Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 13, Number 163, Decatur, Adams County, 8 July 1915 — Page 2

CURIOUS TRAP FOR SNAKES Naturalist Tello of Seeing a Biscuit Can Used by Natives to Capture a Cobra. A naturalist tells us of an odd kind of snake trap that caught its victim securely. It was a biscuit can. and In the bottom of it were some macaroons. A cobra spied the can, but a mouse was ahead of the cobra. The little thief was having a good time regaling himself on the macaroons, all unconscious that a snake was preparing to regale itself on mouse. Into the can went the head of the snake, but the head that went In was destined to come out less easily. The rough edges of the can irritated the cobra, and involuntarily it dilated Its hood. That made it a prisoner With the hood dilated the head could not be withdrawn. and the cobra remained In its tin prison until morning, when it was easily captured and killed. Stradlfng, who knows the natives of India as well as he knows the snakes of that land, tells of an interesting theory held by these people. They are firmly convinced that for every human being a snake Biter it loses one Joint. When the number of deaths the snake has caused equals the number of its joints, the venomous head alone remains. The snake has now reached the height of its wicked desires, and at this point it develops wings and triumphantly disappears. An exception to this rule Is found on the other side of the world, in the case of the rattlesnake, for the natives of many parts of this country are said to believe that this snake gains a thimble for every man it kills. By counting these some folks pretend to an ability to calculate with precision how many persons a particular rattlesnake has bitten. But this is, of course, as great a superstition as that held by the Hindus. A Voice for Potatoes. Most persons in this country have pitied the men and women on the continent of Europe who are compelled to eat bread made wholly or partly of potato flour. Yet here come experts of the home economics department of Cornell telling us that pota toes and meat may be a better food combination than brqpd and meat. These experts declare that there is good reason for favoring potatoes Meat, eggs and cereals, they say, contain mineral elements which give an excess of acids, while vegetables, fruit and milk hkve an excess of bases that neutralize the acid. Meat produces an excess of acid, and the food that accompanies it should, therefore, give an excess of alkali, slice, bread, macaroni and cornmeal produce acid, and so do not fill the need. But potatoes are the natural accompaniment of meat, because they produce bases “Most persons. ’ according to these ' experts, “should make it a point to eat I more potatoes than they are now con- 1 sumlng."—Buffalo Express. Oil Cans Save Life. A novel idea was responsible for the saving of many lives from the cruiser Hermes after the ship was torpedoed in Dover straits. A supply of the life-saving pneumatic collars ordered by the admiralty had been expected, but the Hermes had to put to sea before these were received. When the vessel was torpedoed no assistance was at hand. She was settling down, and a great disaster threatened, when someone thought of petrol tins, of which 400 were on board. The order was promptly given to empty the tins and screw down the stoppers, and on these tins scores of men who must otherwise have bedn drowned kept afloat until help arrived. Up to Them, Little James, aged six years, had been taught to pray each night for all his relatives and friends, and consequently the list had grown quite large. So one night when it came time for the customary prayers he refused to say them “Well, well, James!’’ said his mother. “Why won’t you say them? All good little boys say their prayers.” “Yes, but I’m too tired.” “Oh, my. that’s no excuse. Come j now that’s a good boy." “Well,” relented James, “I guess I’ll have to. But, anyhow, I’m not going to pray for everybody. I’m going to cut a lot of ’em out. Some of ’em will have to save themselves.” —Harper's Magazine. Rabbits on Laysan Island. Rabbits on Toysan island, the wellknown Hawaiian bird reservation, have multiplied to such an extent since they were introduced a few years ago as to threaten the existence of the island vegetation. As this result would jeopardize bird colonies, which «eed shade, especially during the nesting season, an expedition which recently visited the island destroyed about 5,000 rabbits, or onethird of the total colony. ' As Times Change. "It’s harder to attract attention than it used to be,” remarked the town clown. “What makes you think so?" “I remember when I could get all kinds of a laugh simply by wearing a straw hat before the first of May " A Serious Doubt. “What is that noise Maude is making out there?" "I didn’t know whether she is trying her Wagnerian solo or practicing her new class yell"

