davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Portland daily press., 1891-12-29
SAT ON A BEER KEG, DEAD.
An Appropriate End to the Life of "Pop'
Smith.

New YORK, December 2S.-An old man,
whose garments were tattered and torn.
and whose single shoe was soleless. while
his hat lacked a crown, sat on beer keg
outside the saloon at Spring and Mulberry
streets from midnight until 6 O'Clock yes
terday morning. A policeman who had
noticed the figure as he turned in at the
neighboring station after the first night
watch said when he saw it on turning out
for the dog, watch at A. NJ: Are you
still here, old chap?" As he spoke he cut
the air near the old mans head with his
club, giving him what is called wind
blow.
The familiar "swish" of the club ap-
parently aroused the man, for he got up
soon after and moved away. He was not
on the keg when Ward Detective Budd
there was dead body seated on the keg
with a crownless hat on its head and a
sOleless shoe on one of the feet.
The body, which was taken to the Nor
que, was recognized as that of "Pop"
Smith, familiar figure in the Fourteenth
ward. A score of years ago Pop" could
best any man in the ward barr0om, and he
proved his ability in many barrooDR scrap,
but he never fought for purse. He earn
ed what money he needed for meat and
drink-it took good deal-in various
ways, none of them permanent. At one
time, for instance, he did chores around
Centre Market. Lately he had sold rags.
He also lived at the expense of the city for
months at time, committal to Blackwelps
Island having been familiar experience
with him.
Pop" Smiths Christian name was John.
His death was probably due more to in
temperance than to destitutiOn or expos
ure, although he had not had a home for
some time. Unless claimed by sister,
who lives in Staten Island, the body will
be buried in the Potter's Field.
The Portland daily press., 1891-12-29
BRIEFLY TOLD.

Walt Whitman continues to improve,
A despatch from Hamilton, Ohio, a place
with 10000 population. says that three
f0urths of the inhabitants have the grippe.
Contrary to general expectation, Cover
nor Russell, of Massachusetts, has refused
to sign the pardon of James Dunlap, the
Northampton bank rObber.
Georgia T. Howe, jeweler. of Nashua,
N H., is missing. So Is his stock of jew
elry, as his creditors found out when they
took possession yesterday.
Two foreigners who have been acting in
a suspicious manner have been arrested in
San Francisco. They are believed to be
Chilian spies trying to find out about the
torpedo defences of the harbor.
Senator Washburn says that there is no
truth in the statement that Mr.. Blaine in
a recent conversation with him had re-
vealed his intentions as to the Presidency
and Informed him that If nominated with
unanimity, he would accept, Ii in as good
health then as now.
The Russian police have been displaying
much activity of late, particularly in Rus
sian Poland. A very large number of ar
rests have been made One of the arrested
at Warsaw is the Polish historian, Vadis-
lazy Smolensky.
The injuries from which Prince Chris
tian Of Schleswig- -Holstein Is suffering,
were caused by a charge of shot from the
rife OF the Duke of Connaught, who miss
ed aim while hunting In the royal pre-
serves on the Isle of Wight. The sight of
one OF the Princes eyes Is destroyed.
The Portland daily press., 1891-12-29
HERRICK'S FATAL BLUNDER.
The New York Central Brakeman Trying
To Explain 1t.

PoUGHKEEPsIE, N. Y, December 2S-
Timothy Herrlck of Staatsburg, father of
Albert Herrick, the fugitive Central Hua-
son trainman, saw his son in New York
Saturday and got him to make statement
in reference to the fatal collision at Hast
ings on Christmas eve. In this statement,
Herrick says that when his train stopped
he started down the track to stop the Gro
ton local. then nearly due. He placed tor
pedoes on the rail and then walked down
to the station, thinking it better to notify
the engineer there than to stop him again
before he was fairly under way. At the
station he placed light on the platform, a
red light showing south, and stepped into
the station. He sat down and remained
from three to five minutes, when he heard
train coming. He started for the door,
believing it to be the local, but found it was
an express, He grabbed his light and tried
to attract the engineers attention, but it
was too late. After preparing this state
Eent Herrick disappeared.
The Portland daily press., 1891-12-29
In TIME OF PEACE.
Navy Department Preparing TO Meet
Southern Yankees,
OFFICIALS DECLARE HOWEVER
THEY EXPECTING TROUBLE.

Meanwhile, warships Are Moving To
wards Chilli, Apparently in Battle Trin
and Preparation Is Everywhere in
Progress-Admiral Brown Awaiting
Orders at San Diego-General Miles and
His Force of Ten Thousand Regulars.
WASHINGTON, December 28.-It Is inn
possible to get more than hint of what
passed between Secretary Blaine and
Chilian Minister Montt during the inter-
view held today but that was probably
sufficient to warrant a supposition that
matters are not proceeding as satisfactory
ly to this government as could be desired.
Although Mr.. Blaine is dealing almost en-
tirely directly with the Gillian minister
instead Of with his government through
Minister Egan, 1t does not appear that the
result has been saving of time, and there
is reason to suspect that the Secretary is
chafng at the delay he encounters In
securing final response to the representa-.
tions made by this government concerning
the attack upon the BalttmOre's men,
During the afternoon, Representatives
Lodge and Boutelle called at the Navy
OopdEtucuL. 1u6y arc DOLu h6puDllca0
members of the House com.
mittee on naval affairs, the
chairman of which, Representative Her
bert, is absent from the city. Unless the
House recurs to the old Kendall rules, the
naval committee will retain in It's charge
all matters relating to appropriations forthe
naval service, while in the Senate the con-
current action of the committee on aDpro-
priations and the committee on naval af-
fairs Is usually necessary to secure provi-
sion for naval expenditures. Secretary
Tracy has been in communication with
the members of each of those committees.
An officer of the department, speaking
of the consultation, said: "It means just
this. We are abiding by George Washing
toms maxim. In time of peace, prepare for
war; We do not believe there will be
war. but IL the administration failed to ex-
ercise all its powers in the matter of pre-
paration. it would be open to severe
criticism il hostilities should actually be-
GIN"
The news reached tho Navy Department
this afternoon that the cruiser San Francis
co had arrived at San Diego. Cal, and was
at anchor in the harbor. 1t was rumored
that she would await the Charleston at
that place and transfer to the latter vessel
some of the munitions of war which she
carried from San Francisco.
The Portland daily press., 1891-12-29
FREEZING OUT NEWFOUNDLAND.
Congealed Squid Make Excellent Bait Say
the Fishermen.

OTTAWA, Ont, December 28.-The ex-
pertinent inaugurated by the fisheries de-
partment at Ottawa to supply bait to
fishermen on the Atlantic coast has proved
a gratifying success. At the suggestion of
the government, Mr.. Whitman, of Canso.
put up an experimental arrangement, Sc
cured and froze quantity of squid for
bait. The result was that all boat fisher
men continued to fish successfully long
after the boats in other ports were laid up.
Several United States fishing schooners
purchased this bait and one, the Maud M.
Story, secured good load of fish On Canso
and Catrouse banks, using only this bait.
The fishermen are quite enthusiastic about
the success of the experiment and it seems
to be generally admitted that the extern
sion of this system will render our fisher
men Independent of Newfoundland.
The Portland daily press., 1891-12-29
Local Weather Report.
PORTLAND, ME-, December 2S, 1891.
8 A. M. .l8 P. M
Weather Observations.

The following are the observations Of
the Agricultural Department Weather Bu-
reau for yesterday December %, taken at 8
p. m. 10Th meridian time. the observations
for each station being given in this order:
Temperature. direction of the wind. state
of the weather:
Boston. 800, NE. cloudless; New York,
Sso 8. clondless; Philasdsalphis. 360, SE.
Albany, 800, s, cloudless; Buffalo, 3So. Sc,
cloudy; Detroit, 40o,. Sc, cloudy; Chicago,
44o, Sc, cloudess; st. Paul. 800. w. cloudy !;
Duluth, 800, NV, clear; st. Vincent, 140,
w. cloudless; Huron. So. OAK. 24o. w,
cloudless; Bismarck, 260,. NV, clear !;
Jacksonville, 540, NE, cloudless.
The Portland daily press., 1891-12-29
THE STORY TOLD IN MAINE.
Is This the Case to which the Indiana Man

Is This the Case to which the Indiana Man
Referred?
On October 16, last, the following des-
patch appeared in Maine papers:
WOODSTOCK, October 15.-Thirty years
ago, man by the name of Nathaniel Full
Ter, was found dead by the roadside in this
town. His body was badly bruised and
tn ere was every indication of foul play.
He was known, however, to have left home
ON horseback, and the affair was smoothed
over with the explanation that the man
died of heart disease. and that the bruises
were caused by his falling off his horse.
This did not satisfy many, but as there
were no new developments the case gradu-
ally passed out of the public mind, and
there are not many living in the vicinity
who remember it.
mind by most remarkable occurrence. Cy-
rus Bryant is an old resident of the town.
Once man of great physical powers, old
age has gradually broken him down, and
he is now weak and infrm. Realizing that
death was not far off, he has made public a
statement of strange character.
He says that Fuller did not die of heart
Hammond. He and Hammond met Fuller
on horseback. The two had had quarrel
about woman, and Hammond, when he
saw him, pulled him from his horse, and in
the fierce struggle that ensued chOked him
to death. They left the body by the road.
Then he told Bryant if he ever told of the
affair that he would kill him. Soon after
the affair Hammond went West and has, so
far as is known, been there ever since.
Soon after another desatch from Wood
stock declared that the story of murder
had been found to be without foundation.
The second despatch said:
The facts gained from the most intelli-
gent and respectable citizens living near by
at the time, are these: Nathaniel Fuller
and Hammond lived near neigh
bOrs and were ever on the best of terms so
far as is known. Both were young men of
good habits and highly respected. Fuller
enlisted in the UNI ed States service in
July, 1862, went to Augusta, was mustered
in aud came home on a short furlough pre-
vious to leaving Tor the seat of war. A
great drought prevailed at that time, and
Fuller mounted his horse, a very spirited
animal, and rode to public watering
place some half mile distant by
the road side. Here he was found dead
with his horse standing beside him. The
ground where he lay was soft and muddy,
but no signs OF a struggle or even Of tracks,
except those or the horse, were visible at
the time. DR.. Russell. an eminent physi-
clan, was summoned at once before the
body was moved, and after a close examin-
alton, gave his opinion that heart failure
was the cause of his death.
The two stories do not agree in the sea-
son of the year at which the occurance is
said to have taken place; the name of the
alleged murderer, nor in the ages of the
men but there is nevertheless a
similarity between them.
The Portland daily press., 1891-12-29
CHALK DUST FLOWER.
Big SwindIe Discovered in the Russian
Capital.

ST. PETERSBURG. December 2S.-The
scandal arising from the discovery of adul-
terated flour here. is apt to make trouble
for number of people. The consignment
comprised 100000 poeds T,SOO.0c0 English
pounds) of barley flour purchased from
dealers In Libeau with view to regulating
the price of wheat in ST. Petersburg, as
well as to afford relief to the famine suf-
ferers. Investigation proved that the entire
consignment was so heavily adulterated
with chalk dust and other substances as to
endanger the health, If not the lives, of
those using the -four.
The Portland daily press., 1891-12-29

Rival on a Bridge in a Maine Town
1t Was Christmas Eve, and the Old
Man Had Been Drinking-The Strange
Sequel to Story Recently Published
in Maine Papers.
Especial to the Press.1
SPRINGFIELD, o., December 2S.-A spe-
cial from New Albany. Ind, says: A
searching party looking for Louis Vilmas.
a rich miser. who had been last seen in this
city on Christmas eve., found him Satur-
day, dead, in small creek in the woods
near his honse. Connected with his death
is strange story. Vilmas had come to
New Albany. as it was his annual custom,
to purchase presents, as he said, for the
children of his aged sister. residing some
where in the State of Maine. He was seen
to have large roll of bank notes, and
startled all who knew him by Offering to
treat the whole house. He drank several
egg nogs. His conduct was so unlike his
former self that he was asked what came
over him. To this he replied: "This is NV
birthday. have now lived threescore and
ten years, which l swore l would 40 on the
day. | was fifty. I'll celebrate if it kills
For an hour the old man unbosomed
himself to the landlord and the friends as
sembled, and told the story of his life. He
confessed that he had no sister in Maine,
but that the woman 20 whom he annually
sent presents was an old sweetheart who
had Tilted him in his younger days. After
taking a couple Of more drinks, Vilmas
suddenly turned to the landlord and, hold
Ing ont his hands, declared they were red
with blood. He said he had killed his RI
val one cold winter night in Maine, after
the two had been on spree together.
They q9arrelled on bridge over creek,
near the house Of the girl with
whom both were in love, and he, being
stronger threw his companion over the par
apet. The next morning, his rivals body
was found frozen in the ice. He had lied
he said, at the inquest, saying they had
parted good friends the night before and
that the man must have staggered from
the bridge and so met his death. The
ynung woman, however. refused to have
Vilmas and In disgust he left the State Of
Maine and went TO California, where he
made fortune.
Christmas it was reported that Vilmas's
horse had returned home without its rider
and the people at once jumped to the con-
clusi0n That he had been murdered, where
upon the country was secured and Sunday
night he was found as described in the
small creek. The body was frozen In the
Ice SO firmly that it had to be chopped out.
There was foot bridge which led over
the stream and it is believed that Vilmas
had taken short cut through the woods
in order to get home and that the horse
had SHE'D at something white while cross
ing the bridge and the old man had
toppled off its back and had been drowned
In two feet of water. The superstitiOus
see the hind of fate in his death in the
same manner as he killed his rival.
The Portland daily press., 1891-12-29
HUMPHREY WILL APPOINT.
Kansas Governor Tells wire-Pullers That
He viii Choose the Senator.

Topeka, Kan, December 2S.-Delega-
tions are arriving daily to urge the claims
of different candidates for appointment to
succeed the late Senator Plumb. Governor
Humphrey said today: 81 want it under
stood that i am the one who will name the
United States Senator. l do not think |
can make the appointment before the end
of the week. 1 shall attend to the regular
claims of the various candidates as l reach
them"
The fight so far is between Simpson.
Hudson and Perkins, and 1t is difficult to
tell who has the best of it.
The Portland daily press., 1891-12-29
THIS MORNINGS NEWS.


Page 1.
Missing brakeman attempts to explain the
disaster at Hastings.
Selecting Senator Plumb's successor.
The origin of the Mexican insurrection.
Death of Connecticut man who had been
hermit for 40 years.
Page 2.
Maine:
Quarantine to be established January /
against Massachusetts cattle.
Proceedings of the Board of Health.
Gardiner pastor called to Rockland.
The grippe In Fairfield.
Investigation in the Wotton case post
ST. Vincent's Bones.
Maine Towns.
Americans expecting to inherit property in
England worth $65,000,000.
C0nvicts threaten to kill an Illinois state
attorney.
Page 3.
Wit and Wisdom.
Various Verses.
Fashions of Today.
Page 4.
Editorials.
Magazine Notices.
Page 5.
Obituary.
Registration of Voters.
Music and Drama.
The Court Record.
Last evenings fraternity elections.
Deaths and Marriages.
Page 6.
The Taf5 on Shore.
The New Duke OF Devonshire.
Page Z.
Markets and Financial Reports.
Marine News.
Page 8.
Personal.
Brief Jottings.
The City's Revaluation.
School Comm jttee meeting.
The Portland daily press., 1891-12-29
BROWN WAITS For ORDERS.
His Ship Is Ready for Three Years Service
and Is Fitted for Battle.

HIS snip Is Ready for Three Years Service
(. and Is Fitted for Battle.
SAN DIEGO, Cal, December 28.-United
States Steamship San Francisco arrived
here this morning from San Francisco.
Rear Admiral Brown said: II shall stay
here until the Secretary of the Navy orders
us away. We are ready to sail on three
hours notice, and may remain three weeks.
All depends ON the orders from Washing
ton. The ship is equipped for a three
years. cruise. and we have a hundred
rounds of ammunition for each gun besides
800 or 400 for other ships."
What other ships ?" was asked.
1--WE may meet some other ships that
will want some ammunition" was the
answer. 1t Is inferred the Charleston Is
now on the way from Honolulu to Acapul-
co, to meet the San Francisco. The Balri-
more is coming north from Chilian waters
and may want ammunition. While the
officers refuse to state their future plans,
it Is easy to learn that the vessel is ready
for any emergency. The cruiser made the
run of 500 miles from San Francisco In SO
hours.
The Portland daily press., 1891-12-29
Alfred CeIlier.

LONDON, December 2S Alfred Cellier,
the composer, is dead. lie has been suffer-
ing from influenza two weeks and was un.
able to finish the orchestration of "Tbe
Mountebanks." the comic opera which is
the Joint work of himself and w. S. Gil
bert, in time for production at the date
first set.
The Portland daily press., 1891-12-29

Homer Baldwin of New York, whose
mother and sister were killed in the disas-
ter at Hastings, became a raving maniac
during the funeral service Sunday.
Captain Mclean Of the schooner James
I'll. Lewis recently seized by the Russians
for sealing in Russian waters, says that
the captors tore the American flag In
shreds in their efforts to get it from the
Lewis's mast and flung it into the sea.
The Portland daily press., 1891-12-29
Swallowed Her False Teeth.

WATERvILLE. Me-. December 2S-Mrs.
Charles Roderick OF this city awoke one
night few weeks ago to find that she had
swallowed her false teeth. Medical assist
ance failed to extract them. Now Mrs.
Roderick declares that she is suffering
from pain in her side. which she believes
is caused by the teeth.
The Portland daily press., 1891-12-29
Hoey's Escape from the Law.

NEW YORK, December 2S.-The action of
Henry Sanford, as president of the Adams
Express Company, against John Hoey, was
discontinued today by order of Justice An
drevs, and the attachment granted Octo-
ber 10Th vacated.
The Man Who Wanted Vanderbilt Brains.
NEW YORK, December 2S-John George
LiDgeman, who wanted to secure Cornelius
VanderDilt's brains, was pronounced In
sane today He will be sent to an insane
asylum.
The Portland daily press., 1891-12-29
THE WEATHER.
That Storm Has Got to the Lakes On Its
Way East.

WASHINGTON. December 2S.-Following
is the forecast of the weather for New
England: Probably fair Tuesday; rain or
snow Tuesday night or Wednesday; east
winds, shifting to south, warmer Tuesday
night.
BosToN, December 2S.-The storm GEN.
trail in the upper Lake Region will prob
ably move eastward to the Atlantic coast
by Wednesday, preceded by warmer fol-
lowed by much colder weather. For New
England: Fair until Tuesday night, winds
becoming strong and southerly; increased
cloudiness with some rain Tuesday night
and Wednesday. Rising temperature until
Wednesday.
Local Weather Report.
PORTT. AND ME-. Daconhar 1901
The Portland daily press., 1891-12-29
SEND ON THE ARMOR.

Two Good Ships Nearly Ready on the
Pacific Coast.
SAN FRANCISCO, December 2S-Henry
Il. Scott of the Union Iron Works said to-
night that no instructions to hasten work
on the coast defence vessel Monterey were
received, though dispatches from Wash
iDgton indicated that such instructions
might be given, owing to the Chilian situa-
tion. The vessel could be ready for service
in short order If the government would
thing was ready for the plates last April,
but they have not yet come The monitor
Monadnock at Mare Island has been wait
ing for arm0r plating for long time.
The Portland daily press., 1891-12-29

John Carr, Belfast, Me-, had Kidney
and Liver Trouble for twenty
five years. All this time scarcely
free from pain minute. Had to get
up several times each night and
use the vessel. Extreme COnstipa-
fiOn all the time. DANA'S SARSA-
PARILLA CURED HIM after all
other remedies had FAILED.
Are the DAYS of MIRACLES
PAST? Or is DANA'S the MOD
ERIN BETHESDA? Ask your
neighbor.
Dana Sarsaparilla Co., Belfast, Me.
The Portland daily press., 1891-12-29
Miles 10 Command.

NEW YORK, December 2S-A Washing
event Of war with Chilli. plans have been
made to send 10000 regular troops to the
scene Of strife under command of Gen.
The Portland daily press., 1891-12-29
AS HIS RIVAL DIED
10 Louis VilmaS, Once q Maine Man,
Met His Death.
HE HAD PREVIOUSLY TOLD OF
BONG MURDER IN MAINE.

He Said He Had, Years Ago, Killed His
Rival on a Bridge in a Maine Town
1t Was Christmas Eve, and the Old
Man Had Been Drinking-The Strange
Sequel to Story Recently Published
in Maine Papers.
Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1891-01-24
For the Observer.
Gard OF Thanks.

Ma. EDITOR: Please allow me
through your columns 10 thank the
surprise party for tie results of that
exceptional visit made rs on Thurs
day night of January 18Th. l, was
indeed a surprise. and a very pleas
ant and profitable one 10 us. No
language can express onr apprecis.
ti"n OF such tokens of substantial
Kindness. WI loved them already,
bat are by their kindness forced Ia
love them more, aud will do our
best 10 show ourselves worthy
May like beoet like" and The r-suI,
be glorious TO our kind Father
above, and 10 bis church III Hills
boro.
We nov feel somewhat as the
lady OF whom / once read. When
her lover asked her baud in mar
ria:e, she appeared mitch frightened
and said very exci;-dly "You scare
me." The subject. OF course. was
dropped aud another taken W.
Alter awhile she SAID scare me oguin.
So we feel. Although We wee
somewhat scared, L. was a p~leasan,
sensation aud a repetition ~onld not
be object onablc. When you teel
like it scare Us agar.
J. f. BRISTOWE.