Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, November 18, 1904, Image 1
" ISSUED SBItl-WElEL^ ^ ^ ^
l. m. qrist's sons, Publishers. } % ^amilg |)ftrspaper: <Jfor ^ $romotion ojf the jfjolitifal, Social, ^grirnlfiiral, and <Eommei;rial Interests of the feopte. {TERMMNo^02o^Ymlc^mA,ICr'
ESTABLISHED 1855. YORKVILLE, S. C., FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1 904. NO. 93
rprSc
f LITTLE
I A ROMANCE OF TH1
GREAT LORD HAWKE"
{ CYRUS TOWN
Author of "Commodore Paul Jones,"
of the S
c *
Copyright, 1901, by D- M
CHAPTER XVII.
FALLS THE FLAG OF FRANCE.
-v I ^ E RAMESAY stood in his pri
vate office in the shot-racked
Chateau St. Louis. From
the English batteries at
Point Levis the cannons were continuously
firing upon the already ruined
lower town, and even upon the castle
Itself. From Townshend's intrench*
ol A A tKo KnOVV
men is on me itmuwaiu d*u? wo
siege guns which had been landed from
the British ships were raining shot
and shell upon the upper town and
the citadel. Fiedmont, the French
chief of artillery, was making what
reply he could. The fleet of Admiral
Saunders in the basin had been moving
up toward the lower town during
the past week, and as de Ramesay
watched them, large boats full of
troops were even then being landed
on the meadows and flats at the mouth
of the St Charles river and were being
drawn up in columns under cover of
the ships' batteries, as if preparing
to approach and storm the gate
nearest the bridge.
De Ramesay had Just come in from
a tour of the walls. It was a hopeless
outlook indeed before the governor.
He had done his best, but the end
was approaching. Sad Indeed is the
moment when we realize that our best
is unavailing. The rations of all had
been reduced and reduced until starvation
stared them in the face. No
0 part of the town was safe now from tuo
English fire. The very chateau itself
in which he stood was riddled with
shells. There was a great gaping hole
in the roof of his cabinet, through
which the rain poured dismally.
The temper of the garrison had
grown worse and worse. Nothing
whatever had been heard from de
Levis. De Ramesay felt that if an assault
were delivered it could not be
met His garrison originally consisted
of 150 troops of the line, some
400 or 500 colony troops, and the local
militia, but had been much reduced by
death, wounds and starvation, and was
growing less every day. The colonial
soldiers and militia had been deserting
in handfuls.
Presently Capt. Rouvigny entered.
"Monsieur," he said, saluting, "a
body of merchants, headed by Monsieur
Daine, are here to see you, and "
"Bid them attend me in the great
hall of the chateau, captain," interrupted
the governor gloomily, "and
summon the officers of my staff. Let
some one go for Monsieur Fiedmont,
if he can be spared from the walls.
~ We need his counsel."
"I omitted to state, monsieur," continued
the young officer, "that the merchants
are accompanied by the officers
of the city militia."
"Let them all come together, I will
Bee them all. I know what it means "
said de Ramesay despondently.
A few moments after he entered the
great hall of the bullet-ridden castle.
k Many of the portraits which adorned
it had been destroyed by the fire of
the enemy. Grim old Frontenac, the
unconquerable, however, still kept
watch and ward over the territory he
had loved, now fast slipping into the
hands of the hated English. Had he
been in de Vaudreull's place, thought
de Ramesay, they might not now r?e
in such a pass.
Through the broken window-pan ^s
the rain heat and the wind swept in
mournful harmony with the thoughts
of the people who crowded the room.
At the lower end were congregated a
body of the most influential citizeas
of the town. Their plain but rich
dress, comfortable cloaks, prosperous
appearance, proclaimed that they were
men of substance and condition. A little
apart from them stood the officers j
of the colonial militia in bedraggled,
weather-stained uniforms.
The merchants faced de Ramesay
boldly. The eyes of the citizen soldiery
sank to the ground, and they
looked everywhere but at him. They
shifted uneasily under the stern gnze
of the veteran commander, while their
hands played nervously with their
sword-hilts. De Ramesay was attended
by the officers of his staff, able soldiers
all; some of them were drenched
with rain and covered with marhs of
their exposure to the inclement
weather, which showed they had just
come from the ramparts. Among
them were Rouvigny, St. Luc, Fiedmont,
and Joannes the town major,
and with them de Vitre, still under restraint
by de Ramesay's order.
The governor stood at the great
table with his officers grouped around,
him. The merchants and militia officers
drifted together at the opposite
side. A stranger would have instantly
lecognized that here were two parties
to debate a serious proposition. Sadness
was the predominating note in de
Ramesay's face; haughty pride and
contempt flashed from the eyes of the
nobles and professional soldiers at his
^ back; dogged determination was evidenced
in every line in the portly figures
of the merchants; and stubborn
shame spoke from the drooped heads
of the militia officers.
