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*4 £ a *W , " v «.* ^4 „ ,>.v ? r' *' v **'*'> ^ * N* * ,* f * , - ,* , - , -« v "* » <" ? < * * ' 1 * « & K * * » . * * - „ * ' ' ' V . * % ? , t * . > „ , if 4 ' " > > * l L ? " > > * 1 * < n * , 1 < . „ " * • . V . IV? • pi* -f1 W$*fr-¥^Jp-4 .' ; :,V,^V^ rr?i ur^-.i.-- izbaf* NOTABLE EVENTS OF THE $i*; -• The year 1908 will be known as the '^, y record year of prosperity in the Unlt- :;<=. . «d States. V >•*•""• Some few crops have not yielded so largely as they did in former years, f$\ tout the prices received were so much ,f$l , higher that the shortage was more .'•v--,' than made up for. f ^ Cotton reached the highest figure at Vhich it has been sold since the war. HvjBeef and leather have been unprece- dentedly high. Petroleum and its jproducts advanced in "price 25 per jCCDt. Iron and steel were sold at high prices and the demand was so great L^'-i '••that orders could not be filled within 4i reasonable time, and seaport cities f-/::' £V 6&: w: & ts litjmade large purchases abroad because ||fV deliveries were so much delayed. ,v-|jThe production of precious metals ill probably turn out to be nearly 7 er cent greater than last year. The rice crop of Texas, a new indus­ try practically, was remarkably large *nd sold for high figures. Tremendous discoveries of petrole- 1um on the Pacific coast enabled that |?art of the country tor substitute six tniliion dollars* worth of oil for coal, ^hich was previously imported either £rom Great Britain or Australia. The total destruction of the fruit ferop in Great Britain and in southern tSurope mqjfe an unexpected market for American green fruits. More than ... v o7o per cent of all the fruits sold in the -:/')London markets to-day is American, r^j.' The average increase in the cost of £»$.• *jjfoodstufls to the consumer in the %v^ ;^Dnited States was 16 per cent. , In nearly all of the large cities p'f throughout the country the population %' lhas increased, and the price of real «state has done more than keep pace favor of a canal across the Isthmus of Panama had been agitated, and recent­ ly with increased interest. Thousands of dollars haa been spent surveying toe possible routes, and .it at last seemed assured that the United States, In conjunction with Great Britain, would undertake the Nica­ ragua route. Since the collapse of the De Les- sep's Panama scheme a new French company had possession of and had done some work on the Panama canal, but until it became evident that this country was in earnest about Nicara­ gua the French company refused to sell out at a reasonable price. Then, when competition seemed likely, they surprised American lawmakers by of- Disastroua Floods. Little can be said here of the disas­ trous floods of the year. In March the lower Mississippi rose higher than ever before, and on the 20th of that month passed all records. Cities along the river, especially Memphis, suifered heavily, levees gave way and miles of lowlands were inundated, causing un­ told damage and great suffering, es­ pecially to the poor negroes of the South. The following month and in June the Missouri and its tributaries were flooded, and Topeka, Kansas City, St Louis and East St Louis suffered from the rush of waters. The cotton mills in the Carolinas and Georgia were also victims of the raging waters and many other cities, notably Pater- with the ravages of pleural pneumonia. On July 20, however, he died, and on the following day the chair of Peter was declared vacant by Cardinal Cam- erlingo Oreglia. The conclave to choose his successor assembled on the last day of the month, and on Aug. 4, after several indecisive ballots, chose Cardinal Sarto, Patriarch of Venice, who was elected. He chose the title of Pius X. and was crowned Aug. 4. Eventful August. August was an eventful month. On the '8th Lieutenant General Nelson A. Miles, long the commanding general of the army, was retired from active service. For seven days Major Gen­ eral S. E. M. Young commanded In his stead, but Aug. 15 the army staff law MAY JANUARY 1--First cablegram, U. S. to Hawaii. 3--Napier Lothian died. Boston. 5--Sagasta died in Spain. T--Moses Tenney died, Georgetown. 9--Ex-Gov. Hastings, Penn, died. 14--Duty taken off coal. 15--Tillman shot editor, S. Carolina. 