davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-24
MARKET QUOTATIONS.
REPORTS FROM ALL GREAT BUsI-
NESS CENTRES OF THE WORLD.
Prices of Money. Bonds, Stocks,
Grain, Tobacco, Cotton, Cntte'
Country Produce, sc, Foreign
and Domestic.

NEW YORK, December 25.-Stocks
to-day were dull and irregular. The
sales amounted to only 1ll,l5l shares
the smallest total of any one day OF the
week. Burlington and Quincy, which
was the most active stock, figured for
1890 shares. and Sugar, which came
second. was dealt in TO the extent OF
1900 shares. The opening Of the mar
l1et was rather weak, but the losses, ex-
cept in the case of Lake Shore, which
declined a point, were Insignificant. To-
ward IL o'clock the market took on n
firmer tone, tho result of a semi-official
denial that the Delaware and Hudson
Company intended 10 reduce the rate of
dividend during the coming year. There
was no further additional unfavorable
news from the West, and this also
had strengthening influence. A recov-
cry of 23-S per cent. followed in Della
ware and Hudson, and the general list
advanced 1442 Is per cent, the latter
in Tobacco, which rose to ~ 5-S. on sto-
ries that the directors intended to
declare a dividend of per cent, and re-
tire the scrip This report was subse-
quently denied. and tho stock sold Off
to 70 Ii.
In the afternoon the higher-priced VAN
derbilts suddenly declined III per cent.
for Lake Shore to 152 3d. and . III from
New York Central. to 81 II. The weak
ness in these stocks was attributed to
the disappointment felt by holders on
account OF the unexpected reduction in
the Canada Southern dividend. yester-
day. The heayiness Of the Vanderbits
naturally had an unfavorable influence
on the general list. and the market, ex-
cept for the Anthracites, bad a tendency
to sag throughout the afternoon session.
Speculation closed dun and Irregular
Net changes show but slight changes
either way. Delaware and Hudson, how
ever, gained g and Tobacco 81 while
New York Central lost 21-3, and Lake
Shore ola. on the day.
Bonds were dull and irregular. The
total sales were S7l1.0C0.
Treasury balances: Coin, So, 40S, l67;
currency, S52.OS9.O4s.
MONEY AND EXCHANGE.
Money on call easy, at 1-2G2 per cent:
last loan at 2, and closing offered at .
per cent. Prime mercantile paper. l-21pi
per cent.
Bar silver. 65 s-s Mexican dollars, 80 81
al rs. Silver at the board higher.
Sterling exchange steady. with actual
business in bankers bills at s4SSl-20
1885, for sixty days, and SiS7dSi.S7 IA
for demand. Posted rates. SiSi 1-2GlSiSS.
Commercial bills. sis2 LA Si.S3 1-3.
Government bonds quiet. State bonds
dull Railroad bonds easier
sTocE oTfOTATIONS
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-24
RICHMOND TOBACCO MARKET.

Richmond, Va, December %, 1896
No auction sales on Change to-day
Private sales: Filters. 20: wrappers. 4:
dark leaf. l. Total, 81 hOgsheads
Revenue collections: Cigars and cigar
cites, Sl2O0s; tobacco, $1,S59.6l. Total,
SlG97O
day, and not worthy OF note.
Bright sales were very large again. and
brought out many buyers. who bid freely
on all grades. causing the last days sale
OF the year 70 be a most pleasing one In
every respect, prices closing strong and
firm on all grades. The same is the case
with the dark market. in regard TO prices.
Sales are suspended from to-day until
January >, 1897, and but little OF interest
will be going on in tobacco circles until
that date.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-24
THE CITY on THE DAN.
A Small F-re-Leaf Tobacco
sales.

DANVILLE. VA. December 3.-(Spe-
cial.)-A small fire in the business portion
OF the city. with driving wind prevails
ing. caused some excitement to-day. The
two-story frame building on Craghead
street. owned by Mrs. John Elliott. and
occupied as a bar by John Falden, was
Quilted but the flames were confined TO
the building. The loss is about 500; no
Insurance
The lsdf-tobacco sales for December.
1896. on this market were i2S7, 100 pounds:
an Increase Of l.9s.253 pounds over De-
cember. 1850 For the first quarter OF the
current tobacco year the sales were
l2.5g9.slS pounds, an increase over the
same period Of the previous year OF
2Z99, 80 pounds.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-24
Secretary Tibbitts to Marry To-Day.

