davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-12-14

commanding, Is one Of the gunboat class, the
pioneer OF her type In the new navy. She ras
proved herself a very speedy rs well rs an
extremely handy vessel, and on account OF
her qualities and smaller size, she will proba-
bly, be made occasional flagship, whenever
the admiral thinks IL necessary to proceed in
a hurry 10 some port where the depth OF
water would prevent the Chicago nom enter
ing. Commander Chadwick was Cor num-
Der Of years naval attache 10 the United
States legation In England, and is probably
more thoroughly equipped than any other
commanding officer in the squadron To carry
out the details OF plans similar to those az
present proposed, rs for years the maneu-
vers Of the English squadrons have been pro-
verbal for the thoroughness and reality thas
have attended their every detail, and the
discussions that they have given rise to have
been of greatest value in the formulating OF
methods for the carrying on OF duty in their
navy. The Yorktown is Of only LOO tons
displacement, and her battery is OF inch
guns with nine rapid fire and machine guns.
She is the first of the vessels built by Messrs.
Cramp at Philadelphia. She has top speed
OF little over seventeen knots, and her cost
was t455,0O
Should the graceful Dolphin be ordered to
the squadron she will form by no means to
be desplsed addition Her qualities have been
more thoroughly proved than those OF any
of the other vessels, as she has just completed
a cruise around the world, returning in such
excellent condition that she could be sent out
again almost Immediately to take her part in
the evolutions
Early in November is the period fixed upon
for everything to be in readiness, and II the
plan as at present drawn up should be carried
out, the squadron will start over for Lisbon,
touching on the way at the Azores and Ma
deira. Then it will work its way into the
Mediterranean, remaining but short while
at any one port, and probably will then
stretch down toward the West Indies or
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-12-14
THE FLYING SQUADRON.
\ NEW DEPARTURE IN THE UNITED
STATES NAVY.

Important Results Expected from the Com
ing Cruise Of the Chicago. Atisnta, Hos
ton, Yorktown and Perhaps the Dolphin.
Rear Admiral j. G. Walker In Command.
For some years IL has been the aim OF va
rious naval officers high in authority to get
enough vessels together TO form a squadron
Of evolution, or a flying squadron, rs 1t Is
now usually termed. Other powers have
fitted out similar squadrons, and it has been a
notable fact that discipline and efficiency
have never been carried to a higher degree
Of perfection than in such squadrons. In the
first place, the vessels selected must neces
sarily be in the best OF condition to stand the
cruise, the motto Of which Is always to be
ready for movement on the shortest possible
notice, As the speed Of a feet or squadron is
obviously that OF the slowest vessel, ships
having good speed and endurance are those
most generally selected. As rule, this
means the crack vessels Of the navy, and
naturally, officers who are proud Of their
profession and anxious TO see it succeed in
everything, are those most apt to be selected
An officer to command such body is chosen
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-12-14

EIGHT INCH GUN OF THE ATLANTA
South America The coal question will be
the all important one, as the bunkers OF the
Boston and Atlanta are not very capacious;
and, as their sail power amounts to but little,
their engines will be the main reliance for
propulsion.
The commander in chief will DO allowed
more or less Independence in conducting the
movements Of his squadron, as In no other
way can the development SO satisfactorily
progress. The mere fact Of steaming in
squadron and going in and out of port every
few DAYS would make the cruise constant
school for the officers in handling these YES
sells. The frequent tactical drills will IA
m;liarize them with the powers OF their ships,
and the ease with which steam steering gear
and double screws admit of this being done
will no doubt be surprising to those whose
sen life has thus far been passed In the old
styIe wooden ship. The drills about the in
diyidual vessels will be Of considerable value
to the service at large, as no manuals have
been thus far entirely satisfactory, and 1t has
been almost an impossibilty TO adapt the old
sy stems of drill in use with muzzle loading
smooth bores to the requirements OF the
breechloading rifles.
Inc eleCJTlCdl Loi eho
guns and the electrical shell hoists are in an
experimental state, and whether the new YES
sells are to have them will depend largely
upon the report made on those already in
stalled One very important feature of the
exercises will be the target firing while under
way at sea, and interesting results may be
looked for, particularly with the large cali
Der guns. The recent speeding and turning
trials at Newport were i'll reality the prelim-
mary evolutions OF this squadron, and afford
excellent data on which to base the compare
tive merits Of the different vessels What
they can accomplish under sail alone and
their behavior in weathering the Atlantic
gales are features that will be of interest t.
professional men.
The drawing up of this programme, with q
view of accomplishing rs much us possible
with tho means at command, is an import
ant feature of our naval administration, and
will be an excellent test OF the value and eff
cheney of the departure from the Older
methods The squadron Of evolution cannot
be too highly spoken of rs a regular part OF
naval training and preparation for war; it is
school of the most elevated standard posi-
BILE, with the chances greatly in favor OF the
best results for officers and men. 1t will
prune theories, point out defects and sugges,
remedies with force and authority that the
navy has long been in need Of, and it will
convey lessons next in value to those taught
by war itself
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-12-14
THURSDAY.