15--Cardinal Parochl died, Rome. 15--Coal investigation, Mass. 18--M. de Blowitz died. Paris. 18--Abram S. Hewitt died. New York. 18--Marconigram. Cape Cod to England. IS--Germany sent Steinberg to U. S. 20--Julian Ralph died. New York. 21--Germans shelled Venezuelan fort. 22--Canal treaty with Colombia. 23--4-Col. Lynch guilty, London. 2-1--Alaskan boundary treaty. 27--Col. Lynch s sentence commuted. 28--Patrick Diwer died. New York. ?9--Cyrus Cobb died, AJlston. 30--John D. Long seriously UL 31--Hobson resigned from navy. 31--Jusserand, new French ambassador. 1--King Edward welcomed In Paris. 1--Bishop Foster died, Newton.^ t--Kaiser v'sited the Pope. Jr. 4--Bishop Hurst died, Washington. B-- Str. Saginaw punk; 20 lost. 8--Russia reoccupied Niu Chwang. 9--Russia left Niu Chwang. 12--R. H. Stoddard died. New York. 14--Corruption inquiry, Beacon Hill. 16--Sybil Sanderson died, Paris. 24--"Max O'Rell" died. Paris." 25--Emerson's 100th birthday. 26--$500,000 Are in Laconia, N. H. •, 27--Machen arrested, Washington. 28--Shamrock III sailed for New Yefk. 1---Revolution In Macedonia. 3--Reliance won 3d race; kept cup. 4--;U Sa warships at Beirut. 1 7--Radium exhibited In United States. 8---Turkish massacres, Macedonia. 11--Major Delmar, mile. 2:00>4. 11--Eustis. Me , swept by fire.. 14--Rear Admiral Cook retired^ 15--Str Thomas Lipton ill, Chicago. . 17--Chamberlain resigned, London^ 23--Prince Alert, mile 1:57. 28--Henry D Lloyd died, Illinois. 29--Piesident refused to remove Miller. 30--Sir Michael Herbert died abroad. 80--Czar visited Vienna. „ JUNE OCTOBER 1--Ellsha Morgan died. Springfield. 3--Paniel B. Lord died, Salem. 3--$150,000 Are, Middlebury, Vt 3--Local option won, Vermont. 6-- Henry L. Dawes died, PittsflekL 5--End coal strike hearings, Penn. 6--R»*ar Admiral Wildes di^rt «• «ea. 10--Str. Madiana wrecked, Bermuda. 14--Venezuela ulocKaue laiseu. 16--Cortelyou, Secretary of Commerce. 16--Rear Admiral Robinson, died. PhlL 16--Chas. Theo. Russell died, Camb. 18--Beef-trust Injunction. Ik--E. J. Flynn died. New York. 20--Pope Leo's 25th anniversary. 24--Cuban coal station agreement. 26--Dr. R. J. Gatling died, New York. 27--Burdick murdered in Buffalo. MARCH ."with the general march of prosperity. P| I Under the circumstances, the coun- try has every right to look forward to . -:,m continuance of prosperity. •, Our granaries are groaning with the ll^v products of an aoundant harvest Our ffl ' < savipgs banks overflow with the re- fK, \ jserves of the people. Our scale of ex- jjfe'* ^ipenditure is the highest the world has Sp?' ^erer known. 4 The area of land which will be H plowed and seeded this winter and next spring will exceed the area tilled year. ;i It is inevitable that a prosperous •• .£ - harv6»t bnngs a greater seed sowing jVl * "The greatly Increased demand for cat- pf * tie and horses means more ° stock. '^Breeding pastures will be tuller next j^Jv|year than they were ever before. f , THE YEAR II* REVIEW. jr£r "f"* ' M o m e n t o u s E v e n t s T h a t H a v e S i g n a l - ized the Past Twelve Months. .* //.J The all-absorbing topic of January, ;3^:;-1903, was the Venezuelan imbroglio. »%The active events of that affair be- long, of course, to 1902, though as late / < as Jan. 22 the German 'Ships bom- 4%; ' barded the fort of San Carlos, but on Jan. 8 President Castro rested Ven- ezuela's side of the case entirely in lipT -1-' the hands of Minister Bowen, who set l • sail for home Jan. 11. After that the fc i: whole matter was thrashed out in % 0 ' Washington, and the interest in the m ' affair remained keen to the very close, 3 " . because many thought they saw In thes 26--License law in New i fl -> warlike action of the allies, especially ?,27--N. K. Fairbanks died. " ^ mill* nrnprpn Germany, a determination to attack:]1 no. Venezuela so much as Uncle Sam'sS famous Monroe doctrine. The attempt,! ' if it were really so intended, complete! f/.'jMy failed, for, though pitted against !w. some of the most astute diplomats of pr vV! Europe, Minister Bowen persistently fe:| upheld the real rights of the weaker t- country and negotiated terms of set- 11 tlement favorable to Venezuela with- 1 .1 out calling the time-honored doctrine Spfe'-Vi into question or dispute. k V