davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-22
A STRANGE TALE.
Why Little Annie Mooney Was Kidnapped
by an Old Man.
[San Francisco Special.

[San Francisco Special.l
A story which will probably lead to sem
sational developments in the probate court
is published by the evening papers. 1t will
be remembered that a few years ago
Thomas Blythe died in this city, leaving an
estate worth several millions. No will was
found. Blythe had no known relatives.
Soon, however, host of heirs came for
ward, but none succeeded SO well in con-
vincing the authorities of justice of their
claim as did a little girl brought from
England in 1884 by her alleged grandfather,
James Crisp Perry, who claimed that the
child was named Florence Blythe and was
the fruit of a secret marriage of the dead
millionaire during one Of his visits to the
Old World. Little Florence is bright but
could not remember incidents Of her life in
England, which, added to the unsatisfac-
tory record of her self styled grandfather,
left doubt in the mind of the probate judge
The estate remains in the hands of the pub
lie administrator.
The revelations now made, if substan-
tiated, will have no equal in the history of
disputed wills in our courts. On July Is,
1883 the Carpenters Union gave picnic
at Belmont which was attended by James
Mooney, carpenter, living on Twenty
fifth street. During the day Moneys
daughter Annie, little girl of five years,
diappeared. Though thorough search was
made for her throughout the country no
trace Of her could be found, and from then
till now her whereabouts has been I'M
known. Various conjectures regarding her
have been made, but none of them led to
in tha aof
Rennie, whose attention was aroused by
the strange abduction which was seeming
ly without object.
DR.. Rennie about two months ago lost
valuable Newfoundland dog, which he
traced to a house near San Rafael While
at the house Rennie got sight of the al
legged heiress little Florence Blythe. whom
he did not know, but whose description he
marked as corresponding with that given
of Annie Mooney. Upon an inquiry he
learned that the little girl was Florence
Blythe, and that the man having the dog
was James Crisp Perry, the alleged grand
father Rennie Immediately set TO work
figuring. The results almost convinced
him that the girl Florence Blythe and the
missing Annie Mooney were Identical
There was doubt in his mind, however and
TO set it at rest he determined to bring the
father of Annie Mooney where he could
look at the child. This was done. and
Mooney at once recognized mis- daughter.
The matter has been placed before the po-
lice. 1t is known that Perry arrived from |
England just month before the abduction |
Of Annie Mooney, and Florence Blythe was |
not produced in court till year after !
wards.
Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-22
A Fair Conducted Dy nen.
boston Budget

The gentlemen connected with the Con-
gregational Church in Wollaston, wishing
to raise a few hundred dollars TO clear the
society from debt, after due cogitation, and
without consulting their wives, daughters
or sweethearts, decided on the novel ex-
pertinent of getting up a church fair, to be
managed and conducted exclusively by
men, even to the cooking and washing of
dishes On Wednesday and Thursday even
ings OF the past week the fair, managed en-
tirely my men folks, was witnessed in the
church. Cake, pies, rolls and meats OF
various kinds, with excellent coffee, all
prepared by the men. were dispensed with
out female aid. Even the inevitable
grabbing" was managed, and the usual
assortInen of fancy articles sold by
whiskered attendants The novelty of the
affair drew crowds of visitors and scored a
success. The ladies of Wollaston
are, however, undismsyed, and talk of tax
ing revenge some time.
Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-22

Tie interstate commerce law forbids
railways TO charge openly or by device any
one person greater Or less compensation
for any service rendered in the transpor-
tatfon OF passengers or property than IL
charges for a Ike and contemporaneous
service. This is one thing that this law
forbids. II does not. however, prohibit one
company from giving TO its patrons better
services than another. Why then patron
ize the railroad that offers the interior
train service when for the same amount of
money you can obtain superior service
ride less number of miles and still reach
the same points The railways entering
Wichita aud offering these inducements
should be well patronized. The Missouri
Pacific Ry(Eort Scott Rou;eloffers such. in
ducements as mentioned above and great
many more which space viii not permit TO
enumerate. II you are not aware Of this
fact-that the Missouri Pacific railway
has elegant train service such as the test
improved reclining chair cars and the
modern improved Pullman palace sleep
ing cars, give it trial and you viii always
thereafter take the popular route. II IS
the short line 20 St Louis by IS miles as
well as TO all Colorado, California aud
Washington Territory points. Before
purchasing your tickets call at the city
ticket Office, l37 North Main street. Z E
Bleckley, passenger and ticket agent
Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-22
DUFFY DIDN'T SIGN.
Why the American Association Has Not
Adopted the Classification Rules.

