davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-11
FOR THE FORT|FICAT|ONS.
Completion of the Appropriation
Bill by the House Com
mittee.
Among the Items Authorized Is a
Sum for the Improvement of
Benicia Arsenal.

WASHINGTON, D. e., April 10.-The
House Appropriations Committee to-day
completed the fortitcations appropriation
bill for the coming fiscal year and directed
Harmon of Nebraska to report it to the
House.
The measures as agreed to recommend
specific appropriations amounting to
SIS, s42, 1897, and in addition gives authority
to the Secretary of War to make contracts
involving the further expenditure of
$5,542, ,276, under the engineer and ordnance
departments. making total expenditure
authorized by the bill of $11, ,3s4.613.
Among the items in the bill is one appro-
teries and $25O,OO0 for sites for fortihca-
tions. Another item appropriates $450O
for the improvement of Benicia Arsenal,
Cal.
The bill contains appropriations in con-
tinuance of the policy adopted by the
Fiftieth, Fifty -irst, Fifty-second and Fifty
third Congresses. The appropriations for
the eight fiscal years. 1889-1s96, aggregate
$50, 489, ,224, or an average of So, ,S11, ,128 per
annum.
OF the item of IS. zoe, 900 for gun and
mortar batteries 81, 1856, 900 is appropriated
and contracts are authorized for the re-
mainder.
The paragraph for armament of forti-
fications authorizes the Secretary of War
to procure, by manufacture or purchase,
after due advertisement, oil-tempered and
annealed steel for {estimated) twelve g.
inch, eighteen 10-inch. eighteen 12-inch
and one 16-inch high-power coast-defense
70 ~
which $3.50, 900 is appropriated for expendi-
ture up to March, 1897.
Other items under this paragraph are
for carriages for thirty-four 6-inch guns,
thirty 10-inch guns and seventeen Pinch
guns, 81, ia 500, of which $3.50, 900 is ap-
propriated; for sixty 12-inch steel NOR
tars, $4,000, of which $216, 900 is appro-
priated; carriages for same, 1878, 600, of
which $16S,000 is appropriated; for deck
piercing and other shells for same, $163,-
800, of which $109, 200 is appropriated; for
armor-piercing shots, $98,37s, of which
$65, 800 is appropriated; for finishing eight
10 and IL inch guns at army gun factory,
$343, 1853.
1t is estimated that fifty-two 8-inch,
sixty-three 10-inch and forty-three 12-inch
guns will be completed by June 30, 1897,
at an expenditure, including the amount
named, of 81, ,217, 1853.
To complete contracts already made with
the Bethlehem Iron Company for nine 8.
inch, nine 10-inch and four 12-inch guns,
S497, ,449; for twenty-five rapid-fire guns
(5-inch and 227 lnch), $l50Oo0; for field
guns and mortars, including carriages
$194, 600; for siege guns and mortars, in
Guiding carriages, $256, $50.
The bill contains proviso that all ma
terial purchased under it shall be of Amer
ican manufacture, except when in the
judgment it is to the manifest advantage
OF the Government to purchase them
abroad In limited quantities, which mate.
rials shall be admitted free Of duty.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-11
SLOWLY STRAHGLED TO DEATH.
Terrible Fate of Little Girl at Hoboken
While Feeding Pigeons on
Roof

NEW YORK, N. Y, April 1o.-Augusta
Karlsh, II years old, daughter of Karl
Karish of HoboKen, met death yesterday
in simple yet horrible manner. She
hanged herself accidentally, and then
slowly strangled to death. The family
live on Penhorn avenue. Augusta was the
oldest child. She had cote Of trained
pigeons, which she kept on the roof and
fed daily.
Yesterday Mrs. Karish went to New
York, leaving Augusta to take care OF the
other children. After her mother had
gone the little one climbed the ladder to
the roof, where she performed her daily
task. In returning, she was holding the
trapdoor which leads from the roof with
one hand, and had the other on the rung
of the ladder. The door was heavy and
began to slip as she was about to take the
next step. She missed her footing. letting
60 her hold on the trapdoor at the same
instant. The door fell on her neck. With
her head pro iecting from the roof. her
body dangling over the ladder, the little
one slowly died.
She had been dead sever al hours when
her mother returned, and, searching for
her, was horritied to see her fastened in
the unique deathtrap.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-11
FEARFUL CRIMES
OF AN ATTORNEY.
Started In by Shooting the
President Of a Lumber
Company.
THE VICTIM A CLIENT
Going to His Home the Assassin
Killed His Wife and Three
Children.
AND THEN COMMITTED SUICIDE
It Was a Most Peculiar Tragedy and
the Motive Has Not Yet
Developed.
AND THEN COMMITTED SUICIDE