I The Great Coal Strike. lllv.'; I l^ie anthracite coal strike belongs J even more to the history of 1902 than ' * does the Venezuelan affair and the de- k liberations of the arbltrailon commls- v •ion attracted even less general In- terest than ,thelr importance Justified. p? - The coqxmission entered into the mat- ' ter most thoroughly and systematlcal- ^ ; ly. The last witness was not called fa&Z?; Until Feb. 6 and the arguments of the * opposing counsel consumed the lol- lowing week. President George F ; Baer represented the operators and *7:"*.?" Clarence Darrow the miners. ' ' ' 1 After a month's deliberations the commission reported. ' The miners won a portion of in- |»•- •' crease in wages and reduction of hours of work demanded before the strike, were granted a better system of meas- uring their work and a practical, if not * formal, recognition of their union. The decision was a victory for the miners especially as they would will­ ingly have accepted the terms allowed before they began the strike had not the mine operators refused to Concede, arbitrate or negotiate. The Panama Canal. The Panama canal was the burning question, and at the beginning as at the close of this year, it seemed a certainty. For years the agitation in 1--Lowell mills reopened. 1--Last play at Boston Museum. 5--Forest fires In New England. 6--Roosevelt's western trip ended. 7--Levee broke at East St. Louis. 8--Rain in N. E.; been dry 60 days. 10--King and queen killed, Servia. 12--Gen. Alex. McCook died, Ohio. 14--Shamrock III arrived at New York. 16--Karageorgevitch king of Servia. 17--Reliance lost topmast. 18--Geo. Wheaton died, Washington. 18--Africander won the Suburban. 20--Cardinal Vaughan died, London. 21--Maj. J. B. Pond died, New York. 23--U. S. squadron at Kiel. 1 25--Hooker statue unveiled. Boston. 25--Tale won boat races. New London. 26--Cornell won boat races, Hudson. 6--Balfour named new cabinet 6--W. S. Bissell died. Buffalow 7--Shipyard trust oisclosures. 8--Russia stayed in Manchuria. • 8--Chinese-American trade treaty. 13--Boston, world baseball champion. 13--Archbishop Kane died, Baltimore. lB^JTillman acquitted. S. Carolina. 15--Sherman statue unveiled. Wash. 16--Dowle invaded New York. 19--Cresceus, mile. 1:59%. 20--Alaskan boundary fixed. * 20--Congress called to m^iet Nor. ft. 22--Dan Patch, mile, 1:56%. 24--l)urand. British ambassador to U. ~Br' 24-- Lou Dillon, mile. 1:58%. 29--Emma Booth-Tucker killed. Mo. NOVEMBER JULY 1--Gen. W. F. Smith died. Phlla. 1--Wm. Scollans died, Brighton. 2--Extra session, U. S. senate, called. 4--End of 57 th congress. 6--U. 8. senate in extra session. 10--Arthur Pennell killed, Buffalo^ 10--Woman suffrage defeated, N. 12--Czar decreed religious' freedom. 13--Maine stuck to prohibition. 17--Shamrock III launched; Scotland. 17--Canal treaty ratified by senate. 19--$300,000 Are at Pepperell. 19--Cuban reciprocity treaty ratified. 19--Senate adjourned sine die. 21--Coal commission report. 2--Very Rev. F. W. Farrar died. London. Hampshire. Chicago. 5--Lowell mills ordered closed. 09--G. F. Swift died, Chicago. SO-- Lowell mills ldie. 31--Young Corbett whipped McGovern. 6--Pope Leo seriously 111. 6--Teachers' convention. Boston. 7--Pope Leo operated on. 7--U. S. squadron, Portsmouth, Bnff. 10--Pope Leo's second operation. 11--American riflemen won. England. 14--Crimes act revoked. Ireland. 16-- Mrs. J. G, Blaine died, Maine. 47--P. M. Arthur died, Winnipeg. 15--J. McN. Whistler died, London. 20--Pope Leo died, Rome. 22--Cassius M. Clay died, Kentucky. 26--Masses for Pope, Boston. 27--Reliance picked to defend cup. 29--Magazines exploded. Tewksbury. 81--Cardinals In conclave. Rome. AUGUST 1--Fire In Vatican, Rome. 1--Prof. Mommsen died. Germany. 1--11.500.000 fire. Coney Island. 2--Irish land act In operation. 3--Tammany won. New York city. 5--Panama proclaimed Independent. •--U. S. warships ordered to Panama. 6--U. S. recognized Panama government 7--Wm. L. Elkins died. Philadelphia. 8--Kaiser underwent operation. 9--A. F. of L. convention, Boston. IP^Rioting, capital of Colombia. 9--Congress In extra session. 10--President's message on Cul 10--May Goelet mauled. 10--Orrin Hlckolt died. Cleveland. 13--A. H. Green murdered. New Yotfo 18--Canal treaty with Panama. 