davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Connecticut western news., 1889-02-06
THE MAN-OF-WAR CHICAGO.
She is About Completed-Hcr Flee.
 trical Appliances

The handsome big steel war cruiser, the Chicago is in the dry dock at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where her bottom is undergoing a thorough scraping preparatory to receiv- ing n coat of paint. The ship is now rapidly approaching completion in point of equip ment, and it is expected she will be ready to have her guns and various new appliances with which she issupplied tested in the early part of March.
 The Chicago will be, when finished, the equal of any ship of her class in the world, nt pres cnt the most important work being done upon her is in getting her ordinance-in shape for use. The ship carries four eight inch harbcttc guns, eight six inch and two five inch guns, all of which are already on board. These guns constitute powerful arma- mcnt, which, besides being equipped with tho most improved appliances for effective management in vogue on other vessels of the American Navy, will have one feature which no other American vessel possesses. This is an electric firing circuit or electric connections for all the guns, by which, when a button is pressed in the pilot tower, the concentrated fire of all the guns may be g ven in a broadsidc upon given object, thus rendering it highly effective. The vessel is supplied with arc electric lights throughout, even to the lower deck, tho storeroom, the running lights and masthead lights.
 The chief officer for the Chicago are: Cap tain H. B. Roheson, commanders, with Lieu. tenant Commander NJ. R s. MacKenMe as executive officer.
Connecticut western news., 1889-02-06
A Puzzling Legal Defence.

A Rotterdam daily, the Courant, com mentel lately of a singular criminal trial in Holland, the facts in which were somewhat as follows: Two men were out hunting in the country near one of the canals or watercourses, and their guns were of the same bore. Seeing, as they supposed, an otter in the rushes, they tirel and killed man who was conceal cd there for some unknown purpose. They wero arrested and tried for man. slaughter. Their counsel made bril- liant plea for their acquittal. It seems that one of the wounds was mortal and alone must have caused instantaneous death
 The other was in less vital part and would not necessarily have produced death. How it was impossible to deter mine, as the guns were of precisely sim liar calibre, which shot was from which gun, and as the defendants had fired al- most simultaneously, it followed that if the first had fired the shot which killed, the other could not be held guilty mere ly for firing into Q dead body. So the counsel insisted that it was impossible to hold either guilty of manslaughter. The phlegmatic judge and jury were meditating over this question at last ad- vices
Connecticut western news., 1889-02-06
For a New Navy Yard.

Secretary Whitney has appointed board consisting of Captain Bobert Boyd, Captain Francis H. Ramsay and Lieutenant Com mander w. H. Brownson, who will compose the commission authorized by the act of Congress to report as to the most desirable location on or near the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and the South Atlantic coast for the establishment of q navy yard and dry docks in that part of the country. An appro- priation of $10,O00 was made at the last ses- sion of Congress for the expenses of the con- mission and for sounding and surveying such localities as the commission may decide upon. The Board met at the Navy Depart ment. and organized by electing Captain Francis M. Ramsey, as president. They ex- amned number of maps submitted by Lieutenant Commander Brownson, hydro graphic inspector of the Coast Survey, and also determined upon line of action, and ar- ranged the necessary prelimnaries prior to the departure of the commission for the Gulf nfa
Connecticut western news., 1889-02-06
Locked in a Tomb.

Philip Zeh, Jr. Q horist of Brooklyn, N r., while attending to the graves in Green wood Cemetery, entered one of the large vaults to inspect it. As he entered he inad- vertently slammed the bronze door shut and out dropped the key, just n little over an arms reach from the grating on the outside. A shvcr raE through him. He well knew he might be there for the night except for some piece of good luck. It was cold and damp. Several women who passed that way shortly after were badly frightened when he called to them for assista ance. Some of them ran screaming to the gateman, and told him a long story of being chased by half a-dozen ghosts. Icl, knowing tho women had taken him for a ghost, reasoned to him self that they would naturally inform the gate keeper, who, he supposed, would invcsti- gate. but the old gate keeper had heard such stories before and paid no heed to tfem After pacing the tomb all night, keeping him. self warm as best he could. Ich was released next morning by one of the workmcn who happened to be passing.
Connecticut western news., 1889-02-06
An Unfortunate Joke.

George Heidel, a young farmer residing about nine miles below Evansville, Ind, lost his life in a most singular manner. Adjoining his farm was that of William Tompkins, q negro, who for several days past has been en- gagged in clearing up ground, cutting away the timber and preparing for spring. Knowing him to be very superstitous Heidel resolved upon a practical joke, and about seven D. m. stationed himsefat q point in the wood where he knew the negro would pass covering himself with a white garment and secreting himself to wait his victim In a short time Tomp- kins came along with axe upon his slloul- der, and Heidel rushed from his covert, mak- ing strange motions from beneath the sheet.
 The negro in his fright struck out with his axe, splitting the head of the unfortunate joker squarely open to the shoulders and killing him instantly. Tompkins then rushed away never realizing that he had killed a human being, and has not since been seen. No effort has been made to arrest him, as 1t done in a moment of great fright.
Connecticut western news., 1889-02-06
Read Newspapers and Study.

Our advice to young men is to study politics all the time. Begin now to keep the run of current events, not only at home, but abroad. Watch tho struggle in France, with Boulange r rising above the angry surges of the troubled waters. Mark the progress of the home rule idea in the British parliament, and especially the part that the "Grand Old Man. is taking in it. Note the attempts that are made to establish civilization and Christianity in Africa. In order to do this you must do more than read the newspapers carefully. You must delve into history. You should also read care fully the best works you can find on the science of government. The political parties in our own day present study we'll worth watching carefully. Above all, make it point to analyze motives, separate the good from the bad, care fully make up your mind as to what is right, but do not blind yourselves to the faults in your own party; make it rule of your life never to do in politics any thing that you would account wrong in business or social life. Any young man who views the passing struggles of men and parties from the high plane of in- telligence and virtue will not only be credit to himself and his party, but will be good to the nation.-Ne,o Haren (Conn.) Register.
Connecticut western news., 1889-02-06
ImnrisOned Wild Animals.

In making the Dsston drainage canals, con- meeting Lakes Tohopegoliga, Cypress, and Kissimmee, Fla, large ridges of dirt were thrown up on either side of the excavations. During the present overfowed condition of this section of the country these ridges are the only land to be seen for miles around in some localities. Wild animals of various kinds have been gradually driven along by the advancing waters, until now they are prisoners these ridges. number of men just returned from the Okeechobee country with a dozen catamount or Florida tiger skins and various other evi- dences of 0 successful chase, report that on of these ridges cracker and his son slaughtered over 100 rabbits, and half score of 'possums besides other game within an hour. Amateur sportsmen dislike to kill them as there is very little amusement in such butchery. But the pro- fessionals-the hunters for revenue only-will probably clear every accessible ridge within 8 few weeks.
Connecticut western news., 1889-02-06
THE MONTREAL CARNIVAL.
Have Annexed Montreal
 The Carnival Programme

Americans Have Annexed Montreal
 The Carnival Programme.
 Every train arriving ill Montreal brings hundreds of Americans, and Montreal is prac- ticallyin in their possession. The great winter carnival is about to begin, and the entire week will be given up to outdoor festivities, such as only the climate of Canada will per init.
 The sports which will claim attention dur ing carnival week are not novel to the nn- tives, and the carnival would be a failure were it not for the presence of so many thousands of Americans. To the latter, who never attended a winter carnival, the sports are nearly all entirely new, and to those who have been there before they certainly are not worn out. Nothing of the kind can be ac- complished in the warmer climate of the United States.
 The programme consists of tobogganing, ice palace exercises skating races, horse races on ice, fancy dress skating carnivals, snowshoe tramps and the storming of the ice palace. When the storming, defense and equalization of the ice palace by the vari ous snowshoe clubs, advancing with torchlights from the mountain, under cover of the guns of the Montreal Field Battery, will take place. The beseging host will commence the attack simultaneously from all sides of the palace. The defense by the garrison and onslaught of the invaders with the dissolving illumination of the palace previous to the equalization, will form most magnificent spectacle
Connecticut western news., 1889-02-06
A Fatal Accident.

A switch engine on the St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad jumped the track while running at the rate of fifteen miles an hour near Springfield, Mo-, and instantly killed three men and injured five others, four of whom are not expected to live. There were ten men on the engine at tiIe time of the accident and only two escaped. A stock ear had just been delivered at the stock yards. and the engine was on the way back to the depot. It is supposed there was some obstruction in the frog of a switch. The engine turned completely over and pnioned and crushed the men, Charles Manson, the brakeman, was married. and when his wife was informed of the accident she went into convulsions and is expected to die.
Connecticut western news., 1889-02-06
PATENT OFFICE AFFAIRS.
Gist of the Commissioners Annual
 Report to Congress.

The Commissioner of Patents transmitted his annual report to Congress. He recon. mends that the law relating to trade marks be amended so as to specify what devices shall be registered as trade marks; that the patent system be amended by providing that patents issued hereafter be cxtingushed by the Go' ernment at any time upon the pay ment to the owners of the invention of a reasonable amornt of money, to be deter mined by arbitration or otherwise, as may seem appropriate to Congress; that the law providing that patents first taken out by Americans in foreign countries shall ex- pire in the United States with the lifetime of the patent in the foreign country in which it first expires be repealed.
 The total receipts of the office for the past year were $1, 11S,516, and the total expcnd- itures $974, 10S, showing tue net income of the Office to have been $144, ,4OS The patent fund in the Treasury January 1, 1889, amounted to $3,401, ,SoS. The number of original patents issued during the year was 20,42O, of which 1,536 were to citizens of foreign countries; reissues, SC; trade marks registered, 1,059, and labels registered 21, S92. In the year II ,GS7 patents expired.
Connecticut western news., 1889-02-06
WAR DECLARED.
Germany Places Samoa Under Mar
 tial Law-ActiOn of the Senate.

