The Southern Mercury, Texas Farmers' Alliance Advocate. (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 9, No. 32, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 7, 1890 Page: 2 of 8
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THE SOUTHERN MERCURY: DALLAS, TEXAS. THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, law.
ALLIANCE NEWS.
8K*
!
§• .
AH About the Order in the State and Outside of it.
Alliance ¡h Doing Everywhere.
What the
ALLIANCE ITEMS.
The Alliance is having a rapid
growth in New York.
The Farmers Alliance of Grimes
county, Texas, have been talking up a
cotton factory.
The Alliance Mercantile company
at McPherson, Kan., will open a store
about August i.
At Fort Valley the farmers' co-oper-
ative union is being organized. Stock
will be over $25,000.
Wocdson County, Kan, Alliance
has organ'/.ed a co-operative associa-
tion with a capital of $50,000.
The State Business Agency of the
Alliance has been organized in Indi-
ana, with a capital of $200,000.
The Granville County Farmers Al-
liance proposes to establish a large
wagon factory at Oxford, says the Ox-
ford Day.
Country Homes, of Asheville, N. C,
reports the arrival of the outfit for the
Buncombe County Farmers Alliance
canning establishment, and says it will
soon be ready for operation. It is lo-
cated on the Swaunanoa river and ex-
pects to turn out about two thouand
cans of tomatois, etc., daily, if the
material for that purpose can be se-
cured.
It is plain that a poweiful force is
being brought to bear against the Al-
liance in this state and elsewhere. The
object is to create dissention—get the
Alliance men divided. All you have-
to do is to stand up to your obliga-
tions and support the state and na-
tional demands. If you do this that
is all you can do. Anyone who does
otherwise is untrue to himself and the
cause.—Ex.
The Vicksburg (Va) Union says:
"The Alliance organization in this
section is working with a will and a
power. The brotherhood seems more
deteimined every day to make their
efforts a success. The time is not far
distant when the last enemy of justice
and fair dealing with the farmers will
be subdued, and the Alliance banner
an emblem of justice and equal (privi-
leges—will float proudly over our
land."
We wish to say to our Alliance
brethren, that when you see a brother,
bobbing up with advice as to how the
order should be run on a political
standpoint and at the same time^dicta-
ting that the order ihould keep [out oi
politics is proof that he is working the
•wires for some old political hack and
that this same brother has one hand
in the Alliance and tte other'in the
pocket of the present administration.
Don't be fooled on these pretending
-brethren they are simply 'with us for a
purpose and that purpose will not pro-
mulgate or build up the order. When
you find one of those se f-constituted
"advisors" spot him at once, and keep
your weather eye^open.—Kansas Free
Press.
RESOLUTIONS.
commission. The Southern Mer-
cury is circulated and read in this
county by our people. I will say this
is the one grand reason why the people
in this county are pulling on so trium-
phantly in the great work of reform
Our paper has rapidly become a pow-
er in the land. It is such a factor
now fighting the battles of the people
that the farmers of this state cannot
do without it; and the Alliance man
who d >es not subscribe for and read
The Mercury is not up with the is-
sues of the day, and knows but little
about the order to which he btlongs.
Respectfully,
S. O. Daws.
Springtoirn, July 7.
• *
comanche coun'iy.
Resolved, That we, Comanche
County Alliance, No. 400, now in ses-
sion, enclose resolutions of thanks to
President Polk, Messrs. M acune, War-
dall, Livingston and others for tie
able manner in which the sub-treasury
'.bity was presented before the commit-
tees of congress.
Resolved further, That a copy of
these resolutions be sent to the na
tional and state organs for publication.
The above resolutions were passed
Julv 11, 1890.
While we are not as strong in r um-
bers as we have been we are as strong
in good material as we ever were.
Comanche instructed for H :gg, and
I think the commission is solid in this
county; 1 have not heard anyone sav
they would vote against the amend
.ment. Yours,
W. M. Norwood,
Sec'y C. C. F. A.
