Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 January 1894 — Novel Way to Clear a Common. [ARTICLE]

Novel Way to Clear a Common.

In 1808 when Jamestown, N. Y., was Brst settled, the inhabitants hit upon a novel plan for clearing off the public common. The plot set apart for that purpose was covered with trees,' which were gradually cut down by the settlers at odd times when not otherwise engaged. But the stumps still remained, and their removal was a problem that caused many discussions among the city fathers. At last they struck a brilliant idea, whereby their object was not only attained, but the intemperate members of the community were taught a salutary lesson.| It was duly enacted that the penalty for getting drunk was to dig up a large stump, but if the culprit "was only moderately tipsy he was assigned to a smaller one. It was not long before every stump disappeared, much to the credit of the originators of the scheme and to the discomfiture of the tipplers.—[Chicago Herald.