•i
S1
Northern Pacific Farmer
O. A.WKCTITXT. W.J.WBM*
WHITNEY & WHEPPUB,
PROPRIETORS.
44
six months
MORNING
ISSUED EVERY THURSDAY
AT
WADENA, WAOENA COUNTY. fllNNCSOT*.
RATES IN ASTAHCI:
One copy owe year,
$1.50
80
SPIRIT NOT A FOOD.
To tbe Editors of the N. P. Farmer.
In last week's communication from
D. he does* not attempt to disprove the
'correctness of the position I took* as
to what constitutes true temperance,
and by his silence on this point, tacit
ly admits that the definition is cor*
rect the only point of difference be
tween us being as to the fact whether
alcohol is injurious as a beverage. D.
says that I am evidently "not aware
that the spirit produced from food in
the stomach is the same that is pro
duced from the same food in the wine
or beer vats, and that these vats are
exact copies of the heat, fluid, fer
ment find mechanical action of the
human stomach." Well, D. is about
right there. 1 am not aware of any
such thing. I am not aware that there
is any alcoholic spirit formed in the
stomach during the process of digest
ion, nor at any other time, or at any
other part of the system. I am not
aware that the stomach, and its work
ings, is an exact copy of the beer or
wine vat, and its workings. I am
aware that there is a similarity in the
two processes up to a certain point,—
but there is no alcohol developed dur
ing this process in the stomach, and I
am not aware that Liebig, or any oth
er scientist, ever said there was if
they did, will D. please tell us when
and where. It seems idle to attempt
to refute such absurd theories, as ev
ery school boy, even, knqws th'at the
result of the workings of brewers and
vinters vats, etc., is wine and beer,
and that the result of the workings of
the human stomach, etc., is blood, and
if the workings of the two were the
same, on the same material, then the
result must be the same,—which it is
not. But since the scientific side of
this subject has been broached, I will,
at the risk of being tedious, attempt
to prove
1st. That alcoholic spirit is not a
food in any sense of the term.
2d. That its action upon the healthy
human organism is positively injur
ious, even when taken in small quan
tities.
In respect to alcohol as food, it is
a fact admitted by all scientists that
to be
food) an article must be capa
ble of assimilation to the system, or
in other words, must be capable of
entering into the composition of
blood, muscular fibre, or other tissue.
Alcohol is not capable of being util
ized in the system. It commences to
leave the system from the time it is
introduced, in exactly the same con
dition, without having undergone any
change, being thrown out by the ac
tion of the skin, the lungs, and the
kidneys, at a loss an expenditure of
force in exact proportion to the
quantity taken. This is a fact that
is susceptable of proof. I can dem
onstrate it to tbe satisfaction of D.,
or any other person who may wish to
see the experiment. But as D. seems
to attach more importance to the
opinious of scientific men, I will give
some in support of the position taken.
Liebig, the great German chemist,
says: "Bier, wine, spirits% etc„ fur
nish no element capable of entering
into the composition of blood, muscu
lar, fiber, or any part which is the
*eat of the vital- principle." ('Let
ters on Chemistry,, 1844, p. 57.)r Prof.
Lehman, after discussing the sub
ject at great length, in. conclusion
says: "We cannot therefore, believe
that alcohol, etc., wliiclfcproduce such
powerful reactions on* &e nervous
system, belong to the chut of susti-
tit nee capable of contributing towards
the maintenance of the vital functions.'
('Physiological Chemistry,* Vol. 3.)
Moleschott says: "Alcohol does not
effect any direct restitution, nor de
serve the name of an a/tmenfary prin
ciple." (Lehre der Nahrungsmittel,
1853.) So much for German scien
tists. Dr. Michael Levy, an eminent
French scientist, in his treaties on
hygiene, says: The influence of alco
hol upon the nervous system, and
particularly upon the brain, is mani
fest by a progessive, but constant
series of symptoms, which in differ
ent degrees of intensity are repro
duced in all individuals. These con
stitute a true poisoning, and this
morbid state is exhibited under three
phases,
8UBKXCITATION, PERTURBATION, ABO
LITION OF THE SEREBROSPINAL
FUNCTIONS.