*%
FROM SECRETARY daws.
Have ju*t returned fr<>m Stephens
'County Alliance. Had a grand picnic
on the 4<h inst The C <unt.y Mliance
was a successful and business-lik:
meeting. We found these brethren in
harmony will all of our State \lliance
instilutions, woiking faithf illy to ac-
complish the pr nciples ot our noble
order and wf'l posted in all the move
ments of he Farmers Alltan-e.
Everybody here is for Hogg and the
JASPER COUNTV.
At a meeting of the Jasper county
Alliance, held with Holly Springs Alli-
ance on the 8th day of July.
By the request of the citizens of the
Holly Springs neighborhood, as every
beat of the county was represented at
the county Alliance, a motion was put
before the house and prevailed, that
we throw open the doors at 4 o'clock
p. rn. and go into mass meeting with
them. As the hour arrived, so did
the citizens. The house was called to
order, secretary and chairman was
elected and proceeded to business.
The following resolutions were adopted:
Res lived ist, That we, the citizens
of Jasper county go into primary elec-
tions throughout the count?, for the
purpose of selecting from amone; the
farmers of the county, men to fill all
of our county offices, and be it further
Resolved. .That we will not support
any man whom we know to oppose J.
S. Hogg foi governor and the amend-
ment. We further condemn the action
of the convention held in the town of
Jasper on the 28th, as being unjust
and undemocratic in adopting the
action o; our county court in building
the court house against a two-thirds
majority opposing it by petition. We
cannot see the democracy in the few
ruling the many. We further de-
nounce the course that our county
paper, the News Boy. has taken against
the citizens ot this, Ja'per countv in
the action of the county court and the
building of the court house in publish-
ing to the world that a majority of the
citizens was in favor of it, and that a
few chronic kickers was all that op-
posed it On motion the following
chairmen of the several beats were
elected: T.J. Farrow, beat No. 1;
M. T. Powel, 2; Nathan Pichardson,
4; W. H Turer, 3. and as chairman ot
the county T. J. Farrow. On motion
the proceedings were given to T. J.
Farrow to transcribe and send one
copy to The Mercury and one to
ihe Texas Farmer with request to pub-
lish as they are read more by our peo-
pie than any other paners known to
us, we believe them to be the farmers
friend. T. J. Farrow, Sec'y.
V
COLORADO COUNTV.
As you are aware that my subscrip-
tion expired some time ago and you
sent me a letter soliciting my renewal
tor The Mercury, I at that time
thought that I was not able to renew
my subscription, infact did not have
the cash. But after considering over
the matter I borrowed fifty cents from
¡he treasurer which I have, since that
time replaced, to renew my subscrip-
tion for six months, as I saw that I
could not do without your valuable
p iper, The Southern Mercury and
1 at that time wrote > 0 you that it was
impossible to yet subscribe owiag to
the scarsity of money. But sir, to-da\
at a regular meeting of our Alliance,
the question of takin* The Mercury
was brought up ag-in but the same
old cry, I am not ablf, I am broke,
have not got the money but would
lixe to have the paper, and I suggested
that they might borrow enough money
from the treasurer to pay for the paper
three months each, by that time they
wou d be enabled to pay back to the
treasury the twenty-five cents and re-
new attain. The question was put
before the house and was carried
un mimously and each mem >er present
that was not taking the paper gave me
his name tor three months as you will
see in your letter which was enclosed
to me. Now, Mr. Editor if you think
this worthy ot space in your valuable
paper I would like to see it in print
and perhaps it m'ght be the cause ot
some other good member renewing or
subscribing tor t >e paper, when he
could n t do it otherwise. I think it
very Itke'y that I will get a few more
names in a shori time. Our Alliance
has shrunk considerably to what it
once was, but what few members there
is left is as puie as steel.
bro. Evan Jones was at Columbus
on the iaih, at the county Alliance
and gave some v ry interés ing points
a to the workings ot the Alliance
which may be the cause of tome of
the backsliders coming up, paying
their back dues renewing their sub-
s ription an ' make better members
than ever. Fraternal y
G Z. vVhiitington Sec'y.
