davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-02-22

skill, they are most interesting as a
people, for many Of their customs are
the same which prevailed in the times
Of the ancients. Debt is their particular
adherence. To be unable to repay a
loan is a disgrace greater than ignomin'
ious death. for it places a whole family
outside the breastworks of respectable
society for generations Three thou
sand years ago the Egyptian who con
tracted a debt always had to give as Sc
curity the mummy of his father. If he
failed TO release the corpse of his par
ent from the hands Of the money lender
by repaying the loan, he was forever
disgraced and was denied religious ser
vices upon his death.
The same spirit animates the Abys-
sinian. He is taught from boyhood to
avoid debt, both for his moral and ply
steal we'll being. The Abyssinian law is
more energetic in furnishing the unfor-
tunate debtor than was the ancient
Egyptian. The debtor is cast into pris-
on and an iron band fastened around
his right wrist Every day the creditor
and an officer of the law visit him, and
when he says he is unable to pay,
turn is given to the screws in the wrist
| band. which causes il to sink into the
| flesh If the unfortunate has no friends
who can scrape up the required sum-
| the wrist band shrinks and shrinks until
/ the hand is completely severed. Then
! the debtor is released with the mark Of
his disgrace forever attached to him.
/ 1t is almost needless to say that few
debts are contracted in Abyssinia.
QUAINT RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.
In one way they are tremendously re-
ligious, and two out of every three days
the year through, are fast days. The
Virgin Mary they pray to and call upon
for protection. Motherhood in the eyes
! Of the Abyssinians is most sacred, and
they venerate their own mothers be-
| yond all else. The will of their mothers
is law and part of their religion. They
argue that If they obtain the good will
Of the Virgin she will intercede for them
with Christ, and that He will follow her
wishes. They believe that women are
more tender-hearted than men and
quicker to forgive transgressions.
In ordinary times the stranger in
The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-02-22

mountainous sections. where most of
the fighting has been done. they are
capable of great execution. There have
been few carefully planned battles
since the opening of the campaign, most
of the fighting being of the guerilla or
der The Abyssinians swoop down on
band Of Italian soldiers, kill and wound
as many as they can in a few minutes
and then fade away. While the fighting
lasts it is invariably hand to hand and
the man with long sword or lance IS
as good as the man with the magazine
rife
WONDERFUL LANCE THROWERS.
The lancers do as much damage as
warriors armed with rifles The Italian
explorer Cecchi says that he saw a
shield made of hippopotamus hide
pierced like a piece of paper by a lance
thrown by an Abyssinan at a distance
Of 200 feet A compactly formed band
of Italian soldiers afford an easy target
for these lancers, who appear like magic
shower their lances and disappear be-
fore guns can be trained on them.
But the Abyssinians who are fighting
for the independence of their ancient
land are capable of waging war in the
regular way. When fights of this kind
are made it is believed that the native
forces tire differed by French and Rus
sian military men, as tactics are adopt
ed which are known only to soldiers of
the most modern schools. This seems
to have been the case at Makalle, which
was surrendered by the Italians under
Colonel GallianO to Ras Makonnen,
commander of the Abyssinians, a few
days ago The Italians had held Ma
kalle since last fall, but they were
finally starved out The Italians with
the rapid-fire guns. would have ami
hilated the Abyssinians had they made
an assault on the fortress of Makalle.
REGARD DEBT AS A CRIME.
While the Abyssinians have proved
themselves fighters of considerable
The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-02-22
Abyssinian Expedition Proves Dis
astrous to Her Amy.
DANGEROUS LANCE THROWERS
France and Rus. ia believed to BE at the
Back Of King Menelik. Some
Curious Customs

The great powers of Europe are not
having the walk-over that they fondly
expected in the work of subjugating
various small nations which they desire
10 protect"
Spain is having an uphill fight of it
ia dealing with Cuba and England's
clever intrigue to gobble up the Trans
vaal mscarried. Italy is having the
fight of her life in trying to conquer the
warlike Abyssinians, and unless she
makes startling improvements. that
ancient people may overwhelm her with
defeat.
OF all the petty wars Of the past few
months the Abyssinian struggle is the
most interesting, for the reason that the
people are fearless and capable of meet
ing slaughter with slaughter. In the
recent campaign in Madagascar the
French had only to overcome the deadly
Diasma which permeates the island.
The English in the struggle with Penn
preh, the farce-comedy monarch of
Ashantee, had the same enemy to con-
The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-02-22
THE TEARS OF a BANK wREcKER
He Cries Piteously While the Judge I'm
poses the Sentence.