PENTWATER, MICH, April 10.-S. B.
MinshalI, an attorney. of this town, made
probably successful attempt last night to
assassinate William B. O. Sands, president
of the Sands & Maxwell Lumber Company.
After leaving Sands for dead Minshall
went to his home and shot his wife and
three children dead. and then committe d
suicide by shooting himself through the
head.
Sands had been working in the Office of
the company and started home about $50
o'clock. When within few rods of his
home man jumped out from behind a
tree and fired at him. Sands broke into a
run, the would-be assassin following him
closely and firing at his victim every few
seconds. Five shots in ali were fired, two
striking Sands in the arm and one in the
leg. AS Sands reached his door he fell
and his assailant, probably thinking he
had killed him, turned and fed. Sands
cries for help aroused members of his
household and ply sician was summoned
and the police notified.
Sands right arm was so badly shattered
that 1t was found necessary to amputate
it, and he was in a critical condition from
the shock. There was no known motive
for the attempt on MIR. Sands life, as he
was not known to have an enemy.
The police were unable to unearth cIew,
and about 80 o'clock it was decided to
enlist the services of s. B. Minshall, Mr..
Sands attorney. A messenger was sent to
his house. Failing to arouse any of the
family, he became suspicious that some
thing was wrong and forced an entrance.
Entering bedroom the messenger found
the bodies of Minshall, his wife and three
children. All five had been shot, and had
been dead for some hours. It is supposed
that Minshall after having killed Sands,
as he supposed, went to his house, shot his
wife and three children and committed
suicide.
The motive for the tragedy has not yet
developed.
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH, April 1o.-Mr.
Sands died at Z O'Clock this evening from
the wound inflicted by Minshall.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-11
HEARD THE BILL READ,
Members of the House Committee
Consider Pacific Railroads
Debts.
Agreed on Huntington's Refunding
Scheme, but There Will Be
Oppos ton.

WASHINGTON, u. G.. April 1o.-Ten
of the members of the House Committee
on Pacific Railways met this afternoon
and considered for two hours the bill to
settle the Indebtedness of the Central and
Union Pacific railw ays to the Government,
which was prepared by Joint sub-com-
mittee of the House and Senate few days
ago, the principal provisions OF which
have been already made public.
The bill, which is long one, was read
by the chairman. Powers of Vermont, and
when each section was finished the various
mem bers questioned him rs to the sepa-
rate provisions.
No change was made in the measure, nor
was any conclusion reached by the COM
mittee.
The purpose of the mem bers, except
those who formulated the measure, was to
secure information respecting it. Another
meeting will be held on Monday.
One of the members of the com mit:ee
said to THE CALL correspondent that al
though the details of the bill may be
changed in some particulars its general
features will remain as now. The bill will
be reported to the House on Monday. 1t
is believed that Hubbard of Missouri will
make minority report.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-11
Hotel Men En- R0uts.

CHICAGO. ILL, April 1O.-Hotel men
and their families by hundreds from New
York City and State, Boston and other
New England cities, from the Western and
Middle States and from the City concen-
trated in special trains of princely splen-
dor at the Dearborn-street station, en- route
to the trysting place for the annual meet
ing of the Hotel Mems Mutual Benefit
Association-Los Angeles. The New Eng.
land delegation, numbering 100 strong,
came in by special train over the Erie.
George h. Bowker of Holyoke, Mass.
was chairman of the delegation. Their
train left at $3.50 this afternoon over the
Santa Fe route
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-11
Residents of the Lake City
Assure the Committee the
Money Will Be Raised.
FORTY THOUSAND PROMISED.
The Contest for Sergeant.at.Arms
Narrowed Down to Cooper and
Frookshire.

