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This newspaper page contains 24 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Semi Weekly Herald
Location
Eldora, Iowa, United States of America
Date
May 26, 1909
Page
7
A new rat trap uses dark runways leading to a ball room with trap doors over a receptacle filled with water or acid. Rats are lured by darkness, enter via bait rooms, and fall into the liquid. doors reset silently to avoid attracting others.
An Austrian piano-Violin blends harp like appearance with violin tone. Keys trigger strings while a traveling band acts as a bow meeting the strings. A pivoted arm, spring return, and a pedal shape the instrument's sound, creating bowing effects.
A compact overview of stellar distances noting the sun and nearby planets, Alpha Centauri as the nearest fixed star at four years four months light travel, and Arcturus with its light dating from 174,927 years before the Declaration of Independence. It cites 1909 copyright by Joseph B. Bowles.
About a dozen years ago M Richter proposed electricity causes the mysterious fires in benzine cleaning, sparks arising as wool is drawn from the fluid on dry days. He showed magnesium oleate prevents this even at 0.02 percent, a mechanism not understood. G Just of Karlsruhe now reports that oleate slightly increases solvent conductivity enough to avert dangerous motion charges, with pure benzine keeping a charge for minutes whereas diluted oleate solution ceases charge buildup.
Fragmentary OCR notes describe 1888 studies of Hawaii volcanoes by Professor Hitchcock formerly of Dartmouth College New Jersey now in Honolulu with his family. Mentions Mauna Loa and related observations.
An inventor offers a space saving wardrobe solution with five hooks arranged in a row, each hook placed behind the other and cast from a single metal piece. The design attaches to the wardrobe top and uses every inch of available space.
A British chemist Mr. Gilbert discovered a rapid method to form metal ribbons by dropping molten metals onto a cold drum, producing silver ribbons at 20 mph. Ribbons of lead zinc and other metals promise cheaper production, packing applications, and faster chemical processing.
The article notes preservative treatment extends fence posts from about two years to 18 years at roughly ten cents, with other timbers like railroad ties telegraph poles and mine props gaining similar life increases. It frames preservation as a major farmer’s saving and hints at widespread adoption.
An English visitor describes Memorial Day ceremonies in a historic New England town. She notes children gathering flowers for graves, soldiers in parades, and graves of veterans from the Spanish and Civil Wars to King Philip’s War. She recalls quiet talks of history and honors the nation’s dead.
The article notes Memorial Day once celebrated chiefly by Union Army veterans but now fading due to aging participants. It mentions Decoration Day observed in the South on varying dates and historically tied to May 30, the Grand Army of the Republic anniversary, with traditions shifting across states.
The article reflects on Memorial Day as collective memory of the Civil War, stating the South sought secession over slavery while the North upheld the Union. It frames the conflict as a choice between human freedom and human bondage, with Lincoln’s Gettysburg vision cited. It notes ongoing battles over liberty and equality, urging unity and remembrance of those who died.
Memorial Day is jointly celebrated by survivors of the blue and gray in many southern areas. The custom grows as the country embraces a shared heritage of valor and fortitude.
Mrs. Marion P. Treadway of Dubuque is chosen to head an all female slate for president of the Federation of Women's clubs of Iowa. Other officers include Mrs. J. W. Watzek, vice president, Mrs. Horace Towner recording secretary, Mrs. Freeman Conaway corresponding secretary, Mrs. Horace Deemer treasurer, and Mrs. Holbrook auditor. The meeting at Hotel Davenport draws many delegates with receptions and chats amid crowded accommodations.
Theodore Roosevelt begins a hunting trip at George J. McMillan’s Jura ranch in British East Africa. He shot and wounded a female rhinoceros last Sunday, and after six more shots the animal fell. The head and skin weighed 532 pounds.
Tulsa reports rising interest in Muskogee town lot fraud cases as officials press a federal investigation. Eleven of sixteen jurors were provisionally accepted yesterday afternoon as the court adjourned until this afternoon.
Marshalltown May 20 A monument to the unknown dead will be unveiled at the Soldiers home on Monday May 31 by the Ladies of the G A R. Rev Mr Potter pastor of the Keokuk Methodist church will deliver the Memorial day address at the home and Rev William A Sunday will speak at the downtown exercises. Sunday will also give the Memorial sermon on Saturday May 29.
Boston May 20. The gunboat Nashville weighing 1,871 tons left Charleston navy yard commanded by a delegation from the Illinois naval brigade. The mission is to pilot her up the St Lawrence river and through the Great Lakes to Chicago where she will be used as a practice ship after arrival.
In Topeka Kansas on May 20 Judge Pollock upheld the state tax board and the $3154 assessment against Western Union Telegraph company. The suit argued the assessment was excessive and questioned the board acts' constitutionality.
Washington May 20 the senate confirmed Iowa postmasters nominated by the president naming William Robert Law Waterloo William Carden Winfield and Thomas H Thompson Kanawha in the order listed reflecting the slate approved for appointment by the administration
Alger Ohio was nearly wiped out by fire last evening. The town, twelve miles west of Kenton, sustained losses estimated at sixty thousand dollars. Local responders battled the blaze as residents assessed the damage and began cleanup.
Believed to have killed self, H. C. Nichols died at his Spencer home last evening after trouble and separation with his wife. Word reached Emmetsburg this morning and indicates death by his own action in a troubled marriage.
Madison Wisconsin May 20 The assembly approved a senate bill fixing the penalty for kidnapping at life imprisonment. The measure aims to deter abductors with the toughest possible sentence and reflects concerns over violent crimes. The bill now heads to the senate for final action.
The notice extols right living and the value of timely remedies. It promotes the California Fig Syrup Co. Syrup of Figs and Elixir of Senna as a single perfect laxative and urges purchase only from the genuine California Fig Syrup Co. available through leading druggists.
Detroit Free Press notes a floor walker guiding a shopper toward pickle dishes in the basement as a wedding gift option, reflecting a practical, era-aware shopping moment.
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