TOO ROUGH FOR HIM SOUTHERN NEGRO QUITS THE MOVING PICTURE GAME. Hanging and Fire In Jail Altogether Too Realistic for Darkey Who Takes Place of Alleged Picture Actor. A negro in a southern county seat town had been condemned to die. The day of the hanging came and Rastus was taken to the scaffold in the courthouse yard The hood was slipped over his head and the noose adjusted. Just as the sheriff was about to spring the trap a cry of "Fire!” war heard, and smoke was seen coming from the courthouse windows Tin officials and spectators, forgetting their task, rushed to help fight the blaze. Anyway, Rast-? vr.s tied and could not escape wit! ut aid. During she fire another n< ;o wan dered into the courthouse ;. -f .1 und passed the scaffold. He thought he recognized a familiar form standing on It and proceeded to find out. “Hello dar! Is dat you. Rastus?” ‘Tse Rastus.” “What you all doin’ on dat plat form?” ‘Tse a movin’ picture actor now Gam." “A movin’ picture actor?" 'Yas. sah; a regular movin' picture actor “Is movin’ picture actin' hard work. Rastus." “It’s softer dan eatln’ watermelon all day long ” “Is you paid well?” , “Gets five dollars every day for workin a hour or two." “Rastus. you all is a friend of mine, isn’t you. all?" “1 sure is, Sam." "Den If the white folks what run dis movin' picture actor business wants another actor you tell em about me, Rastus." “You can come on up here and take my job right now, Sam I'se tired of movin’ picture actin' for today. Besides, I got to spend the money I’se made already." Sam mounted the steps and released Rastus from his bonds. Rastus in turn prepared the unsuspecting Sam for hanging. Then he skipped. A few minutes later the sheriff returned. He saw a negro standing patiently on the scaffold. Without further ado he sprung the trap. Fortunately for Sam the rope was old and broke under the sudden strain. It rolled Sam into the dust of the courthouse yard He wrenched his hands loose and jerked the hood from his head. Then, rolling his eyes around and rubbing his neck, he said “You all white folks can take back i your old Job You all's too rough.” Hiking Best Grippe Killer, The epidemic of influenza that has been troubling the city for nearly a month continued last week, according to a mortality bulletin issued yesterday by the board of health. The statement says there were 35 deaths in the i city last week from this cause, or 20 mere than the number for a single week of 1514. Deputy Health Commissioner Emerson says the best way to avoid catching influenza is to walk a mile in the open air twice a day It will add ten years to a person’s life, the doctor asserts. The number of deaths reported during the week ..-as x,778, compared with 1,566 in the corresponding week of 1914, the death rate increasing from 14.63 to 15.98 per 1,000 of population Despite the epidemic of influenza the death rate for the first 16 weeks of the year, 14.66, is .81 below the mortality for a similar period of 1914. —New York Sun. Spain Fixes Price of Flour. El Impartial, one of the leading dailies of Madrid, states this morning that the government has sold 25,000 metric tons of Argentine wheat to flour mills at 355 pesetas per ton (about $65.50 per short ton at today's exchange, $1 equaling 4.92 pesetas). Liberal credit has been given and the mills have agreed not to raise the present price of flour, which is 477 pesetas per metric ton (about SBB per short ton at today s exchange). It is noted that wheat is converted into flour at a selling price of the latter that Is an increase of 34 1-3 per cent over purchase price of the former. —Consul Robertson Honey, Madrid. O. Yes; Quite Often. After some skillful maneuvering about to get a seat at the picture show where a post would not intrude, the Grouch settled down to at least a half hour of unobstructed view “At last,” he told himself, “I shall get something for my money.” Then came a pleasant demand from one of the ushers: “Please move over one to make two seats for these ladies.” The grouch, being helpless did so. Perhaps you know how it is. Kid Raising for Gloves. Before the war the peasants of many a little village made a living by raising kid to supply the gloves for which France has long been famous. The perfection of the skins if consid ersti by the French manufacturers to be the keynote of the perfect glote Their method is to have one WiOft. man handle the pfeparnd kid from the time it is brought m until the gloves which are shaped from that kid are entirely finished.

