davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-02
HORRORS OF WAR IN CHILE.
An English Account of a Recent Execution
and Balmaceda's Policy.

An English Account of Recent Execution
and Balmaceda's Policy.
The following from Pail Mall Budget is an
account Of the shooting Of the officers and
crew Of the Government torpedo launch
Giraldo, at Santiago, by order Of President
Balmaceda, which differs very materially
from that sent The DISPATCH by Fannie
B. Ward: On the night of May 90 those who
desired to confess did SO, table being furn-
ished upon which stood silver crucifx be-
tween two candles. The broken sobs Of the
prisoners mingled with the low tones of the
priest who, upon bended knees, exhorted
the condemned to repentance. Even the
soldiers of President Balmaceda on guard
over the condemned men were unable to re-
press their tears as they witnessed the pain
full scene.
Nearly all the night through the solemn
ceremony of prayer continued, but it was
scarcely daybreak when the shrill notes Of
the bugle were heard. Six companies of
infantry were drawn up in line in the
prison yard, and moment after the notes
Of the bugle died away an officer assembled
the gaol steps to the Capella, as
the room where the prisoners were confined
is called, and handed to the officer on
guard the sentence upon the accused and
the order Of execution, which was forth
with read. The funeral procession was
then formed, and the prisoners were
brought out, each being placed between
two soldiers. There was not a soul in the
streets as the mournful body marched to the
Plaza selected for the final death scene.
Arriving there, the troops formed hollow
square, company of sharpshooters being
placed in position facing the con-
demned. After the prisoners had kiss
ed the crucifx their hands were tied
behind them, and they stood ready for
death. The hollow square opened out, and
the commander of the troops gave the order
to aim, then to fire close volley. There
were thirty pufs of smoke, sharp rattle of
musketry, and the IL unfortunate sailors
lay in heap upon the stones of the Plaza
dead.
The butchery caused the deepest indigna-
tion. But death was the least of the pun
ishments inflicted upon these unfortunate
men. When brought to Santiago they were
tortured one by one, and kept without food
or water for two or three days at
time. The cells they slept in at
night reeked with filth and YER
min, and on the day they were
executed the condemned men were SO weak
that they had to be assisted to the place of
execution, or they would have fallen. In
describable suferings are inflicted upon
prisoners daily. If citizen dares to pub
licly express an opinion against the
President he is certain to be arrested,
as the Government spies haunt every cafe
and public resort. Prominence has been
given to the case of Julio Toro, who was
whipped to death. In the mean
time his wife and daughter, nearly crazed
with grief, came to the gaol to ask for infor-
nation, and were assaulted by the half
drunken guard and kicked in the street. A
believed to be an English officer,
took the part Of the women, and fight
ensued, in which the two guards were seri-
ously hurt.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-02
CHAPTER XIV.

A CEMETERY ON A STONY ISLAND.
As they were not visible to anyone on
deck, Zach French sprang up into the
shrouds to take look at the lay of the
reefs himself. When in a position to
verify the report of the man at the mast
head, French discovered that there was q
low line of rocky formation about six miles
ahead on the port quarter. 1t was strictly
speaking neither rock nor shoal, but an
islet with shelving ridge which had been
sighted to the northwest. Considering the
distance, it was safe to assume that this was
an isle Of some extent if the visible line was
that of its width.
In few moments Zach French returned
and made his report to Captain Willis, who
gave the order to change the steamers
course so as to bring her nearer this island
Upon taking the midday observation, Cap
tain Willis found the position of his vessel
to be 40 or south latitude and 1880 13
longitude east from Greenwich, which was
duly entered in the log. This point having
been fixed upon the ships chart, it was
found to coincide with the location Of an
island designated by modern geographers
as Browse Island and situated about 25o
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-02
FLEEING FROM HIS MAJESTY,
How the Chinese Fool the Devil When
Carrying Corpses to the Grave.

How the Chinese Fool the Devil When
Carrying corpses to the Grave.
A Chinese funeral never goes straigh& 10
the cemetery, but, in trot, hurries up the
street and then makes a short turn into a
side street, trots up that and then turns
again, says Chinaman in the st. Louis
Globe-Democrat Half dozen times in the
course of the march to the grave the bearers
of the body make these short turns and, o.
casionally, after turning, will suddenly halt
and wait for several minutes.
The purpose Of these sudden turns and
unexpected halts is to deceive the devil.
The Chinese devil is very great fool, and
can always be outwitted if you know how
to go about it. He is always waiting at the
door Of house where one has died, but is
not allowed to stand directly in front and
watch, but must take up position little
to one side. He is short-sighted, very
lame and has no joints in his legs to enable
him to turn corner quickly. When he
wants to go round a corner he must stop,
back in half circle till he gets his face In
the proper direction, when he can 90
ahead.
All these facts are we'll known to the
pallbearers, SO when they come out of
house of mourning they come in a run, so
as to get good start of the devil. While
they are making the start punches of fire.
crackers are set of, in order to distract the
DEVILS attention, and the common impress
sion is that if enough crackers and powder
are used right at the start the bearers can
get away with the body before the devil can
clear the smoke out of his eyes and see
which way they have gone. But, lest be
should have pursued them without their
knowing it, they run awhile, then turn,
and as if the devil has been following them,
he shoots on by, and before he can turn
back they have gone round the next corner.
The great point is to throw him off the
track, SO irecrackers are set off whenever
turn is made, in the hope of soaring him
away or putting him on the wrong road.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-02

its railroads that you will find anywhere in
the world. The Mexican Southern, which
Is being built toward Tehuantepec uses no
other kind than steel, and the Tampico di-
vision of the Mexican Central has ties of
ebony and mahogany. The chief objection
to the ebony ties is that it is so hard to
drive the spikes into them, and it is almost
impossible to get them out when they want
to change the rails. The steel ties are not
so expensive as it would seem. They cost
from go cents to 81, Mexican, when laid
down here, and this is from 20 to so cents
American.
SHAPE OF THE STEEL TIES
They are hollow plates Of steel about
three-eighths of an inch thick, the length
of an ordinary tie and about four inches
wide When turned upside down they look
like trough, and the earth is packed in
and around them. They seem to make
very firm tie and hold the rails perfectly.
Oak ties cost from IS cents to 81 in Mexico.
Cedar ties cost 81 Is, and almost any
kind of tie is worth 30 cents. The Inter
Oceanic uses steel disks with a cross piece
of iron. but these do not seem to work as
well as the all steel ties. The Mexican Gen.
tral, which has fine roadbed, uses wooden
ties, and the same is the case with the Mex
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-02

yoaos ever built and it cost about $50 oO0,-
90 20 construct the 800 miles which CON.
Etitute she main line and two short branches
The poems and tie Indians objected to IL
aEQ ali irs material had TO be bre upbt from
England, and in order to pacifv the people.
The building was begun at both ends and
more Shan halt the ties and rails had to be
carried up the mountains and on to Mexico
City.
EAD 10 TICKLE THE TRANSFERS.
1t cost SO a rail to bring them
from Vela Cruz to the capital, and this was
Cor the beneft Of the teamsters. This same
provision was adopted in the building of
The Mexican Central Railroad, that Great
trunk Inns which now runs from Ell Paso
over 1,2a5 miles south to Mexico
C!tv. Tie building of it had to be begun at
both ends, and the material used from the
Mexico City ea3 was shipped to Vera Cruz,
and at high freight rates sent across this
Mexican road to the capital It shipped its
rails and its iron ssom England, but its roll
frg stock came from the United States,
The old Aexi>an road is entirely English
though the chief, director and president,
1ir Thomas ErsuhiG, was born on Staten
Island OF SeotcE-Lrisa parents.
lshe -cad is broad gauge, and it is splen-
AGly bal!asted and well-constructed. 1t
h&s some cT the steepesJ grades on record
Rtd in going from the coast to Mexico Citv.
!t rises 1, Zoo feet. II had for q time a mo
2opo!v, arG it charged just what prices it
pleased.
CIyLDENDs ON BoRTE MILLIONS.
Its frst-claSs freight rates were at the
rtart SO, and when the freigh. was carried
by passenger trains the rates were S97 a ton,
Tor long time it charged over 10 cents a
nile for passenger fares, and it now charges
more than 8. 1t is capitalized at $40, ,0OO,-
Cg9, and understand that it pays dividends
on this capitalization. 1t has reduced its
rates since the organization OF the Mexican
Central. and now that the Inter-Oceanic is
coc;rleted, it viii have to make still fur
thar reductions.
TLis Mexican railroad has steel ties, and
Ncz.55 has perhaps the most costly ties in
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-02
lean National or American narrow gauge

lean National, or American narrow gauge
through line.
Speaking of Mexican Central ties reminds
me Of what one of the engineers of the road
told me as to Mexican contracts Said he:
'The average haciendado, or farmer of
Mexico, has curious ideas of profit and
work. Along the line of the Mexican Gen.
trail there was man who owned a strip of
forest which was filed with good tie timber.
I asked him if he could furnish me 5000
ties and what they would cost me. He re-
piled that he conld, and he would let me
have the 5000 for 80 cents apiece.
RATES wBST UP WITH QUANTITY.
"But suppose want 80, oOO," said 1. ''Oh,
then," replied the Mexican. '1 viii have to
charge you more, and couldn't let you
have them for less than rs cents apiece.
"And if 1 want 100, O,O0O?" I went on.
"Well," said the surprised farmer, "1O0,-
900 would be a great deal of trouble, and I
couldn't think of undertaking such a job as
that for less than 81 so apiece"
The roads have to be built by poems an d
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-02

lust passed through. You stop at Ioluca,
one of the cleanest, prettiest little cities in
Mexico, and then go on through rich farm
ing country till you come to Celaya-
THE ROADS ARE WELL MANAGED.
The road from here to San Luis Potosi is
less interesting, but at this city you find a
great future trading center of the Republic,
and you go on northward to Monterey,
which is q Mexican town in the mountains,
now much doomed by Americans, and day
later you find yourself in Texas and on your
way to New York
Every railway I have passed over in
Mexico have found well-built and we'll
managed. The cars run slower than ours
do, but the roads are well ballasted and the
sleeping cars and passenger coaches are
good. All the roa.s have second and third
class carriages and the last are patronized
by the Mexicens only. They are the same
size as the ordinary passenger coach, save that
they have long uncushioned benches running
through them just under the windows and
another long bench with two seats and one
back runs lengthwise through the center of
the car from one end 10 the other.
All OF the men wear big hats and all of
the women and girls have shawls of cotton
or silk about their heads. They are by all
odds the most picturesque travellers you see
in Mexico and the only travellers who
represent the Mexican people.
FRANK G. CARPENTER
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-02
PARTING ON THE LEFT SIDE.
An Explanation of the Almost Universal
Method of Hairdressing.

Method of Hairdressing.
1 have seen hundreds of BARRIERS trade
secrets exposed, but have never seen a
reason given in print for men parting their
hair on the left side in more than nine cases
out Of ten, says barber in the st. Louis
Glo6e-De,nocrat. I talked the matter over
with physician once, and he said it might
be only coincidence, but that at least nine
men out of ten sleep on their right side be-
cause by SO doing digestion is aided and the
action of the heart is left undisturbed.
That, think, accounts for the hair part
ing, because the warmth of the side of the
head pressed into the pillow greatly aids
the growth of the hair, and man naturally
parts his hair SO as to brush it in the d.
rection OF the greatest growth. This also
accounts for what almost everyone who has
tried to keep his mustache and beard evenly
trimmed must have noticed-that he has to
trim the right side more frequently than the
left. Warmth is the best hair tonic and in
1vigorator discovered, especially moist
heat, such as is produced by confined pers-
piration.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-02

HE United States
has about S25O, ,ooo,.
coo worth of capital
in Mexican rail-
roads. We prac-
tically control the
railway systems Of
the country, and
our only competitor
is England, whose
investments amount
to little more than
one-iourth as much
as ours These rail-
ravs ara already
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-02
PUTTING TNTHE PATHos

The dog being finally arrested and re-
moved, the case proceeded. 1t looked as if
the young and tender handler of the vicious
razor would get at least year in the peni-
tentiary until it came to the counselor's
turn to put in the pathos, which he did
somewhat as follows, with a thrilling voice
that took the entire gamut of tragic e1-
preston:
Gentlemen" said the colored orator
after dramatic pause to suppress his emo
tion, eve are fortunate to be In de hands of
such jury, composed of de wealth and in
telligence of de city and fathers of families
commensurate to jedge of and set on the
heart reaving case Of dis tender child"
This being the cue for pathos, the mother
OF the prisoner at once drew red cotton
handkerchief, and with a premonitory hys-
teric went into food Of tears, accompanied
by means, practiced at colored revivals.
The jury, who in the aggregate were worth
about $50, and most Of them bachelors,
wilted under the combined efforts of the
oratory and the character, and showed their
emotion by nervously mopping the perspira-
tion or tears from contorted visages.
A PLEA THAT WAS SAVING.
'Now, gentlemen" continued the speaker,
"what had de prisoner done? 1 PROFOUND
dat question. What would you e1pec' your
daughter to do under presupposing similar
ity of circumstances? One of the witnesses
hab averberated dat de young lady held dat
razer promiscuous like an not BY malice
aforethought. What does dat mean? Don't
it mean dat she don't kayar weepin' habit
ual? De owdacious insulter az her eff she
had de measle, an she say she 'aint no sech
thing, an den he say you is had de measle'
So what does she do? She were owdaciously
lnsulted an natural like give him a slipe
wld de razor,no Of malice aforethought, but
only promiscuous like. Now, gentlemen, we
cum humbly pleading ormercy. Don send
dls tender young creature to vile prison
to be contaminated by de vicious an sinful.
Don ruin pure young soul dat may be
saved fur de Lord. But let her go home sad
an repentant to profit by dis sould heaving
lesson. Acquit de poor little prisoner,
gentlemen, aequit her, an I am confident
dat you will"
HILARITY FROM THE JURY ROOM
When the jury had retired and were
locked up by the stern sergeant who had
triumphed over the obstreperous dog, the
chronic kicker hastened to announce an
opinion that nobody else could possibly
agree with, and when an elderly juror dis
sented the positive young man took his
seat at the window cooked his feet upon
the table and armed with palm leaf tan
proceeded to fix himself for the day,
saying with sardonic smile that business
could take care Of itself and he was ready to |
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-02

Sierra Msdre Mountains, and will tap some
of the richest mining countries of the world.
It will open up rich valleys, and will prob.
ably be populated by the more enterprising
| people Of Utah.
1t is said that the Mormon colonies now
in Mexico can afford to carry their products
in the shape of butter and potatoes for 200
miles in wagons and sell them in competi-
tion with the butter and potatoes shipped
by the United States by rail When this
road gives them better facilities they may
be supplying the greater part of Mexico
with their products. As it is now, there is
big margin for the sale of all kinds Of ag-
ricultural products. American butter
brings 70 cents and 81 pound here, and
cheese is proportionately high
OUR NARROW GAUGE THROUGH LINE
The Mexican National Road is the name
of the narrow gauge line which runs from
Mexico City to Laredo, Texas. This is
also owned by the United States, and it is
the shortest line from New York to Mexico.
You can get into the cars in Mexico City on
Monday, and Saturday morning you will
find yourself in New York. The road is
now on paying basis and it is becoming
more and more profitable. It passes
through some of the best parts of Mexico
ana a ride on it from Mexico City to
Celaya is like going through a part Of
Switzerland married to the most pictures
que regions of the Himalaya Mountains.
The road winds in and out through the
beautiful valley of Mexico passing the
great castle Of Chapultepec as it leaves the
capital and dashing out Of the lakes into
the mountains at a few miles distant. The
mountains come upon you abruptly, and
you plow your way right into them.
You skirt wide gorges, wind along rocky
deiles with rushing streams cutting the
earth below you. You shoot out Of the
rough hills into smaller hills covered with
lures that make you think of Italy. You
60 by a rose-colored church which was
built hundreds of years ago upon hill,
and down in a valley below it you see
village that makes you think of Austria
SCENES IN THE VILLAGES.
You whizz through the villages Bare
headed women with frowsy-headed babies
on their backs stare at you. Little girls clad
only in blankets wave their hands and
peon porter, who is carrying great bundle
on his back, scowls at the train as we dash
through. You notice that this part of the
country is well cultivated. The valleys are
patchworks of crops, and the little old-fash-
ioned towns seem to be filled with workers
What queer towns they are, and how curl
GUS the houses They are more like huts
than homes, and their low ridge roofs Of
boards are tied on with ropes and kept
steady with great rocks placed here and
there upon them. There are few windows
and no cnimneys, the doors are low, and the
people, as rule, are dressed in cotton.
Now you 60 up the mountain. The road
winds about in horseshoe curves and loops,
and an hour later you are looking down
thousands of feet upon the village you have
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-02

South Dakota has the largest artesian
well in the world Itshoots water lao feet
above the surface.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-02
MEYICO'S RAILROADS
Two Hundred and Fifty Mill
ions of American Capt.
tai Invested There.
ENGLAND A COMPETITOR.
Vast Resources That Are Opened Up
by the Strings of Steel.
TIES MADE OF STEEL AND EBONY.
Cest of Construction Often Enormous, but
the Profits Warrant It
COAL PROBLEM LIKELY TO BE SETTLED
ENGLAND A COMPETITOR.
TIES MADE OF STEEL, AND EBONY.
Cest of Construction Often Enormous, but
the Profits Warrant II.
CoLL PROBLEM LIKELY TO BE SETTLED

TcoRREsFoHDENcE OF THE D1sPATcH.l
MEXICO CITY, July 50.
The Delta independent., 1891-01-06
Russia's National Flower.

There was, l believe, n short time
ago. IL question regarding the propriety
of choosing National flower for the
United States. and considerable senti-
mcnt was disclosed in favor of the sun
flower. Could Americans see one OF
those fields in full and radiant blossom
the suuilower would undoubtedly carry
the day.
Following up this train of thought.
the mind naturally reverts to a period
of the not distant past when slim
gentleman in knee -breeches, long hair,
and with a big sunilower in his button
hole emerged from the fogs of London
to create a passing Juror among us in
favor of the royal monarch of the Lit
tie Russian stcppes. Tho sunilower
crop is one of the best paying in Rus
sia. A good crop is worth, as it stands
in the field. 100 rubies legislative, or
about $25 an acre. The seeds are sold
by the farmers for one and n half to
two rubles pood. Then the mer-
chants salt them and retail them for
four rublcs pood. and ut about every
strcet-crossing in Russian provincial
cities are stands and peddlers with
baskets selling to the passers-by the
salted product of the big sunflowcr.
In the lcld the sunflowers are sown in
rows like the ''drlled corn" OF the
Kansas farmer. and. like corn, are
cultivated and hillcd up with shovel
plows.- 7HonluS Skecs1s' Russian Let
ter
The Delta independent., 1891-01-06
What Her Thought, Were.

"Tick, took, tick, tockr' went the
old clock on the mantel.
Tick, tockr' The minutes rolled
by, and three more hours were chalk
ed up on the slate of Time, and still
neither spoke.
Neither means Clnrissa and Henry.
For three hours they had sat upon the
comfortable sofa, side by side. The
lights were low, and everything was
quiet save the beating of two young
hearts, and even that could not be
heard. Clarissa could hear Henry's
beat however, for she was very close
to it.
Finally she opened her beautiful
eyes. which had been closed in Ian
guorous happiness, and, gazing into
the face OF the young man, said,
swcetly:
Henry. we have been sitting here
for over three hours. and during near-
ly all that time you have spoken
scarcely word"
81 know it, dearest" he said. draw.
ing her closer, II have been thinking"
''And so have l." she replied, ~
too, have been thinking. Nov. Henry.
/ want to snow," and her soft little
fingers laid bescechingly upon his
shoulder, ~ want TO know what your
thoughts have bsen. Do tell me-
"Clarissa." replied Henry, you
should be able to divine my thoughts.
Why. l believe have been thinking ="
.Yes?"
Il have heen thinking about the
same thing you have. dear!'
Henry de Kackiak." she said, rais-
ing frorn her embrace and standing
at full length before him, Henry de
Kackiak, If you kiss me l shall call my
ther"--Bost on Traveller.
The Delta independent., 1891-01-06
Physicians Have Found Out

That a contamination and foreign element
IN the blood, developed by indigestion, is
the cause of rheumatism. This settles
upon the sensitive sub-cutaneous covering
of the muscles and ligaments of the joints,
causing constant and shifting pain, and
aggreGating as calcareous, chulEy de-
posit which produces stiffness and distor-
tion of the joints. No fact, which exper-
fence has demonstrated in regard to Hos
letters Stomach Bitters, has stronger
evidence to support than this, namely,
that this medicine of comprehensive uses
checks the formidable and atrocious dis
ease, nor is it less positively established
that it is preferable to the poisous often
used to arrest it, since the melicine con
tains only salutary ingredients II is also
a signal remedy for malarial levers, con-
stipation, dyspepsia, kidney and bladder
ailments, debility and other disorders.
See that you get the genuine.