"Messieurs," said the governor
quietly, "you have asked an audience
for a purpose which I can but too well
divine. Will you speak your mind and
^ have done with it? The gentlemen of
the counter first."
He turned inquiringly to the merchants.
bat no. one apparently cared
FRANCE f
? DAYS WHEN "THE
WAS KING OF THE SEA
SEND BRADY <
"Reuben James," "For the Freedom
? ," etc.
l*- J
i/leton k Co., New York.
I.o break the silence. No one wished
to assume the stigma of being the first
to make the proposition in furtherance
of which they had assembled.
"What, gentlemen!" continued de
Ramesay sarcastically, " are your desires
so base that none of you have
even courage to mention them? Monsieur
Daine, it was at your house, I
am informed, that the gentlemen held
*?--? *<? ?t.i- ?ixrni vnii
uieir 1110CUU5 iuio uuimua. w j vm
speak?"
"Monsieur le Chevalier," stammered
Daine, flushing and paling by turns,
"we are?we cannot?we do not?in
short, we came to beg you to surrender
the town."
"Ah!" said the governor, "and why
should I give up a charge devolved upon
me by his majesty the king?"
"We are starving, monsieur," answered
Daine more boldly; "our dwellings,
our shops, our warehouses are
ruined. We can do no more. If the
English break into the town, if they
storm the walls, we have over 2,000
women and children here. Think of
them, sir!"
"True," said de Ramesay, "but so
long as we have arms in our hands the
English will not break through the
walls. Is it not so, gentlemen?"
"Vive la nouvelle France!"
"Let us die for the flag!"
"Vive le roi!"
"Death to the English!" broke in
confused acclamations from the little
group of officers behind the chevalier.
The others were sJlent
"How is it that I hear no response
to my appeal from the officers of the
militia?" continued the governor.
"Gentlemen, do you allow your
brothers of the regular army to outdo
you in patriotism?"
"By God, sir!" ripped out one of the
leading officers of the militia, "we cannot
fight any more, and there's an end
to it! Our men are deserting by hundreds,
and we are hungry! We have
had nothing to eat since last night,
nothing to drink either! 'Tis ill keeping
guard and fighting on nothing!
"STRIKE THE FLAG."
i he English are there in thousands,
cuise iliem! We cannot keep them
oui. My men won't fight any longer!"
"Nor mine!"
"Nor mine!" rang through the halL
"And you, monsieur, has your
stomach for fight also left you?" asked
de Ramesay, frowning upon the man.
"Yes, it has!" snapped out the officer
furiously. " 'Tis a hopeless contest,
the city is lost!"
"Yes, yes, he is right!"
"Surrender!"
"Give up the town!"
"We are lost!" cried one after an
UIUC1*
There was no doubt either of their
unanimity or of their determination.
"You cowards!" exclaimed the governor
bitterly, turning upon them with
a withering glance of contempt. His
calmness gone, he stamped his foot
in passionate scorn and anger.
In the midst of the confusion, which
well indicated the disorganization in
the town, an officer burst into the hall
and shouldered his way through the
struggling mob toward the governor.
The crowd became silent as they recognized
his presence and instinctively
felt that he had news of importance.
His face was grave with anxiety.
"Monsieur," he cried, saluting, "the
English are about to storm the St
Charles gate! Monsieur lc Gardeur,
.who commands there, has sent me to
say that the town troops have thrown
down their arms and have refused to
fight! He has no force to stay the
advance. For God's sake, send reinforcements.
or we are lost!"
| Even as he spoke another officer
came running into the room from the
walls on the otner siae.
"Monsieur le Gouverneur," he cried,
as he entered the apartment, "the
colonial troops have withdrawn from
the walls! Capt. Le Moyne says that
the English battalions are mustering
for an immediate attack. He has not
enough regulars to man the guns! He
must have reinforcements immediately,
and the men are hungry!"
"Is there an ounce of bread left,"
asked the governor, turning to the
1 quartermaster, "to feed the soldiers
who are faithful and these cattle?"
"Nothing, sir," answered that functionary
sadly, "the last ration was issued
last night."
."You see. sir." cried the.merchant,
"to what straits we are reduced! My
children cry for bread!"
"My wife sufTers with hunger; we
are ruined!" cried another.
"My soldiers starve!" exclaimed a
third.
