davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-12-31
ANOTHER HOTEL HORROR
The Blake Hotel and Opera House,
Racine, a Prey to Flames.
Narrow Escape Of the Hotel Guests
Three Lives Lost.

Shortly after midnight on the night
of the 9th. flames were discovered is
suing from the Blake Opera House,
Racine, and before the fire department.,
which was promptly called, could get to
work, the entire building was mass of
fire. The Blake Hotel, which occupied
part of the block, Immediately became
a scene of confusion. The hotel con-
tanned about sixty persons, every one of
whom escaped in their night clothing
except Mr.. and Mrs. Russell Glover,
members of the Thompson "Beggar
Student" Opera Company, and Mrs.
Patrick. the chamber-maid. These
three persons, it is known, made des-
perate effort TO escape, and were seen IN
the hallway on the fourth story of the
hotel by fremen and others who entered
the building to assist in rescuing the
guests. Assistance was telegraphed for
from Chicago and Milwaukee, but al
most before answers we're received 1T
was evident that the entire structure
was doomed, and the efforts of the de-
partment were directed to preventing
the spread of the flames. The hotel and
Opera House are a total loss the only
thing saved being the hotel register.
The "Beggar Student" company lost
all their baggage, valued at $4,000. The
other guests of the hotel also lost ev-
erything. The building cost 100000,
upon which there was an insurance of
$4,000. This does not include the
furniture. Manager John Vaughn. as
well as all others connected with the
building, are unable to account for the
cause of the fire. Vaughn had a mar
row escape. There are no fre-escapes
on the building, and it had been dubbed
a grand old fire-trap ever since it was
completed in 1882. The block con-
tanned one cafe, the Telephone ex-
change, Wood Bros hardware store,
and W. E. Villas drug store. Nothing
was saved from these stores. The loss
on Villas stock, $25, 900; insurance, $15,-
900. Flanagan & Gary, proprietors of
the hotel, lose $8,000; insurance, ST.
500. Wood Bros loss is unknown.
All the guests and employees of the
hotel have been seen or accounted for,
except Mr.. and Mrs. Glover and Mrs.
Patrick, and they have been given up
as lost
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-12-31
COstlier Than Gold.
[From the New York Tribune. !

[From the New York Tribune.1
To say that an object is worth it's
weight in gold is ordinarily considered
an exaggeration sanctioned by usage.
A far more valuable standard of COM
paison might be found in the drug CO.
caine. Eighteen carats gold is worth
about $40 an ounce. The last importa-
ton of cocaine made by McKesson &
Robbins cost them So gramme or 1924
an ounce. An apothecary's pound of
this substance would therefore cost
over $500. Up to this time this costly
drug has been principally prepared by
E. Merck at Darmstadt. It is obtained
from the coca-leaf to which the natives
of South America ascribed the most
wonderful strengthening powers. 1t is
said that by chewing this leaf and swal-
lowing the saliva which is mixed with
it's juice they can travel an incredible
length of time without other food. Co.
caine which is manufactured from this
leaf is q coarse crystalline powder al
though the crystals have no definite
and distinctive shape. In color it is a
pale yellow, and much resembles high
quality of brown sugar. It is used prin-
sipal1y in operation upon the eye. 1t
deadens the nerves temporarily, and
thus supersedes the use of chloroform.
Fora an operation 4 per cent. solution
of cocaine is used. Such solution
costs $40 an ounce, and only few
drops are necessary. Cocaine has, how
ever, the same effect upon all parts OF
the mucous membrane, and it's use is
extending. If for instance, a small
grain be placed upon the tongue, ii
will soon produce peculiar numbness.
and deaden any sensation of pain.
Large chemical houses in this country
have recently attempted to manufaot-
ure the drug, and although they have
not been successful in placing it in the
market, they nope soon to do so. The
price will then probably be considerably
lower.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-12-31
The Growth of Paris.
From the Brooklyn Eagle.