DR.. j. w. Petit, OF Sheridan, was
in Ottawa yesterday.
II. w. Crane, of Omaha, is expected
to be in the city to-day.
Mr. +. G. Werner, Of Wenona, made
Ottawa business visit Yesterday.
John Hilton, Deer Park, starts to-
day for two weeks visit in Pennsyl-
vania.
Miss Fannie Trimble, of this city,
has gone to Omaha for Il months visit
with relatives.
Mr.. Warren, with Fiske & BEEN,
was in Freedom Tuesday, visiting
with his parents.
Mr.. and Mrs. Henry f. Gedney, Jr.,
are happy in the possession or an IN
FAINT son, weight eight pounds.
The famous DR.. McGlynn will lee
ture at Streator on Tuesday next on
the subject, How to Abolish Pow
erty."
About, well, less than half of the
Marseilles population were in Ottawa
yesterday, in attendance upon a law
suit.
The average citizen goes to bed at
night with his spring and winter over
coats by the side OF his bed. He can't
tell until morning which will be
needed.
ii. f. Gedney, ST., now in Barry,
KY. writes his son in Ottawa that his
prolonged stay in Barry is owing to
the severe cold weather there. This,
for that locality, is unusual at this
season.
Rev. DR.. Bolton, of Chicago, an emf
nent speaker, will lecture before the
Sons of America in their hal, Cheever's
block, on next Tuesday evening. A
large audience is desired.
Ernest j. Breuning prominent
merchant of Peru, died at his home in
that city last Monday. aged 30 years.
The funeral will be held this morning
from the late home. Death was caused
by brain disease.
Mr.. Rood, of Canton, Ohio, offers to
take the Aurora Watch Factory plant
at 100000 and put in capital to pay
| its debts and run it, if the people OF
the town will raise $4,000 to help pay
the debts, and that is being done.
A ''dandelion" was found in full
bloom this week. on the south bluif.
1t looks as though fall and winter had
compromised for forty cent on the dol
lar; or possibly, winter has skipped
out to Canada" leaving her airs to set
tie with the present weather fore
cast"
John Blackburn, formerly of Hickory
| Point, Ottawa and vicinity, now OF
Saline county, Nebraska, was in the
city yesterday, after an absence OF
twenty-three years. Mr. Blackburn
has many friends and acquaintance
here, and he says that it seems to him
that Ottawa has actually doubled in
size.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-12-14
CITY lind COUNTY,.
TUESDAY.


A standard bred yearling colt be-
longing TO Mr.. a. II. Buffers died yes
terday morning. The horse was quite
valuable.
Mrs. w. ID. Strawn, of Risk, H.;
who has been so low with typhoiu
fever. is now convalescent, being apie
to sit up and move around the mousse
Talk of Ottawa as a summer resort,
or winter, either, as for that matter.
On Sunday Supt. Irwin run open
cars" all day, and that, TOO, In the
middle of December.
Mr.. Christman received card from
Mrs. G. and her party yesterday, dated
at Los Angeles, where they mad ar
rived in fine condition and where they
will remain for week.
Mrs. Antonio Burchet and child
were brought tn this city from Mar
settles Saturday evening and placed IN
the county asylum. Mrs. Burcnet
is a pauper and formerly lived IN La
Sale.
II was rumored about the streets
Yesterday that cooking main had
been fought in house in North OF
tawa Saturday night. Three birds
are said to have been killed. The
fight was witnessed by a large crowd
of local sports, and considerable
money changed hands.
Last Sunday evening, as the street
car was on its run to the cemetery,
making its last trip, and just this slde
of the western end of the line, III 1Ound
the track INSTRUCTED by logs piled
across the track. The car met WIN
no injury, but the act calls FOR the
''fereting out" by the authorities.
The Ottawa Business University is
nearing the Tooth marx rapIuiy'
Among the latest arrivals are III. ".
RneIi, of Algona, Ia: Miss Mary Kas-
son. Of Sheridan: l.. f.. Parish, Free
dom. Fred Norton, Utica; Fred. Tire
nary. Ottawa: Charles Hettel, Grand
Ridge. Mr.. Hettell is number ~; one
more name and there Will be loo ell
rolled.
The public building committee or
the board of supervisors has accepted
the residence at the county asylum.
A few changes will have to be made,
however. The warden will not move
into it for two weeks yet, as III VIII
take that length of time for the paint
and plastering to get dry. Inc secuion
of the main asylum building when
has been occupied by the attendants
will be fixed up for the reception OF
patients.
Independent Lodge, No. 9S, A. 0.
U. w., of this city, last evening
elected the following officers: Master
Workman, G. L. Simon; Foreman,
Aug. L. Gerding; Overseer, }. f.
Flynn; Recorder, L; A. Williams;
Financier, James McManus: Receiver,
Jos. Megatfin; Guide, Willis Edgett;
Inside Waterman, w. w. Wells: Out,
side Waterman, Patrick Lafferty:
Trustee three years., c. J. Curyea.
This is the eighth or ninth term as
M. w. for Mr.. Simon, and as many,
perhaps, for Mr.. McManus as Finan'
cier
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-12-14

uuired to build it is a serious item. There are
but two years for this purpose, and we must
remember that it required ten years to build
q callseway and inclined plane on which to
carry up the blocks for the great pyramid OF
Cheops, and 100000 men were twenty years
building the pyramid. But the designer
thinks that his structure can DO completed
within the time, an opinion which reflects
upon the skill and energy Of the builders OF
the Cheops affair. He admits, however, that
it must be built near granite quarry.
There is to be a special railroad running
around the pile by which material will be
delivered to within $50 feet Of the top, after
which it will be raised by derricks. The road
will have more than one track, and will be
inclosed in tunnel as fast as the structure
rises. When complete it will be between
fifteen and twenty miles long. Doubtless it
Is intended to serve for the ascent of visitors
after the fair has been opened 1t is the
longest ride yet proposed. A plan for tour
with a circular driveway three and half
miles was recently published, which seemed
to be a long distance, but the route over
which one will ascend to the apex of this
great pyramid will be a good days march for
soldiers in the field on level road. Even in
train, considering the incline, it will prob
ably require two hours to make the ascent
The estimated cost of this work is in pro-
portion to its immense size. 1t will cost $1,5,-
OOO,0 600 Where the money is to come from
Its originator does not indicate, except that
it would necessarily be under government
control and consequently the government
would have to pay for it in order to control
it. New York has not been quick i'll raising
the guaranty fund of S5,00O,O 900 for the fair,
and if an effort is necessary TO raise $5,OOO,OW
for this purpose in the metropolis, how prac-
ticable would be the raising Of sl15,UO,OU,
or thirty-five times the amount, for pyramid
which after the fair would be of no use ex'
cept for people to go up to get the views.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-12-14

dous" ana all the old words In the dictionary
which have served this purpose have become
tame The designs have increased in size,
each succeeding one, over its predecessor,
ill they are now so great that all previous
fractures on the earth's surface, including
he Eiffel and the Babel towers and the pyra-
hids of Egypt, have become mere pigmies in
comparison.
Mr.. George W. Cooley, Of Minneapolis, is
the last candidate, with a design which
eclipses all former ones He proposes mas
sive stone pyramid of granite, each side OF
whose base is to be 1890 feet long, 800 feet
wide, 1000 feet high and 100 feet square at
the summit, where is to stand statue OF
Liberty 200 feet high, giving total elevation
of 200 feet.
ain the center of the pyramid" says The
Minneapolis Tribune, twill be a circular
chamber 500 feet in diameter, the sides to be
of polished granite and rising in the form OF
Gothic arch to the apex, which is 700 feet
from the pavement. Leading to this central
chamber are four passageways or corridors,
with an arched roof, the keystone of the arch
being 100 feet above the surface level. The
entrances to these corridors will be on the
middle of each side Of the pyramid, and will
be constructed with view to ornament as
well as utility. About midway between the
extremities of each corridor will be an oc-
tagonal chamber somewhat higher than the
corridor itself At each outer corner Of the
pyramid is square tower 100 feet In
height, to be surmounted by statue. Two
statues only have been decided upon by Mr.
Cooley, those Of Columbus and Washington
The others will probably be those of the
president Of the United States and some
other prominent character in the nations
history"
Some pretty big pieces of work for the fair
have been laid out, but nothing that COM
pares with this. Its base will cover 16O acres,
| or a quarter section of land. The time re-
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-12-14


possible to get enough vessels together in any
one place to form respectable command for
a rear admiral, as for flying squadron it
has been utterly impossible, and with the ter
ribly slow speed the word flying" would
most certainly be misnomer
Since the government has begun building
steel cruisers with stanch frames and strong,
powerful machinery, the case assumes differ.
ent aspect and the possibility OF realizing
some of the long talked Of and well digested
schemes has at last arrived. With the new
vessels and improved guns have come new
methods Of doing things, which differ In
many respects most radically from what OIL
GERS and men, during the long period OF stag
nation, have been accustomed to. In those
DAYS of what it is presumed may be now most
properly called the "old navy" or perhaps
still earlier in the daysof self supporting sail
ing ships, method was not so Indispensable,
although even then it made important con-
tributions to success, but in these days or
mastleSs armored ships, OF coal and countless
mechanisms, torpedoes electricity, high pow
cred rifed guns and smokefss powders, a
dozen shops and factories contribute to the
outfit of a single ship, and single misftting
valve may cause disaster. Method, the most
refined and careful in detail. and the success
of which Is tested by experiment and ma
neuver, is absolutely requisite.
The vessels Of the squadron although not
up to the most recent date in their style OF
construction, disposition of batteries, power
of machinery and SO forth, are vessels that
those who serve In them will have no reason
to be at all ashamed Of; as they are very
much superior to the foreign squadrons that
as a general rule, are sent to visit our ports
They are unarmored, to be sure but they
have steel curved decks and more or less coal
protection to their vitals. The batteries OF
the Boston and Atlanta are very much
heavier than any ships OF similar tonnage
carry in other navies, they have fine sea-
going qualities, good maneuvering power
and are comfortable craft to serve in
Four, or at the most five, vessels, should the
Dolphin accompany the squadron, do not
make a very large number for extensive evo-
lutions, but for cruising or flying squadron
the differences in type, the electric appliances
and the various fittings make them well cal
culated to fill every requisite. Should the
present plan be carrie,. out, all the other new
vessels, as they are put In commission ready
for sea service, will join this squadron for
period of six months drill, and at the end OF
that time, If they pass the rigid scrutiny OF
the commander-ln-chief,t they are to be de-
tached and sent to join some one OF the squad
rons on foreign station.
The Chicago the flagship, is the largest OF
our cruisers in commission. Her command
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-12-14
WEDNESDAY,.

