davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-04-23

rant prosecution; for, as already stated,
every object Of a suspicious nature had
been thrown overheard before the sur
render, and when the Spaniards board
ed the Virginius she was to all outward
appearances peaceable merchantmen,
duly documented, with the American
flag flying at her stern. Capt. Fry and
his men, therefore, expected at the
worst short Imprisonment and an
early return to the United States. But
the poor fellows had not reckoned on
the bloodthirsty temper of Gov. Burriel
and the Spanish volunteers and their
intense hatred for this. country.
On the day following the arrival of
the Virginius in Santiago, court-mar-
tial was held on board the Tornado. 1t
began at and ended at o'clock. The
charge was piracy on the high seas;"
and four leaders, Ryan, yarona, Cespe-
des and Del Sol, were promptly found
guilty and sentenced to be shot. Early
at dawn on the morning Of Nov. 8 the
unfortunate men were led from their
prison to the slaughter house outside of
the town limits, and to the cry Of
"Cuba forever" they fell beneath hail
of bullets. But this was only fore
taste Of Spanish vengeance. The first
four victims. though executed in viola
ton of all international law, were at
least open and recognized enemies Of
Spain, and had figured prominently In
the war; Not so the captain and the
crew Of the Virginius, many Of whom
had even been ignorant Of the purposes
and destination Of the Inflated vessel.
These men appeared before their
judges a few hours after the distant
rattle of musketry had told them OF
the fate of their companions, and be-
fore dusk the captain and his men
many of them youths under age-had
learned that their last moments were
ut hand. Thirty-seven of them, includ-
ing Capt Fry, were told off for execu-
ton the next day. The scene Of this
horrible tragedy was the same as that
of the first-the city slaughter-house,
an adobe structure with steep tiled
half filled with stagnant water.
Half a mile separated the Jail from
the place, and the wretched procession
had to march thither on foot, preceded
by a corps Of drummers with muffled
drums. Arrived at the place Of doom,
the procession halted and formed
hollow square, with the victims in the
midst. The line of marines against the
slaughter house next opened, and the
prisoners were placed kneeling OF. the
edge of the trench, bound but not blind
folded, their faces turned to the wall.
What followed Is best told in the words
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-04-23

Of Franklin Coffin, an American eye
witness Of the tragedy:
"After they had knelt down." he
says, "the captain walked along the
line and babe each one good-by separ-
ately. No one was sighted. not even
the colored men who sailed among the
crew. The last sounds they heard on
earth, apart from the roar of the mus
kets that belched forth their death,
were the kind words spoken by the
heroic Fry. When this act Of gentle
ness was done he knelt down with the
rest The men were formed In a line
about three feet from the wall. Three
PAGES back of them were the marines,
with the muskets at the shoulder. Just
before the volley was fired Capt. Fry
took of his hat and turned his face up
ward, as II In prayer. There was one
brief moment Of pause; then came the
flame, the smoke and the roar. As the
cloudy curtain lifted, thirty-slx of the
thirty-seven men were seen writhing
In the agonies of a partialdeath. Poor
Fry lay stone dead, bullet In his
heart, his calm face upturned toward
the beautiful tropical sky" Il
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-04-23
Lamps In Parliament.

The attention Of the British House Of
Commons has been taken up by oil
lamps in the interest Of public safety. A
member stated to the House few days
agp that the Home Secretary had care.
fully considered the returns of deaths
resulting from the use of such lamps,
ana hoped to be able to secure the re.
appointment Of the committee which
considered that subject the year before
las The London Graphic says: at
seems probable that the recent terrible
firein Soho, which caused the loss or
ninf lives, was due to the explosion of
oneof these lamps" 1t is outlined that
Parliament will make 1t illegal to offer
forsale cheap oils Of a highly explosive
nature, prohibit the burning of oil In
glats or china receptacles and require
larps to be self-extinguishing should
thes upset.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-04-23
THE "HoUSESMlTH."
A New Trade Which Has Succeeded That
of the Carpenter and Builder.

