davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-05-04
Overcrowding in siberia.

The overcrowding of the Siberian
prisons is appalling The Tomsk trans
portation prison. writes The Siberian
Gazette of that city, lis overcrowded To
the 1920 people we had here 700 new
ones have been added, and SO the prison
which was built for 900 people contains
1900. There are 207 persons on the sick
list" The central prison, on Sackhalin
island, which was built for 600 people,
contained LOB in 1879. Michela, a ST.
berian official and eX-prison director,
writes about two prisons which We're
under his control as follows: The jailer
brought me to the rooms. Everywhere
dirt, overcrowding, wetness, want of air
and light. After having visited the
rooms | entered the hospital. AS soon as
entered the first room l was involun-
tarily thrown back by the inconceivable
smell. The water closets were luxurious
apartments in comparison with the
hospital Everywhere the number of
prisoners is thrice the number permitted
by the law. At Verknendinsk, for in
stance the Jail is built for 24O inmates,
and it usually contains 800. Michael
Malkof in Chicago News.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-05-04

on Sunday Sisters Of Mercy are admitted
to the prison, and their ministrations are
freely given to those of its inmates who de-
sire to receive them These devoted women
likewise teach the boys at stated times.
There have been many persons confined in
the tombs, whose names have been very fa-
miliar, and notwithstanding the system of
watch and the strength of the prison there
have been number of escapes, both bodily
and by suicide. One of the most remarkable
is that of William j. Sharkey man con-
victed Of murder and under sentence of
hanging About 10 o'clock in the morning
of September 10, 1878, Maggie Jordan, who
had been daily visitor to Sharkey, was ad-
mitted and went to his cell, No. 40, on the
second tier, where she remained talking
through the grating for about two hours. At
l2:3O O'Clock Mrs. Wesley Allen, wife of the
convict, yves" Allen, called to see prisoner
named Flood. She got ticket to show the
keepers, and finally reached Floods cell on
the third tier but not until long converse
ton between her, Maggie Jordan and Shar-
key had taken place, for she stopped in front
of the murderer's cell on her way to Floods.
She remained with Flood until 3 o'clock,
when the gong to clear the prison was rung.
Maggie Jordan usually remained talking
to Sharkey until the gong had sounded, but
on that day she left long before it was heard.
Between the departure of Maggie Jordan and
Mrs Allen very peculiar looking woman
glided down the corridor, through the two
lower gates and out the main entrance, pass
ing three men of tried acuteness and long ex-
perience. This peculiar looking woman wore
heavy black dress, broad shouldered
cloak, an alpine hat and thick green barege
veil The veil covered her face Keeper
Falkner let the woman pass, but sent Keeper
Jones to look after her. as she seemed rather
funny" Jones came back and said: at is
all right" ut" by that time had boarded a
Blocker street car in front of Policeman
Doran, who noticed that sit" had on new
CATERS with French high heels.
Sharkey remained in the city for long
time in spite of the efforts of Chief Matsell to
find him. He was finally traced to Santiago
de Cuba, but could not be extradited. The
last heard of him was on Jan. 2S, 1876, when
it was said he was in Philadelphia, but the
rumor was afterward denied. He is supposed
to have joined the Spanish army. Nothing
was ever done with the two women in the
case. Maggie Jordan, who liberated the
prisoner, followed Sharkey to Havana, but
the brute so i'll treated her that she finally
left him Iii disgust and returned to New
York
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-05-04
The Turkish Standing Army.

Still, in spite Of its poverty, the Porte
could, in case of necessity, call large army
into the field. Its standing army is at pres.
ent about 100000. Its system of recruitment is
that generally prevailing in European coun-
tries. Men are called into the service on ar
irving at manhood. They pass five years in
the army of the first line. Then they are
discharged, having to drill certain fixed
number of weeks in the reserves for a given
number Of years, and SO on, the time re-
quired for exercises constantly diminishing
till their term of service expire. There are
five Of these classes or armies, able to furnish
when called on from 5000 to ~ ZOO men
When the class was sent home at the close of
last year all the artillery and cavalry be-
longing to it was retained, the agitated state
of Europe seeming to require the precaution,
and orders were sent to the provinces to
hold the men liable to service in readiness in
case they were called on. Turkey seems to
have made no other serious preparations for
the war that many think is impending in
spite of statements made in the press of Lon
don and some continental capitals. Brussels
Cor. San Francisco Chronicle
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-05-04
GENIUS AT WORK,



