Gate Valley Star (Gate, Okla.), Vol. 9, No. 20, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 13, 1914 Page: 4 of 8
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THE VALLEY STAR. GATE, OKLAHOMA.
WASHINGTON CITY
jj|
Swarm of Bees Is Attraction in Capital Street
WASHINGTON.—Chauncey C. Brainerd, the Washington correspondent of
the Brooklyn Eagle, entered his office on Fourteenth street In the heart
of the business section early the other morning and found a compact group
At visitors there ahead of him. The
guests were rolling about the office,
not on the floor, but halfway between
It and the ceiling. A swarm of bees
coming from the land of no man
knows where had taken possession.
Hralnerd knows little about bees
except that they sting, a fragment of
knowledge which made him cautious.
He turned on the electric fan, and the
visiting swarm getting into the path
of the wind passed out an open win-
dow to fasten themselves In a body in
a little poplar tree not more than 12 feet high which had been set out to take
the place of a storm-broken maple.
The bees were an attraction. Traffic was blocked for a while with a
throng of curious but none too courageous spectators. Finally a bold one
fastened a big paper box to the tree Just below the bees Just then a farmer
came along. He took a little bell ofT a bicycle which was standing at the
curb, put it In the box and rang it. In two seconds the bees had dropped
in a bunch from the foliage into the box, the cover was clamped on and the
farmer drove away with his prize
Wilson Likes June Brides, But Couldn't See 'Em
PRESIDENT WILSON has no desire to spoil the honeymoon of any June
bride. Unfortunately, however, affairs of state prevent him from grant-
ing all the favors asked by June brides who happen to come to Washington
on their honeymoons. That is why a
certain June bride and her darling
hubby from Passaic, N. J., bad to
leave town very much disappointed.
Accompanied by the aforesaid
darling hubby, and clad In a very,
very diaphanous gown, this June bride
atrode into the executive offices to
■ee Secretary Tumulty.
"We have Just been married," an-
nounced the bride, blushing.
"Congratulations," said Tumulty.
"Isn't it delicious!" Bhe exclaimed.
"It is," agreed the secretary.
"We want to see the president," announced the bride.
"Sorry miss—I mean madam, but he is very busy."
"But." she pouted. "John and I thought it would be Just too nice if he
posed with us for a photograph."
The secretary gasped and then gulped.
"Impossible," he said. "He's too busy."
"Then," exclaimed the bride, "won't you do it?"
"I am very sorry," explained Tumulty, "but the president needs me right
■way."
PRESIDENT
IYIOTO
i
Hawks and Owls Destroy Many
Voracious Rodents.
Found a Good Way to Defeat a Political Boss
f<1«HE most abject slaves of a political boss will revolt if their slavery is
1 flung in their faces," philosophlied Representative McKellar, who comes
from the Memphis (Tenn.) district "I had a concrete example of that !n
my first congressional campaign," he
continued. "One day I met in the
street the political boss of Bingham-
ton, a manufacturing suburb. For
years he had voted the men like
sheep, and be was proud of his auto-
_ *c cratic rule. He had opposed General
liX. Gordon, my predecessor, and ai now
violently, but good-naturedly, oppos-
ing me.
^ II " Mac.' he said, 'you won't get
vk* 7 * rV _ but four votes In Blughampton; there
" are 352 votes there altogether, and
I'll poll the 348 I carry them In my vest pocket.'
" 'We'll see about that. Tom.' I replied, with a laugh.
"And thereupon, relying upon that principle of human nature I have Just
stated, I planned my attack upon Tom's stronghold, where I was to speak
the following night.
"I got my crowd in a good humor that evening with a few preliminary
stories, and then electrified them by assuring them that I did not expect their
voteB; that they could not vote for me. even if they wished to, for, no longer
ago than yesterday, 1 told them, their fellow townsman had Informed me that
he carried all their votes but four in his vest pocket—and they would all be
cast against me 1 called for a show of hands from those whose votes re-
posed in Tom's vest pocket; not a hand! I then called for the hands of
the independent voters—and every hand went up!
