davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1894-1895, 1895-08-01
Southern Marriage License.

A NeWYOrlIer went to WASHINGTON
not long ago to help friend get mar
ried. 1t was agreed, when they went
to the city hall for the license, says the
Washington Post, that the NeW-YOrker
should do'the talking The clerk asked
the names of the contracting parties,
their place of residence and other cues
tions- Then he said to the New York
er: us the groom light or dark?'
Light" returned the young man,
wondering what complexion had to do
with the matter
Lady light ALSO" asked the clerk,
writing buSily.
No; she's dark was the reply
Dark said the clerk, inquiringly.
''and the groom light? Is that right -
"Certainly,' replied the New Yorker,
with dignity. wondering still more
Marriage between So-and-So, white,
and So-and-So, cOlored," read the
clerk.
What's that" shouted the groom ;
what the devil do you mean by calling
her colored:"
Why. this gentleman said So said
the clerk
Il didn't, protested the York
er: Il said she WAS dark. She's brl-
nette.
"Oh. brunette" observed the clerk /:
Il see You're from the North, aren't
you? Down here, when we say light
we mean white. and dark means col
ored. Here's the license. One dollar
please
Cheap enough. too, with the infor-
nation thrown ill.," said the groom to
the New-Yorker as they took the Ii
ccnse and went away; Il wonder if
they'd call mulatto strlped?"
Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1894-1895, 1895-08-01

Theatrical people in London are re-
peating this story: There was a big
breakfast given in London Il number
of Sundays ago, and Mrs. Kendall and
her husband were among the invited
guests. Mrs. Kendall was taken in to
breakfast by u distinguished looking
middle-aged man whose name she did
not happen to catch. No sooner were
they seated ut the table than Mrs. Ken
dial turned the conversation upon the
stage and its immOralitieS. Her com
panion did not seem TO be particularly
interested in the subject. Mrs. Kendall.
raising her voice slightly. addressed
her remarks TO the table ut large.
Its all trash and nonsense TO say
that simply because a woman is a
genius she may be forgiven, while an
ordinary woman, for the same thing,
would be driven just outside the pale.
A loose life is inexcusable under any
circumstances. Women of exceptional
ability have taken refuge behind the
plea of genius from time immemOrial.
It's time it was stopped. Ii isn't only
the actresses who do 1t. Look at George
Eliot, for instance. What was George
Eliot but"
4 half-suppressed grOan Of dismay
spread around the table. At mention
OF George EliOt's name the hostess be-
gan to make imploring telegraphic
Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1894-1895, 1895-08-01
TIE HOLMES BUILDING IN CHICAGO.
The star shows Holmes, n.ca

shipped it TO Connecticut. Then it was
given out that the chum had died, the
body was palmed off his, and Mudgett
got the insurance money, some So 800.
After securing his degree. Mudgett be-
gan the practice of his profession at
MoOres Fork, in his State. His wife was
with him for awhile. She bore him a
child, and then went back to her parents
on prolonged visit.
Commits Ri.samy.
The young doctor built up fairly good
practice, but did not ask his wife to re-
turn to him, as he thought his field of ac-
ton too circumscribed and he talked Of
going TO Chicago TO establish himself
there. His was a fiirtatious nature, and
meeting an adventures in Boston, he
married her. She soon found that his
means were poor and left him. Then he
paid his real wife q visit and told her he
was going west. That was the last she
had heard of him for several years Be
lieving that she was deserted she went TO
hard work as dressmaker TO support
herself and her child.
Holmes, by which name he is afterward
known, then entered into various schemes
In Chicago. He employed a typewriter
named Minnie Williams. He learned that
Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1894-1895, 1895-08-01

Manifold are the delights and humors
of shopping. All women know them.
and all the funny newspaper men make
their little jokes about them. Here, for
example, is an anecdOte from the Chi
cage Tribune:
Two young women were threading
their way slowly among the gorgeous
ly dressed dummies of a dry goods eS-
adjustment. stopping here and there
to inspect Innings and price-marks.
Nothing seemed TO strike their fancy
very much till one of them caught
sight of Il black serge just in front Of
her.
There, Maria" she exclaimed, in a
tone of triumph; that's what | want.
See how that umbrella skirt hangs,
See how that coat sets in the back. The
frock makes even the lay figure distin-
guished. II it's silk-lined, and doesn't
cost too much | shall have itI'
AS she spoke, size advanced and laid
inquiring hands upon the frOck, lifting
the coat TO inspect the lining Then
she fell back with Il little cry. The
supposed dummy was another custom
er, who turned and faced her
Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1894-1895, 1895-08-01

