davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-12-08
The Electric Headlight on Crooked
RNHtIS


Enginemen and railway officials
speak in grateful terms of the electric
headlight. Beyond the main function
Of this light-to illumine the road bed
in front of the engine-it throws out
skyward shining beam that gives
early notice to stationmen, wayfarerS,
runners of other train and casual
tramps of the approach of the train
bearing it. The runner using this
light cannot see through a hill or II
building any better than without it,
but as it shines above it makes it's
whereabouts manifest several miles in
advance, so that other trains can know
that the electrically lighted locomotive
is approaching The angle of the re-
Hector can easily be adjusted so as to
throw the Lean upward, and the illu-
nlination of the particles of dust or
moisture in the atmosphere makes Il
pencil of light which may be seen
overhead at Il great distance. This is
of immense service on tracks contain
ing many curves, at many points OF
which the ordinary headlight remains
invisible when the locomotive is only
few yards away. An incident oc-
CURED recently in Ohio which illus
trates the value of this feature of the
light. An engineman running empty
at night and with the tender foremost,
forgot about Il passenger train that
was due He would have run into the
train on bridge a few miles off, but
he saw the rays of the electric head
light in the sky before the train was
in sight-that is before it had reached
point where it would have been i'll
sight by daylight, or where the lamp
could be seen. The careless engine
man at once stopped and succeeded III
getting on a sidetrack before the pas
senger train reached him. Many en-
ginement, especially those on the roads
of the Western prairies, assert that so
much does the electric headlight lessen
the strain to which they are subjected
and increase their confidence while
pushing their locomotives that they
would pay for the lamps themselves
rather than be without them.
The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-12-08

the condition of the river seems to
augur Ill for the entire city Wild re-
ports reach town of the havoc wrought
by the stream above, and terrible
catastrophe may overtake the city at
any moment. No one knows Just what
is in store, and this condition OF I'M
certainty adds more to the excitement
of the moment than the actual deStruc-
ton OF property by the river possibly
could. One rumOr that the river would
cut a passage for itself through the
high banks north of the city gave rise
to a great deal of apprehension. The
rivers course is seriously Obstructed by
the gorge, which has now reached to
within short distance of the dam,
and the probable turning of the course
of the stream upon the city seems so
plausible that every one at once be-
came panicstricken. Hundreds of
teams started in at daylight to move
the effects of the merchants out of
the way of possible danger, and Bridge
and Central streets were choked with
teams loaded down with merchandise.
In many instances these wagons were
filled t. such an extent that the con-
tents spilled over the sides and ends
and the scene was one of
Understandable Confusion.
Both the Lumbermen's and First Ma
tional banks moved to-day and the
higher portion of The city was fairly
congeSted with the enormous amount
of material that has been stored there
for safety. Spring street is impossible
between Bridge and Bay streets, and
the water is climbing steadily toward
the basement of the city hall. Cellars
on the high ground in that vicinity
were rising fast. and the water in
many instances trickled into the street
Indicating that a great height would
be attained shortly. 1t is impossible to
see how any of the lower portion of the
city can escape, for the coming of the
water seems as sure as it is deliberate,
and the valley may be con pletely inun-
dated if the rise continues.
A busy scene continued to be en-
acted in the city all day and all sorts
of vehicles were converted TO lis for
the occasion. No reports Of additional
damage come in from the country, and
it is thought that the flood may have
spent its force so far as the outlaying
districts are concerned. The critical
condition here, however, continues to
excite great fears, and the develop
ments of the next twenty-four hours
will be closely watched.
Chippewa Falls. Wis. Dee. 5-The
river rose four inches to-day and the
water gorge at the Chippewa Lumber
The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-12-08
probably exaggerated, the true amount
being about 100000 feet.