A New Trade Which Has Succeeded That
of the Carpenter and Builder.
A New Trade Which Has Succeeded
That of the Carpenter and Builder.
A brief labor trouble which occurred
n short time since brought into public
notice the name Of a new labor organ
ia ton and reminded us that by the de-
velopmept of iron and steel new trade
Las been born within the last few
years. This is the trade now known as
"housesmith." A very few years ago
when q labor difficulty occurred in
building operations it was the Brother
hood Of Carpenters and Joiners' that
had to be dealt with. Now it is the
'Housesmiths and Bridgemen's Tn.
iOn." The former was composed OF
wood workers exclusively, the latter
toll mainly with hammer and set.
Where the former used the plane the
hitter use the cold chisel, and where TIL
carpenter deity drove finished nails
The housesmith now swings the sledge
on hot rivets.
The housesmith has knocked large
section Of sentiment out of the build.
E.g trade. In watching operations on
lne of our mammoth buildings at the
present day, the idler does not smell
the fragrant shavings nor the clean,
white lumber being put up. He sees
great steel Orders, generally painted
otrty red, swung into place by power
frl hoists, and instead Of the cheering
cry of "Mortv' he hears the bowls Of
blind" hole.
The housesmith has undoubtedly
come to stay, but socially speaking he
cannot be considered an Improvement
on the carpenter. The carpenter In
years gone by was generally a settled
workman who had served long ap-
ppnticeship at his trade, and before
machinery came in to do SO much of his
work he had to be a good mechanic.
lie housesmith has picked up his trada
onthe jump; so much is not required Of
Inn in the way of mechanical ability,
and he is too often prone to change
JOBS on small provocation. In fact tie
cxigencies of his trade lead him from
rhce to place and he knows how to
tisvel light. But in one respect he
beats the carpenter. He can rig der
ritA like an old sailor, and in running
almg three-inch beam 100 feet above
tlR ground he will take chances that
weuld appall the best trapeze perform.
cSever seen in the circus.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-04-23
AUTHOR OF A FAMOUS BOOK.

"Ton Browns School Days" Brought
Fortune to Thomas Hughes.
There died in London recently a man
who, although his name Is not a ia
miliar one, was nevertheless known
to thousands of people in this coun-
try by one Of the books he wrote and
on which his sole claim to fame rests.
AS Thomas Hughes he was compare
lively unknown, but what schoolboy
Is there in the land that has not read
with keen delight that best known
production of his pen, tom Browns
School Days?"
Thomas Hughes was born in Berk-
shire in 1923. He was educated at
Rugby and later graduated from OK
ford. He was prominent at athletics
in college. After leaving school he
was admitted to the bar and sat in
Parliament from 1865 to 1874. During
this time he paid visit to the United
States and afterward established the
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-04-23

yirginius under full steam. The fill
busters realized their danger, and
started to make a run for the Jamaica
coast.
BY a strange lack Of foresight on the
part Of her commander, the virginius
had run short Of coal; but, as 1t was an
issue Of life or death, no exertion was
spared to reach the protection Of the
British waters. To supply the Lack Of
fuel all the greasy substances on board,
such as oil, fat, and hams, from the pro-
vision stores, were thrown into the fur
naces; all the weapons, the horses, and
the cargo were consigned to the waves
But all to no avail. Even the coming
on Of night proved of little benefit to
the fugitives, for the moon rose In full
tropical splendor. Finally, toward ~
I'm the evening, a shell was sent across
the bows of the Inflated cruiser. There
was now no alternative; surrender was
unavoidable. Presently two armed
boats from the Tornado came along
side, and taking possession Of the vir-
ginius, made all on board prisoners.
The first order of the Spanish officer
y charge was to lower the American
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-04-23


/. New Society Leader.
Mrs. Edmund l.. Bayliss was Van
Rensselaer,, and hence, so far as blue
blood Is concerned, is In every way
qualified to lead those laborious and
weary persons who make up the 400,
300, 35 or whatever 1t Is, of New York's
society. That is to say, she Is qualified
to assist her husband In leading, for the
real king Of Gotham's best people Is
Mr.. Bayliss himself. This gentlemen, 1t
will be remembered. has been selected
by some occult and 1nscrutable agency
to I'LL the place left vacant by the pass
ing Of Ward McAllicter. 1t Is odd that
the dead mans foremost canon should
have been so disregarded In this mat
ter. Mr.. Bayliss has a visible means
Of support. He Is a pretty good law
yer. His wife has an attractive person
atty and pretty face. She has the
name of being the most graceful waltz
er In New York. She has any number
you please of exquisite gowns, and
many women copy her in this respect.
But so well does she understand the
art of dressing that It is said that some
of her women friends even are not able
to recollect more than half the details
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-04-23
Decided by Jury.

