davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1895-01-24
sides that stored in the warehouses.

Five minutes later third ex plosion
did come, but 1t was a mild one. and
it is believed that very few, if any,
were injured in this. 1t had all occur
red in fifteen minutes, the most horri-
BILE quarter OF an hour in Butte's his
tory.
The horrible awfulness of the scene
after the explosion was beyond de-
scription. Words could give no idea
of it. 1t presented more the appear
ance of a field of battle than anything
else. The dead were strewn every
where and the cries and groans of the
injured and dying presented a scene
altogether unearthly. Blood and
brains were spattered all about.
Here were legs and arms scattered
around, and there were pieces OF flesh.
1t was sickening. Betweeem the
Northern Pacific and Great Northern
depots, a space of 800 feet, the
ground was literally covered with
parts of human bodies and with the
dead and injured.
The scere was one of utter and alb
solute destruction. The houses in
the vicinity were as thoroughly
wrecked as if a cyclone had passed
through them. One of the rescuing
corps gathered twenty-seven bodies
in one pile, eight were in another, two
and three in other piles. The rescuers
pulled some of the bodies out still
quivering, the remnants of the human
beings still groaning, while legs and
arms had been torn off. Shapeless
trunks quivered and died in the arms
of the living. The work of rescue was
prosecuted in earnest. Every vehicle
in the city was brought into service
to carry away the scores of dead and
and the hundreds of injured. The
hospitals were filled, the spare rooms
i'm the hotels were taken and private
houses were thrown open where neces-
sary. The hose wagon crew consisted
of Chief Cameron, Assistant Chiei
John Sloan, Sam Ash, Ed. Sloan,
Dave Moses, Dave Magee and Jack
Flannery. Magee was the driver and
remained with the wagon about forty
yards while Flannery was at the
hydrant. The hook and ladder was
manned by Fifer and Peter Nolan, o.
the regular paid department, and
VIM. Orrone, of the volunteers. Chic
Cameron directed the attack on the
building, and while some of the fire
men hauled q line of hose along, the
others started into tear off the iror
Towering of the building SO that they
could get at the flames. just as they
had succeeded in tearing off a part ol
the covering and secured an entrance
the first explosion came, binding
sheet of flame forced the roof from it.
fastenipgs and shot hundred feet in
to the air. followed by a second o
deadly silence, and then came the aw
full roar, carrying with it the annihila
tion to those who closely surrounded
the death trap, and destruction OF
every hand.
| Maj. J. E. Dawson denies the state
ment that there was powder in an!
car on the Great Northern tracks
The first explosion is believed to hav'
been from the Kenyon-Conne,. Mercan
tile company, and the second was re
ported so be a car of powder, ant
the third was the Butte Hardwar
company's warehouse. Maj. Dawson
: ays no powder was on the tracks
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1895-01-24
NEARLY 100 KILLED.

Three Awful Explosions of Powder
During a Raging Fire.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1895-01-24

the warehouses in the vicinity were
burned, together with six wood racks.
The Great Northern freight depot is
complete wreck. The passenger depot
escaped with its windows broken.
Every window in the coaches and
sleepers of No. 23 was smashed. Con-
ducter Sankey was in the freigh Office
and was slightly injured. At $50
O'Clock this morning the fire had
burned itself out. The buildings de-
stroyed are the Butte Hardware COM
pany's warehouses, the old aban-
doned Schlitz brewing building, the
Keny yon- Connell company's ware
house, the old electric light plant, old
Miller & Chapman warehouse, now
occupied rs a flour and feed ware
house, an1 the warehouse OF the Par
chen-D'Acheul Drug company. They
were all burned to the ground and the
financial loss is tremendous, but at
this time cannot be estimated.
The Sloane family suffers perhaps
the worst OF all. John Sloane has
both his legs broken and both his
sons were killed.
The dead body of a small boy,
name unknown, was picked up on
East Goldstreet by James Thomp-
son after the second explosion had
occurred. There were no marks on
his body, and he was evidently killed
bv the concussion. The body was
sent to one of the undertaking rooms.
All night crowds OF anxious people
were searching the ruins for the dead
and found numbers of limbs and other
portions human bodies. In a window
of Northern Pacific passenger coach
all arm was dangling, having been
torn from it's socket. Pieces of skulls
and brains were lying about every
where and were gathered together in a
basket.
James Cassidy was standing with
three others watching the fire when
the first explosion occurred. His three
companions were killed, but he es-
capped without injury, although the
concussion tore his clothing into
shreds.
Chief OF Police Leyden reached the
scene of the fire right after the first
Explosion. He was in the act of wrap
ping his fur overcoat about a dying
man, whom he had just hauled from
the wreck, when the second explosion
came. A sheet of flame seemed to
strike him and burned his scalp.
Mrs. E. l.. Sloane is striken down
with grief that is almost beyond
human comprehension. In addition
to the death of her two sons, Jack
assistant chief of the fire department
ana Ed, one of the paid members
her husband had both of his legs tori
off at the knees by the explosion, and
his recovery is doubtful.
The Garrison house rocked to and
fro like a tree in a strong wind under
the concussion of the third explosion
and every person in the building ex
cept those who were too badly injured
to move, sought safety in fight.
Officer Dan Collins had very mar
row escape from death or serious in
jury. He was standing close up tt
the building when the second explo
sion took place, but escaped will
only a badly cut nose.
Every corpse is dis6gured and tn
complete roll of deaths will not b.
known for days and may never b.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1895-01-24
IMPORTANT LAND DECISION.
Furnished by w. D. Harland, Land Attorney
Washington, D. C.