"Gentlemen," said the unfortunate
chevalier, turning to the militia, "you
have some Influence with your men
surely! Return to them, beg them to
fight one more day! Monsieur de Levis
will surely succor us. Upon us depends
the fortune of New France. When we
strike the flag we give up a province,
an empire! For God's sake, messieurs,
for the king, for your own lands, once
more to the walls! Vive la nuvelle
France!"
The militia officers stood in gloomy
silence in the face of this appeal. The
feeble acclamations of the loyal offl
cers or the line were arownea Dy a
dreadful crashing sound, followed by
a detonating explosion, which hurled
the people in the room in every direction.
A shell from the batteries burst
in the hall.
"Sauve qui peut!" cried one in the
smoke.
"We have no safety anywhere!"
"Strike the flag!"
"Fly, fly, messieurs!"
The room was filled with men, dead,
wounded and stunned. Groans, curses,
shrieks resounded. Scarcely knowing
what had happened, the governor, de
Vitre, and the rest, blinded, dazed, and
choking, found themselves swept out
of the chateau to the terrace in front
of it overlooking the river. From the
tall staff above them floated the white
flag of France. There was an excited
group of men around it Two or three
eager hands clutched at the halliards.
Slowly, as if with reluctance, the proud"
banner came drooping down to the
earth.
De Vitre, Rouvigny, Joannes, Fiedmont
and two or three others with
drawn swords ran into the midst of
the mob, driving back the townspeople
and the officers. With eager hands
they strove to hoist the flag, but the
halliards had been cut and they could
only lift it in their hands a little space
above the sodden ground. As they
realized the effort, their antagonists
swept down upon them again. The
governor's spirit was unabated, but
his resolution at this gave way. He
succumbed to the Inevitable.
"Let be!" he cried, breaking his
sword and throwing the pieces far from
VI t?? Da If
IHC HOfi *O UU TT U> XJC A t A miriiibered
that it was not my hand that
struck it! You cowards, you have
your way! It is the end of New
France."
He stood, with the tears trickling
down his rugged old face, a picture of
shame and sorrow.
One by one the big guns that ringed
the city ceased to pour their Shot upon
the town, as the English saw the flag
come down. Although the heavy
smoke still hung low in the sodden air,
a silence ominous and gloomy for the
Frenchmen succeeded the roar of the
cannonade. The ships in the harbor
were soon black with men. From the
meadows on the Plains of Abraham
the sound of cheering could be heard
faintly, and down by the SL Charles
gate, where the columns of the English
were massed, came back an echo
of the Joyful sound. It was the deathknell
of the province.
Maj. Joannes, reluctantly complying,
while bitterly protesting, was dispatched
with a white flag to Gen.
Townshend's headquarters. With the
cessation of the bombardment the
townspeople, regardless of the rain,
poured into the streets. The plateau
in front of the chateau was soon filled
with people shouting, gesticulating,
laughing, crying, sobbing like mad.
The gwim old governor, with the officers
about him, stood at the foot of
the flagstaff looking over that marvelous
prospect which should never again
belong to France. Presently Joannes
returned.
"The terms, major?" cried the governor.
"The garrison to march out with
the honors of war, with their arms,
two pieces of cannon, and 20 rounds;
afterward to be transported to France
with such of the townspeople as choose
to eo with them. The free exercise of
our religion permitted and the rights
and property of the people respected."
"And the alternative, monsieur?"
"Immediate attack."
"Have you the paper?"
"Within my breast, sir," answered
Joannes.
"Let us go to the chateau; we will
sign It."
Presently the two reappeared on the
terrace.
"Say to the English that the people
are starving, and ask them in the name
of the women and children to send us
something to eat at once," said the
governor.
Joannes saluted, turned away, and
was gone. The people watched him
disappear in silence.
to bh continued.
Marvelous Corn Crop.?Our corn
crop of this year, if massed together,
would cover sixty acres of ground to
the depth of nearly sixteen hundred
feet?a veritable mountain of corn
over a third of a mile high. If divided
equally among the population of
the earth It would give eacn person
nearly two bushels. One practical result
of the enormous corn crop ought
to be a material reduction in the price
of beef for home consumption, since
It Is the crop on' which beef cattle are
chiefly fed. In many parts of the west
the harvest has been abundant, but in
Oklahoma, especially, farmers this
year are boastful of their corn crop.
Favorable climatic conditions produced
a record-breaking yield. In many
instances the ears and stalks are of
such unusual size as to be veritable
curiosities. In a field owned by Walter
Matthews, a farmer near the town
of Mulhall, in Logan county, an eleven-year-old
boy, weighing eighty
pounds, climbed a stalk to a height of
four feet without its bending with
him. The stalk was strongly rooted
and about sixteen feet high. While
the growth In Oklahoma was exceptional.
no traveler through the west
this fall could fall to be Impressed
with the vastness of the corn area and
the immensity of the crop.?Leslie's
Weekly.
piscfllancous grading.