Live Oak Alliance, Colorado, coun-
ty Tesas.
KIN8 SNAKE OF TEXAS.
A HARMLESS REPTILE THAT
MAKES WAR ON THE RAT
TLER.
Experience of a Cowboy—How
One Rattlesnake Caused a Big
Herd of Cattle to Break Out
on a Wild Stampede.
Fort Davis, Tex , July 18 While
scouting through the Pecos bottom
lands a short time ago our detachment
ran upon one of the largest bull snakes
ever seen or heard of. We rode down
into the valley and were slowly trotting
along when one of the horses gave a
stiarp, quick jump to one side that
nearly unseated his rider.
There in the grass, a long blue and
black streak among the ¿reen, was
gliding and racing away a monster
bull snake. He must have been nine
feet or more in length, ar.d as he
moved along with head elevated and
tail switching to the right and left, he
locked for all the world like ar. ana-
onda or a small boa.
Spurring our horses we kept safely
in the rear, just far enough distant to
hold the snake in sight and watch his
motions. Straight towards the timber
he flew, and as the grass grew thicker
and taller at times we lost himtf^ut
the shaking of the tall plumea and the
direct course told where the big fellow
was moving, and therefore it was no
difficult matter to follow the trail.
The grass now became thinner and
shorter, when his long body, still going
at great speed, once more came into
view.
Directly in front was a large cotton-
wood tree which, if he kept on the
course he was pursuing, was bound to
bar his further progress, but ne never
wavered, keeping straight ahead^and
finally reached the tree. What did he
do now; go round the Cottonwood and
dive into the timber ? Not a bit of it.
Up that tree he went like a rocket.
We halted in amazement when we saw
the coils like great bands of rope en-
circle the tree, and in less than ten
seconds he was out of sight near the
top, lost amid the foliage and the
branches.
We had no time to wait and investi-
gate matters, and therefore after a few
minutes halt rode away on our journey
and thought no more about the strange
occurrence. That night in camp,
nowever, one ot the men killed a mem-
ber of t.ie species nearly as large as
the one who climbed the tree. He
measured 8 feet t inches from nose to
tip of tail, and had a jaw on him like
a catfish
But snakes are found all the way
from Canada to the gulf, but in the
Lone Star state they grow to unusual
size and are exceedingly numerous,
l'hey inhabit river bottoms and timber
land and are perfectly harmless in
every respect. They are not^poison-
ous, are non-aggtessive, and will not
seek a fight unless under special con-
ditions. The conditions are ¡to en-
counter some snake who is*poisonous,
and then there is war from the start.
Eipecially do they hate a rattlesnake.
The two are the deadliest of foes, and
this is a strange provision of nature in
regard to the poisonous acd the non-
poisonous of the ophidian family.
A black snake has no venom, but
he has everlasting powers of constric-
tion and will instantly tackle any pois-
onous snake he encounters and prob-
ably vanquish him. The same may be
said of a bull snake. He is peaceable
in nature and will seldom fight his own
kind, or tackle snakes that are not ven-
omous, but a poisonous snake, and
especially a rattler, will find himself in
trouble every time if a bull, black or
king snake espies him. The latter is
the wonder of all ophidians. A di-
minutive specimen, scarely more than
three feet in length, yet the little fellow
is so active, so wary, and is endowed
with so much rare pluck, that as his
name implies, he is truly and unques-
tionably the king of the family.
I was out after peccaries, or musk
hogs and sat down under a bunch of
chaparral near a stream of water, to
rest and to eat a bit of lunch. While
thus employed I was somewhat start-
led in seeing a moccasin come dashing
through the grass within a couple of
yards of me and go dashing head over
heels, so to speak splash into the
water. After him, like a shot, was an
elongated streak of bright green. In
he went too. and then I knew there
was fun in store. The water was a
sort of pool, without much of an inlet,
and unless by going across sand and
rocks or by coming back on shore
again, neither combatant could escape.