]. r. Colean, who wrecked the State
bank of Fort Scott Kan, by stealing
$4,000, stood trembling and crying be-
fore Judge Simons while he was sent
enced to five years in the penitentiary
the maximum penalty for embezzle-
ment. His wife and her sister, Mrs.
Macarthur of Jacksonville, ILL.,. support
ed his weak body through the ordeal
After being sentenced Colean submitted
a written statement, the only one made
since his arrest. 1t was this:
Judge, I wish to tell you the truth.
1 understand some people believe me to
have means 1 say to you such is not the
case. My family and l are absolutely
penniless in the money sense. I have
wronged my friends and family, but
/ assure you my intentions were never
to wrong any man. 1 trust l have done
some good in this world in the past,
and should my life be spared I shall try
to improve the future"
He cried piteously throughout his ar
raignment.
The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-02-22

Chicago reports that buyers are very
conservative.
The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-02-22
Too Late.

Dramatis personae: A couple of
young ladies, bosom friends-My dear
est Olga, 1 could not rest until 1 had
come and made an effort to dispel the
gloomy thoughts which, to judge from
your letter of yesterday, threatened
to develop into suicidal mania. IT'S
true, Alfred has Tilted you, the wretch!
Still, try to act like a sensible girl and
look out for another engagement
''Your advice comes too late, darling"
Good graciousl Olga, you surely
haven't taken poisonr'
"Well. n-n-no. the fact is II became
engaged again yesterday
The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-02-22
STRANGE SIGHT IN LOGGING CAMP
The Peculiar Illumination Resembles a
Lighted Lantern.


Nearly every one of the 25 or more
men employed in Obey Johnson's log
ging camp up the Grand Ronde river
have witnessed on various occasions a
strange light, which appears in the
mornings and evenings just above the
house where the loggers have their
winter abode. says the La Grande
Chronicle. This peculiar illumination
resembles a lighted lantern, about three
feet above the ground, and sometimes
it shifts around as if it were guided by
an unseen hand. The average logger
is not the man to harbor a superstitious
notion, and when this phenomenon was
first reported there were many men in
the camp who believed that it was moth
ing more than imagination, but nearly
every one in turn has had the opportun
ity to see the strange light for himself.
The thing that interests them now is
to find some scientific explanation of
the phenomenon. Many of them have
seen and all of them have heard of the
balls of pale light that hover over mar
shy ground and over places where there
is decaying vegetation, which are scien-
tifically accounted for and which are
known as ''jack-o'-lanterns" and will
o'-the-wisps." But up in the mountains
there is no marshy ground, and, as far
as known, there are no other condi-
tons that would produce an illumina-
ton of this kind. There evidently is
natural cause for it, however, and that
cause will undoubtedly become known
in time, as every man in the camp has
become deeply interested in the matter,
and will do all in his power to probe the
mystery to the bottom.
The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-02-22