LONG RANGE FORECA8T8.
?
Section Director Bauer 8ays They Are
Impracticable.
OorrMDondence of the Yorkville Knqolrer.
Columbia, November 15.?The slow
and laborious progress of all the
sciences, from the earliest dawn of
civilization, has been hampered and
burdened by the actions of men Incapable
of mastering the principles Involved
In the study of science, yet with
the keenness to be alive to the possibilities
of science for the public good.
These men were unscrupulous enough
to assume the to them false garb of
knowledge, and In that false garb pose
as apostles of the science, for personal
gain and utterly regardless of the good
of humanity. In their false guise, it Is
true, these imposters were but the
laughing stock of men of science and
deemed unworthy of serious notice,
while the ignorant and credulous "believed
more readily in the false than
in the true, as the former promised
more, were more mysterious, claimed
to know it all, and it is too sadly true,
that the people in ages past, as in our
own age, delighted In being humbugged
and were willing to pay for their
pleasure.
Thus it was that the beautiful
science of astronomy that demonstrates
with such exactness the motion of the
heavenly bodies and that teaches other
properties that pertain to them only,
gave rise to the astrologer who made
the credulous believe that planets had
an Influence on the destinies of men,
until a wiser age destroyed the fallacy.
Thus it was that chemistry gave rise
to the alchemist who In his mysterious
and preternatural processes made the
credulous believe that he had the command
of the much sought for elixir
of life. Thus it was that the science
of medicine gave rise to the quack
with his nostrums and who, even today,
deludes the sick and afflicted with
his deadly doses; and thus it is that
the beautiful and intricate science of
meteorology and weather forecasting
has given rise to its own peculiar parasites,
a host of long range weather
forecasters, that in a mysterious and
wholly irrational way claim to be able
to foresee that which patient, hard and
intelligent study of meteorology by
learned men in all parts of the world,
has not been able to do, and by them
has been declared Impracticable.
It is true that our own weather bureau
and the meteorological services
of other countries have demonstrated
the practicability of forecasting the
weather for from one, two or in very
favorable conditions three days in advance
with reasonable accuracy, but
I kinoof ^rooanfprq with one accord,
deny the possibility of forecasting the
weather for a month or a season In advance,
and yet, these charlatans, fakes,
or whatnots, who make a fair though
fraudulent living by selling such forecasts
to the ptiblic, and, what Is still
more strange, reputable papers, that
ordinarily are not willing parties to
any fraud publish such forecasts in
their columns.
The desirability of long range forecasts
is admitted, their usefulness, If
they were possible, cannot be gainsaid,
and their attempt Is not deprecated, on
the contrary success is ardently hoped
for and encouraged on rational grounds
but their practicability Is, at present,
wholly denied and can be shown by
any attempt, however friendly, to verify
them whenever made. People who
are familiar with meteorology know
this, but the many have not studied the
science, and influenced by their desire
for knowledge and misled by the spurious
through plausible claim of unprincipled
long range forecasters,
readily buy and believe the goods to
be genuine. Few test its worth by actual
verification, but credulously accept
an accidental agreement between
the forecasted weather and what actually
occurred as convincing proof,
while the failures that so numerously
happen, if noted at all are charitably
forgiven and forgotten. It would indeed
be strange if some of the long
range forecasts did not prove correct,
for the chances are about as one in five
that they will, If ordinary intelligence
is exercised in making them, and it is
this probability of chances that gives
life to the long range forecaster. But
he has other deceptive devices such
as clothing his forecasts in the most
general and indefinite language, he
guards carefully against any attempt
to disprove his forecasts and keeps
open a loophole for escape, also by
stating that he has in mind some other
section of the country where the
forecasted conditions did actually occur.
While meteorology has made rapid
progress in the last fifty years, and
the fact has been amply demonstrated
that the weather Is governed by laws
as certain in their operations as those
governing other phenomena of nature,
yet it has not advanced far enough to
enable the weather to be forecasted
for a season or even a month in advance.
The weather bureau makes no
claim to be able to make correct forecasts
for periods longer than one, two
or at longest three days, and for the
longest period there must be very decided
conditions as shown by the daily
survey of the atmosphere by its numerous
trained and skilled observers.
With all the skill and training by the
best talent available and with as conscientious
effort as true and honest
men are capable of mistakes will and
do occur.
Long and careful observation has
shown that weather changes are not
dependent on planetary influence. Nor
is weather forecasting a matter of inspiration,
but ability to make reliable
forecasts comes from hard study, long
training and intelligent observation.