Why tho American Association Has Not
Adopted the Classification Rules.
The Boston Globe says: 'Hugh Duffy, the
rightfelder of the c hicagos, is in town.
He says the report gong the rounds that
he had signed for next season is
wrong. Chicago sent him a contract call
ing for g 900 few weeks ago, which he re-
turned, saying that $500 was his figure,
and he would not sign for less. As he cost
Spalding nothing, and is one of the best
players in the league, Spalding saying he
would not take 5000 for him, it looks as
though his demand was not too high"
Duffy, Farrell and such others Of the Chi
cago players as did not go to Australia were
classified by Nick Young under the new
rules. If contract at $1,000 was sent to
Duffy 1t would indicate that Young has
rated him as class ''C'' player, and if that
is the case s., coo is all the Chicago club can
legally pay him this year. Supposing all
this to be correct 1T would be of interest to
know by what process of reasoning Young
arrived at the conclusion that little Duffy is
only a third-class player. Perhaps he is
not first-class, but he is 50 close to it that
there are no second-class players if he is
not one.
When the league adopted the salary clas-
that the American Association would speed
lily follow suit, but when their annual meet
ing was held at ST. Louis the subject was
referred to a committee and laid over for
report at the spring meeting. 1t is now
doubtful if any action will be taken in the
matter The association managers are not
a whit less anxious to get the whip hand of
the players and cut their swollen salaries
down than the league managers are, but
with the wonderful courtesy, extreme good
faith and sweet magnanimity that so uni
formly marks the course of baseball mag
mates as class it has probably occurred to
them that they can clutch their league
brethren by the short hair before the year
is over if matters are left to stand as they
are, especially next fall, when the desirable
young players of the minor leagues are TO
go on the auction block. AS it stands now,
if league club wants such player 1t must
notify Nick Young of the fact, together
with the bonus it is willing TO pay. Then
Young must notify the other league clubs
Of the offer and give them chance to come
into the ring, the highest bidder only hav-
ing right to then decker for the player. In
the meantime the American Association
managers, having no cumbrous regu-
lations in the way, can shin around lively
and take in the cream of the new crop be-
fore the league managers have right to
act
Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-22

Interesting Description Of Long-Ago Base
Ball Trips to Georgia
Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-22
Try the New and Popular Line.

The Missouri Pacific Colorado Short
line; leaving here at Cos p. M, running
through to Denver. Colorado via Pueblo
and Colorado Springs, with only one
change at Geneseo Leaving on this train
you arrive at Pueblo next morning at
l1;35; Colorado Springs 12:40 Elegant
new Pullman palace sleeping cars through
without change. Remember this is the
short line and that you make direct con-
nections at Geneseo. On your arrival at
other. For further information and res
ervation of berths call at city ticket Office,
1877 North Main street, Cheap excursion
tickets to Colorado points and Salt Lake
City.
Z. E. BLECKLEY, Pass. and Tiki. Agt
An ,s
Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-22
BASEBALL TROUBLES.
The Source to Which Many Evils Can b:
Traced.

The Source TO Which Many Evils Can Be
Traced.
a writer in Boston paper says: 1.-THE
sales system is responsible, in a great meas
ure, for the disaffection among the players
of the present day. Paying large amount
of money for the release of a player puts a
fictitious value upon his services, and gives
him notoriety he never sought Clubs are
willing TO pay several thousand dollars for
a mans release, but if the man sold de-
mands S. 500 for his services, the pur-
chasers rise up on their hind legs and roar
out: Another sad case of swelled head =
and who swelled the innocent players
head! Why, the club who were so anxious
TO secure his services. The sales system
must go; the reserve rule is sure TO be
abolished sooner or later, players will be
free and sign two or three years contracts,
the stars will then come of their high
horses and there will be no threats 10
90 into business if terms are not accepted.
The Boston club has had their share of
trouble in singing men. In 1883 'Mertle'
dackett received 500 for his services as
catcher, and the other catcher, Mike Hines,
only received $1,000 When these men
signed with the Boston club they were
almost unknown One year later they
were well-known and declared themselves.
'rwenty-one hundred viii do me. said the
modest EacketI and he got ii. But my,
aow tne triumvlrs dld squeaI before giving
n hlhes, SO heard, received 1000. But
the circus did not end there. Jimmy Man.
nlns was not reserved, and when the Ath-
ieucs iound 1t out they offered him $4,000.
Manning was only receiving 500 from
Boston In 1884; IN 1885 his salary pumped up
to 81, 800. Now, had these men been signed
Tor two or three years on the send-off. they
could have been secured far more reason
ably. Hackett was offered $500 to play in
Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-22
Read. and Order what You should Have.


Each township trustee should have a
trustees record, road record, poor record
and a full set of township records and other
blanks, worth at least IS. Also some sta
tionery.
Each township treasurer should have a
treasurer's record.
Each township clerk should have a clerk
record and warrant book.
Each justice of the peace should have a
civil docket, criminal docket, stray record
transcripts, compiled laws OF 1855. and a
full assortment of blanks.
Each constable should have an assort-
ment of blanks
Each road overseer should have road
overseers account book. receipt book for
labor, receipt book for extra work and a
receipt book for material used.
The above should be furnished to the
officers of each we'll regulated township at
the expense of the township.
Fer sale at the EAGLE Office. Orders
promptly filed by mail or express prepaid
4stf w25-tf
Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-22

Buy the late styles o. ''E IS W." collars
and cuffs at GoldstandtA 9f d56 e
Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-22
A. FLAGG, Proprietor.
Cor. I'd and 9Th aves., Wichita

Manufacturer Of SteamengineS,
Boilers, Pumps and all kinds Of
mill gearing. Architectural iron
a speciality. Iron and brass cast
ingS made to order. Estimates
made on all class Of work and
orders promptly attended to.
90 w. H. FONDA, Snpt
Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-22
tConstantinople Cablegram.l

Patti Rosa at last has secured London
appearance. and, as might be expected, she
has made tremendous hit in the metropo-
lis Of the Eorid There are no faults
found in her, as was the case with Lolita
and Minnie Palmer, FOR Rosa can act, sing
and dance
Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-22

St. Louis with Luce; he was aIso onereo
$500 in advance. Could Hackett be blamed
for demanding s2,1o0 from the Boston man
agement, when they had cleared $4,000 and
won the championship But wasn't 1T .
iump-from S7QO to g, 1O0p'
Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-22
NDER T A K ING
T. rGG.-


ssa@erEeseS - J. 7. Hslzzsss
Co1ns, Casksts. szd everything belongiax
30 ;ks business always OF hand EDbssfn-
Jag y speciality Of.es ogxa 4: al koers-
IL :. Aa.e. 1slspEons I.x d j0s
Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-22

Rent registers for sale ct this csdce-
Orders By mail will receive prompt astea
ton. Address the Wichita EAcLE, Wich-
ita, Kan. 7Sss
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-28
CuriOsities of Punctuation.

The following specimens of curious punctua-
ton are given by the Printers Register: A man
who was suddenly taken sick ''hastened home
while every means for his recovery we're re-
sorted to. In spite of all his efforts, he died in
the triumphs Of the Christian religion" "a
man was killed by railroad car running into
Boston, supposed to be deaf" A man writes:
I'VE have decided to erect a school-house large
enough to accommodate 500 scholars five stories
high" On certain railway the following
luminous direction was printed: Hereafter,
when trains in an opposite direction APP
preaching each other on separate lines con-
ductors and engineers will be requested to
bring their respective trains to dead halt be-
fore the point of meeting, and be careful not
to proceed till each train has passed the other.
steamboat captain, advertising an excur-
sion. says: Tickets, % cents; children
half-price to be had at the Office" hotel
was thus advertised: This hotel will be
kept by the widow of the former landlord. Mr..
Brown, who died last summer on new and i'm
proved plan" Wanted, saddle-horse for a
lady weighing about $50 pounds" An Iowa
editor saws: I'VE have received basket of fine
grapes from our friend W., for which he will
please accept our compliments, some of which
are nearly two inches in diameter" Board
may be had at No. 4 Pearl street for two gen.
tlemen with gas" Over a bridge at Athens
Ga. is the following: ANY person driving over
this bridge in pace faster than walk, shall,
if a white man. be fined S5, and if negro, re-
ceive twenty-five lashes, half the penalty to be
bestowed on the informer." A newspaper con-
tanned this: I'VE have two school-rooms suffi-
GENTLY large to accommodate 800 pupils one
above another" Another newspaper, in de-
scribing the doings of a convention at Cleve-
land, said: 1.-The procession was very fine, and
nearly two miles long, as was also the prayer of
DR.. Perry. the chaplain"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-28
A Letter of WashinSton's.
HE WROTE IT TO GEN. KNOX AFTER HIS ELECTION
To THE PRESIDENCY

HE WROTE IT TO GEN. KNOX AFTER HIS ELECTION
To THE PRESIDENCY.
Lewiston, Me-, Special TO the New York Sun.
An old-time federalist in Thomaston has
been rummaging among the papers of General
Knox. He found this letter, which, in view Of
the coming inaugural centennial, is very inter-
esting:
"MoUNT VERNON. March 2, 1879.
MY DEAR SIR: / beg you to accept my ac-
knowledgement Of and thanks for your obliging
favors of the 18TH 18th and 18th Of last month,
and particularly for the trouble you have had
In procuring and forwarding for me a suit OF
the Hartford manufacture. 1t has come and
exceeds my expectations. / will take an early
opportunity OF paying the cost of it. The result
OF the late elections will not soon be known,
but the effects of them will soon be discovered
VI the nine representatives (announced) for
this state, six are decided federalists. and the
tenth (not vet known from Kentucky, it is pre-
sumed from the best accounts which have been
received from thence, will be in unison with
them. To hear that the votes have run in favor
of Mr.. Adams for Vice-President) gives me
pleasure.
The severe weather and uncommOnly bad
condition of the roads in this quarter will pre-
vent the members from this state giving their
attendance i'll time. One of them went from
here this morning only and two yesterday. l
hope this will find you perfectly recovered from
your late painful disorder and Mrs. Knox and
the rest of the family in good health. Our at
fectonate compliments are offered to them
with sentiments of sincerest friendship.
Il am ever yours, GEORGE WASHINGTON.
ITO Gen. KNOX"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-28
A Windfall for Savages.


A veritable windfall has Just come into the
hands Of the natives of the Gilbert group of
islands-namely, large ship, with full cargo,
which came sailing into their port without any
one on board. The vessel was the British ship
Rock Terrace, and the strange part about the
matter is that the ship was abandoned by her
crew about twele months ago. and it has only
just TRANSFERRED that, instead of laundering
soon. she drifted on and on until she reached
the Gilbert Islands. The Rock Terrace in
September. 1887, left Philadelphia for Hiogo,
In Japan, having on board a cargo of oil and
phUsphates, valued at Sl25. 000 When near
the Philippine Islands the crew abandoned
their vessel, landing on an island close by, all
of them being saved 1t was said that the cap
tain did all he could to keep his vessel afioat
but it was understood that he had some
trouble with his crew. Nothing was further
heard of the vessel. and the underwriters being
quite satisfied concerning the loss paid the
amount for which the vessel was insured Re-
Gently the news came that the Rock Terrace
had drifted into the Gilbert group of islands
and had been taken possession of by the ma
tlves. The vessel herself appeared to be in
very fair condition, and had only few inches
of water in her hold. The surprise of the natives
when they found themselves in possession of
such prize can well be imagined. and they at
once set about getting out the cargo. In this
they were very successful and landed almost
the entire contents of the ship. The Rock Ter
race belongs to st. john n. b., and it was not
stated If any attempts were to be made o re-
lease the ship out of the hands of the Isl and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-28
Was IT the Conaerya2
THE MYSTERY OF THE WRECK NOT YEr CIEAREI
Up.

THE MYSTERY OF THE WRECK NOT YET CLEARED
The identity Of the vessel which was wrecked
off the Virginia coast in the storm of last week
is still uncertain. In New York the belief is
very strong that it was the Conserva, which
was on her way to Santo Domingo or Hayti.
The Conserva was commanded by Capt. W.
H. Ankers, with "Joe" Sherwood, the famous
filibuster, as chief mate c. P. Kunhardt the
expert yacht designer. author of Small Yachts
and other clever works on yachting, and also
one OF the editors Of Forest and Stream. shipped
as purser to oblige his cousin and to facilitate
the delivery of the Conserva to the Dominion
government. The Conserva's chief engineer
was Charles Tinkham. of BROOKLYN; first as
sissant, Charles st. Clair, and second assistant,
John Mccarthy. She carried crew OF twenty
Malays and West Indians.
Frank Nemman. of 1414 I'd avenue, New York,
an oiler, who left the Conserva just before she
time, and the donkey pump was kept continu-
ally at work to keep her free. The main boiler
was leaking, and he didn't believe she had
power enough to keep her head to sea.
Boatkeeper Charles P. Fitzgerald, Of the
Charlotte Webb, just arrived in New York, when
told of the men seen on the life raft, the water
logged launch, the dead man in life buoy, and
the finding of the other boat. said: THE Con-
serva has certainly gone down, and / don't
wonder, for it does not seem possible for that
old tramp to have run before such hurricane
as that of Wednesday. / tell you that from 2
to o'clock that afternoon it was terrific. and
if one of those awful seas boarded her and she
was popped, as most likely she was. there was
little hope for anyone on board Of her."
There were twenty-four souls aboard the
Conservia when she cleared
The Conserva was an lron-screw steamer,
registering S61 tons. She was 225 feet in length
and drew when light, about Is feet of water
Her engines had an indicated horsepower of
about 400 Her hull was of iron. three-quar-
tiers of an inch thick, and clinker built She
was built in 1857 at Dumbarton, Scotland.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-28
After Six Years of Suffering.
DEATH AT LAST OF MABEL MGREGoR, WHO,
FARM HAND TRIED To MIRnER

DEATH AT LAST OF MABEL M'GREGoR. WHOM A
Farm HAND TRIED To MURDER
Chicago special to the New York san saws:
One morning six years ago, when the snow law
deep on the ground in Ogle county this state,
a telephone message to the sheriff's Office at
Oregon conveyed the information that old
Farmer McGregor. who lived in a log house in
a lonely district of the county. had been muir
dered. Officers and neighbors went to the
place and found the old man dead, with
six bullets in his body. The searchers
also found pretty fourteen-year-old Mabel
McGregor with bullet in her head She
appeared to be at the point of death but
careful nursing and remarkable vitality
saved her life for a time. Normal Swartzell
worked for the McGregors. He was slender
fellow, about thirty years old. He became pas
sionately fond of little Mabel. He followedhe
about the farm, to her school, and one night
the girl saw his face pressed against the win
dow of her room. Old man McGregor was
annoyed at the attentions Swartzell paid to his
daughter. He reprimanded the fellow. but this
having no effect, the servant was discharged
on the Saturday night before the murder.
Swartzell went to Rockford to a dance. He
was accompanied by several friends About
10 o'clock that night Swartzell left the ball
room, and after taxing several drinks of whs-
key. started through the deep snow to old Mr.
McGregor's farm house. When he reached the
UOusc, NE Tdppeu dt uOOT. MI. NC
Gregor refused to admit the fellow. Then
Swartzell burst the door open with his knee
and shot at the aged farmer until his revolver
was empty.
Mabel, who had been awakened by the firing,
ran down stairs to the room where her father
lay. She met SwartZell at the door. He shot
her in the head, and, supposing her to be dead,
he'd from the house. There were no lights in
the room where the shooting occurred. Mabel
recognized her murderer by the flashes from
his revolver. When she regained consciousness
the girl told the officers that Swartzel had done
the shooting.
Two weeks later. after one of the most famous
hunts in the history of crime in the west. the
murderer was caught in st. Louis while on his
way to the Indian territory. He narrowly es-
capped being lynched i'll Oregon. Then he fell
ill. Doctors tried TO save him for the gallows
He cheated the rope and the law. His death
was mystery until the post mortem examina-
ton revealed the fact that the murderer had
deliberately committed suicide. He had been
permitted to keep an old pipe, and he had
slowly poisoned himself with the nicotine from
its bowl.
Mabel McGregor fingered in agony until
Monday. The bullet had lodged in her BRAIN
and she found no release from her suffering
until the surgeons of Rush Medical College
gave her an anesthetic preparatory to perform
ing an heroic operation TO find the bullet. She
never awakened