davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1889-12-27
RECORD OF CASUALTIES.

A shell exploded in the artillery magazine
at Baku, Russia, causing q general explosion
of all the munitions stored there and the de-
structon of the building. Four persons were
killed and a number injured.
The costumes offive girls rehearsing for a
Christmas cantata IN Detroit. Mich, caught
fire. Jennie Lancashire was burned to death
and the other four mortally but not fatally
injured.
through freight on the Burlington rail-
way, was taking water on the main track at
Sutton, when freight train No. 35, running
at the rate OF thirty miles an hour, ran into
it from the rear, smashing ten cars of mer-
chandise to splinters, and driving one car
through the depot, narrowly missing the
operator. One brakeman was seriously,
though not fatally bruised about the load.
The loss is estimated at $4,000.
The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1889-12-27
On Track of SilcOtt.

MONTREAL, Special.-The big rewards of
fered for the capture of Silcott, the default
ing cashier of the house of representatives,
have induced several Montreal detect
ives to take up the case, and one of them
who is now working on it claims to have
information that will lead to Silcott's APP
prehension. 1t is claimed that about week
ago Herminio Thibalt, Silcott's paramour,
arrived in Montreal on visit to married
sister, and prolonged her visit until yester-
day, when she suddenly announced that she
was going to Quebec. The sister, when
questioned, admitted that she had a visitor,
but refused to give further information.
The detectives say that they are positive
that the woman in question is Silcott's COM
panion, and that during her stay here she
was visited by man who, it is claimed, an
wered Silcott's description.
The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1889-12-27
A TERRIBLE DEED.
A Father Kills His Wife and
Three Children and Then
Himself,
Criminal Neglect of Paupers in
Pennsylvania Revealedby
Investigation.

NILES, Ohio, Special.-To-nigh was dis
covered one of the most wholesale and
bloody butcheries that has ever occurred in
this section of the state. The victims, five
in number, are Charles Shelar, wife, and
three children, and the crime is supposed
to have taken place early this morning.
When the inhuman deed was discovered all
five bodies were stiff and cold in death
with their Threats cut from ear to ear.
Shelar and his wife were lying together
across the foot of the bed and the three
children were on the floor in different parts
of the house. Shelar was mill man and
had steady employment, but of late drank
heavily, and it is rumored that he and his
wife did not live happily together. The
theory advanced is that Shellar in fit of
madness cut the Threats of his wife and
children and then his own. The weapon
used was razor, and was purchased by
Shelar of hardware dealer Saturday night.
The street in front of the house has been
densely packed all evening with an excited
populace, all eager to get glimpse of the
CHASTITY spectacles.
DISCOVERY OF THE TRAGEDY.
Kittie Mneker, a little sister of the muir
dered women, caused the discovery of the
tragedy. She went to the house to deliver
the evenings milk, as usual, and was I'M
able to gain admittance to the
house. Charles Mossman was in the
vicinity and she told him about it.
He went with her to the rear of the house,
and finding door open, entered. The first
floor of the house was deserted, but ter
rible sight met their eyes in the second
story. The dead baby was on the
floor of one room, two murdered chill
dren, with gaping bloody Threats, lay
in their bed in another chamber, while the
murderer and his wife were clasped in the
embrace of bloody death on their own
couch. 1t appeared that the wife was the
first victim, and that she made a
desperate fight for life. The broken
handle of the razor was found by her
side. Then he went to the room where the
eighteen old girl lay and nearly
severed her head from her body. Then
came the bloody slaughter of the girls, aged
five and seven years. The murder
then apparently took lamp, went
to a mirror, and deliberately cut his
own throat, and, staggering to where
his wife lay, threw himself upon
her body. The scene of the tragedy was
sickening Niles is intensely excited and
strong men who viewed the bodies turned
faint and rushed into the open air, and
women had to be borne out of the house.
The only theory advanced thus far as to the
cause of the crime is insanity.
The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1889-12-27
Killed His Wife's Insulter.

PENSACOLA, Fla, Special. NJ. Thomp-
son stabbed J. T. Carter to death. The men
were prominent citizens. A year ago Mrs.
Carter obtained divorce from Carter on
the grounds of non-support and she after
ward married Thompson. Carter has often
insulted her on the street since then, and
while Mr.. and Mrs Thompson were stand
ing at the corner conversing, Carter passed
and applied an insulting epithet to his
former wife. Thompson resented the in
suit. The men clinched and fell, Carter on
and as Mrs. Thompson stopped to try to
separate the men her face was struck by
stream of blood that spurted from Carter's
neck. Carter received number of wounds
in various parts of the body. The tragedy
was not unexpected and public sentiment
is lenient toward Thompson, who is under
arrest.
The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1889-12-27
A FAMILY'S SUFFERINCS.
Scanty Allowance to Family O.
Pennsylvania PauperS.

