davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-02
SCARED BY A HAG.
Sad Case of a Foolish Bride Who Is
Dying in Florida.


Dying in Florida.
As result of what some folks claim
is witchcraft, Mrs. w. II. Langford, a
bride of but few weeks, who lives about
twelve miles from Barlow, Fla, is on
her deathbed.
Some time ago Mrs. Langford came to
Barlow to attend the Normal Institute
hoping to pass her examination and after
ward get an appointment as school teach
er. Mrs. Langford was in high spirits
and soon became noted as one of the jol-
liest of the Normal students. One day
as she was walking alone in the suburbs
of the town she was accosted by an old
woman of the Meg Merrilies type, whom
Mrs. Langford had never seen before.
The hag surprised Mrs. Langford by ad-
dressing her by name and by telling her
that she had been married only a few
days, and that she was the second wife
of her husband; all of which was true.
Mrs. Langford wondered how the old
woman should be so familiar with the
circumstances of her life, but her aston
ishment increased when the hag, pointing
skinny finger at her, said: ENJOY your
self while you may, dearie, for in three
months from to-day you will be corpse"
The old woman disappeared, and has
not been seen since, nor has any clue to
her identity been discovered. Mrs. Lang
ford returned from her walk and told her
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-02
ALLIES OF THE JAPS.
ENGLAND AND UNCLE SAM WITH
THE MikADO.
with Two Powerful Friends the De-
mands of the Russian Bear Are
Laughed to Scorn : Montreal the
Scene of a Terrible Accident.
Defios Her Big Foe.

London advices say that England will
give Japan open support in the ratification
of the treaty of peace with China. A
friendly understanding exists between
the mikado and Lord Rosebery's govern
ment. But this is not ALL This tacit al
lance is a triple one and the United States
Is the third party to 1t. japanese diplo-
mats, with wonderful astuteness, have
been for weeks preparing for the situa-
tion which now confronts the nations.
They recognized that if they could secure
even the moral support of England and
America in settling the terms of peace
with their conquered foe japan could af-
ford to ignore or defy the rest of the
world. England entered heartily into the
arrangement and representatives of both
Japan and England are now using the
most strenuous efforts to induce the Unit
ed States to stand by its tacit agreement
and join in protecting Japan against for
eign interference. Such an attitude, it
Is represented, would not be repugnant
to the American policy, but it is pecu-
liarly unusual and strange one for Great
Britain to assume.
Japan watches with keen interest the
course of the European powers regarding
the Shimoneseki treaty. japanese diplo-
mats are not particularly apprehensive of
the outcome. The refusal of England to
act in concert with Russia, Germany and
France has encouraged the japanese to
believe that no strong single policy can
be agreed on by the countries that feel
their interests in the East are threatened
by the terms of the peace. Germany is
thought to be but half-hearted in her CO.
operation with France and Russia, if such
cooperation has been assured. Much con-
fidence is felt in the assurances of good
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-02

remarks about women were particularly
offensive.
1t is q case that has no parallel except
the Whitechapel horrors which startled
London and all the world few years ago,
and the case of Jack the Ripper lacks, so
far as known, many of the psychological
features of the case of Theodore Durant,
for there is nothing to show that Jack the
Ripper pretended to lead an exemplary
Christian life while committing his afro
cious butcheries. The combination of
saint and fiend in one human being deep
ems the mystery of the Emanuel Church
murders, and has aroused universal in
terest in the case.
Work of Fiend.
The developments of a week have been
sufficient to cause the greatest excite
ment. First came the finding of the nude
body of Marion Williams, young girl
who had been missing since the day be-
fore, in n closet off the library of the
church. 1t was terribly mutilated. The
finding of this body, startling as it was
in itself, gave the police an idea which
they were not slow in working on. The
close friend of Miss Williams, Blanche
Lamont, had been missing for more than
in vain. But upon the CHASTITY discovery
in the closet a thorough and systematic
examination of the building was decided
upon. Away up in the belfry her body
was at length found, nude like that of her
friend, and also horribly mutilated. The
clothing which was torn in shreds from
the body had been tucked into corners and
holes in the dusty old belfry. In the two
weeks during which il had lain there a
heavy coating of dust had settled like a
shroud over the body. Upon this discov-
cry the excitement in the city, which
was intense before, knew no bounds.
other Developments.
To follow the various steps by which
the police advanced to the point of ar
resting Durant upon suspicion of having
been the murder would be rs unnecessary
as ii would be tiresome. He had hardly
been arrested, however, when it seemed
apparent to the authorities that il he
were guilty Of these crimes he must also
have committed two others which were
causing the detectives a deal of trouble.
A few months ago n young druggist nam
ed Ware was found murdered at the foot
of his stairs. He was n very close friend
of Durant. This was one of the mys-
teries. The other was the sudden disap-
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-02
No POpe Joan.

