davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-03
TRADE IN AUTOGRAPHS.
Whims of Collectors That Affect the
Value of Signatures.

whims of Collectors That Affect the
Value Of Signatures.
A considerable trade in autographs OF
celebrated persons is carried on in New
York, though the great international mar
ket for valuable autographs is London.
There are autograph as we'll as stamp
brokers'. The trade in old, rare and valu-
able postage stamps is much better sys
tematiZed than that in autographs, and
fluctuations n.the price of the latter are,
in consequence, much more general.
Autograph collectors usually secure the
signatures which they seek at private sale,
through the intervention OF autograph deal
ers, but occasionally there is public auc-
tion sale, and then new set of quotations
is established. The prices are invariably
higher in cases of deceased persons, whose
supply of autographs Except fictitious
posthumous ones, of course) is necessarily
limi tied. The value put upon signatures
of living persons by collectors fuctuates
greatly. The autographs OF distinguished
actress or singer, for instance, such as the
late Adelaide Lillian Nelson, Parepa Rosa
or Pauline Lucca, would be much in de-
mand while she was public favorite, but
the demand for them would, as it has
done, decrease after her retirement.
At public sale of rare and valuable
autographs in London some years ago the
signature OF George Washington brought
f10, or $50, an autograph of Benjamin
Franklin f6, or $50, and one of Washing
ton Irving, 81, or So At the same sale
an autograph of Walter Scott brought f17.
and an autograph of Rober: Burns els.
The caprice of collectors of autographs
was shown by the fact that a signature OF
George Eliot and one of Queen Elizabeth
brought the same price, ELL, or 500. The
autograph of Lord Nelson brought ELL,
and of Thackeray f6. An autograph OF
| Schiller brought &C. and of Richelieu, f5.
At an American sale of autographs few
| years ago the highest price obtained was
$50 for the signature OF Roger Sherman.
The autograph of Napoleon / brought $3l,
that of Thomas Jefferson Sc, Andrew
Jackson $5 so, Aaron Burr 81 80, Benjamin
Franklin 81, Patrick Henry $S, James
Madison S. so and Davy Crockett (such is
fancy So 45. A signature of Washington
graph of Benedict Arnold (date 1772l was
quoted few years ago at $40 and one OF
| Martin Van Buren, GS47) at $4 80. The
plain, spirited and striking signature of
John Hancock, first of the signers of the
Declaration of independence, familiar
to every schoolboy, is rated among col
lectors at $8, and the signature of Jefferson
DAVIS, president of the Confederacy, at 81.
James Monroe, who formulated the
Monroe doctrine, does not stand high in
the good graces of autograph hunters. tor
| his signature while President of the United
| States sells in the autograph market for
| 81. James Buchanan's signature, forty
years later, but probably much rarer, sells
for 81. Three celebrities, whose auto
collectors, are Lord Byron, Robespierre
and Lord Chesterfield. Sarah Bernhardts IS
signature in the autograph market may be
| secured for $3.-New York Sun.
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-03
Cats and Their Ways.

Cats do not take punishment as dogs do !;
their tempers rise, and if struck they are
apt to strike back; but beyond gentle
cuff to a kitten, now and then, l find a
scolding or an exclamation of rebuke
enough. They are also less intelligent and
forgiving than dog if unintentionally
kicked or trodden on. There is no more
beautiful expression in dogs tace than
the look he turns to friend who has in
voluntarily hurt MIN, before there is time
to explain; his whole demeanor expresses
the highest magnanimlty, not only the
foregone pardon but the eager desire that
the offender shall think no more OF the
matter.
In many respects cats are more like men
and women than dogs are; they have
moods and their nature is complex. A dog
is very much of a piece; he is a good dog
or a bad dog, brave or cowardly. honest or
sneak; the canine intelligence is much
higher than the feline, but the disposition
is sim pier.
Cats are exceedingly irritable by tenn
perament, sensitive to changes of the
weather, to frost. to thunder; they are ex-
citaple and naturally disposed to bite and
scratch when at play; there is a curious
tendency in them, as in ill-balanced or
overstrung human beings, to lose their
heads when in high spirits, and the self
command most OF them show when full
grown in resisting these impulses is
striking proof of conscious responsibility.
A fall grown pet cat scarcely ever
scratches young child, no matter how
much mauled by it. Besides being irri-
table they are moody and subject to de-
preston, probably a physical reaction from
the former condition. Princess, though
not a sullen cat, would sometimes forsake
the hearth or verandas and pass days by
herself on the garden wall or under a
bush, not Ill nor out OF temper, but out of
spirits. morbid. and wishing for solitude
instead of the sympathy which she always
sought in her real ailments and bereave-
ments.
Her peculiarities, both of race and indi-
viduaIity, were remarkably defined, even
when she held them in restraint, but, with
one exception, all the cats l have known
are captious. Their instinct when ill or
sad is to be alone, but this is entirely neu-
tralized by petting; they become as de-
pendent on caresses and sympathy as chill
dren, and much wiser than children when
they are i'll or injured, as they apply for
relief with the most unmistakable sugges-'I
tions, sometimes indicating plainly where
they are in pain and presenting the suffer
ing mem Der for treatment. They are not
SO patient as dogs in taking medicine or
submitting to surgical care. but show their
recognition of its benefit by coming back
for it under similar circumstances.-Tem
pie Bar.
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-03
Gil will convene, Miss Overman being prob
ably the first witness called.
MATTE MUST TESTIFY.
she Has Been Subpenaed, With Mrs.
Tunnel and DR.. Brown, for the
Davidson Case.