"And, on election day, I carried Illnghamton by a handsome majority 1M
One Side of Politics at the Nation's Capital
HE HAD a keen eye, and from the neck up he looked like a brilliant, suc-
cessful young man. A survey of him from his chin down dlsclowid the
fact that he wore a shiny evening suit a site too small for him, that I e had
a telltale slnklng-in somewhere In the
immediate vicinity of his wishbone.
and the tops of his shoes were In
Jar better condition than the solea.
Altogether, he was on his uppers—a
fact which he was confiding to his
friend In the hotel lobby.
After a while there appeared In
the distance the picture of unlimited
wealth, unsullied success, and uninter-
rupted prosperity. Instead of a sink-
Ing-ln at the wishbone, he exhibited a
Dutch-window effect His clothes fitted
him to perfection. Evidently he had coma out a victor in every battle he had
fought against adversity.
As soon as he appeared, the young man in the Bmall evening clothes waa
electrified into new life.
"Excuse me." he said to his friend. "That old duffer is from Wisconsin
and he wants to get an ambassadorship. I'm helping htm to get it."
All of which is another indication that strangers looking for honors In
Washington will pay large sums of money to any needy person who claims
to have Influence with Bill Jones, who says he has Influence with Congress-
man Smith, who Is known to have Influence with Senator Jones, who must
feave influence with a cabinet official who has more Influence than anybodj
•1aa with the president It's the fins old | raft--Popular Mafealne
Ferruginous Roughlag Is One of Our
Largeat and Most Beneficial Blrda,
as It Feeds on Meadow Mloe
and Other Mammals.
According to biological authorities
of the United States department of
agriculture, certain hawka and owls
are of value to the fanner in destroy-
ing voracious rodenta. Notwithstand-
ing the deep-rooted prejudice against
these birds, it is the belief that the
good they do overbalances the evlL
Hawka and owls may be divided ar-
bitrarily into four claases:
1. Species wholly beneficial.
2. Thoae chiefly beneficial.
8. Those In which beneficial and
harmful qualities about balance.
4. Harmful species.
It should be stated that several birds
of prey belong to one or another claas,
according to locality. A hawk or owl
may be locally Injurious because at
that place mice, squirrels, lneecta and
other noxious animals are scarce, and
consequently the bird is driven to feed
on things of more or less value to
man, while in other regions where its
natural food abounds, it does absolute-
ly no harm. A good example of this
kind is the great horned owL
To the wholly beneficial claaa, the
squirrel hawk or ferruginous rough-
leg and the four kites—the white*
tailed kite, Mississippi kite, swallow-
tailed kite and everglade kite—belong.
The chiefly beneficial olass contains
a majority of our hawks and owla, and
Includes the following kinds: Marsh
hawk, Harrla hawk, red-tailed hawk,
red-shouldered hawk. short-tailed
hawk, Swalnaon hawk, broad-winged
hawk, Mexican black hawk, Mexican
goshawk, sparrow hawk, Audubon car-
acara, barn owl, long-eared owl, short-
eared owl, great g^ay owl, barrel owl,
western owl, Richardson owl, Acadian
owl, screech owl, flammulated screech
aa It is sometimes called on account
of Ita fondness for ground squarrels,
so destructive in the West, are among
our largest and most beneficial hawka
The former breeds wholly north of the
United States, migrating south in Sep-
tember and October and remaining un-
til the following April. The latter
breeds extensively through the great
plains region. The winter range of
the roughleg is determined more by
the fall of snow than by the intensity
of cold, the main body advancing and
retreating as the barrier of snow melts
or accumulates. Meadow mice and
lemmings form ths staple food of this
blr&
The roughleg is one of man's most
Important allies against meadow mice,
Copper Hswk (Chicken Hawk). Up-
per Figure, Adult Male; Lower Fig-
urs, Immature Female.
owl, snowy owl, hawk owl, burrowing
owl, pygmy owl, ferruglnoua pygmy
owl and elf owl.
The class In which the harmful and
beneficial qualities balance includes
the golden eagle, bald eagle, pigeon
hawk, Rlcharc^on hawk, Aplomado
falcon, prairie falcon and great horned
owl.