Scanty Allowance to Family Of
Pennsylvania Paupers.
INDIANA, Pa, Specialist the trial Just
ended of Washington Butler and P. NJ.
Dodge, overseers of the poor, charged with
neglecting their duty, terrible story was
told by witnesses under oath. Five years
ago Edward Wisherman became sick, and
was removed to home owned by his wife
in Burrell township. His father-in-law was
also quartered in the same place. Both
men, being unable to work, were allowed
So per week by the overseers. In 1887 the
1ather-in-law died, and the allowance for
the family was reduced to SLIGO per week.
In the meantime Wisherman's body became
a mass of corruption, with running sores,
and he was unable to do any kind of work
The allowance was reduced to $125
per week for a family OF five, an
other child having arrived. The cloth
ing was of the scantiest, the
neighbors testifying that they were ashamed
to look at Mrs. Wisherman on account of
the scarcity of her apparel, which was the
same winter and summer. Fuel was so
scarce in the winter that logs were used by
resting one end on chair with the other in
the fire. At the same time the children
were without shoes. The food consisted of
corn meal one week and flour the next,
with some rice and tea. All five had to
sleep in one bed to keep warm. While Mr..
Butler was overseer Mrs. Wisherman was
confined twice, and in neither case did she
have medical aid, and none at all except
that of her husband. Mrs. Wisherman
had to go two miles away to get corn meal
and -four and carry it home. On one of
these trips she gave birth to still-born
child and carried it home in her apron.
The child was buried by an overseer, but
Mrs. Wisherman received no medical at
tention. The defense claimed that no order
of relief had been taken out before two
justices in Wisherman's behalf, and that
consequently the paupers were not legally
on the township. The defendants were
discharged.
The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1889-12-27
FORTY BUILDINGS BURNED.
The Entire Business Portion Of Pet.
rQlia. Pa. DeStroxad.

10 EnIIT0 business PORTION OF P0c.
rolia, Pa, Destroyed.
BUTLER, Pa, special.-The business por-
ton OF Petrolia is in ashes. A fire broke
out early this morning in Klingensmith's
grocery and burned along both sides of
Main, Argyle and Fairview streets, destroy
ing practically all of the business houses
and many residences. Little or 20 effort
was made to fight the flames, which swept
over the prosperous little oil town with
fightful velocity. 1t was all the sleeping
inhabitants could do to get out with their
lives and wearing apparel. The total loss
is between $4,000 and 100000, with but
little insurance. The thickly settled por-
ton of the town on the north side of Main
street between Argyle street and the Office
of the United Pipe line, including the lat
ter, and on the south side from the bank,
which is still standing, to Fairview street is
destroyed, as we'll as the buildings to the
cemetery. About forty buildings were de-
strOyed.
The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1889-12-27
PerilS of the Brakeman,

An officer of one of the accident in
surahce companies asserts that the.
records show that every freight
brakeman in the United States stands
one chance in three OF being killed
within year. Doubtless some such
frightful risk and employers negli-
gence was explained to the President
or he would not have inserted his al
fusion to. railroad car couplings in his
annual message. But ifthis is tr1e, II.
there is any such rate of mortality
among freight brakemen. it is time
thatpublic expression of the popular
feeling GU the subject was made.
1t seems incredible.
The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1889-12-27
DIDN'T TAKE THE STORE.
Two Burglars Drag a Safe Through
the Streets of Br;dQepOrt Conn.,

Two Burglars Drag a Safe Through
the Streets Of Bridgeport, Conn.
BRIDGEPORT, Conn.,, Special.-A grocery
store situated on the corner of East Main
and Water streets was broken into early
this morning, and small safe weighing
500 pounds was taken out and dragged by
rope through the various streets
to the north end Of the town, over mile
away. The burglary was committed with
in a stones throw of the Second precinct
police station and was discovered by all Of
ficer who with others followed the tracks
of the safe until they found it in the cellar
of the house occupied by Patrick Riel.
On searching the house, John Connolly
and Edward Burns, two crooks were found
asleep in one room. Each had loaded re-
volver grasped in his hand, and there were
a number of dynamite cartridges in their
pockets. They we're arrested, together with
Riel and his wife. The safe was not broken
into.
The police for some time past have been
satisfied that Connolly and Burns were
among the gang which has been commit
ting numerous burglaries recently, but I'M
til now they were unable to get any evil
dence against them. A lady living op-
posite the store saw the men take the safe
out, but supposed that they had been en-
ployed to do so.
The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1889-12-27
A Typographical Error.

Talking of typographical errors,
the Burlington (Vt.) Free Press does
not remember seeing a more horrible
specimen of this class of blunders
than one which appeared in a Massa-
chusetts paper not long ago. At the
close of an extended and highly euol-
CYSTIC notice of a deceased lawyer the
reporter wished to say that 1.-THE
body was taken to Huh for inter-
ment, where repose other members Of
the family" By mistake a letter ''e''
was substituted for the gu" in Hull,
changing the sense of the sentence to
such degree that no extra copies of
that issue of the paper were ordered
by the family of the dead lawyer.
The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1889-12-27
AN lLL-FATED SHIP.
The Two Mates Of the Ship Durham,
Drowned in San Francisco.

The Two Mates Of the Ship Durham,
Drowned in San Francisco.
SAN FRANCISCO, Special Charles Stevens,
first mate, and William Higginson, second
mate of the ill-fated ship Durham,
which was damaged by fire at
of which two men were suffocated
by foul gases last Friday, were drowned in
the bay to-day. Stevens and Higginson,
together with four others started from the
ship in a small boat for the shore: High
wind and tide were prevailing at the time
and in attempting to run near barge an
chored in the stream their boat was cap
sized and Stevens and Higginson drowned.
Both men are natives of Liverpool, and
Higginson leaves wife and several chill
dren in that city.
The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1889-12-27
THE MARKETS.
The Current Prices in the More
Prominent Markets.

Wheat-No. 2 red, s5A@s5hc:: elevator,
S6%@S7c.: steamer No. 2 red, S3c.; No. 1
northern, 92M@93c; No. hard, 96ha@96Ac.
Corn-No. 2, 42hc.: elevator, 1880; afloat;
No. white, 43Ac.; No. 3, 39A@4Oc. Oats
No. 2, 11ac.; mixed Western, 81 @3Oc.; white
do. 3O@35c. No. Chicago 80 @3OAc. Eggs
Western 22h@23c. Butter-Elgin, 29c.;
Western dairy, 9@1Sc.; do factory, 7@1sc.
CHICAGO.
Cash quotations were as follows: Flour
dull and unchanged No. 2 spring wheat
Use: No. 3 spring wheat. 67@6S19c; No. 9
red, 77bc; No. corn, 33c; No. oars, 2OAc;
No. rye, 45Kc; No. 3 barley. 5S@60c; No.
l fax seed. s1.36@1 .36h; prime timothy
lard, per 100 lbs, $5.S7h. Butter-unchanged.
Eggs-2O@21c.
Wheat-No. 1. hard SIC; No. L, Northern.
7S@SOc; No. g Northern, 72@76c. Flour
Patents, sacks to local dealers, - 1904. so;
patents to ship. sacks car lots, - 1904. so;
in barrels, $4.50@47O; delivered at New
England points. $5.jO@5. 40; New York
points, $5.2O@5 80: delivered at Philadel-
So 25@3. so; gu perfine 81. 1902 25 red dog,
sacks, $1.1O@1. %: red dog, barrels, 81. 35@-
1.5O. Corn-No. 3. 271ac: choice yellow;
2S1c. Oats-ior samples, 19@213c Barley
-25@45c. Flax-$l.3Oh Chicago $1.36h.
ST. PAUL
Prices on incoming trains only: Wheat
No. hard, 7S@79c.: No. l Northern, TOO
TIC; No. 2 Northern. 73@75c. Corn-No. 3,
2S@29c Oats-No. mixed. 19hc bid;
No. white, 21K@22Eac; August. Gle bid;
January, 21ac bid: No ). 19@21c. Barley
No. 2. 45@5Oc bid: No. 3. 3S@42c bid
Rye-No. 2, 32c bid. Ground feed $4,000
II 80 asked. Corn meal-Unbolted. $11 so
asked. Shorte-$7@7.75. Bran-bulk. So
@6.5O. Hay-No. upland prairie. Sc. ESQ
Z; No. !. $5@6. Dressed hogs-$3 7504
@6.6O. Flax seed-No 1, $13OA. Batter
Extra creamery 2o@22c; extra dairy. 10
@16c; medium, 1O@l5c: roll ana print fresh
12h@1 Ice: ole, S@l2c: packing stock. 5@6c;
grease. 3@5c.
The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1889-12-27
CALIFORNIA; Heavy Rainfall

The phenomenal rainfall of this
year has completely broken tie re-
cord. Hitherto it has been possible
to match every experience with a pre-
vious one, but there is no year since
the occupation in which so great q
rainfall has been noticed so early in
the winter as this year The writer's
who can see direct connection be-
tween increased population and rain
fall must still express themselves
cautiously. There is no foundation
as yet for the belief that California
will never more be afflicted with
drought, although there is abundant
reason to believe that we shall never
experience total failure of crops as
we did in 1876-'77.-San Francisco
Chronical.
The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1889-12-27
Savage Dainties.

The lion is eaten by some African
races and the hippopotamus by
others. The Zulus find carrion SO
much to their liking that they apply
to it the word "uborni," signifying
great happiness" The aborig inal
Australians and Hottentots prefer
the intestines of animals.
The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1889-12-27
WILL NOT DOWN.

A Specimen Letter Received'by Mrs,
Harrison About False Statement.
WASHINGTON, Special.-Mrs. Harrison is
deluged with letters about that historical
whisky punch which she did not give to the
Pan.American delegates couple of months
ago, but which many temperance fanatics
are bound to believe she did. A specimen
letter recently received by Mrs. Harrison
runs like this:
Can it be possible that the contents of this
slip of paper is true l cut it out of little
paper named the Journal I could not
The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1889-12-27
A Cyclone in Kentuckv.

LOUISVILLE, Special.-The town of Pine
vile, KY. was visited by destructive
storm of wind and rain early this morning.
Several dwellings and three bust
ness houses were swept awav
by the cylone. which only passed
through the center of the town. Grant and
James North, brothers, received serious in
juries. These were the only ones hurt,
though several people had miraculous
escapes. The loss is estimated at about
$50 600
The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1889-12-27
Want Volapuk in the Boston.
School.

A petition was received by the
school board from the Volapuk club
requesting permission to use room
in one of the school buildings of the
city proper for the purpose of teach
ing Volapuk. The club offers to furn-
ish teachers free of charge for such
pupils as shall attend, with the un-
derstanding that the conduct of the
schools shall be under the supervision
of the school committee. An order
giving the club the permission asked
for was assigned to the next meeting
Boston Record.
The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1889-12-27
How Does This Come?

While the muskrats of New York
and Wisconsin are double banking
their houses and putting in two coal
stoves in a room. those of Michigan
are leaving plenty of ventilation and
evidently expecting an open winter.
When muskrats fail to agree, what
are weather prophets to do?-De-
troit Free Press.
The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1889-12-27
PERSONAL GOSSIP.

Capt. Michael ]. Setback, of anarchist
fame, and who was discharged from the
Chicago police force for his in action in the
Cronin case, was placed ON the pension list
on half-pay by the board ofpolice commits
soners. He is parayzed in the right arm.
Twenty-Five other officers were also placed on
the pension list.
The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1889-12-27
Bird Feathers for the Ladies.

A slaughter of swallows has been
organized on large scale along the
southern seaboard of France. The
poor creatures alight on wires pro.
vided for the purpose, tired out after
long flights to or from Italy and the
East, and they are killed in thou
sands by means of electric currents.
This modern massacre of the inno-
cents has been ordained in the inter-
ests of fashion, and the slaughtered
birds are used for the decoration OF
the hats or bonnets of dainty danes,
in London, Paris or New York.
The Press., 1889-10-03
COVENTRY.
SOUTH COVENTRY,

A. s. PARKER, Local Editor and Business Manager
 of Coventry Local Register.
 -Wangumbaug grange is to celebrate it's first anniversary next Tuesday evening at Grange hall by 8 social and supper, to which everybody is invited and 1t is hoped there will be a full house. The Ris. of H. have several objects in view in giving this open meeting, to have outsiders come in to their home, have pleasant social time and enjoy the literary entertainment, to meet members of sister granges, Andover, Border, Coventry, and Mansfield having been invited, to give nice supper, the proceeds of which will help pay for the organ recently purchased.
 Friday evening is caucus evening, re- publican at town clerks office, democrat at Town hall.
 No frost on upland to October 2d, yet chestnut burs are opening and the wood land drives in some directions are simply gorgeous.
 pr. Dean has been reappointed post 1st, all applications must be made pre- vious to that date.
 The Courant's Willimantic correspond ent says: John Wood, woolen manufac- turer at South Coventry, has suspended operations for week owing to extensive additions and repairs about the mill. He has doubled his business, and it now ranks among the most important of South Gov entry industries. Mrs. A. D. Bottum is to continue the silk business left by her late husband. O. H. Kenyon & Co.'S. mill is shut down for one week.
The Press., 1889-10-03
HOME NEWS.
Local Notices.

Fresh premium butter from the Filing ton creamery, at Ellis.
 Elegant line of Neckwear at the Blue Front Clothier's.
 Call at A. w Walkers and examine his stock of Ladies' and Children's Winter Gar ments and Shawls. The prices will please you.
 Visit the Blue Front Olothier and select g nice hobby Stiff or Soft Hat.
 -Hanley always leads the procession in the shoe business, his stock is always the largest and best, and his prices are the lowest. Gall in and see for yourself.
 Have you seen those Children's White Skirts that A. W. Walker is selling for 25 cts. each?
 For nice Overcoat or suit of Clothes call at the Blue Front Clothiel's.
 CoFFEFs.-Lovers of good Coffee will find something to their entire liking by using our mixture of pure Mocha and Java Coffee, ground to order. At Johnson's.
 TEAs.-Our stock of Teas comprises about all the varieties, and at very moderate prices. At Johnson's
 Gall and examine the presents with Bak- ing Powder, at Johnson's.
 Crosse $ Blackwell's Pickles, Smoked Halibut, Swordfsh and Block Island Goldfish, at Johnson's
 The cheapest place in town to buy Crock cry and Glassware-at the Oriental Tea Store.
 "A. W. Walker has opened this week 8 lot of Ladies' Wrappers and Tea Gowns.
 -6 per cent. Gold Debentures as small as $50, as large as $5OOO, for sale by J. F. Chamberlin.
 Boot and Shoe buyers, bear in mind that Maine, the Maine shoe dealer, never allows any one to undersell him.
 Bed Blankets from 69 cents to $8 per pair at A. W. Walkers.
 Have you seen those Children's Waists that A. W. Walker is selling for 13 cents, 2 tor 25 cents
 Fancy Pickles, all kinds, at the Oriental G. W. Adams, proprietor.
 -Frst-class Groceries at the Oriental Tea Store.
 LOOK! LOOK Just received a new lot of Breech and Muzzle Loading Guns, which we will sell at bottom prices. A good Breech Loader for$8; better one for $15. B. A. Buck & Go.
 Type writing paper at The Press Office. Tickets to all points west for sale at the office of the N. L.. N. R. R. 7, Stafford Springs J. V. Squier, agent.
 Sword Fish at M. G. Moore's.
 No better time could be selected to visit Goldsmith's Photographic Studio, 274 Main street, Springfield, than now before the rush of next season. Every perfection of the art at hand, and the very best work guaranteed.
 You will make your home comfortable, your wife happy, and save money by buying one of those Monitor Oil Stoves at Moore's. Only three left, A low price takes them.
 -Coffees at the Oriental Tea Store: O.. G. Golden and Compounded Java, Mocha, Rio, Maracaibo, Corona, New Era, Cereal, French Breakfast and Condensed, also Mocha and Java in 2 lb. sealed cans.
 Good cooking Raisins 11c. per lb. at the Oriental.
 Regular meetings of Winter Post, G. A. R. 2, on the 1st and 3d Monday evenings of each month.
 Legal Blanks at The Press office.
The Press., 1889-10-03

Are you coming to the Fair ? Yes, yes. you say you are. Are you going to buy Boots and Shoes |? To be e.shOer you are. If it if Rub- berr Boots you need, come to Maine, the Maine shoe man, and let him show you the new Col chester Boot, or the old reliable WOOnsockets; or is it a Kip Boot you want ? Be sure to call at Maine's, the Maine Shoe man. 4
 Does that boy of yours beat all the boys you ever saw to wear out shoes? I think I can show you a way out of your difficulty. Try my NOX 'Em All line. This shoe is introduced for those who require great durability, and is made of best waterproof grains. The sOIes are standard fastened, and thor oughly made in every particular, and Maine. the Maine shoe man, is the only one who has these shoes to sell in Stafford. ys.
 Every one who has tried my Misses Straight Goat Spring-heel Shoes, speaks wonders for them.
 Come to the Fair and have 8 good time. Buy your shoes of Maine, the Maine Shoe man, and have @ good time all the year round.