Three more emminent Frenchmen,
viz: Lallemand, Perrin, and Duroy,
after the most exausting experiments,
wrote their conclusions, amongst
which was the following: "Facts
establish from a physiological point
of view, a line of demarkation be
tween alcohol and food. (Bole of al
cohol, 1860.) Dr. Edward Smith,
F. B. S., says: "Alcohol is not a true
food and it neither warms nor sus
tains the body by the elements of
which it is composed." (Philosoph
ical Transactions, 1859.) Dr. T. K.
Chambers, in his chemical lectures,
says: "It is clear that we must cease
to regard alcohol as in any sense an
aliment, in as much as it goes out as
it went in, and does not so far as we
know, leave any of its substance be
hind it." (Benewal of Life, 1862)
Dr. Markham, in British Medical
Journal, says, in suming up a long
argument: "Alcohol is not a sup
porter of combustion. It does not
prevent thewear and tear of the tis
sues. £art, and probably the whole
of it escapes from the body, and none
of it so far as we know is assimilated
or serves for the purpose of nutrition.
It is therefore not a food in the eye
of science." Dr. Lionel S. Beale, M.
D. F. B. S., physician to Kings Col
lege Hospital, says: "Alcohol does
not act as food', it does not nourish
tissues."
I could give numberless opinions
from scientific men of the highest
standing to the same effect, but space
forbids. These, however, are enough
to prove that alcohol is not assimi
lated to the system, therefore hot
a food. If this is true, then it fol
lows that all the efforts of nature, to
eliminate this foreign substance from
the system, area direct loss of vital
force, expended in exact proportion
to the amount taken, be it great or
small, and this loss of force leaves
just so much less to perform the vi
tal functions of the body, and conse
quently, all loss or useless expenditure
of vital force is a positive injury to
the system.
Now in conclusion, will IX please
co.nfine his remarks to the subject un
der discussion, and not advance new
theories, at least till he has made
good his previous assertions, or else
acknowledge his inability so to do?
Let us settle this point, as it is the
vital point in the whole question, be
cause if aicohol Is not a food, and if
it acts injuriously on the system, the
only consistent position for the indi
vidual is abstinence, and for the
State prohibition. W.'S. H.
Neighborhood News.
Fish Hook Prairie, Cass Co. Minn.
Editors N. P.. FARMER:
I come to.the front once more, this
time in behalf of our beautiful prairie.
We are getting along nicely here this
winter. Everyone seems busy get
ting out fencing or hauling wood, .as
thcjciise may be*
We have built one bridge across
Straight River, heading direct
Wadena*, and now
for
we are
building
®jje Uortl)crn ftacific /nrmer.
TO MM jLaaUoaurtn**x AROTS W TOW "ORTH^ FACCTIO aam*r*rr.
WADENA, MINN., THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24.1881.
one across Fish Hook Biver. Most all
of our farmers take hold and work
with a will that shows they mean
business.
We would like if some one would
put up a saw mill, either on Straight
Biver or Fish Hook. We need lum
ber to build with as it is we have to
go to Manter's mill, 14 miles south
east of here, and pay $14 per thousand
for common boards or go without.
There is some nice government
claims to be had
011
this prairie yet,
both prairie and timber.
We have had no sickness here this
winter.
There is now fifteen families living
on this prairie, besides as mkny more
young men that have claims here.
Last winter there was not family
wintered here. All of you who want
a farm, hurry up.
Oh say! how is the road from Wa
dena to theBed Eye? Please let us
know. FLYBITE.
BKBTHA, TODD OOC*TT.
The deep snow has materially inter
fered with the different enterprises in
this hereabouts.
Snow about three feet on the level,
and in consequence some of Uncle
Sam's "calves" have been poorly cared
for. Some of his employees while
perambulating his large domain here
on snow shoes, looking after their
welfare, finds them lying around al
ready dead.