CHICAGO, ILL, April 10.-For several
hours this afternoon and evening the SUBJ
committee of the National Democratic
Committee which has charge of the ar
rangements for the National Convention
on July Z was in session at the Palmer
House. Those present were: Chairman
w. F. Harrlty, Philadelphia; ]. G. Pra-
ther, Missouri; Thomas n. Sherley, Ken
lucky; Secretary s. Sherin, Indiana, and
Judge Adam Goodrich, who held a proxy
for Congressman Ben Cable. Mr.. Harrity
also held proxy for E. G. Wall of Wis
consin.
The entire proceedings were conducted
in executive session. A delegation from
the local committee was first received and
assured the National committeeman that
of the fund of $40, 900 that had been guar
anteed when the convention was voted to
Chicago more than one-half had been
raised and that the balance would be
forthcoming whenever it was required.
This report was regarded as eminently
satisfactory.
The statement was made unofficially that
a check for $4,000, or one-balf of the
guarantee, would be presented to Chair
I. Dickins on, who was pres ent with other
officers of his company, submitted data
from the contractors showing that the
Coliseum would be ready for occupancy
six weeks in advance of the date set for
the convention. Plans of the proposed
interior arrangements for the convention
were submitted, and it was agreed they
should be carefully examined tomorrow.
Nothing was said or done to-day con-
corning the selection of a sergeant-at-
arms but it is probable that this question
will be disposed of tomorrow evening. at
the last meeting Chairman Harrity was
taken to understand that if Pennsylvania
wanted the appointment it could have IT,
and he had about settled upon John H.
Curley, formerly of the Philadelphia Rec.
ord. Mr. Curley, however, cannot spare
the time, and Mr.. Harrity has no other
candidate. This apparently narrows the
contest to John S. Cooper of this city ard
ex-Congressman Brookshire of Crawfords-
vile, Ind. After the selection of a ser
geant-at arms, a local committee will take
up the matter of press accommodations.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-11
Rrtraditton Of Ada,ns.

WASHINGTON. D. c.. April 10.-Perry
A. Clay, Under Sheriff of Arapahoe County,
Colo, called at the State Department to-
day and secured the papers necessary to
obtain the extradition from England of
Matt S. Adams, the late clerk of that
county, who was arrested at Southampton
last week on the charge of being a de-
ia utter to the extent of $4,000. Adams is
held in London. Mr.. Clay will sail for
England without delay, armed with the
papers obtained from the State Depart
ment, the necessary evidence and war.
rant. from President Cleveland constitut-
ing him law officer of the United States.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-11

large places on the island, has for years
swarmed with lmpecunious Americans
employed in one way or another, but not
occupying any conspicuous positions. The
city has for years been place of refuge for
number of Americans who found it ex-
pedient to depart from the United States
between two doys and bury themselves in
oblivion in the Cuban capital, never COM
municating with their friends across the
water. Since the Congressional Cuban
resolutions have incensed Captain-General
Weyler and his CO. o-patriots at least fifty of
those obscure Americans, whom | was
wont to meet on the streets, have van
ished.
81 personally interested myself in sew
eral of these cases and | not only received
no satisfaction, but a prominent official
strongly limited to me that my individual
peace might be subserved were to abstain
from meddling with subjects not directly
concerning me. Self preservation being
the paramount law of nature. l protited
by the suggestion. / am certain, though,
that countless Americans have in the past
four months fallen victims to the treach
erous hatred OF the Spaniards, either by
cowardly assassination, or, what is worse,
by imprisonment in vermin-infested and
miasmatic dungeons.
''It was week after l had made in
quiries regarding the missing Americans
who disappeared from the streets of
Havana as if they had vanished in the
air. that l was arrested by two officers
wearing Spanish uniforms. They escorted
me to the Office of one OF ptain-General
Weyler's aides, who informed me that 1
was suspected OF being in sympathy with
the insurgents, suggesting the advisability
OF settling UP business affairs with the ut
most dispatch and departing from the
island. Knowing what did, considered
myself in good luck in getting off so
easily, and ten days later l was in New
York. l left my interests in the hands of
a friend, not stopping to dispose of them.
The warning l had was sufficient for me
TO make myself scarce as rapidly as posi-
ble"
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-11
Rhode Island Republicans.