19--House passed Cuban bill. 25--Chicago street railway strike settlyL 25--Fttzsimmons whipped Gardiner. 27--Boy bandits captured. Chicago. 28--Jules Levy died. Chicago. 30--Brooklyn Aead. of Music burned. APRIL Wi 1--Roosevelt on western tour. 1-- Elihu B. Hayes died. Lynn 7--Rear Ad Belknap died. Key West. 9--Northern Securities merger annulled. 10--Chap. W. H. Milburn died. California. 11--Reliance launched. Bristol. 17--Shamrock HI dismasted abroad. 20--Kishineff massacre of Jews. 25--W. K. Vanderbilt married. London. 28--China refused Russian demands. 28--Irving M Scott dted 'Frisco. 29--King Edward visited the Pope. 29--Russia for open door In far east. 29--Stuart Robson died. New York. 30--Paul du Challlu died. Russia. •--Sarto elected Pope; Plus X. 4-- Schwab, steel trust, resigned, fr-- Stock market slump. fc--Lt. Gen. Miles retired. 8--Lt. Gen. Young head of army. 8--Britishers lifted tennis bowl. 8--Rear Admiral Melville retired. 9--Pope Plus X crowned 10--Rear Admiral Remey retired. 12--Colombia rejected canal treaty. 14--Jeffries knocked out Corbett. 14--Irish land bill passed. 18--Trouble in Turkey. 19--Dan Patch, mile. 1:59. 20--Gen. Black head of G. A. R. 21--Sam Parks guilty. New York. 22--Humberts guilty. Paris. 22--Reliance beat Shamrock. 7m. Is. 22--Lord Salisbury died. London. 24-- Lou Dillon, mile. 2m. flat. 25--Reliance beat Shamrock, lm. 19a. 27--Reported assassination. Beirut. 28--U. S. ships ordered to Turkey. 28--Joseph Ha worth died. Ohio. 28--Vice consul at Beirut alive. 29--Caleb Powers guilty. Kentucky. 29--Hamburg Belle won Futurity. 1--Receivers for Zion City. 2--Panama ratified canal treaty. 2--Dr. Cyrus Edson died. New York. 4--W. M. Springer died, Washington. 7--Opening of 58th congress. 7--President's message on Panama. 7--Canal treaty sent to senate. 8--Herbert Spencer died, England, ft--U. S. consul assaulted. Turkey. 8--Langford whipped Gans, Boston. 8--Langley's airship failed to fly. 8-- Zion City receivers removed. 10--Rear Admiral Gherardl died. Congo. 12--Walthour-Monroe won 6-day raee. 14--Fleets In war paint, far east. 14--Dr. Hale, chaplain U. S. senate. 14--More marines landed, Panama. 16--Cuban reciprocity bill a law. 719--Peru recognized Panama, 19-- La Centennial celebrated. N. OHee<M> 19--Attempted assassination Max Kordau. SO--Iroquois theater, Chicago, burned, 6S4 dead. TOLD OF "JOSH BILLINGS." Tall Be You?" 8ald He to the Dignified Horace Gray. This Account of a trip which Mr. Boar, when a young man. took with Horaoe Gray through Berkshire coun­ ty, Is from the Senator's autobiog­ raphy: On our walk trough Lanes"boro we stopped at a plain country tavern to (get lunch. There were several codg­ ers such as In those days used to haunt country barrooms about eleven o'clock In the morning and one o'clock in the afternoon. Sitting In an old wooden chair, tilted back against the wall of the room, was one of them, .curled up, with his knees sticking up ^higher than his head. He looked at Gray's stately propor­ tions and called out, "How tall be you?" Gray, who was always rather careful of his dignity, made_ some brief answer not intended to encour- Mge familiarity. But the fellow per­ sisted. "I would like to measure with you." Eluded it was best to enter yt the occasion* So he fering their holdings at less than half their former figures. They offered to sell their concessions and everything in sight for 140.000.000, giving until March 4 for acceptance Congress hes­ itated, many favoring the Nicaragua route, and when the time was about to expire President Roosevelt took the responsibility of accepting the proposi­ tion, running the risk of defeat in the senate or in Colombia. In the mean­ time Secretary Hay and Dr/ Herran, the Colombian charge d'affairs, signed a treaty by which the United States agreed to pay Colombia a bonus of $10,000,000 and an annual rental of $250,000 for such concessions as the French company had received. It was the ratification of this treaty that brought the question to the Issue in the senate, and when congress ad­ journed without action an extra ses­ sion was called This session ratified • he treaty March 17 ' . s'ood up against the wall The other man proceeded to draw himself up cul of the chair and unrolled, and un­ rolled and unrolled until