1t is not uncommon for an English
judge to try to raise a laugh-and
strange to say, he usually succeeds
by affecting an infantile ignorance of
all things but purely judicial matters.
Sir Henry Hawkins not long ago asked
in court, what is hay?'
A correspondent Of the Philadelphia
Ledger says that in a recent libel suit
a strange affectation Of judicial ignor-
ance was evinced by Lord Russell. Sir
Edward Clarke read, from a book of
the plaintiffs, description Of Chopin's
"umber-shaded head"
what shade?" asked Lord Russell.
"Umber," replied Sir Edward.
''Yes, but what is that?" persisted the
chief justice.
At this point the feelings of the jury
were too much for them. With a unan-
unity reminiscent Of the Pirates Of
Penzance," they chanted in expostula-
tory chorus: Brown, my lord, brown"
and the trial went on.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-04-23

est and lowest bar rooms in the world.
One of these bar rooms, that at the bot
tom of the mine, is new thing. The
other Is a necessary attachment Of a
highly respectable institution, an obser-
vatory on Mont Blanc.
One bar room is $50 below the surface
Of the earth, I'm the Chantler mine, st.
Louis County, Minnesota. The Chant
Ter Is one of the numerous mines In the
vermillion range, hard iron ore belt,
and is about ninety miles from Duluth.
The miners who work there are Fin
landers and Hungarians, and extremely
fond of alcohol. They all carry knives,
with blades four inches long, which
they draw frequently.
Frome time to time miners were ar
rested for committing murderous as
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-04-23
COMRADES THEIR

transport for landing men and supplies
on the Island Of Cuba, and in the fol-
lowing year she sailed under orders
from Gen. Raphael Quesada, the revo-
lutionary chief. She succeeded on this
occasion in landing a force near San
tiago de Cuba, and rendered similar
services some time later. In the fall
of 1873 an expedition on still larger
scale was planned by the Revolution
airy Committee, and on October Of
that year 175 volunteers and a full
complement of able seamen, the major
fty native Americans, left New York
to embark on the Virginius, then lying
IN the harbor Of Kingston. Jamaica.
The ship was commanded by Capt.
Joseph Fry, of Louisiana, who had dis
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-04-23

frances Occupation Of Timbuctoo Adds
to the Sum of knowledge.

to the Sum of knowledge.
Although the occupation of TimblIc-
too by the French has not yet added
materially to the volume Of Frapcc's
colonial trade,,'it has unquestionabiy
aided very greatly to our knowledge OF
the geography Of that part of Africa,
and In particular has resulted In dis
covery of singular interest and I'm
portance. 1 az. g, ~
1imbuctoo, as all the world knows,
stands on the boundary line between
the Sahara and the Western Soudan :
a little to the north of the great Niger
Lend, but what was not known was ez-
istence in the immediate neighborhood
Of the city, and lying somewhat to the
west, of series of lakes and marshes
covering large area of country. These
sreat sheets of water were first seen by
tho Joffre column, and have since been
explored by French officers stationed
in the neighborhood, who have laid
down their general outlines with some
approach to accuracy. sG o.
The most important of these lakes -
called Lake Faguibure, and runs In a
erection, roughly, east and west, Its
total length being some sixty or seventy
miles. A couple of smaller sheets of
water connect with the Niger, and there
are other lakes in the neighborhood.
AS might be supposed, these lakes are
the center of rich agricultural aud
pastoral district. Crops Of various
kinds are grown in abundance, and the
ratives have large focks and herds.
Perhaps the most curious feature OF
the discovery is the ract that neither
iath nor DR.. Lag appear to have heard
OF this fertile region, and it is to be pre-
sumed that the guides deliberately led
them away from the direction Of the
lakes. The news of this discovery will
no doubt revive the interest in the oc-
cupation of Timbuctoo in France,
here, after the first enthusiasm was
over, there was a marked tendency to
criticise Colonel Bonner's act as rash
end premature-a tendency rather
strengthened than weakened by the
recent troubles with the Tauregs.
The result of observations on the eli
mate of that part of Africa establish,
it is said, the perfect feasibility Of Eu-
ropeans living there the whole year
round with certain precautions. The
months Of April and May are said to be
Tie most trying, not only for Europ
cans, but for the natives, but December
and January are so cool that a great
coat is sometimes welcome, and the
natives report that one year ice formed
: at least this is the deduction drawn
from the native statement that ''tha
marsh became stone"
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-04-23

