davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-08-08
BURNED TO A CRISP.
f i've Persons Cremated by the Ex-
plOsiOn of a Naphtha Launch.

BUFFALO, n. Y, Aug. About 4
O'Clock this afternoon bystanders near
the boat houses at the foot of Ferry
street heard two explosions in quick
succession from the boat house just
being built by L. B. Crocker, superin-
tendent of the New York Central Stock
yards, in which his pleasure yacht, The
Cedar Ridge, was stored. Immediately
following the explosions the boat burst
into flames, which soon made furnace
of its interior. simultaneously with the
explosion, two or three persons were
thrown into the water as if from the
force of the discharge. Caleb Tolsma
got a boat and picked up young
woman, Miss Mclean, aged twenty
eight, from the water. She was badly
burned and taken to the hospital. At
this time the form of Mr.. Crocker's
young son was seen standing on the the
boats deck, against a background of
fire. Another man named Charles
Schweigels seized pike pole and eX-
tended it toward the little fellow
till it almost touched his breast,
at the same time crying to him to
grasp it and he would rescue
him. But the boy seemed paralyzed,
and in moment fell back into the fire
and burned to crisp before the horri-
fed gaze of onlookerS. SchweigePS
face was burned from his attempt to
rescue the boy But now attention was
directed to carpenter clinging to
rafter just over the blazing boat. For a
few moments he hung desperately on
his perch and then,as ifsstupefied by the
heat and
sUFFOCATED BY THE SMOKE,
1oosed his hold and dropped, another
victim, into the furnace below. His
name was John RugenStein, thirty years
old, married. He leaves a wife and five
small children, ranging in age from
FIVE months to seven years. The other
children of Mr.. Crocker, Leonard Lem
uel, aged nine years and ten months,
and Ethel, a daughter, aged eight years
and nine months, also periShed in the
flames. Another girl, Charlotte, aged
fourteen, was blown into the water and
rescued therefrom, and sent along with
Miss Mclean to the hospital. The yacht
was what is known as naphtha launch,
run by naphtha for fuel. 1t is supposed
that the accident was caused when the
engineer lit the match for ignition of
the fuel, by the explosion of the gas
which had leaked out. The boat
was of about fifteen tons burden, and
was bought by Mr.. Crocker in New
York and brought here last spring. 1t
is total wreck, not enough being left
to make dining room table of. The
boat house was destroyed, nothing be-
ing left but the charred frame. The
family was preparing to go off on a
taken his four children, and Miss Nc
Lean, a lady from Detroit, who is stop
ping with the family, to the river for an
excursion. Crocker himself barely es-
capped with his life. He is almost in
sane with grief. His wife has been ill
for some time and this grief will prob
ably kill her. The condition of the
other daughter and Miss Mclean was
reported serious but not necessarily
fatal at late hour tonight.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-08-08
VARIOUS THEORIES
Looking to a Settlement Without
Prosecution.

A number of the creditors met at
Eustis Bros Office, in the Temple
Court, at o'clock yesterday afternoon,
and, after discussing the matter
some time, said to reporter
that they thought Collom's ca Sc
had been badly misrepresented, and
that subsequent developments would
prove him innocent. This sudden
change of tune seems to indicate that
what they consider advantageous terms
of settlement have been offered, or
are, at least, expected. The creditors,
who were very nervous during the ear
lier part of the day, seemed to have
been reaSSured later, and were compara-
lively certain of getting something. 1t
is claimed by some of them thas
Blaisdell has signed more notes
than he knew of; that he is old and
reads with difficulty, and that it has
been his habit to sign whatever papers
were presented to him, keeping no
memorandum of them whatever. This
new story is evidently part of the plan
to have things satisfactorily settled
through Blaisdell.
John Franklin Colon, the young man
who has made such reputation with
his pen, is graduate of the state uni
fOloltY VI GuS CldSS VI 1OlJ. Ills pdrU-
ner, Chelsea j. lockwood, who is now
the attorney of the park commission,
was his classmate. as was also his
wife, who was then Miss Thompson.
His class was quite a famous
one and turned out a number of young
men who are now we'll known in the
business, political and professional
sides of the city's life. Among them
were t. E. Byrnes, the appointment
clerk; John f. Goodnow, the lumber
man and erstwhIle candidate for sur
veyOr general; w. l.. BaSsett, another
lumberman; George II. Partridge, of
Wyman, Mullen & Co., and a number
of others. Young Colon was not a
popular man at college. He was a good
student, though, and we'll liked by the
professors, who looked upon him as a
mau of more than usual mental capac-
ity.
Some time ago Colon began work on a
fine residence on the corner of Blaisdell
and Franklin avenues. 1t was to be a
stone house and to cost $50, 600. Work
had progressed on the walls to the top
of the first story, and the building in
spector says Mr.. COllom said some time
ago that was all he intended to do this
season. The walls were to have been
covered and left until next spring.
Work has, of course, ceased entirely
now
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-08-08
Meyer Lived at Prescott.

Special to the Globe.
PRESCOTT, Wis, Aug. THE GLOBE
to-day had an account of the death of
John Meyer, who died of apoplexy yes
terday on the street in st. Paul. at the
corner of Fourth and Jackson. Mr..
Mover was a resident of this city, hav-
ing lived here over thirty years. and
was consequently one of the oldest citi-
zens. He was merchant in early days,
and of late years has been extensively
engaged in farming. both in this county
and near Hunter. Cass county, n. ID.
He had just started from here at 2
o'clock for his farms in Dakota, appar-
emily as we'll as usual. Up to this writ
ing the remains have not arrived. He
leaves wife and two daughters, who
live here, and son in Dakota. He was
a good citizen, and an influential one.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-08-08
PASSENGERS PLUCKED.
Mountain Bandits Hold Up a
Train on the Rio Grande.

DENVER, Aug. THE Rio Grande
western train No. 3, known as the Mo-
doc. was held up near Crevasse last
| night by train robbers. Two of them
boarded the baggage car at Thompson
| Springs. They climbed over the en-
gine, pointed revOlvers at the engineeI
and fireman, and compelled them to
stop the train. They forced the fireman
to attempt to chop through the door OF
| the express car, and made the engineer
bring bag to hold the plun+
der: Messenger Willis was ready
| with magizine shot gun, and
two self-cocking revolvers. The fire,
| man was unable to chop through the
| boiler iron door, so the robbers fired
| dozen shots through the car. Messenger
| Willis lay on the floor and was not hit.
| The robbers dared not show their heads
| at the broken windows lest they should
get shot. They gave it up and joiued
two other robbers back i'm the other
cars. The four went through the train
with their revolverS drawn and gathered
5000 and twenty watches. One passen+
ger put his head out of the window to
see what was going on and the robbers
sent bullet through his hat. Most of
the passengers hid their valuables suc+
cessfully, those losing them being too
frightened to hide them. A posse has
gone from Green River. Two deputy
United States marShalS went out this
morning from Salt Lake with blood
hounds.
A railroad official says when the rob-
bers found they could not effect an en-,
trance into the express car, where they
knew several thousand dollars were irf
the safe, they called their men together,
and, leaving one to guard Conductor
trith hn
man, the third handed the brakeman a
sack. and, pointing a cooked revolver at
his head, compelled him to walk ahead
of them through the train, where theW
collected 5000 and a number of gold
watches.
LADIES WERE NOT DISTURBED
and a number of masculine passengers
took advantage of this exhibition of
chivalry to turn over their valuabIes td
the ladies' keeping. Thompson Springs,
near where the robbery occurred, is a
small station on the Denver d Rio
Grande Western road, flfty-fOur miles
beyond the Colorado state line, situated
almost in the center of high barren
mesa, which presents all the character
iSticS of sandy desert. AS soon as tha
robbers had taken their departure, the
train proceeded to Green River, about
twenty-five miles distant, where a posse
OF officers and men were at once started
after the highwaymen. The fact of the
lobbery was also telegraphed to Grand
Junction. from where a second party
was Immediately sent out, in charge OF
the division superintendent of the road,
1t is supposed the robbers fled to the
north, or south to the high river bluffs
or canons along the many streams
where pursuit is difficult and hazard
Gus. A very good description of the
men can be given, and officers and de-
tectiveS will be stationed at every ave-
nue. of escape. This is the first attempt
at ''holding up'' Rio Grande express
train since the Smith boys did so near
the state line in 1887.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-08-08
RUIN WR0UGHTBYHAIL
CONCEALED Cloud Juice Cuts
Down Growing Crops in
the Northwest.
At Aberdeen and HallOek the
Storm Cut a Wide
SWath.
Quadrilateral Murder Re-
ported From Bitter Root
Valley, Montana.
An Omaha Train Derailed by
a Landslide Near Sioux
City.
Special to the Globe.

Special to the Globe.
ABERDEEN, s. D., Aug. IA heavy
hail storm is reported this evening from
the northern central townships of
Brown county, cutting a swath several
miles in length through unharvested
grain and causing great damage. Farm
ers in the vicinity of Plana and Ordway
will lose most of their grain. Hail
stones eight inches in circumference
fell during the storm.
CUT WIDE sWATH.
Special to the Globe
HALLOCK, Mimi, Aug. 7.-At 2
O'Clock this morning this place was Wis
tied by terrible hail storm accom-
panied by severe thunder and light
ming. 1t came from the northwest, TAX
ing southeasterly course for about
fifteen miles, where it turned directly
north, jumping about four miles before
it began its work of destruction again.
Estimates show loss to this county of
at least $4,000 bushels of the best of
wheat and among farmers who are un-
able to stand the loss. In Hallock 200
window panes were broken.
LIGHTNING's FREAKS AT LA CROSSE.
Special to the Globe
LA CROSSE, Wis. Aug. 7.-Residents
of this city enjoyed most remarkable
electric display this afternoon during
the tremendous downpour of rain. The
total fall was little less thand two and
one-half inches. 1t will do no harm, as
all grain crops are already secured, and
corn needs it. 1t is hoped, also. that
the river Will show some good results
in better stage of water for naviga-
tion and logging. The houses of w. A.
Su ton, E. D. Loomis, r. Oruhey, P.
Mi tchel and Bigelow's ice house were
struck by lightning. AT the first and
last named fires broke out, but did little
damage. At the others the walls were
spintered and blackened some what,
and the inmates received more or less
severe shocks.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-08-08
CRIED LIKE A CHILD.
Burke Breaks Down on Reading
q Letter From His Mother.

CHICAGO, Aug. 7.-AbOut 10:30
o'clock, States Attorney Longenecker,
Chief Hubbard and other police officials,
together with half a dozen friends of
DR.. Cronin, called at the armOry and
held a private conference. A little
later Chief of Police hubbard, Assistant
Postmaster Stunning, and Mortimer
Scanlan, together, entered the corridor
in the armory, upon which Burke's cell
opens and stood before the grated door.
Burke said the chief. I'VE have letter
here sent to you by your mother, in Ireland.
Col. Stunning, of the North side postofice,
has had the letter for some time. Now, as it
is postmarked so many days back, it prob
ably contains nothing of any interest to any
body except yourself. If you wish it will
open it and read it TO you, but this is op-
tional"
'Let me read it," said Burke
Scanlan and Stunning retired few
feet. and the chief handed Burke his
mothers letter. The prisoner trem-
blingly opened the letter and perused
lently and he cried like child. When
Burke had finished he threw himself
upon the floor of the cell, and the
trio of visitors left him to his
thoughts. Mrs. Conklin and others
were in the station, and 1t
had been intended to let
them see the prisoner for the purpose
of Identification. but, seeing his grief
stricken condition after reading his
mothers letter, it was decided to post.
pone the conformation. Chief McRae,of
Winnipeg, will be one of the witnesses
at the trial of Burke and the others.
McRae won Burke's confidence. and at
Burke'S request, accompanied him to
the United States boundary on the jour-
ney from Winnipeg to Chicago. At his
further request, Burke was left alone
with McRae for fifteen minutes, during
which he made important admissions.
The authorities here are confident that
he will eventually confess. Said States
Attorney Longenecker to-day:
81 do not think he can hold out against the
unavoidable prospect of execution for this
murder. think he will confess. l am GER
tain that Burke is one of the men who actu-
ally killed Cronin, and nothing in the world
can save him from the gallows-eXeept a
juror who would not hang anybody. With
there is far more than has been published,
there is no escape for him. And he will
drag down the others with him also. When
you take the part Burke played in the con-
spiracy and the part Coughlin took. and what
Beggs did and how OSullivan helped, there
is as clear case as was ever made out. There
is no escape. We have evidence that cannot
be controverted. Burke is SO guilty, and we
have such absolute proof of his being one of
the men who butchered Crouin, that we are
loath to accept anv confession from him if
1t involved any lenieney for him. He de-
serves to hang, and l think he ought to be
hanged unless his evidence should be abso-
lutely necessary to convict more important
criminals
The murder of DR.. Cronin is not the
first crime of that nature with which
Martin Burke has been charged. In
1887 he was arrested on suspicion of
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-08-08
Yesterdays DEVELOPMENT
ALI Interested Parties Maintain a
Profound Secrecy.

Profound Secrecy.
The alleged discovery of an American
"Jim the Penman" in the person of
John Franklin Collom, one of the best
known andmost highly respected young
attorneys in Minneapolis, has produced
profound sensation, and the case was
the chief topic of converse ton in all
places where people congregated yester-
day.
g. The real facts in the case, so far
as any one outside the immediate
circle of interested parties is
concerned are decidedly hazy and
uncertain, but the fact that
John 7. Blaisdell's signature ap-
pears on over 100000 worth of
Collom's paper, and that Mr.. Blals-
dell denies the genuineneSs of
the signatures is certain; but whether
the creditors will admit the forgeries
without protest, or whether they will
hold Mr.. Blaisdell for the amounts due
them, and compel him to make affidavit
to each separate gnature in the civil
suits, remain to be seen, but the fact
that Coll ON has made over
to be worth nearly S50O,000, to
John L. Blaisdell looks as if the matter
were to be settled through the latter,
and Mr.. COLON saved from criminal
prosecution.
The creditors held several meetings
at the Boston block yesterday and were
wonderfully mysterious about their
intentions and the probable
outcome of the case; and
Mr.. Blaisdell. F. F. Davis, who
represents the Security Bank in the
matter, as well as Hon. E. M. Wilson,
who has been retained as Mr. Collom's
counsel, are all very ignorant regarding
the case, if their statements to the pa
pers are to be taken as the truth, and
they all refuse in fact to be interviewed
at all, and are engaged large part of
the time in evading reporters.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-08-08
.%,TdQnAzA1Ay
BLAIsDELL's SIGNATURE.

claims he has no recollection of. Col
Iom is reported to have stated to the
meeting this much, and to have added
That Blaisdell would have Endorsed
notes for 100000 more without question,
Collom's speculatlons have been
largely in real estate, and though some
OF them have turned out badly, there is
a good deal to show for what he in
vested. He has spent good deal, un-
doubtedly, in paving interest. and there
has been considerable shrinkage
from discounts, but there is chance
tha t with time and careful hand
ling, the notes given will uiti-
mately be met met, dollar for dollar.
Certainly the belief in Collom's hon
esty presages the outcome of the pre-
dicament. One gentleman declared in
the hearing of the reporter that COLON
had been forced into saying he had
committed forgery. ''He was under
duress for two days, all tired out and
desperate, and did not care what he
said. Mark my words, within twenty
four hours COLON will make another
statement. and will tell whether he or
John Blaisdell indors ed those notes."
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-08-08
with the assistance of Joe Neihert, and

with the assistance of Joe Neihert, and
5Re eys srSe Steele le ns a1d Me Dd dressed
his wound. The wound will not prove
fatal, though it is dangerous. The men
who fired the shot took to the woods,
and the sheriff and deputies, the chief
of police and assistants and large
posse of men are now on his trail. At
10 o'clock large posse of men formed,
extending almost to Kasota. Guards
have been put on all trains, and the
farmers are also in pursuit. The man
who fired the shot is undersized, dressed
in light suit of clothes, is clean shaven
and had scar on his chin. The other
one had blonde mustache, dark suit of
clothes, soft hat, and is about six feet
tall. Telegrams have been sent to
neighboring cities and towns.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-08-08
THE DISCOVERY.
The Way in Which the Alleged
Forgeries Were Found Out.


The fact that forgeries in a large
amount had been committed, according
to report, was discovered few days
ago by Mr.. Chamberlain. cashier of
the Security bank, who asked Mr.
BlaiSdell how much of Collom's
paper he was Oh and the latter replied
that he thought about $4,000. Mr..
Chamberlain said, "Why, Mr.. Blais-
dell we have more than twice that
amount ourselves and there is more of
it atloat."
MIR. Blaisdell replied that there must
be some great mistake, and Chamber
lain assured him that there was none
regarding the amount. This lead
to an investigation and short
time spent in inquiries at the
offices Of various real estate men and
money loaners brought out the fact that
COllom's paper, indorsed by John T.
Blaisdell, had been negotiated to the
amount of about 1921, 200. The question
Of forgery was settled, and about forty
of the signatures were turned over to
Prof. G. c. Curtiss, of Curtiss' business
college, for an expert examination,
some notes known to be genuine
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-08-08
RAN INTO A LANDSLIDE.
An Omaha Train Derailed Near
Sioux City.
Special to the GLOBE.


Sioux CITY, To-, Aug. THE north
bound st. Paul express, on the Omaha
road, ran into landslide about mile
south of this city at 10:3O tonight. The
engine turned over, and it's trucks are
now in the air. The mail car stands at
an angle of forty-ive degrees. The bag
gage and express cars turned over, and
one coach is off the track. The engineer
and fireman staid by their engine and
escaped with slight bruises. No one
else was hurt
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-08-08
Havoc Wrought by Storm.

Special to the GIobe.
MAzEPPA, Mimi. Aug. 1.-THE heav-
lest rain storm experienced here in
many years, accompanied by wind and
hail, passed over this place at 1880 to-
day. blowing down many trees, CHM
neys and out-buildings. The loss to
farmers on small grain is very great, as
they were in the midst of stacking, and
their grain is now scattered in con-
fusion. Four miles north of here light
ming struck the honie and barn of d:
Bartholomew, burning the barn and
badly demolishing the house. Loss,
$500; fully insured.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-08-08
MURDER AND RAPE.
Shocking Outrage Reported From
an Interior Town in Alabama.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala, Aug. IA shock
ing story comes from Covington county
by way of Garland. A widow and two
grown daughters and twelve-year-old
son live near little place called Nc
Neill. The other night three young men
went to the house, outraged the women
and demolished everything about the
premises. They then went to the house
OF an old negro near by, found him sick,
shaved his head and beat him so that he
died next day. His son saw them and
asked them why they had treated his
father so. Their answer was four pistol
shots which killed him. The dispatches
gave no names. The place is remote
from telegraph.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-08-08
Murdered on the Highway.

KANSAS CITY, Mo-. Aug. 7.-The
dead body of Merrill D. Anderson, a
well-to-do mulatto, was found this morn.
ing in the ditch by the side of the pub
lie road between this city and Argen-
tine. The signs of a fierce struggle in
the road and an ugly wound In the
temple, point to murder. The police
have no clue as to the identity of the
murderer.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-08-08
FORT WAYNE FIREWORKS.
A 100000 Blaze in the Hoosier
CitV

FORT WAYNE, Ind, Aug. IA loss
of about S150,000 was caused by fire
which started tonight in A. c. Trent
mans building on Calhoun street. The
fire burned three hours, and entalled
state, building. $4,000; Mrs. Il. &.
Wedner, building, $1,000; Retner-Crats-
key company, book and stationery store,
loss on stock. $4,000; Louis Wolf & Co.,
dry goods, loss on stock. $4,000: Stern,
Mautner & Friedrich, clothiers, loss on
stock, $4,000. The total insurance
against these losses is S157, 900. The Or
igin of the fire is not known.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-08-08
Carved With a Butcher Knife

CHICAGO, Aug. 7.-During a quarrel
this afternoon over some trifling mat
ter between Adolph Whitman and John
Richter, two butchers employed in a
packing house at the stock yards, Whit
man struck Richter with a piece of
meat. The latter leaped to his feet
with large butcher knife in his hand
and plunged the blade into Whitman's
heart. Whitman fell to the floor dead.
Richter was arrested.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-08-08
Evicted by Fire.
Special to the GloDe.

Special 10 tne GIODe.
PIPEsToNE, Mimi. Aug. 7.-The farm
house of G. M. Taylor. in Grange town
ship, was burned to the ground early
this morning. A small child playing
the building were destroyed. The loss
is over s., 900; no insurance. Taylor re-
Gently received 81, 800 back pension, and
put the entire amount into the new
building, which had been occupied only
dbOut a week
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-08-08
SHOT BY A TRAMP.
A Mankato Constable Murder
ously Assaulted by a Hoboe.

Special to the Globe.
MANKATo. Minn., Aug. 7'-Constable
Robel was shot tonight by couple of
tramps. Robel was out to see friend
about o'clock, and as he and his friend
were passing joys lime kiln they no
tieed two men walking on the railroad
track. Robel went to arrest them and
took hold of them both, and they
showed fight. The constable, in self
defense, struck one of his prisoners ON
the head with his billy. just then the
prisoners companion pulled revolver
and shot at the officer, the ball striking
him in the left side and passing through
his body and was cut out near the back.
After he was shot Robel walked block