siyely. The police found in Il stove in q
three-story brick building at 7O1 esd
street, which was built by Holmes and
in which both he and the Williams girls
lived, quantity of charred bones, but
tons known to have been on dress owned
by Minnie Williams, and the partly melt
ed portion of watch chain which was
positively identified as having been the
property of the girl. The contents of the
stove were quickly dumped. and portion
of bones too badly burned 10 admit of
positive identification as belonging to any
particular portion Of the body were found
All of the ashes and debris removed
from the stove was carefully preserved
The police are now of the opinion that
not only Minnie Williams but her young
er sister, Anna. and the boy Howard Pit
eel met death in this house. Anna Will
Jams has not been seen or heard of since
Holmes left the cd street building II
she has fallen victim TO Holmes murder
Gus instincts she will be the sixth he ha.
killed-PiteIcl. his three children and the
two Williams girls.
Holmes pleaded guilty to conspiracy in
defrauding the insurance companies out
Of about $2J0,000. and was awaiting SEN
tence therefor when the bodies of the
children were found and the suspicion
that he murdered Pitezcl was aroused.
Of course he disclaims all knowledge Of
the manner of their death.
Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1894-1895, 1895-08-01

that they were more than friends. This
was his first visit after his acceptance.
and as yet he was still only friend Of
the family.
They were still talking-now about
themselves-when the maid brought
her mistress letter.
She read it and very demurely hand
ed 1t to her lover, but before he Lad
half got through it she broke into a
peal Of laughter.
what answer shall I give, dear"
"Well, think you had better tell the
truth" he replied.
Tell the TRUTH" she asked, repeat
ing his words.
Eyes, that you haven't any prefer
ence."
"Oh, but suppose 1 have?" she re-
joined archly.
A kiss was her only reply.
This was the letter which caused her
such amusement:
Dear Miss Ransome: We, the under
signed, having the honor to make you
a somewhat curious request Each OF
us aspires to the honor of your hand.
and, being dear friends, we cannot, in
the light Of this knowledge, set our OWN
fancied individual claims before those
of each other We pledge ourselves to
abide by any decision at which it may
please you to arrive. Hoping that you
will find it possible to help us, and that
you will pardon what may appear i'm
pertinence, we have the honor to re-
main, your most devoted admirers,
LEWIS FORBES,
HUGH SPENCER
WILLIS CAREW."
They discussed the wording of the re-
ply, and decided TO couch it in such
q form that no mention should be made
Of the engagement, while no direct ac-
ceptance Of the proposal contained in
this note should be given.
Agnes suggested that Jack should
call on Forbes that same evening,
shrewdly guessing that the friends
would meet at his lodgings in eager ex-
pectation of the reply.
Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1894-1895, 1895-08-01
A SCENE IN THE CHlTRAL WAR.
FOiliug a Night Attack by Firing
Shells Giving a Brilliant Light.

A wounded Pathan, who was cap
jkoka Bridge, has given orr political
officers most vivid account Of .he enc
my's action on that occasion. Every
movement of our men was watched by
the enemy from the hilltopS. They saw
the efforts to construct the bridge. and
reconnoitered is closely as they dared
to the intrenched camp of the Guides
Infantry. Then the brilliant idea struck
their chiefs of launching the heavy logs
mp the stream to wreck the bridge.
He says: We saw the floating road
way break up and its pieces swept
away in the rapid waters Our watch
men signaled the news from hill TO hill
and the clans gathered for the fray. for
we believed that the soldiers separated
from their fellows were delivered into
our hands. Then our mullahs came and
preached TO lis the righteousness of cur
cause. and showed that Allah was
mindful of his children by placing Il
thousand rifles and much ammunition
within their hands TO grasp.
Now, We SOreiy desired these guns.
and the words Of our mUllahs excited
us greatly. We saw the men from the
river bank marching toward us, and we
believed victory To be certain. But
when they saw us they went back
slowly and we could never get close 10
them. for some of their guns were al
ways firing among lis and many We're
stricken and fell. When the men had
reached their camp and the sahibs
across the river began firing upon Us,
toe, we went back TO the hills for shell
ter. Then our mullahS and chiefs talked
together and decided we should creep
upon our enemies in the night and fall
upon them when the night was darkest.
And every man went willingly. for the
guns We SOrely needed.
There We're 2.000 hillmen who set
forth that night 10 crawl up to the sol
diers camp. We lay for hours in the
wet fields, with the rain falling stead
lily, waiting for our chiefs TO give the
signal for the great rush. Word came
round from chief to chief to be ready.
ana every man crOuched, graSping his
weapon, to run forward; but at that
very moment devils gun doomed
forth. and, 10. instead OF bullets and
balls coming out, there burst over Us
mighty light, SO great that we thought
the night had suddenly become day.
And we cried aloud to Allah to abate
his wrath against us. and when tiny
great light faded we all hurried awav.
and even our mullahs had no word tc
say
The explanation is that, in order 10
guard against any such nocturnal at
tempt to rush the position. a star shell
had been fired from the British camp.
When the shell bursts il shows a brill
liant magnesium light. wildly illuminat-
ing the surrounding cOuntry.-LonloR
Times.
Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1894-1895, 1895-08-01
TIE BEST OF LIFE.