at last his gigantic stature reached up almost as high 89 Gray's. But he fell short a little I learned later that it was a man named Shaw, who afterward became famous as a writer and humorist un­ der the pseudonym of Josh Billings He was the son cf Henry Shaw for­ merly of Lanesboro, at that time a millionaire dwelling ip New York, and known to fame as one of the two Massachusetts representatives who voted for the Missouri compromise in 1820. Henry Shaw was. I believe, a native of Lanesboro, and had repre­ sented the Berkshire district In Con­ gress." son, N. J., were tnundfcted. Heppner, Ore., was practically devastated bjr * cloudburst. > : ' Passing of Pope Leo. Late in June came the announce­ ment of the serious illness of Pope Leo X(II. That aged pontiff was 93 years of age on March 2, and on March 3 celebrated the twenty-fifth an­ niversary of his coronation as pope, thus putting an end to the long-hon­ ored tradition that no pontiff would "see the days of Peter"--25 years. Pope Leo's predecessor had reigned 32 years, the longest In history, and the old tradition cannot survive this sec­ ond breaking of the record. On July 5 the pontiff was regarded as in a criti­ cal condition, and In a few days his life was despaired of, but though ap­ parently frail in body, the long years of simple habits had given him a splen­ did power of resistance to disease, and for more than two weeks he battled DEATH TO THE DOGFISH. Gen. Sickles a New York Alderman. Gen. Daniel E. Sickles, who was elected an anti-Tammany alderman, was sworn in by Mayor Low. He ear­ ned with him to the mayor's office a little King Charles spaniel, which he said was to be his assistant when he k bis seat in the board of aldermen. 'ifiMW War Has Been Declared on the Wolves of the Ocean. One of the great problems which is Interesting the people of the Atlantic coast, and especially that part of the coast lying between Casco Bay, Me., and Cape Hatteras, N. C., Is the exter­ mination of the dogfish. The dogfish is a species of the shark and has a habit of following Its prey In packs. This fish uses its spine In a remark­ able manner, bending itself into the form of a bow, and unbending with a powerful spring. It is caught in nets which have been set for other fish, and sometimes measures three or four feet in length. Tbese fish have multi­ plied very much of late, and as noth­ ing has been done to exterminate them, the people of the Atlantic coast have thought/it their duty to bring the matter before the government in the form of a petition which will be placed before Congress. Dogfish, the sea wolves of the ocean, infest the At­ lantic coast within a great range of latitude in schools, and each dog&sh. which weighs five pounds, will, it Is went into effect and General Young became chief of staff. The event of Aug. 12 was more sig­ nificant, for on that day misguided Colombians brewed trouble for them­ selves. On that day the Colombian senate rejected the Hay-Herran Pana­ ma canal treaty, ami this unexpected action seemed for ffltfUame to put the canal farther away than ever. Even the chagrin that accompanied the turn of affairs gave place to expec­ tancy when Sir Thomas Lipton ar^ rived with his third challenger for America's cup--Shamrock III. The boat had been launched in March and even before the defender had taken definite shape news of its wonderful sailing capacity was flashed across the Atlantic. Not a few an­ ticipated that upon this expedition the gallant Irishman would be successful !n carrying back the trophy. He was, however, doomed to a crushing defeat. estimated, eat and destroy a large quantity of edible food fish yearly. Not only do the dogfish eat the val­ uable fish, but they eat the food of the same food fish, thus doing double injury to the nation's fisheries.--Bos­ ton Transcript. Even the first trial, which resulted in no race, so clearly demonstrated the superior'!