It is absurd to believe that when intelligent.
scholarly men, who have
made meteorology a specialty the
world over are in full accord in their
denial of the practicability of making
accurate long range weather forecasts,
that a man ignorant of the very laws
on which the forecasts are based and
relying on mystical non-existing planetary
influences, or on Inspiration
which means nothing save an erratic
aKIa
mental condition, snouiu ue
make them.
The weather bureau today Is giving
the people the best service possible, but
not content with the success already
attained, it has in the past, and Is now
studying every available and suggested
means of improving and extending
the scope and amplitude of its forecasts,'
for both short and long periods,
and should long range forecasts ever
become possible, It will be through such
efforts and not by the bragadocio
methods of Ignorant charlatans who
now occupy the field with their fraudulent
long range forecasts.
Prof. Willis L. Moore, who as chief
of the weather bureau has had to deal
with this subject In both an administrative
way and in its scientific aspect
recently stated his views on so called
long range weather forecasts In no uncertain
language, and wholly In condemnation.
In substance he said that
It Is the opinion of the leading meteorologists
of the world that public interests
are injured by the publication of
so-called long range weather forecasts,
especially such predictions as relate to
severe storms, floods, droughts, and
other atmospheric phenomena of a
dangerous and damaging character,
and the persistent efforts of certain
men to foist their predictions on the
public, for public gain, has reached
such proportions that it is deemed advisable
fairly and temperately to counteract
the Influence of those whom we
believe to be preying on the credulity
of the public. They may believe that
they have discovered a physical law on
a meteorological principle that has not
been revealed to the astronomers, meteorologists
or to any other class of
scientific investigators, but the publication
of predictions that by reason of
their absolute inaccuracy are calculated
to be positively injurious to agricultural,
commercial and other industrial
Interests, casts a serious douhi
on the honesty of their purpose, and
upon their disinterested devotion to
the public welfare. Such publications
bring the science of meteorology lilt)
disrepute and cannot, therefore be made
in response to a desire to advance that
science along useful lines, and they retard
the work of honest investigators
through whose efforts only can gains
h?? mnrie in the fundamental knowledge
of the causation of weather, that will
Justify forecasts for a month or a season
in advance.
In a circular letter to observers on
the same subject, Prof. Moore says:
"I hope the time will come when it
will be possible to forecast the weather
for coming seasons, to specify in what
respect the coming month or season
will conform to or depart from the
weather that is common to that
month or season; but that time
has not yet arrived, and I believe
that you will be best serving
the public interests when, without indulging
in personalities or mentioning
names, you teach the community you
serve the limitations of weather forecasting
and warn it against imposters.
Tour public press should, and doubtless
will co-operate with you in this
endeavor. J. W. Bauer,
Section Director.
SEES BULLET FLY.
Adirondack Sportsman Demonstrates
How It Can Be Done.
"I can see those bullets fly as you
shoot them," said H. J. Callahan to a
group of riflemen during recent target
practice at Minerva. In this county.
Several of the gunners laughed at
him, but he induced them Anally to
come to his side at a point about 150
yards from the target.
It was nearly 4 p. m., and the sun
was shining at a favorable angle, Callahan
was able to point out to his
friends silver streaks which traveled
from the gun to the target of each
shot. The bullets appeared nice
glimpses of telephone wire glistening
In the sunlight, the metal reflecting the
rays of the sun.
The sportsmen were able to study
the bullets' flight until the light
changed.
The rifles used were a .30 Winchester,
a .30 Marlln, a .45.90 Winchester
and a .38.55 Winchester, and the bullets
from them were observed without
the aid of fleld glasses.
Some sportmen who were not present
on the afternoon of the target
practice mentioned were not Inclined
to accept the story, and It was for
their observation and benefit that a
second series of experiments was held.
The guns used on this occasion were
a .38-55 and a .38-40 of Winchester
pattern, each firing factory ammunition.
It was observed that some of the
bullets traveled with greater speed
than others, owing to a slight variation
in the loading machines at the
cartridge factory. The speedy bullets
appeared with a thinner line of light
than the slow ones.
It was also found that the vision was
lulcker than the rifle ball, for the eye
could anticipate the arrival of the bullet
at the target, see the bullet and
watch the target for It to strike?New
York Sun.
WINE AGAIN8T DEATH.
Strange Wager of Mexican War Veteran*
is Nearing Decision.
A wager between wine ana ueam,
made 55 years ago, may soon be paid.
In the vault of a bank at Covington,
Ind., reposes a bottle of ancient vintage,
the contents of which will be
drunk by the single survivor of a little
band of 20 soldiers of the Mexican
war. The wager is the most unique
of the kind on record. After the close
of hostilities with Mexico 20 of the veterans
who went to the front from
Fountain county. Ind., met in reunion.