PROVIDENCE, R. l.. April 1O.-The
Republican State Convention met here to-
day. Resolutions we're adopted declaring
that "the Republicans of Rhode Island
are infexibly opposed to free and unIim-
tied coinage of silver, and believe the
continued agitation of what is called the
silver question to be unpatriotic and de-
structive of all the interests of industry
and commerce.
The deiegates-at-large elected to the
National convention are: Edward L. Free
man of Lincoln, Frank Olney OF Provi-
dence, Samuel w. K. Allen OF East Green
wich and Albert L. Chester OF Westerly.
First District-John P. Sanborn, George
Z. Smith. Second District-Wa 4.
Reed, Charles Francis.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-11
CLEVEL4ND WILL TAKE TIME
IL, No Hurry to Act on the Cuban Reso.
lutions.


lttions.
WASHINGTON, D. c., April 1O.-The
Cabinet meeting to-day lasted barely an
hour and a half and was apparently de-
void of any exciting features. No pro-
gramme of action on Cuban affairs was
submitted by the President nor were any
of the other plans outlined in sensational
dispatches brought forward. Every indi-
cation points to the President taking his
own time and acting in his own way, if he
acts at all, on the concurrent Cuban reso-
lutions of Congress. Much emphasis is
laid by those supposed to be close to the
President upon this passage in his annual
message:
Whatever may be the traditional SYM
pathy OF our countrymen as individuals
with people who seem to be struggling for
larger autonomy and greater freedom,
deepened as such sympathy mutually must
be in behalf of our neighbors, yet the
plain duty OF their Government is to OBJ
serve in good faith the recognized obliga-
tions of international relationship"
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-11
GRAIN AND LIVESTOCK.
4Hserest3n0 Statistics Gathered By tn,
AOricultMraL Department.

IHsersstin0 Statistics Gathered by the
A0rtcultMraI Department.
WASHINGTON, D. c., April 10.-The
United States Department of Agriculture
to-day issued a report of the condition OF
winter grain and the health of livestock
April l, 1896, which says that consolidated
reports from townships, county and State
correspondents, show the condition of win
ter wheat is as follows: Ohio Sc, Michigan
81, Indiana n, Kentucky TO- Illinois 81,
Missouri IS, Kansas SO, California 81 aver
age for the entire country, III; last year,
81.4
Dry weather at seeding time, from which
scarcely county was exempt, largely re-
tarded or prevented termination, and the
winter covering of snow ws exceptionally
scanty. Rye suffered in most States less
than wheat. In Nebraska, Kansas and
westward there was less winter killing
than usual, owing toathe mild season, and
present conditions are reported favorable.
Condition of horses 97.6, of cattle SO, of
sheep 98.5, Of swine 93.3, which is an i'm
provement in every case over last year.
The mortality of cattle and sheep was low.
explained by the mild winter. The loss of
swine was heaviest in the important Mis-
sissippi River States, Illinois. Iowa and
Missouri, all reporting 20 per cent or over.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-11
MoRTON CYCLE CLUB.
NeU Torkers Who WiLL Go to St. LoMis
or Their Wheels.

NEW YORK, N. Y, April 1O.-Joseph
R. Clark, Kings County delegate to the
National Republican Convention, will go
to St. Louis on bicycle. Alderman Clark
has organized club of Brooklyn Repub-
licans who will accompany him. The
organization is called the Morton Cycle
Legion.
The legion will take two weeks to reach
the convention. They will carry banner
with the slogan "Morton and Victory" on
one side and the State coat of arms on. the
other. Already there are about 1000 wheel
men from this State and others that the
procession will pass through who have
announced their desire to join the long
parade. The legion was organized by
Brooklyn Republicans, who took this
means of thanking Governor Morton for
signing the Glenmore-avenue bicycle bill.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-11
ONE AMERICAN SHOT,
Henry Bridges Erecnted 6y the Spanish
in Morro Castle.

