davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1894-12-21
PAID THE PENALTY.
John Cronin Practically His
Own Executioner.

Hanging Carried Out without Friction.
The First Execution In New England h,
the New Automatic Machine.
HARTFORD, Dec 18.-John Cronin was
hanged at :01 o'clock this morning at the
Itate prison in Weathersfeld, and was
pronounced dead 10 minutes after. The
automatic gallows worked perfectly. His
body was taken down at 1:40 o'clock and
Inferred at Bluehill cemetery at s o'clock
The scene was without special interest.
Cronin's Crime.
John Cronins crime was the murder of
Albert Skinner at South Windsor, small
village about five miles north of this city,
on Oct 8. 1898. Cronin was prompted by
revenge He had been boarding with
Skinner for several months, when the lat
ter ordered him away. A fight ensued Il
the time and Cronin then went on a pro
kracted debauch
The night before the murder he slept
the house of Edward Tucker, who lived
short distance from the SNlnnerS. +
arose early III the morning and wep
toward SINNERS farm. He entered tn
house, and, going to the kitchen, awaited
the approach of Skinner, who was at york
In the barn. AS soon as Skinner appe ,wed
Cronin drew "a revolver and shot M.
through the side. inficting mortal
wound.
Mrs. Skinner attracted by the shot saw
what had been done and Immediately
went into Mysteries. Three worklAsn,
passing the house few minutes later
saw the woman - the yard tearing her
hair and scream ting They undertook to
pacify her and dis3c vered her husband in
q pool of blood and in a dying condition.
Other neighbors fastened to the scene
and medical attendance was secured, but
the injured man died within an hour.
All this time the murderer was bolster
ously walking through the house and
yard with the pistol in his hand, and de-
flying the spectators to interfere with him.
Robert Skinner, stepson of the dead man,
selling favorable opportunity, grappled
with the man, and, others coming to his
aid, the murderer was overpowered, tied
hand and foot with ropes and taken to the
county Jail. The prisoner had little to say
except to repeat that he was glad he had
fixed the id dog"
Albert Skinner, the murdered man, was
10 years Ol age, d JolH6r ny urdue, anu udu
always resided in South Windsor. He
was sober and Industrious, and left a
widow and two small children. Mrs.
Skinner attempted suicide twice after the
and had to be constantly watched
10 prevent her accomplishing this end.
How the Galiows Worked.
The execution of Cronin was interest.
ng aside from the attention which such
events always attract. 1t was the first
rial of an automatic gallows in the cas- t.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1894-12-21

The new automatic gallows is considered
an improvement in some respects on that
of Colorado BY reference to the accom-
panying cut, the working Of the machine
can be easily understood. Through the
doorway can be seen the steel cage (G) In
which the condemned man passed his
last days. A is the platform under
the moose. 1t is raised an eighth
of an inch above the level of the floor,
hardly enough to be noticeable by the man
as he stepped upon it. Immediately three
deputies pinioned the mans legs, placed
the cap over his head and adjusted the
| moose.
The warden occupied a position directly
in front of the condemned man. In this
position he had a clear view of the pris-
oner, and also of a dial over the door
through which the man passed.
Instantly the platform settled lever
was worked which released an adjustable
sliding valve at the bottom of a cylinder
(C), containing 30 pounds Of shot. Like
the sand in an hourglass, the shot ran out
of the opening. This allowed a plunger
(B) to drop slowly into the cylinder AS
this fell, it pulled cord (E), attached to
which was compound lever Cd, and
also worked the dial, giving warning as to
the progress of the machine This
mechanism can be set for any time de-
sired. AS the cord frightened and was
pulled downward by plunger, il
slowly opened the compound lever, which
lt a certain angle, perfectly adjusted,
pulled bolt, and the great dead weight
Cd was released.
AS the big weight fell down the grooved
track Tn the ground under the building
the hempen rope, running over pulleys on
O cross beam (FC, quickly jerked the con-
demned man seven feet into the air. On
the drop there was rebound, and the
man was suspended with his feet about
two feet from the floor.
The mechanism was enclosed by parti-
tion along the entire side, so that nothing
could be seen by the condemned man sx-
cept the moose. The machine worked
and the weight fell upon soft
dirt
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1894-12-21
STEVENSON DEAD.


