davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-31
The Democratic Policy.

MLwAUKEE August pa spe-
cial TO the RpuJiicaR from Bayfield,,
Wis. gives an interview with Sen
ator Beck OF Kentucky, with refer
ence TO the course that the Demo-
Gratis should take in case of the
death OF President Garfield. Sena-
tor Beck said:
1T would be n time when love of
country should rise above all party
questions. As to my own course.
| would be in favor OF some conserv-
ative Republican, say Henry Il.
Anthony OF Rhode Island. for the po-
sition of President pro tenn Of the
Senate, and thus avoid any induce
ment for any insane person or po-
litical fanatic to desire the death of
Mr.. Arthur. In such a contingent
cy this would be a graceful recOgni-
ton of the fact that under the great
calamity which had befallen the ma
ton the intensity of party spirit
and the eagerness for spoils were
for the time forgotten.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-31
Horrible Deaths.

\ widow living near President,
Vanango county, Pa, with three
children, was a few days since af-
flicted by a succession Of most ter
rible accidents. She was preparing
dinner, and sent the two older chill
dren to hunt TOR eggs. They were
very young, and one of them put
his hand in hollow log to search
for eggs, but pulled it ont, saying a
chicken had bitten him. The other
followed the example, and ierked
the hand out with a scream. They
had both been bit;, a by q rattle
snake. The poor mother, hearing
their cries, took pot Of boiling po-
tatoes from the Ire, so that they
might not burn, and hurried out.
Almost instantly she was recalled
by the screams of her infant, who
had crawled across the floor and up
set the scalding water over him
self. Almost distracted, she knew
not what to DO; but, help arriving
all that could be done was done,
but human help was unayailing,
and by night the poor widow had
lost all her little family, and was
alone in her sorrow.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-31
Driven by Aiiisators.

MARSHALL, Tex, Aug ga man
in crossing Caddo Lake with a
quarter of beef in his skifi was pur-
sued by aschool of alligators. When
about quarter of amile from shore,
eight of the monsters attacked the
skifi, seizing and endeavoring to
oyerturn it. By hard rowing the
boatman reached q cypress tree,
which he seized and ascended, aban-
doning his skiff to the alligators.
He remained in the tree until the
next day, when two fishermen, who
were crossing the lake, heard his
cries and went to his assistance
The alligators attacked the rescuers,
but by the dexterous u.s. of their
oars and double-barreled sho; gun
they succeeded in keeping the enc
my at bay until the unfortunate
man, more dead than alive, could
be gotten out of the tree and rowed
IN shore
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-31
Abusive Postal Cards

WASHINGTON, Aug. 50.-With j
view to afiording relief to persons
who receive abusive and annoying
postal cards through the mails, the
following general instructions 10
Postmasters will soon be issued
from the Post Offices Department:
''When any one is annoyed, or ex-
poets to be annoyed, by postal cards
sent from any particular place or
from any known person. he may
direct the Postmaster at the point
named to destroy all postal cards
addressed to him, or cards from any
person named, so addressed /; and
us far as the discharge Of the duties
OF the Office permit sufficient exam
ination, the Postmaster should COM
ply with the request. The direction
to the Postmaster should be in writ
ing, and should be fled for preser-
walton
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-31

NokoMIs, ILL.,, August 24-ai
an audience was gathering a b
NJ. f. Church on Sunday night
hear the Rev. Davies, presiding
der of the Decatur district 2
chandelier fell while all the -2ni
were lit, and at once the inten@
the church was ablaze. The c-a
ladies jumped out OF a windo7.
the flames were too EXTENSIVE
them to pass down the aisle
large force was soon ct the sra
OF the conflagraticn, and itEas W.
great difficulty that the fire va'
tinguished. The damage Is cover
by insurance.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-31