Henry Bridges Erecnted 6y the Spanish
in Morro Castle.
BOSTON, Mass, April 10.-A local paper
prints the details of the capture in Cuba of
two American seamen and the subsequent
shooting of one of them, Henry Bridges,
in MORO Castle. The story comes from
Mate Edwin Burke of the schooner Dillo.
way, now at this port, who says that
Bridges and himself shipped at Galveston
on the steamer Elsa Pickens, whose des-
tination was unannounced. The steamer
sailed, taking a southerly course, and on
February "a landed on the west coast of
CuDa. The cargo. consisting of 1900 rifles,
10000 rounds of ammunition, four breech-
loading field pieces, one Gatling-gun, hos
pital stores and medicines, were safely
taken ashore and packed upon the backs
OF mules and started inland.
lon February 20 we left Cadena for the
interior, and few hours afterward were
arrested and taken to MORO Castle and
condemned to be shot. l begged a guard
to take note to the United States Con-
sui for me, but he refused. On the follow
Ing day the guard disappeared, and two
days later was summoned TO the prison
commandant's Office, where 1 found await
ing me several American gentlemen, among
them a Mr.. Wilde, who said he repre-
sented Consul-General Williams A state
ment of my position, also a declaration
that l was an American citizen, was made
out. I informed Mr.. Wilde regarding
Bridges, and he promised to attend to his
case at once. / was sent back to prison
and remained there several days, during
which time over forty prisoners were exc
cuted to my knowledge.
FINALLY, on March "a, I was released
and sent directly to the Consul's office to
be forwarded to the United States. Bridges
was shot the day before the ConsulGeneral
received my commun ication. He, with
several others, were marched out to the
slaughter wall and shot down like dogs
with their backs to the assassins. I was
allowed no time in which to learn the
particulars of his DEATH
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-11
The Tepa. and citic.

DALLAS, TEX, April 10.-The annual
meeting of the stockholders Of the Texas
and Pacific Railroad took place to-day.
There were present George ]. Gould; Mr..
Satter.ee, secretary and treasurer; T. M.
Capbell. general manager. of the Inter
national and Great Northern, and L. S.
Thorne, general manager of the Texas Pa
cific. The old boaro of directors was re-
elected. The Gould party left for Ell Paso
tonight.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-11
Call Introduces a Joint Resolu.
ton Relating to the May.
brick Case.
AS TO CONTEMPT OF COURT.
Debs May Yet Secure Legislation to
Restrain United States
Tribunals.

WASHINGTON, D. c., April 10.-The
main portion of the session of the Senate
to-day was taken up by the Indian appro-
priation bill, the House proposition abol-
ishlng the system of contract schools for
Indian children giving rise to long and
rather interesting discussion. There was
almost unanimity of sentiment against
sudden change of system from contract
schools to Government schools, and there
was an almost equal unanimity for such
gradual change as would not do injustice
either to the religious societies which had
established the schools or to the Indian
children who attended them. The matter
went over, however, without action.
Later in the day joint resolution relat-
ing to the Imprisonment of Mrs. May brick
in England, was introduced by Call of
Florida, to the apparent annoyance OF
Sherman of Ohio, chairman of the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations, who declared
that such proposition should not have
been introduced, as the Senate had no
jurisdiction over the subject. He moved
to lay the joint resolution on the table,
to the Judiciary Committee, which dis
position was made oft.
Call inquired of the Judiciary Committee
whether that committee had made any
progress in the consideration of the matter
heretofore referred to as to the legislation
necessary to restrain United States courts
in cases of contempt. He made inquiry,
he said, at the request OF Eugene V. Debs,
one Of the leaders of the labor mo vement
in the United States.
Hoar, chairman of the Judiciary COM
mittee. stated that the matter had been
referred to Senator Hill as substitute
committee and he had undertaken to
make a careful collection of the laws on
the subject and prepare measure in COM
mittee. carefully prepared bill on the
subject had been introduced yesterday by
another member of the committee. The
committee was hurryipg with it as rapidly
as the nature of the case admitted. How
soon the matter would be ripe for report
by the committee was a question which
ought to be addressed to the Senator from
New Y ork, who was not then present.
A bill giving the aid of the Government
to the Trans Mississippi and International
Exposition at Omaha in 1898 was passed,
and the Senate at 5:25 o'clock adjourned
until Monday.