stable and will be glad to see their friends and attend to their wants, both day and night. Our Mr. FELIX GUNTER will be at the cotton shed where he will be glad to see his old friends and as many new ones as will come. All cotton shipped to us by railroad of river will be received free of drayage to warehouse and have our personal attention. Thanking you for your patronage last season, and we remain the farmer’s friends. Yours Respectfully, J. G. SHULL & CO, Columbus, Miss. When you are constipated, with loss of appetite, headache, take one of Dr. J. H. McLean’s Little Liver and Kidney Pillets. They are pleasant to take and will cure you. 25 cents a vial. PICTURES. Taken in Cloudy as well as Fair Weather, at the following prices! Cards: Two for 50 cents. Four for 75 cents. Eight for $1.00. Photos $2.00 per dozen. All must be taken at one sitting of one person. 8 years experience. A. H. SANDERS, Photographer. I will be at Vernon December 20th, 1886. Gilmer Hotel. Columbus, Miss. This establishment has changed hands and will be thoroughly overhauled and refurnished and first-class accommodations guaranteed and charges will be moderate. A. W. KING, Proprietor Barber Shop. KELLY & ALBERT, No. 58 Market Street Columbus, Miss. Upstairs, opposite Cady’s Stable. Hot and cold baths. KINGVILLE HIGH SCHOOL under the principalship of B. H. WILKERSON will open Oct. 25, 1886 and continue for a term of nine scholastic months. Rates of tuition as follows: PRIMARY: Embracing Orthography, Reading, Writing, Primary Geography, and Primary Arithmetic, per month, $1.50 INTERMEDIATE: Embracing English Grammar, Intermediate Geography, Practical Arithmetic, Composition, and U. S. History, per month, $2.00 ADVANCED: Embracing Algebra, Geometry, Physiology, Rhetoric, Logic, Elocution, and Latin, per month $3.00. No incidental fee. Discipline will be mild but firm. Special attention will be given to those who wish to engage in teaching. Board in best families from $4.00 to $5.00. Tuition due every three scholastic months. For further information address B. H. WILKERSON, C. Supt., Principal. Kingville, Ala, Oct. 29, 1886 THE FERNBANK HIGH SCHOOL under the Principalship of J. R. GUIN, will open Oct. 25, 1886 and continue for a term of Ten Scholastic months Rates of Tuition: PRIMARY: Embracing Orthography, Reading, Writing, Primary Grammar, Primary Geography and Primary Arithmetic, per month $1.25. INTERMEDIATE: Embracing Brief English Grammar, Elementary Geography, Elementary Arithmetic, Letter Writing and Hygiene, per month, $1.50. PRACTICAL: Embracing English Grammar, Practical Arithmetic, Complete Geography, English Composition, U. S. History and Physiology, per month, $2.00. HIGH SCHOOL: Embracing Rhetoric, Elocution, Algebra, Natural Philosophy, Botany, Geology, Zoology, Hygiene, Physiology, Latin, &c, per month $2.50. Discipline will be firm. Special attention will be given to young men and women who wish to engage in teaching. Good board at $7.00 per month. No incidental fees. Tuition due every five months. Correspondence solicited. Address J. R. GUIN Fernbank, Ala. Lamar County Clothing! Clothing! At A. COBB & Son Dealer in General Merchandise. Ladies best fitting (picture of a corset) always in store, and at prices to suit the ladies. Our summer stock is complete – consisting of ladies fine dress goods, ladies shoes, men’s shoes, boots, hats, etc. Our stock of clothing of the best quality, which we are offering at a small margin above cost. We are selling cheap. We mean what we say. Don’t fail to call when you are in town. We have a lot of Iron Foot plows which we will sell very low (picture of iron foot plow). Very Respectfully. A. COBB & Son Ho! (picture of canteen) Every one that Thirst food and lodging for man, and provender for horses can be had to live and let live prices at the WIMBERLEY House, Vernon, Ala. L. M. WIMBERLY, Proprietor J. T. STINSON & Company. Cotton Factors and Commission Merchants. Columbus, Miss. We return to our many friends and patrons, our usual thanks for their very liberal patronage extended us; and trust by strict attention to their interests to merit their favors and influence in future. Our local facilities for handling cotton are unsurpassed by other markets, having suitable warehouses with storage capacity of 60,000 bales, two Banking institutions