An entry though improperly allowed,
should not be cancelled without notice to
the entryman. and due opportunity to show
cause why such action should not be taken.
Work done outside the boundaries OF a
claim. for the purpose OF facilitating the eK
traction of mineral thereirom. is az avail
able for holding the claim though done
within the bounda ries OF the claim itself.
The rule of appro ximation will be applied
to a homestead entry that embraces frae-
J tional subdivions in two sections.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-08-31
CellulOse Products.

1t isnow stated that by subjecting
pure cellulose to the action of caustic
soda and afterward treating the same
with carbon bisulphidc, which has been
practiced in England, a product possess
ing remarkable industrial value is the
result. Dissolved i'll water an insolublc
coagulum is produced, which, when
washed and removed from the water,
becomes hard and compact, in which
condition it is found available for tool
handles, buttons ard other articles, or
if the material, while still in solution,
has alcohol added to it there is obtained
a mass which may be stamped into 4
variety of objects, may be used as a
medium for pigments in printing cotton
goods, applied to cloth as a facing or
used as a substitute for leather. l. is
also stated that cloth having a coating
of this solution is flexible in washing,
but stiffens when ironed, SO that shirt
bosoms, collars, cuffs and table linen
may be made from it advantageously.-
New York Sun.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-08-31
His Mission.

To promote the increase Of natural
knowledge and to forward the applica-
ton Of scientific methods of investiga-
ton to all the problems Of life to the
best Of my ability in the conviction
(Which has grown with my growth and
strengthened with my strength) that
there is no alienation for the suiferings
Of mankind except veracity of thought
and action and the rcsolute facing of
the world as it is when the garment Of
make believe by which pious hands ha-e
hidden its uglier features is stripped eff.
1t is with this intent that have sub
ordinated any reasonable or unreason
able ambition for scientific fame which
may have permitted myself to enter
tain to other tends; to the populariza-
tion Of science; to Tire development and
organization of scientific education; ,
the endless series Of battles and skir-
mishes over evolution, and to untiring
opposition to that ecclesiastical spirit,
that clericalism which in England, as
everywhere else, and to whatever de-
nomination it may belong, is the deadly
enemy of science. The Late Professor
Huxley
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-08-31
Stopped the Squeak,

1t is all old saying that the person
who makes jokes should be prepared to
take them, but we all know that the
practical joker is very obtuse when the
joke is at his expense, although others
enjoy it hugely. One of these jokers,
who was also an amateur ventriloquist,
was recently . passenger on steamer,
and having slight acquaintance with
the engineer was allowed to enter the
engine room. He took a seat in the cor
ner, pulled his hat down over his eyes
and appeared to be lost in reverie. Pres
emily certain part of the machinery
began to squeak. TIE engineer oiled it
and went about his usual duties.
In the course of few minutes the
squeakinS was heard again, and the
engineer rushed out, can in hand, to
Intricate the same spindle. Again he
returned to his post, but it was only a
few minutes until the same old spindle
was squeaking louder than ever. Con
found the thing!" he cried. cit is be-
witched." More oil was applied, but
the engineer began to be more suspicious
as TO its cause. Soon the spindle sque3'1-
ed for the fourth time, and on this &C.
casion the engineer slipped up behind
the ventriloquist and squirted half q
pint Of oil down his bach. There"
said he quietly. "that spindle won't
squeak any morer' 1t n't.-Atlanta
Constitution.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-08-31
4 PHILOSOPHERS ATTIC.
<l1sipt Combination of Grcencry and Hen
merry Above the City.