Rugby Colony in Tennessee, which
turned out to be failure.
1t was In 1857, when comparative
ly obscure barrister, that he wrote
tom Browns School Days" The
book instantly jumped into popular
favor and brought fortune to the
author and also to the publisher. The
wonderful success Of the book aston
ished Hughes as well as everybody
else. He wrote several other books,
mainly Of a religious and political ma
ture, among them history of our civil
war, but none Of them became very
roDr1nr
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-04-23

tinguished himself as a blockade run
ner during the civil war; and among
the revolutionary leaders who boarded
her at Kingston were Gen. w. A. @.
Ryan, a native New-Yorker, who had
already fought in Cuba; Pedro Ces-
pedes, younger brother of Carlos
Manuel Cespedes, President Of the Gu
ban republic, and Gems. Jesus del Sol
and Varona, prominent patriots.
1t was on the Oath day of October,
1873, that the Virginius steamed out Of
Kingston harbor. The original inten-
ton was to sail direct for Cuba, but
mishap to the machinery necessitated
q stoppage at Port au Prince, Haiti.
A second start was made on Oct 30.
Meantime the Spanish consul at Kings
ton had been keeping a watch on the
movements OF the cruiser. This result
ed In Gov. Burriel, Of Santiago de
Cuba, ordering the commander Of the
warship Tornado to sail in quest Of her.
On the morning Of the 31st the Spanish
vessel sighted the filibuster on the
high sea. The warship headed for the
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-04-23
RfCe-EaterH.

The Fortnightly Review Is Of the
opinion that diet has more or less in
fiuence upon character, but does not
concede that a vegetable diet renders
the eater more gentle than a diet Of
which animal food forms part. Vege-
tarians, 1t says, are prone to contrast
the gentleness Of our domestic her
bivora with the ferocity often displayed
by carnivorous animals.
A little reflection, however, shows
that the food cannot be the main cause
Of the disposition in either case. Many
Of the herbivora are capable Of dis
playing the utmost ferocity. Savage
attacks upon inoffensive persons by
bulls, horses and stays are by no means
uncommon in this country while In the
East "rogue" elephants, wild boars and
other herbivorous animals often inflict
serious injuries upon human beings
who chance to come In their way.
So, likewise, the ordinarily mild Hin
du, feeding on rice or wheat -four, u
liable to become riotous, uncontrolla-
BILE and bloodthirsty when Influenced
by religious fanaticism. Perhaps the
mischievous effects upon the habits
and disposition, ascribed to animal
food, are due to the alcoholic liquors
which are consumed at the same time.
The disposition Of an average indi-
vidual leading temperate life would
probably not be altered for the better
were he to substitute vegetarian diet
for his ordinary fare.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-04-23
Another Fiddle.

James Whitcomb was q prominent
citizen of Indiana in her early days.
and he was not only politician, but
one of the best amateur musicians In
the country. He composed several
pieces for the violin, which was his
own chosen instrument, and many are
the stories told of him and his fiddle.
At one time he was travelling from
Indianapolis to Eastern Indiana, and
stopped for the night at house on a
lonely road. He entered the cabin with
his companion, and there they found q
lame young man called Amos sitting by
the fire scraping at an old violin with
most disastrous result.
He laid the violin on the bed, and
started away to the stable with the
horses. Mr.. Whitcomb at once took up
the violin, tuned it, and when Amos
returned was playing light and beauti-
full airs. Amos was entranced. He sat
down and, mouth wide open In wonder,
watched the musician. Then Mr.. Whit
comb struck up Hail Columbia" and
the youth could bear it no longer. He
sprang to his feet.
IF had fifty dollars" cried he, 'T'd
give it all for that fiddle! Inever heard
such music"
Mr.. Whitcomb said nothing, but kept
on playing. BY and by, when he had
finished, he laid the violin on the bed.
This was the young mans opportunity.
He sprang up, seized the instrument,
carried 1t to the fire where he could
see more plainly, and turned 1t over
and over, examining every part.
Mister" he sang out, in high excite
ment, II never in my life see two I'D
dies so much alike as yours and miner
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-04-23