Hon. Samuel g. Wiley, of Earl, was
in Ottawa yesterday.
Edward AthertOn, of this city, has
opened blacksmith shop in Grand
Ridge. He is good workman.
Charles B. Hess and wife have trans
ferred lot in States addition TO Lucy
E. Bascom for consideration OF
$3.50.
Silas Strawn spent yesterday in
Seneca trylnga law suit before local
Justice, making $50, at least, for his
client for his days work.
Mamie Watts. of Alton, H., is visit
ing with her sister, Mrs. Wallace Lib
bic. of Farm Ridge, and also with her
uncles, Joseph and Philip Watts, OF
South Ottawa.
The Dramatic Section of the Turn
Verein meets again one week from
Sunday night. A roaring farce-,
comedy will be presented, with several
musical selections as an accompanl-
ment.
G. Anterior, of Wedron. was in OF
tawa Yesterday. He says the pro-
prietors of the sand pit there have or
ders to the amount of thirty carloads
ahead of what their present force can
produce.
Geo. Wilson's MINISTRIES had a damned
house last night-full to the doors.
The entertainment was an excellent
one, the singing in the first part being
particularly fine: and all the special
features were very good indeed many
of them new.
]. Megatlin has in his window horse
chestnut at least six times the aver
age size growing in this country: also
a pine cone as large as the largest pine
apple. They were brought from Cali
fornia by Thomas Rhodes, who lately
returned from there. The pine cone
grew on tree at least $50 feet in
height.
Thomas J. Young has removed his
Office from the Opera House block to
an Office over Riale'S grocery store.
with Mr.. B. F. Lincoln. Tommy is
now prepared to meet his friends when
anything in the line of legal advice is
needed. He has resigned his position
in Company ID, having been with the
company three years, which is the re-
uuired time, and retires to make room
for a newcomer.
The Poplar street sewer has been
completed. and is one of the best jobs
done in this city for years. john +.
Murphy & Co., who had the contract,
on commencing work discovered that
there would be no money in it, and SO
they took off their coats, got picks,
shovels, drills and package of dyna'
mite. pitched in and did the work
within fourteen days less than the
time specified. The sewer cost 81 900,
and has been accepted by the COM
mittee.
If Rose pays his stock subscription
to the Board of Trade Company as
quickly as he paid that to the Organ
Company fund. the new Board will
reyel i'm funds from quarter from
which the Organ Company has not to
this day realized cent. The double
headed announcement of his sub
scription of 800 to the Organ Com.
pany fund some years ago would read
much more glowingly now If he will
Just step to the front and pay the
money, and the financial committee
in charge of than fund would receive
il with thanks, awfully" - very
''awfully," so to speak.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-12-14

breech loading steel rifles, with twelve rapid
fire and machine guns. She was built by
John Roach 81 Sons at Chester, and the CON
tract price was SSS9,00 Owing to the nu-
merous changes that have been made in the
fitting of this vessel, the sum actually ex-
pended is largely in excess of this estimate
Lieut. S. s. Stanton will be flag lieutenant
Of the squadron.
The Atlanta Capt. Howell, the inventor OF
the automobile torpedo now being furnished
to naval vessels, and the Boston, Capt.
O'Kane, and sister ships of about 5000 tons
displacement, also built by John Roach &
Sons, and probably costing to date about
$685., 600 Their batteries are extremely
heavy for vessels of their class, and although
they apparently carry them with ease, show
ing thus far no signs Of being over weighted,
the latest practice OF the day is not in favor
Of such heavy guns as the eight inch, the ten
dency being larger number Of quick fire
guns Of smaller caliber, the projectiles from
which are sufficiently powerful TO pierce the
sides Of any craft against which these ships
would be called upon TO fight
Their batteries are two S-inch and six b.
inch breech loading steel rifles, with ten rapid
fire and machine guns; there are no torpedo
fittings for these vessels. A radical depart
ure from the then existing methods Of con-
struction is apparent in the build OF thess
ships the raised portions forward and aft are
moved together. forming a superstructure
deck amidships, leaving the ends low and az
fordng thereby IA free sweep for her large
gins. one Of which is mounted on the port
side forward and the other diagonally aft on
the siarboard side All sorts Of direful pre-
n.
when they were at first proposed, and 1t mast
have been a genuine surprise To the wise
acres and croakers when their stanchness
and stability at sea became an assured fact.
The Yorktown. Commander Chadwick
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-12-14
The situation in Montana remain

The situation in Montana remains
unchanged. Each party has majority
of three in the house, but as the senate
remains tie, neither house can be
Joined by senate with quorum.
The last project of the Republicans is
to seize one of the democratic senators
and drag him into the Republican
senate by force, in order to give them
a quorum long enough to vote out one
or two democratic and vote in as many
Republican senators, so as to break
the deadlock. The Democrats simply
say, should such an attempt be made,
there will be blood shed.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-12-14

ing officer is Capt.
II. b. Robson, and
at her mizzen she is
to fly the broad
blue flag with the
two white stars of
a rear "a d m iral
which is flown by
Commodore J. e..
Walker, who has
for the time being
been made an act
ing rear admiral.
The main battery
Of the Chicago is
four S-inch, eight g.