The Popular Novelist PASSES Away at His
Home In Samoa.
AUCKLAND, y. H., Dec 17.-Every lover
Of pure and entertaining fiction and every
bne who adnires the mastery of a clear and
polished literary style will learn with
deep regret that Robert Louis Stevenson
8 dead.
He was always of delicate constitution,
and 1t was on this account that, since 1880
he made his home in Samoa. the climate
Of which seemed especially suitable to
aim. For some time however. his health
has been known to be In a very precarious
pondition.
Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson was
born in Edinburgh, Nov. Is, 1850. He wa
University of Edinburgh. snd was calle'
Do the Scottish bar. hut travelled and i,
voted himself to literature.
One of his earliest works was an \,
count of his travels in California, but th
work which established his reputation
q writer fction was Treasure Island.
published i'm 1881 Among the most pop
lar of his works is Or Jeykll and NJ
Hyde" which was drimatiz,.d and play"
at the Lyceuin thcnter IN London In lSs
and subsequently in the United State
Among his other works ar,, kidnapped
''The New Arabian Nights" aud ''rh
Black Arrow"
Some time ago Mr.. Stevenson was 50
fering irpm lnng trouble and went tn tn
South Pacific Tor his health. tie brram
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1894-12-21

WAsHINGToN, Dec. l3.-Attempts to take VI
the sugar tariff bill and the cloture resolution
were defeated in the senate. The house de
feated the motion to strike out the appropria
ton for the collection of the income tax.
WASHINGTON, Dec. A.-The house passed
three appropriation bills-the urgent deficiency
fortltcatlons and Military academy-and made
fair progress on the pension bill.
WASHINGTON, Dec 15-The house passed the
pension appropriation bill. The bill carries
$l4l' 5Sl' 5O and was passed without amend.
ment.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 18-The Nicaragua canal
bill was debated in the senate. The forestry
and military appropriation bills were passed
in the house.
WASHINGTON, Dec. l9.-The discussion of
Carlisle's bill was begun in the house and
proved to bs uninterestng. Senator Hill ar
gued for cloture in the senate
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1894-12-21
Totals.

Cattle-The horn cattle trade fair, but prices
trife weak compared with last week
Come Christmas cattle changed hands at Sc
live weight.
Fat hogs-Country dressed at SIC; western.
HzCGj1sc.
Sheep-Tke market figures up heavy in syn
ply. A light run Is expected next week l. a D..
ket prices had their ups and downs at 1 hic ,o
during the week, but close as last uuuted
Home demand only fair.
Veal calves-Market prices unchanged at
214(d53zc; a few fancy at &C. W. f. Wallace
sold calves at SG5ssc.
Lave p, ultry-lJU0 lbs, and selling at SGqc
per 10 for mixed lois
Number of moses at market, 372; calves. slO
Prices for market beef-A few choice $50
550: extra, s. 50G575: first quality S5G5. Is :.
second quality, S4G450; third quality, Sgd;IC
Price Of store cattle - Working oxen, DR.
pair, So (Gl40: tarruw cows, sl0G22; fancy cows
s50d6s mil,h vs. and calves $2OG4s: wear.
lings, sSdl6; = eir-ulds, slzG2<; 3-year-JlIs
S20G92.
Western fat sWine-Live, 41fd5lsc; northern
dressed hogs, ole pr ID.
Prices Of sh ep and lambs-In lots, l.50. 81 a
AS each ext.s, s2-5OGS y, or l19d31tc pr 10 ;
spring lamb ziG4c; =, al calves, 21sfd6c.
Prices OF hid =, a 10 y and characterization
hides 31td. o pr 10; country hides, 2 z,a.Ii -
DR. 10: pefts. 2gGs0c each: Bright8.i tali0w. =,
0d4lzc pr ID; colntry tallOw, zla5, pr b ;
ca skins, U0gsOc each; dairy skins 5OGs0
each.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1894-12-21
Against LattlmeF.

LYNN, Mass, Dec. 1s.-Mrs. Hattie L.
Hammond, the divorced wife OF Gideon
w. Lattimer, the man who was fatally
shot by Annie NJ. Brewer, will be promi-
nent witness in behalf of Miss Brewer.
She states that the murdered man was al
ways OF ugly disposition. At one time he
threatened her life with q revolver, and
was only prevented from using 1t by his
mother knocking it from his grasp. At
another time he struck her on the head,
stunning her for long time, because she
could not stop hiccoughing when he
wanted her to- Mrs. Hammond procured
her divorce on the grounds Of adultery.
There has been q decided change In pub
Ito sentiment, and the story told BY Miss
brewer that the act was done in self-de-
tense 10 gaining more credence Miss
brewer was yesterday held without bail
on the charge of causing the death Of
Lattimer.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1894-12-21
GOMPERs OUSTED.
John Mcbride Elected President of the
Federation of Labor.