The Notifications of Paris are threat
ened, not by an enemy this time, but
by the Parisians themselves. The city
is outgrowing its old zone, and the
Notifications are in the way. The
room they occupy is required for build
ing purposes. According to French
architect-an authority on these ques-
tions-Paris requires 100000 additional
rooms to lodge the 10000 families of
workingmen who cannot at present find
suitable accommodation, and he has
had conversation with one of the min
listers, who informed him that the gov
eminent was disposed to take up the
question of the demolition of the forti-
fications as soon as certain pressing
matters were settled. It would be a
popular move, if only for the large
amount of employment it would pro-
vide
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-12-31
Fifteen Hundredweight of GunpOWder
1From the United Service Gazette.l

from the United Service Gazette.l
The gun which Col. Hope is making
for the war Office is to be, it appears, a
1OO-ton gun, firing the enormous and
unprecedented charge of 15 cwt.
(three quarters of tony of powder con-
centrated behind q 1,200-pound shell
in 12-inch gun. We hear that the
velocity is upward of 1000 feet second,
and the theoretical penetration through
wrought iron about five feet. Assuming
this gun to be success, it would have
a value beyond that of other guns
because, owing to the immense range
and penetration, it would afford such
protection to our harbors and coaling
stations that it would set free large
number of ships for their legitimate
work of cruising which otherwise would
be compelled to remain in port. We
hear that Col. Hope expects to finish
his first gun in ten or twelve months,
including the time necessary for the
construction of the enormous plant re-
quired; but as he makes his guns in
one single forging, the actual construo-
ton of the gun itself is not expected to
take quite three months.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-12-31
NEGLECTED. THEIR BUSINESS.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 24.-The join
commission which Congress appointed
in its last session to visit the various
cities and take testimony relative to the
manufacture of steel guns for the use of
the government has not yet begun the
preparation of its report. A member Of
the House who was a member of the
commission says that in all probability
no report will be made. At no meeting
of the commission, he says, was quo
rum present. The information obtained,
while valuable, was not sufficient, he
thinks, to enable the senators and rep
resentatives to form such an opinion as
the Importance of the subject demands.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-12-31
DUTY ON AMERICAN FLOUR.

OTTAWA, Dec. ga strenuous effort
is beng made by the millere of Ontario
to have higher rate of duty placed
upon American -four, as they find that,
with the tariff as at present, they are
unable to compete for the home market
with the millers of the United States.
& deputation from the Ontario Millers'
Association waited upon Sir John Mac
donald and Sir Leonrad Tilley few
days since, with a view to having the
required amendment made to the tariff
during the approaching session of Par
lament. They represented that, while
the duty on a barrel of flour was only
80 cents, the duty on wheat was 10
cents per bushel, or equal tn 81 cents
on the quantity of wheat required to
make one barrel of -four. In this
way it was held the Dominion govern
ment Disseminated against the Cana
dian millers in favor of the Americans
to the extent of II cents per bushel.
This was no protection to the millers of
Canada, and their business was being
seriously injured by the operation of
the tariff The American millers. it
was held, we're alive to the advantage
the tariff gave them over the Canadians,
and were availing themselves of the op-
portunity offered. As result of this
Canadian mills were at present al work
ing on half time. Another grievance
was that the American railways discrim-
mated in the way of freight rates in
favor of the American miller.
Most OF the American wheat i'm
ported into Canada came from
Dakota, and the freight rates, it was
shown, from Minneapolis to any point
in Canada, did not exceed the rate from
Sarnia to any part of the Dominion.
This discrimination in rates was suf-
fciently large to cover the amount of
duty imposed upon American -four. A
duty of rs cents to 81 per barrel on
-four, and an equitable schedule for
regulating freight rates on grain, it was
held, would afford the Ontario millers
ample protection. In replying to the
deputation Sir Leonard Tiiley said that
it was absurd to ask the government to
say at what rate the railway companies
should carry freights. With regard to
the duty on -four, he was aware that
the millers had not occupied 6. very
satisfactory position for the past two
years. If the government could give
the millers relief by any amendment to
the tariff without injuring the trade OF
other provinces of the Dominion, Sil
Leonard promised that it would be done
The matter will be Immediately taken
up by the government, although they
will find q strong oppositiOn in Iarlia.
ment from the representatives from the
maritime provinces, where they import
most of the -four they use from the
United States, to any proposal to in
crease the duty on American -four.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-12-31
NOMINATIONS AND COMBINATIONS.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23.-The follow
ing nominations were sent to the Sen
ate to-day: Commodore Winfield Scott
Schiey, chief of the bureau of equip
ment and recruiting of the navy, with
rank of commodore; VIM. Fl. Pilkenton,
of Kansas, receiver of public moneys at
Wakeeney, Kas.; John G. Leghorn, Jr.,
of Colorado, register of tie land Office
at Del Norte, Col. Combinations: W.
L. Thompson, of Michigan, second as
sistant postmaster-general; VIM. A.
Stone, United States attorney for the
Western District of Pennsylvania.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-12-31
A Story Of StOneWan Jackson.
From the Boston Journal