THE President continues 10 hover
between life and death. So critical
was his condition on Friday last,
that his physicians abandoned all
hope, and it was telegraphed all over
the country that he was dying.
About o'clock on that morning he
seemed to grow worse very rapidly,
his pulse huttered up and down, he
seemed partially unconscious, and
ii was believed that death was at
hand. Later in the morning he i'm
proved, again he lost ground. and
again in the afternoon it was
thought that a slight change for the
better was perceptible. Since that
time he is reported to be slowly re-
covering some Of his lost ground.
The shadow Of great loss had
settled down upon the country,
and the Nation stood at what
was believed to be the death bed
of its beloved ruler. Surely no
man ever before, so stood upon
the awful verge, and did not topple
orcr. The Presidents life still
hangs by very brittle thread, which
may snap nj any time. Whether
his present improved condition
may not give away to another re-
lapse cannot be safely predicted. He
is very feeble, and all apparently
depends on his ability to recuperate
sufficient strength to withstand the
waste Of his wound and OF the sup
perating gland. A Nations prayers
go up increasingly that he may be
spared. and all still cling to hope.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-31
The Presideut's Brother-in-iaw

CLEVELAND, O., Aug. 26 Joseph
Rudolph, brother-in-law of the Pres
ident, left this afternoon for Wash
ington, in company with Captain
Henry. Mr.. Rudolph has been in
charge of the Mentor homestead
while the President has been away
and had the care of the Presidents
two younger sons, aged nine and
eleven years. In obedience to a
telegram last night from Mrs. Gar
field the sons are left at Mentor.
They were informed last evening of
the Presidents almost hopeless con-
dition, and were greatly distressed,
but they did not murmur on being
told they could not 60 TO him.
Business has been much depress-
ed here to-day in consequence of
the news from Washington. Many
of the Presidents intimate friends
have gathered in sorrowful knots
and condoled together A dispatch
from Harry Garfield to Postmaster
Sherwin, stating that there was n
slight improvement this morning,
gave them encouragement, and ex-
cited renewed hope, but later news
depressed them beyond express
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-31
Attempt 10 Wreck a Train.

ARLINGTON, Mass, August 25.-An
attempt was made this morning to
wreck the early train from Bridge
water to South Abingdon, on the
Bridgewater branch of the Old Colo
ny. When the train was near East
Rridgewater station the engineer
discovered an obstruction on the
track, consisting of sleepers laid
crosswise The train was going
thirty-five miles an hour and the
engineer was unable to stop the en-
gine before colliding, but fortunately
no damage was done except to smash
the pilot and headlight. Between
this place and South Abingdon two
other distractions were found on
the track, consisting OF stones weigh
ing about 300 pounds each and an
other lot of sleepers.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-31
An Interesting Occasion.

HARRISBURG, August 24.-One OF
the most interesting gatherings that
has assembled in this city was the
reunion tonight OF the soldiers or
phan graduates OF the state. Sever
al thousand persons, among them
being over four hundred graduates,
and the Grand Army posts of the
city, i. s. Grow, Of Lockhaven, pre-
sided, and an address of welcome
was made by Governor Hoyt. The
orator OF the evening was ex-Govern,
or Curtin, and he was followed by
John Il. Rockwell, of the Hartford
Soldiers Orphan School. The bus
mess meetings of the graduates will
be held tomorrow by which time
over six hundred members are ex-
pccted to be present.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-31
Desperate Killed.

PARIS, KY, August 24-On Mon
day afternoon James T. Offutt was
killed by William Ii. Current near
the latters residence at Ewalt's
Crossroads. Offutt was perhaps
the most noted and desperate man
in the Blue Grass region, and Cur
rent and Olfutt were brothers-in-law.
Some weeks ago an alteration be-
tween Current and Oh'utt caused a
desire on the part of the latter for
the life of the former. Armed with
a shot gun 0tiutt went to Currents
house, and by threats of killing her
husband SO excited Mrs. Current
that she was thrown into spasms.
and from the effects of these, cou-
pied with sickness attending upon
q premature childbirth, she died.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-31
The Garfield FHnd.

