davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1896-10-08

II there is anybody who believes that
Spain Is entitled to the slightest Dip
lomatic consideration or is to be re-
garded as a civilized nation, he should
go to the town of Sagua la Grande and
ride thirty miles southwark to the ruin
Of the oyallta plantation, which was
the scene OF the most horrible of all
the atrocities that have taken place in
the island of Cuba since the accession
Of Gen. Weyler.
At oyallta, in the latter part OF Feb
ruary, the forces Of Quintin Bandera
skirmlshed with two Spanish columns
under the command OF Col. Arce. The
insurgents took up a position about the
'lngenio," or sugar mill, Of the oyalita
plantation, and retired southwark,
after having inflicted a heavy loss on
the Spanish troops. AS soon as the
insurgent column had marched away
from the "ingenio," the Spanish in
fantry made a general charge on the
sugar house and its surrounding build
lngs. There were no less than twenty
three "pacifcos," innocent non-com-
batants, plantation hands and their
families, employed on the estate. The
foreman was M. Bernardo Duarte, q
French citizen, brother of the proprle-
cor.
On the approach of the spaniards M,
Duarte locked himself in his house,
small, two storied frame building, lay
down On his bed and wrapped himself
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1896-10-08

In riding over the island, through
Matanzas, Las Villas and Camaguey,
I have always inquired for the latest
Spanish atrocities. The answers have
always been; There were four Dacia-
cos shot outside OF the towns two weeks
ago." or Last month ten men were
shot," or "The guerillas cut down old
Jose SO and So, and left his body BY
the high road"
It would be a fair estimate to take
every town in the island Of Cuba that
is big enough to have Its name on the
map and count it as having ten pacih-
cos murdered without cause by Span
Ish troops or guerillas to its credit. !
have not counted how many townships
there are in the island Of Cuba, but /
know these murders II estimated or
taken account Of, II that were possible.
would make an astounding number.
These murders are all on the head OF
the present captain general, before
whose time they were almost unknown.
GROVER FLINT.
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1896-10-08
rhe pn..lng Of the Piano Lamp.


Something to be a cause for thinkful-
ness is the reaction from the piano
lamp craze. Those who encountered
long, narrow rooms with a full half
dozen of these awkward furnishings
and many were guilty-had something
to answer for in educing soto voce
profanity from much enduring men.
Not that the craze has subsidized; it Is
only lessened. One piano lamp is use
full, but to multiply that and stand
them about as If they had walked out
to take places in a waltz, or 10 see how
many intruders into a half-darkened
room they could trip up in day, is
rather too much. Then their pagoda
tops of monstrous girth deluged the
room with boisterous color and put ev-
erything else out Of cOuntenance II
anything, they are more perverse and
ungainly than the corner easel.
The banquet lamp modestly rears it's
light at the right place upon table or
piano, and may be clothed in a man
ner at once simple yet distingue. With
a standard Of japanese bronze or terra
Gotta, and delicate shade, the banquet
lamp is beautiful. But a new horror
threatens us-that is tall candlestick,
generally made of enameled wood and
profusely decorated in colors, often Of
the Dresden style. 1t is made to stand
either on the floor or the table.-Hester
NJ. Poole in Household News.
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1896-10-08
KIM NJ NJ N Nv NJ w M M w N " w N II
the FATE OF TIBERIUS GRACIOUS. B


The year 1853 B. G. saw the birth Of
an eminent and popular Roman states
man, Tiberius Gracious. He came Of
an illustrious and ancient family. His
father, Sempronius, had been Censor
and twice Consul, and his mother was
q daughter Of the first Sclpio Africanus.
Rome had now existed about six hun
bred years, counting from the date u.s.
ually assigned for Its foundation. Dur
ing this period the progress of the
state had been steady and almost I'M
broken. The once insignificant city had
grown into a mighty republic. The
effect of this expanded rule was re-
markable in many ways. The subjec-
ton OF several widely distinct races to
a common government tended to GER
tain amalgamation Of human inter
ests, which was real gain to the
world. On the other hand, the old
Roman stock was to a great extent de-
based by foreign importatlons. Large
bodies of Romans had gone forth to
the distant provinces, and their places
were supplied by inferior immigrants
from other parts Of Italy and from
other outlying provinces. The voters,
in whose hands was the actual power
of determining the policy Of the repub-
| JIG and of choosing its executive OFF,
GERS, were for the most part descend.
ants of families not Roman in their
origin. There were the now ho-
mines," the new men," whom those of
purer lineage looked down upon, but
who were nevertheless important mem
bers of the commonwealth, The three
hundred "gentes," who in primitive
times formed the patrician class, had
dwindled down to very small number;
and at the bottom Of the social scale
were hordes Of poverty-stricken and
turbulent people, discharged soldiers
and others, who, owing to the abund-
ance of slave labor, were unable to OBJ
tain employment. Thus large pre-
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1896-10-08

