davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-12-06

had been suspended for the day. The
scene was that of huge tunnel, the
strong old brick walls being coated
with grim yellow and gray slime, va
ried at different points here and there;
at some glistening with almost reflect
i've power, and at others fuzzy or dull
effect. The atmosphere was very
heavy and oppressive, but not at all
nauseous according to the popular con-
ception.) At times there was q sour or
stale odor. but ION the whole the air
was far better than is breathed in many
of the poor tenement houses in the
city
Over the bottom of the sewer there
flowed a volume of water less than two
feet in depth. Under the rays of the
lantern, cleaning over its surface, it
looked black and forbidding.
Being past the midnight hour, when
all business had ceased, and the city at
large was asleep. very little of the
usual fow-as in the daytime-was Wis
ible.
Everything was quiet, the almost
luhN SGICdLn dk ouI 1CtI SCClA1iLlS Dle-OntA
than ever, and the current went slug
gishly along, suggestive of the classic
river Styx, imaginations of COLLINS,
imps and spirits lowering here and
there, especially at the portals of the
smaller crossing sewers Bitterly cold
draughts of air, as though forced
through a frosted sponge, swept past
us with a sound, now and then. like
the death song refrain of some ahorig-
inc chieftatn, or the far-off wall of ex-
lriring unfortunateS.
These nominations were broken when
Capt Webb, who had heretofore kept
silent. ordered a halt. We stood still.
His workmen had hung up lanterns on
spikes driven into the walls Of the tun-
mel, and thus there was enough light
thrown forward from the arch above to
enable us to see, in the shadows be-
yond, what seemed to us thousands of
electric sparks. Soon, however, ones
eyes became accustomed TO the gloom.
through which we peered and could
dimly perceive the forms of thousands of
rats, their eyes all aglow with phos-
light, cleaning, glazing and
flashing toward us. AS we gazed upon
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-12-06

the closet" they will find ready pur-
Chasers, although they are really ex-
pensive luxuries, owing to the tariff.
To protect thehome skeleton industry
against foreign competition an import
tax of from thirty-fve to fifty per
cent. has been imposed. Despite this
fact domestic skeletons are not in de-
Inand, and the regular dealers do not
carry them in stock.
French skeletons are the finest in the
market and Paris is the head center of
the trade.
It is not that a Frenchmans bones
are of such superior quality. 1t is the
other Frenchman that puts them in
shape that gives them their great value.
The mode of preparation is very
delicate operation. The scalpel is first
called into requisition to remove the
muscular tissues. Its work being done
the bones are boiled, being carefully
watched meanwhile that they may not
be overdone. After this cannibalistic
procedure they are bleached in the sun.
Even then spots of grease are sure To
appear when they are exposed 10 heat
The French treat these with ether and
6enZine, securing thereby a dazzling
whiteness, which is a distinguishing
mark of their skeletons They are war
ranted never to turn yellow and TO
stand the test Of any climate. New
York in midsummer is not too hot for
them.
They are put together by master
hand. A brass rod with all the proper
curvatures supports the spinal column.
Delicate brass wires hold the ribs in
place Hinges of the most perfect work
manship give to the joints a graceful
and lIfelike movement Cleverly con-
cealed hooks and eyes render disjunc-
ton at pleasure possible. The whole
construction plainly indicates the care
and skill Of an artist and eonnoisseur
Domestic skeletons are generally the
work of amateurs. Janitcrs IN medical
colleges rescue bones from the dissect-
ing rooms and cure and arnculate them.
They find purchasers among the stu
dents, Who on the completion OF their
studies resell the skeleton, If happily
the market is not glutted. A second
hand skeleton may thus be had al quite
3 reasonable hgure-occasionaly as low
as So.
The imported article. however.
ranges from $50 to 500 The very
high priced ones are valued because %
the preservation OF the nervous and
clrculatory systems or course they
are beyond the reach OF modest purses.
and As taste for medical and scier-
TIM research has not yet developed
among the millionajreS, very few SOD
s.Seaetons are sold. They are always
special order.
4 very fine French skeleton may he
had for $3.50, and that Is about a. high
- the general run OF purchasers care
90 80.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-12-06
A FEW RAT TALES.
An Exciting Hunt in the Sewers
of New York.
A Drsb and Yellow Rat as Large as a Cat
"A Modern piled Piper of Hamiin
Town How Watchma1 Calls
Thousands of Rats About Him.
lcoPYRrGHr, lsg.I