New YORK, Aug. 2G.-I have
very little hope that President Gar
field will recover" said Mr.. Cyrus
Field to a reporter, "and his condi-
ton makes me feelvery sad indeed" I"
If he should die the whole of the
s250,000 which was proposed to be
subscribed for Mrs. Garfield and
family would be forthcoming. About
two thirds OF the amount is already
pledged, and the remaining third
could be promptly secured. Among
the wealthy gentlemen who have
promised to subscribe to the fund
if the Presidents wound proves fatal
is Mr.. William III. Vanderbilt, who
has intimated that he could be de-
pended upon for contribution Of
from $1,000 to $4,000. Even if the
President should survive Mr.. Field
does not intend TO abandon the
plan of securing the full s250,000.
as it is well known that large sum
OF money viii be needed to pay the
doctors bills and other heavy ex-
penses Attending Il long serious
illness.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-31

SAID sturdy old Republican on
the street last week: Billy Baer
coaxed me to vote for him, and then
told me Judge Hall wanted to see
me. allow | know how to vote,
without The Judge {, ing me-" Said
another: Il told the Judge | liked
Baer well enough, but that | always
voted for the regular Republican
candidate" Said a third: " | don t
know Mr.. Cessna, but | do know
that he can't cost the county any
more, when elected, than Judge Hall
has" And said yet another: Billy
Baer is coaxing for Republican
votes; who ever know'd him to vote
for a Republican," And still nm
other remarked: " | voted for Judge
Hall at the primary, but I'll be
id if he can trade me off to Bill
Baer." And still yet another said
"The Judge asked me if | couldn't
vote for Baer, to vote for him.
These are but a few of the remarks
and comments we heard made on
the Judicial question during the
course of the week.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-31
Infamous Insurance business.

SCRANTON, Penn, Aug. 2f.-Gov.
Hoyt's denial that he is interested
in the graveyard insurance business
will have a tendency to check the
sharks in this region who are freely
using his name in connection with
the infamous traffic in old age.
Agents have been freely quoting him
in connection with the State Capital
and World Insurance concerns, and
have made business thrive on the
strength of their representations. SO
great is the craze that storekeepers
complain they cannot collect bills,
as the money OF the customers is
swallowed up in paying ass,-s-
ments. An old woman. living on
the outskirts of Scranton, has $780,
900 on her life. The polices are
held by spectators. Scarcely an
old person dies now that is not in
sured all the way from $4,000 to
100000. A man came here from
Moscow the other day to insure his
mother, who, he said, was in good
health, and when the agent went to
investigate the case he met the old
lady's funeral. These facts seem
incredible to those not acquainted
with the business. but the worst mas
not been told.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-31
\ Cioud of Ants.

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, August a.
The people Of Emerson were re-
Gently startled by an unusual phe-
nomenon in the shape of a cloud of
ants flying in the air from east to
west and extending for miles around.
They were apparently ordinary
black ants provided with wings.
During the night myriads of these
insects came to the earth and the
streets and sidewalks were literally
black with them. The Red River
was also GOV cred with a coating of
the ants an inch thick. 1t is sup
posed that the heavy rains have
driven them this way. The atmos-
phere was exceedingly sultry and
the light was considerably impair
ed, so heavy were the clouds during
the time in which the ants were
passing over the town.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-31
Mineral Discoveries.

CHICAGO, August PA special
OF yesterdays date to the Tribune
from Wichita, Kansas, says "A
meeting Of the Oklahoma Town
Company was held in this city last
evening, at which most of the prom
inent men connected with the enter
prise were present. The mineral
discoveries recently made by Cap
tain payne were discussed, and los
pounds of specimens taken by Capt.
Payne from the Wichita Mountains
were exhibited by him, and were
pronounced by competent judges
very fine and as showing silver and
lead. Captain Payne and his COM
panions in the recent explorations
report that the army officers at Fort
Sill are daily taking out mineral.
The companyis determined to move
into Oklahoma in October. The
colony numbers nearly 10000 COM
posed of persons from almost every
State. Hon. j. NJ. Steele, at one
time prominent aspirant for the
Governorshipof Kansas, is president
of the town company. Considerable
excitement prevails over Captain
Payne's discoveries.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-31

the Influential Republicans who
supported him then are all now his
active opponents. Mr.. Cessna is an
acceptable candidate, well known to
our people, decidedly the ablest
lawyer in the district, personally
popular, and with the united party
at his back. Moreover. the district
has been changed, consists now OF
the two counties Of Bedford and
Somerset, and polls more than a
clear thousand Republican majority,
and when the Democrats talk of
carrying it with Mr.. Baer, it is sim.
ply brag-brag-brag.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-31