Chippewa Falls, Wis, Dec. 6.-The
water has receded thirty seven inches,
and many of the buildings lately UNI
der the flood are being repaired. Some
of them have been crushed in and
wild rents in the walls are visible
where the ice pushed through. 1t is
the general belief that the worst of
the flood has gone by, although the
immense gorge, white and stern, still
holds the bed of the river in it's icy
grip and shows no more signs of re-
lenting than it did yesterday. Mayor
Lindley, Col. Jones and a party of
local business men Inspected the gorge
again today. and on returning tho
mayor gave out the following state
ment:
1--WE were all quite firmly convinced
that the receding of the water is per-
manent and that the gorge will not be-
come any more menacing than it is at
present 1t is quite evident that the
water has cut large passage beneath
the gorge. and Col. Jones thinks that
the snow and ice may disappear grad
ualIy until all danger is passed. We
have nature to thank for the happy
relief, and if this weather continues
for week the gorge will be rendered
as harmless as it was threatening.
Anchor ice is still coming down in
large quantities, but it is passing be-
meath the gorge and not adhering to it
as it did yesterday The condition has
undergone complete change and such
a sudden and satisfactory termination
of what threatened to be a great dis
aster was hardly looked for by the
most sal guine."
Nevertheless many feel that the dan
ger to the cityS property has not
wholly passed away. In case of sud
den thaw The gorge is liable to let 90
suddenly and no one cares to think
what would enSue in that event There
are half a dozen gor2es above Chippe-
wa Falls with which the city must
reckon sooner or later. although it is
possible that they will not start to
move before spring Business here is
still torn up. and merchants will not
begin to settle down to active life
again for some days. Some who
abandoned buildings where Easements
only were affected by the food, are
moving back, although the majority
will remain at their present locations
and take no chances with the gorge.
The best means of removing it has
been widely discussed by citizens, al
though no plausible plan has yet been
evolved 1t is the opinion CT great
lnany that federal aid must be enlisted
The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-12-08

as ii is believed that neither Chippewa
Falls nor Eau Claire can stand the
cost of clearing a channel for the
water
Chippewa Falls, Wis, Dee. S.-Sight-
seerS to the number Of 1000 visited
Chippewa Falls for the purpose of
viewing the immense gorge of ice that
has choked the river and given this
town such prominence during the last
week. The visitors came from all the
towns on the Central road between this
city and Medford, and Minneapolis and
st. Paul, few of whom appreciated the
full significance of the ice formation
in the bed of the river Only streaks
of Jagged ice clinging to the fronts and
sides of buildings mark the height to
which the water of the river rose, for
during the night the flood receded rap
idly and fall of four feet is recorded
on the gauge. Near the G. l.. & Co. mill
the town is comparatively dry within
ten feet of the rivers bank. although
three feet of snow and ice cover that
portion Of the flooded district which
the street labOrerS have not yet
reached.
Scores of laborerS have been put to
work and most of the streets are III
shape for travel, and a greater portion
of the store buildings were again ready
for occupancy II is confidently be-
lieved by close observers of the Situa-
ton that the river will cause no fur
Their apprehension this winter, and the
more hopeful predict that the ice will
go out gradually, giving the stream a
clear course by spring. The supply OF
anchor ice from above the city seems
inexhaustible. Tons of the slushy
stuff is still pouring over the dam, but
it must certainly be flowing with the
current beneath the gorge, as the ice
near the city remains unchanged.
Mai. Jones, Z. s. A, left Chippewa
Falls to-day, stating as his opinion
that the danger of the flood is at an
end. There is great deal of good
feeling i'll the city at the happy ter
mination of affairs, and it is the gen
eral belief that the damage that has
been caused property will be much
smaller than was at first apprehended.
1t is impossible to get an estimate or
the cost of the food but business men
generally refuse to give out any esti-
mate Of their losses. No one. however.
has been so seriously affected that it
will prevent him from remaining in
business the same as formerly.
Two removed poStmasters i'll Illinois
have refused to Vacate.
The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-12-08
GOrges Galore.

Winona Mimi. Dec. 5.-News reach
es here to-day of two immense gOrges
which have formed but short dist
ance below this city. The smallest
one is at Trempealeau, while the large
one is situated nearly in a line with
Dresbach. Several days ago a num-
Der of million feet of logs fioated down
the channel past this city. having come
from broken boom in the Chippewa
river, when 20,000,00O feet of logs got
loose. These logs. with large fields
of floating ice cakes, are what have
formed the two gorges in question.
The river at Dresbach is about mile
wide, with an island in the center The
gorge extends from the island to the
shore on either side. The ice and logs
are piled up in INNER Sc rough masses
and frozen solidly. No attempt is be-
ing made to break the gorge. as no
damage of much importance has re-
suited or is threatened. The gorge is
said to be a very pretty sight. At
Trempealeau the gorge is but small
one though there are a large number
of logs, perhaps amounting to a mil
lion feet Reports say the gorge at
Dresbach contains nearly 100000
feet of logs. This estimate, however. is
The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-12-08

Mrs. Kirtland-And why do you
think. Mr.. Dunley, that the world is
better now and more beautiful than it
was thirty-five years ago?
Mr.. Dunley (who is after her sweet
daughter)- Because-because you were
not in it then.
Papa Kirtland's objections to the
young man have been oyerriden.-
Cleveland Leader.
The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-12-08
Winter Time Table.

ST Paul, Dec. No trains were taken OH
bv the Great Northern railway in making up
IFS winter schedule but changes were made
in the leaving time of several of them, the
most important being the Pacific coast
train, which leaves here at ! p. M, two
hours earlier than heretofore, giving closer
connections with Eastern lines than ever
before and reaching Montana and coast
points in daylight.
The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-12-08
a Great career Before Him.

'.Do you regard Rogers as a safe man
to hold Officer
Perfectly. Why, he doesn't know
enough about figuring to multiply six
by eight. Such a thing as doctoring
the books or cheating the public would
be out of the question with him. =
Cleveland Leader.
The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-12-08
BACK 70 IT'S BED
THE CHIPPEWA RIVER is GETTING
OYER IT'S SPREE.

The Water at Chippewa Falls Re-
cedes Four Feet. and 1t Is Con
fidentiy Expected That the River
Will Cause No Further Trouble
Flooded buildings Ready for Oc-
cupancy.
The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-12-08

as it is believed that neither Chippewa
Falls nor Eau Claire can stand the
cost of clearing a channel for the
water
The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-12-08

Two removed postmasters i'll Illinois
have refused to vacate.
The record-union., 1896-04-20
REEDS CHANCES.
Aldrich of Illinois Thinks They Are
Still Very Good.

WASHINGTON, April 19.-The week
ly bulletin furnished by Representative
J. Frank Aldrich Of Illinois, giving the
results of the Republican Presidential
canvass from the standpoint of friend
Of Mr.. Reed, issued tonight, is as fol-
lows: The developments in the past
week in the Republican Presidential
contest have resulted in no material
changes in the relative standing Of the
leading candidates, Notwithstanding
the prediction last week that Mckinley
strength will grow rapidly by the con-
ventions in Kentucky, Nebraska and
New Jersey" OF the twenty votes con-
fidently counted upon by him in Ken
lucky, Governor Bradley has captured
sixteen, and the failure to instruct for
Mckinley the fourteen delegates from
New Jersey was a significant disap-
rointment. My last statement gave Mr.
Reed Ill delegates, Mr.. Mckinley 1859,
to all other candidates 166, and As
doubtful. In that table I credited Mr..
Reed with two uninstructed delegates,
which, upon later information, / deem it
fair to place in the doubtful column
With this single exception. my figures
OF last week cannot be seriously dis
puted.
The record-union., 1896-04-20
YEARLY CLERKS FOR THE HOUSE.
A PROPOSED TREASURE THAT
r1AY BE PASSED..
1embers Think Themselves as Much
Entitled to Such Assistance
as the Senate.

WASHINGTON, April 19-The House
Committee on Accounts will report to-
morrow without recommendation the
bill giving clerks to members the whole
year round instead of during the ses-
sion of Congress only. The question was
recently agitated anew in connection
with the report Of the executive, legisla-
tive and judicial appropriation bill. It
was stated then that the Senate had
amended the bill so as to provide that
each member Of that body not a Chair
man of committee, thirty-eight in all,
should have a clerk at the salary Of
81 800 a year. The House conferrees
had not agreed to the amendment, but
Benjamin Franklin stated that he saw
no outcome of the struggle except the
concurrence by the House in the SEN
ate's proposition. There was a feeling
in the House that it's members should
have the same assistance and the reso-
ton referred to was introduced to Sc
cure 1t. The committee were evenly di-
F1ded on the question and it was de-
cided to report it without recommended
tion, which will be done tomorrow
The members will then have an oppor-
tunity, as Cannon said the other day, to
secure annual clerks for themselves if a
majority of them have the courage to
go on record as favoring the PROPOSE
ton. Cannon is of the opinion that the
resolution will be passed, that the
House is stacked for it, but AIdrich
believes that it will be defeated. To pro-
vide these clerks at 81 200 a year. the
same rate as their present pay, will cost
S432, 900 annually.
The record-union., 1896-04-20

WASHINGTON, April 19.-To-mor-
row is suspension day" in the House;
that is, the day when it is in order to
take up bills for immediate passage un-
Ger suspension of the rules. That order
will be followed by the general pension
bill reported on Friday last. By the
terms OF this bill discontinuances or re-
ouctions Of pensions except for fraud.
or error, or recovery from disabilities
are made unlawful. Chairman Picker
estimates that the restorations Of pen
sions and additional expenditures au-
ttorized by. the bill will amount to 81
QOO, 900 or So 10000 year
Cannon will afterward call up the
general deficiency bill. Wednesday and
Thursday have been set aside for dis
cussion OF the bankruptcy BILL upon
which a vote is to be taken by the House
CT Friday
In the Senate an effort will probably
be made to antagonize PETERS pending
bond-purchase investigation resolution
by calling up the Indian appropriation
bill.
The naval appropriation bill has been
ready for consideration for ten days,
and Hale is very anxious to dispose of 1t.
German is credited with an intention to
attack the provision for new battle ships.
He proposes to reduce the number to
two, and to substitute for the battle
ships stricken out small-sized gunboats
for use in rivers and shallow water.
The record-union., 1896-04-20

Michigan, Nevada, West Virginia,
Montana, Missouri, Delaware, Colorado,
washington, Idaho. Wyoming ana
North Carolina with 152 delegates. It
will be seen that the Mckinley situation
has not only constantly improvad but IS
rapidly approaching a triumphant con-
clusion
The figures herewith presented have
been carefully compiled from reports
received from day to day and verified
by replies received from kilograms sent
to various States yesterday. l have
placed 16 additional delegates in the
doubtful column, II Of which are from
New Jersey. Of the 6O4 delegates elec-
ted to date, Mckinley has just about
3512 per cent. If he continues at this
rate to the end he will have 32o votes
out of total Of 91S when the conven-
ton assemblies; exactly the number
that the friends Of Mr.. Reed and the
other candidates have conceded to him
from the active commencement Of the
campaign. The table by States follows.
l reserve the right to change the esti-
mate for Tennessee upon further in
formation from that State:
The record-union., 1896-04-20

rum. which, if properly injected. he says
is perfectly safe. Even if it were not
quite fresh, he continues. it would not
cause death with such rapidity as in the
case of the infant son of DR.. LANCER
haus. the Medical Director of the Moab
ite Hospital, who died two weeks ago
from the effects Of precautionary in
lection of the serum Professor Eulen-
berg thinks that DR.. Langerhaus was
himself to blame in making a mistake
in giving the injection 50 that an en-
bolisun was induced. The article of Pro-
fessor Gutenberg has helped greatly to
allay the serum scare.
The United States Consuls in Ger
many have published in the local papers
in their respective consular districts the
regulations governing the export of
American meats from the United States,
with view of dispelling the German
prejudice against the American pro
duct. The "Strasbourg Post" in COM
menting on these regulations, says:
The provisions of the American law
are clear and sufficient. nevertheless
official examinations of American
meats made here prove that the meats
imported are bad, and that the law,
therefore, cannot be Stringently en-
forced"
The Berlin "Neuste Nachrichten"
processes to know upon good authority
that practices exist in the American
meat-packing business that would so
disgust foreign consumers. did they
know Of them, as to forever deter them
from touching American packed meats
In view of these and other expressions
inspired by commercial jealousy, Amer
lean meat does not grow in favor in
Germany.
The Berlin employers have agreed to
give their employees a general holiday
on May 1st, for the purpose, as they al
lege, of enabling them to attend the
opening Of the Trades Exhibition,
which takes place on that day. The
Socialist press are jubilant over this
concession on the part of the employers
and ascribe it to the recent Socialist
manifesto threatening boycott
against all employers who do not join
in the celebration of May Day.
The North German Gazette" COM
menting upon the communication sent
by Mr. Chamberlain to President
Kruger, giving the reasons for an in
crease for the British military forces in
Cape Colony, says: 1--WE are glad that
Mr.. Chamberlain has done this, as it
shows the intention of the British to
avoid irritation of the Beers"
Fritz Friedman, the absconding Ber-
lin lawyer, who is still in custody in
Bordeaux, has written to friends here
saying that the death of Baron Won
Schrader who he declares pursued
him with implacable hatred and melted
his peculations, has altered his inten-
tion of publishing the court revelations
contained in the so-called Kotz letters
ir his possession.
A dispatch from St. Petersburg says
it is reported there that the Sultan of
Turkey has accepted an autograph in
vitation from the Czar to visit Moscow
and ST. Petersburg. The date of the
Sultan's visit has not been fixed.
Mrs. Runyon, widow of Hon. Theodore
Runyon, late United States Embassa-
dor to Germany, and her daughter
Miss Julia Runyan, will sail for New
York at the end of this month. Either
]. B. Jackson, First Secretary, or H. G..
SQuires, Second Secretary of the United
States Embassy, will see them safely on
beard the steamer
The record-union., 1896-04-20
SHOT BY BURGLARS.
A Wealthy Citizen of Indianapolis In
StantIy Killed.