John Mcbride Elected President of tn.
Federation of Labor.
DENVER Dec. 1S.-At the election O
officers of the Federation of Labor it WI
evident at the start that that question ha
been settled 50 for as the individual mem
bers We're concerned. The result of tn
vote for president was: Mcbride, ll6?
Gompers 937. President Gompers movD
to make the vote unanimous for Nc Bride
but objection was made.
For first vice president, Mr.. Mcclure {
Philadelphia was elected. James Dunca
of Baltimore was made second vice pres.
dent. For third vice president Road
Kenehan of Denver was elected Nj
Elderkin was elected fourth vice pres
dent. A. McCraith of Boston was electe
secretary. For treasurer, John b. Ler
hon, present Incumbent was nominate
snd elected by reclamation. The two fra
ternal delegates to be sent to the Britis
trades congress, to be held in Cardiff
Wales, are Samuel Gompers and p. j
Mcclure.
Mr.. Gompers has held the position
president of the American Federation sine
1889. Until 1886 there was no salary at
tached to the office That year it was dt
clded to make the office permanent one
and the salary was fixed at $1,000. Tn;
was raised to $500 in 1899.
The mine workers, with 800 votes, we
for Mcbride for personal reasons. II
radical socialist members felt that GoI
pers was very strongly opposed to thel
and the presidents own action durin
the convention had done much to defea
him. He was sick when he came here
and his rulings have been noticeably ar
bitrary and erratic. More than once he
has lost his temper, and occasionally he
has reversed his own rulings. The feeling
generally is friendly to Gompers.
New York was decided ON for the next
meeting of the federation, defeating St.
Louis by vote of 1896 to $685.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1894-12-21
Granite State OdiciaIs.

TACOMA, n. H., Dec. 1.-THE following
gentlemen have been selected to serve on
the staff of Governor Elect Busiel: Ad-
5utant general, Augustus ID. Ayling; in
spector general, j. P. Wellman; quarter
master general, William f. Knight; COM
missary general, John H. Brown; judge
advocate general. Frank S Streeter;
surgeon general, Samuel P. Carbee; aides
~s-camp, William ]. Hoyt, Bertram Ellis,
Alvin I. Thoits and Lyford A Morrow.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1894-12-21

BRUNSWICK, Me-, Dec. 18.-More than a
dozen Bowdoin students are members of an
eating club, whose dining hall is In a
private dwelling of the town. A mess of
frozen sherbet, left standing in the shed a
few days ago. was found to be covered
with green powder, probably paris green.
The sherbet was thrown away, but other
food standing near it was used that day
ut table. The members of both the club
and the family in the house are now sick
with symptoms Of poisoning. There is alb
solutely no clew to the perpetrator,
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1894-12-21

BRATTLEBoRo, Vt, Dec. 1S-E. A. Will
lard, Jr., was brought before Justice Par
melee in Wilmington, charged with en-
bezzlement and larceny. He waived ex-
animation, and e. E. Wheeler furnished
bail in the sum of $500. Willard was
formerly treasurer of the Wilmington
Savings bank. He resigned his position
In the bank in August, after discrepancies
IL his accounts were discovered. Willard
Is in business in Des Moines He came
60 Wilmington Saturday to surrender
himself
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1894-12-21
opeped Under Favorable Auspices.

BANGOR Me-, Dec. 19.-The 21st annual
meeting of the Maine state grange opened
with 457 delegates present. The reports
show that 800 members have been added
during the year. The meeting will dis
ouss mutual insurance of farm buildings
and cooperative stores. besides the other
topics Of nterest to farmers.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1894-12-21

enraptured with the Samoan islands All.
decided to take up his residence and spen.
the rest of his days there He took clos,
interest in Samoan affairs and has written
many letters to the newspapers in favor of
the natives as against the treaty powers
under whose direction the government OF
the islands is conducted.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1894-12-21

PORTLAND Me, Dec. 1s-At the session
Of the Christian Workers Rev. Robert
Pierce said his success In keeping converts
active lies In keeping them at work. Rev.
w. N. Brodbeck Of Boston followed on
pastors and Revivals" He believed re
vivsls are a necessity for church and
people.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1894-12-21
VIII Protect Themselves.