Though the story has been refuted
over and over again, there Is still a
widespread belief that there existed
in the middle ages n female pope. Pope
Joan. as she is called. has even given
her name to game of cards which is
mentioned in Sheridan's School for
Scandal" The tradition with regard
to the female pope has been traced
back to the eleventh century, but she
is said to have lived much earlier, her
pontificate having taken place in the
ninth century and having lasted for
more than two years. The name she
is alleged to have assumed Is John VII.
At the last meeting Of the Academy Of
Inscriptions, in Paris, VI. Muntg dealt
another blow at the story, which he
characterizes as a vulgar fable invent
ed In the middle ages. Never, he de-
clares, after careful study Of the
question, has a woman worn the tiara;
and, moreover, there was no interreg-
mum at the period when the pretended
John VII. governed the church.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-02
DURANT TO BE TRIED,
HELD FOR THE MURDER OF
MARION WILLIAMS.
Brief story of One of the Most Hor-
rible Tragedies in the History of
Crime-Four Victims of a San Fran
cisco Fiend.
BODIES Hacked to Pieces.


w. II. Theodore Durant, of San Fran
cisco, medical student and assistant Sun
day schoo; superintendent, is to stand
trial for the murder of Miss Marian Will
liams in Emanuel Baptist Church library
Friday night, April II. The coroner's
jury has found that the young woman
came to her death by his hands.
There has been no more sensational
murder mystery i'm the criminal annals of
the Golden Gate city than the case of
William Henry Theodore Durant, charg-
ed with the double murder of Blanche La
mont and Minnie Williams, against whom
is the suspicion of having stabbed to death
a young drug clerk named Eugene Ware.
The mystery and sensationalism sur
rounding the case are heightened by the
disappearance of two other women
known to be acquainted with the alleged
murderer, Mrs. Forsythe and Miss Ag-
nes Hill.
While the police have accumulated a
mass of direct and circumstantial evi-
dence against Durant the prisoner coolly
denies his guilt and claims that he will
prove an alibi. If it shall be shown that
lDurant is the murderer of Blanche La
mont and Minnie Williams the strange
case of DIR. Jekyll and Mr.. hyde Will
have been outdone in real life and will
have furnished the strongest kind of addi'
tional proof that truth is stranger than
fiction"
So far as outward appearances go Du
rant has been n model young man, who
neither drank nor smoked; the assistant
superintendent of Sunday school, the
librarian of church, of gentle demeanol
and Christian spirit. Such he appeared
to be to those whose good opinion he
sought, but some of his associates say
that in private he was blasphemous ant
foul-mouthed; that he practiced all the
vices he pretended to abhor and that his
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-02

man who held his throat with his right
hand and used a dagger or knife with the
left. Blanche Lamont was strangled by
"A left-handed man. Durant is noted for
his dexterity in using his left hand as
well as his right. On the day of the dis
appearance of Blanche Lamont-she
whose body was afterwards found in the
belfry-Durant was observed by the or
ganist coming down from the loft in a
most excited and nervous state. He ex-
planned that he had been up there fixing
some electric wires and had been over
come by the gas. Three of Blanche La
mont's rings were received through the
mail by her aunt on the day her body
was found. On the paper in which they
were wrapped was Durant's name. In an
overcoat pocket in Durant's dressing
room at home was found Miss Williams
pocketbook. These are some of the links
in the chain which is being forged about
Durant.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-02
he XVII CRAWLING MICHIGAN, THURSDAY, MAY 2 1896