merry AOOSc tuc NISys
Oae Of the queerest places in New
York can be found in what looks, from
the street, TO be funny little gable
roofed house perchod jauntily on one
corner of the roof of the Windermerc,
Oh Fifty-scventh street. 1t is a conserva-
tory and observatory in one, a miniature
roof garden, the den of an attic philos-
opher. Henry S. Goodale, whose some
what celebrated daughters, Elaine and
Dora, evidently got from him their
poetic strain.
The attic is reached by steep nau-
teal flight of steps leading up through
q small square ha,chway straight into Z
wonderful groelery Of bloom, a snug
gerry of comfort, likewise Il hcnnery.
consisting Of one fine brown LerSLo-n
fowl and single fluffy. yellow chick,
and doyecot, where there are softly
whirring wings. 1t is 4 charming bit of
Arcadia, high above tie ceaselcss roar
and heartbeat Of a great city, which
under its potent SPELL seems unreal and
evanescent, like the undulatiIg elliptic
III rings of smoke that float past the
attic windows. The attic is ali Win
dows, except tie floor, reef and The SIM
pic matched board dado. Tho little room
is symphony i'll green; the floor is car
peted with dull green denim; the gahlctl
roof is covered with burlaps OF The same
hue; Il green wicker couch, is cushioned
in green yachting cloth; Il broad green
ard white striped awning shades the
sunny sides CT the little house; all the
careicssly strewn cushions, though of
varying designs and materials, arc of
the same genera! hue, and green figured
denim draperies on slender brass rods
hang ready to exclude the wE6c outside
world if ii is desired.
But it is the window gardens that
give ,he greatest 4: arm TO tho place.
Long, deep boxes of country cath ard
loan give sus, eIance 70 thick, tangled
clumps Of spicy pinhs, old fashioned
rose bushes and honeysucklc vines,
clamtering over wire network trclliscs,
which Internationally kill two birds
with one stone by literally preserving
tho bir,is--that is, the hen and her
chick-fTom d;saSer ard unfolding the
lacy green drapery of the vines.
OF course the hen is not allowed the
liberty Of this garden i'll the air, though
she Keeps Svigilant and determined eye
out for opportunities to maraud outside
her own domain, which is quite spacious
enough to keep her hale ard hearty,
apparently coitented with her lot and
graciously disposcd in the matter Of
eggs. Dame Attica Hennica-which il
the hens classical name-evidently be-
longs TO fine old Latin race of fowls,
and her neigbbors, the doves, are on tho
most amicable terms.-New York Press.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-08-31
LIZARDS IN A TRANCE.
One Medical Authority Regards It rs .
Kind of Hypnotism.


An English scientific Journal has re-
ceived an interesting communication on
the subject Of the SO called death
fei2ning instinct, of certain reptiles.
The correspondent, who writes from
Syria, says that when certain species
of Egyptian lizard is captured it makes
few vigorous efforts to escape, and
then, if held firmly, falls into limp,
motionless state, which might easily
lead an inexperienced person to think it
dead. The animal, however, is simply
in Il trancelike condition.
Gentle respiratory movements are
visible Just behind the shoulders and
sometimes show rising and falling
rhythm with short intervals of complete
rest. The eyes remain wide open, but
are commonly half closed, and the lids
wink slowly from time to time spon-
taneously Or by reflex action. Tho
mouth is almost open, sometimes wide,
sometimes but little, and in either case
the jaw is quite rigid, and if closed by
force is apt to reopen when the pressure
is withdrawn. The limbs lie extended
and semifiaccid, with some approach TO
q cataleptic condition.. G., if bent or
stretched into position not too strained,
they maintain such positions when let
go-and the same is true of the trunk
and tail
A pin may be run through fold of
the skin without fully arcusing tho ami
NAL, sluggish, feeble wriggle being
the sole result. The trance usually lasts
about five minutes, when the animal,
by Il brusGuc effort, assumes its normal
position. This done, it lies quite still,
but evidently awake ana observant for a
few moments more, and then scuttles
off i'll a hurry.
DR.. Van Dyck looks upon this mani
festation not as voluntary or conscious
death fcigning, but as a form of hyp
notisin. The natural enemies Of these
lizards are foxes, jackals, martens, birds
of prey and snakes.
Can any enc believe" asks Dr.. Van
Dyck, THAT any ono of these animals,
haying captured lizard, would be il
the least inclined 70 let it so because it
lay lnotionless and apparently dead in
the captor's grasp? Or VIII it be argued
that the trance condition i; special
gift 'in mercy to the victim, TO mitigate
OK abolish the pain of death?' PITTS
burg Dispatch.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-08-31
Tho Salvation of st. Sophia.