Tunnel and DR.. Brown, for the
Davidson Case.
The troubles OF Miss Overman have no
more than commenced, for her peculiar
story told before the council in the Brown
trial must be repeated in the Superior
Court, and this time under an oath, to yio-
late which is perjury. She is wanted as
witness in the case against Mrs. Davidson,
and subpoena has been issued for her.
Subpenas are also out for DR.. Brown and
Mrs. Tunnel. and all at the request of
George a. Knight, Mrs. Davidson's attor-
ney.
1t is thought by the defense in the Da-
wilson case> that Miss Overman's testl-
mony before the council would be valuab bic
if repeated in court, and the evidence of
the others also is wanted for the defense,
as there is much Mrs. Tunnel and DR..
Brown can tell, Knight thinks, which will
help, rather than harm, his clients cause.
He has not heard the stories OF any of
these witnesses except through the papers,
but he is afraid they will all vanish when
the Davidson case comes to trial, SO to
prevent any attempt at emigration sub
penas were asked for, and by this time
have probably been served on the three
most important witnesses.
Mrs. Davidson's s bail has been reduced
from $4,000 to $4,000 by order of Judge
Bahrs. before whom the charge against
her Will be tried. knight appeared in
court yesterday and made a motion for
reduction of the amount, and, the District
Attorney consenting, the order was made.
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-03

recently from the country, went into Nc
Phee's restaurant. 1907 Market street, last
night and ordered 10-cent meal. When
he went to the counter to settle he found
he had only a nickel. so he bolted out of
the door and the proprietor started after
him yelling "Stop thiefr'
Devine ran into Oak street, hotly pur-
sued by McPhee and a crowd who had
been attracted by the cries OF "Stop thief"
Policeman O'Connell joined in the chase
and called upon Devine to stop, but he
continued on his way. O'Connell fired a
shot to intimidate him, but it had the ef-
feet of increasing his speed Devine had
just turned into Cough street when he ran
into the arms of Policeman Brownlee. lie
was taken to the City Prison and charged
with defrauding an innkeeper.
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-03

IL
uod
De = =
at $500.
at
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-03
Native Sons of the Golden West.

Grand Vice President Gesford Grand Secretary
Lunstedt and Others visited Las Positas Parlor
last Monday.
The two social events OF the week were the ball
given by San Francisco Parlor and the banquet
given by Columbia Parlor. These given on
Saturday night, in Social hall and the other In
the banquet hall of the new building. Both were
well attended and each proved a complete success.
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-03
Mary Anderson Declines Princely Offers.

Offers, princely in their nature, are re-
peatedly being made to Mary Anderson de
Navarro to return to the stage, writes
Edward w. Box in March Ladies' Home
journal, but she turns deaf ear to them
all. Only the past summer overtures
came to her from an American manager,
which insured big fortune if she would
consent to return to the stage for brief
period. There were six figures in the
amount stipulated, and the first figure was
equal to the total number of numerals in
the whole amount. But it had no effect
upon her. She turned away from it easily
and without an effort. mo- she said, II
am through with the STAGE" And that
was all.
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-03

A writer, who was within few feet OF a
lion when he killed donkey, says that
the weight of the lions body dashed the
donkey to the ground, but from the gasp
Ing sound he heard-it was too dark to
see--tne donkey was evidently choked to
death.
The San Francisco call., 1896-03-03
PURSUIT AND CAPTURE.

John Devine Arrested for Defrauding
an Innkeeper.
John Devine, a laborer, "a years of age.
Crawford avalanche., 1896-06-04
News Of Minor Note.