Voltaire had in his room sometimes
five desks, at which he pursued dih. trent
tasks.
The great romancer, Balzac, after a
frugal dinner at 6 or 7 o'clock, was called
at midnight, when he took cup of
black coffee, or green rather, and ex-
tremely strong, and worked till noon.
Turgot never worked but when he had
dined heartily.
Pitt never ate but at his own table,
which was frugal; only when he had
some important affair to discuss he took
q little port wine with spoonful of
Peruvian bark.
Addison speaks of an advocate who
would never plead case without having
his hand to the end of a thread drawn
tightly round one of his thumbs all the
time his speech lasted The wags said it
was the thread of his discourse.
DIR. Shapman relates that a celebrated
advocate of London always applied a
blister to his arm whenever he had an
important case to plead.
Girodet never loved to work during
the day. At night, when inspiration
came to him. he arose, lighted candles,
and. half muffled up, painted.
Michael Angelo did nearly the same,
but with a single candle.
The historian, NIezeray, would work
only with a candle, even at midday and
midsummer. He never failed to wait on
his visitors, even to the street, with
candle in his hand.
Gretrv, to animate himself when COM
posing, breakfasted and took coffee, and
then applied himself day and night to his
piano.
Bossuet worked in a cold room, with
his head warmly enveloped.
1t is said that Schiller, before compos-
ing. put his feet in cold water.
Guido Reno painted with much pomp.
He dressed himself magnifcently, and
had his pupils attend him in silence
ranged around him.
Sarti, the musician, composed only in
darkness.
Michael Angelo. Leonardo da Vinci,
Titan. Rubens. passed from the chisel to
the pen or the brush. The change rested
them from the preceding work; and thus,
during long life, they accomplished mar
velous works.
Some persons can think only standing,
or in walking the room with swift strides.
Some, like Montesquieu, compose in
postchaise. One has need of complete
isolation. profound calm; another of the
open air and the noise of the crowd
Button wrote in lace ruffles; Alexander
Dumas in shirt sleeves.
Milton composed his Paradise Lost"
on large armchair, with his head
thrown bsck
When Fox had eaten heartily he would
retire to his study, envelop his head in a
napkin soaked in vinegar and water, and
work sometimes ten hours in succession.
Jeremy Bentham jotted his ideas on
little squares of paper. which he piled
upon each other. and this pile of little
papers stitched together was the first
forms of his manuscripts.
Napoleon had his particular mode of
meditation and work. When he was
not in council he stayed in his study,
talked to himself and sung. or like
child, cut the arms of his chair; then
suddenly rousing up, would give the
plan of a monument to be erected, or of
one of the great military movements
which astonished the world.-New York
Commercial Advertiser.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-05-04

completed in its exterior as the reader now
sees it pictured before him, excepting that a
cupola lowered high above the building.
This was burned down in November, lS42,
with the accompaniment of the suicide of a
murderer, a bridegroom of four hours, who
was at the time being led out to execution.
New York has never experienced a more
startling horror than this. The newspapers
of the period are crowded with its sensational
incidents.
peculiar taste is indicated by the adop.
ton of SO singular plan. 1t is not want
Of effect of the plan, but its want of suit
ability. The New Yorker of half century
ago lived at the beginning of period of
mushroom growth, in which it was the dis
position of the people to get everything up
ON as remarkable plan as possible.
The visitor to the Tombs enters the war
denis office and passes through the iron gates
into the prison court. Facing west, to the
right is the ten-day house for inebriates and
Migrants unable to pay the $40 fine. At the
right hand is the cook house, above which is
one of the court rooms. Back of the visitor
is the room in which lawyers receive their
clients. and which contains law library
Above this are cells intended for the use of
persons in trouble for breaches of duty in re-
gard to domestic relations. From the cook
house extends The Bridge of Sighs," connect
ing it with the department of the prison for
males. To the south, almost in line with
the cook house, is the boys prison, build
ing made of brick and with iron barred
windows, and facing to the north, at
right angles to the boys prison, is that
for females: it is of stone, like most of
the structures, but ornamented in the office
windows with beautiful growing flowers,
the property of the lady who has charge
of the women prisoners. Between the
western outside wall and the ''male prison"
is the narrow courtway, locked and barred at
the northern side, in which ten-day prisoners
lounge away their time in fine weather, and
in which, at intervals, executions take place.
In the female prison the cells vary with
the condition of the prisoner. Women and
girls have fewer restraints than males They
take their meals together, fit about the cor
ridors along which the cells are situated, and
chat Three large cells are set apart for
girls arrested for first offense Each con.
tains half dozen or more beds, covered
with neat checked counterpanes, and the
coarse sheets are clean. Articles of fem
mime attire hang on the walls.
The male prison is the largest Of all. 1t is
200 feet in length and 40 in width, built Of
massive stone, four stories high. The view
was taken from the second tier of the four
which complete the building Murderers'
row is on the first tier, which, by the way,
has the roomiest cells. Each tier is opened
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-05-04