Cards have been received here an
nouncing the marriage, IN Boston. to-day,
Of Nr. George +. Tibbtts. formerly Oh
This city. and Miss Ella Colberg. Mr.
Tibbitts is well remembered here as one
OF the most popular secretaries that me
Richmond Young Mems Christian Asso-
cation ever had. He was succeeded py
Mr.. Mckee. who has also won the az
fectlons Of the Richmond people ana -
c,,rving forward the good work begun by
Mr. Tibbitts The latter gentleman Is
now secretary OF the association in GIN
cinnati. and he and his bride will be Mt
home. at No. 70l Walnut street, after jan
nary list Secretary Tibbitts and wife VIII
snend next Tuesday and wednesday In
richmond, as the guests OF Mr. {. W..
Tanner.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-24

The Retail Clerks Association IL now
endeavoring 10 inaugurate an eary-clos-
ing movement with the beginning Of the
new year.
Committees have been appointed 10
wait on the clothing and gentlemen's
furnishing goods stores. and many OF
them have signed the petitions. The
clerks are very hopeful that the move
ment Will be successful this time. and
that they will secure the majority Of the
evenings in q week to themselves.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-24
Christmas ut the Apostolic Church.

There VIII be three services at the
Apostolic church, in Fulton on Christ
mas-Day. There will be a sunrise pray
er-meeting. and Pastor Daugherty will
conduct the services at II \. NJ. and at
night.
The church has organized n society.
known as the Helping Hand Society"
the object OF which Is 10 help those who
need IT, Donations of money, clothing.
dry-goods. food, or fuel will be thank
fully received. If sent TO the residence o.
Pastor John w. Daugherty. No. COZ era
ham street. or 10 Mrs. j. W. Reams
president. No. Gi2 Graham street, Fulton.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-24
ARRESTED by GAME wARDENs.
violation of the Law-NOveI Way of
Catching Hawk.

EASTNILLE, VA, December 23.-(Spe-
cial.)-Captain Washington Roe, Of Glou-
cester county. was on Tuesday arrested
for the second time on the charge Of He
gally shooting water fowl. and was
brought before Justice T. =. Robertson
by Game-Wardens John Han ana Frank
Shields, who are employed by the Eastern
Shore Game Protective Association TO
see that the laws are carried out on the
seaside Of this county. Owing TO the
absence Of witnesses, the case was post
pOned until January LIST, and Roe was adj
mitted 10 bail I'm the sum Of 500 About a
month ago Captain Roe and his brother
We're arrested FOR the same offence and
taken before Justices l.. 5. Nottingham
and John r. Read. but were discharged
without a trial. The Game Protective AS
ISOLATION has given notice that all viola
tors of the law Will be prosecuted TO the
fullest extent. Reports OF the violation
of the game laws are numerous, but no
one has yet been convicted.
Mrs. II. Il. Beatherbury, of this vicinity.
who was last week adiudged 10 be in
sane by commission OF lunacy. is in
very precarious condition. She was 10
have been taken 10 the asylum at VIII
liamsburg Yesterday. but the officer who
came for her decided that she was too IN
TO be moved. Her condition IS lamented
by hor many friends.
a colored boy living on the land Of Mr..
J. T.. Nottingham, near here. caught
large hawk the other day in rather re-
markabe way. The hawk was in the
habit Of perching on a tall pole that stood
IN the field. and from that exalted posi-
ton would watch for a chance to steal
chicken. An idea struck the colored
youth, and he straightway put it into exc
cution. Getting steel-trap. he
clambered up the pole and fastened It on
the top. The hawk came the next day
and took up its usual position, but was
considerably chagrined when he at
tempted to make a dart for birdy 10 find
that he was fast. The boy then had his
sport.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-24
Ring Presentation.

Mr.. John NJ. Fassett. foreman Of th'
packing-room at the Whtlock Branch Of
the American Tobacco Company. was thu
recipient OF very handsome gold rims
diamond Initial. donated by the packers
as a token OF their high esteem for him
Manager Harry Granger made the prcsen
tation speech In his cordial, humorou;
way. Mr.. Fassett responded I'm few
well-chosen words TO suit the occasion
and after thanking the donors for theli
unbounded generosity towards him, HI
concluded by wishing them all the com
pilments OF the season.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-24

costs, and for abusing his alleged wife.
On the latter charge security in $50 for
sixty days was required.
In the case Of James Thomas. charged
with stealing 81 from J. II. Smith, the ac-
cused was send down for four months.
The case of Royal Racks, charged with
resisting officer Murray in the discharge
of his duties, was continued until the 18th.
The case of Florence Dickinson was
sent on TO the grand jury. Florence IL
charged with pushing another colored wo-
man named Mary Holland down the steps,
and I'm the fall breaking her limb. The af-
fair occurred on the 9th of last Septem-
Der. and this was the earliest time the
woman could come 10 court.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-24
Ga. Pushed Mary Down the steps.