ANNUAL REPORT (OONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE) lale graves could easily be marked ami the new ones also as they are ad ded. A new fence and a general clean- , ing up would add much to the appearance of the place. We re<*ommend all graves marked so far as they are known in some substantial manner. The following might prove of In(eruat to those who know little about th<y inmates of tho county asylum. Some living there are unfortunate and have seen happy days; others are degenerate and are a real trouble to those who care for them. We stepped to the door of a building and looking in saw cord upon cord of wood sawed in regular lengths and piled high in tiers and the matron said every stick had been sawed by a blind inmate called “Blind Tommy." Os course we asked abdut him and they told us the following story: Thomas Sullivan was born in Ireland but came to this country early in life. He is a broom maker by ;rade. On June 15, 1875, at the age of twjn-y-six. Tom entered the county asylum .'.nd has lived there ever since. He Is intelligent, works every day, knows every part of the farm, going all over ft by himself. His health is good and he Is always ready for a hearty meal. He has the name of being the "very best" Inmate at the county farm. We asked if anything was ever done especially for his comfort or happiness and were told that it was hard to do anything especially for him because he is so very independent, not liking to accept favors from any one. The matron. Mrs. Laughlin, says that once in a while she places some extra fine fiuit or a little candy on his plate on the dining table. But aside from this he accepts nothing. He misses people who do not visit the farm as often as usual and inquires about them. He seems happy and contented. and goes about his daily duties, accenting favors from no one, for he certainly earns every penny and more than is spent for his care and keep ing. County Jail. The county jail is a brick structure located on First street, Decatur. Ed Green is sheriff and L. D. Jacobs his deputy. Fourteen prisoners may be kept, and at present there are nine prisoners. Six men and three women are serving jail sentences. The jail is strong, safe and well ventilated. The prisoners exercise, usually by cutting weeds and working in the garden or on the lawn. The building is lighted by electricity and heated by steam. City water is suplied and the building is within the city fire limits. There are two closets in the men's department which are in good condition. The whole building is a model of neatness and cleanliness. The plumbing is all right at present.- A complete record is kept up to date in every respect. The sewerage is washed directly to the river which is very near, (he sewer being in good condition. There is one bath tub in the men’s department and it is in fine condition. The prisoners bathe at least once a week. The bedding is washed every other day and underclothes are changed every week. The county does not furnish the under clothes. The beds are just ordinary jail “bunks.” The beds and bedding are very dean. The furniture consists of a table and a few chairs. There are rules for the prisoners which they are required to observe. The sexes are separated. The woman's departmetlt is located on the upper floor of the jail. There is no chance to classify the prisoners, boys and mets ail using the same corridors, with the insane. criminals or any who are- placed behind the bars. / Some little work is done by the pris- . oners but no regular work is requir- , ed. Plenty of reading matter is famish- { ed the prisoners by persons outside j interested in the inmates' Welfare. f No religious services are held at ( the jail. No tramps are received except f which the law requires the sheriff to receive. The same rules apply to , receiving the city prisoners. | The prisoners are well fed and the food served is wholesome, meat is given at least once and sometimes twice a day. Vegetables and fruit are served in season. The officers and the board of char- ' ities agree that a bat tub in the wo- i man’s department is an immediate ne- 4 cessity. Also a detention room at 1 the north end of the upper hall could be made secure in which a boy or F girl prisoner could be kept over night or for a short time. This should be done at once. The hoard was pleased to find ev- t erything so clean and neat at the t Jail- c Geneva Lock up. The Geneva lock up was visited by J Mr. Sim Fordyce, The building is constructed of !■ brick and contains two rooms. The j

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frpnt room is the meeting place of the town council. The lockup part is in one room, is kept in fibe condi tion and is a safe place to keep prisoners. The room contains two or three well kept beds, a table and a few chairs. There are no prisoners at present. The lock-ups at Berne and Monroe were not visited during this quarter, but will be visited soon. — o NOTICE TO PATIENTS. Beginning tomorrow and every Wednesday afternoon during July and August my office will be closed. Patients will please take notice. 155t5 DR. C. R. WEAVER. o PIANO TUNING AND REPAIRING. D. A. GilKom, rebuilder and repairer of pianos and sewing machines, md piano tuner. Dealer in both branches, write or 'phone 8, Line P, city. Ulm-w-f-tf o A STRAY SOW —The owner may have M.nie by prying for the feed and keeping and this ad. Inquire of Ed Arnold, Magley Phone Craigville. 60t3.

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HOMESEEKER EXCURSION FARES | TO I SOUTHWEST | VIA CLOVER LEAF ROUTE L Hrst and Third Tuesdays of tach month. See H. J. THOMPSON, Agent. Decatur, for information. _ Sunday Excursions I from DECATUR I to Bluiiton, Mftr.on, Kokcmo and Frankfort via . CLOVER LEAF ROUTE I See H. J, Thompson Agent for Particulars