destined to last forever, and the older
they grow the stronger they become.
A whole family may be eXterminated,
but the next of kin is bound TO step in
and carry on hOstilities. In this way
the fight is kept up generation after
generation, until the original cause of
the row has been completely lost sight
Of
A man who feels that he has been in
suited makes a formal call upon his
enemy and is received by a servant, to
whom he imparts the reason of his visit.
This is simply formal notification of
war. The caller is treated to a show of
hospitality. being invited to eat and
drink, but members of the family do not
show themselves After he has passed
out Of the house the war begins.
If a man kills another without just
cause he is handed over to the relatives
Of the victim who are entitled to Kill
him in the same way that he did the
murder. Or, if one man wounds another
the latter's relatives are entitled to
wound him in the same way.
THE ITALIAN COMMANDER.
General Oreste Barst there command
er-in-chief of the Italian forces in Abys-
.
He is 81 years old. In 1859 when he had
completed monkish education, he
joined Garibaldi as a volunteer in the
Thousand of Marsala. Not long after
ward he joined the Italian army, and
was quickly promoted until he attained
the rank of a captaincy.
Baratieri was wounded a t CustOzza.
afte firghting with great galantry At
ploring expedition, and on his return
acting for some years as editor of the
Rivista Militaire. in Rome. he was sent
as military attache, to Berlin and vi
emma
At the time Italy became imbu
so strongly with the desire for colonial
possessions Baratieri was a colonel OF
Bereaglieri. In command of his regi-
ment he accompanied General GandOlfi
to Africa. where he has remained ever
since, distinguishing himself in military
operations against the Abyssinians,
SOmalis and Dervishes. He became gov
ernor and commander-in-chief on the re-
tirement of General Gandolf.
Baratieri had had difficulties to con-
tend with which would perpleX the
greatest general that ever lived. The
Dervishes who have joined the Alb
yssinians are fanatics. Their captains
give the men a peculiar drug more pow
erful than hashish opium before going
into battle, intoxicating them and max
ing them fight with the fury of fiends
| They care absolutely nothing for death
The trained soldier is at a discount wher
pitted against legions of these madmen
bent upon slaughter.
Italy's treasury is empty, and with No
money TO equip the thousands of neces
sary troops it looks as if Abyssinia
would maintain her independence, par
ticularly with France and Russia a
her back These nations do not wan
Italy to gobble up the 100000 square
miles Of territory. which. however
seems to be rich only in tradition.
The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-02-22
TERRIBLE TRAGEDY OF TIE Sc,
Ship Laden with Over million Gallons
OF on Blown In

Ship Laden with over a Million Gallons
OF on Blown Up.
Captain Anderson OF the tank steamer
PhOsphOr. in port at New York from
Shields, told a story that probably ac-
counts for the nOn-arriVal in England of
the British tank steamer wild Flower,
Captain Stanwell. which left Philadel-
phia for Rouen France. December II.
The Wild Flower has never been heard
of since. She had 100000 gallons Of
petroleum in her tanks. Captain An
derson says the steamer Loeb Etive,
from New York for Cork, reported on
her arrival there, January 8, that
about $50 miles west-southwest from
the coast of Ireland, on January 6, the
crew saw a sudden glare in the sky.
AS far as the eye could see to the west
ward the sky was a vivid red, and then
the color died out slowly. A dull roar
like the discharge of heavy gun was
heard, and it made the Loeb Etive
vibrate and rock. Captain Anderson
and the captain of the Loeb Etive are
both convinced that the fare-up was
the explosion of the 100000 of oil in the
Wild Flowers tanks. There were 20
men on the missing vessel.
The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-02-22

Abyssinia who processes to be a follower
Of the Virgin is treated with rare cour-
tesy. No door is closed against him.
and the best in the poorest or richest
house is at his command. He is as safe
from harm as if he We're in his own
home and nothing Is left undone to
make him comfortable.
1t is probably the greatest country for
feuds the world over. These feuds seem
The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-02-22
Noah's Bushes :

While teaching a class of girls in a
school recently the master asked the fol-
lowing question:
what was Noah supposed to be doing
when the animals were going into the
ark?"
little girl put up her hand.
.eVVell." he said, what do you say?"
taking the tickets, sir."-Buffalo
Times.
The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-02-22
4 Woman Telepranher.

Mrs. Fannie NJ. Merryfield has one Of
the best telegraphing records in the coun-
trv. For 30 years she has been an expert.
FOR the last u years Mrs. Merryfield has
been in Cheyenne, holding the position of
night wire chief, and having in charge
eight duplex and two quad sets. besides
the Wheatstone repeaters and Morse re-
naaters
The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-02-22

what was the row." asked the living
skeleton. 81 didn't quite catch on"
''It was the tattooed man." answered the
fat woman, as she impaled another potata
''He says If the manager insists on hirh
wearin' them new Obbery Beardslay de-
signs he's goin' to strike. "-Indianapolis
Journal.
The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-02-22
snared for Further Mischief.