Not till life's heat is cooled,
The headlong rush slowed to quiet pace,
And every purblind passion that has
ruled
Our noisier years, at least
Spurs us in vain, and, weary of the race,
We care no more who loses or who wins
All! not till all the best of life seems past
The best of life begins.
To toll for only fame,
Handclappings, and the tickle guests of
praise,
For place or power or gold TO gid a
name
Above the grave whereto
All paths will bring US, were to lose our
days,
We, on whose ears youths passing bell
has tOlled,
In blowing bubbles. even as children do,
Forgetting we grow Did.
But the world widenS when
Such hope of trivial gain that ruled us lies
Broken among our chii1hood's toys, for
then
We win to self-control.
And mail ourselves in manhood, and there
Upon us from the vast and MINDLESS
height
Those clearer thought that are unto the
soul
What stars are TO the night.
The Spectator.
Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1894-1895, 1895-08-01
CHAPTER III.

1t seemed as though the clock would
never strike 4. Would the court never
rise, that poor juniors might doff their
wig and stuff gown and hasten away
westward?
But Lewis Forbes got home at last,
eager for letter that he hoped TO find.
But when he found 1t he did not open
1t, but. with his mind in, Torment.
waited for dinner and the arrival of
his friends, who were to dine with him.
They arrived together, and both in
CURED: Where Is 1T"
They arranged themselves around
the table. In the middle Of which lay
the precious envelope.
"Open It," suggested Carew.
Spencer nodded approval.
Gentlemen: l thank you most sin
cerely for the honor you propose to con-
fer upon me. l much regret that can
not help you out Of your difficulty by
personal preference. Would not such
case be better left to pure chance?
A pack Of cards might work out So
luton. Thanking you once more most
sincerely. and awaiting the result with
some anxiety. remain, Yours very
truly. AGNES RANSOAIE."
He finished, and set pack of cards
on the table without speaking word.
They shufI1ed them still in silence.
Forbes was the first to break Ii. "You
see, cutting for the highest or lowest
card Is one Of the crudest of methods.
Let us play vingt-et-un, the first to turn
up natural to be the lucky man.
They agreed, and the deal fell 20
Forbes.
Play began and went on round after
round. but still no natural turned
up. Every other combination in the
pack was dealt except natural"
A visitor was announced to relieve
the monotony. He proved to be Mill
man, who, true to his proposal of the
morning, had called and found things
as he had anticipated.
eve won't keep you a moment" urS-
ed Forbes. I've are only waiting for
a natural"
Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1894-1895, 1895-08-01
EXPRESS IS HELD UP.
Chicago Limited en- the Lake Shore
boarded by Robbers.