Not long after the battle of Bull Run
certain Maj. s., of the rebel army,
called on Gen. "Joe" Johnston at his
headquarters in Virginia, arriving just
in time for dinner, which was served in
the generals tent. When the meal was
nearly finished there was a movement
under the table, and something very
like yawn came from beneath it, the
major at the same time feeling some
thing heavy roll on his feet. Raising
the cloth Gen. Johnston looked down
and remarked, laughing: jackson
smells the dinner at last; know he
must be nearly fannished." 'It was the
only time ever saw Stonewall Jack
son." says the major. "He had been
without sleep for three days when he
reached Johnston's tent, and tumbling
down in the center of it the table was
set over him."
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-12-31
Policemen in Germany.

What sort of man is the average
German policeman Well, he is not
very neutrality-suspicious. generally
where. He is straight in figure, mus
cular in build, and is evidently selected
on account of his physical powers and
athletic qualities. Though why he
should be required to have these at
tributes is not very clear, because no
man ever thinks of resisting police
man In Germany even the few drunk
en- men not being fighters.
1t is amusing to see German police
man taking prisoner through the
streets to the lookup. The policeman
never thinks of Handwriting his man
nor OF even grasping him by the collar
or arm, and rudely pushing or showing
him along to the station-house. Such
an expenditure of strength and energy
on the officers part would be useless.
For the prisoner leaves all hope behind
him when he falls into the clutches of
the faithful guardian of the peace, and
would no more think of taking to his
heels and escape than he would of fly
ing to the moon. So the officer walks
along on the sidewalk buried in thought,
anu apparently taking no sort of notice
of his prisoner, who trots along gener-
ally In the middle of the road, perfectly
resigned to his fate.
The police uniform, too, in Germany
is striking one. Like everything else,
it partakes a good deal of the military
character. The head covering is a
heavy leathern helmet trimmed with
brass around the edges ornamented in
front with large brass sun and rays,
and bearing on it's summit brass knob
the abbreviated spike which graces
the top of the military helmet.
The clothing of the officer is of dark
blue cloth, the coat being cut like the
legendary clerical coat, high neck with
a standing collar ornamented with gold
or silver lace, according to rank. Brass
buttons confne it closely to the body
from the chin to the hips, and are dis
played on the large turned-up cuffs and
on the rather long skirts, so that the
police officer is rather brilliant when
the sun shines on him.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-12-31
A containers Nerve.
[From Soldering and ScribbHng. ]

lFrom soldering and Scr1bbhng.I
Crockett made the greatest name TO
himself of any ion-tamer, not in En-
gland alone, but also in France, Ger
many, and America. I remember vel
the time when the six lions were loos
at one time in Astley's. The Sanger
had sent the beasts up from Edmonton
the night before. Nobody to this day
knows how they got ont of their dens;
but it was thought at the time that some
of the grooms- with whom the manager
was very unpopular. he used to fine
them so mercilessly -h had let them loose
maliciously, that they might get at the
horses. There they were, anyhow,
loose and mad in the place, smelling
the horses, and mad to get at them.
They had already killed man, and half
eaten him, when Crockett arrived.
Without hating an instant, he dashed
in among them single-handed, with only
a switch in his hand, and I'm blest if he
didn't manage to den them all single
handed. That was nerve for you. at
that time Crockett never drank.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-12-31
San Marino.
TFron Belorayia. I