MADAM" said the new boarder, lone of
your family came very near dying last
night"
Indeed. 1 was not aware that any one
was i'll. Who was it?'
1.-THE man in the room next to mine who
played the cornet till a. m. He stopped
just in time to save his life. "-Detroit Free
Press.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-21
TINE TO QUIT.

Something for Southern Men to Think
About is the caption of an article in q
recent issue of the Richmond (Va.)
Times, which some one has sent the
Journal. In fact. there are two some
things. The first is a statement that Re-
publican Congressman for years persist
emily declined TO consider a repeal of
the section of the United States statutes
prohibiting men who had borne arms
against the government from holding
positions as officers in the army or navy.
but that recently. when there was Ian
ger of war with Great Britain. Repub-
lican Senators and Representatives, in
their fear. ''tumbled OYER each other in
their haste to repeal the prohibition.
The statement is both absurd and un-
true. 1t is absurd because there are not
five hundred men who served in the Con-
federate army who have not reached the
limit of military service. forty-hve years
OF age. To say that a majority of the
Congress. impelled by fear, sought to
make IL possible for two or three nun
dred ex-Confederates to hold commits
sions must now sees ridiculous. even
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-21
STRIKE AT CHICAGO.
About Eight Hundred Clothing Cut.
tiers and Trimmers Quit Work.

CHICAGO, Feb. 2o.-Following action
taken at the meeting of the Clothing Cut
ters' and Association last night.
about four or five hundred cutters quit work
to-day. and the strike may now be said to
be fully on. Probably hundred are still at
work, but these. too. are expected to go out
soon. The strike, il continued for any
length OF time. and it promises TO be long
and bitterly contested, will be far-reaching
In its effects, as in round numbers about
Ten or fifteen thousand people will be
thrown out Of work. These are the clothing
workers, sewers, ETC., mostly inmates of
sweat houses. Most OF these Will not, ac-
cord.ng TO the manufacturers be affected for
about two weeks. as enough material has
been cut up 20 keep them busily employed
for that length OF time. But II the strike is
prolonged that long, then these, too, will be
thrown out of work. and on this class.
mostly women and children, working for
small wages, will the greatest hardship fall.
The issue seems to be practically on
whether the cutters shall work on the piece
system. Cutters are paid a minimum salary
of $50 a week for a maximum cutting of
fourteen suits a day. This the manufacture
ers emphaticaiy object to, saying they are
willing TO pay the minimum salary OF so,
but that the cutters shall not be limited In
their amount of work. In addition TO the
men who went out to-day about two hun
dred had previously quit work. making In all
nearly eight hundred men already out.
This evening action looking TO arbitration
of the strike was taken by the Civic Fedora
ton. Under the arbitration law enacted at
the last session of the Illinois Legislature
any organized body OF citizens may call
upon the State Board OF Arbitration to
intervene In such disputes. Ii is by virtue
OF this statute that the Civic Federation has
invoked the aid OF the State. Public opinion
will be relied upon for the enforcement OF
any finding by the board. This is the first
time an Chicago. IL not In the entire West.
that such action has been taken TO end a
strike.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-21

The January statement of our foreign
trade is very encouraging. Exports have
increased from $S1. 229.9 6 in January,
1895. to sS7. los, 292, while imports have
fallen from ss7,547.9OO a year ago to s64.-
COZ, 63S. This means hat the excess of
exports last January was $22, 602, 63S COM
pared with S13, $50, 064 the January
previous. 1t should be remembered,
however. that the imports of January,
1895, were excessive because for the first
time woolens came in under the low ad
valorem duties. so that the volume of
imports is now very large. The balance
of trade is always in our favor early in
the year. but the turn comes later in
the season. The large exports, consider
ing the small wheat crop, are surprising.
This large balance in our favor will tend
to check the outflow of gold, but, at the
same time. the falling off of imports
means a falling off of customs revenue
and a larger deficit in the treasury.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-21
THE v