/ of the Reliance that inter­ est begi n to wane at once. The Re­ liance «-'on three straight races, but before '.he last race the public In geh« eral loit all interest In the contest. Sir Thomas, it is said, believes the effort to he hopeless for many years to come. Republic of Panaml. As in several other Instances in 1903 momentous events conspired to occur on the same day, so on Nov. 3 the province of Panama declared her in­ dependence of Colombia. The follow­ ing day a provisional government was established, and Colombian officials and troops were sent to Cartagena. On the 6th the United States recog­ nized the new republic, and on the 10th France followed our example. M. tiunau-Varilla was hurried to Wash­ ington as the minister of the new country, empowered to negotiate a new Panama canal pact. Soon after General Reyes of Colombia entered an earnest protest against the course of the administration, insisting that Uncle Sam keep his hands off the isthmus. This, after the practical breach of faith and the vacillation of the Colombians in regard to the canal treaty, was too tardy, and Uncle Sam's navy is preparing to protect Panama from threatened invasion. Already an American' fleet is upon the Panama 'coast, and Colombia has reached a point when she confesses a fear of taking any drastic action. A new canal treaty has been signed, and once again the canal seems assured. There may, however, be some blood shed on the isthmus before Colombia finally re­ linquishes her claim to Panama. Russia and,Japan. For the last few months the ever­ lasting refrain has been of "war clouds hovering over the far east." A dozen times it has been reported that Japan and Russia had reached a point where war was inevitable. The causes of the breach are vague and Indefinite. Briefly, Russia is and always has been averse to relinquishing her hold on Manchuria. Instead she desires to ex­ tend it as far as the European allies will permit. Japan looks upon Korea in the same light and the interests of the two countries conflict. There is no doubt that a rupture between the two powers has been and is danger ously near, but it is also certain that overt hostilities, should thdy come, will belong to the history of 1904. It would be improper not to mention the gigantic postofflce frauds un­ earthed during the present year. It is not possible to so much as outline the many cases brought to light, and here the curious reader is referred to the complete report of Mr. Brlstow, made public Nov. 30. The Honored Dead. No review of 1903, even done in. such sketchy outline as has been nec­ essary, is complete without a men­ tion of the famous men apd women who have passed from the busy scenes of life. Space here allows for only a list of the most celebrated: Jan. 5-r-Sagasta, ex-premier of Sp*ta. Jan. 15--Cardinal Parrochi. Jan. 18--Abram^S. Hewitt, New York. Cgv Jan. 20--Julian Ralpn,%uthor. Feb. 26--R. J. Gatling, inventor of the famous gun. March 22--Dean Farrar, British di­ vine. March 27--N. K. Fairbanks, capital­ ist. March 29--G. F. Swift, capitalist April 10--W. H. Milburn, the "Blind Chaplain" of the United States senate. April 11--Brigham Young of the Mormon church. April 29--Paul du Challlu, explorer. April 29--Stuart Robson, actor. May 12--R. H. Stoddart, poet May 16--Sibyl Sanderson, singer. May 24--Paul Blouet ("Max O'Rell"), author. June 11--The Servian assassination. June 19--Cardinal Vaughn, the Ro­ man Catholic primate of England. - July 15--Mrs. J. G. Blaine. July 16-- P. M. Arthur, labor leader. July 17--Jas. H. McN. Whistler, artist July 20--Pope Leo XIII. July 22--General Cassius M. Clay. Aug. 'n--Lord Salisbury, ex-premier of England. Sept. 30--Sir Michael Henry Her­ bert, British ambassador to the United States. Oct 13--Archbishop J. J. Kain of St Louis. Oct 28--Mrs. Emma Booth-Tucker, Salvation Army, killed in railway wreck. Nov. 1--Theodor Mommsen, German historian. Nov. 7--Wm. L. Elkins, capitalist Nov. 13--Andrew H. Green, "Father oi Greater New York," killed by an in sane negro. Dec. 8--Herbert Spencer, English philosopher and author. FIREPROOF ITS ONLY FAULT. Expressive Eyes. The eye reveals character, but un­ fortunately not so clearly as the olher features, though the contrary is sup­ posed to be true. People are too much Influenced by the "color of the eye, which is after all no guide, and they are too much influenced by the size and the luster, whereas neither is any Indication whatever of character, says the Chattanooga Times. Acceptable Christmas Presents. Judge John H. Terry of St. Louis, a large property owner, sent e»cb of bis thirty-eight tenants a basket of choice