Sure eaough, after racing and tear-
ing around in the pool like mad both
pursuer and pursued emerged frcm
the opposite side and proved to be,
as I thought, a cotton-mouth mocca
sin and a rather smill king snake.
The latter was atter the other, howev-
er, and before the big fellow gave up
the race or cou'd throw himself into
an attitude of defense the king snake
was upon him. The sole and entire
power of the latter reptile lies in his
wonderful constricting abilities. He
has no fangs, no poison, nothing to at-
tack or defend himself with save his
coils but these are so marvelously
powetful aid so terrible in compress'
ing that nothing in the animal or rep-
tile world, according to size, can beg>n
to compare with him for this special
quality.
No sooner had the moccasin stop-
ped and turned to defend himself than
like lightning his enemy jumped upon
him and proceeded to squeeze the
life out of his ugly carcas. Tighter
and tighter grew the coils, always ar-
ranged so that the big one could not
strike, and pretty soon the king's body
was nearly lost to view, so slender had
it grown from constriction and so deep
was he in the flat flesh of the mocca-
sin. It looked like a great cord wouad
tight around the latter's body.
At last the moccasin ceased resis-
tence and allowed his body to hang
loose and inert. For ten minutes
longer dii the snake hold his grip,
then gradually loosening it but always
ready to resume his queezing should
his enemy exhibit any signs of life—
finally he uncoiled himself entirely,
saw that the moccasin was no more,
turned his back on the scene and went
gliding off through the brush.
In some par.s of Texas king snakes
are quite numerous. In the lowlands,
and especially in meadows and river
jottoms, they are found in great num-
bers. Nobody harms them, neither
whites or negroes, and even Mexicans
seem to uuderstand their good quali-
ties, for they seldom, if ever, kill one.
When soldiers are in camp and find a
great many king snakes in the vicinity
they know it is a good sign, for pois-
onous snakes will steer clear of that
locality and never visit it while there
is one of the royal breed about
As to the rattlesnake, it is really a
fact tha: he is a very much abused
reptile. His nature is decidedly peace-
able, and although he possesses a most
deadly weapon, yet it is a fact that he
never uses it except in self-defense.
I have ridden over the praine and
encountered scores of the species, who
were either lying at full length or else
coiled with the tail elevated and the
rattles tinging. I could walk up to
them, almost.brush against them, and
yet they would evince no signs of hos-
pitality or want to strike; but throw a
stone at them, torment them with a
stick or attempt to move them, and as
a natural consequence they will resent
such actions.
Nevertheless there is something un-
usually repulsive about rattlesnakes
that fills one with horror and loathing.
I don't know of a more abhorrent
sight than a bloated, yellow-bellied
rattlesnake, such as is found all over
the Llano Estacado or staked plains.
Ikying in a half torpid state before
some prairie dog hole in August, when
the burning sun showers down his
greatest heat, the sight is enough to
give one the horrors. It is then the
breeding season and these snakes are
simply overloaded with poison.
It is curious too that animals have
decidedly more aversion and fear for
them than bipeds. A cowboy who
has ranged cattle in Texas for years
was telling me of an exciting adven-
ture he once had in the Panhandle
when rounding up cattle. The herd
numbered ab >ut 1500 lively steers, and
they were logging slowly along toward
a bunch of timber where water could
be had
"There were three of us," said he,
"and I tell you that was the finest
bunch or steers in all Texas, We
came to a place where the trail nar-
rowed between two buttes and a great
big 1500 pounder took the lead, the
others following along in twos and
threes. The others behind after a lit-
tle, crowded those in front, so that
gradually the pace was quickened un-
til the leaders were going at a dog trot.
All at once the big fellow took a leap
(Continued on pate T.)
