1900 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER: 
389 
Events of the Week. 
DOMESTIC.—The bursting of a fly wheel in a paper 
factory at Spring Grove, Pa., May 16, killed one man 
and injured another.Rioting continues in St. 
Louis, Mo., in consequence of the street car strikes. 
May 18, three employees of the Transit Company were 
shot, one fatally, and several others were injured. May 
23. a policeman guarding a car was killed by a shot from 
some one in the attacking mob. A conductor and a 
child were also fatally hurt.The Board of 
Health at San Francisco, Cal., declares that bubonic 
plague exists in the city, and though they do not fear 
its spread, rigid precautions are being taken.A 
severe earthquake occurred in Mexico, May 16, causing 
much damage along the coast. It was followed by a 
tidal wave.Charges of gross extravagance are 
being made in connection with the fitting out of the 
transport Sumner. The original cost of the vessel was 
$160,000, and repairs and equipment, $652,218.89, making the 
total cost of putting the vessel into commission $812,218.89. 
The Sumner accommodates 773 enlisted men. 
May 21, lightning struck the main lighthouse at Sandy 
Hook, on the New Jersey coast, and wrecked its electri¬ 
cal mechanism.It is reported that part of the 
coffee on the ship Taylor, supposed to be infected with 
bubonic plague last Autumn, was sent to Chicago, and 
that 20,000 bags were roasted and sold in New York. 
. . . . The State Department received the Boer peace 
envoys on May 21, but announced that the United States 
would not offer any interference in South Africa. .... 
Francis Truth, the Boston “divine healer,.” has been in¬ 
dicted by the United States Grand Jury on seven bills, 
aggregating 20 counts, for fraudulent use of the mails. 
CONGRESS.—May 17, the House passed a River and 
Harbor bill appropriating $400,000 for improvements. 
. . . . May 21, the House passed the bill prohibiting 
inter-State commerce in convict-made goods. The mi¬ 
nority of the House Judiciary Committee filed its report 
on the recently-reported anti-trust amendment and bill. 
It says that the measures were drawn for political effect. 
.... The Senate, by a vote of 21 to 28, refused to take 
up the Nicaragua Canal bill.The House lead¬ 
ers have decided to reduce the war taxes at the next 
session.May 23, the postal frauds in Cuba 
were the chief subject discussed in the House. 
The Anti-Canteen bill will be favorably reported to the 
House, with provisions broadened to cover all premises 
used or owned by the Government. 
PHILIPPINES.—A naval court of inquiry is to inves¬ 
tigate the shooting of a Filipino by Capt. McGowan, of 
the Monadnock, November 21 last, and his alleged failure 
to report the incident.May 19, 500 insurgents 
ambushed 80 American scouts near Aquasan, in the 
northern part of Mindanao. The Americans routed 
them, killing 53. The American loss was two killed and 
three wounded.The Philippine Island railway 
company is preparing to force the United States to pay 
it $600,000 for damage done to its line by Filipinos. . . . 
The American troops were recently repulsed at Cotto- 
batto, Mindanao, and a larger force is being sent to 
punish the insurgents. There was a sharp fight May 14 
at Agusan, in which the enemies' loss was 52. 
CUBA.—May 17, it was reported by one of the detectives 
working on the Neely embezzlement case that the real 
steal has been the sale of counterfeit stamps, which, it 
is alleged, were made at the Neely printing establish¬ 
ment at Muncie, Ind. It is asserted that almost $2,000,000 
of bogus stamps were printed and distributed to Cuban 
postmasters. Neely was again arrested in New York 
May 22, in a civil suit brought by the United States to 
recover $45,375.25. He was sent to Ludlow Street jail, 
in default of $50,000 ball. 
GENERAL FOREIGN NEWS.—May 12, the Boers 
made a determined attack on Mafeking. They fell into 
a trap, and Commandant Eloff (President Kruger’s 
grandson), was captured, with a number of others, and 
about 50 Boers w r ere killed. Gen. Buller continues to ad¬ 
vance, and Gen. Hunter has invaded Transvaal terri¬ 
tory. May 18, news was received of the relief of Mafe¬ 
king, which has been besieged by the Boers since Octo¬ 
ber last. There have been constant assaults, a heavy 
bombardment, frequent fires, and constant dangers from 
explosive mines. The British force of 1,200 was largely out¬ 
numbered, but the brilliant leadership of Col. Baden-Pow- 
eli offset this. A large number of women and children were 
in the town, and sickness and starvation have been rife for 
months. May 23, after a sharp fight, Lord Roberts de¬ 
feated the Boers at the Rhenoster River.Con¬ 
sul General Mason, at Berlin, reports that German trade 
enmity is growing, and that harsh measures are pro¬ 
jected against the United States. It is probable that 
much higher duties will be demanded against American 
products. 
FARM AND GARDEN.—United States Ambassador 
Porter and United States Commissioner General Peck 
participated, May 17, in the exercises of turning over to 
the exposition authorities the agricultural exhibit, known 
as the American Corn Kitchen, for demonstrating the 
use of corn as food. The kitchen was planned by Col. 
Clark E. Carr, of Illinois. 
May 17, a hot east wind brought myriads of small 
beetles to Altoona and Chester, Pa., and their vicinities, 
swarming everywhere. They were evidently some va¬ 
riety of the blister beetles, as they caused a smarting 
sensation, followed by a blister, if crushed on the skin. 
Gideon Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, of Hanover, 
Pa., has adopted resolutions condemning the Pennsyl¬ 
vania State Department of Agriculture, and demanding 
Secretary Hamilton’s resignation. 
Grasshoppers have appeared in great numbers in sev¬ 
eral sections of Mississippi, and are reported as causing 
much damage. 
The American Farmers' Union was incorporated at 
Springfield, Ill., May 15, the incorporators being John G. 
Redmond, Jacob Grimes and John F. McGee, all influ¬ 
ential farmers of Vermillion County. Mr. Redmond is 
the temporary president and general organizer, and Mr. 
Grimes will act as general secretary and treasurer until 
permanent organization is effected, with headquarters in 
Danville. President Redmond said that the purposes of 
the organization are to unite the interests of the work¬ 
ing class, and to control the prices of farm products. A 
similar organization is being formed in the Dakotas, 
Minnesota and Wisconsin, under the name, Farmer In¬ 
dustrial Union, which will co-operate with the American 
Farmers’ Union. 
It is reported that a Chicago syndicate is negotiating 
for 80 acres of hilly land near Faribault, Minn., on which 
to establish runs for Belgian hares. The idea is to breed 
these hares largely for market. 
It is reported that the canker-worm is causing great 
to do.”—Chicago Record. 
damage in Illinois apple orchards. The damage is said 
to be especially heavy in Clay County. 
Reports from Montgomery, Macoupin and Christian 
counties, Ill., say that the wheat crop will be a failure 
there, owing to Hessian fly. Farmers are plowing up 
the devastated fields, and planting corn. 
A jury in the Federal Court at Fort Scott, Kan., May 
18, gave W. Q. Richards, a cattleman of southern Texas, 
a judgment for $11,819 against the Missouri Pacific Rail¬ 
way Company for damages to three trainloads of cattle 
in transit to Reece, Kan. A bridge burned in front of 
the train, delaying them, and over 200 of the animals 
were dead when they reached their destination. The 
plaintiff claimed $15,000. 
Glanders is reported in many places in the Texas 
Panhandle, and the State Veterinarian is investigating it. 
The horse cannery at Linnton, Ore., is now packing 
Indian ponies gathered upon the reservations belonging 
to Yakima Indians. The animals sell for $2.50 each. 
May 23, the German Reichstag passed the Meat Inspec¬ 
tion bill. Ambassador White says that in its present form 
'.he bill is more unfavorable than originally. 
THE TRUTH ABOUT CUBA. 
I note on page 275 the statement that Cuban colonists 
are suffering great hardships. I thought that Cuba was 
a land of extra fertility, healthful and delightful climate, 
and one would think no hardships could enter there, 
where tropical and Summer vegetation is perpetual. 
Have you any subscribers in Cuba, who will give the 
actual facts of what can be or is being done, without 
any artificial colorings? I, and I think many of your sub¬ 
scribers, would like to see an honest write-up of the 
country, just what can be and is being done, and how 
much money there is in it. h. p. n. 
The following extract is made from a private letter 
written to a friend of The R. N.-Y.: 
Yes, I intend to stay here, and am trying to buy 
some land, on which to plant an orange grove, but It 
Uncle Sam: “Break it wide open, William.” Ohio State Journal. 
appears to be the hardest thing in the world to make 
a purchase, or even to rent land. Two men arrived 
here from Boston, Mass., with 300 purebred chickens, 
to start a chicken farm, and they have been looking 
ever since for a place to begin business, but so far in 
vain. The Cubans will tell you one thing to-day and 
another thing to-morrow. They are fairly friendly to 
your face, but they are very suspicious, nevertheless, 
and the latter is one of the great drawbacks that the 
American authority has to contenu with. The natives 
can hardly be blamed when the corrupt rulership that 
they had to endure, is considered—it simply bred sus¬ 
picion to the bone. 
Recently I went out to Ceiba del Agua, about 30 
miles southwest from Havana, to look at a 10-acre 
tract of land. I was agreeably surprised at the bright 
outlook of the country. I passed one quite large bee 
farm—bees kept in boxes, all painted in different 
bright colors, and kept under banana trees. I also 
noticed about 15 new habitations, built of new lumber, 
in the style of the southern negro cottages, but with 
galvanized iron roofs, or else thatched with palm 
leaves, which they claim make the best roofs. Much 
tobacco is cultivated; in fact, it seems that is all that 
the Cubans raise; just what they live on, I don’t know. 
Well, the land that we went to look at is about 1% 
mile from the railroad station, and the road leading 
out to it simply frightened me, as ft would be utterly 
impossible to get an American wagonload through. 
But the land seems rich, if high weeds are any indi¬ 
cation. The weeds are five feet and higher, and the 
ground is soft and mellow, like walking on moss. I 
don’t believe that I will interest myself in this land, 
but some other persons who were with me, may. 1 
think I can find something better near some river or 
lake, and intend to go out soon again. There are 
thousands and thousands of acres lying idle all over, 
and yet it is the most difficult thing to get possession 
People in the States cannot realize it. It appears a 
good deal of land can be considered “No man’s land.” 
Ages ago the Spanish government granted it to cer¬ 
tain individuals, who drew a circle and claimed every¬ 
thing around it for 10 miles; some of these tracts have 
come down to date, with the heirs died out. What 
they need down here, especially 't'he Americans, is 
“squatter’s right.” I am glad that Gen. Wood has 
created a commission to modify the laws and taxa¬ 
tion, both are now about as the Spaniards left them, 
and to Americans, they often prove exasperating, to 
say the least. I think in a few short years there will 
be many of the blessings down here that the people 
now enjoy in the States, and it will be a good place 
to live in. But then there will also be trouble. My 
opinion is that this will become a regular rich man’s 
country; all the millionaires will acquire estates down 
here, and spend their Winters—a few of the rigid 
Winters up there is enough to satisfy any man—and 
then it will be no more a poor man’s paradise, as you 
know the rich and poor cannot now live in harmony, 
not since the latter put on his “thinking cap.” 
ShIPPING FRUIT AND VEGETABLES BY 
CO-OPERATION. 
About a dozen years ago Cobden, Ill., originated 
what is known as the Granger system of fruit ship¬ 
ping. The system has been adopted by several hun¬ 
dred associations, in as many places, from New Or¬ 
leans to Chicago. The system is largely based on the 
fact that railroads will make lower l'Rtes to an aggre¬ 
gation of shippers, than to individuals. Where socie¬ 
ties do all the loading and unloading of cars, and 
appoint a shipping and a receiving agent, they re¬ 
ceive the lowest rate of all. In this way the railroads 
are relieved from the trouble of dealing with a large 
number of individuals, and the expense of billing. 
The growers at a given point organize a society, elect 
officers, and in some instances incorporate under the 
laws of the State. They appoint some one of their 
number for a manager, who has charge of the ship¬ 
ping, engages cars, hires men to check the packages 
at the farmers’ wagons, oversees the men who take 
them from the teamsters’ hands, and places them 
properly in the cars, giving each driver a receipt for 
the contents of his wagon. A force of clerks in the 
office takes the stubs of the receipts, and enters them 
on a printed and ruled manifest sheet provided for 
that purpose. A manifest is made for each car, and 
is sent with it. Before sending, an impression is 
taken on a copying press in a booK kept for that pur¬ 
pose. Thus a record is kept of everything shipped. 
The car, when filled, is started for its destination, and 
consigned to the society’s agent at that place. He is 
generally notified by wire of the number of cars, and 
when they will arrive. He meets them at the depot 
with a force of roustabouts, who open the cars, take 
out and pile the consignments of the different’ com¬ 
mission houses where clerks can count and take re¬ 
ceipts from the teamsters who haul to the store. 
The manager pays the railroad the freight charges, 
by the car. His clerks compile a list of the packages 
in all the cars, and collect a pro rata charge on each 
package from the merchant; also an additional tax 
great enough to cover cost of loading, unloading, tele¬ 
grams, salaries, etc. The merchant makes returns, 
not to the society, but to each individual shipper 
whose name is on the boxes, sending him an account 
of sale balanced by check for amount of gross sale; 
deducting freight, commission and cartage. If the 
shipper’s returns are for a less number of boxes than 
his account, he applies to the manager, who examines 
his records, and if the claim is correct, forwards it to 
the unloader, who traces it out, and if delivered to 
merchant, he pays for it. If not, the loss is paid by 
the society out of a fund kept for that purpose. If a 
car is burned or destroyed in transit, claim is made 
to the railroad, which pays for it. Thus, out of thou¬ 
sands of packages shipped, only a very small per 
cent is lost. Almost every day in the year some¬ 
thing is being shipped from here. In the Spring, rhu¬ 
barb, asparagus, spinach, followed by the small fruits, 
then tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, squash, peaches’ 
apples, pears, and from Fall to Spring many thou¬ 
sands of barrels of sweet potatoes in frost-proof cars. 
The manager is continually looking for markets, and 
is in receipt of wires from a wide circle of cities. Our 
products are shipped to Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, 
St. Paul, Minneapolis and Cleveland, and not infre¬ 
quently to Boston, New York, Pittsburg and Omaha. 
Cobden, Ill. t. e. Goodrich. 