viands on Christmas day. This was regarded by. them as decidedly more acceptable than the notification most of the landlords of that city sent out that rents would be Increased with the opening of the world's fair year. Sheridan's Terse Comment on Wash* ington Pension Office. From an artistic standpoint the least attractive of the government buildings at Washington is that of the Pension Office, sometimes 'derisively referred to as "Meigs's barn," in view of the act that Gen. Meigs, U> a A., was the architect of the structure. It is said that at a time when the building was nearing completion the late Gen. Sheridan was invited by the architect to inspect it In company with Gen. Meigs^Sheridan went thor­ oughly over the. structure from top to bottom without offering any comment but when t}ie Inspection was finished he turned to his guide^nd said: "Meigs, I have but one fault to find with this building." "And what is that, general?" "It is, I understand, fireproof!" Unique Saleswomen. Girls dressed in gaudy red, black and white uniforms are selling batter and cheese in the streets of Berlin for a pcompany. Vain Self-Sacrlflee. A mastiff died of grief under tragic circumstances just outside. Montreal, Canada, a short time ago. He was seen by the engine-driver of a train leaping up and down on the track, and barking furiously. The whistle was sounded as loudly as pos­ sible, but with no effect. He would not quit the line; and just before the train came upon him he gave a loud, piteous moan, and crouched right in the permanent way. The train was stopped, and the of­ ficials examined the case. The dog was found dead, and under his body a little child, dead also. It was the child of the dog's master. The little fellow had been playing on the track, and had afterwards lain there to sleep. The dog had done his utmost to stop the train. His last loud howl of grief was when he found his efforts unavail­ ing, and stretched himself over t^e lit­ tle one's sleeping form to die^ The battle of Fort Stephenson, though not in itself a great battle, was the first really brilliant effort of the War of 1812. The youth of the hero, the disparity of numbers on the oppos­ ing sides, and the decisive triumph leading directly to Perry's Victory on Lake Erie and .the Battle of the Thames, aroused a burst of enthusiasm throughout the country, similar to that which followed Dewey's acjileve- tnent a few years ago. The brevet rank of lleutenaiit-col- onel was at once conferred upon Crog- han; and later, by joint resolution of Congress, a gold medal suitably In­ scribed.--From "George Croghan, Hero!" in "Four Track News" for January. When Your Grocer Says lm does not have Defiance Starch, yon mspp be mire he is afraid to keep it until his stock of 13 oz. packages are Bold. Defiance Starch is not only better than any other Cold Water Starch, but contains In oz. to the package and sells for same money as 13 ox. brands. Telephones Not Needed. Owing to the clearness of the air. conversation in the Arctic ;regions can be carried on quite easilytby per­ sons two miles apart. j Christmas sometimes costl Uncle Russell Sage as much as $4. THE WISCONSIN CENTRAL RY. Reaches the principal points in Wis­ consin, offering Pullman Sleepers, Free Reclining Chair Cars, modern coaches^ond dining and cafe service between Chicago, Milwaukee, Mani­ towoc and St. Paul, Minneapolis, Ash­ land and Duluth. Connections are made with diverging lines at all ter­ minal points. Meals served a la carte. For tickets, sleeping car reservations and further information apply to agents of this company or write Jas. C. Pond, Genl Pass. Agt., Milwaukee, Wis. Millions In Oats. Balzer'a New National Oats ytelded in 1903 In Mich., 240 bu., in Mo., 386 feu* in N. D.t 310 bu., and in 30 othelr states from 150 to 300 bu. per acre. Now! this Oat if generally grown In 1904* will add millions ' of bushels te this yield, and millions of dollars t» ths farmer's purse. Try It for 1904. Largest • Seed Potato and Alfalfa Clover grows*. . ers In America. y Salzer's Speltz, Beardless BartefV' Home Builder Corn. Macaroni WheajS^' Pea Oat. Billion Dollar Grass and fia& V llest Canes are money makers for roti." Mr. Farmer. ~ JUST SEND THIS NOTrCB AND ISo in stamps to John A. Salter Seed CoLX La Crosse, Wis., and receive In returlkr their big catalog and lots of farm msb?