FROM 6el2raV1a.J
The whole territory of the state con-
sists of 16 square miles, and has a pop
ulation of about 5000 souls. The CAPT
tai city, inclusive of the Borgo at it's
foot. has over 900 inhabitants. The
army is composed of 10 companies of
90 men each; but perhaps our guide
forgot to reckon the reserves, for Mr..
Bent says that the military force is O.
600 strong, and that half the able
bodied men of every family must be en-
rolled between the ages of Is and IS,
unless they are government officers,
doctors, priests, or students. The entire
revenue of the state is less than 95, 900
year, but San Marino is model OF
financial prudence, has no public debt
lives within its income, and has even a
nest egg laid by against rainy days
And although it bestows no titles on its
own subjects, it swells its exchequer by
the sale of orders and titles of nobility
to foreigners. To avoid complications
with Italy, it has no printing press with
IN It's dominions. For the same reason
1t refrains from growing tobacco, and
buying the leaf from Italy at cost price.
contents itself with manufacturing its
own cigars. It possesses no penal estab
l1shments, but has made very pleasant
arrangement with it's obliging neighbor
San Marine sends its criminals to be
punished in Italy, although thai
part OF the arrangement is probably not
recorded in black and white-may be
SAID to receive monks and nuns in ex
change, for the two large nunneries ani
four monasteries of this tiny state AFFORD
the devout uncurtailed privileges tina
are no longer, it seems, to be enjoyed
! across the border.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-12-31

terms of Office shall not have expired.
In these latter cases, if any should occur,
the Republican senators will be found
to keep closely to the party line. The
question of the tenure Of Office of col
lectors of internal revenue is debatable,
as they are appointed for no specified
length of time Undoubtedly some of
these officials will be disturbed, and if
this is done without good and sufficient
grounds, then the Republican majority
of the Senate will be most likely to call
q halt
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-12-31
PERSONALITIES.

?. T. BARNUM says that the receipts
of his show for the season of 1884 were
81, 100000. ssN
SUNSET Cox is member of the
House by larger majority than any
other man in it.
TALMAGE says Herbert Spencer wasn't
present at the creation and therefore
knows nothing about it.
JOSH BILLINGS is suffering from gas
trio troubles and catarrh, and expresses
fear that he is breaking down.
MAJ. BEN: PERLEY PooRE has pre-
pared a volume of "reminiscences for
publication.
The late Duke of Buccleugh, sup
posed to be Millionaire of the British
Isles, left bit of fortune of 100000.
SENATOR EDMUNDs has just bought
Washington building lot and will erect
handsome residence in the capitol, it
is said.
MARX TWAIN and his friend Gable
carried away over 81 900 apiece for their
two readings in Washington after pay
ing all their expenses.
The Queen of Madagascar is a beau
tiful girl of 10, who is married to her
prime minister, aged SO, who is also the
husband of her mother.
Boston for the first time has elected
as mayor man who was born out of
New England, Mr.. Hugh O'Brien, the
mayor elect, having been born in Ire
land.
HE will of the late Francis D, MouI-
ton, the mutual friend" bequeaths ali
the deceased's real and personal proper
ty to his widow, and appoints her ex-
ecutrix.
MISS MULLER, the lady who refused
to pay queens taxes, and got elected to
the London school board, is now giving
weekly receptions at her residence in
London.
The Rev. Canon Milman, well
known in connection with "Milman's
Gibbons Rome," is shortly to marry
the eldest daughter of Sir George
Campbell.
SIR HENRY BEssEMER now holds ia
patents on his many Inventions. It is
said that his steel-process patents
brought him 100000 year for twen-
ty-one years.
JUDGE ISAAC ATWATER, OF Minneapo-
lis, says that thirty-fve years ago he
was twice offered the site of that -four
ishing city for $50, and refused on &C
count of poverty.
THAT enterprising American, Mr..
Henry T. Gillig, has opened at Berlin
q branch of the American Exchange in
Europe, similar in all respects to the
ones in Paris and London.
ASA B. HUTCHINSON, the once noted
composer and singer, and the founder
of the old original Hutchinson family
concert troupe, died at the residence OF
his son in Hutchinson, MINI.
WHILE visiting the tombs of her
husband and son at Chiselhurst, the
other day, the Empress Eugene fell as
she was alighting from her carriage,
sustaining fracture of her ankle.
WILLIAM T. ADAMS, the "Oliver
Optic" of juvenile literature, is an anna
teur mechanic, and has in bis residence,
at Dorchester, Mass, a workshop in
which he spends an hour or two every
day.
STANLEY, the explorer, has received
seven titles, twenty-four decorations,
ninety-fve resolutions OF thanks, and
$50 complimentary dinners, but there
are times when he has to borrow post
age stamp.
Mrs. FRANCES HoDesoN BURNETT,
who is now at the Hotel Vendome in
Boston, is rapidly recovering her
health, and expects to soon resume her
residence in Washington and her liter
ary work as well.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-12-31