mo through a massive gateway where sits
the officer in charge at his desk making en-
tries of prisoners names as they arrive The
corridors on each tier front the cells, over
the grated doorway Of each of which is a
slate giving the prisoners name The outer
doors are open, and inner ones form cage
like grated barrier through which the in
mate of the cell converses with his friend.
Politeness forbids an idle stare into the room
In which one or two or more fellow creatures
live in disgrace, but the chance of observa
ton and converse rendered by prisoner
need not be declined.
Coffee and dry bread are given to each
prisoner in his cell at 7:30a. m. Then half an
hours exercise is permitted in the corridor
adjacent to the cell At 2:3O D. m. soup and
bread are served, followed by the second and
last opportunity Of exercise outside of the
narrow limits of the cell The last meal of
the day is taken at $50 and consists of q cup
Of tea and dry bread.
The chapel is in the woman's department
1t is adapted to the use both of Catholics and
Protestants. The mingling of Catholic
images and Protestant hymn hooks is, to say
the least, singular
The altar, statue Of the Virgin Mary and
pictures of the stations suggest pious pro-
vision for the former; hymn books and
Bibles and salvation notices for the latter
Mass is celebrated every Wednesday and
Srids and two Protestant services are held
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-05-04
Irrigation In India.

There are districts in India where the
rainfall is over 100 inches a year, and
yet not far off there are olher districts
which suffer greatly for water. The
fields are irrigated in these by water
drawn from wells by oxen, lifting it in
great skin buckets. Fields SO irrigated
have wheat waving in as great beauty as
ever saw, while just over the irrigating
ditch there are thousands of acres of
land which produce scanty crops in the
hot rainy seasons, but are desolate at
this time, which is the best for good
crops under the burning sun of India.
Chicago Times.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-05-04

"Moccasins. the genuine article made by
Indians, are not found in eastern trade to
any extent" said a travelling salesman for a
New York firm to a reporter. "They can
only be found in the west; but even there the
supply is limited and quickly exhausted"
Don't the red men make moccasins for
sale to consumers directF
mo, not as general thing The Indians
have peculiar process of tanning the
leather, which makes it very plable and
soft. 1t is quite different from the stock
found in factories, and is much tougher and
finer in quality. New York Evening Sun.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-05-04
Photographipg the Dead.

It is the custom at the city morgue in n
York to make a photograph of every
known body brought in, SO that if not ID
titled before burial the photograph may as
in subsequent Identification. There are OF
imperative reasons for not keeping boz
over night, and in these cases the photogra
are made by the magnesium fash light I
process is also used at the New York hosp
for phctographing surgical patients, b
before and after operations Chicago Ne
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-05-04
Four Queens at Florence.