Not long ago the writer attended
rat hunt in the Canal-street sewer, New
York, at the invitation of Capt. Webb,
who had been superintendent of the
sewerage system OF the metropolis for
over thirty years. During his term he
had patrolled these underground tun-
nels, which now aggregate nearly five
hundred miles, during the past thirty
years.
Our party consisted of nine men and
twelve thoroughbred rat dogs of superb
or merit. Preparations had been made
to attack host of rats at every possible
point of vantage. The great Canal
street sewer was selected for the hunts.
It is fifteen feet in diameter from the
North-river front to Broadway-quite
large enough to drive coach and four
through. Sewer men had been sent
out in advance to fix strong wire net
tings to close the mouths of cross sew
ers at will, and barrels of garbage had
been placed where they would attract
the hungry rodents. These wire screens
Were arranged to be dropped. so as TO
effectually cut off the escape of the
rats at the proper time.
Our party entered the sewer by row
boat from the river front near the mid
night hour, when business in the city
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-12-06
LIfe's Unhappy Features.

Eye-My surroundings are not out OF
sight by any means. and notwithstand-
ing I get plenty of the dust, always
know that the lash is hanging over me,
and likely to descend at any minute.
Nose Well if you think my lots
sneezy one you ought TO be made ac-
quainted with the hard blows get
Lip-Either of you are better situated
than am, for there's never a time but
] feel I'm simply hanging on by the
the skin of the teeth
Chin-oh, you kickers don't know
when you're well off. None of you
have the ups and downs | do.-Life.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-12-06
HAMMER-HEAD SNAKE.
California Comes to the Front With .
New Discovery.

new discovery.
A letter from DIR. z. E. Brown saws he
and party have made a most wonderful
discovery up in Kings River canyon,
says the Selma Irrigator. In crossing a
small creek they came to beautiful
canyon or basin OF about three acres of
level meadows, surrounded by perpen-
dicular walls some three hundred feet
high. A fine stream of cold, clear water
was flowing into the little meadow. but
there seemed 10 be no outlet There
was no way of getting down into the
valley, but quail and rabbits seemed to
inhabit the little basin
A pair of opera glasses brought to
light number of snakes basking in the
sun on fiat rock They were one TO
three feet in length, and had heads
shaped exactly like blacksmith's ham
mer. While the party were examining
with the glasses the maueuvers of
number of the snakes crawling through
the grass, very large one was noticed
making q sneak on a cotton tail rabbit.
When within about two feet of the rab-
bit the snake stiffened the front half of
its body and bent into = right angle.
Then his snakeship Strengthened out
suddenly, bringing the rabbit swing
ing blow on the side OF its head which
laid bunny out completely
Another snake was observed TO creep
onto quail sitting on scrubby tree
This snake twisted about four inches Of
its tail along a limb OF the tree and used
all the rest of its body for a hammer
and handle to whack the quail on the
head such a singing blow that it died
without a hutter Of its wings. The
snake seemed to have the wonderful
power of lengthening it's body out near
~ double its normal length and as small
as awhalebone whip. the heavier part
being next to the part wrapped around
the tree.
After killing the quail and rabbit the
snake hammered the body into a pulp,
bones and all. with its head. and then
swallowed the whole business The
swallowing showed that the hammer
part of the head could be laid back out
of the way while the swallowing was
done.
Every effort possible with the appli-
ances they had with them was made to
get one of the snakes, but they failed.
DR.. Brown says in his letter that he
will have one of these snakes TO exhibit
at the worlds fair if it IS possible
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-12-06

them they glared upon us. They
seemed to realize their peril and appre-
ciate their desperate condition
The string Of dogs. which up TO this
time had been kept in the background
and were controlled with no little diff
Guilty. We're let loose and dashed impet
uously forward toward the hosts Of
rats.
Instantaneouslv there was transfor-
nation scene. The whole atmosphere
seemed full Of dogs and rats The
sDarls and howIs Of the CANNES min
CLING with the screams and squeals Of
the rodoalts was ! pandenoniuIn Of the
most appalling character In the
tyvll.--.-- of al eye there was ka}eid-
oseopic Spectacle OF Undesirable con-
fusion. IL which the leaping. rushing
70 and fro. swapping Of teeth. snarling.
yelpinE. barking and struggling Of the
dogs, together with the splashiug IN
the water and the screams. Kisses and
Squea3s OF the rats. made a chorus Of
Incompatible horror Ire echoes rang
with these hIdeous sou-as Is the
struggle continued. and ~ times i was
almost impossible - distinguish dogs
Srorn rats as they sprang. leaped,
clnched. snapped and tun6!ed over
each other in t5e mad contest
The most that we efgld see was
grim. WEIR! sort ~ merry z-1'--e7ue. at
heads. tails legs, paws teeth claws
and [-r II rats AMI logs
Meanwhile Wild mob g the rodents
sought desperate escape bv frs--i-sl-F
rushing tsr the only outlet gal .oI'-ss-
and >crana p-ing in their efforts 10 pas
whs-e We stood. lespin., taEao-42. sno
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-12-06
Hr hnrwtha signs.

Were going 70 move again. said .
little boy 70 the grocer on the corner.
No. you're not When called With
the hiH your father SAID be evas going
70 stay az winter.
Well ve amt Mas throwing the
ashes AMI sweepings down cellar. and
that means business every time Texas
Sifrincr
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-12-06
OF How ,ranv Locaiitte. I, This rru.-

LandlaGy Ito applicant for rooms
Beg pardon, sir, but what business 90
you follow?
Apphcant-I am doctor OF music.
oh, then we shall bes glad 70 have
you with rs. and I'm sure you'll do well
here, for there's lots Of music in this
locality that needs doctoring. boston
Globe.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-12-06
AUnanimous Sentiment.

They were in a prohibition state at
the time
What will You take?" remarked the
governor Of South Carolina 70 the gov
ernor of North Carolina
u think I'll take q train for home"
replied the governor Of North Carolina,
and the governor of South Carolina
Joined him.-Life
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-12-06
Tho ..wIId Man OF Born-o., >,

The most curious character on the
island of Borneo is the white sultan or
rajah of Sarawak- He is an English
man. Sir Charles Brooke, and the
United States is the only nation that
recognizes his sovereignty He rules
over a part of Borneo as large as Ire
land, and his subjects pay tribute 10
him in rice.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-12-06
.ii-ht Harc nnr- Cau.r.

Maud-He was really hopelesslv IN
love with re. When he proposed hs
declared that Il did not marry him be
would commit suicide
Nsrie-iiow perfectly dreadful Bot
do vou suppose yoEr marrying aim VIII
really save hlIa from it2-S- l. Herald
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-12-06
A Social Ear.

Miss Semicircle-How could y0u re-
fuse so charming a man as Mr.. Pen,
Ethel?
Mrs. Hogge IA charming widow
Think, dear Of what my hyphensted
name would have been'-rruth.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-12-06
New In the R11SinosS

Mrs. Tavistock Yes, | think Or.
Huslool is decidedly clever. He cured
old Mrs. Badleigh after every other
physician had declared she must die.
DR.. Druggem-Very unprofessional of
him, very. Where was his code of
ethics?-N. Y. Herald.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-12-06

This isn't the first time you have
come IN contact with the police, said
the lawyer TO the witness
No, sir" was the reply.
Nv hat, may ask. was the result Of
your former eucounter?~
II awoks him "-WaShinrton Star.
The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-12-06
DAVIDSON & CASE
John llay ldsOn. PIONEER Lamhrrmes
q Sedgwlek touniy
ESTABLISHED :: M: 1870
A ee4nplst~ SfSrk ~ fsln- Inaafs~~
chin zlen- IAth. Bs.s.rz ~a-b-
str-s al sFs stsa baaH

oGce and yaros ou MosI@y ave D.
~ cen Iarns tEs -se- asstt tIFsL %. &C
bra sch ards a tHtoB 1tg. FEIz
hon Gay. ~ ksbo sDd Aine.. Ga
EuEzA Z "a f4toEB.
Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1892-01-15
GEIS. ROBERT RANSOM DEAD.
This Distinguished North Caro-
linian Died Yesterday.

NEwBERN, Jan. 14.-Gen. Robert Ran
som, assistant engineer of the river and
harbor improvements, of the Neuse and
Trent rivers, died suddenly at 1 O'Clock
this morning at his residence in this city.
He was out and appeared well Yesterday,
Gen. Ransom was born at Bride
Greek, Warren county, N. c., February
~, 1928. He was the third child of his
parents-the eldest, a daughter, dying
quite young and Senator Matt W. Ran
som, the second.
He entered West Point in 1916 and
graduated from that institution in 1850.
In March, 1851, he carried detach-
ment of troops to Fort Leavenworth,
Kansas, and in May accompanied the
command of Col L. V. Sumner to New
Mexico. He was engaged in scouting
over the whole of New Mexico, Arizona,
Texas, Colorado. and Utah tor nearly
four years. In the late war he was pro-
noted from colonel to brigadier general
and in 90 was put into command OF a
brigade of North Carolina infantry. In
May '63 he was promoted to major-gen-
eral and was put into command OF Rich
mond when b. H. Hill went to Bragg's
army. He has held his present position
for full twelve ears.-Wlnston Sentinel.
Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1892-01-15
AFFAIRS or CONSEQUENCE.
HON

HOME.
Speaker Crisp is able to leave his bed.
The Chilian situation continues to in
crease i'll gravity.
Six patents have been granted Thomas
Edison, the great electrician, during the
past two weeks.
A resolution looking to the adoption
of the Australian ballot system was
introduced in the Virginia senate.
A prominent democratic senator ex-
presses the opinion that the house will
pass a free silver bill and a tariff bill.
Charles A. White, composer of Come,
Birdie, Come" Put Me in My Little
Bed" and other famed ballads, died in
Boston.
Many democratic congressman seem
disposed to repudiate the leadership OF
Chairman Springer, of the ways and
means committee.
The ways and means committee will
decline to afford prolonged hearings to
the various interests that are likely to
be effected by proposed tariff legislation.
1t is stated that |. Malcolm Forbes, OF
Boston, has agreed to pay Senator Stan
ford $l50,0O0 tor Arion, the two-year.
old Electioneer colt. who made the
worlds record of 2.1Oa, on Stockton
.;ite track few months ago.
FOREIGN.
The mansion of Sir John Everett Mil
lais, the distinguished French painter
near Perth, Scotland, was destroyed by
nre.
crisis is imminent in the cabinet of
Victoria on the "one-man-votc-ques-
ton" Three of the ministers have re-
signed already.
The city of Seville, Spain, is flooded by
a sudden rise in the Guadalquiver river,
on the lett bank of which it is situated,
and business has been suspended
The correspondent of the London
Times IN Santiago de Chill says that all
political prisoners in that city will be
| liberated within week, and that United
States minister Egan has already sent
four OF the refugees in tine United States
legation aboard the United States cruiser
Yorktown.
The mother of the boy recently muir
dercd at Nanten, Germany, who is be-
llcved by many in that section of the
country to have been sacrificed by He
brcws, is going to Berlin to demand OF
Emperor William the enforcement of the
law against the Hebrews. Many meet.
ings have been convoked to sustain the
agitation against the Hebrews.
Despite the declaration of the czal
that there is no famine in his dominions
the sum of 5000, 900 roubles has beer
expended by the Russian imperial treas
urv for the purpose of providing the alb
solute necessities of life for the sutferin!
poor of the country, and like sum will
be assigned for the same relief work
The estimate of the budget of the coun
try for 1892 will show a deficit of "a,
600, 700 roubles.
Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1892-01-15

The Judge by a Ruse Gets AWAY
From Him--He Gives Five Men
All They Can DO to Take Him
From the Judges Chambers.
CHICAGO, Jan. 15.-Walter 9. Gresham.
Judge of the United States court, was
Tor hours shut up in his chambers i'll the
government building with lunatic.
1t was about Ne o clock in the afternoon
when Judge Gresham, accompanied by a
well dressed, good looking man, about
50 years old, appeared in the Office of he
United States Marshal, and approach.
ing the rail demanded, in peremptory
way:
"Whcre is Marshal Hitchcock ?"
The tone was so different from that
which always distinguishes the jurist 8
manner OF address tina. the deputies and
clerks looked up i'll astonishment.
The marshal is not in Just now, SIT" !"
replied deputy.
Gresham, "here is gentleman who says
MIR. Hitchcock has $4,000 which Jay
Gould has sent him, and that you are
keeping it:trom him."
The deputies saw at once that some
thing was wrong.
AS soon as he comes in, said clerk,
I'VE will look into it"
Very Well" said Judge Gresham, and
left the room, followed by his companion
who during the visit did not speak, but
gazed at the officials with blazing eyes.
Realizing that Judge Gresham was in
danger" said Deputy Marshal Hitch
cock last night, I'VE sent out for two po-
llcenlen, and when they arrived went
to Judge Gresham's private chamber, in
which the man sat alone. Judge Ores
ham had got away by a ruse and the
man sat awaiting his return. | walked
up to hun and, taking him by the lapel
o the coat, said
You must get out of here"
The moment the lunatc, whose name
we subsequently learned was Martin
McConaha. saw the men he spat at us
several times and raising heavy cane
which he held i'll his right hand, struck
at me with all his force. The blow was a
glancing one, and only broke the stiff hat
1 wore. Then the officers jumped in,
and we had lively time Tor few min
utvS.'
When the officers sprang on him, Nc.
Conaha sprang backward with yell
that made the gloomy old ruin echo and
reecho. Then he smashed away with
his cane in vain attempt to break the
skulls OF his assailants.
He kept live men at bay for fully three
minutes before they closed in upon him.
A blow from policeman's baton had
knocked the bludseon from the lunatlc's
grasp.
AS the officer jumped at him McCo-
naha fought more hercely than ever
with both hands and feet. Finally it
came to cllnch, and still the man fought
on, yelling like demon. Deputy Hitch
cook got his hand too near the mad
mans mouth, tor, McConaha's teeth
closed down upon the little finger, in.
tlicting a slight but painful wound.
Judge Gresham" Judge Gresham" "
shreked the maniac. They are killing
me! Help! help!"
AS he was plunging from side to side
his foot caught on an obstruction, and
he fell Then the officers pinioned him,
but not without another Vicious fight
The lunatic bit and scratched and kicked
but finally he was carried to the patrol
wagon screaming at the top of voice
| At the Harrison street station MCCOn'
ha said he was from Cincinnati. Later
i'll the day he was taken to the detention
hospital.
Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1892-01-15
WORK IN CONGRESS TODAY
A NUMBER OF BILLS INTRO
DUCED IN THE HOUSE.

Among Them Bills Providing for
Public Buildings at MOrristOwn
and Bristol, Tenn.-Mr. Holman
Withdraws His Subsidy ResOIu-
ton.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 15.-In the house
the following bills were introduced and
referred:
BY Mr.. Newberry, of illinois, to test
the method OF spelling schools and ap-
proprlating 100000 to establish a
sailing school at the Worlds fair. BY
Mr.. Lane, OF Illinois, placing salt, lum-
ber, mails, cotton ties, binding twine,
and agricultural implements on the free
list. BY Mr.. Snodgrass, of Tennessee,
to place salt on the free list. By Mr.
Smith, OF Arizona, for the admission OF
Arizona as state. By Mr.. Taylor, of
Tennessee, for public buildings at Bristol
and Morrisrown, Tenn.
On motion OF Mr.. Meredith, OF Vr-
ginia. February was set apart tor the
delivery of the eulogy of Representative
Lee, of Virginia.
The house then resumed the considcra-
tion OF unfinished business, being the mo-
tion to reconsider the vote by which the
previous question was ordered on the
subsidy and economy resolution offered
by MIR. Holman.
MIR. Holman withdrew the motion.
He had, he said, come to the conclusion
that the second resolution was broad
enough to cover any and all proper and
legal appropriations. 1t would include
all such legislation as private pension
bills and the like.
Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1892-01-15
No UltinnatuIn sent.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15.-ln reply to an
inquiry as to the truth of report that
an ultimatum demanding instant apol-
ogy and reparation has been cabled to
Chill, Harrison said he has sent no ulti-
matum to Chill and is still devoting him
self to careful examination of the vo-
luminous Chilian correspondence.
Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1892-01-15
A Horrible MutiIation.

RALEIGH. Jan. 14.-An old teud between
Bud Parish and Davis Langley, white
farmers in Johnston county, has caused
the perpetration of terrible ecrime. The
men live near Princeton and last Wednes-
day night Langley was waylaid by Par
ish, seized and dragged into the latter's
house. There he was set upon and
beaten until he was entirely Insensible.
Both of his eyes were put out, and his
internal injuries are considered fatal.
Parish is in Jail at SmithIleld, bail being
refused,
Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1892-01-15
TREATY PROLONGED.
spain and France New Treaty
said to be OFF.

MADRID, Jan. 15.-The negotiations
between Spain and France for a treaty
of commerce have failed of any result.
After the first of February next the
maximum tariff of each country will be
applied to imports from the other.
In the chamber of deputies last night
Senor Silvela, minister of the interior
declared that Spain had received no offer
to join the Zollverein. The government
he said, did not intend to enter into q
league with any power.
The Chamber adopted the government
bill prolonging the existing commercial
treaties.
Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1892-01-15
Thirty Dergees Below Zero.

CASCADE SPRINGS, S. d., Jan. 15,-The
mercury registers 80 degrees below zero.
The dense cold revealed the fact that
huge volumes of steam were issuing from
holes in the mountainside, three hundred
feet above the town.
Parties who have just returned from
there say that the mountainside contains
a subterranean lake of hot water, and
a shaft will probably be driven to test
the matter.