A business block Mt Burket, Ind. COL
lapsed. One man. Joseph Condor. was
killed and four others were injured. one
fatally.
Gov. Morton has signed the bill of As
semblyman Austin authorizing an in
crease in the New York police force Of
GOO patrolmen.
ca. John Echols, of Louisville. died
at staunton, Va. He was G. z. Hunting
tons Southern representative, and was
vice-president and receiver Of the Chesa-
peake and Ohio Railroad.
The whole Sawyer family. consisting OF
father, mother and grown-up son. were
discovered in their home, mile east Of
Ava, No., murdered. Robbery appears
to have been le motive.
A. @. Putnam, president of the Chad.
ron Banking Company of Chadron. Neb..
which went into receivers hands re-
Gently, was arrested for receiving money
when he knew the institution was insolv-
ent.
Miss Mary Isabella Stewart. the young
est daughter Of Senator Stewart. was
married to Francis Lithgow Payson. son
OF Francis Payson, OF New York. a.
Senator Stewards residence in Wasbipr.
ton.
Crawford avalanche., 1896-06-04
DIGGING UP THE DEAD
Weeks Will Have Passed Before the
Full Extent Of the Calamity 10
Known-whoIe Country Offers Help
-List Of Dead by Towns.


The full extent of the havoc wrought
by storms which swept over portions OF
Illinois and Missouri cannot be known
for several days. In many places teie-
graph wires are down, and communica-
ton with these points cannot be had at
the time this Is written. The reports 30
far as received show the storm to have
been widespread and fatal to a degree
never before known in the history OF the
country. In st. Louis alone the angel OF
death only knows how many victims ne
gathered unto himself when he rode into
that city "Wednesday night on the wings
Of the wind. Not for days, IL ever, VIII
the list of victims be complete. Nearly
half of st. Louis is burial ground, ana
across the river in East st. Louis the dis
mantled. wrecked, and demolished
structures seem to cover single
grave of uncounted dead. They arc being
counted one by one as the masses OF shat
tered brick, stone and lumber are cleared
away, but in all probability The exact
number of those whose lives were crushed
out by falling walls or who met tarir fate
under the waters of the raging Mississippi
will never be known. Appended is Il care
ful and conservative estimate of tbe killed
and injured based on the most reliable
information obtainable:
Crawford avalanche., 1896-06-04

~. The news wns' circulated thero on
Newspaper placardn that the ''steamer St.
Louis" was wrecked and - thousand
lives lost" This startling announcement,
evidently an English contortion OF the
tornado disaster at Bt. Louis, spread
throughout the c1ty, and caused much
excitement on the Stock Exchange and
elsewhere. The result was that the Offices
OF the American Steamship Company
we're bcsiesed for hours by friends Of N
tending passengers booked to cross me
Atlantic on that steamer, and the excite
rnent 'at the ofkiees eventually became so
great that the American Line was< com
PEELED to send out notice to the e1tGct
that its stcnmer, the st. Louis, was safely
moorcd at her dock I'm the port Of New
York, and that the stey that she had
been wrecked with the loss Of a thousand
lives ans utterly untrue. The excitement
eventually subsidized, but not without some
very bitter comments on the stupidity OF
those who issued the misleading news
placards.
Crawford avalanche., 1896-06-04

Value of Property Destroyed.

Neither can the total value of property
destroyed be given. Estimates in the
various papers vary from $10,O00,OO0 to
$3J,000.OOO. 1t Is not likely. however,
the damage will be over S15 100000. On
this vast loss there is practically no in
surance and little salvage. There are
probably not 100 people in st. Louis who
carried cyclone policies, and they were Of
the better class who were not the ones to
suffer. 1t is the common people who are
mourning to-day. mourning over the biers
of their loved and lost. and over the total
annihilation of what few worldly goods
they owned.
The damage 10 the hall in which the
national Republican convention is to be
held was slight as compared with other
losses. It being confined largely to the
carrying away Of part of the roof and in
monetary value will not exceed $1,000.
st. Louis is looking after its own. The
mOneyed men Of the town have put their
hands into their pockets. and will go
deeper as the occasion demands. At a
public meeting the day following the
storm $1,000 was rrised, and that
amount was more than doubled within
twenty-four hours afterward. The woes
OF the wounded and homeless have stirred
the great heart Of the country to its
depths. St. Louis is the stricken child Of
the nation. and offers of aid have been
rendered from every quarter. Congress
passed joint resolution directing the
Secretary of War to place at the disposal
Of the Mayors OF the stricken cities a suffi.
cicnt number OF tents to provide for the
temporary necessities of the homeless and
to render such aid as might be IN his
power. There are eight or ten boats used
In the Mississippi river improvement
which are able to render assistance, and
these were ordered to the scene of the
disaster. The Mayors of all large cities,
presidents Of Boards Of Trade and COM
mcrcial clubs telegraphed offers Of assist
ance. Gov. Stone ordered militia to st.
Louis to protect the stricken people and
their scattered property. and Gov. Alt
geld sent two companies TO East st. Louis
The Mayor of that city believes at pres
ent that the outside help will not be need
cd The offers that have poured in on
him have been tentatively declined. 1t
shows cemmendable spirit of self-reli-
ance and courage. but as the needs of the
peop,e are revealed this aid may be found
necessary to meet them. and its accept
ance will not dctract from the city's dig.
nifty.
The dead will be buried and some may
he forgotten: new buildings will take the
place of those that lie level with the
streets to-day. and the smoke Of the city
will soon destroy the ncwncss thereof,
bat the memory Of that visitation of
wind will never fade from the minds of
those who witnessed it,
Crawford avalanche., 1896-06-04
MARKET QUOTATIONS.