This was in 1849. It was voted to assemble
yearly thereafter on Thanksgiving
Day.
At the first dinner a bottle of wine
was presented to the little company
and in a half joking manner one suggested
that the bottle remain uncorked
until but one survivor remained, this
one to quaff the wine to the memory
of those gone before. The idea met
with instant favor and it was so agreed.
Each year the annual dinner has been
held and each one more closely cemented
the ties of comradeship formed
on the plains of Mexico. For years
at the annual gatherings the bottle has
occupied a place of honor at the head
of the table and was annually the subject
of merry Jests and predictions as
to who would be the last survivor to
drink its contents. As the years passed
ind the little band became reduced in
numbers the jests ceased and instead
fhe old soldiers who were left looked
with awe and veneration upon the
flask, regarding It as a link that binds
them to the memory of those who have
gone before.
Now there are 17 who have crossed
the dark river, leaving three who will
likely assemble on next Thanksgiving
Day. Of the three who are left all are
past 80 years of age and all know full
well that soon the strange compact
made In 1849 must end. Each wonders
to whom the lot will fall. In the year*
*?A 1 1?*??'>? TVianlraorlvIn?
ly interval ueiwccu uic * .?.>B ?
Day reunions the bottle of wine is kept
safely under guard in the bank vault,
but before many years, it will be removed
from its place to deposit for the
last time. For 55 years it has been
preserved, a pathetic memory of the
shadowy past, but it will not be long
until its mission will be fulfilled.?Chicago
Tribune.
Apples and Drunkenness.?With
the view of learning the opinions of
other medical men concerning the efficacy
of the habit of eating apples to
destroy the taste for liquor a New
J York city physician corresponded with
many medical men living in various
I states. He received replies from all
but three.
From a large majority came answers
that they had never known a
case where a person was accustomed
to the free use of apples and was a
drunkard, nor had they ever known of
a drunkard who was accustomed to
the daily use of apples.
From a personal observation, covering
a period of more than 25 years,
the physician says he never has known
a single Instance where a person who
was a free user of apples acquired
the liquor habit, nor has he known a
person addicted to the free use of liquor
who was fond of apples.
REPORT OF GRAND JURY.
All the County's Affairs In Healthy
Condition.
Before receiving Its discharge last
Tuesday afternoon the grand Jury
submitted the following as its final
presentment:
To Honorable R. C. Watts, Presiding
Judge:
We beg to report that we have passed
on all the bills handed us by the
solicitor and returned same with our
findings, and ask that the solicitor
carry over indictment against one
Wilson for future term of court, for
further Investigation.
In the examinations for the county
officers' books during the year, we
found the books of the clerk of the
court all neatly kept, and all funds in
his hands properly accounted for by
receipts of deposits In the different
banks, and in this office we found the
official bonds of the officers properly
secured.
Superintendent of education. In
this office we found the books so neat
and accurately kept, any information
was easily obtained.
Auditor's office. We found the books
and papers in this office in proper condition
and find that owing to the business
ability and watchfulness of the
auditor that there has been an increase
of taxable property over 1903,
of $168,014.00.
Treasurer's office. As all of the
money of the county passes through
his hands, we made a close examination
of this office, and we And that all
moneys are properly accounted for by
vouchers and cashiers' statements
from different banks of the county.
As to the books of the supervisor we
refer to his annual report.
In connection with the examination
of the books of the treasurer, auditor,
superintendent of education and supervisor,
we found the endorsement of
the comptroller general and foreman
of the grand Jury, dated September 24,
1904. We use the words of the comptroller
general to express our approval
of the condition and management
of these officers: "Mr. Foreman, these
officials give me less trouble in their
annual settlements than any others in
the state, and I have yet to find a
mistake."
Sheriffs office. We found the books
and records in good shape.
Probate's office. We found no criticism
to make and refer to his annual
reports, which the law requires him to
make to the court.
County home. The condition of the
county home as reported by special
committee to us, is most encouraging
and the management meets with hearty
approval. We recommend that one
Hambrick, now in the county home be
sent back to his native county, Chester.
Jail. Special committee reports conditions
safe and well kept.
Chalngang. Everything in proper
condition for carrying on the work and
the health of the convicts continues
good.
We received petition from J. H.
Wltherspoon, complaining of the condition
of the LIncolnton road. We refer
the game to the county commissioners.
We recommend that grand Jurors be
paid for extra services during the present
term as follows: V. B. McFadden,
$1.60; R. 8. Hanna, $1.50; W. L. Black,
$1.50; A. J. Parrott, $2.50; R. L. Scog
gins, $2.90; W. C. McLure, Ji.su; n.