ers, to be elected by the tribes; and
to these functionaries was assigned the
duty Of distributing the state domains
among needy citizens. The sale OF the
new allotment was prohibited-a pro-
vision by which 1t was hoped to pre-
vent the re-absorption OF small into
large estates.
This, of course, was met with bitter
opposition on the part Of the wealthy
aud privileged class, Having held thcr
vaot estates during many generations,
they were naturally alarmed at the
prospect of being dispossessed. The
time arrived for Gracious to move his
law in the forum. Having finished his
opening speech he directed the clerk
to read the words Of the enactment
before it was put to the vote. This
was forbidden by the Tribune Octavius,
who had been won over to the side OF
privilege; and Gracious declared that
he would again bring on his measure
at the first opportunity. Exasperated
at the opposition encountered, Grac-
chus was driven to acts Of violent and
unjustifiable nature. He laid an inter-
dict on all public functionaries, shut
up the courts OF law and put seal
on the doors of the treasury. He also
struck out the compensation clauses of
his bill and thus defled the large land
owners to the utmost. The assembly
met again, but Octavius once more in
terposed and second time defeated
the measure. The popular dlsappoint-
ment nearly led to q riot, but Grac-
chus consented at the request Of two
friends to refer the matter to the SEN
ate. Gracious, however, was received
with great disfavor by that body, and
on returning to the forum he an
nounced that at the next meeting he
would bring forward his bill for the
third time, and that If the same opposi-
ton should occur again he would pro-
pose the deposition Of 0ctavius. The
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1896-10-08

remain to this day in as perfect a state
as when / saw them.
Among the cane fifty yards from the
ingenio I found the corpse Of laborer
who had attempted to escape. His head
wac completely severed from the body,
and the clothing, such as remained,
bore traces Of machete wounds and
were thickeued and stiffened with dried
blood. The shoes and hat had been re-
moved, evidently by poor people living
in the neighborhood, who do not let
such relics go to waste. Another pa
clflco," was told, lay in the canes near
by, but did not have time to look for
him.
saw the grave OF Nj. Duarte and that
of his secretary, for the Spanish Off
GERS had had the decency to bury them
near the ruins of their cottages. The
remains OF eleven OF the twenty-five
victims we're as l have described them,
and will so continue until the Spanish
government sees fit to remove them,
or SO long as the insurgent govern
ment preserves them as relic of the
medieval barbarism of the war.
Can you place yourself in the posi-
ton Of this ignorant negro woman?
Can you imagine yourself falling be-
fore this cyclone Of weak, dirty, blood
thirsty little Spanish soldiers?
The case OF the Duarte estate has
been presented to the French consul,
and prompt disavowment of the assas-
sination Of M. Duarte, with comfort
able solace to the nearest Of kin, is like
ly to follow.
On the I'd Of May 7 rode with the
force OF Major Manolo Menendez near
the town OF Soledad. At evening we
passed by little hamlet Of half a dozen
houses. The peasants recognized us
as insurgents and came out to meet us
in grea. excitement This was their
story: The Spanish guerillas Of Las
Rodas had passed through the town
that morning and, finding no insur-
gents to fight with they halted before
the house Of Desiderio Vida, a man OF
thirty, who supported his mother, his
wife and family Of small children by
his labor as farmer. The captain OF
the guerillas entered the house with
three Of his men and addressed Vida In
the presence Of his family with abuse
and profanity. Thou art a Mambise.
Come, scoundrel tell US what thou
kno wnst Of the Mambises." Vida pro-
tested that he knew nothing. Calling
him a traitor, shameless one and :
Mambise, they dragged him from hia
house and took up their march, leading
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1896-10-08