NASHUA, n. H., Dec. l9.-The directors
Of the Indian Head National bank, when
asked If they would take steps to take pos
session of the property used by the Bos-
ton woman whom Mexican has been sup
porting, replied that they would take steps
70 protect themselves in any way they
could, and would secure all property that
b>lonaed to Mexican.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1894-12-21
An old Man KILLED.

AUBURN, Me-, Dec. Is-As train from
Portland neared Parsons crossing, Rufus
Hackett drove on the track. The engine
struck the wagon and killed Hackett and
his horse. Hackett was hard Of hearing.
He raa 40 wears old
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1894-12-21
Killed ~ n Crossing.

ASHLAND. Mass, Dec. IA tve-horse
milk wagon, in which were a man and q
boy, was struck by q train at the Cords-
villa crossing last evening. The man and
horsss were killed and the boy fatally In
tursd
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1894-12-21
In q serIeu. Condition.

PROVIDENCE, Dec. ls.-The condition Of
Osceois Cook, the divekeeper, who was
AMOS py Editor LingAne, is more serious
and physicians fear that blood poisoning
will set In.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1894-12-21

NEW BEDFORD. Mass, Dec l6.-Dsniel
N. Robertson, ths wife murderer, was
hanged 1t the jail here at 1879 a m yss-
tsrday. The execution was without spec
ial incident
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1894-12-21
Angn.ta omciaI, want Him.

PORTLAND Me-, Dec. lS.-C Eier Bean.
travelling under six aliases, Was arrested
here yesterday. He is wanted for forgery
In Augusta, whittier he will be taken 81
onoa
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1894-12-21
Live Stock Markets.

BRIGHTON, Mass, Dec 1S.-Amount of stock
ON the market at this place and at Watertown
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1894-12-21

We have not and
do not expect to change
our rate of
interest.
We pay four per cent
interest on our
deposits.
General Banking Transacted.
If we make any
losses it
comes out of our
stockholders, not out of our
depositors.
Bradford
Savings
Bank
and
Trust
Company.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1894-05-26
WILD FLOWERS.

An inappropriate motto-"No flow
crS"
The ION to Washington" cry of
CoNCy'S army scarcely recalled the
stirring days of 1861.
When that expected European war
breaks out the way to stop it will be
to apply to Uncle sam for ii dynamite
gun.
Ruth-"Why is battle called an
engagement" Paul-"Well, ! sup
pose because it so often preccdcs Il
surrender No cards.
In these piping times of peace"
about the only heroic opening for the
ordinary American citizen is to try t"
discover the North Pole.
Weary Willy-"Dey say Grant was
lazy before de war" RagSy-"Dat'S
why | joined de CoXcy army. Derc'S
no tcllin' what war will do for us fcl-
lcrs."
Stul bS-"Say, Fatty, | sec that Miss
Maude Banks says the women ar"
ready to take up arms in the next
war" Fatty-"Well, that's all right;
my arms are ready"
The women orators should let up ON
the men little on Decoration Day.
ut least. After all, the manhood Of
the nation stood the test in the stir
ring days when the nation was in
peril.
Boggs-'The old vets are goinc
fast" Net-"Well, there's one salts
faction; we won't be forgotten. 4
hundred years from now they'll use
our old Springfield's and crutches for
brio brac."
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1894-05-26
A MICROBe-PROOF BUILDING.



Invention.
A new kind of dwelling house has
been invented. 1t is rcmLrk;i bic in
many ways. being suitable for amy
climate. whether tropical or arctic air
and water tight and us near disease
proof us amy building can BE- made.
1t is warrLn ed m:crobe-proof and
should any stray disease-pruducin.
germ through any accident or over
sight find it way within the forb ddrn
precincts the conditions it tinlS III T..
will be So obnoxious to lis taste AMI
feelings that it will Immediately die
of despair. The new kind of building
is Il Japanese invention. Dr. W. Van
der Hayden, of Yokohama is its or
iginator and builder. He has con
structcl one for his own use. and has
lived in 1t for over year. testing its
good qualities before publishing to the
world any of its peculiaritieS. The
tests applied have been so satiSfac-
tory in their results that the world is
now Informed of them.
Glass is the chief article of cons rue
ton in the new building. Its walls
are constructed of a series of glass
boxes filled with a solution of alum
These boxes are formed of two pancs
of glass each foWr-tenthS of an inch
in thickness. The glass is fixed in iron
frames screwed togo her. The whole
is so constructed that the building will
resist the influences of heat. cold,
shocks and earthquakes. Between the
Joints of the iron framework felt is
inserted and then the space is covered
with boards. The roof is fiat and is
supported by caSt-iron pillars. 1t. too.
is glass, strips of rubber covering the
Joints. Over the glass is spread IL thin
layer of ashes and upon this is placed
a light wooden frame which is covered
with cement to protect the interior
from the radiation of heat. The build
ing has outer and inner walls. with Il
space between affording air passages
to neutralizc all atmospheric influences
without
No doors or windows appear in the
building proper. The SupprStrUcturr
is placed on a foundation of brick. the
walls of which inclose a sort of base
ment and it is through this basement
that ingr"SS and egre|S to and from
the residence portion are obtained. The
building is heated and ventilated on
the most scientific principles. Pure
air is secured from the upper atmoS-
pherc and conveyed to the inferior of
the building through pipes. after it has
been screened through fine wire net
Ting and filtered through cotton bat
ting SO as to deprive it of any
microbes or other disease germs it
might contain. After being used it
escapes from the house through valves
fixed in the walls and ceilings for that
purpose. The heat is also brought to
the house from the outside through
pipes running to. open flueS in the
rooms. and as it passes away through
these Il draft is created which assists
in ventilating the rooms. The whole
limits of the building are made as
ascpric as mountaineering of Lis.
ten Chicago Evening Post.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1894-05-26
AN OLD PRESCRIPTION.
On This Particular Occasion it Failed
In