INDIANAPOLIS, April 10. - Lee
Htrth, a well-known and wealthy Ger
nyan citizen living in West Washington
street, where he conducted a large gro
Gerry business, was instantly killed at
O'Clock this morning by two masked
ntep who were discovered in his bed
room.
Mrs. Hirth was awakened by noise
in the room, and rising in bed saw two
men standing in the doorway leading to
another room. She gave the alarm by
calling to her husband, who was asleep
| by her side. At the same instant one
CT the men leveled a pistol at her and
fired, the bullet entering the headboard
just above her. A second shot followed
an instant later and the two men
turned toward the rear Of the house.
Mr.. Hirth was awakened by the first
shot, but seemed nor realize what had
occurred until the second shot was fired.
Then he sprang from the bed and fol-
lowed the intruders. He had a loaded
revolver lying on table within reach
| CT his bed, but seems not to have
| thought of the weapon in his excite
ment.
AS ne passed into the room immedi-
ately back Of the sleeping apartment, a
third shot was fired as the men fed
from the room pursued by Mr. Hirth.
Mrs. Hirth ran to the front Of the house
and made her exit through the front
door, screaming at the top of her voice
for help. A number of the neighbors
were aroused, and came hurriedly to the
place, and when they entered the house
Mr. Hirth was found upon the floor with
bullet in his heart
! Mr.. Hirth was known to keep large
sums OF money in the house, but the
burglars failed to find it,
The record-union., 1896-04-20
And if the Gain Continues He Will
Have Clear Majority.
Aldrich of Illinois Thinks Reed s
Chances Are Still Very Good, and
That Mckinley Will Have Only 325
Votes Out of Total OF 0lS, the
Number That Reeds Friends Con-
ceded Him From the First.

WASHINGTON, April 19-The fol-
lowing is the statement given out by
General Grosvenor, pursuant to the
custom which has prevailed to an
nounce the proceedings of the Mckln-
ley campaign in the press of each Mon
day. General GrOsvenor said: Before
giving you the situation as it stands
to-day, l want to call attention to my
first bulletin, which was issued before
any delegates had been elected. AT that
time l predicted that the vote for Nc
kinley on the first ballot would be as
stated below. I place now within the
first column my prediction at that early
date, and in the second column l place
the results in all of the same States in
W hich the full complement of delegates
has been chosen:
The record-union., 1896-04-20
SPAIN GRANTS REFORMS,
But Will Not Admit That the United
States Influenced Her.

MADRID. April 19.-The Secretary
OF the Colonies will make arrangements
to put into effect the law granting po-
htical reforms to the Antilles. These
reforms will probably go into effect in
Porto Rico on June 1st, and in Cuba
on July 1st. The Government denies
that the Washington Government
prompted this action.
The speech from the throne opening
the Cortes will contain passage deal
ing with the reforms. The Cabinet will
meet on Tuesday to decide the wording
of the passage.
LONDON. April 19.-The standard