When the Democratic State committee
got together yesterday it was discovered
that eight of the thirteen were In favor
Of the free and unlimited coinage OF sill
YER. Whether it was their devotion to
cheap money or the exasperating condi-
ton of the weather. the cheap-dollar
majority were in a very uncompromis-
ing temper. They told Chairman Holt
and the other bosses that they were not
to be trified with II the State conven-
ton which makes the platform and NOM
mates candidates should not be called
before the national convention there
would be two conventions and two Dem
ocratic parties in Indiana this year. AS
these men were the majority. and as
they were full of fight, the managers and
the minority yielded, and the convention
will be held but a few days before the
Democratic national convention.
This action as bearing upon the Democ-
racy Of Indiana is important. AT the
outset 1t deprives Governor Matthews of
all the advantage as an aspirant for the
Democratic nomination which a delega-
ton selected by an early convention and
the formal presentation of his name
might afford. In fact. a refusal to hold
an early convention for that purpose will
be accepted elsewhere as an intimation
that the controlling element of the party
in Indiana does not care for the nomi-
nation of Governor Matthews.
Even if he free silver crowd did not
express their purpose. the fact that they
insist upon a convention at that time to
nominate State officers carries the in
ference that. If it can control the con-
v~ention. that body will adopt a free COIN
age platform in defiance of the national
convention, which will be held two weeks
later. or throw the weight of its influence
in favor Of putting free coinage into the
n%ationa! platform.
If the Journal were debating the Dem
ocratic policy with a view of obtaining
the greatest good for the Republican orr
ganization of Indiana it would have the
Democratic convention meet in advance
of the national Democratic convention
and adopt a free silver platform, because
it knows that thousands of Democratic
business men in Indiana will not vote for
the free and unlimited coinage of silver
in the year 1896.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-21

There is not a State Office in Indiana
which does not require intelligence and
high professional or business ability. The
office of Governor is a position requiring
. capacity for affairs. The larger his
experience in affairs and the higher his
executive capacity, the better Governor a
man will make. 1t follows that If a man
has not been successful in any vocation
he should not be thought of in connec-
ton with the highest office in the State.
which requires all the elements which
make a man successful in anv vocation.
Oratory is one of the ornaments OF the
Office, but the capacity to make a speech.
with no other qualification. does not fit
a man for a responsible public office.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-21

The Senate committee on foreign rela-
tons is said to lave agreed to report
favorably a bill which provides for ask
ing Great Britain, Russia and Japan to
join us in a commission to arrange for
giving the fur seals better protection,
and meanwhile to agree to a modus
vivendi for this years season, and per-
haps longer. If satisfactory arrange
ments are not mad before May 1 next
the Secretary Of the Treasury is author
lied to kill all the seals thai come to the
Pribylov islands this year. and to sell
their kin TO the best advantage. This
is, in effect, a proposition summarily TO
exterminate the seals unless the govern
ments above named shall, within sixty
days. agree to a joint plan for their pro-
lection. At first this looks like a bar
barous proposition. but it is really based
on reason. AS matters stand. the ex-
termination of the seals through the in
human and piratical methods of British
Canadian fishermen is a question of only
a few years. pending which the United
States Is put to great an
and expense in trying to pro-
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-21
THE PACIFIC ROADS.
Senate Committee Wants Advice from
Acknowledgement Harmon.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 20. In executive
session to-day the Senate committee on
Pacific railroads adopted a resolution call
ing on the Attorney-general to advise the
on the following points:
First-Whether the president and +direc-
tors of the Union and Central Pacific rail-
road companies are personally liable for
the value Of the stock of said companies
unlawfully issued unded their administra-
ton.
Seccnd-Whether they are personally liza
BILE for losses incurred by said companies
i'm construction contracts made with them
selves or persons representing them, as re-
ported by the Pacific Railroad Commission.
Third-Whether such liability, IL 1t exists,
can be enforced by the United States as a
creditor of said corporations, and whether
the finding of said railroad commission are
based on evidence legally admissible
against the parties in interest and sufficient
to sustain a decree against them.
The purpose OF the resolution Is to Sc
cure an expression from the Attorney-gen-
eral as to whether an action against the
president and directors of the Union Pa
cinc and Central Pacific would lie for re-
covery. in order TO ascertain. If Congress
should conclude to foreclose its mortgage,
whether 1T could secure from the directors
or their estates the difference between the
amount rallied on the mortgage and the
a .pnrnf due.