The harmful class comprlsaa the
gyrfalcons, duck hawk, sharp-shinned
hawk, Cooper hawk and goshawk
The rough-legged hawk and the fer-
ruginous roughleg, or squirrel hawk,
CATTLE LOSS FROM DISEASE
Estimated by Department of Agricul-
ture to Be 19.8 Per Thousand
Head During Last Year.
Losses of cattle from dlseaae during
the paat year are estimated to be 19 8
per thousand head, which compares
with 20.6 similarly estimated laat year
and 20.5. the 10-year average of such
losses, according to the department of
agriculture. Loases from exposure
are estimated to be 10.9 per thousand,
which compares with 14.1 almllarly
estimated last year and K B, the 10-
year average of such loases. The to-
tal losses per thousand, from both dis-
ease and exposure, if applied to the
estimated number and value of cattle
on January 1, would indicate a loss of
about 1,737,000, at $39.60 per head, a
total of |68.61 1,000.
Ths condition aa to healthfulnesa of
cattle on April 1, 1914, was 96.6 per
cent of uormal, which compares with
96 similarly estimated a year ago and
•4. the average for 10 years.
Losses of sheep from dlasese dur
fel the put year art estimated to be
6harp-8hlnned Hawk—The Ensmy of
Bmall Birds and Chlckene— Upper
Figure, Immature Femals; Lower
Figure, Adult Male.
feeding on little else during Its six
months' sojourn in the United States.
It thus renders Important service In
checking the ravages of these small
but formidable pests. The roughleg
la somewhat crepuscular in habits, be-
ing on the alert during twilight and
early dawn, when small mammals are
most active. Other mice, rabbits and
ground squirrels are eaten occasion-
ally, and some of the older writers
state that waterfowl are captured by
this bird, but there Is no known in-
etanoe of Its attacking birds. Stom-
achs of specimens shot in locations
teeming with waterfowl contained
nothing but the remains of meadow
mice.
The ferruginous roughleg is as fully
beneficial as ita relative, though the
character of Its food differs some-
what In many parts of the country
Inhabited by It meadow mice, which
play such an Important part in the
economy of the other bird, are scarcs
or wanting, but are replaced by near
ly as destructive rodents, the ground
squirrels. Upon these this large and
handsome hawk wages continuous war
fare, and great is the service it per-
forms in keeping their numbers in
check. Rabbits, prairie doga, and oc-
casionally pouched gophers are eaten.
The marsh hawk Is one of the most
valuable on account of its abundance,
wide distribution and habits. It is
more or lees common throughout the
United States, and may be easily rec
ognlsed by its white rump, slender
form and long, narrow wings, as it
beats untiringly over the meadows,
marshes and prairie lands in ssarch
of food. If It were not that occasion-
ally It pounces upon small birds, game
and poultry, ita place in the first class
would be Insured, for it Is an indefa-
tigable mouser. feodents, such as
meadow mice, rabbits, arboreal squir-
rels and ground squirrels, are its fa-
vorite quarry. In parts of the West
the last-named animals form its chief
subsistence. Llxards. snakes, frogs
and birds also are taken.
about tl.T per thousand, which com-
pares with 24.6 similarly estimated a
year ago and 26.2, the 10-year average
of such losses. Losses from exposure
are estimated to be 21 per thousand,
which oompares with 26.1 similarly es-
timated a year ago and 32.8, the 10-
year average. The year Is thus seen
to have been favorable. The total
loasee per thousand from both disease
and exposure, if applied to the approx-
imate numbers and values on January
1, would Indicate a loss of about 2,-
114,000 head, at $4.04, a total of $8,-
681.000.
The condition as to healthfulnesa of
sheep on April 1, 1914, was 96.6 per
oent of normal, which compares with
96 similarly estimated a year ago, and
94.8, ths 10-year average.
IN A LITERARY BROTHERHOOD
Men of Great Literary Attslnmenta
Whoee Friendship Has Been Made
a Mstter of History.
It was Rosetti, the great friend, who
described Mr. Theodore Watts-Dun-
ton, the famous poet, novelist and crit^
lc, as "A Hero of Friendship.'' Feel-
ings of almost brotherly love existed
between Watts-Dunton and Tennyson,
Browning, James Russell Lowell,
George Borrow, Millals, Holmas Hunt
and Swinburne, to mention but a few
of a famous literary brotherhood. In-
deed, the Intimacy which existed be-
tween Swinburne and Watts-Dunton,
which might well be described as one
of the most beautiful friendships in
the history of literature and art, lad
to their being referred to as "David
and Jonathan."
