davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-10-31
DEATH AMID BLAZING OIL

Train Wreckers Cause a Horror Nea
Kokomo, Indian Oil Train Throw
from the Traek-The Debris Takes Fire.
and Three Trainmen Are Burned to a
Crisp.
KoKoMo, Ind, Oct. ga singularly
horrible railroad wreck occurred on the
Lake Erie d Western at this place FRI
day morning at o'clock, resulting in
three men being burned to death. Sew
eral attempts have recently been
made to wreck trains near Ko-
komo, but all have been thwarted
by timely discovery. Friday morn
ing, however, the villains succeeded.
An obstruction of some kind was placed
on the track near a switch just beyond
rivulet that runs south of the town and
was so arranged that in the dim light of
the early morning ii would not be like
~ to be noticed by the engineer.
When a north-bound freight-train,
which left this city at midnight, came
along it struck the obstruction Just after
the locomotive whistle had been blown
to give warning of its coming. The
engine was thrown from the track
upon its side and two box cars just
behiud were thrown into an adjacent
field, while several fat cars piled upon
the engine dozen large tanks filed with
oil. Besides the engineer and fire
man. a brakeman who was at the
time in the forward part of the car
was caught in the wreck and was I'M
able to release himself. As the con-
tents OF the tanks were emptied upon
the lOcol lotive the whole mass of wreck
age was instantly enveloped in flames
and one after another the tanks eX-
ploded, throwing burning oil and debris
200 feet in the air.
The three unfortunate mon were
burned TO death in a few minutes, and
the heat was so intense that il scorched
the paint on houses in the neighborhoOd,
and, in some instances, melted win
dow-glass. Nothing could be done
toward rescuing the men. The burning
oil flowed down into the rivulet and the
stream was covered with flames, which
reached up over wagon bridge a few
hundred yards below the scene of the
wreck and completely destroyed it. Sew
eral Of the cars were burned, but such as
had not been thrown from the track were
saved by being run down the
grade beyond the reach Of the fire.
When the wreck occurred Conductor
Tokes and Brakeman Hellchew, on the
rear of the train, jumped TO the ground
and escaped injury. The lien who lost
their lives were: Jacob Mehle. engineer;
Ed Burnett, fireman; John Spellman,
brakeman.
All resided in Peru, Ind. Mehle and
Burnett had families, but Spellman was
unmarried. The charred remains of the
bodies were taken from the wreck, and
after an inquest by the county coroner
were sent to Peru. The loss caused by
the wreck is large. Eighteen cars were
destroyed besides the cargo.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-10-31
KILLED IN BATTLE.
a Bloody Engagement Reported from
Zanzibar-Three Hundred Rebels Slain.

a Bloody Engagement Reported from
Zanzibar-Three Hundred Rebels Slain.
BERLIN, Oct. 2S.-Dispatches from
Zanzibar say that Captain Wissmann
has had a battle with 5000 insurgents
under Bushiri, winning a decisive vic
tory. After the surprise of Bushiri's
camp recently by Lieutenant Craven
reuth, of Captain Wissmann's ex-
petition, which was reported q
few days ago and which was fol-
lowed by the fight of the rebels, the
pursuit was continued some days by
Lieutenant Gravenreuths men. Final
ly the rebels made a stand and en-
trenched themselves. Attack was de-
termined upon by Captain Wissmann,
and, though the rebels fought tiercely
and defended themselves with great
bravery, they were utterly defeated,
with a loss Of 300 killed. Captain Wiss'
mann lost only seven men.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-10-31
EoREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

On the I'D the German Reichstag was
opened and the speech " Emperor William
was read The address dealt mainly with
army matters
SUDDEN rise In the river Neva on the
23d flooded the whole lower part of the city
OF St Petersburg, and the damage to prop
erty along the water front extended for
many miles on both sides of the river and
would reach enormous figures
OK the 23d Captain Wissman, commander
of the German forces in South Africa, said
that news had been received that Henry NJ.
Stanley, the explorer with Emin Pasha and
an escort were marching toward the coast
AT the M citing on the Esd of the Liberal
electors of Southport, Egg, Mr.. Gladstone
made a great speech, which was almost en-
rely devoted to Irish grievances
The ocean race between the City of New
York and Teutonic from New York to
Queenstown ended on the 23d in a victory
for the former by an hour and half
By the burning of barn on the Esd at
Eisenach. Germany. six boys who were
asleep in ide were burned to death
A FIRE destroyed the steamer Quinte on
the sd three miles from Deseronto. Ont,
and the following persons lost the lives:
Captain Christie; Mrs Christie. the cap
tain's mother; John Christie, the captains
u OlHtAs AgEuS NAAiSbics Tue Captain . hOut
and Mrs. Stacy. second cook.
Il Brazil yellow fever was ON the cath
said TO be breaking out in many places,
and a general epidemic was feared
AT Montreal many houses were wrecked,
three laborers instantly killed. five fatally
injured and many others less seriously hurt
by an explosion OF dynamite on the Path
An unknown man entered a bank at
Didsbury, Eng, en- the cath, shot the man
ager, Mr.. Allen, fatally, and grabbing $500
from desk. fed He was overtaken by a
crowd. but shot himself dead.
n Durango. Mex, rich silver discoveries
were reported on the oath.
DISPATCHES Of the 18th from the islands in
the straits of Belle Isle and the coast of
Labrador stated that the inhabitants were
starving. and appeals had been made for
relief The failure OF the fisheries left the
people without food
An incendiary fire destroyed the greater
part OF the village of Comber, Ont on the
18th
OVER a large part of Mexico earthquake
shocks were felt on the 25th, but no dam
age or loss Of life was reported
TIE German forces in East Africa had
battle recently with the natives in
which three hundred OF the latter were
killed or wounded. The Germans lost
seven men.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-10-31
LYNCHED.

A Mob at Hamlin, w. Va, Hangs Green
mccoy and Milton Haley, Members Of
the Notorious Mccoy Gang of Despera-
CFOes.
HUNTINGTON, w. Va, Oct. 2s.-A mob
surrounded the Lincoln County jail in
Ha1h him Friday night, forced an entrance
after short resistance by the autfori-
ties, took Green Mccoy and Milton
Haley and hanged them to tree short
distance from the Jail building. haley
and Mccoy were natives of kentucky
and were allied TO the Mccoy faction of
outlaws whose murderous feuds with
the Hatfields is generally familiar to
the public. Mccoy was engaged in a
shooting scrape with Paris Brumfield,
and about a month ago, in company with
Haley, he ambushed and attempted to
murder Al Brumfield and his wife.
Both victims were badly wounded. Nc
Coy and llealy escaped 10 Kentucky,
but not until they had made two more
attempts at assassination in the county,
in one Of which man named Adkins
was wounded. The two would-be muir
derers were arrested in Martin County,
KY, and on Friday were locked up in
the Lincoln County (W Na.) Jail. In
the absence of definite information ii is
supposed they were lynched by some of
the Hatfield sympathizers.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-10-31
WESTERN FARM MORTGAGES.
A Demand to Have the Next Census Show
the Extent of the Evil.

n Demanu TO nave Inc Next NtnsuS ciiOh
the Extent of the Evil.
Sr. LOUIS, Oct. 26.-There is a grow
Ing feeling that the farmers and othe-
wealth-producers do not receive al
equitable return for their toll. The
statements are repeatedly made that
''the rich are growing richer, and the
poor poorer" that IS per cent. of the
wealth of the country is owned by less
than per cent. of the population; that
three-fifths of all the wealth is in
the hands of less than 10000 persons;
and that the sturdy, self-respecting
farmer is becoming the American peas
ant. Lack of facts upon which to base
conclusions has rendered even theoriz-
ing valueless, the first requisite to an
intelligent discussion of the subject
being a knowledge of the actual facts
in the case. An important step toward
securing them, in fact the primary step,
would be the collection of data t.
show to what extent the farms and the
homes-the basis of our civilization
are owned by their occupants and free
from debt. Mr.. Robert 7. Porter, Superin-
tendent of the Eleventh Census, in re
ply TO correspondence on this subject,
SAYS that the act authorizing the census
did not contemplate the collection Of
these data that before he can undertake
the work there must be special legisla-
ton by Congress instructing him TO do
so, and that he will lay the matter be-
fore the Secretary of the Interior with a
view to securing such legislation. There
is no doubt that if general public de-
mand existed, the legislation could be
secured.
With a view of creating such a de
mand, the Western Economic Associa
ton, of St. Louis. requests all bodies in
terested in the welfare of the producing
classes to adopt resolutions of the fol
lowing character, and to send them
without delay to Washington:
WHEREAS, There is a growing belief that the
farmers and other producers Of he country do
not obtain an equitable share Of the wealth
which they create, and that the farms and the
homes of the country are very largely under
mortgage; and
WHEREAS. Exact knowledge on this subject
is Of great importance Ia the study Of the social
and economic questions OF the day; therefore
be it by insert here the name Of the body
adopting the resolutions and the localityl
ResoIUsd. That il is judgment that the
next United States census should show what
percentage Of the people in this country Oc-
eupy their own farms and homes, and what
proportion are tenants, and OF those who &C
cupy their own farms and homes, what proper
tion have their property free from debt, and
OF the farms and homes which are under
mortgage, what percentage OF the value is 50
mortgaged; and be it further
PssclCed That the secretary Of this meeting
be requested to transmit copy OF these resOlu-
tions e Hon. John W. Noble, Secretary Of the
Interior. Washington, D. c., and copy to the
Congressman from this district with a request
that ne use his influence to have these facts
collected and published
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-10-31
THIRD DAY.

CHICAGO, Oct. 2s.-In the Cronin t-ial
on Saturday DIR. D. G. Moore testified
that the horrible wounds found upon
DIR. Cronin's head were made by the
blows which all believe hammered out
his life.
Mr.. Forrest, for the defense, moved to
strike out DIR. Moore's testimony on the
ground that he had read in the morning
papers the testimony of DIR. E2 bert and
the other witnesses called on Friday.
The reading Of the papers, he said, prac-
tically made imperative the rule of the
court excluding witnesses from the court
room.
Judge Mcconnell sustained Mr.. For
rest, because the rule excluding wit
nesses from the court was for the pur-
pose of preventing them from knowing
what the others testified TO.
For an instant the public prosecutors
were dumbfounded. Mr.. Hynes was the
first to contest the ruling, and declared
that if such an unprecedented ruling
were followed the trial might just as
well stop then and thore. Mr. Mills
said 1t was time TO stop the case if the
testimony of the rest of the States wit
nesses was to be excluded for the reason
that they had read the testimony of wit
nesses who had preceded them on the
stand.
Judge Mcconnell then reversed his
ruling, and said he did not see that the
court could do more than simply exclude
the witnesses from the room.
Patrick Oman, the liveryman, testi-
fed to the oft-repeated story of Dan
Coughlin on May engaging a rig for a
friend; the calling of the friend for it in
the evening; the hitching up of the cell
ebrated white horse, and the objection
Of the stranger to the color of the horse.
The rig was driven north on Clark street
in the direction of DIR. Cronin's Office.
When DIR. Cronin's absence became known
the witness felt as though something was
wrong and went to the station that
night, where he saw Dan Coughlin.
Coughlin asked the witness to say moth
ing about his friend having the horse
out as it might get him into trouble, as
he and DIR. Cronin had not been good
friends for year and a half, but Oman
said he went and told Captain Setback
the circumstances.
Court adjourned until ten o'clock Mon
day morning.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-10-31
Many Hsarr Losers.

SELMA, Ala, Oct. 2s.-Fire which began
in LEOPOLD Bros. dry-goods house on
Broad street at 2 o'clock Sunday morn
ing spread rapidly and caused the fol-
lowing losses: LEOPOLD Bros, 500, 600;
Gus Hotel, $4,000; Rockway & Co.,
$4,000; Selma Fraternal Lodge, $1,000;
Fitzpatrick Bank saloon, $4,000; Roths-
child IS Co., confectionery. $4,000; all
fairly insured except Gill's Hotel. The
guests OF the hotel were obliged to fee
hastily and lost all their effects.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-10-31

Longenecker said that DIR. Cronin was de-
coyed away from his home on the night
of May last, and was never seen alive
again by his friends His body was
found n Lake View catch-basin May
%, where it had been placed by those
who had beaten out his life. There
was motive for his murder, and the
speaker claimed that the State would
be able to show that the motive arose
from the fact that the unfortunate doc
tor was an active member of an Irish
organization known as the Clan-na-Cfael.
There were five members of the eXecu-
tive board, and of these Alexander Sui
liyan, Boland and Feeley formed the IA
nous triangle. The triangle was accused
by DR.. Cronin of having plundered the
society, and to prevent an exposure, the
speaker said, the butchery was planned
and executed. The States Attorney
traced the conspiracy from its inception
to the killing Of the doctor, concluding
at 2:30 p. m. In his peroration he said
that if after hearing the evidence
the jury had the slightest doubt of
the guilt of the prisoners they
should give them their freedom, but If
Oh the other hand they were satisfied
that they were the murderers then he
should demand that the highest penalty
of the law be inflicted. Counsel for the
defendants waived their opening speech
es and the examination of witnesses
was commenced without delay.
Captain Villiers. of the Lake View
police, told of the finding of the bloody
trunk, and the identity of the body was
sworn to by Joseph c. Keefe, James
Holland, stephen Connolly, II. \.
Wisch and Morris Morris. f. Rosch,
the employee Of the department of
public works, who discovered the
body in the catch-basin, gave his
testimony. The witnesses we're dis
missed with nominal DISCRIMINATION,
the defense apparently having decided
to admit that the body was that of the
physician. At 4:4O o'clock court ad-
journed.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-10-31
SECOND DAY.

Chicago, Oct. 26.-The line of proof
as shown by the witnesses who APP
peared early in the session of the Gro
min trial Friday was to establish be-
yond the shadow of a doubt that the
body found in the catch-basin was that
of DIR. Cronin. Nicholas Wallen-
born, L. T. Conklin, John F. Sean
Ian, Frank Seaman, r. McGarry and ID.
Z. Ahern-all friends and intimate ac-
uuaintances of the doctor--swore TO the
Identity of the remains, and two labor
ers. John Fenhegar and William Mi
chaels. told of the finding of the body in
the catch-basin.
DIR. C. w. Lewis, a dentist, told of his
experience in treating DIR. Cronin for
teeth trouble. Dentist and patient
had been on terms OF intimacy,
and the former had experimental
with a peculiar style of plate for
the false teeth he made for DIR. Cronin
and which could not be moved in the
mouth without inserting the finger.
DR. Lewis described this plate to a
nicetv. and when Mr.. Mills, undOing a
small package he held in his hand, pro
duced a plate with two false teeth at
tached which had been taken from the
mouth of the corpse, every body was sat
isfied that the young dentist was able TO
recognize his handiwork at glance. On
May "a Lewis went to Carrolls under
taking establishment on Chicago avenue
and there saw dead body, which he
identified as DR.. Cronin's.
DR.. Egbert, assistant county physi-
clan, who assisted at the autopsy of the
body, testified as to the nature of the
wounds, and said the doctor died from
the result of violence-from the wounds
he receiTed-and that the internal or
gans were found in good condition. and
there was no evidence that the body mad
suffered from any disease.
Judge Wing and Mr.. Forrest flor the
defense) took turns in crOss-examining
the witness for nearly two hours with
the view of securing an admission that
the wounds upon the body might have
been occasioned by rough usage while
getting il out of the vault. DR.. EgbeTt
insisted. however. that they were in
fiicted prior to his death, and his testi-
mony in other particulars remained un-
shaken.
John Carroll. the undertaken, was
called TO establish the identity of the
body on which a poSs-uortem was held
with the one examined BY DR.. Lewis at
his establishment at Ill Chicago av-
enue. The defense did not crOss-ex'
anime him.
Court then adjourned till 10 O'Clock
Saturday morning.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-10-31

KISG OTTO, of Bavaria, receives 4.s3l,-
o44 marks, or little over q million dol
lars. year, from which S25O,OOO is de-
Quoted to pay of the debts of his prede-
eessor, King Ludwig. How large those
debts are may be inferred from the fact
that it will take fifteen years to wipe
them out entirely.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-10-31
SAMOANS AT WAR.

A Desperate Fight Takes Place Between
the Followers of MaIietoa and Tamasese
Several Were Killed on Each Side and
Many Wounded.
LONDON, Oct. 26.-Advices from the
Samoan islands, received via Auckland,
say that a desperate fight has
taken place at Savaii between the
followers of Malietoa and Tam
asese. About 1000 men were en-
gagged in the battle, in which several
were killed on each side and many
wounded With which party the victory
rested the dispatches do not state, and it
is probably unknown.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-10-31
A sELF-sATIsFlEp MURDERER.

Is. NJ. Chambers Declares He Is Glad He
Killed Lawyer Bowman-Held to the
Grand Jury without Bail.
ST. LOUIS, Oct. 27.-The preliminary
examination of Bill Chambers for the
killing of Frank j. Bowman, the law
yer, was concluded at Clayton Friday
afternoon and Chambers was held for the
grand jury without bail. Chambers was
put upon the stand and detailed the
story of the shooting. He stated that
when he shot Bowman the latter had
made motion as if to draw revolver,
and believing one or the other must be
killed, he fired. Chambers concluded
his statement by declaring in traglc
manner: Il shot him and am glad OF 1T
he would have robbed me OF my last
penny and he deserved his death"
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-10-31

II Daniel Webster is in position TO
know what is going on in the world.
he will recall with some astOnishment
that, as to considerable portion of
the territory included within the new
Northwestern States. he once declared
it was so far of that it could never
be governed by the United States,
and that delegate 10 Congress from
them could not reach Washington
until year after the expiration of his
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-10-31
NEW STYLES IN STAMPS.
Changes to BE Made in the Size Color and
Engraving of Postage stamps.

Changes to BE Made in the Size, Color and
EngraEing of Postage stamps.
WAsHINGTE, Oct. 90. - Postmaster
General Wammaker has awarded the
contract for furnishing adhesive postage
stamps for folr years, beginning on
January 1, to the American Bank Note
Company, of n. - York, the lowest bid
der. The new stamps will be about one
eighth smaller than those in prese - use.
The designs will be changed to conform
to the reduction in size and new engrav-
ings will be made throughout. The one
cent stamp will continue TO be printed
in blue. the two-cent stamp, now printed
in green, will be printed in bright car
mine, and changes will be made IN some
of the other denominations.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-10-31
Officers Chosen.

At Racine recently the convention of the
Y NJ. c. A OF Wisconsin elected the follow
ing Ulcers:
President, E J. Lindsav. Of Milwaukee; First
Vice-P President W. ". Rawlands. Of Racine;
Second vice President H c. Van Hooyeuberg,
OF Eau Claire Third Vicc-President, Or. J. T.
Rediings, of Marinette; Secretary, =. II. Wins
ton, OF Neenah; Assistant Secretary, II. p. Dai-
~ OF Beloit College; Press Correspondent, L. d.
Campbell, Of Rip0n College
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-10-31
AHorror of the Waves.

BALTIMORE, Nd, Oct. %. = Graves
and Loeler, the two survivors of the
steamship Earnmoor, which went down
September 5, have reached here, and
tell horrible story of their own un-
willing cannibalism while in an
open boat without food or water
for fifteen days. Some of their
number tried to kill others
of the party in order to obtain human
flesh to satisfy their hunger. At last
several of the party died, and the sur
viyors were compelled TO crush in the
skulls o. the dead, drink their blood,
and eat flesh which was ravenously torn
from the bones of the corpses.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-10-31

A KANSAS CITY policeman says, as
the result of his official observation:
''One reason there are such a great
number of Migrants about is because
so many men are without trades. II
is difficult for poorly dressed man to
get a job unless ne is a mechanic. A
mechanic can always get work.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-10-31

The work of removing the unknown
dead and their interment in a plot es-
pecially for that purpose is progress
ing e. Johnstown, Pa 1t is the inten-
tion &C erect neat headstOnes at each
grave. and a full description OF each
body. with a memorandum of every ar
tiele likely to lead to Identification,
will be kept in a permanent record
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-10-31

JAMES II. MILLER, of Gauley Bridge,
W. Va, is probably the oldest post
master in the State. He was appointed
under William Henry Harrisons Ad-
ministratiOn in iS41, and has been a
postmaster ever since-almost half a
century. Mr.. Miller is over eighty
years old, but is remarkably active for
one of his are
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-10-31

The female clerks who have OBJ
tanned positions in the Treasury De
partment within four or five years
are mostly young women who have
Just passed through the normal
schools and have entered the Govern
meut service through the civil-service
examination test They are bright
lot OF young womou.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-10-31

r. R DoBELL. Of Quebec, Can. the
promoter and protector OF the Canada
Atlantic cable. says that all arrange
ments have been made and that work
will be commenced next year. One of
the principal manufacturing cOmpa-
MES OF London has rendered an offer
to provide. lay and guarantee a cable
of the most approved type for one mill
ion five hundred thousand dollars.
The cable will extend from near Clew
bay. in Ireland. to Greenly Island.
in the Straits Of Belle Isle. and will
be one thousand nine hundred miles in
length.