pro,vocation, he began to increase in
flesh. He grew fatter and fatter. The
doctors could not stop him. His wife,
percelvlng that in time he would be
helpless, studied photography, and
now supports him. Mr.. Palmer has
become mountain of flesh; he is
scarcely able to help himself at all,
weighs between 400 and 500 pounds,
and is still growing,
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-12-31
THE OLD GOLDEN DUCaT

How dear to his heart is that yellow backed
handbook,
His busted condition recalls to his view.
The pages all dog cared the general lank,lool.
The money has left it save ducats but two
All, many's the time he has drawn from it's naons
But now there is left him in long after agss
Two old golden ducats that cling to the swell
Those bilious old ducats; those clip't-edged
ducats, 0000
Those old golden ducats that cling +, the
SWELL -L7fe.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-12-31

THE King of Bavaria has daily in
come of $1,000; the King of Saxony,
ST 800; the King of Wurtemberg, 81,
300; the Grand Duke of Hesse-Darm-
stadt, $740; the Grand Duke of Sach-
sen-W eimar, 5000.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-12-31

The late Emma Stebbins, the biog-
rapher of Charlotte Cushman, has been
honored by permanent memorial in
charming Lenox, Mass, her friends
there having just put up massive
granite monument in her honor.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-12-31

THE husband of Mrs. Palmer, of
Utica, N. Y, was a small gentleman,
but good provider, who supported her
in comfort until suddenly, and without
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-12-31

GAIL HAMILTON has contracted with
Boston firm to write novel.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-08-24
Observations on the Rust Mite.

knowing that all growers Of oranges are
interested in the crust Mite" | will give
your readers the result of my experiment
ing with it this season.
The "rust mite" can be readily seen
without the use of a microscope. Its first
appearance will be detected on the leaves,
on which it rapidly multiplies until the
leaf looks as if fine sulphur dust had been
busted on it. After it has covered the
leaves it rapidly covers the oranges and
after few days they begin to discOlor, at
first only slightly, but continuing day after
day until some are nearly black.
L nave found the following wash will
instantly kill the ''mite," and if thor
oughly done occasionally will prevent all
rust of the orange:
To a kerosene barrel of water add a
peck of stone lime and from two to three
pounds of sulphur, thoroughly mix and
apply with syringe pump to every leaf
and orange on the tree. Four quarts Of
lime may be sufficient after the first emp
tying of the barrel. l prefer to keep the
lime well stirred up when applying, so
thatit may form Whitewash on the leaves
and so prevent the lodgment of the crust
mite" Whenever it makes it's appear
ance again repeat the ''wash," which
may be required every one, two or three
weeks, according to how well it was done
at first, and also if frequent rains carry
off the wash.
think if the first application be made
in June, and then occasionally during the
summer, no rust would appear. l eXper-
imented with some trees and did not apply
the wash until the oranges began to dis
color little, then applied the wash thor
oughly and the rust was stopped at once
and they did not discolor particle more.
L have found the wash perfectly harmless,
not affecting the oranges unfavorably in
any manner.
Perhaps other ingredients might be
added that would make the wash more
lasting and not so easily washed off by
heavy rains. So far this season have
kept nay oranges perfectly bright, while
many of my neighbors' groves are badly
rusted Already. Bailey, San Mdte0,
FG9., Aug. 5. IN Florida DtSDdtch.