w. ii. Arnold was again in court yes
terday morning. on the double charge or
being drunk and raising sand In the
street, for which he was fined ~ ana
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-24
GRAIN AND COTTON EXCHANGE,

Richmond. Va, December %. 1896.
Quotations; Wheat-Longberry STq98c
mixed, S6q93c.: shortberry, SJu93c: No.
red, 93c. Corn-White. Virginia. go: No
2 white, 29c.; No. . mixed. 21G371zc. Oats
No. 2 mixed. Hi9d22c.; No mixed
2Ols@2lc. winter seed, 32d36c. Rye. 3Slf4sc
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-24
LONDON AND PARIS.

LONDON. December z5.-Bar silver.
pod Consols. ITO 1916 for money. and
III i-lG for the account.
PARIS. December %, 4:SD =. M.-Tbree
per cent. rentes, 1877. i0c.. for the a:-
count.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-24
BALTIMORE STOCK MARKET.

BALTIMORE. Md. December a.
Virginia IS. new. 7td74 1-2: do. Century.
81 5-svs2; Northern Central. 81 bid: Gas.
stock. 6oQD Ia; Gas. bends. s's. III bid;
do, Es. los l-3.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-24
FINANCIAL.
MONEY TOLOAN

We have several sums OF MONEY NOM
on hand that We can place without Gelay
on RICHMOND CITY REAL ESTATE.
SUTTON & CO..
corner Tenth and Bank streets
de 2o-Su. Tu&Th
The San Francisco call., 1896-05-31
The Prize for
Length and Size Belongs
to Antioch.
vouohed for by j. P. Abbott.

About year since a very large snake was
said to have been seen in the hills back of the
town of Martinez. We have no thrilling story
to relate, but only desire to record the fact
that T. o. Carter and Daniel Cleaves, residents
OF Antioch. and gentlemen we'll known in this
county, while riding horseback in the Diablo
hills near Round Valley, recently, were made
to realize that something unusual lay in the
path they were pursuing by the peculiar action
of their steeds, which suddenly refused to go
forward and nearly unseated their riders.
moments investigation of the cause re-
vealed to them the fact that monster snake
lay in q semi-dormant state few feet
ahead of them. Scarcely believing their eyes
did not deceive them, Carter, who had a shot
gun, emptied the contents OF both barrels,
aiming at the head of the serpent, which
Strengthened itself in the throes OF death /;
when assured that life was extinct Cleaves
measured the snake with a carpenters rule
and found its length to be thirty-one feet. The
body was from three to four inches in dame
ter. The snake was of greenish color and
had apparently just shed its winter coat. The
fact that so large member of the snake spe-
cies sho uld exist in our county seems almost
incredible, yet Messrs. Carter and Cleayes
both vouch for the accuracy of the measure
ment and assure us the length above given is
without exaggeration.
The San Francisco call., 1896-05-31
The Wonderful
Monster That a Healdsburg
Man Once Saw.
Told by Roland K. 1ruitt.


speaking of snakes makes me recall an in-
cident which happened to me twenty-five years
ago. said Roland K. Truitt, proprietor of the
Healdsburg 0pera-house, as he pushed back
his chair in the hotel, where he sat enter
tanning number of travelling men who
wanted stories of the early days in Sonoma
County.
IN those days big rattlers were as plenty as
mosquitoes in the. San Joaquin Valley in sum-
mer time, and many one have killed with
stick or a rock
81 was living on the Big Geyser ranch. and
had gone out to get my stock up. I came along
down the Geyser road, where the narrow road
way passes through Livermore Flat. The road
is narrow enough now, but in those days the
man who could pilot four-in-hand around
the dips, spurs and angles was looked upon as
being more than an ordinary mortal.
tom Crawford handled the ribbons over
the stage horses and as 1 walked up little
hill l saw the stage ahead of me. The vehicle
was standing in the road, loaded to its full
limit, but the horses-they were plunging
around and 1 expected every minute to see
that stageload of human freight dashed to
eternity over the bluff.
81 soon reached the scere OF confusion and
learned what up. The sight made my
hair stand on end, and I'll tell you, boys, got
in that stage quicker than can tell it.
Thirty or forty feet ahead of u.s. stretched
across the road, was g rattler OF immense pro-
portions. II must have been fully eight feet
in length, but this cannot vouch for as we
did not measure it. But it was as large around
q stove-pipe, its head resembling that of an
immense ug-dog, and its rattles were as large
az a tea-cup.
tom Crawford used all the power he could
command to make those horses advance, but
not step would the animals take toward the
snake. They plunged, reared and trembled by
turns, and while every passenger in the coach
expected to go over the grade to certain death
The San Francisco call., 1896-05-31
raise Cain for weeks. 1t came time for one
his jamborees and he started for San Fran
cisco. He just locked up his cabin and put
notice on the door:
REwARE: THERE is A RATTLER
LOOSE INSIDE.