The queen of England, now sojourning at
Florence, is entertained at the old and
famous Villa Palmieri-this house being
offered her free of rent-and is visited by
Queen Margherita, wife of King Humbert,
of Italy But these two are only half the
queens now at Florence The others are the
comparatively obscure queen of Wurtem-
burg and the lovely dark eyed queen of
Servia- or course, this royal conjunction
attracts swarm of notabilities Queen
Victoria is attended by her daughter
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-05-04

Beatrice and her husband. Prince Henry of
Battenberg, besides the usual outfit Of
ladies and gentlemen in waiting All the
noble families Of Italy are represented; the
public drive on fair afternoon is said to be
something wonderful beyond description,
and 1t is limited that more than one Italian
whose pedigree is longer than his purse, has
mortgaged his last acre to its full value in
order to shine in the show. In short, the
stay Of the four queens at Florence has
caused display exceeding that Of the cele-
brated and historic "Field Of the Cloth Of
Gold"
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-05-04

Rome. After three years service in Italy
he was transferred to The Hague, returning
to Italy as counselor of legation. where he
remained till 1867. After serving some time
at Paris, he was made minister to Denmark
and Sweden. Here he remained five years.
when he was sent to the United States.
Chevalier de Bounder is described as ap-
pearing nearer Is than IS. He is much liked
at Washington, and is looked upon as an &C
complished gentleman. He has been the re-
cipient of many decorations from the courts
Of Europe in which he has served.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-05-04

was born in Brus
sells in 1888. He
entered the liplo-
matte service in
1855 in the foreign
office, and six
months after was
sent as attache to
the legation at Lis
bon Then, in 1858,
he was made secre-
tary of the legation
al London, and In
1861 held the same
DOSitiOn Mt r. n q
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-05-04
The Rigness of Texas.

Says an imaginative statistician: If
Texas Were a circular lake and France a
circular island, the island could be
anchored centrally in the lake out of
sight Of land twenty-five miles from any
point on the encircling shore. Chicago
Herald.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-05-04

Church of England
are only a sublime
philosophy, w e e
clear to him; but
they certainly were
not clear to others.
He criticised Gen.
Grants book in a
short article which
contained as many
| n S t a n ces o T
slovenly writing
as are found in
Grants large vol
umes; and in the
very article in
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-05-04

daughter indeed, the second beautiful
daughter1 of Sir Lionel S. Sackvile West, the
British minister
Unfortunately for gay Washington, the
ceremony will take place in France, which
may be looked upon as the second native
country, so to speak, of the bride: for she
was reared there French Is her original
tongue and she never mastered English till
after she came to Washington, speaking it
even now with piquant and delicious Gallo
accent
This gives us a really interesting combina-
tion; thoroughly English girl and daugh-
ter CT a British nobleman whose native
tongue is French, who learned English in
America, and is now to marry a Frenchman.
Gabriel Salanden, the elected husband, Is
second secretary of the French legation at
Washington, and as he belongs to a very en-
inent and talented family in France, there is
reasonable certainty that he will rise in
diplomatic rank
The British embassy at Washington Is
widely celebrated for the beauty of the ladies'
attached Sir Lionel s. Sackville West has
three daughters, Of whom Victoria, the old
est, is the presiding lady of the legation,
though but "a years old. All three were
born in France and educated in French
convent; SO French Is their vernacuar, and
they had to acquire English through the
same laborious wrestle with photographed
anomalies and Congregational intricacies as
daunt common foreign folks. All three are
said to he remarkably beautiful, and the old
est is IA prime favorite in Washington soci-
ETY. The minister's house is owned 10y the
British government, and luxuriously fur
nished throughout; it is one of the largest in
Washington, has as much space as, and more
social conveniences than, the presidential
mansion.
Miss Arnalie, the third daughter, though
less noted, is a quiet beauty Miss Victoria
is rather commanding in STYLE and Miss
Flora, the bride elect, is tall and classic look
ing, with fine Grecian profile Both Miss
Victoria and Miss Amalie will go with their
father to the wedding; and after a few
weeks in France will return to America and
spend the summer at Beverly, Mass
Sir Lionel is widower but his lady was
noted for beauty in her time He is a son
of the present Earl Delaware and a descen-
dant of that Sir Thomas West who was
governor general of Virginia about 1915, and
from whom the Delaware river was named.
Beauty has run in his family" for some
generations, as his mother, Lady Elizabeth
Sackville, was noted for her grace She was
a daughter of the Duke of Dorset, of family
ennobled by William the Conqueror The
British legation at Washington has several
other charming ladies, among them the
wife of Hon. Henry George Edwardes the
first secretary She was the reigning beauty
of diplomatic circles at London and Paris,
and easily holds the same place at Washing
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-05-04

The warden lately in charge of the Tombs
is Thomas P. Walsh. The murderer, Pitt
man, succeeded, just before he was to have
been sent to the state prison for twenty years,
in committing suicide. Walsh was severely
blamed, and this and other matters were
made the subject of investigation. Pending
this investigation Walsh resigned.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-05-04
MATTHEW ARNOLD DEAD.
The Apostle of Ethics and Culture"
Sweetness and Light" Etc.