Masked men boarded west bound
Lake Shore and Michigan Southern ex-
press train ut Reece Siding, Ind, at 12:35
Wednesday morning, forced open an ex-
press car and ut the point of revolvers
compelle the messenger to unlock the
safe 1t is known that at least So, 900 was
taken. The train is n heavy one, made up
of several express cars, baggage and mail
cars, two coaches and three Pullmans.
Reece Siding is lonely spot in the
woods, between ArchbOld and Stryker,
about ten miles west of Wauseon A
blind sliding is used by this train nightly
to allow the western express to pass. This
usual stop is well known to those familiar
with the locality. For mile in each d.
rection the woods are dense close to the
railroad right OF way.
The noise of the coming western ex-
press was ringing louder and louder when
Conductor Darling, who stood by coach,
saw three masked men ride out of road
from the woods which led directly to an
express car which crossed it. He was or
dered inside the coach and ut the same
time three men, approaching the other
side, joined their companions in demand
ing admission TO the express car. This
was gained at revolvers' points, and the
express messenger, under threats of in
slant death, was compelled to open the
safe. The entrance TO the express car
was made quickly md no commotion was
created i'm the other cars. The robbers
seemed to know just how TO handle the
railroad men and to board the cars. Their
evident familiarity with cars and the time
the trains met give rise to suspicious that
they are railroad men.
Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1894-1895, 1895-08-01
A Fair Inference.

1t is undeniable that actions often
speak louder than words. An usurious
money lender, who had for some time
collected an eXtOrtionate interest from
n debtor, sent his collector to the man
as usual one day. The collector return
ed and reported to his employer that he
could not collect the money.
DO you mean to say that the man de-
clared to YOU that he wouldn't pay the
INTEREST,"" the uSurer demanded, furi-
ously
lie didn't declare so in so many
words, but he gave me to understand
So
How did he give you to understand
so?"
He kicked me down three flights OF
stairs"
Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1894-1895, 1895-08-01

she ard her sister were worth $500 and
determined to have the money. He per-
suaded Minnie to live with him. Then
they sent for her sister Annie The lat
ter soon disappeared and no clue has ever
been found of her whereabouts. 1t was
lot long after this that Minnie also dis
appeared.
Then Holmes met Benjami II. Pitezel.
They laid n plan to defraud the Fidelity
Mutual Life Insurance Company of Phila-
delphia. Ptezel took out policy, for
$1,000. In September last the body of
a man was found i'm certain house in
Philadelphia. by his side was n broken
bottle of carbolic acid. He was identified
at the time as the man who, under the
name of Il. Il. Perry. had rented the
house some time before. The doctors
said he had died in natural manner.
The body was buried in the Potter's field
Then Holmes came forward with q man
named Howe to represent Mrs. Pitezel,
Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1894-1895, 1895-08-01
LOADS OF GOLD IN ARIZONA.
Accidental Discovery of the FicachO
Plains, Fifty Years Ago.

Nearly half a century has rolled into
the past since the old prospectors, tired
and worn out under the heat of the
summers sun, sat down on the bank
of the Colorado. almost under the shad-
ow of Chimney peak, now known as
Picacho, to eat their lunch and to rest
and sleep. Awakening early in the af-
ternoon they wendell their way slowly
up the great canyon that leads into the
basin which lies at the eastern foot of
this strangely marked, weird landmark
Of the great desert that lies between
the Indio sink at Salton Lake and the
Colorado River. They jOurneyed on till
evening and camped for the night.
Morning came and with il the thought:
There must be gold here" The old man
now, but then young and in his prime.
took his batteau and horn spoon,
scraped up pan of dry dirt. washed
ii, and there was left nearly an ounce
of the prettiest gold in the bottom of
the batteau. He showed it to his fellow
prOSpectOrs, who in the meantime had
fastened the ra Wilde thongs and strings
that held the scanty outfit on the bur
r0's back that packed them over the
hills. Only word, and they were soon
united. and burrOS told to ''vamOs. and
each man grasped his horn spoon and
went for gold.
For months they took out their two,
three, four, five, and six ounces per
day. One day just as they had eaten up
the last scrap of jerked beef, the last
kernel Of corn and the last mesquite
bean had been Drowned for coffee.
PiaskO, one of their number, sat down
on the ground and scraped up just what
dirt he could reach without changing
his position. Soon he cleaned it up
and had as a result thirty ounces of
clean gold. This was enough. One went
| for deer and mountain sheep, which
were plentiful, another started for the
mesquite groves to gather more beans
for coffee, another went to the Indian
camp near Yuma for corn. All hurried
back. More than 500 pounds ayoirdu-
poiS in gold was gathered up on the
small area of ground lying between
! the Mars and Venus and the Goshen
mines. since so famous for their output
Of gold. Even the third and fourth
year after the discovery of the Plea
cho placers miners took out from SIS
10 SO each per day.
| When FREDERICK came with his dry
washer he took out from twelve to fiji
teen ounces per day in gold, even after
the cream had been gathered. Said an
old miner to me yesterday who had
! lived and worked in the Picacho mine
| for thirty-three years: Il have seen dur
ing my day the San George. Mars and
| Venus canyon worked over more than
100 times, and even now the miners
make 81 per day. 1t is a fact that more
| gold has been taken out of the Picacho
! than from all the mines within 100
| miles of there. Five million dollars will
not cover the amount The old five
! stamp mill run on Mars and Venus
ores for three years and nine months. -
Yuma Times.
Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1894-1895, 1895-08-01
Fiend in Human Form.