For many years they were nevsr
separated. They lived together at the
Pines, Putney, took their summer holi-
days In company, and practically spent
every working hour together, discuaa-
lng literary matters and affairs. All
Swinburne's papers were left to Mr.
Watts-Dunton, and It was hoped that
he would write the famous poet's bi-
ography.
Like many other literary men, Mr.
Watts-Dunton cared little for society,
although occasionally he was lured
forth to play the "Hon" at big recap-
tions. It was on ono such occasion
that a guest came up to him and
shook his hands in such an effusive
manner as to embarrass the novel-
ist.
"I see," said the stranger, "you don't
know me from Adam."
"My dear sir," said Mr. Watts-Dun-
ton, "I never knew Adam."
It is said that this waB the only
occasion when Mr. Watts-Dunton per-
petrated a Joke. At the same time
he was one of the kindliest of men,
and, unlike other recluses, took the
greatest interest In the affairs of the
world. Wireless telegraphy appealed
to him very much, and the story of
the rescue of the passengers and crew
of the Volturno moved him to tears.
"It was the grandest thing of my
time," he once exclaimed, "the sum-
moning of all thoBe ships to the rea-
cue."
The novelist, by the way. was a
great believer in hard work. All his
life he was accustomed to getting up
at six o'clock or soon after, and go-,
ing to bed at 11 at night; and he
could invariably be seen each after-
noon during the fine weather taking
hia two-mile walk across Putney
Heath T>y the road he and Swinburne
so often trod together.
Profitable Porker.
The porker that makes the prqflt is
the porker that is never allowed to
■top In growth. Big growth and early
to market makee big profits.
IxerclM for Colts.
8se that the growing colts have
pleaQr ot exercise
Snake Around His Wrlat
Escaping from a crate of pineapples,
a long black snake crawled along the
handle of a truck and wound itself
around the wrist of Arnold Thomas, a
colored stevedore, of Baltimore.
As soon as he felt the clammy rep-
tile against his skin the colored man
dropped his truck and ran into the
street, shouting lustily.
Instead of aiding the terror-stricken
man his dark-skinned companions
laughed at him and assured him they
could see nothing on his wrist, and
declared that the liquid refreshments
he took with his noonday meal had
made him "see things."
Beads of perspiration trickled down
Thomas' face as he tried to rid him-
self of his live bracelet
Suddenly the reptile uncoiled It-
■elf, dropped to the street, and wrig-
gled through a crevice in the wharf.
Garden Gains.
Hiram—"Sol Sodbuster claims to
have discovered the best way to make
money with his garden." Henry—
"What's the system?" "This summer
he is going to put a house in it." "But
len't he going to raise anything?'
"Yes, Just as soon as he can he is go
ing to raise the rent."—Youngstowi
Telegram.
Result Certain.
Foote could not bear to see anybody
or anything succeed In the Haymarket
theater but himself and his own writ-
ings, forgetful that a failure of the
new scheme might possibly endanger
the regular payment of his annuity.
His pique broke out sometimes in
downright rudeness. One morning he
came upon the stage during the re-
hearsal of the "Spanish Barber," then
about to be produced. The actors
were busy in the scene of a piece
when one servant is under the influ-
ence of a sleeping draft and another
of a sneezing powder.
"Well," said Foote to the mana-
ger, "how do you go on?"
"Pretty well," was the answer, "but
I cannot teach one of these fellows to
gape as he ought to do."
"Can't you?" replied Foote. "Then
read him your love comedy, 'The Man
of BuBiness,' and he'll yawn for a
mouth." -liondon Tit-Bits.
Dally Thought
"Patience . and have faith
and thy prayer will b« answered.'—
LonftfeUuw.
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Almon, Hubert L. Gate Valley Star (Gate, Okla.), Vol. 9, No. 20, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 13, 1914, newspaper, August 13, 1914; (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc167822/m1/4/: accessed April 25, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.