On the morrow, at the first capture Of
tho city, the janizaries rushed to the
great church, which they conceived was
filled with gold, silver and precious
stones. They found the doors fastened,
but broke them open and at once began
to pillage. The sultan, as soon as pos
sible, rode to st. Sophia. Dismounting
OH the threshold, he stopped down, and
collecting some earth let it fall OH his
turbaned head as an act Of humiliation.
Then he entered the edifice, but stopped
in the doorway some moments and gazed
in silence around him. He saw Turk
breaking the floor with an Ak. Where
fore dost thou do that" inquired the
conqueror. For the faith" replied the
soldier Mohanmed in an impulse Of
anger struck him, saying, "Ye have got
enough by pillage and enslaving the
city; the buildings are mine The
Church of st. Sophia" Lethaby and
Swanson
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-08-31
Amusing cisps Of the Tongue.

A young Clergyman in giving out the
hymn. "Conquering Kings" merely
stumbled over the first syllable, but be-
ing unable to save himself startled his
congregation with the announcement,
1.-The hymn tonight will be 'kinquering
Congs'-'ki4auering Congs.'"
Much the same was the pitfall into
which reverend gentleman walked
when in place Of saying, Behold the
fig tree, how it witherefh away" by a
simple transposition Of two or three let
tiers asked his audience to Behold the
wig tree how it fithereth awayH"
But perhaps one of the most comical
instances of slips of this kind is the case
Of the preacher who, describing con-
science and desiring to get his listeners
to recognize the promptings Of its in
ward voice in the half formed wishes Of
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-08-31
HOW TO TELL A BAD EGG.
An IaEallible French Method Which lie
quircs Only . Lighted Candle.


When one calls for q fresh egg in a
Partisan eating house, the chances are
that one will be properly served. Not
that there arc no bad eggs in Paris IS
well rs elsewhere, bat there are certain
men employed at the central markets or
Lalles whose only duty is to sift the bad
Or doubtful eggs from the good ones. In
ono Of the cellars of the halles one sees
4 man passing his hands rapidly before
his eyes and i'll front Of a lighted candle
Around him are baskets containing
thousands Of eggs. His duty is to sepa-
rate the bad ones from the good, and he
is rcmunerated at Che rate of as cen
times, or ID cents, for 1000 eggs.
He accomplishes his work with ex-
traordinary dexterity. With ono hand
he takes three or four eggs and brings
them to the exact position he wishes be-
tween his eye and the lighted candle as
if by magic. For an egg to be good tho
part that appears black must be COM
pletely detached from the part that ap-
pears white. In other words, tho yolk
and the albumen must, through the
transparency Of the she'll, be seen to be
quite separate. The white looks as if it
radiatcs about the central nucleus, and
this nucleus is simply the embryo Of a
chicken, which being denser, floats in
the liquid which nourishes it. When
there is confusion between tho t1>s,s-
parent and the obscure part, the egg is
doubtful
To sort eggs out quickly requires a
long experience. The selection of winter
provisions is an especially delicate task.
In addition toreporting Oh the freshness
of eggs. these operators in the central
markets also examine the size of eggs.
Those that pass through certain sized
ring are put Oh one side as too small.
The employee separates eggs merely by
touching them. As tho French markets
are flooded with the produce of tiny Ital
ian chickens, the task is often q very
long one.
The men are all sworn in to do their
work honestly, and with their serious
and automatic look they make between
81. so and Sc q day. The ether employees
of the halles bow down to them and arc
ever willing to acknowledge their scien-
tific superiority. Philadelphia Times.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-08-31
B:OO(linC.

Brooding over trials and difficulties
and disappointments is one of the most
prominent and sure characteristics Of
fretfuiness. The mind seems to fasten
itself on life's troubles. 1t thinks of lit
tie else from morning till night, and
then in the nighttime sleep departs and
the time that should be spent in sleep
is spent i'll fret and worry until it testers
and becomes moro and more absorbing.
SO much so that the mind becomes
wholly occupied with the thought Of
trouble. In many cases this state Of
things continues till its victim finds a
home in the insane asylum Selected.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-08-31
Should Patronizc Homo Beauties.

Americans spend ut least $40, 900, 600
year in visiting Europe for pleasure
and hardly 81. O00,OOO at our own nat
ural wonders of Niagara, the Yosemite
valley and the Yellowstone park. Most
Of the tourists at these home resorts are
Europeans. Among the 5000 visitors
to the Yellowstone park during the last
three years only 60 We're Americans. 1t
seems to be the opinion of the American
that the proper study of mankind is
man, and not scenery.-St. Louis Globe
Democrat,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-08-31
Words Which Rhyme Not,

The number Of English words which
have no rhyme i'll the language is very
large Five or six thousand at least are
without rhyme and consequently can be
employed at the end Of the verse only
by transposing the accent. coupling
them with an imperfect copsonance or
constructing an artificial rhyme out Of
two words. Among other words to
which there are no rhymes may be men
toned month, silver, liquid, spirit,
chimney, warmth, gulf, sylph, music,
breadth, width, depth, honor, iron, echo.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-08-31

the mind, appealed to them whether
there was one there who at one time or
another chad not felt within him the
effect of a half warmed fish,
After this, the instance of a person
who, devoutly reading the lessons in
solemn tones, announced, "He spake the
word, and cattlehoppers came and grassi-
pillars innumerable, seems almost
commonplace. So, too, does the mistake
Of the priest who assured his congrega-
ton that sit was easier for rich man
to pass through the eye Of a needle than
for camel to enter the kingdom of
God. BOSTON Herald.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-08-31
How to Address a Letter.

a number Of newspapers are discuss
ing the improperly OF addressing letters
to John Smith, Esq, instead of to lir.
John Smith. In London there is cas-:
iron rule to this effect You ere to adj
dress your tradesman rs Mr.. John Smith;
the gentleman IN your social set is TO be
addressed as John Smith, Esq. This dis
tinction is invariably adopted by Amer
leans who reside in Great Britain for
any considerable length of time, and we
note that it is being observed to g1ow-
ing extent in this country. Chicago
Record
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-08-31
Reading.

Never burden your mind with moro
than one thing at a time, and in read
ing this book do not run over it super
ficially, but read every passage twice
over at least. Do not pass On to a second
till you thoroughly understand the first,
nor quit the book till You are master CT
the subject, for, unless you do this, you
may read it through and not remember
the contents Of it for week Lord
Chesterfield.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-08-31
Order In the Ranks.

Captain-Sergeant, note down Private
Grasgrun-three days on bread and We
ter for slovenly turnout on parade.
Sergeant-Beg pardon, captain, that
won't make the slightest difference to
him. He's a vegetarian!
Captain--What? Then put him FOR
three days ON meat aud soup !-Londou
AusWera
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-08-31
"Thc World Il Nfine.~

Whats the natter" asked the po-
liceman; haven't you any place to go?"
ANY place ter go:" replied Mean
derins Mike, with contempt. i've got
the whole United States before me. I've
got SO many places ter go ter dat it's
worryin me- dizzy maxim up me mind
which way ter start. '-Washington
Star
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-08-31
Well Made Up.

Come, dear, kiss my cheek and
make it up" she said forgivingly.
I'll kiss it," he answered, ''but
don't think it wants any more making
up !''-Eiyaro.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-08-31
Mistake Somewhere.

''What striking clock this isy' ey-
claimed Mrs. Gaskett, admiring now
timepiece on Mrs. Fosdick's manteL
ooh, no; it doesn't strike!" replied
the clocks owner, who ought to know.
Detroit Free Press.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-08-31

Minnie-Dear me! 1t costs $31 900 to
kill man in battle nowadays.
Namie-I wonder why they don t use
trolley cars Journal
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-08-31

The ARGUS delivered every even
ing at your door at 10c a week.