with ample money facilities to move the entire crop marketed here, and a Morse Patent Compress similar and equal to presses located in the coast markets; with these interior business conveniences our markets has become a spinner’s market, and we are enabled to realize the highest market price for cotton marketed here. The bulk of our cotton is readily taken by our local cotton buyers and shipped direct to Eastern Mils. We make liberal advancements as usual on cotton consigned to us, which will receive our prompt attention on arrival. Bagging and ties furnished on application. Soliciting your patronage, Respectfully yours J. T. STINSON & Co. ADMINISTRATOR’S SALE Within legal hours on Monday, the 1st day of November 1886 by virtue of an order of the Probate Court of Lamar County, Alabama, as Administrator de bonis non of the estate of W. K. KIRK, deceased, I will sell the NW ¼ of NW ¼ Sec 15, and N ½ of NE ¼ Sec 16, 120 acres, known as the CRIBBS PLACE; and N ½ of NW ¼ and SE ¼ of NW ¼, sec 22, 120 acres, known as the COOK PLACE; and E ½ of NE ½ SE ¼ of SW ¼ of NE ¼, N ½ of SE ¼ sec 22 W ½ of NW ¼ SE ½ of NW ¼ S ½ of NE ¼ of NW ¼ 120 acres, and N ½ of SW ¼ Sec 23, 420 acres, known as FORGE PLACE, all in township 15, Range 16 as the property of said estate, at the Court House door, in said county, to the highest bidder, at public outcry on a credit of twelve months, taking notes with two good sureties, and retaining the vendor’s lien for the purchase money. This 8th day of October 1886. W. A. BROWN Administrator, de bonis non. The above sale continued until Monday the 27th day of December. G. W. RUSH B. F. REED New Cash Store. BUSH & REED, Vernon, Alabama. Dealer in Dry goods and groceries, boots, and shoes, hats and caps, clothing, hardware, Queensware, etc. which is offered at bottom prices for cash or produce. Our stock of clothing is complete and first-class. A superb and well selected lot of notions. We have a large and handsome line of school books, also inks, pens, and paper. Always keep constantly on hand a full stock of Patent Medicines. THE VERNON HIGH SCHOOL, Under the Principalship of J. R. BLACK, will open October 4, 1886 and continue for a term of nine scholastic months. Rates of Tuition as follows: PRIMARY: Embracing Orthography, Reading, Writing, Primary Geography, and Primary Arithmetic, per month $1.50 INTERMEDIATE: Embracing English Grammar, Intermediate Geography, Practical Arithmetic, Composition, and U. S. History; per month $2.00 ADVANCED: Embracing Algebra, Geometry, Physiology, Rhetoric, Logic, Elocution, and Latin, per month $3.00 Incidental fee 20 cts, per quarter. Discipline will be mild but firm. Special attention given to those who wish to engage in teaching. Good board at $7 per month. Tuition due at the end of each quarter. For further information, address: J. R. BLACK, Principal, Vernon, Ala KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL Located in the live and growing town of Kennedy on the Georgia Pacific Rail Road. The moral and religious influences surrounding this school are unsurpassed in any part of the state. Boarders can find pleasant homes in refined families at very reasonable rates. The first session will commence on Monday Nov. 1st, 1886 and continue for a term of ten scholastic months. TUITION PRIMARY: Embracing Orthography, Reading, Writing, Primary Geography, and Primary Arithmetic, per month, $1.50 INTERMEDIATE: Embracing English Grammar, Intermediate Geography, Physiology, History of U. S., Practical Arithmetical and Elementary Algebra, per month $2.00. ADVANCED GRADE: Embracing Higher Mathematics, Natural Philosophy, Rhetoric, Elocution, and Latin, per month, $2.50. An incidental fee of 25 cents, per session. Special attention will be given to those who expect to engage in teaching and preparing boys and girls to enter college. Tuition due at expiation of each quarter. For further particulars address J. C. JOHNSON, Principal, Kennedy, Ala. PAGE 4 OUR SUPERSTITIONS – Foolish Beliefs Entertained By A Majority Of The American People It will, perhaps, surprise many Americans to read, as they may do in a recent letter to a French paper from the United States that the people of this country are among the most superstitious in the world, exceeding in this respect the French, the Germans and the English. This