The girls were nearly all on the fourth
floor, and frantic with fear. With much
trouble one of the iron lattices was knock
ed off, when one of the girls jumped and
was almost shattered to pieces when she
struck the roof of an adjoining warehouse.
In a similar manner the others followed
to the number of thirty. The ambulances
were kept busy carrying the women and
girls to the hospitals, and some were
driven in cabs TO their homes.
From inquiries at the hospitals concern
ing the condition of the girls injured by
jumping from the windows of the burning
building, 1t was learned that but little
hope Is entertained for the recovery of
at least five. The first girl to make the
terrible leap from the fourth floor to the
warehouse roof was Marie Gagnon, who
was picked up in an insensible condition,
with her back broken.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-02
MANY GIRLS MANGLED.
Pinned in Montreal Fire-Trap by
Iron Barred Windows.

w. G. McDonald's extensive tobacco
factory ia Montreal, Que, was partially
destroyed By fire Thursday evening. The
loss will reach half n million dollars, on
which there was no insurance. There was
not a fire escape on the outside nor any
appliances on the inside of the building
for the fighting of the fire. Even the
windows were guarded by heavy iron
screens, presumably to prevent theft. The
fire started at ) o'clock in the drying
room, and for while smoldered. Then
suddenly the flames burst through and n
most awful panic ensued.
There were 900 employees in the build
ing, and more than half this number were
women and girls. The shrieks of the
women as they beat against the iron
screens, praying the crowd to do some
thing to save them. were most heartrend-
Ing. As the flames burst out three fire.
men were on the roof, and for fully twen-
ty minutes their lives were despaired Of,
till finally ladders were found to bring
them down. They were badly burned.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-02
TOO BIG FOR JAIL.
A Kentucky Giant Who WouIdn't
StOop to Enter a Prison Door.

StOop to Enter a Prison Door.
James Mcdowell, a man of herculean
build and standing seven feet and one
inch in his bare feet, treated Grayson,
Ky, to a regular picnic a few days ago.
Jailer Brown had a warrant issued for
him, the charge being that Mcdowell
had smuggled liquor to prisoners in Jail.
Mcdowell was easily found and went to
the Jail door, which was only six and one
half feet high. But he refused to stoop
to enter the Jail. The jailer begged, then
threatened, but the giant stood immova-
bic. Brown tried to bend McDowell's
legs at the knee. He got up twenty feet
away. Help was called for, but Nc
Dowell stood at the door, grim, but stead
fast. A crowd began to gather. Soon
all the town was attracted to the giant
ut the Jail door. He was good-natured,
and laughed and .jested with the crowd.
Toward evening Mcdowell announced
that he was getting weary and would go
home, promising TO appear in court the
next day, adding that if the door was en-
larged he would go into the Jail, but he
would never bow to any Jail door. Brown
iet him go. Mcdowell came back us he
had promised, pleaded guilty and paid
his fine.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-02

member OF the Bmanuel Baptist Church,
and although her body has not been found
after diligent search, it is believed she met
a similar fate as that which befell the
two girls. She was seen with Durant
about week ago; since then she has been
missing. Druggist Eugene Ware was one
of Durant's closest friends. 1t is now
said that the latter became jealous of him
on account of some girl, and that this was
the reason for his murder.
Here are some of the most damaging
features of the evidence against Durant
Ware was stabbed eighteen times by q
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-02

companions what had occurred. Her
friends attempted to laugh the matter off,
but the young bride seemed convinced that
the hag's prophecy would prove true. She
returned to her home, told her husband
of the old woman's prediction and then
took to her bed. She has been growing
weaker ever since, and it is believed she
will die before the date fixed. Mrs. Lang
ford complains of no pain, but is simply
wasting away. She takes medicines pre-
scribed by doctors, but says it is useless,
as she is doomed.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-02