In the French flag. The troops burst
In the door, dragged M. Duarte OUTSIDE
and cut him to pieces with their ma
chetes on his own doorstep. The nag
was soaked with blood.
An indiscriminatc slaughter Oh the
plantation hands and their families
was now begun. Men, women ana
small children were driven from their
houses and cut down in the usual pru"
tai manner. The "ingenio" and all the
surrounding buildings, the storehouses
and the cottages Of the plantation ne
groes, were set fire to, and the pooles
of the victims, dead or dying, were
thrown among the flames. Only one
escaped, a Chinese coolie, who sue
ceeded in making the woods near by
with six Mauser bullet holes In him.
This is the story of the oyalita mas
sacre, as 1t is told without variation
by peasants of the neighborhood. None
Of the "pacificos," as / have 1t from
officers who were there, took part IN
the skirmish between the troops and
the insurgents, but lay, overcome with
fear, in their houses as long as the mr.
Ing continued.
On the 9th Of May rode with the
cavalry squadron of Col. Robado and
Mai. Saenz over the field Of the massa-
ere. It was hurried visit, for col
umn was then after us, and could de-
vote but thirty minutes to a study OF
the remains that still exist OF the
butchery. The sites of the cottages and
outhouses were gray heaps of ashes.
OF the sugar house itself, tin roof
still remained, covering mass OF
rusty machinery and charred timber.
In the trunk under the great driving
wheel l counted the charred remains
of seven Of the victims; uppermost
of all, wedged between the wheel and
the masonry, lay the body Of negro
woman, with baby in her arms. The
clothing had been burned away, but the
eharred flesh remained, with a portion
Of her leather slippers. OF the body
that had been most exposed to the
flames the bones were visible. The
negress lay in an almost natural posi-
ton, clasping the infant tight to her
breast with hugging, clutching en-
brace, that death had only intensified,
The body of the child was but little
disintegrated by the flames. The
other bodies in the pit were reduced to
charred skeletons. The negress and
her child had evidently been the last
thrown in.
There were other bodies, they told
me, in the debris OF the central part
Of the building, which had fallen In,
but had not time to look for them. ]
was also told that the bodies OF two
other women and two little girls were
thrown into the burning cottages and
entirely consumed.
Beneath the "ingenio" there Is eel
lar, where were the furnaces that heat
ell the great iron sugar boilers. There
was also > littls bakeshop in this eel
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1896-10-08
DEATH OF TIBER1Us GRACIOUS.

portion of the electoral power was
welded by men whose desperate for
tunes untitled them for such trust,
while, at the same time, the great Of
fees of the republic were mainly en-
crossed by the remnants Of the old
patricians and by the newer aristoc-
racy created out of the ancient plebian
families. To the same comparatively
small class also belonged the vast
estates which had Of late years been
made from the small farms Of peasant
proprietors and which were now Gull
tivated by slaves. A condition so seri-
GUS could not but attract the notice
of thoughtful men. The corruption OF
The social and political state was espe-
cially obvious to Tiberius Gracious,
whose father had from an early age
enlisted his sympathies on behalf OF
the poor and the humble in their strug-
gle with the oppressive mobiles and the
corrupt office-holders. While still very
young he served with distinction in
several military campaigns. 1t was
while passing through Etruria that he
was powerfully struck by the decline
Of prosperity and Of national life in
one of the most fertile and magnificent
districts of Italy. The old Etruscan
cities had fallen into decay; the descend
ants of the ancient race, once the in
structors of the Romans themselves,
were diminished in number and de-
based in spirit. Vast tracts of country
were given up to pasturage to the un-
profitable support of swine and buffa-
loes and to the ravening Of wolves
and bears.
About 1874 B. G. Tiberius Gracious
was elected to the tribunate as the
representative Of popular principles
and of the demand for reform. He was
an eloquent speaker, and on assuming
office lost no opportunity Of comparing
the existing state of Italy with that
Of former days. The remedy for the
prevailing evils lay, in the opinion Of
the young tribune, in restoration Of
the class of small landed proprietors
He therefore introduced bill fol-
the reviving Of the LEHMAN laws Of
S67 B. c., the object Of which was to
prevent the accumulation Of large por-
tions of the public domains in the
hands of single proprietors. Licinius
had forbidden any citizen to hold more
than three hundred and twelve acres
of the public land. Gracious now pro
posed to modify this regulation to the
extent of allowing each of two sons Of
a family to hold half that quantity in
addition, thus bringing up the total tC
about six hundred and twenty -four
acres. Any excess on this amount
was to be surrendered to the state
but those who willingly complied with
the requirements of the law were to re.
ceive compensation for any improve
ments they might have made during
their occupation. All public lands
ware to be vested in three commission
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1896-10-08