S"eet"eSs "HU EIg1o' Etc'
The sudden death of Matthew Arnold has
as suddenly cut off big volume of harsh
criticism on this side of the ocean. for it
must be admitted that Mr.. Arnold was not,
in tAe last days of his life, at all popular in
the United States Indeed, for a professed
apostle of ethics and culture, he did good
deal of very slovenly writing; and his attack
on Americans for their "crudeness Of
thought" was a clear case Of throwing stones
by one who lived in glass house. 1t is to
be presumed, Of course, that his writings on
the harmony between philosophy and the
New Testament, or rather his attempt to
prove that the doctrines of the established
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-05-04
TIE TOMBS OF NEW YORK.
NOT PLACES OF BURIAL BUT THE
CITY PRISON..

A Description of the Famous Place of
Incarceration of the Thieves, Wanderers
and other Criminals of the Metropolis.
Warden waish's Resignation.
Many stranger in New York, riding ON
Fourth avenue street car, has wondered Mt
broad, low, Egyptian looking building passed
on the way. And many a car conductor,
when asked what it is, has replied, "That's
the Tombs." 1t is a singular looking struc-
looking people.
The building stands on what was, genera
tions ago, a lake. After drainage its site
formed part of the Collect grounds, where,
in 1888, it was determined by the city au-
thorities to build prison. What style the
new building should be was decided by the
publication of book much read in those
days, Stevens Travels" and which con-
tanned the illustration of an Egyptian tomb.
This grim picture was thought valuable in
plan for the pro
!: s.: :: IS: &:
ence to the pre- ~ wv
's' H'nr !' %:: an
f!!lllE|i|iEIiIlIIt d!
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-05-04
Minister from Belgium.

Chevalier Theodore de Bounder, envoy ex-
traordinary and minister plenipotentiary of
the king of the Belgians to the United States
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-05-04

MRS EDwARDEs. FLORA sACKvILLE WEST.
MISS VICTORIA WEST. MISS AMALIE WEST.
ton. Her father is Charles John Bayle
who was governor-in-chief of the Bahama
islands during the American civil war, when
those islands were so lively with "businessn-
to witt blockade running Her mother was
Georgiana Douglass, OF the historic clan Of
Argyleshire, Scotland In 1878 she mari |,
and her husband has been in the diplom &C
service ever since. 1t is not quite \
since she appeared in Washington society n
which she is a very great favorite, b,
grace and beauty combining in her to n q
fascinating woman
While British beauties are vim ,
triumphs IN W Washington and Mrs. Ash
Dixie is impresslng the progressive ladie
America with her views, social circles
England itself are undergoing most anna
transformations. and hundreds of ladies
had comfortable incomes but a few Y,
ago are now reduced to want or compelle
Ego into trade" High born danes are
presiding over millinery and dressmai
establishments, Lady Mackenzie of Ross
Is manager of Madame de Courceys bat
bonnet establishment in London. and l.
Granville Gordon presides over "a fashion.
trimming store Most of the reduced"
Scotch and Irish. and the explanation is
few words The decline in rents
crofters simply cannot pay, foreign conn
ton has put down prices till their profits
destroyed" says Lady Mackenzie. An,
rents all over the United Kingdom are al
third what they were, and that third
certain, the ladies must do something to e.
their plebeian daily bread
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-05-04
A TRIUMPH OF CUPID.
FLORA SACkVlLtE WEST, THE BRITISH
MINISTER'S DAUGHTER, WILL WE'D.

But Although She Is Very Popular In
Washington She Will he Married in
France, and Her Husband WIN be a
Parisian-Other Pretty Engiishwomen.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-05-04

plan for the pro
jected structure,
the name for
which was select
ed with refer
ence to the pre-
ferred form of
building. In 1888
the Tombs was