The Walton election law of Virginia
was declared unconstitutional by the
Court of Appeals.
Bills for the election of State Railroad
Commissioners and to repeal the anti
scalpers law were killed by the Minnesota
Senate.
The Oregon Democratic Central Com
mittee has sent a protest to President
Cleveland against the retention in Office
of Republicans.
The Tennessee House adopted by a
vote of 43 to 80 the Senate resolution de-
claring in favor of the free coinage of
silver at ratio of 16 to 1.
The Michigan Attorney General has
decided village council under the new
law has the authority to prohibit the sale
of liquor within the village limits.
Chairman Adams, of the Alabama Pop
ulist State Executive Committee, pub
fishes manifesto warning Populists
against the new silver party in Alabama
State Treasurer Henry NJ. Phillips, of
Massachusetts, sent in his resignation to
the Governor to take effect on the cleo
ton of his successor by the Legislature.
Gov. Morton of New. York has submit
ted to the Legislature a message request
ing il to provide proper exhibit for the
coming Cotton States Exhibition in
Georgia.
The Michigan House passed stringent
liquor law providing for uniform license
of $500. The Senate passed bill provid-
ing for a general charter for the fifty.
three cities in the State of the fourth
class.
Col. J. w. +. Hughes, the colonel of
the militia who was removed Dy Gov.
Lewelling Of Kansas and court martialed
for not driving the Republican House
from the Legislative halls two years ago,
has been appointed major general Of the
Kansas militia.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-02

tigation at Carson,
New, for two weeks,
and it is understood
that he has complet-
ed his investigation
and forwarded his
report to Washing
ton. The total short
age will reach a trifle
over 100000, which
is due to the stufhng
of the bullion depOs-
it's with gold bricks.
1t is understood,
also, that his report
ILL z-o.a.uA -at...
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-02

The Christian Endeavor convention
which meets in Boston July 10 to 10 Is
already arousing great deal of interest.
The committee of arrangements has been
granted the use of the Boston common
for a big open-air meeting of patriotic
nature on July 13. Governor Greenhalge,
DR.. Donald McLauren of Detroit, DIR. s.
+. Smith, the author of America" and
several other prominent persons will be
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-02

pearance about a week before the discov-
cry of the bodies of the girls of woman
named Forsythe. She was friend of Du-
rant and was last seen in his company.
So much for the first chapter, that of
the mystery. The second Is not a whit
less sensational.
The Victims.
The two girls were close friends, az be-
fore said, They were also friends of
Durant MrA Ada Forsyths wss also
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-02
HOW MONEY is TO BE SPENT.
Appropriations Made by the Recently
Adjourned Congress-.

The volume annually prepared by the
clerks of the Senate and House Appro-
priations Committees, showing the exact
appropriations and the new Offices Great
ed, has been prepared for the last ses-
sion of the Fifty-third Congress by Thom-
as p. Cleaves, clerk of the Senate Com
mittee, and J. G. Courts, clerk of the
House Committee. The statement gives
the appropriations in detail and specifies
the new Offices created and abolished with
the salaries and also the salaries increas-
ed and reduced, together with the chron-
illogical history of the regular appropria-
tions
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-02
peaches. plums and strawberries are bud.

Missouri-The weather was favorable for
farm work, but the low temperature has re-
tarded grass and gardens. The rainfall has
been unevenly distributed. The drought con-
tinues I'm some counties. Corn planting u
progressing well, and cotton planting begun.
Wheat and oats look well. The prospects
for fruit continue excellent.
Nebraska-All vegetation has grown well.
Small grain Is generally In excellent condi-
tion, but some fields are beginning to feel
the need Of rain somewhat. Corn planting
Is general In the southeastern counties Sew
eral frosts, but no damage has been reported.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-02
MINT SHORTAGE $4,000.

Something Over That Amount Makes
the Total of the Loot.
Superintendent Mason of the Govern
ment assay Office in New York has been
in full charge of the mint scandal inves-
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-02
Made Fifty MiIIions.

BY the advance In petroleum the Stand
ard Oil Company has pocketed 50.000,-
900 within the past two weeks.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-02
WILL MEET IN BOSTON
PLANS FOR THE CHRISTIAN EN-.
DEAvOR CONVENTION.