Chicago-Cattle, common to prime,
$3.50 to $3.50; hogs, shipping grades,
$500 to 1915; sheep, fair to choice, $3.50
to $4.25; wheat, No. 2 red, SIC to SOC;
corn, No. 2, 21c to Csc; oats, No. 9, tic
to 1Sc; rye, No. 2, 34c to 35c; butter,
choice creamery, lac to 16c; eggs, fresh,
&c to lie; potatoes, per bushel, 12c to
Zoe; broom corn, $25 to $50 per ton for
common to choice.
Indianapolis-Cattle, shipping, $500 to
$3.50; hogs, choice light, $500 to $3.50;
sheep, common to prime, $500 to $4.OO;
wheat, No. 2, G4c to 66c; corn, No.
white, 29c to Bic; oats, No. 2 white, 21c
to 23c.
st. Louis-Cattle, $500 to $3.50; hogs,
$500 to $3.50; wheat, No. 2 red, 59c to
61c; corn. No. 2 yellow, 26c to &c; oats,
No. white, 17c to 1Sc; rye, No. 2, 34c
to 36c.
=, Cincinnati-Cattle, $3.50 to $3.50; hogs,
$500 to $3.50; sheep, $3.50 to a$3.75;
wheat, No. 2, 65c to &c; corn, No. 2
mixed, 29c to 30c; oats, No. mixed, PIC
to DC; rye, No, 2, 35c to &c. ~ =
Detroit-Cattle, $3.50 to $3.50; hogs,
$500 to $3.75; sheep, $500 to $3.T5:
wheat, No, 2 red, 05c to 66c; corn, No. .
yellow, 2Ic to CSC; oats, No. . white, zoe
to 22c; rye, 34c to 36c. iid
Toledo-Wheat, No. 2 red, CSC to- 69c:
corn, No. 2 yellow, &c to 29c;, oats, No
2 white, 19c to 20c; rye, No. 2, 35c to 37c:
clover seed, $3.50 to $455.
Milwaukee-Wheat, No.s2 spring. 5Sc
to Soc; corn, No. 3, 2Sc to zoe; oats. No.
2 white, 19c to 20c; barley, No. 2, 31c4to
33c; rye, No. /, 35c to &c; pork, mess,
$500 to $3.50.
Buffalo--Cattle, $3.50 to $3.50; hogs,
$500 to $3.75; sheep, 1925 to $4.OO;
wheat, No. 2 red, 69c to T2c: corn, No.
2 yellow, BIC to 34c; oats, No. 2 white,
23c to 25c.
New York-Cattle, $500 to SAFE; hogs.
$500 to $4.25; sheep, 500 to S4.25;
wheat, No. 2 red, Tic to 72c; corn, No. 2,
33c to 35c; oats, No. white, 23c to 24c;
butter, creamery, 12c to 10c; eggs, West
ern, lie 70 l2e
Crawford avalanche., 1896-06-04

City visitsd By Ope Of the worst
etorans In Ito uistory.
Cloudburst. vivid lightning and destruc-
tive wind combined In q storm that struck
Chicago Sunday night and swept with un-
paralIeled fury the whole Of the upper
Mississippi valley. Trees were s4papped
of like stalks Of wheat. Houses that
stood in the way of the storm were caught
In the grasp of tempest more fierce tlan
any that has visited the Chicago region
within the memory of man and were toss
ed like the playthings Of children Into
wreck and confusion. Slender wires that
carried the messages of telegraph and tel
ephone were stripped from the poles and
left lashing the earth on which beat the
deluge Of water. The cities within one
hundred miles Of Chicago seem all TO have
suffered with singular equality from the
ferocity OF the storm. Upon Elgin the
blow seemed rather heavier, but 1t was
chiefly because no other place presented
so many chances. One man was killed in
the ruins Of house that sunk like an
eggshell under the blow of the hurricane.
Other. structures We're unrodfed, and
bridges were damaged. Telegraph and
telephone poles were driven level with
the earth. Immense damage was done to
the beautiful little city.
Crawford avalanche., 1896-06-04