statement can not be proved for it is not true that any large number of our people equal in superstitioness the French peasantry, or even the English yeomanry. And yet it is undeniable that our sailors are full of superstitions, and that many of our farmers are the absolute slaves of fallacies about the influence of the phases of the moon upon their crops and upon the weather. Many women, too, are apt to shudder at the breaking of a mirror, fearing bad luck, and a whole family of superstitions has been grouped about the cat. The idle and foolish fear, in the South and West, that it is “bad luck” to remove a cat from one house to another with a moving family, has probably been the cause of the desertion and cruel death of more than one unfortunate animal. Many superstitions, indeed, are wicked, and all are foolish. The belief in the “unluckiness” of Friday is common all over the Christian country, in spite of the “lucky” circumstances that America was discovered on Friday, that the Pilgrims landed on Friday and that the Declaration of Independence was adopted on Friday. The superstition arose from the belief that our Savior was crucified on Friday. How unworthy to suppose that the event which saved mankind should have deemed the world to perpetual ill fortune on the day of its occurrence! The fear of the number thirteen is not so common in this country as it is in Europe. The superstition has its origin in the fact that the apostles, with the Savior, made thirteen at table. The superstition in its original form was to the effect that if thirteen men were seated together, one of the number was sure to prove a traitor or a criminal and be hanged. As executions ceased to be of common occurrence, the notion simply that one of the thirteen would die within a year replaced the former superstition. The accidental spilling of salt is often noted by the American housewife as “unlucky” but rather, it seems, by way of a jest than seriously. This superstition also goes back to ancient times, when the exchange of a pinch of that necessary article, salt, was a sign of friendship, quite naturally, and its refusal a token of hostility. The overthrow of a dish containing it was held, therefore, to foreshadow the end of friendship. Superstitions about the moon are very old and of very varied origin. Men of science tell us that there is, so far as influence of the moon upon the weather is concerned, but one chance for any such effect; and that is in the possibility that the very slight amount of heat that the full moon radiates may have some little influence in dispelling clouds and rendering the atmosphere drier. A good story is told of a colored man in the South who, though, ignorant, was wise enough to get along without squaring all his acts by the state of the moon. He was a successful gardener, and the vegetables he produced were always the earliest and the finest. “Do you plant your seeds in the new of the moon, Gabriel, or in the old of the moon?” he was asked. “Go ‘long!” said Gabriel; “I plants my send in de ground, an’ lets de moon take care ob herse’f” – [Youth’s Companion] FRENCH CANADIANS – How They Have Increased During The Last Hundred Years A century and a quarter ago the white population of Canada consisted of about sixty thousand hardy French colonists, who, with their Indian allies, principally occupied the best and richest lands on the shores of the St. Lawrence, between the towns of Quebec and Montreal. Some few were settled on the banks of the Richlien, which flows northward from Lake Champlain and empties itself into the mighty St. Lawrence near the little town of Sorrel, formerly called William Henry, after the sailor monarch who once honored it with his presence. The remainder of the vast area now known as the Dominion of Canada which stretches from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and, bounded on the south by the frontier line of the United States, touches with its northern boundary the extreme limits known to Arctic explorers – was then a wild and trackless country, covered in great part by thick forest, teeming with animal life and traversed by wandering bands of savage and crafty Indians, who were supported by the huge herds of buffalo which roamed over the prairies, and by the fish that abounded in every lake and river. The