The Use Of
Harsh, drastic purgatives to relieve costlve-
ness is a dangerous practice, and more liable
to fasten the discute on the patient th^u to
eure it. What is needed Is a medicine that,
in effectually opening the bowels, corrects
the costive liabit anil establishes n natural
dally action. 8uoli an aperient is found in
Ayer's Pills,
which, while thoiough in action, strengthen
as well as stimulate the bowels and excretory
organs.
•• For eight years I was afflicted with con-
stipation, which at last became so bad that
Hie doctors could do no more for me. Then
I begun to take Ayer's Fills, and soon the
bowels became regular and natural ill their
movements. 1 am now In excellent health."
—Win. II. UeLaucett, Dorset. Out.
" When I feel the need of a cathartic, I
take Ayer's Fills, and Hud them to be more
Effective
than any other pill I ever took." — Mrs. I',. ('.
Gruhb, Burwellvlllc, yh.
" For years I have been subject to consti-
pation and nervous headaches, caused by de-
rangement or the liver. After taking various
remedies. I have licpoiqe convinced that
Ayer's Fills are the best. They have never
failed to reli-v- my bilious attacks in a short
time-, an i I .-luí sui-k uiy system retains its
tone long.-r after the use of these Fills, than
has been the case with any other medicine I
have tried."—If. S. Sledge, Weimar, Texas.
Ayer's Pills,
prkl-arku by
Dr. J. C. AVER & CO., Lowell, Muss.
Sold by nil Dealers In Medicine.
RROQEBSS MFQ-. GO.
MERIDIAN,
MISS.
8ole Manufacturers of
Steel Lined Continuous Hay Press
■«-Paid for wbeu found satisfactory. We al-
low all or part freight on hay pre«s,
aarKor pilees, write Alliance Agency
8, D A. Duncan, fres and Mngr
lüi'.'lildlfj'
NORTH
and
&
Atkins' Kattle Snake'OU
Spent thousands on my daughter
Had not walked in two years.
Deed one bottle only: was cured
F. «.Hamilton.
'None genuine without the snake
THE PROGRESSIVE FARMER,
Via SHREVEPORT.
1 Close connections without transfer through
; the oity. Leave Sftreveport 7:011 a m.
Through Bleeping Oars to ATZ.A1VTA
via. Birmingham making direct connec-
tions lor
Savannah, Augusta, Charleston,
and points in
GEORGIA, the CAROLINAS, VIHGINIAt'OT
Connecting at Meridian with Main Line
Trains.
HALiEIOIl, N. C..
L. L. POLK, EDITOR,
Official Orgon of the North Caro-
lino Fanners' State Alliance.
8-PAOE, 48-COLUMN WEEELY—ALL HOME
PRINT-
On.lv 01.OO per Year,
Wholly and entirely devntea 10 the promotion
of ttie Alliance and to the advamexent of tho
agricultural Interests ot the count'y.
"MrBond tor apeoimen oopv. Address
THE FKOGltBfiblVB FAKMKK.
Haleik>), N. C.
TO ALL POINTS
from
New Orleans to Cincinnati
04 MILES THE 8HORTE8T,
TIME 27 HOURS.
Bntire Trains through without changes,
Hounding the base of Lookout Mountain
and over the Famous High Bridge of
Kontuoky, and into the Central Un-
ion Depot where connection is
made for the
NOBTHandEAST
New England Ci ies and Canada
without transfer through the city.
For Rates, Maps, etc., address,
D. GRANT, Trav. Kassenger Agent,
DALLAS, TEX,
C. C. Harvey, D. g. Edwards,
Vice Pres't. g. f. & T. A.
OINCIN NATI.
RUPTURE I PILES
OXJRZIX) BY
DBS. DICKEY * SCOBEY,
throcoh trains carry
PULLMAN SLEEPERS
Between Points in TEXAS and
CHICAGO, ST. LOUIS
-ANE
KANSAS CITY.
Close connections in all of the above cltle.
with fast trains of eastern and northern
lines, make the M., K. & T. K'j
the best line to
New York, Boston, Montreal and St, Pan
J «k \ —• - \ g
H. P. HUGHES, GASTON MESLIBK,
Ass't Gen. Pass. Ag't. Gen, Pass. & Ticket A?
rT. worth, tex. bed alia, mo.