IN pleasure. The churches are open
every evening for prayer, and are usu-
ally largely attended. The regular
church services are OF very simple
nature. consisting Of prayer, song. read
ing the Scriptures, and a brief exhor-
tation by one OF the elders.
There Is commercial and Industrial
side to the community which gives 1t
great Importance and wide celebrity
in the West. 1t was not the Idea of the
founders of the colony to limit 1t to a
merely agricultural settlement Their
plan embraced the production OF all
the things needed In the life of the COM
munity. They were ambitious to make
1t thoroughly independent aggrega-
tion of people. For this purpose they
early founded Industries demanded by
their most pressing necessities. Some
of these have fiourished, and, In addl-
tion to supplying the specific needs Of
the colony, are source OF large rev.
enue. The great industry OF the In
.spirationists centers In the woolen and
print mills. There are two large woolen
mills, the one at Amana proper having
four complete sets of Neutrality-suspicious.
mules and jacks" to use the technical
phrase. At Middle Amana there Is a
mill of equal capacity. Both Of these
mills are run to their full capacity all
the year-the wool being chiefly bought
in Texas by agents of the society. and
the fiannels, blankets and yarns pro-
duced are Of concededly high quality.
The print works at Amana proper Is
where the famous colony blue" is
spun-a color which distinguishes tn,
dress Of the society, and which In the
name Of the goods has found its way to
the merchants counters all over the
country. 1t Is a staple article OF trade
In the dry-goods business in the West,
and purchasers pay more for 1t In the
confident faith that they are buying
just what the goods are represented to
be. There are several large Touring
mills, employing the modern roller
process, large machine shop. and the
various minor trades are represented
b. artisans who are thoroughly equip
ped with machinery and tools.
Crawford avalanche., 1896-06-04
Largest Sailing ships Afioat.

The British full-rigged ship Somali,
one of the most colossal sailing vessels
afioat, has Just reached. New York from
Calcutta In command Of Captain Han.
noy, and manned by crew Of thirty.
nine men.
= The Somali registers 1886 tons and
spreads $1,000 square feet of canvas.
1T Is consigned to James Parker & Co.,
who say 1t is the largest British sailing
ship now afioat. The hull of the Somali
is OF steel. Under full sail 1t left CAL
cutta on Jan. 2 last and made the trip
In 116 days. Captain Hannoy said the
voyage was without incident and the
weatner favorable throughout. II
brings 1000 tons Of general cargo,
which will be discharged at Erie Basin.
Crawford avalanche., 1896-06-04
Killed. Injured.
UNCLE SAM TO THE RESCUE.
Prompt Aid for st. Louis Authorized
by the Lower House.

Prompt Aid for st. Louis Authorized
by the Lower House.
Representative Joy, Of st. Louis, drew
a resolution which Speaker Reed permit
ted him to call up in the House Thursday
morning, and which Mr.. Joy will endea-
vor to have introduced in the Senate. 1t
follows: "Be it resolved by the Senate and
House of Representatives, in Congress
assembled, That the Secretary of War be
and he is hereby authorized to lend the
Mayors of the cities Of st. Louis and East
st. Louis, under such regulations and
restrictions as he may deem proper, a
sufficient. number of tents to temporarily
shelter such citizens of said cities as may
have lost their homes by the tornado"
The House adopted the resolution author
izing the Secretary of War to afford tenn
porary relief to st. Louis sufferers. The
st. Louis horror was the theme of a
touching and eloquent prayer by Rev. DIR.
Milburn, the blind chaplain of the Senate,
at the opening of the session. 80. God"
he prayed, "we stand aghast at the awful
tokens of thy power and majesty. The
earth is shaken and trembles and the
foundations Of the hills are shaken"
Divine mercy was invoked for the strick-
en- city of st. Louis, succor for the maim-
ed and afflicted, strength and aid to those
ministering relief, and protection from
another visitation of divine wrath. AL
most the sole topic of conversation among
the members of the House was the st.
Louis tornado. Members stood about in
groups and discussed the horrible details.
The ST Louis members. Messrs. Cobb,
Bartholdt and JOY, and Mr.. Murphy, Of
Illinois, who lives in East st. Louis, were
almost frantic with anxiety.