latter, however, remained faithful to
his wealthy patrons, and when the
time came Gracious moved that he
should be stripped of the authority
which the people had conferred upon
him, but which he had used to their
injury. This was carried; the deposit
ton was pronounced, and Octavius was
dragged from his seat. The way now
being clear, the agrarian law Of Grac-
chus was carried.
At this time Attalus Of Pergamus be-
queathed his kingdom with all personal
lands and treasures to the Roman peo-
pie, and Gracious gave notice that he
would propose bill to provide that
the riches of the deceased king should
be distributed among recipients of the
public lands, who would in this way
be enabled to purchase stock and erect
farm buildings. He also declared that
the management OF the kingdom of Per-
gamus should be conflded entirely to
the popular assembly. This was posi-
tive declaration of war against one of
the most ancient and important bodies
of the state, and it naturally reused
bitter opposition. 1t was now deter
mined to play game which in former
times had frequently proved success
full. A trumped-up charge was put in
circulation to the effect that Gracious
had accepted diadem and purple robe
from the envoy of the late King Alta
lus and direct accusation that he was
aiming at the sovereignty was brought
against him in the senate, where he
was also charged with having violated
the constitution by deposing his col
league. Gracious threatened to indicI
one of his accusers before the people
but, finding he had gone too far, wac
glad to withdraw from an untenable
position before he had proceeded tc
any great extent Like many other
popular leaders, he had lost all self
control in the elation of first sue
cess.
He proposed to make the three COM
missioners judges without appeal or
disputed question with regard to prop
erty in land. The distribution Of the
public domains under the recent act
had been carried out with extreme diff
ficulty, owing to the host Of claimants
and the trouble of determining bound
aries so as to satisfy all. Many allot'
ments had been made where the titles
to possession had been lost, and per.
sons holding under these conditions
feared their newly acquired property
would be jeopardized at the caprice
of judges capable Of being swayed In
any direction by the varying passions
of the hour. Gracious considered hi
popularity endangered, and consider
ed it necessary to vlndicate his con
duct by deposing Octavius.
AS the people showed signs Of falling
off from their once-trusted champion
the opposition Of the senate became
more marked. 1t was evident that thu
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1896-10-08
GEN. WEYLERS NHUMAN TORTURE OF NEuTRAAS IN CUBA

him, arms tied behind him, Off among
the cane fields until he was lost to sight
Of his home. His neighbors dared not
follow, and there were no witnesses OF
his murder. Desiderlo Vida was led
from the roadside into little grassy
arroyo or gully. Here he was cut down
and his body was left, to be found,
after the departure Of the guerlllas, by
his neighbors,
He had been buried already when 4
got there, but saw the place where he
fell, the hollow in the tall grass, and
the blood that stained the plants as
thickly as when you have slaughtered
bullock. His hat remained. There
was cut in the brim an inch from
the band where the first stroke Of the
machete had fallen. It must have cut
his shoulder, With the next blow the
crown was pierced, and the stains Of
clotted blood remained, scarcely dry,
when saw them.
The peasants told me that Deslderlo
Vida had no less than a dozen wounds
on his body when he was picked UP
by them, and that his left arm was
nearly severed from his body. This
is but one Of the many murders so fire.
quent in all parts Of the island that
they have ceased to attract attention
or comment
Here are the details Of another horrl-
BILE crime, as they come to me in a LETT
ter: "A mechanic at Hyde Park, the
sugar plantation OF Mr.. Fowler, the
British consul, was said to have fur
nished the insurgents at the MayarI ar.
senal with receipt for a bath to
bronze field piece. The guerillas from
Clenfuegos passed by Hyde Park, took
the mechanic, and, suspending him by
one leg to a rope, bumped his head on
the ground until he was insenslble.
He was brought to by tapers lighted
and stuck In his nostrlls and ears, and
then put to death by nameless tor
lures"
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1896-10-08