K. Lowry, $3.25; J. R. Williams, $1.90;
N. S. Black, $3; J. O. Walker. $13.50.
If there is no further business, we
beg to be discharged.
J. O. Walker, Foreman.
PLENTY OF "MEAN" LIQUOR.
Much of it Rank Poison, Says Chemist
Wilsy.
"If the man who said there was no
such thing; as bad whisky, but that
there was good whisky and better
whisky, could see and taste some of
the stuff that we are analyzing every
day he would admit that there is stuff
sold under the name of whisky that
at least is bad. In fact, it is little
better than rank poison and we occasionally
do run across stuff that It
is no exaggeration to call poison."
These remarks were made a few
days ago by Dr. H. W. Wiley, chief
of the bureau of chemistry of the agricultural
department, when he was
In New York arranging for the installation
of the bureau of analysis
for imported food and liquors at the
appraiser's stores. They are particularly
timely now in view of the investigation
being carried on by the dity
authorities Into the deaths of several
persons in the "Stryker's Farm" neighborhood
which have been attributed
to the drinking of poison sold as
whisky.
Of course the cases now under Investigation
are extreme ones. The
stufT which the victims of the saloonkeepers'
greed drank, and from which
'hey died, has been found to have contained
a large percentage of wood alcohol,
put in no doubt to give the
liquor the "bite" which is so much
lesired by some drinkers. Wood alcohol
is a deadly poison and only the
most ignorant would use it to fortify
whisky. This stuff doubtless was
manufactured in quantities as required
in the saloon-keeper's cellar, and
has never entered into the markets
as a commercial commodity. It is a
fact, though, that hundreds of thousands
of gallons of stuff, less poisonous
only in degree, are sold over the bars
in this country and In England as
whisky, and are drunk by persons
who think they are getting the pure
juice of the grain. Dr. Wiley's Investigations
in this country and those
of The London Lancet in England
have shown that many of the popular
brands are not whisky at all.
In order to understand what is
meant by this statement it is necessary
to understand what a true whisky
is. Dr. Wiley has laid down a definition
for his food standards department
which is generally accepted, both
by scientists and the trade, as the true
one. It is as follows:
"Whisky is the distilled product of
fermented cereal grains, properly aged
in wood, in order to remove the greater
part of the fusel oils, etc., proa.woH
rttirine- the distillation. Whisky
should not contain less than 45 or
more than 55 volume per cent, of alcohol.
and not more than 0.25 per
cent, of total solids (extracts). The
content of fusel oil should not exceed
0.25 per cent. No artificial color other
than that derived from the wood in
which it Is stored is admitted in
whisky."
In order properly to age whisky, and
no liquor is entitled to be called whisky
unless It has been matured by age,
according to this definition, it must be
stored for at least four years in a
properly warmed and ventilated warehouse.
Four years is the minimum
recognized in the trade, but Dr. Wiley
declares that it is seldom that whisky
that is less than six years old is fit
to drink. Proper aging, then is an
expensive process and one that requires
large capital. It Is estimated
that less than 25 per cent, of the stuff
sold over the average bar, and in
many of the high class hotels, too,
for that matter, has really been matured
by age.
Most of the stuff which masquerades
a3 whisky Is an artificial product,
made by taking cologne spirits,
or pure alcohol, known in the trade
ob high wines, and adding to It various
Ingredients. A little burnt sugar
is added to give It the required color,
a few drops of fusel oil to give it the
"bite" and perhaps, If the "distiller"
is more than usually scrupulous, or
wishes to turn out a little higher
grade article, a small quantity of
real whisky is added. By this Is produced
an article which Dr. Wiley says
"looks like whieky, tastes like whisky,
and even analyzes very like whisky,
but has a very different effect on the
human stomach." As a matter of fact,
cologne spirits is a poison, too, not so
violent or so quick in action as the
wood alcohol which was used by the
"Stryker's Farm" saloon-keeper, but
quite capable, If its use is persisted In
long enough, of accomplishing the
oq mo eooulf
Various efforts have been made by
the distillers of honest whisky to stop
the manufacture of this spurious stuff.
They are at a manifest disadvantage,
In order to produce an eight-year-old
whisky they have to distill it honestly
from fermented grain mash in the first
place and then hold it in storage for
eight years. The rectifier as the maker
of spurious whisky calls hitqself, can
rolll In a dozen barrels of c ologne spirits
at the back door, reduce them with
water to the required alcoholic strength
add the coloring and flavoring matter
and in eight hours he can roll two dozen
barrels of eight-year-old whisky
out of his front door. With him the
age is determined solely by the label
required by his customer,
Curiously enough the government
recognizes this traffic. All It requires
Is that the product when it leaves
the rectifier's premises be labeled
"Rectified," but that does not in any
way injure its sale. The retailer knows
what he is selling and the consumer.