Fully Fifty Thousand Members of the
Society Will Take Part In the Meet
ing-Great Increase in Membership
During the Past Year.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-02
re AS follows:

OTduu totui, appropriations 1o' ',OOo,o-V
The number of new offices specifically
created is /, ,773, at an annual cost of ST.
313,324, and the number omitted is 400,
at an annual cost of S401 ,94S, making. a
net increase of 1 1854 in number and $S15,-
376 in amount Included in this increase
are the 1000 additional seamen authoriz-
ed to be enlisted in the navy and 315
additional deputy collectors and revenue
agents in the internal revenue service to
carry into effect the income tax law. In
addition to the foregoing there is net
increase in specific amounts appropriated
for new offices where the number of such
offices and the amount of salary to indi-
viduals are not specified, of SSOo, 700.
The number of salaries specifically in
creased is 119'at an annual cost of $780,
506 and the number of salaries specitical-
ly reduced is 60 at an annual cost of $1S,-
32S, making a net increase of 80 in num-
ber and of $21,1 in amount; making a
net total increase on account of salaries
of offices, new and old, of 81 ga, ,253.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-02

NJ. e. CHURCH-Rev. 8. @. Taylor, PastoG
Services at 10 80 o'clock am. and 7l8 p.m- Sun
day school ut II m. Prayer meeting every
Thursday evening ut 7,x o'clock. All are cor
daily invited to attend.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-02

ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.-Fathe.
H. Webeler. Regular services the last Sunday
in each month.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-02

DANISH Ev. LUTHERAN CHURCH = Rev.
A. Henrtzy, Pastor. Services every Sunday ~
1880 a. m. and p m, and every Thursday a.
7:3O p. m. Sunday School at 2 p. m.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-02

CRAWLING LODGE, 1. q. o. F., No. 137.-
Meets every Tuesday evening
NJ. SIMPSON. N. G..
J. PATTERSON, Sec.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-02

MARVIN POST, No. 24o. G. A. r., meets the
second and fourth Saturdays in each month
A. G. WILCOX, Post Com.
H. TRUMLEY, Adjutant.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-02

wOMENs RELIEF CORPS. No. 1o2, meets CD
the 2d and 4th Saturdays at O'Clock in the af-
ternoon MRS. NJ. E. HANSON, President
REBEcCA WIGHT, Sec.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-02

CRAWLING ENCAMPMENT, 1. o. o. f., No
ll6.-Meets alternate Friday evenings.
w. MCCULLOUGH, c. p
S. G. TAYLOR, Secretary.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-02

METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH.
Rev. J. J. Willis, Pastor. Servicesevery Sun
day at $3.50 D. m. Sunday school at 2 y. m.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-02

GRAY LING CHAPTER, r. A. NJ, No. 12J.--
Meets every third Tuesday in each month.
JOHN +. HUN, II. p.
A. TAYLOR Sec.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-02

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH-Rev. John Irwin
Pastor. Services every Sunday morning and
evening at the usual hour Sunday y-school fol-
lowing morning service. Prayer meeting every
Wednesday evening.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-05-02

GGAYLING LODGE, No. $3.50, y. d A. IL
meets In regular communication on Thursdsv
evening ON or before the full Of the moon
nj. A. BATES, w. N.
A. TAYLOR, Secretary.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-01-24
HIS NORTH BRANCH BANK
Got KIngsland Into Trouble at ST.
Charles.

NnaPIeS.
NORTH BRANCH, Mimi, Jan. 23.-1n
addition to operating the Bank of ST.
Charles. in the southeastern corner of
the state, Mr.. Kingsland was proprietor
of a private bank here. Upon the clos.
ing of the St. Charles bank Mr.. Kings
land made an assignment here to the
cashier, G. l.. Dobner. The North
Branch bank had a capital of $4,000.
Public Examiner Kenyon states that it
was losses at North Branch that first
got Mr.. Kingsland into trouble. and in
trying to retrieve these he went deeper
into the mire.
WINoNA. Jan. 23.-A hearing was had
before Judge Gould regarding the ap-
pointment of receiver for the Bank Of
st. Charles. George Pfetferkorn, con-
nected with fefferkorn Bros bank at
st. Charles. was urged. while others in-
teresed wanted to reOrganiZe the in
stitution, and asked that another res
ceiver be appointed with that under
standing. The statement of Public EX
aminer Kenyon showed the bank to
have gross assets of 500. 1860, ana la
bllitieS of SG3, 1915. Scaling the assets
for depreciation III real estate, they are
estimated at $53, 327. Should the bust
ness be closed up depositors will prob
ably only get 70 cents on the dollar, but
should the bank be reOrgaDiZed they
Will be paid in full.