lar. went down q short flight Of
steps to the chamber where the fur
naces were, and here | found the re-
mains of a Chlnaman, one of the coolies
employed about the place, perfectly
preserved, In a mummiaed state.
examined the body very carefully.
There were wounds Of the machete
about the back and legs, as though he
had been driven into the cellar, but
none of them was fatal, The body was
writhed in intense agony and the face
fixed in an expression OF extreme hor-
ror. Parts Of the clothing were einged,
and there was every indication that
the man had been driven into the eel
lar. locked in, and forced to die from
the heat OF the burning ingenlo above.
The flesh was turned to parchment ana
each muscle and line OF facial express
sion was intensified by suffering.
In the little passage that led to the
bake shop lay the body of another
Chinaman with cash Of q machete
In the back Of his head. His express
sion and the contortion OF his body
we're similar to those Of the first, and
distinctly indicated that he must have
died under the same conditions. On
the floor by his side lay a paper score
of the loaves of bread baked for the
settlement that morning, Though the
wound in the back Of the head was
deep and some stains Of blood re-
NAMED on the floor, 1t was evident that
he had died by the torture of heat,
Three months had passed, ana these
bodies had dried without the slightest
trace of decomposition. They probably
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1896-10-08

One can scarcely take up German
paper or magazine which does not have
its special column or corner devoted to
chess and its interests. The children
are set to work on simple chess puz-
zles in their papers, while the maya
zines for older readers present prob
lens which seem almost hopeless Of So
luton to an inexperienced player. There
are chess clubs. chess rooms, chess
books and chess players without num-
Der.
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1896-10-08
ooIored wladom.

uncle Rasbury, do you think mar
ried people are the happiest"
"Why, dat ar depend altogether how
dey enjoy demselvos. washington
Times.
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1896-10-08
Pltn.

Speaking OF hog cholera, M Blunt
remarked the other day, as sic hung
to the strap: What pity 1t coHldn't
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1896-10-08
Harsh Sentence.

A prisoner in New York got eleven
y.qrs in prison the other day for steal
INA %.
Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1896-10-08

cArlat lived all the truth he taught.
Evening journal., 1896-04-30
BASKET MILL TO RESUME.

SMYRNA Hosiery Plant sold-Notes OF the
Visiting and Visited OF smyrna's PopuIa-
tion.
Special Correspondence Evening Journal.
SMYRNA. April 30-Tscudy & Cats
are making preparations to start up their
basket mill In about two weeks. as the
prospect for large crop OF all kinds OF
fruit is coed
The B1ard Of Trade has sold the hois
cry plant formerly run by Bilzsr and
ruesher TO Counsslman & O.. Ne
Biizsr becomes the jdulor msmoer OF tue
new firm
On May the town Of Clayton Will
hold an election for the purpose Of filling
the expired term OF Town Commissioner
Morris Kirmse
T. r Thomas prominent commission
merchsnt Of Utica, N Y. is visiting In
town.
Those attending the funeral OF Frank
Wells from Phllsdelphis we're; Captain
aud Mrs. John T. Cooper. the Misses
Cooper. Alexander Cooper, Daniel Wells
aud william Wells
O. g. Jimeson, OF New York, Is the
guest OF friends here.
MIR. and Mrs. George NJ Jones and
faulty, of Dover, are visiting Smyrna
/ frlend0
Miss Helen Hszen is the guest o
Miss Minnie Lytbe, at Berlin, Md.
Mrs. Gsorgis d. Thomas. has gone on {
brief visit TO New York.
Dr. F. L. Grier, g. Davis Brown anC
Walton NJ. Busteed attended Mlsi
Slsughter's dance st Dover last night.
Miss Gertrude Lowber. Of Dover, Il
beiug entertained By Smyrna friends.
Mrs. ]. E. Quinn, of Philadelphia, Il
visiting Der father, Alexander Wilson.
Miss Margaret Reed. Of Frsderica hal
returned after a visit to Mrs. ClArenc'
Prettyman.
William B. Jones, OF Dover Is the CUES
Of his aunt, Mrs Elizabeth Sprusuce.
L. Refs, OF Lykens. Pa is making hi
brother, NJ. Rels, a visit.
Mrs. Amanda Spruauce, Is visiting
relatives in Philadelphia.
Mrs. d r. Clrrow snd Mrs Mary J
Bewley, who have been visiting Mrs J
w. oliver at Yonksrs on the Hudson. bRv,
/ returned