'Corny got as far as wayside saloon on the
San joaquin when the great flood of '62
stopped him. For boozin' purposes the San
Joaquin 'deadfalr was ekaIly as good as San
Francisco and Corny started right in. He
whooped it up good and lively for time but the
quality OF the licker began to tell on his ner-
vous system an he had some pretty bad turns
OF the horrors, or delicious tremblin's' as the
doctors call them. Anyways his friends wanted
him to go home, but he wouldn't He used TO
wander around by the food waters between
drinks, and folks allowed that he was plum
locoed.
zone eyenin' he was settin' by the waters
edge a-tootin' on his tin whistle and watchin'
the old cabins, an dead horses, an cattle, an
pigs sailin' down stream, when he recognized
his own shanty cayortin' along. The rattler,
faithful to the last was settin' on the roof, and
when the poor beast saw Corny it ratified like
mad on the shingles till it saw he recognized
it. Then it jumped into the water and swan
ashore to him.
1.-TWO or three jolts out of Corny's bottle
soon made the rattler good and lively, an
Corny took it back with him to the hotel.
There he introduced it to all the boys, who
were considerable skeart, not believin' in the
peaceableness of the reptile.
''Corny was that pleased to see his favorite
again that he got terrible full that night, an
as the poor rattler was unused to the place
an could not wake him for information il got
wanderin' around in the dark and was killed
by some - fool.
Anyways the KILN of his pet sobered up
Corny, an he was never the same man after
ward. The sight of snake or sudden rattle
near him in the brush would break him all
up for days.
When the Horseshoe Bend worked out
he left for the ould country, for he said
he could never see snake but it reminded
him OF his lost rattler, and that there were no
r,nl-n IL, IrnIn
The San Francisco call., 1896-05-31
A San Diego
CrotaIus Horridus and a Boy
on a Bicycle.
Told by Ira C. Bennett.

big, fat rattlesnake was lying on q sandy
stretch of road near Thirty-second street in
San Diego the other day, exploiting his lazl-
ness by stretching at full length and burying
his nose and tail in the hot sand. He was
typical specimen OF the crotalus horridus, with
the wide, fat head, wicked eye and mottled
snout that have given to his species the reputa-
tion of being the most horrible living thing.
His looks did not seem to bother him, how
ever, and all he asked was to be left alone.
On the same day and on the same sandy
stretch of road boy was loafing along on a
bicycle. His name was Ray Stockwell, and his
wheel was a light racing special. The day was
mighty hot.
He wistfully looked ahead across the
patch of sand to the Thirty-second street
hill, and thought of the delight it would be
when he reached there, to elevate his legs and
sail like bird to the lower levels
Cheered by this prospect young Stockwen
hurried his pace when he suddenly arched
his back like a cat and glued his eyes on some
thing ali cad of him III the road. He tried to
lift his feet from the pedals, but
.Br-r-r-rr-rI" "Ting-a-llngP' "Wowp
Boy, wheel and snake became instantly en-
tangled in an indescribable confusion. The
snake was half coiied when the wheel hit him.
He lodged his head to avoid il, striking at the
same time with all his force, but the wheel
was on his folds and his aim fell short. That
was when the boy yelled "wowr
From that time on there was energy enough
wasted by the trio to start a boom in grave
yard. The boy rapidly accumulated goose
flesh. The wheel wobbled and shot for
ward.
The snake lashed himself TO fury He tried
to ascend and bury fang in the boys leg. and
in doing so wove himself in the spokes. Zipi
zipi he went, rs the wheel revolved. His tail
was free, and at every revolution it was fipped
against the calf of the boys leg like whip
snapper.
In this fashion the outft reached the bottom
OF the bill. As the pace slackened the boy gave
leap and untangled himself from the mass.
The San Francisco call., 1896-05-31
A BullSnake
That Famed the Flies From
a Visalia Man.
Told by c. t. Buchanan.