Advices from Samoa state that the Ger man officials have given notice that vessels arriving there will be searched for articles contraband of war. They have compressed the Samoan Times.
 passenger on the British steamer Wainin who visited Mataafas s camp was placed under arrest, but was subsequently released in cOm- pliancc with Q demand of the British Consul. A proclamation has been issued placing the Apia police force under German control Ma taafas followers number 6,OOO. They are strongly intrenched, and other Samoans are rapidly joining them.
 The amendment to Diplomatic and Consul lar Appropriation bill providing for an ap- propriation for the protection of American interests in Samoa caused considerable dis cussion in the Senate regarding affairs there. The amendment was passed, and is as fol- lows:
 'For the execution of the obligations end the protection of the interests of the United States existing under the treaty be- tween the United States and the government of the Samoan Islands, $500, ,OOO, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to be expended under the direction of the President, this ap- propriation to be immediately available.
 "For the survey, improvement and occupa- ton of the bay and harbor of Pango Pango in the island of Tutuila, Samoa. and for the construction of the necessary wharves and buildings for such occupation and for a coal ing station therein, under the direction of the President, $1OO, ,OOO this appropriation to be immediately available
 Secretary of State Bayard said that the State Department had received despatch from Consul Blacklock, at Samoa. stating that war had been declared against Mataafa, and that martial law had been proclaimed by the German Consul at Apia. He did not know whether the state of martial law re- ferred to included all of Samoa or only Apia.
 A Berlin despatch says: It is not expected that German military operations in Samoa will begin until sufficient endorsements are sent to the islands. At present there are at Samoa three German war ships, with an avail able landing force of 300 men. --.-s
 Later information is to the effect that the German Minister at Washington notified the State Department that Prince Bismarck had cabled the German officials in Samoa, modi- flying their recent objectionable proclamations and virtually restoring the status quo, so far as foreign residents of the Islands are con- cerned, but the determination to search for cign vessels for contraband of war has not yet been retracted and may lead to more complications.
Connecticut western news., 1889-02-06
A Crown Prince Dead.

Archduke Rudolf, the Austrian Crown Prince and heir apparent to the throne, died suddenly at Baden, twelve miles from Vienna. He was found dead in bed in the morning by his valet when the latter entered his bed chamber. Appoplexy was the cause of his unexpected death He was nearly 31 years old. He entered the Austrian army in 1878, earliest days his inclinations ran in the di- rection of scierce and literature, though he devoted himself with great energy to sport of all kinds. He found peculiar pleasure in the companionship of men distinguished for their literary and scientific attainments. He edited several books and contributed to other works, all relating to science or travel. He was married in 1881 to the Archduchess Stephanie, daughter of Leopold H., King of the Belgians. The present heir-presumptive to the throne is the Emperor's brother, the Archduke Charles Louis, a General of cavalry in the Austrian army
Connecticut western news., 1889-02-06
LOCKED UP IN A SAFE.
The Strange Predicament of a Bank
 BoOkkeeper.

John P. Futile, Treasurer of the New Ha- ven (Conn.) Savings Bank, locked up the safe and the outer doors as usual at o'clock in the evening, and went home. At o'clock next morning he was aroused by a son of Benjamin C. Lum, bookkeeper at the bank, who asked MT. Futile if he had seen his father.
 At first MT. Futile supposed that the young man was walking in his sleep. He became convinced, however, that something was wrong with his bookkeeper. and hastily go- ing to the bank, discovered Mir. Lum' $ dinner basket in it's place. MT. Futile concluded that his bookkeeper was locked up in the safe. The bolts on the safe slide by clock work, and can be slipped from thelr fastenings only at S.45 each morning.
 When the safe was opened i'll the morning there was Mr. Lum in a fainting condition. 1t seems that when Mir. Futile locked the safe Mir. Lum was in it depositing some books He fainted soon after realizing his situation, but came to himself some time afterward. There were candles in the vault. These he burned all night and amused him. self as best he could. Mr. Lum has been iN since but is not considered in dangerous condition.
Connecticut western news., 1889-02-06
Fourteen Persons Killed,

A terrible railroad accident occurred near Groenendael, Belgium. A train bound from Brussels for Namur struck apillar of a bridge near that place, causing the bridge to col lapse. The train wfs carried down with it and completely wrecked Fourteen persons were killed outright. and fifty others were injured. The bodies of all the persons killed have been brought to Brussels. Fifteen per sons, all mortally injured, lie at Hoeylaert, near the scene of the disaster Among them are several young children. The Minister of Railroads lias visited the injured, most of whom are suffering from fractured legs.
Connecticut western news., 1889-02-06
American Shippin z League.

The third annual National Convention ot the American Shipping and Industrial League was held at Washington. The stated object of the league is to promote the development and distribution of the products of American labor by an extension of the merchant marine and to establish thereby more intimate com mercal intercourse with other countries by frequent and direct American mail service General Joseph Wheeler of Alabama the President of the league, presided, and in talk, ing the chair, delivered a short address. briefly reviewing the history of American shipping General Ptkin. of Louisiana, delivered the first regular address of the session. His sub. ject was, "The Rehabilitation of our Merchant Marine a National and not a Party Cues tion :,
Connecticut western news., 1889-02-06
Iron Deposits in Virginia.

Excitement is intense in the neighborhood of Lexington, Va, over the discovery of an immense mountain of the richest ore, which rivals in quality and vast deposit the fla nous iron beds of Birmingham. It was discovered by persons who went out to investigate the newly opened prop erty called Buena Vista, on the line of the Shenandoah Valley and Richmond and Ale gheny Chemists pronounce the ore more than 50 per cent. pure and high grade. This, it is thought, will insure the building of a new city. Business is nearly suspended, and peo- pie will not talk of anything but the discov-
Connecticut western news., 1889-02-06
Northern Seftlementa South.

Seventy-five per cent. of the readers of this article either for health pleasure or perma- nent homes, expect to go South in the near flu ture, and are anxious for reliable information concerning that favored country. The lLLI- NOIS CENTRAL Railroad, the Home seekers fricn nd. reaching from Sioux City, Sioux Fall and Chicago, to New Orleans, passes through Western Kentucky and Tennessee, Mississippi NORTHERN as well as Southern markets For this reason hundreds of Northern families are settling, at Jackson, Tennessee; Holl. Springs. Jackson, Terry, Brookhaven and Nc Comb City, Mississippi; and Kentwood, ,Arcola Amite City, and Hammond, Louisiana. 1fyou undersigned at Manchester, Iowa, for 8 copy o1 the pamphlet recently issued, entitled Pros porous Northern Settlements in Tennessee of visiting and investing in the South before prices are greatly advanced, you cannot make the trip too soon. J. F. MERRY, Gen. West Pass Act,
Connecticut western news., 1889-02-06
Human Torches.

A can of benzine exploded in Il d dyeing estab- lishment in New York, and wrapped John Rhodes, the proprietor, and William Boyd, his assistant, in flames from head to foot, besides converting the store into a furnace. Rhodes rushed into the street, where the burning clothing was torn from him, but Boyd, blinded by the flames, mistook the opening of the show window " for the door, and groped in his glass prison, blazing like a huge torch, until Bernard Hogan smashed the glass, and hcroically leaping through, drag ged the fame-encircled man to the sidewalk. Both Boyd and Rhodes arc still unconscious, and it is thought that they will die.
Connecticut western news., 1889-02-06
A Successful Operation.

Young Grover Kingsburyis is a patient in tho temporary ward of the new Long Branch (N. J.) Hospital. He is pretty, curly-haired youngster of four years. His father is a house carpenter, who lives in Red Bank, N. J. Last November he accidentally fell into the fire. The result was large wound, which has not healed. Drs. $. H. Hunt. of Long Branch, and Baker, of Eatontown, decided that skin grating necessary The Rev. N. A. MacNchol offered to supply the neces- sary amount of cutice from his arms. The phy scians carefully raised little pieces of skin from the young clergyman's arm with 0 deli cate little pair of forceps, and, after shipping thsm o6 with e pair of scissors with curved haadea, deftiy placed them on Growers back. ~ Q1eeutto1 was entirrly successful.
Connecticut western news., 1889-02-06
Saved Twenty Lives

. The life-saving crow at Muskegett station, Mass, succeeded in rcscuing twenty per sons from the ship Antoinctte, which stranded outside of Tuckernuck. The point at which the vessel went ashore is some three miles from the station, with an intervening space of water, large portion of it being shoals. This compelled the crew to wade i'll the water up to their waists the greater part of the night, arriving at the scene of the wreck at about daylight, when the line was fired to the ship and the work of landing be-
 gun. After two hours of hard labor all were safely landed. But for the efforts of the sta tion crew the entire number would probably have been lost. At the time the ship struck a terrible sea was running, and, through fear of capszing, all the mnsts were cut away.