PiaLApELrnIs, August -. War
ner 6- Merritts fruit warehouse, Nos.
80, 50 and. "a North Delaware Ave,
was destroyed by fire this morning.
The fire is believed to have origin
ated from an explosion of gas, which
took place shortly before 6 o'clock
this morning, and almost inmedi-
atelv afterwards flames rushed
through the building and out of the
doors and windows. The fire made
rapid progress, the contents Of the
building being OF an inflammable
character. and about o'clock the
walls fell IN every direction. The
building was six stories high, built
of ornamental brick and sandstone,
and extended fifty feet on Delaware
avenue, and $50 feet through to
Water street. 1t was finished for
the firm by the executors of the es-
tate of John Hopkins, of Baltimore,
the owner of the ground, and was
valued at 100000. The stock was
of a miscellaneous character consist
ing of West India fruit principally.
100000 cocoanuts and $4,000 worth
of bananas, most of which were re-
ceived only a day or two since. The
entire sock was valued at $1,000,
and the refrigerators and other APP
paratus and machinery for the man
ufact, re of disiccated cocoanut was
valued at $4,000 more. The boiler
was in the basement and the engine
on the fifth floor of the rear build
ing. When the walls fell great ex-
citement was caused, but as far as
learned nobody was hurt. The em-
ployes of the firm were about begin
ming work, but ali are thought to
have made their escape.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-31
rhe Parotid Gland Lanced

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Wasbil-,
ID. c., August 24-1:45 p. m.-'r
the noon examination the sura
have lanced the Presidents ial1
ed parotid gland and libe-l,si
small quantity OF pus. The F.15
did not take any anPsthetic
did not seem much weakened
the operation. His pulse inc
diately afterward went to ll2 .
soon receded and is now lot D
tor Reyburn says that the ~.
are entirely satisfactory, sad =
information is confirmed by
Hamilton.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-31

LOUISVILLE, Auga 2J.--iDe city
is being flooded With atock YUM
bcrs of countrymen are bringing in
all they can spare to sell, being un-
able to feed them except at great
loss. Several who were approached
lon The subject at the stockyards
said that even if they disposed Of
their stock at sacrifice, and were
compelled to replace the same in
the fall al full prices. il would hc
cheaper than to feed what they
had no actual use for until the fall
season. \ number said that they
were compelled, IL they kept their
nsual number Of head on hand, To
come 20 the city and haul out corn
to feed them on. The above facts
were cleaned from persons living in
Jefferson, Shelby, Oldham, Owen,
Spencer, Scott and other counties
throughout the State. As gener-
al thing there has been no rain Of
any consequence for nearly two
months, and the early corn Is
entirely destroyed, while the late
crop is 50 badly damaged that even
with rain the crop VIII not be more
than half a yield In many Oi the
sections named the crops are not
only injured l,y beat and drouth
but the small water courses have
been dried up and stock are suffer
ing more for want OF water than
lack of feed. \ person from Old
ham county said, Water in the
section / have just visited is so
scarce that whole families have 10
use the same water for washing
purposes, and then this Is all they
have to give their stock for drink
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-31
An Outrage.

LANSING, Mich, Aug. 26,-News
was received here to-day from Riley
township, Clinton county, to the
effect that Charley Dew, colored
farmer, was found in his granary
dead hanging to a beam, with the
left side of his head laid open by a
terrible cash, evidently made by an
axe. Last spring he was visited by
masked men, who treated him to a
coat of tar and feathers. A few
DAYS ago he went to st. Johns, to
the county seat, for the purpose OF
commencing legal proceedings
against parties whom he believed
were the perpetrators of the outrage
Hr lived alone,
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-31
Whisky and Water.

BAEDsrowN, Ky, August 34.-It
is now nearly two monthssince rain
has fallen in this vicinity. Many
farmers are compelled to drive their
stock three or four miles to water.
The distillers throughout this
country are hesitating and unde-
cided whether or not to 90 into ac-
tive operations during the coming
season. The advance in corn, the
dull market for whisky and the
large quantities in bond are the rea-
sons advanced for their indecision.
\ few distillers who have made con-
tracts for corn will run on reduced
capacity. Should the present ad-
vance in corn be maintained it is
safe to say that the coming seasons
product will not be over one-half of
that of last season.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-31

\ Panther Bite.

DALLAS, Tex, August 25.-Dora
Frazer, negro woman, while going
for bucket of water, near Hutch
ins, Texas a short time ago, was
bitten on the hand and neck by a
panther, which leaped on her from
large oak tree. She has just died
in East Dallas, having come here
for medical treatment. The strong
est thing about her death was that
she had all thesymptoms of Hydro
phobia. She screamed and elawed
at the sight Of water, frothed at the
mouth, and died in great agony.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-31
\ Convict Killed.

ATLANTA, Ga, August 25.-Anto-
MO Pimonti, an Italian barber, two
years ago almost killed his partner
with 4 hatchet. When he was SEN
fenced to ten years in the peniten-
tiary he leaped ike mad man and
swore he would kill the Judge if he
ever escaped. Since he went to the
penitentiary he has been terror to
the guards and convicts, and made
several attacks on different persons.
On Tuesday he quarreled with a
convict named Moses, a relative OF
the Ex-Governor, and was instantly
killed by him with hatchet.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-31

GALVESTON, Aug. 24.-Ils II
specials from Sherman give ia
Of n most horrible affair 10 "a
county some time since. Ben 3.
ton, an ex-sheriff Of Cook aa-
and a very desperate man,
James Todd, who had heengi
ness against him inca lawsuit
abused and insulted him IN a s.r
ful manner. They separated 2
ayowing to meet the other for az
settlement. Yesterday they z
and both drew their weapons
fred. Todd was shot thr0ugt--
heart and the breast, and tie ;E
Blanton's head was blown Of. B
men were lying diving when iis
cred
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-31
Crazed by Excessive Smoking.

WMKEsBARRE, Pa, Aug. 24.-The
examination into the cause of the
suicide of DIR. 0strander, OF West
Pittston, Yesterday, proved that the
pental alteration which inspiret
the tragic loss of a busy and useful
life was due entirely to excessive
smoking, he being in the: habit of
sitting for hours with his pipe. en-.
joying the exhilaration nf the strong
est plug tobacco.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-31
Two Men shot.

LITTLE Rock, Ark, Aug. =
double murder occurred m Ne
dron, Scott county, yesterday u
men, Falsom and Hobbs, were =
bling with John Stewart, q %.
keeper. The latter finally Een /.
the money. The first two l7ii I
house, but returned at night a"O'
Stewart, and while the latter y.
procuring whisky for them 81.
him dead. Billy Messlnsale' d
outsider. made some remarks y
relisheG by the murderers, ana
was also shot dead for his iemeI..
Stewart himself was very W
character.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-31
\ Big Blaze.

CHICAGO, August pa great fire
broke out this evening in the pack
ing establishmentof John c. Hately
formerly known as Rickers, at the
Union Stock Yards, and it had not
been extinguished at midnight, al
which time all the engines in that
part of the city were working to
quench the flames, but were greatly
impeded by scarcity Of water. Few
facts have been Ilrned, but it is
known that 5000 ? 'nnds Of bacon
and "A large quanu,r of lard and
provisions were stored in the house.
They will probably be completely
destroyed. The loss is said by some
to reach 100000. No particulars
can yet be obtained as to the insur-
ance. The fire is confined to Hate
ly's building
As nearly as can be ascertained.
the loss by the Hately fire is as fol-
lows On i,000,000pounds of bacon
$4,000; on 1900 barrels of pork,
s3j0.O00, and on miscellaneous
stock and building about 100000.
Total 81 100000; insurance $1,000
900. in 100 different companies
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-31
\ MIns,rous Clam Bah.

The gigantic pot poarT ,e-a
the Grand Arm, Of the Ra-
Of Connecticut last week IN
Nantucket railr0ed. II Hrb ?
Grove, was composed Of tie
ing One hundred and ,bi-r.
bushels Of soft shelled e,r.
bushels of hard shell elan.
bushels Of oysters. 81 torr
fish, 600 pounds Of lobster
ears of corn and - bushels o. "a
toes. There were a few o..
fies. such as 600 lOaves of bp
$50 water melons. which he.rz
keep Off starvation. About =
persons were presently a-
largest number erassemblsi q
army reunion.