down perfectly sober came up blind
drunk. This could not be due to the
influence Of coal dust, but 1t was some
time before the true cause was discov-
cred. h9
The other bar is a very different af-
fair. 1t is In connection with the
French observatory, at the top of Mont
Blanc, which is 1871 feet high. There
you can get the best of French cognac
and champagne Everything is in strik-
ing contrast to the raw alcohol Of the
mine.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-04-23
How Fish Breathe.

Al fish breathe by taking In water,
whlsh is, to certain extent, impreg-
nath with air, and expelling 1t through
thelsills. These blood red organs are
so admirably constructed for the pur-
pose they are intended for that they
extrct the oxygen from the water dur
ing Is momentary contact with them.
Fish that live for some time out of
VAT have cavities in their head which
hreIilled with that liquid, and which
canISe utilized for dampening the gin
at dly time.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-04-23

of any new costume she wears, seen
but once. AS for the men, they don't
know anything at all about 1t. She is
remembered by them, not for the gor-
geousness or the simplicity of her attire,
but by what she said and did during
the evening. Her salon-if New York
drawing-room may be so designated
Is much sought after, and she will be
an invaluable aid to her husband in his
new duties.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-04-23
A SKELETON COSTUME.
A Very Up-to-Date and Striking Fancy
Carnival Ball Dresses.

A Very Up-to- Date and Striking Fancy
Carnival Ball Dresses.
The designing of fancy dresses for
carnival balls is an art in Munich and
Paris, and the political event of the
hour, the social fad Of the latest sci
entific discovery is promptly exploited
by the costumers. The Roentgen dis
covery of the uses of the cathode ray
was not two weeks old when one Of the
reigning beauties of the Bavarian capl-
tai appeared ut court ball In the
unique. and somewhat startling cos
tune here reproduced.
Beneath a fluffy cloud of gauze drap-
cry the fair masquerader wore a
watered silk skirt and close-fitting
basque, upon which had been deity
painted the principal bones of the hu-
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-04-23

man frame. The ribs, collar bones,
arms, thigh bones.and spine were out
lined In black upon the white back
ground. The idea was not carried
above the neck, nor below the knees,
and a pair Of roguish eyes peeped
through satin mask. The whole
thing was dainty in it's conception and
execution.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-04-23

The "virginius massacre" was one Of
the most atrocious Of the many Spanish
eutrages In Cuba during the last insur-
rsction. From the New York Times
the following detailed account Of the
bloodthirsty execution Of the prisoners
fs taken:
Late In 1870 the Cuban revolutionary
party purchased In New York Clyde
built iron side-wheel steamer, called
the Virgin, and. notwithstanding her Vir-
ginius, fitted her up as a cruiser and
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-04-23
BAR ROOMS HIGH AND LOW

The Highest IL on a Mount and the
Lowest in a Mine.
Wherever civilization goes the sale Of
alcoholic liquor goes with it. This great
and remarkable fact receives fresh IL
lustration from the pictures of the high
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-04-23
SPANISH CRUELTY.
AWFUL TREATMENT OF AMERI-
CANS ~ CUBA ~ 1873.

The BIoodthirsty Slaughter of the
virsinius Prisoners-cavalry Riding
Over the Bodies Of the Dead and
Dying to Com plet6 the Execution.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-04-23

Reflections of an Elevating Character
,-wholesome Food for Thought
Studying the scriptural Lesson In
telIigeutly and Probably.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-04-23

When a man goes away from home,
he has a lot Of fun, IL you let him
tell 1t.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-04-23

It seems easier to manage the bust
ness of other people than your own.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-04-23

saults In the mines, and sent to Duluth
for trial They were In an advanced
state OF intoxication. The managers
of the mines noticed that men who went