«: samples. (W. N. U.) Forest of Camphor Trees. , . A primeval forest containing lSflfcr:' 000 camphor trees, measuring fnujk^: seven feet to eighteen feet In circuah '" ference, has recently been discovered in Formosa. It is estimated that the? yield of camphor gum from thed|l:~: trees will, amount to 130,006,00§ pounds. "The Interference of Patricia,** by Lilian Bell (now In its sixth edition since published In July by L. C. Pag# & Co.) is a tale of Denver society, told in this clever author's usual fas* cinating style. Business men will smile over the great deal in Dearer trolley stocks as told by a woman-- but they will read the story just the same. More Flexible and Lasting, won't shake out or blow out; by Mflag Defiance Starch you obtain better resaUti than nossible with any other braad aad one-third more for same monev. Words stand little chance in a filet with woman's instinct 8$$ m ft Ire. Fairbanks tells how neglect of * rg symptoms will soon prostrate a womanT ̂She thinks woman's safeguard is Lydia E* Pinfcham's Vegetable Compounde Ignorance and neglect fire the came of nly with the laws of health but with the aT>BAB MRS. PINKHAM: tin told female suffering, not only Pink ham's Vegetable Compound faithfully, according to dir«cUen%. and was rewarded in a few weeks to find that my aches and pains dis» appeared, and I again felt the glow of health through my body. Sino# ] nave been well I have been more careful, I have also advised a numbeC of my sick friends to take Lydia K. Pinkhani's Vegetable Com* pound, and they have never had reason to lie sorry. Youra very truly* Mrs. May Faiubanks^IO South 7th St., Minneapolis,Minn." (Mrs. Fair* banks is one of t he most successful and highest salaried travelling i Women in the West) When women are troubled with Irregular, suppressed or painful i at!on, weakness, leucorriuBa, displacement or ulceration of tlie womb, that b*aring-dowu feeling, inflammation of the ovaries, backache, bloating (or flatulence), general debility, indigestion, and nervous prostration, or are beset with such symptoms as dizziness, faintuess, lassitude, excitability, irri» tability, nervousness, sleeplessness, melancholy, "all-gone" and " want-to-be- left-alone" feelings, blues, and hopelessness, they st*mld remember there te one tried and true remedy. Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable CotnpoUBOl at ouce removes such troubles. Befnfffr to buy any other medicine, lor |M •eed the best w Dear Mrs. Ptnkham :--For over two years I suffered more than tongue can express witil kidney and bladder trouble. My physician pro­ nounced my trouble catarrh of the bladder, caused by displacement of the womb. I had A frequent desire to urinate, and it was very paia- fill,'and lumns of blood would pass with thai urine. Also had back 44 A ffar writ in*r t/l V . reply to my letter, I foflowed your advice,"and backache veiy often. id receiving your (rou, an feel that you and Lydia 15. Pfnkliam*s Vege­ table Compound have cured me. Thd medicine drew my womb'*into its proper rer feel ^•ith ease." place, and then I was welL I never a no r»ajn now, and can do my housework Ins. Alice Lamon, Kincaid, Miss. No oilier medicine for femal^ Ills In the world has neslfed •neb widespread and unqualified endorsement. iftrs. Pinkliam invites all sick women to write her for adiiM» She has guided thousands to health. Address, Lynn, Mass. vllfinn FORFEIT If we oannot forthwith pr«dnc« theorljjlnftl letters and ilpjitninol aAJUUU %m limouin* which Will prove their absolute genuineness. WVWw K* finhhau* Mmlkiue Co., Lynn, Us4li Page Fence Mashed Flat My N*aa«!«.... Address. I tatrtM to bor« to the ground will spring right back to place when the weight is removed ftiid not iujured. A thousand men may climb a Pa&c 58 in. Stock Fence and not injnre it. We show you the reason for this in our printed matter, sent you together with our Fenco Paper for one year, FREE for this coupon filled out. Do today. *«••. ..»»••« •••• 9*?'•••*• •»•*••!••• ••»••*••••••••••••••••** * •• ?*•» «•••• AM •»••••»«•» .. •• •«•••«•« «••• *•***•"•" ***** rods of fence. CjJloul and mall to PAGE W0VEN WIRE FENCE C®.. Adrian. Michigan. Tt-*- v-.-"- V - -if: