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About The Nebraska advertiser. (Nemaha City, Neb.) 18??-1909 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 25, 1896)
m - k A h ' i- J, i A REMARKABLE OlD MAN. Dr. John Voddor's Lifo Roads Llko a Romance. Ue Id tho Oldest Living Locomotive En gluucr uiiil Now Lilvoa In tho Old est llouso In St. Augus tine, ma. ISpccltil St. Augustino (Fla.) Lottor.l In quuint old Ht. Augustine, in Flor ida, one. mny live tho gayest life that modern luxuries nlTord, und yet, walk ing u few blocks henee, pass entirely from the scene of extravagant elegance into the storied days of the past, wlien the hard pioneer braved the terrors of the frontier life. Here, in this town, nrc still standing ninny specimens of the old Spanish eoquina houses. It is in one of these that a most interest ing character lives nil aionc. lie 'is Dr. John Vedder, the oldest living lo comotive engineer in America. Treasury street is the narrowest street, in the town. It measures bnro ly six feet, and is associated in the minds of the Minorcans with many stor ies of those terrible days when their forefathers were brought there as w4v s: ft Xjgg,J- iiaskgwcr:. I """" -i-' i b j T12 "" pTW DR. VEDDE1VS OLD slaves to the Spaniards. At the corner c Treasury and Bay street is Dr. John Vedder's solitury home. The date of its erection is not known, but students of the chronology of St. Augustine af firm that it is one of the oldest, if not the oldest house in the city. The very thick walls are formed of eoquina quar ried from Annstnsiii island. The house faces the sea, and the beveled projection extending between two and three feet from the base of the front wall ap pears to bear evidence of the fact that it was built before the original eoquina tea wall, which was constructed in 1G93. It is assumed that, previous to that time, such projections were built as a protection against the tides. The house contains two rooms on the ground fioor, and two on the upper. The heavy beams are of red cedar. An adjustable ladder and square hole between the rafters constitute the staircase. This quaint old building with its cu rious interior is quite apropos ns a home for the genius who resides there with only the company of animals and rep tiles from the laud and waters of Flor ida. Dr. John Vedder was born in Schenec tady, N. Y., July 22, 1S19, coming from an ancestral line of the earliest DutcIi settlers on the Hudson. The Veddeis settled at Schenectady before the French and Indian war, and the story DR. JOHN VEDDER. goes that Nicholas Vedder, of "Rip Van Winkle" fnme, was a character of this Bume Vedder family. He is an uncle o Elihu J. Vedder, the famous American artist, who spends much time in Borne. Dr. Vedder started out very young on his active career. At the age of 20 he worked-successfully at five trades, be ing a blacksmith, moulder, brass foun.l er, machinist and locomotive engineer. He was never an apprentice, as he al ways received p.ty for his services. Five days is the longest time ho has ever been idle. In tulking of his boy.'wod days. Dr. Vedder laughed as he related that Ins "stole" his trade. Employed in ids father's shops at Schenectady, lie learned smithing nnd moulding. Through a friend who worked in a n w y ,v mm brassfoundry he learned the principles of proportion In the making of bell met nl. By applying this knowledge to his experiments he soon became an expert brass worker. As an employe in the repair shops of the Utica & Syracuse railroad he learned to be a machinist', and in 1830 and '40 ran the first snow plow between Uticn and Syrneusc. In nn interview with Dr. Vedder, he said: "I hud the honor of handling, as en gineer, one of the ilrst locomotives built inthlscountry. The first locomotive built by the Baldwin locohiotive works was for the Schenectady & Utien railroad. When that road wns completed to Syra cuse, in 1839, this compnuy gave an or der to the Baldwin works for 12 locomo tives. Four Nos. 9, 10, 11 and 13 were used in the division out of Syracuse. The first train was run in this system July 4, 1839, and created n wonderful ex citement throughout the country. Lo comotive No. 12 wns in the winter of '39 nhd '10 used as a snow plow and was in my charge. This was, undoubtedly, the first snow-plow locomotive in regu lar work handled in America. "In 1811 and 1S42, 1 had constructed n sand-box after my own ideas. I nm near ly positive that the first sand-box lever I haafeloptcd was one similar to that COQUINA HOUSE. now in use. While handling locomo tive No. 11, I noticed that whenever I would wish to use the sand, nnd pull tho lever, the sand would run down through a faucet outside of the box, and lly over the machinery. I thought the problem over and over, and finally persuaded tho company to adopt my suggestion for having the valves inside of the Dox, connected with a rod from the cab. As I wander over the space of time, I can not help wondering at the rapid and magnificent strides made by railway companies in the perfecting of locomo tion, since I mnniptilnted the throttle.'' While a resident of Schenectady, Dr. Vedder was elected alderman of the committee on land and buildings. The doctor lias been married twice, and though now a widower the second time, and 78 years old, ho is still a fino looking man, with silky white hair and beard and full blue eyes as bright and clear as those any man of 35 would bo proud of. It would not be at all sur prising to his friends to hear thnt ho again anticipated matrimonial bliss, for he is lionized by widows who visit tho "Anciente Citie." Some years ago, while in hi3 ton's study. Air. Vedder took it into his head that he would be a dentist. So he np plied himself to his books, and without other instruction soon won the title of "doctor," nnd was practicing n-gu-larly before his son hud ever, graduat ed, lie practiced dentistry for several years, until his heulth failed, and then went bouth to recuperate. Ever since lie has retided in the lund cf tlowers, following the dentist pro fession until ids olliee vVus burned In one of the conllagraiioua that have wsnai oi. Augustine. He then bought the old Spanish 1 uul mark in which lie still liven. In 1S70 he begnn the study U taxidermy and made his own collection for u unttirul history exhibit. Now he is an acknowl edged authority on tbut subject, and lias the finest collection of live animals and birds, Indan relics, mounted hsh, reptiles, crustaceans, etc., in Florida. There is .still another interesting phase of this man's life, and th.i', iw hi military oniecr. At 10 years of i.ge, ho enlisted in a military company under Ciipt. Piatt Potter, and advanced from corporal to hergeant, to ensign, and, at 20, was in command of the Governor's guards nt Schenectady. Being an ex pert in niumuil exorcises, he wusohoei'n by the colonel fugleman and wiHtruu tor for the general parade. Dr. Vedder, with all his prncthhility, is quite sentimental and raHgl'my, li belongs to the Dutch Keforini".! Church of the Mast, nml the saddest and most serious moments for hiiuiir tlioj when lie leenlls the lessons ttnght at the side of his mother, who died when' he was a boy of nine, yet whose i-nciefl memory still lives in the holy-of-holies in an old man's heart. JLOTTIK MiLLh'tt, PEJttFECT HEALTH. How It May Bo Obtalnod by AIL An Interesting lilt of History mi Told by a Trftvollnc Mun. From Me JFord, Cleveland, Ohio. After uu oxtondod trip lasting several months and ombraclnR many points of in terest throughout tho Wost nnd South, Mr. George Lockhnrt, of Hudson, Ohio, roturnod homo a few dnyB ago. Ho is bright nnd gonial ns over and looks ns if his long holi day had thoroughly ngrcod with him. Mr. Lockhnrt'a business during ids travels toolc him frequently to Hot (Springs and other health resorts. Ho doos not appear to havo bcon vory favorably Impressed with tho peculiarities of lifo at such places, nor with tlio benefits rccolved by tho pnticnts. "Men go tlioro to get cured of disease," Bays ho. "Theytako ono hot bath In tlio morn ing nnd Bpond tho rest of tho day generally In drinking, gambling and goaeral dissipa tion. How they can expect to recover un der such trcatmont passes my comprehen sion. But they are, as n rale, what tho world calls good fellows, frco with tholr tnonov nnd bent on enjoying themselves. .'With ono man, however, whom I met nt such a placo I formed what lliopo will prnvo a permanent rrleudshlp. I nm Indebted to him for benefits which lmvo left on my mind a feeling of tho strongest gratitude. I was, 08 you know, not at all well. A slight lameness in my right leg. contracted about a year ago, had gradually becomo worso until 1 was compelled to gonrouiul on crutches all tho tlmo. Then my general health failed, until in tho latter part of tho summer I had about concluded to como homo to dio. Such n stato of affairs as you will cifiily understand, was anything but comfortable. I was, In fact, neither moro nor less than a helpless invalid, a uulsunco to myself and everybody around mo. It wns nt th'is juncturo that ono day on tho train I fell into conversation with tho man I men tion. Ho recommended mo to try Dr. Wil liams' Pink Pills. I did so. You see tho result." And Mr. Lockhart expanded his broad chest and Btnlled. "Look here," ho con tinued, as ho took off Ids lint and holding it on a lovel with Ids head, kicked it. easily with tlio foot that used to bo lamo. No bet tor picturo of perfect health nnd abounding nnimnl spirits could bo wished for than this ouc-thno invalid. "Mv futuro movements nro uncertain," said Mr. Lockhart at parting. "I will ro main hi Hudson for some time, but boforo tho oummor Is over I expect to make a visit to Europe." Dr. Williams' Pink Pills contain, in a con densed form, till tho elements necessary to ' givo now lifo and richness to tho blood nnd restoro shattered nerves. They nro nlso a specific for troubles peculiar to females, such us suppressions, irregularities and all forms of weakness. They build up tho blood, nnd restoro tho glow of health to palo and sallow checks. In men thoy effect a radical euro in all cases arising from mental worry, overwork or excesses of whatever nature. Pink Pills nro sold in boxes (never in loose hulk) at 50 cents a box or cix boxes for S2.r(), and may bo bad of all druggists, or diroet by mail from Dr. Williams' Medicine Company, Schenec tady, N. Y. Tlio Florentine Kiilcuro. Your typical Florentine is epicurean to the too tips. His enthusiasms and yearnings are quite other than those of the northerner. Givo him two francs for life and lie will toil no more. Ho may be a. marquis and seventh or eighth in direct descent, but he will be content to forego tlio assertion of his rank bo he may thencoforward en joy the. priceless boon of leisuro and independence. II is leisure ho will dis sipate ut the cafe, with perhaps two three-balf-pouny sweot fluids per diem; and you may study the effect of his independence in his courtly manners, even though his hat be worn at the brim and his coat-back be deplorably shiny. Ho is a pellucid brook shal low as you please, yet engaging for his pcllucidity. As lie sits on tlio red velvet cushions and looks forth at the carriages and gowns of fashion in tlio Via Tornabuoni he shows no trace of envy on his open countenance. What, in effect, have those ricli ones more than he, save the ennui of modishness nnd the indigestion of hih feeding? The monuments nnd blue skies of b'lor ence (not to mention the glories of stirring memories of its history) are rather more his than theirs. Cornliill Magazine. THE GENERAL MARKET. Kansas City, Mo., Sept. 2 CATTI-H-llcut beeves t 3 50 4r 1 IS Stockors X f to 3 35 Nutlvu cows HOOS-ChoIco to heavy WHE AT-No. ii red No. a hard , COKN No. -J mixed OATS No. 2 mixed , UYK No. -J i yr to i 07tf 70 A UJ 10 to i wj cs fi7 !il to Hi '-'3 to 2 I 4J to 1 10 PLOUIt Patent, per suck. Fancy 1 IS frft 1 SO IIAY-Clioico timothy 7 Ml a Oil Funqy pralrlo 4 Ml 6 00 HAN-(Saclfod ! to 30 HUTTKK-Cholcocrenuiury.... Vi ti 13 C1JKESK Full cream OV'kO 12K KGUS-Choleo 10 10i l'OTATOKS 17',(0 HO ST. I.OUIS. CATTLK-Nnttve and Mdpplng 3 40 4 00 Toxims -'Ml 3 35 HOGS-Heavy a W 3 25 SlIKKPFalr to choice 'J Ml 3 31 FLOUK-Ulioico 3 to 3 40 WHEAT No. i! red OiVJiO K?i COKN-No. a mixed 10lt(0 '-0 OATS-No. a mixed 10ii 17 kye-No. a suvi'io ao UUTTEK-Crenmory II IBM LAKU-Wcfctern mess 3 a. On 3 3a,i POUK 0 a' 0 Ml CHICAGO. CATTLE-Common to prime... 3 00 4 00 HOGS Fucking and Klilppiug. a 15 3 Ml SHEEF-Falr to choice 2 a. 3 00 F LOU It- Winter wheat 3 20 3 40 WHE AT-No. 2 red iK 03 COKN-No. a 2I aiK OATS-No. 2 HI 17 KYE 2H't 30 IlU'lTEK--Creumory 1 IS L,AKD 33. no 3 47', POUK 5 "iViii. & 7tf NEW YOHK. CATTLE Native Steers 3 CO 4 35 HOGS-Good to Choice 3 Ml 4 UO FLOUU-Good to Choice 3 an 3 7i WHEAT No. 2 red CStf'fi 7.) COItN-No 2 iUJfiffl i.7 OATS-No. a ao MHJ HUTTEU-Creninory I0',i IVi i'OKK -Mvbii 7 7J 0 Ml Trip tV.fiortalum for ilotiltli's Snke Will bo rondored moro henctlclnl, and tho fatigues of travel counteracted, if tlio voyager will take along with him Hostot tor'sBtomneh Hitters,, and uso thatprotoe tlvo and enabling tonic, norvo lnvigorant and appetlzor regularly. Impurities In nlr ami water is neutralized by it, and it is a matchless trnnqulllicor nnd regulntor of tho stomach, liver and bowels. It counteracts mnltirln, rheumatism, and n tendency to kidney nnd bladder aliments. Miss Qrixzisu "Do you belicvo nil tho disagreeable things you rend in the nowa pnpors!" MlRujnuzzbug "I do if they nro ubout people I Unow."- Hoxbury Gazette. Tlio Motltirii Itoituty Thrives on good food and sunshine, with plenty of exorcise in tlio open nlr. Her. form glows with health and horfneo blooms with Its boauty. If her svstcm needs tho cleansing action of a laxatlvo remedy, sho uses tlio gentle and pleasant Syrup or Figs. Made by the California Tig Syrup Company. Ax Atchison boy or 15 carries such a won derful list of improhablo anecdotes in ids head, Unit his parents have decided to inako an evaugelist of him. Atchison Globe. Sun "Wns thoro any particular thing about the town which struck you I" Ho "Yes; a blcyclo.'' Yonkcrs Statesman. A ihvm; iii Tlmo Saves Nino of Halo's Honoyof Horohonud und IV r for Coughs, l'llco's Toothache Drops .Cure in ono iniuuto. Kt.i.A "I heard fiomollilng menu nbnnt you today." Stella-"! tltoughtyoii looked pleased." Town Topics. Afthii bIx years' suffering, I was cured by Piso's Cure. MauV Thomson, U'.Ui Ohio Ave, Allegheny, Pu., March IV, '01. Wimx you havo another mint's money In your pocket, it is so hard to remember that it is not your own. HhH'h Cuturrh Curo Ts a Constitutional Curo. Prlco 75c. ItIb the qunck nostrums that gather in tlio ducuts. Texas Sifter. Tk Ins and Outs of It. If you get best wear out of a coat, best work must have gone into it. You can't get good bread out of poor flour. Moral : You can't get the best out of anything, unless the best is in it ; and the best has to be put in before it can be taken out. Now, we have a rule to test those sarsaparillas with a big "best" on the bottle. "Tell us what's put in you and we'll decide 'for ourselves about the best." That's fair. But these modest sarsaparillas. say : " Oh 1 we can't tell. It's a secret. Have faith in the label." . . . Stop 1 There's one exception ; one sar saparilla that has no secret to hide. It's Aycr's. If you want to know what goes into Aycr's Sarsaparilla, ask your doctor to write for the formula. Then you can satisfy yourself that you get the best of the sarsaparilla argument when you get Ayer's. Any doubt left? Cet the " Curebook." It kills doubts but cures doubters. ' Addrcsst J.C.AycrCo., Lowell, Mass. fflvjfrmipw " The New Woman." PLUG' The "new woman" favors economy, and she always buys " Battle Ax" for her sweetheart. She knows that a 5-cent piece of "Battle Ax" is nearly twice as large as a JO-cent piece of other high grade brands. Try it yourself and you wiff see why '"Battle Ax" is such a popular favorite all over the United States. srtrtTJZrriKV. -fTv &mrrr "?& tgfSfc wn H ' Blooming Health - isccured to every woman by the use of :: Thousands of afflicted ; : women have been cured ' - by its use. fWhy not You ? A Purely Vegetable A HJ'tll.lVlUll. I A Remedy with a Remarkable t t Record. t - Largo boltlo or now Btylo wnnllor ;; onontyour dniRglntfl. Writa for Mcdl- . cal Illiink free. Warner's Safo Curo Co., Kochcstcr.N. Y. A. N. K. D. 1623 WIIRV WK1T1XO TO AlVnUTIHK ll(.'ii (ulo t lilt t you nuw the nlvrrttae- incut In IIiIm iiih'. IT! 1 IIP j i