On This Particular Occasion it Failed
to Work.
The crowd had gathered about Il
horse and buggy in the middle of the
street. The horse had baked.
Tie string around his ear" said
one of the bystanders. 1T gives him
something else to think of. | never
knew it to fail"
a string was produced and wound
tightly round one of the animals ears.
1t had no effect.
'Blindfold him. suggested ano her.
A bandagr was tied over his eyes
and an effort made to start him.
Same result.
Back him
He won't back" said the cNaSp"r
ated owner. Il tried that
"Try him with an ear of com.
The ear of corn failed t" move the
obstinate horse
I'll see if | can't persuade him some
Other. way said the evHSpcratod
owner of the animal.
He took Il whip and brlahnrrd the
beast with it till somebody threatened
to have him arrested.
Then he kicked him awhile.
All in vain.
Finally Il bcncvolcnt-lo liking cd
gentleman forced his way through the
crowd and said
Il have seen great many la Ky
horses artcd by building Il fire under
them. Can You get some straw or
shavinss:"
\ boy was sent to Il nr;ghhHriNg
furniture store for some excelsior. He
came back presently with Il hug arm
full 1t was placed on the ground
under the horse and Il lighted ma eli
touched to it.
As the first feeble flame rose from it
and the Smok" began to curl about his
legs the horse unbrnt Il Ii tl" He
turned his head. took Il calm survey
of the situation. and when the com
huStiblc stuff burst into Il big blaze he
moved forward about six fec in full!
possession of his faculties. and with.
Out any unnecessary haste. and stop
ped agnin.
And the elegant buggy WIS damaged
twenty-five dollars 10y the flames be.
fore it occurred to anybody 10 scatter
the blazing stuff.
And then an old cnlcG'rh man in Il
faded suit of second -hand Gle ;hcS and
a hat with half the brim gone went
ont and spoke kindly to he high
spirited animal rubbed his nose. pat
ted him on the neck. climbed into tIc
damaged buggy. and said. Cit along.
sonny.
And the horse moved off ut IL brisk
trot wi II head high in the air.-Chi
cage Tribune.
Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1894-05-26
TOTHEPUBLIC,
Are Your Photographs Fading ?

hight or ten months ago received 90 or
~ more gross of Prepared Paper for making
photographs on, which was used yielding
the most beautiful results at the time
The paper however, was defective and in
a few months commenced to fade.
| have, therefore, placed suit for indem-
nifty in the hands of my attorney-to recover
damages caused by the same; to set myself
right before my patrons and substantiate nv
oft assurances of guarantees of all my work,
In order to carry out my purposes as above
given, will consider it marked favor for all
my patrons to examine their pictures, and
those of their friends made by me and, if
defective, collect them, and | will with pleas
ure replace them.
1t has been most unfortunate affair to
me. aiming, as do, to use the best material
and thus insure the best possible work.
As proof of the permanency of my work
with reliable paper, | invite an inspection
OF the pictures i'll my show window, which
have been exposed to direct sunlight for
eight months, and which are intact to-day.
Hoping each customer will understand
my position and where a defective picture is
found, he or she will come in and have it
replaced, am very truly,
CO. TOWLES,
Proprietor Towles Art Galleries.
March 10