If he knows anything about the difference
between real and spurious
whisky, has no opportunity to examine
the label on the barrel. One thing the
government has .done U protect the
honest distiller. That Is the passage
of the "bottling in bond law." Distillers
are allowed to bottle their whisky
in bonded warehouses under the supervision
of government officers and on
each bottle there Is placed a green
stamp, which is Uncle Barn's guarantee
that the contents of the bottle are
pure whisky and at lea*t four years
old. Of course the fact remains that
most four-year-old whisky is not fit
to drink, but the date of the label
will always tell how long the liquor
has been in bottle. There has been a
good deal of opposition to this law
from a class of merchants known as
blenders, many of whom produce good
ivhlairtM hv hlpnrUnir reel whiskies of
different ageti and characteristics to
produce a drink that la smoother and
more palatable than a straight whisky
might be. By blending a comparatively
young whisky ma/ be made to
acquire many of the characteristics of
an older one.
That the adulteration of wines and
liquors is not a new thin? Is shown by
a curious inquiry recently made by a
student of the history of the traffic.
That it was a pretty atrlous offense,
too, at one time in some of the wineirinking
countries Is shown by the old
records, for John Ehrnt, who Introduced
the practice in Eselngen was beheaded
in 1687,?New Ycrk Times.
8T0BY OF 0L0 HICKORY.
Allowed a Veteran to Meld His Own
Views.
The following story quoted from the
Washington Post, illustrates Andrew
Jackson's character:
When Jackson was i>resldent, Major
Olbbon, a New Jersey man, was
postmaster at Richmond, Va. A delegation
from Richmond waited on Jackson
to demand the postmaster's place.
"Isn't Major Olbbon an old soldier
of the RevolutionT' aiked Jackson.
"Well, yea"
"Anv otuwrwi n era I r Kt his official
character?"
"No-o. But he stumps up and down
the streets of Richmond abusing you
and your administration."
"Does he?" said Jackson grimly.
"Yes. and besides he is an old time
Federalist"
When the delegation had withdrawn
Jackson serl promptly for the auditor
of the postofflce department
"Mr. Auditor, what tort of an official
Is Major Gibbon, postmaster at
Richmond?"
"A model postmaster. Mr. President."
"Any charges against his official Integrity?"
"None whatever, sir. His accounts
are scrupulously correct, and always
rendered on time."
The next day the delegation called
again.
"Gentlemen," said Jackson, "You
admitted yesterday that no chcugelies
against Postmaster Gibbon's official
character or conduct This Is verified
by the accounting officer of the treasury.
But you dwell on the fact that
he vilifies me and openly opposes my
politics. For that you would have me
turn adrift an elderly man?the man
that led the forlorn hope at Stony
Point, and left his right leg there.
"Such a man, gentlemen, has bought
the right to entertain his opinions
and speak them, and to abuse me as
much as he pleases."
?-?
A Vivid Dream.
As a result of a peculiarly vivid
dream Charles E. S anley, B. A., of
Erin villas, Newcastle, County Down,
Is suffering from the effects of what
appears to be severe l unburn.
In relating his almost weird experience
he says: "I am 35 years of age,
a student, and very pale faced. Having
been confined to my rooms In the
city of Belfast by severe literary work
for some months, I paid a flying visit
to Newcastle on Monday last, when
the little town was deluged with rain
and the sun obscured. -"I
remained indoors all the evening
reading, and retired to bed about 11
o'clock. During the night I dreamed I
was lying on the seashore In a strange
locality, and that the sun was shining
? .V. an that I
wiin intense urai, k muv.u
felt my face and hands actually being
burned. In my dream I remember
thinking: what a tanned face I would
have after lying so long exposed to the
glaring sun.
"The dream passed away, and in the
morning I arose and commenced to
shave. What was my astonishment, on
looking in the mirror, .to find my face
and neck literally tanned dark brown,
my nose in a parboiled condition, and
the skin broken, my forehead covered
with freckles and my hands also tanned
brown and freckled.
"The experience made me uneasy,
and accordingly I spoke to a doctor
who was staying in the same house.
He said I was badly sunburnt by exposure.
I explained I had not been in
the sun for a single hour for months,
and that I arrived In Newcastle in a
deluge of rain, at the same time mentioning
my dream.
"He was amazed, md said It was the
most remarkable case he ever knew,
but he believed the force of imagination
had in my dream affected the skin
and caused the sunburn and freckles.
"The doctor asked me to write to
the press, as the case is a most remarkable
one. I may add I am a total
abstainer, and am free from any disease
or skin affection."?Dublin Cor.
Chicago Inter-Ocean.
.
?+ ?