''About five years ago." said c. I. Buckman,,
a well-known resident of Visalia ''while was
spending q summer in the mountains north
east of Visalia, captured large bullsnake.
"Being alone in the mountains and having
lots of spare time on my hands, I was able to
teach Slippery Dick-the name had given my
strange pet-many tricks. 1 taught him to
come at call, to coil up, to dance, and many
other tricks. He would coil up on the table,
his headi in the center of the coil elevated about
six inches in the air. would place the handle
OF a small fan in his mouth and then Dick
would gently wave the fan to and fro, and thus
keep the flies and insects away from my face
when he slept.
''He was as good as a cat to keep the house
free from mice. often saw him bring in ten
or twelve in a day. His fondness for mice was
his ruin. 1t happened this way; One day
missed Dick, and though hunted and called
all day, I could not find any trace of my pet.
One day, about week after his disappearance,
having occasion to explore the loft of the
cabin in which 1 was residing, came across
the remains of my old friend Apparently he
had been more than ordinarily mouse hungry,
and in his haste to satiate his appetite had
swallowed a live mouse, and the mouse had
done the rest. Poor Dick / can imagine his
surprise at the strange eommotion on his in
side, but it was case OF reward for gluttony
No doubt he repented when it was too late.'
The San Francisco call., 1896-05-31
The Mariposa
Brand of Rattlesnake
Narrative.
Related by William Curtis.

ait was back IN '60,' said old Daddy Curtis,
"that Corny Gallagher came to the Horseshoe
Bend diggings"
William Curtis who is always affectionately
addressed as Daddy" is now in his eightieth
year, and still lives at the Horseshoe Bend on
the Merced River, about four miles from Coul-
terville. He was the pioneer settler there and
is invariably veracious in his "reminiscences.
"Gold was plenty them times" resumed
Daddy, can Corny, who was workin' a lone
hand was right in it. He had cabin down by
the river among some rocks at the lower end
of the Bend. By gosh, that was the place for
snakes, if you like. Corny never seemed to
take no notice of them, and they used to lay
en- the rocks around his cabin just like old tin
cans or bottles, glistenin' in the sun. They
WAS that fat an lazy they would not get out OF
your way, an Corny wouldn't let any one in
terfere with them.
"There was one young rattler that was dead
stuck on Corny. It would follow him about
in an out of the cabin. where it would coil up
on particular part of the earth floor an rattle
like blue blazes if stranger came near it,
Corny was supposed to keep his gold under
that spot, an he must have had q good bit o.
dust.
"At nights Corny used TO sit on an old nail
keg an play Irish tunes on a tin whistle. By
Jiminil 1t was just wonderful to see the way
that blessed rattler used to swing its head
backward and forward a-listeuin', and when
the music got lively beatin' the best o. time
with his rattles.
"Corny was quiet, decent man unless when
he loaded up on brandy, and then he would
The San Francisco call., 1896-05-31
The Tale of
An Educator and a Big
Rattlesnake.
As Told by ]. R. watson.

Professor c. F. Smyth, the well-known edu-
Gator of Hollister and formerly of San Rafael.
was Superintendent of Schools a num-
Der of years ago. There are few men in
the State that wear bigger hat than his. In
those days he was notoriously reckless with
his headgear, and it was not unusual for him
to misplace it.
He once visited newly established school
district several miles west of Guerneville.
The school was being temporarily conducted
in dflapidated old cabin, in which for several
years the snakes, owls and other renegade
children of Dame Nature had held high carni-
val. 1t was but natural that these creatures
should resent the intrusion of the school.
As Professor Smyth entered the temporary
temple OF learning he SHE'D his hat at peg.
but the head-protector sailed wide from the
mark and landed in a rock pile. Then the
educator marched inside where he frightened
poor schoolmarm out OF her wits at the sight
OF his august presence, and several small boys
lost years growth from the same cause.
When the distinguished guest was about to
depart, upon reaching for his dusty sombrero
The San Francisco call., 1896-05-31
How a Snake
And a Man and a Scorpion
Slept Together.
Told by Charles Schmidt.

Talking about snakes" said Charles Schmidt,
an Oakland painter, the other day, reminds
me that I had little experience with some
reptiles once that l shall never forget.
"I had been building cottage for myself and
before placing the doors and windows l began
to use il as a sleeping apartment / spread my
blankets on the floor, where they remained for
several days without being disturbed. One
morning 1 arose and all over my person were
large red spots. attributed it to mosquitoes,
and paid little attention to it. On the second
morning my body was in the same condition,
and also on the third morning. 1 finally be-
came alarmed and began to investigate. Toss
ing back the corner quickly ascertained the
cause of my trouble. There on the corner OF
the bed, carefully coiled, lay large three-foot
snake-not q rattiesnake, and probably not
venomous. but it is enough to say it was a
cold, clammy snake, certainly very disagree
BILE bedfellow-but hold oni Inside the coil OF
that snake lay large six-inch scorpion of the
most venomous type. They made no effort to
escape and appeared perfectly contented in
their new home"