From the tenure of some of your
Otter Tail correspondents, it would
seem that they assumed to interpret
my language in a previous article, with
regard to bonding Otter Tail County
in the interest of a certain railroad,to
mean themselves, assuming to be the
drones I alluded to they assumed that
Otter Tail County was their special
hive. They vainly attempt to sting
your Todd County correspondent for
expressing his views-on^'thes, above
subject. The recent election in Otter
Tail County clearly proves the posi
tion of the restive correspondents
it also shows that the bray of your
Todd County correspondent had its
cherished effect that the workers of
the Otter Tail hive read the papers,
and voted the bonds and are in a fair
prospect for another railroad. In this
connection I would extend the right
hand of fellowship and my congratu
lations to F. for his gentlemanly sar
casm,hoping that ere the
sunny spring
shall come, he may progress and be
come a full fledged worker, possessing
a stinger that will be ample protection
for his busy end. OCCASIONAL.
PABKXBS PBAXBXK.
In the FARMER of the 3d inst., your
correspondent Incog, of Woodside
Prairie, requested me to give through
the columns of the, FARMER, my ex
perience and that of others, in the
raising of timothy and other tame
grasses in this town. Now I would
state here, that I do not speak from
any particular experience of my own,
but from that of others, and my own
observation. There are several in
our town that have been engaged in
the raising of timothy for several
years, and with success too. I have
had a talk with Ed Pease, Esq., who
lists been in the business 6 years, and
excepting the years 76-77, (grasshop
per years) says he has cut upwards
of two tons per acre, and this year
his grain was heavier than usual,
showing conclusively that the soil of
Parkers Prairie is well adapted to the
growing of timothy and other tame
grasses. Mr. Pease prefers sowing
in the spring, and as far as our obser
vation goes, we would prefer spring
sowing, and we believe that the most
of those that have had experience in
raising timothy in this town are of
the same opinion. It is claimed that
by sowing your timothy with oats in
the spring, that the oats shade and
protect the young grass, insuring a
vigerous growth before frost sets in.
The ground should be well {prepared
ill the fall. If it has been- run to
wheat other grain for years, tlfei»4
the land should be manured, and then
in the spring sow from 4 to 6 quarts
of grass seed to the acre, with the
usual amountof oats, and we believe
the results mil be satisfactory, as it
has proved to be here. The experi
ments with clover are somewhat lim
ited, but in every case, so far as we
know, was with good results.
On Saturday, the 26th, there will be
a grand Shooting Match at Parkers
Prairie village. Everybody that
has any pretentions in the shooting
line are expected. B. H. McMahn
hits put up his two magnificent pet
deers, and besides the bear from Wa
dena is expected to be present. A
regular jojlyfication for all the sports.
F.
LKAF RIVKR.
Here we are again, down and at it.
Brother Maltby preaches at the
Leaf Biver school house next Sunday.
Come out everybody and hear the old
veteran shoot the gospel gun.
A NEW FOOD FOR THE SICK.—A
sick man recently sent to Wadena for
some oat meal, and the youth not ex
actly understanding the necessary
diet for the sick, brought out a sack
of oats and a saek of coarse feed
meal. Since the patient has put him
self on the outside of such an over
gorge of feed, he has fully recovered
and his appetite is so ravenous he
can scarcely stand back until his feed
is mixed.
Why does doctors despise ducks?
Because they use to many personal
remarks, quack! quack! quack!
Barnell says he wants those South
ern Wadena boys to quit chasing his
mutton, or else they will be so wild
he cannot get them up against shear
ing time.
I understand there is to be a State
road running due north from Wadena
to Shell Biver. If this be so, just
call on Barnell and he will show them
the nearest and best route, with ,the
least cofderoying.
What is perseverance Carrying
hay on your back one mile and a quar
ter to feed thfee head of cows, and
make B. B, ties between meals.
There is a man in Leaf Biver that
does it.
Carry hay
Twice a day
Then go to making ties,
I'll declare
It makes me stare
To see such funny exercise.
LICK SKILLET.
1NXAN.
Our roads are getting quite well
broken, and people can begin to get
around again. The snow is settling
a very little, but yet it is almost im
possible to get around in the woods.
There are lots of men coming in
here to get work since the returns of
the election, and as soon.as we know
where the railcpad will go we will
have liyely. times.
~lt is kind of amusing to read the
items from the different writers to
the FARMER about the bond question
some in favor, some against, and
some
astride the fence. Now, Be
porter makes a great ado about the
tax which must be paid to build the
railroad, or rather to pay the bonds.