IDB.D1CKBY1
No knife used in curing KUPTURB
PILES. No detention from business. NC
CUBE NO PAY, and no par until, oureC.
Permanently looated in OaUas for the last flvaji
rears, and have cured more pases of rupture!
and various reotal troubles than any othwi
physicians In the southwest. _ Consultation]
free. JB^Offloe: 1001 Main 8t, Cor. Ervay, 1
Dallas. Tex.
Protective and Detective Association,
Established in 1881. Head office,]
Dallas, Texas. Branch offices—Atoka, j
I. T.; Fort Smith, Ark.; Wichita, Kan., J
and Denver, Col. Agents wanted in]
every section of Texas, as well as oth-
er stifles. For terms, apply to P. & D.
Association, Dallas, Texas.
Dont neglect to send us the descrip-
tion of any stock you have lost in the
last is or 18 months, as we are finding
numbers of them that had been given
up, and it will not cost you anything
if we don't find them.
Ba gains in 2-
Pianos
bquarv pianos.
Wheelock, 7H octaves, rosewood ca-io,
Mathushek. "Humming Hlrd," 7 o;t..
T. Gilbert. 6 octaves
Iiarbari & Bloamfl^ld, 7 octaves
Ohloke' Ing, oct, to ir round curners
Nuns & Clark. 6K octaves
Mathnsbek, "Or< hestral," 7M octaves
V
upright pianos.
$50 00 Ptuv vesant, 7Hi "otavcp, in good order $!00 OOl
IOP'0 SfuyvfSHnd. 7M ootavis. nearly new.. 28 i C
0 00 Stny vesant. 7M oablnet grand ¡100 On
100 ( 0 Wheeloek. 7'á ootaves, nearly new .... 3>000
U5 00 Heatty. 7M ootaves, lame size 175 00
76 00 Vose, 7M oct. Urge size cabinet grai>d, I2KOO
250 00 Stuvvesunt, 7M Oct., " " " 825 00 j
Any of the above instruments except the very oheapest ones are excellent pianos for pn
tice or tsaoblng. Pianos will be put In the very best possible order by experiencrd word
men before shipping, A (tcol and cover sent with each piano, ana delivered on board the""
oars at ital'as Easy terms of pnyment given If desired. For further particulars, address
©. M. BLOW ARBS.
Dallas
^TmUi
/Agricultural and Mechanical
G0kl¿lí«-E ©F 9EMÁS,
College Station, Brazos County.
■ITT SMSION BEGINS WED If BSD&Y, SEPTEMBER 10,1SOO, AND OLONM |
TUESDAY, JOKE 9. 1890.
l9 Gov. L. S. Ross has been elected President of the College and will
take charge at the expiration of his term of office as governor.
The regular courses of study lead to the degrees of Bachelor of ScieatiOc igrioulture, Ba
of Mechanical Engineering, Baohelor of Civil Engineering, a- d Hucholorof Scientific Hortienlti
Thorough instruction in Mathemat'oi. Agriculture. Mechanics, Civil Engineering, Horti- ^
culture. Chemistry. Buglish, Veterinary Science and Drawing.
Courses in Modern Languages,. Military Discipline.
Special short courses in Agrloulture, Horticulture, Dairying,iCirpentrr Rlacksmlthtof.'jfl
Machinery, Chemistry, Drawing and S < rvevlng.
TOTAL BX FEE BBS FOB SESSION (Exal naive of Booka and Clothing) $148 00
|yCa*alogue« sent «■ application. for further information, address
' W. L BRINGHCH8T, Vice-President, ^
i Btatlon, fub
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Dixon, Sam H. The Southern Mercury, Texas Farmers' Alliance Advocate. (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 9, No. 32, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 7, 1890, newspaper, August 7, 1890; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth186150/m1/2/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .