davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-03-20
A VIRGINIA HORROR.
Over One Hundred Miners Meet Death by
an Explosion in a Coal Mine.

Over One Hundred Miners Meet Death by
an Explosion in a Coal Mine.
PETERSBURG, VA, March 14.-InteL
ligence is just received of a terrible ex-
plOsion in the coal mines of the Southwest
Virginia Improvement Company at POca-
hOntas, Tazewell county, this State. 1t Oc-
Cured at 1 o'clock yesterday morning, and
over one hundred men are known to have
been killed. These mines are owned by
a joint stock company composed mostly
of Northern capitalists. The work of deStruc-
ton at the coal mines was horrible and com
plete. There were one hundred and fifty
men in the mine at the time of the eXplO-
sion, not one of whom is believed to have
escaped. Those not killed outright by the
terrible force of the explosion, most likely
periShed from afteT-damp. A number of
bodies discovered are horribly mangled,
some of them with their heads torn from
the trunks, and others with the limbs all
gone, presenting an appalling spectacle.
The work of destruction was not confined
entirely to the interior of the mines, but
houses two or three hundred feet removed
from the mines were overturned, and in
several instances entirely demolished.
LATEST DETAILS.
A midnight telegram from POcahOntaS Is
as follows: The night hands went into the
mines at the usual hour, $50 strong. A lit
tie afteR midnight the town was startled
from its sleep by report that sounded Ike
the rumbling of an earthquake, followed ty
a clap of thunder. Soon a messenger came
from the mines, three-fOurths of a mile
away, with information to the superin-
tendent that there had been a terri
bic explosion there. The superintendent
and Others went to the mines at
once. The scene was indescribable. Words
could not convey the faintest idea Of the des-
truction wrought in few short seconds.
Signs of it were plainly visible on every
hand. The entrance to the main shaft was
entirely torn out and scattered pell nell for
hundreds of feet, and the little train track
torn and twisted, and sbapeless timber and
ties were hurled in confusion all around.
Cars were taken up bodily, torn in twain and
their iron wheels broken and shivered.
They were thrown three and
four hundred feet away. The
ridge and timbers on the ridge opposite this
drift were blackened picture to the sum
nit, six hundred feet away. A searching
party found pair of shoes that had been
blown to the summit of the ridge, and a
mule was found at the same place, twisted
into an indescribable shape, and the second
entrance to the mine presented similar ap
pearance to the first
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-03-20

year. Total exports since January 1, $61 :
ss1, ,272. against Sc, ,SO6,2 ,2a5 for the CORES
ponding time last year.
HENRY A. TnDEN, youngest brother OF
Samuel ,. Tilden, died at New Lebanon, N.
Y, recently, aged sixty-three.
GEORGE TIFFANY, twenty years old, q
son of the absconding postmaster, of Ben.
nington,. Vt, has been arrested and con.
fessed to stealing Government money. BE
is implicated in his fathers fraud.
FHTY-FIvE bridges were destroyed be-
tween Pittsburgh and Cairo during the
Ohio floods; estimated cost of replacing,
$210,O 900.
CLARK ROBINSON has sued c. K. Garri'
son, of New York, to recover S2,S95, $50,
claiming that amount on account of sale OF
bonds
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-03-20
WASHINGTON NOTES.

THE Treasury Department is informed
that foreign brokers are making heavy pur-
chases in the United States of the silver
trade dollar at a discount of ten per cent.
or more. They propose to dispose of the
coin to emigrants about to sail for this coun-
try as American coin worth face value.
THE Treasury Department is informed
that the cattle disease in Kansas was car
ried there by two Scotchmen, who came
directly from sn infected herd in Scotland.
THE Attorney-General has issued circu-
lar to Unite: States Marshals and At
torneys to enforce the laws against persons
whom they find illegally manufacturing or
exporting dynamite.
A DISPATCH from W ashington says: The
army retiring board, which met recently
at the Bloomingdale Asylum to examine
General Mckenzie for retirement, submit
ted its report to the War Department. The
board finds finds General Mckenzie in
capacitated, ,and that his incapacity resulted
from service,
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-03-20
THE EAST.

GUIsoPPI GUIDIcI was sentenced to be
hanged at New York, May 3, for the MUIR
der of Maggiovini Daghiero.
BISHOP WIGGER, of Paterson, N. J., re-
fused the use of his church for the funeral
of two of his parishioners, because that
three years ago they persisted in selling
liquor on Sunday.
EFFE ELLsLER, the actress, has brought
suit against Joseph Brooks and James B.
Dickson, theatrical managers, of New
York, for S61, 500 damages, for forfeiture of
a theatrical contract. Plaintiff was or
dered to furnish a bill of particulars.
BISHOP IRELAND, Catholic, of st. Paul,
Mimi. upon invitation of the Law and
Order Society, Buffalo, N. Y, lectured in
that city upon "Intemperance and
Law" Rev. DIR. Van Bokelin, Epis-
copal, moved vote of thanks, which was
given the visiting speaker.
CAPTAIN HUNTER, of the Salvation Army,
has begun action against the Chief of Police
af Bridgeport, Conn, claiming $4,000
damages for false arrest.
LMuSENANT ]. w. DANENHowER of
Jeannette fame has been married to Miss
Helen tafiin Sloan in oswego, N. Y.
TIE New York Board of Trade and Trans
portatioh urges Congress to pass bill au-
thorizin6 the Secretary of the Treasury to
pay sl,oSo,OOO annually for a period of ten
years fer improvements on the Erie Canal.
JAMES FLYNN was fatally stabbed by his
brother Owen, at NewtYork, the othef day.
JACOB B. BnLUPs & Co., cotton brokers,
New Yerk, assigned; liabilities, $6sO, 600.
AR the Yale alumni dinner President
Porter spoke in favor of encouraging
athletic exercises among students.
TEE exports of produce frem New York
for the week amounted to s. .359, J, ,44s, against
$3.50, ,419 for the corresponding week last
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-03-20
THE LATEST.

The Senate was not in session on the 18th.
The House still had rAder consideration
the Post-ofice Appropriation bill and ad-
journed without finishing il.
WILLIAM G. SMITH, aged twenty, of San
Antonio, Tex, suicided recently by taking
mophine. He had married variety actress
difficulties.
In row on shipboard in Chesapeake
Bay, Nd, John Wilson, mate, was stabbed
and killed by Gus Peterson.
TILLER, the Pacific Express robber, of
st. Louis, made an attempt to escape by
climbing down the fire-escape of the Lin
dell Hotel. He was recaptured and taken
to the Four Courts.
The other morning two prisoners con.
fined in the Sandwich, Ont, Jail, shot and
killed Jailer Leech and fatally wounded
Turnkey Davis and escaped.
A YOUNG man named John Duffield was
held up recently at Galveston by trio of
roughs. Watching his opportunity he
seized the hand of the man holding the
pistol and plunged bowie knife into his
body. The dead robber proved to be q
John Kelly.
. IT is reported that snow-slide carried
away the Samson Mining Company's Con.
centrating Works, eight miles northwest
an expense of $4,000. No lives were lost.
TIE Ontario Legislature passed bill
giving widows and spinsters who have the
necessary property qualification, a right to
vote at municipal elections.
A SERIOUS railroad difficulty occurred
near Youngstown, o., a few days ago, over
disputed track claimed by the New York,
Pennsylvania & Ohio and the Pittsburgh,
Cleveland & Toledo Railway Companies.
! The employees of each company were
armed and bloodshed would have resulted
but for the timely presence of the Sheriff,
who made several arrests.
A ROWING match at San Francisco, re.
Gently, mile and a half turn, S, 900 a side,
for the championship of the Pacific Coast,
, between Peterson and Lee, was won by the
former by fifteen lengths.
PETER SENoNIN and his son, VIII D. Sc
monin, have left Louisville, KY, secretly,
! leaving the Pike Tobacco Warehouse Com
pany in inextricable difficulties. The
frauds of the younger Semonin are said to
amount to $le0, 900.
THE value of exports of breadstuffs for
February, 1884, was SO, ,1OS, ,sSs against s15,-
ia, ,0l0 for the same time last year. For
the eight months ending February %, Sl10,-
359. $40, against S149, ,401 ,155 for the CORES
ponding period of last year.
SEVEN months ago Christian A. Lembke
left Akron, o., while under a charge of
burglary and robbery. He went to Ger
many, returned the other day on the
! steamer Nuremburg and was arrested.
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-03-20

material for strengthening levees and stop.
ping crevasses, ready to move to danger
points at moments notice.
The Texas Cattle Raisers' Convention at
Galveston appointed twenty-five delegates
to the National Stock Convention at st.
Louis, November II.
FRAUDS are ebeingunearthed in the canned
goods trade of Baltimore.
EXCITEMENT took place on the turf at
New Orleans recently, consequent upon an
allegation that one Of the racers had been
poisoned.
THE convicts who escaped from Clarks-
vile, Ark, coal mines recently have been
recaptured.
AN international difficulty has been oc-
casioned by the expulsion of Chinese mer-
cents from Waynesboro, Ga. Heavy dam
ages are claimed against the United States.
A BROWNSVILLE special says a band of
nine ranch robbers and house breakers, all
Mexicans, was captured, recently, near
Matamoras.
Joseph QuimbeY, of West Columbia, W.
Va, while drunk, recently killed his wife
with charge from shotgun.
AS measure of precaution against the
spread of smallpox, the Police Board OF
Mobile, Ala, has ordered the Health Off,
Ger to employ force of physicians to vac
cinate all persons in town who are unable
to pay for such service. The only white
patient is Rev. VIM. H. Thompson, pastor
of the South Franklin Street Presbyterian
Church. There are fifteen colored cases.
GOVERNOR MCENRY, of Louisiana, has
been elected Chairman of the committee to
arrange for the reception in New Orleans
of the Supreme Lodge of the World OF
Knights of Pythias.
The Texas Land Board refused to accede
to the request of stockmen to reduce the
price of leased lands from eight to five
cents. The stockmen threatened to cut the
fence of any man leasing. at eight cents,
and told the Board so. They also inti'
mated that they will organize a powerful
opposition to the retention by the Board OF
the State offices now held by the members,
A DESTRUCTIVE cyclone passed near Gun
tersville, Ala, recently. H. S. Hess and
Mrs. John Tidmore were killed, and John
Tidmore and Mrs. Frank Farmer severely
injured. About thirty houses were blown
W dlOIIlSs 1Hc ICIO OAC COL Oh oAbOA
devastating nearly six miles.
A TERRIBLE explosion occurred in the
Pocahontas Mine, near Petersburg, Va,
recently. One hundred and fifty men al
work in the mine were killed and tbeiI
bodies terribly mutilated. TIE explosion
sounded like the rumbling of an earth
quake, and did considerable damage out
side of the pit.
A DALLAS special says the estimated
cattle drive from Texas the coming season
will reach over 00,000 head.
THE only way of putting out the fire ir
the Pocahontas mine, Virginia, is by seal
ing it and flooding it with steam. Not one
of the one hundred and fifty miners es
| capped.
TRICHENosIs, engendered by eating Ger
man bred pork, and due in no wise to the
American product, is ravaging variou:
parts of Germany.
THE Chamber of Commerce, of Lyons
France, protests against the embargo OF
American pork.
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-03-20
Escaped Convicts Recaptured.

LITTLE Rock, ARK, March 1.-THE
whole party of cOnvicts who escaped from
the coal mines near Clarksyille, have beer
captured. Among them were the Iron
Mountain train robbers. Jack CALLAHAN. q
murderer from Hot Springs, and other des
perate characters. They immediatel,
seized several guns and pistols of the guards
which had been left convenient and escaped
Passing through the country they obtained
several additional guns from farm houses
and moved in the direction of Spadra. They
exchanged clothes with some tramps whom
they encountered on the road. and, keeping
well together. were preparing for vigor-
Gus campaign. A detachment CT guard:
from the mines followed them
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-03-20
Hints on ShOyeling.

Nearly all the annOyances OF winter,
arise from the fact that. people do not
know how to mtbt and manage them.
OF these, getting the snow cleared oil
the pavement is the most troublesome,
and causes no end of late arrivals at
places of business and an untold amount
of suffering from headache. All this
can be avoided by attention to few
simple rules. based on scientific. me-
chanical and anatomical facts:
First. borrow shovel.
Next procure pair of warm mittenS,-
q neck-wrap of some kind, bottle of
arnica and chest protector.
Now YOU are ready for work.
Open the front door and push some,
of the snow from the front step
Now, having donned Over.hOes, which
we forgot to mention, slip out aud close
the door after you, being careful to fix
the dead-latch so it will not lock. Take
the shovel in your right hand, the.
thumb upward and the fingers clasped
firmly but not too tightly around the
handle. Many persons cramp their
fingers by taking too close grip,
practice which also tends TO irritate
the tender skin on the inside of the,
palm.
Rest the steel end of the shovel on the
step and, placing one foot little be-
hind the other, let the handle sink of its
own weight to On angle of forty-five de-
grees. Be careful abont this angle. for
up to this time the principle of a pivot
is beng used. and if the angle is more
acute than forty-fve degrees it will be a
sign that YOU are obtuse.
Now bring forward the left hand and
gently grasp the handle just two-thirds-
of the way from the top, raising the i'm
plement about seven and a half inches.
into the air for that purpose. If you
take hold too low you force your
right arm to do double work, as the left
hand is merely a movable fulcrum IL
too high the evil is increased. The
shovel, if properly made, will nearly
balance when the left hand is in just.
the right spot. and after q few expert
ments this point can be determined
and if necessary indicated by a pencil
mark.
1t is well now to slowly swing the
shovel back and forth in the air, with
the hand in the position indicated, until
you acquire the proper motion.
Next in order, not to get out Of
bre ath, rest the shovel on the steps,
stra;ghten your backbone, throw back
your shoulders, and inhale the exhilar
ating. antiseptic winter air.
Now look up and down the street un-
til you see boy.
Beckon to him.
When he comes strike bargain with
him; give him the job and go in to
breakfast. - PtilaCIelphtn CttH.
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-03-20
G2nO.OOO Fire

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH, March IA
fire started in Straden's woolen mills ant
destroyed them; also the Novelty Manufac
turing Company's works and Richmond,l 4
box factory, all in the same building. Th'
flames then spread to COmstock's saw mill
Clark & Ocher's sash and door factory
Hendley belt factory, Bissei's mammoth
carpet-sweeper factory, Felt boot oompany,i
works. Carpetsweeper factory loss, s15,
600, partly insured; Felt boot compan,
loss, $4,000 insurance, $500. The othel
losses were fully 100000. The wind wa.
blowing gale at the time.
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-03-20
THE FAST MAIL TRAIN.
The Run from Chicago to Burlington
Ia, Distance of 207 Miles, Made
Four Hours and Forty Minutes.

Four Hours and Forty Minutes.
BURLINGTON. March 12.--The fast mail
train which left Chicago at three o'clock
yesterday morning over the Chicago, Bur-
lington & Quincy Railroad, ;snd which was
due at Burlington at eight a. IN, arrived
here at 7:4O. having made the trip in the un-
precedented time OF four hours and forty
minutes distance of 207 miles Five stops
were made, and at times a speed was
reached of mile a minute. The splendid
road-bed and clear track put the engineer
ON his mettle, and he reached Burlington
twenty minutes ahead of time In fe W
minutes the citizens of Burlington were sur
prised by the cry of the news boys on the
street. Here's your Chicago morning
papers," and some increduous people
refused to buy. on suspicion that the
papers were q day old. Postmaster
General Gresham, First Assistant Postmas-
ter-General Hatton and General Superin-
tendent Thompson, in company with Vice
President Potter, accepted an invitation to
breakfast with President c. Z Perkins, at
his residence, after which a reception was
given General Gresham and his party at the
residence of Mayor Adams, and many citi-
zens called to express their qualification al
the establishment of the fast mail Tbs
party started East at noon.
Hog Eve is the name Of Texas town
that desires n r0et-offca-
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-03-20

"A bronze tablet has Teen placed
upon the front of the new Penn Ma
tional Bank Building, in Philadelphia,
Pa, bearing the inscription: ION this
site originally stood the dwelling in
which Thomas jefferson drafted the
Declaration of Independence, which
was adopted by the Continental Con-
gress in this city, July 4, 1776. Erected
1775; removed, 1884" The Ledger says
that the question whether Jefferson
drafted the document in the corner
house or in the one adjoining on the
west is still matter of dispute, but as
the bank building covers both lots, the
ACCURACY of the inscription on the
tablet s noe disputed hiladctphsG
Press.
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-03-20
THE SOUTH.

CHAs. LIPPINcorT, who married col
ored girl in Louisiana about a year ago,
was arrested in Denison, Tex, with his
wife, on charge of miscegnation.
The millionaire Conference" lately
meeting at San Antonio. Tex, has bought
the immense 600 acre tract of coal lands
belonging to Madero and others, and lying
ON the Salinas River in the State of Goa
huaila, Mexico. a tap road will be built from
some point on the Mexican International to
the coal mines.
THE first street cars in Denison, Tex,
have made their appearance.
AT Nashville, Tenn, William Spence
shot and killed his son in-law, Edward s.
Wheat, over a business difficulty.
TIE city authorities of New Orleans have
chartered a steamboat and loaded It with
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-03-20

Some English landlords rent cows
to cottages. One-third the cost Of the
COW is charged each year
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-03-20

Hog Eye is the name Of Texas town
that desires post-ofice.
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-03-20

S45, ,000. which had been levied for the Leav-
enworth, Topeka & Southwestern Railway,
into the general revenue fund. 1t was at
the same time decided 20 apply it to the con-
struction of bridges throughout the county.
This work has been going on rapidly ever
since, and much good has been accom-.
plished.
WHEAT crop generally reported middling.
AMONG the guests at the State dinner
given at the White House recently, were
Congressman Anderson and his wife.
PosToFFIcE changes in Kansas during
the week ending March s, 1884: Estab-
lished-Canada, Marion County, Henry E.
Wismer, Postmaster; Craventon, McPher.
son County, John H. Craven, Postmaster;
Glenwood, Leavenworth County, Ferdi.
nand l. Wube, Postmaster; HeringtoD.
Dickinson County, Isaac NJ. Risley, Post
master; Portage, Rocks County, Lorin j.
Riley, Postmaster. Discohtinued-Ives,
Montgomery County. Name Changed
ReagIe, Norton County, to Hanback,.
AT the instance of Congressman Morrill,,
Corney, Nemaha County, Kas., has been
made a money order Office.
WARDEN JONES, of the State Penitentiary
has made his February settlement with the
Treasury Department, He turned over to
Treasurer Howe S, ,52l.5O as the total cash
receipts at the penitentiary for the month
sf February, and drew out s. ,462.S5 as she
amount due for the monthly expenditures
of the institution. During the month So,
O76 bushels of coal were supplied various
institutions and parties by the penitentiary
for the month amounting to 81, 1926.
Two vagrants recently arrested at Atchi-
SON turned out to be burglars wanted in
Andrew County, Mo.
The Department of Agriculture has
ssued its immigration pamphlet.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-12-16

THktroubles brought upon the manu-
factories and other business interests oi
The country are directly cbargeable to
shs bad legislation Of the Republican
party, which has held power sincs March
9TH, 1851. When the administration oI
President CLEVELAND settles down to
work after March 4ih, 1885, confidence
will BE- restored In greet degree. but
the effects OF the bsdsnanaeement OF the
Star Route party will be felt by the pso-
pie for come time after that date.
The charge that the Democrats are re-
sponsible for business distraction will
not stand the test Of even careless sx.
auination. They are not yet ir power
After CLEvELAHD's administration Il
fairly launched, then, and not before, car
.he Republican clscquers charge, with
ssy hope Of making the people believe q
word they say, that the doctrines advo-
Gated and praetieed by the Demecrscy
have anything 70 do siih bnsiness ,roub-
lss.
The RrpubIieaa party 10 wholly re-
spcpsibls and, heavy ~ the burden is,
pult bear il aions.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-12-16
FOREIGN.

= The Cork police have seized number
Of rides and bayonets discovered out
side the city.
A female Nihilist named Kpvalska,
Who escaped from Siberia 10 September,
has been resrrested.
: The Psrnellites expect to elect 85
memhers OF Parliament under the new
,redis,ricting bill.
d Count de Lesseps says the reports
that it had been decided to widen the
Suez Canal we're premature
s The Truth says the Duke OF E iinburg
has been appointed to the command oi
the Mediterranean squadron.
A mslignant epidemic OF diphtber'a Is
causing serious mortality in parts OF Eas'
and West Sand wich, Ontario.
The House OF Lords, Friday, acting
a. Supreme Court OF Appeals, decided
that the indorsee OF bill Of lading wst
not liable for the freight.
1t has been discovered that vessels sl
tho London docks which we're supposed
to he taking on board cargoes OF pro.
|visions, are really loading munitions o
war for China.
"A messenger Who has reached Dongols
from Khartoum SAYS the officer sent BY
Gordon to capture Sheudy. shelled the
inhabitants out OF the place and tool
many prisoners.
Z The agitation among the students IL
Fspreading from Madrid to the provincial
saalversities, where the students are imi.
.Jaiing their brethren ct the Capital, by
refusing to attend lectures.
"A pearl weighing SO csrats valued at
8l7. 900 was shipped from Guayamsi.
Mexico, to London Sunday. 1t is be-
lieved to be the largest in existence. Il
was purchased Of an Indian for $50.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-12-16

~ Mrs. Warren, the PowhAtsn hus.
hand-mnrderess. who wss shot in the
eve some months ago, hiss entieely lost
the eight OF II. She still claims, how
ever. that her schooling eye 10 good -
but 1t is the general opinion bi the
neigLbors that the charge Of buckshot
resulted In very eifectual flaming oi
the Shre~ The truth OF the matter,
in our opinion, 10 that Mrs. Warren only
needed some one who was not afraid oi
her to be ., submissive sssang other
woman. With hen-pecked Ausbsnd
Who dared not swear his life was bis
own. and TO whom desth must tfhye been
welcome release, or with Yfying Zoe
che would be tyrant. bot 10. anv one
who faced her maniulIv she would be q
woman = Bsllaire Tribsme, fltk iass