Now I have noticed that in almost all
of those questions of taxes, those
that have the most howl about it are
the very ones that have no taxes to
pay at all. Beporter has a B. B., and
a good market only a few miles from
him, consequently he cares nothing
about those that have to go 15 to 30
miles to market. Well how did he
get
liis railroad? He will say not by
bonding the county* Certainly not,
but at the same time the government
gave three times-tshe amount in bond
grants, and .so got the road built for
him, thereby raising the value of the
even sections to double^ their original
value. Nfrw if in building the N, P.
B. B. increased the value of the lands
along its lilie, what is the reason that
the lands along the line »f the M. N.
B. B. will.not be increased in a pro-
Terms: $1.50 Per Year.
portional value? We all know that
any man will settle in a vicinity near
a B. B., sooner than at a Ipng distance
from one, and the more settlers we
have, the more people there will be
to be taxed, and the easier will the
tax be paid. Don't let us bo too
selfish, but go more according to
Mathew, 7th chapter and 12th verse.
Inman went solid for the bonds, and
that is not all it will do. IftheB.B.
Co. will put the road through and
establish a depot on section 15, it
will cost them very little, if anything
for the right of way through the
town. A railroad is what we have
long wanted, and we are going to do
all we can to secure it, with all its
advantages. I know of a number
of farmers who have hauled their
grain to Wadena, and each load has
cost them more than it will cost to
pay their tax for one year, and some
more for one trip than their whole
tax will be. I could write a dozen
sheets on the advantages of the rail
road to us, but I have said enough
for this time, and hope all will be as
much pleased and interested in the
M. N. B. B. as is DKNGO.
WOODSIDE PRAIRIE.
J. M. Moore has purchased a yoke
of oxen.
What Invisible says about W. E.
Barber's oxen is about correct, for
they are as fine a team as wear horns.
Mrs. Ellen Johnston is once more
able to do her housework.
A transient friend favored me with
the following for publication in the
N. P. FARMER:
A seriocomic event took place in
the town of Woodside not long ago.
A worthy citizen strolling past the
residence of another esteemed fellow
citizen, heard the sharp report of a
rifle an instant later and piercing
canine cries rent the air. Citizen
No. 1 was horrified beyond expres
sion, when his own favorite "purp"
rushed up with a bloody carcas. Hor
rified is not exactly the word he was
filled with a thirst for vengeance, and
rushing boldly into the house of the
aforesaid citizen No. 2, did there
pronounce maledictions on the mis
creant, who he supposed had perpe
trated the deed of darkness. Citizen
No. 1 is at all times a forcible and
vehement speaker, and we have it up
on good authority, that upon this oc
casion he quoted scripture to an ex
tent really surprising. However, his
vituperative powers had no effect on
the supposed aggressor, who, dispite
the terrible earnestness of his man
ner, was either afraid to fight, or else
didn't care to. With blood in his
eye, citizen No. 1 betook himself to
the cot of a certain charming young
widow, where No. 2 is wont to while
away his leasure hours—not at all
strange, for in the language of Biddy,
she is a "widdy-woman, and he is a
widdy-man." Holding that a man is
not only responsible for the deeds
done in the body, but also, for the
deeds done in his own household,
citizen No. 1 confronted citizen No.
2 with clinched fists, and with most
fervid oratory. Now, citizen No. 2
is a mighty man of valor, (at least in
words) but of course he really didn't
like to display his gladiatorial
powers in the presence of a lady, so
he mildly, but fervently refused to be
inveighed into a fight. Our worthy
constable was jnst succumbing to the
influence of soft slumber, when a
bang at the door recalled him to con
sciousness, citizen No. 1 bearing a
warrant for the arrept of the knave
who had shot his dog, confronted him
and he was compelled to act in his
official capacity. Arriving at the
house of citizen No. 2, they found
"darknees there and nothing more."
The supposed guilty wretch was
forced to arise, and was marched to
the office of the jastie*.- By order of
the court snppoflia was served on
citizen No. 2, who-still lingered tit
the bouse of his fair Desdemona.
(Continued on 4tk page.)