provinces of Quebec, along the size of modern Germany, was, with the exception of the region between Quebec and Montreal, an uninhabited wilderness Today the French Canadians have increased to a number which may be computed at over one million and a half, and they have become something more than an ordinary factor in the population of five millions, which, including English, Scotch, Irish, and Frenchmen, has spread itself over British North America, from Halifax in the east to Vancouver’s Island in the west. They are still chiefly to be found in the province of Quebec. French names being as rarely net with in other portions of Canada as they are in England. The spectacle of fifteen hundred thousand Frenchmen, speaking their own language, following their own manners and customs, and practicing to a certain extent their own laws, in a country in which they are a conquered people, is a very remarkable one. How many nations besides England would have allowed this condition of things to continue it is not very difficult to say. – [All The Year Round] Two acres of ground mysteriously sunk to the depths of fourteen feet on J. F. Hartman’s Ranch near Ventura, Cal, recently. FRENCH MONK LIFE – Reminiscences Of A Visit To The Monastery Of La Grande Chartreuse – [Tempe Bar.] Accustomed as the Monastery of the Grande Chartreuse is to receive the visits of strangers, there are some times as many as two hundred in a single evening during the summer. I had no need to say upon wheat errand I had come, and I was at once conducted by the “frere-portier” to give him his proper title – to the reception room, where another lay-brother took me in charge and told me that I was welcome to the monastery, but that the duration of the visit was always limited to forty-eight hours. As I was not intending to remain more than one night, this regulation did not in any way effect me, and the long drive had given me such an appetite, that I was not sorry to hear that supper was about to be served. The little luggage which I had brought with me had already been taken to the cell which was assigned to me, though “cell” is in truth rather a misleading name to give to what is in reality a very passable bedroom. There was no carpet on the floor, it is true; but when one has traveled much, one learns to regard carpets as luxuries which easily be dispensed with, and in other respects the re--- provided for visitors contain every accommodation which one requires. Looking round it as I washed my hands before going down to supper, I found that it contained a good bed shawl, a large table and an ample cupboard, inside which the lay-breather who escorted me showed me some plates contain biscuits, apples and raising, together with utters of yellow and green Chartreuse, which, he added, “are at your disposal, should you feel faint during the night.” One tiding the bedroom did not contain, this being a looking-glass; and I found that none of them are to be seen in the monastery, because they are supposed to minister toward vanity. But a looking-glass, like a carpet, is not indispensable to comfort, especially when one has reached an age at which regard for outward appearance should be waning, and I went down to supper with the feeling that my lines were cut in pleasant places. HOW A SQUIRREL PLAYED THE CRAVEN - [Lewiston (Me.) Journal] - anecdote Dr. P. Butler, Master of Arts, Cambridge University, England, says: “St. Jacob’s Oil acts like magic.” The buzz saw has a off hand way with new acquaintances. – [Commercial Bulletin] Ad for Dr. Pierce’s Golden Medical Discovery Stuck up – the best pin you sat on. – [Darnell’s Breeze] Ad for Prickly Ash Bitters Smaller ads Joke Anecdotes THE COCAINE HABIT – The Worst Slavery Known – New Revelations of Power – (This is a long ad for Dr. Neil and Watson’s Cure for the Cocaine habit) Ad for Hood’s Sarsaparilla Ad for Brown’s Iron Bitters Ad for Benson’s Porous Plaster Ad for Ely’s Cream Balm for Catarrh Ad for Prickly Ash Bitters Ad for Demorest’s Monthly with free patterns Ad for Anthems of Praise – New book Ad for Swaynes Ointment – the cure of itching piles and skin humor Ad for The Youth’s Companion Many smaller ads File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/lamar/newspapers/theverno1424gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 69.9 Kb