There is incarcerated in Moyamensing
Prison, in Philadelphia, a man who, ac-
cording to his own admission, has de-
served hanging n dozen times, and, if
guilty of half of the crimes laid at his
door, is, without doubt, the arch-criminal
Of America. The name he is known by
in prison is II. ii. Holmes, but he has as
many aliases as q chameleon has colors,
and, when at liberty, he could change
them as quickly.
Holmes real name is Herbert, or Her
man, Mudgett, and he was born in Gil
manton. \. H., about thirtyfour years
ago. His father was Levi II. Mudgett.
and he was postmaster of Gilmanton
Corners. He gave his son q good educa-
ton, the boy graduating from the village
academy with honor.
When but Is young Mudgett married
Clara Lowering. the pretty daughter of
well-to-do citizen of Louden, y. H.
MIDGET supported his wife for awhile,
first by teaching school and after by
clerking in a store. Then he took a no
ton to study medicine, and partly through
his parents and his wifes parents as
siStance he become a student in the Uni
versity of Vermont, at Burlington. His
wife in the meantime supported herself
as dressmaker. By and by Mudgett
went to the medical college at Ann Arbor,
Mich. Here he run out of funds. He
and chum went to work during the sum
ner vacation on a farm. One day it oc-
CURED to Mudgett that i was possible to
obtain quantity of money by swindling q
life insurance company. 1t is said that he
told his plan to his chum, who at once fell
in with it. The chum had his life insured
under fictitious name, and shortly after
they procured body from the picking
vat Of medical college. boxed it up and
Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1894-1895, 1895-08-01
CHAPTER w.

Another round was being dealt; ca ch
one had card. Millman. looking on
saw the light In Spencer's eyes; glanc.
ing at Carew he was surprised TO sec
his mouth twitching nervously. Both
evidently had good card. Forbes
dealt each q second.
"Natural!' came from both SINFUL
taneously, as they started up from the
table
Forbes looked at his own cards. rati-
er from curiosity than anything else.
"Natural" he shouted, his face aglow
with excitement.
But" insisted Spencer, you forget
the agreement was the winner should
be the man who turned up natural
first"
YES" objected Forbes, but surely
we must keep the rule Of the game. If
the dealer gets a natural it cancels any
others. The rule is, as you know
'Quits-pay the dealer"
but don't you see," argued his
friend. that this Is not q regular
game?"
Appeal to Millman," suggested Ca
rev, himself uncertain whether to ad
vance his own claim or not.
Forbes undertook the task, and after
putting him in possession Of the lead
ing facts. concluded by saying:
''Now, who do you think Is entitled to
propose to Miss RansOme"
Jack appeared for n moment to bc
deep In thought
At last he said, very slowly:
There is one way out of the lifn
Guilty"
"Yes"
IL will save you the trouble. I will
marry Miss Ransome myself"
"Oh, but It's no laughing matter,
protested Forbes, giving utterance to
the feelings of his friends as well.
"Of course not" assented the umpire
"but 1t solves the difficulty, doesn't II.
Besides" he added, Its easier for me
I'm engaged to her"
Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1894-1895, 1895-08-01

tracked with Holmes to Detroit Then
one of them seems to have disappeared.
The other two were traced to Toronto.
1t was discovered that Holmes rented n
certain house in that city and that he had
two children with him. A search was
made. The earth forming the floor of the
cellar had been disturbed. The detectives
began to dig and soon they uncovered the
nude bodies of the two children. Where
the other one is. whether dead or alive,
whether or not their father is living, and
whether or not Minnie and Annie Will
Jams were murdered are matters the police
and detectives are trying to solve. That
the Williams girls met death at the hands
of Holmes, there is scarcely a doubt
That they died in Chicago in a violent
manner has been proved almost conclu-