davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-03-20

skeleton woman, nearly as attenuated
as Sprague, whose name has escaped
the wonderful memory of Snowman
Ssckett. Among the other freaks with
which Barnum expected to and did as
tonish the world was Joyce Heth, the
colored woman he picked up in the
south, supposed to be 1875 years old; the
"woolly horse" and Annie Swan, the
first giantess ever on exhibition.
Sprague, on the steamer going over
to London, fell desperately in love with
the skeleton woman. She returned his
affection, and, according to Manager
Sackett, who was on the voyage, it was
a sight for che sentimental to observe
the billing and cooling of these atten-
uated specimens of Pharaohs clean
kline"
The outre love affair gave Barnum a
business hint, which he was not slow to
take advantage of, On their arrival in
dear old "Lunnon" the Snowman adver-
tised and heralded the astounding fact
far and wide that on certain day there
could be seen at st. James hall (where
they were showing) something that the
world had never before witnessed,
namely, the marriage of two living.
breathing skeletons. He also an
nounced the fact that never before in
the annals of show business had such
thing as the wedding Of freaks been
performed in public. This was fact
too.
or the enthusiastic crowds which
such unique announcement drew, or
the interesting conduct of the living
skeletons, welded in the presence of
''assembled thousands" Manager Sack
cit is silent. But he tells Of fact,
however, which is Of such interest that
it was recorded in medical works, but
never before has seen the light of
newspaper publication. That was that
q year after the marriage of the skele-
tons the wife bore child which was
also 'living skeleton"
Stranger still to relate-but Sackett
stakes his fortune on the truth of it
two other children we're also born to
Mr.. and Mrs. Sprague, and they we're
also of the skeleton mold. For many
years after ard the parents travelled
with their unnaturally thin offspril g,
and added to the stock of the worlds
establishment. including both crowned
heads and those that we're bald. The
original Sprague and his wife are dead,
but the three skeleton children, now
young men, are showing about the
country, healthy, happy and rich.
This is the only case or succession
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-03-20

reserve compose the permanent army.
The second reserve is called out only
for home defense. Taking out tina
annual losses there remain in the six
classes in the permanent army 22O,-
600 men. Adding l90,00J men of the
second reserve, gives total Of 100000
men.
The country is divided into seven
districts, there being one army corps
in each. This makes seven corps, each
composed of two divisions of infantry,
one brigade OF cavalry, one battalion
of engineers ard from one to four
companies of fortress artillery. The
footing OF the corps is the same in
peace as war. Each division has two
brigadee of two regiments of infantry
in peace. with one brigade of cavalry
for one division; one regiment Of field
artillery and sanitary and administra-
tive troops.
In the permanent army and first re-
serve there are 112 regiments of in
fantry and twenty battalions Of rifle
men. In addition there are three Afri-
can regiments, two in the Balearic isles
and one in the Canary isles. The total
Infantry strength is 562l officers and
224 1916 men.
There are twenty-eight regiments Of
cavalry in the active army and four
teen in the reserve. The first has 1O36
officers and 1856 men. The second has
5S2 officers and S4O8 men. The strength
OF the total cavalry is 1882 officers and
1864 men.
Of artillery there are fourteen regi.
ments of field and two of mountain.
A regiment of the first has thirty off.
GERS and 105 men. A regiment of the
eecond has thirty-one officers and 400
men. The total strength of the artil-
lery ia 400 officers and 10250 men.
There are forty-three companies of
fortress artillery, 255 officers and 1921
men.
In the engineering corps there are
four regiments of sappers and miners
and one of telegraphists; total 22S
officers and 1892 men.
The administration corps, consisting
of railway troops, train troops and
sanitary troops, with gendarmes, num-
bers 40 officers and II, 224 men.
Colonial troops-These consist Of the
army of Cuba, or Cuban militia, which
is indeterminate now; the army of
Porto Rico, 1877 officers and 1927 men;
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-03-20
PROGENY OF FREAKS

According to Manager T. E. Sackett
Of the Bijou theater, Isaac w. Sprague
was the first unnaturally or abnor-
mally thin skin and bones man to be
exhibited to the public under the title
Of a diving skeleton" It was during
thu palmy days of Barnum's Greatest
Show on Earth, and while that cole
brated Snowman was raking the cent?
nents in search OF curiosities in 1864.
incidentally Mr.. Sprague was in those
days with Tony Pastor. Mr.. Sackett
was acting as doortender, manager and
all-around man for Pastor. He had
previously been out with Mile Chris
tine, the two-headed girl, and had an
eye out for freaks. When the Tony
Pastor show reached Florida, Stone &
Murray's circus came there. The old
inhabitants will remember Stone &
Murray's show. It was contemporaries
GUS with Dan Rice's, Thayer & Noyes'
and afterwara with the John Robinson
circus. With Stone & Murray was
Isaac w. Sprague, the living skeleton.
Mr.. Spragus had been discovered by
Barnum in Massachusetts. He was the
first living skeleton on record since
the discovery of the world by Adam
And Sprague was real living skeleton
to =. He was nothing but skin and
bones. yet he was healthy and jolly.
In 1865 Barnum collected several Gu
riosities, including Sprague, and sent
them for tour OF the world. Sprague
was the big card. Next to him was a
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-03-20
Of Spain the United States has the fol-
lowing armored Vessels which would be
of service in the event CT hostilities:

Besides the above vessels the United
States possess a number of armored
vessels in the way of obsolete moni.
tors, the construction of which was
begun during the war. Though of lit
tie service at sea they could he utilized
as harbor defense vessels. The arma-
ment given in the above table 10 only
that of the main battery, and is incom-
plete.
Or unarmored vessels the United
States possess the following:
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-03-20

Compared with the naval strength
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-03-20
silyer,s Waning Strength in the South

SI1VefB waning StreHRtn IN TIC SONtu
But, it will be said, the silverites
have gained the south.
Oh, no! They have lost here as they
have in every other part Of the coun-
try. In 1892 they had every southern
member of the house except six. In
the present congress thirty-eight south
ern members are opposed to the free
and unlimited coinage of silver. A
majority of the representatives from
five southern states are now against
free silver, whereas in 1892 the silver
every one Of the thirteen southern
states.--Atlanta journal (Dem.l.
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-03-20
lips IN THE SPANISH NAVY

In addition to the above, there are
at the service of the United States the
dynamite cruiser Vesuvius, with its
three fifteen-inch dynamite guns; the
three torpedo boats, Gushing. Ericsson
and Stiletto, and score or more Of
old wooden vessels which would be Of
little avail.
The army of the United States con-
sists of $4,000 men and 2231 officers on
the active list. Fifteen thousand men
and 1900 officers can be used for SER
vice outside the country. The rest
are on the staff, corps and seacoast ar
tillery. The cavalry and field artillery
are superior in character and quality
to the Spanish. The guns are better.
The cavalry is armed with new
small-caliber carbine having an eight
cartridge magazine. The militia, num-
bering 10000 men. cannot be used
outside the country. It takes time to
organize volunteers, and it is estimat-
ed that it would take four weeks to or
ganize for an invasion of Cuba.
The navy is ample to protect the
country against the Spanish navy. In
q war with Spain the United States
could send at once and land in Cuba
5000 men in one week. The Spanish
navy of Cuba consists OF two armored
vessels, three protected cruisers, seven
cruisers and fourteen gunboats Of va
rying sizes; also number of torpedo
boats of the second class.-W. r. Ham
ilton in San Francisco Examiner.
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-03-20

Julia Magroder got her material for
her Princess Louisa when she was liv-
ing with Amelia Rives Chanler in Paris.
The two ladies are old and intimate
friends.
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-03-20

.sThe welfare of the Democratic party,
as we'll as that of the country, will be
greatly promoted by an outspoken
declaration for sound money" the
Nashville Banner (Dem.) says. "The
indications point to the absorption
into separate silver party of all who
place free silver above all other con-
siderations. The Democracy will lose
ground by trying to prevent the estsb-
lishment of the silver party. The Dem
ocratic party which will survive the
present century will be eound-money
party"
Birmingham state herald., 1896-12-16
CENTRAL COMMITTEE
Meeting-L. E. Buell. Elected State Secretary.

The central committee of the state or the Y. M. 0. A. held most important meeting yesterday at the rooms of the local association, corner Fourth avenue and Nineteenth street.
 There were present Chairman James Bowron Treasurer Jas. Vincent, Secre- tary w. P. Taylor, R. s. Munger, J. Strat- ton, Mark Myatt and Harry Hawkins.
 MT. H. c. Anderson, southern secretary of the international committee, with headquarters at Asheville, N. C., and MT L. E. Buell., of Springfield, Mo-, were present and took active part in the meet ing.
 The most important action of the com mittee was in extending call to MT. Buell. to act as state secretary.
 MT Buell. has been in Birmingham for the past four days, and considers the out look for the Y. M. c. A. work very prom ising. He will enter the work about Jan. and will have headquarters in Birming- ham, and will also remove his family here.
 It was voted that the next state conven- tion be held at Mobile in April in con- nection with the great international meet ing of the Young Mems Christian asso- citation. Fully one thousand delegates are expected to attend this convention from the United States and-Canada. Just previous to the international convention the general secretaries will meet at Sel- ma,
Birmingham state herald., 1896-12-16
GRAND BARBECUE Today at Methodist Bazaar. Seven days until Oratorio Messiah at St. Mary's.
 1o-16-tl 22 iuc
12-16-tl 22 inc

Probably no other high-class periodical has a field more exclusively its own than that occupied by Harper's Weekly, which has maintained it's prestige during so many years. The standard of its edi- torial page remains as high as it was placed at the beginning, and it's force has certainly not diminished Otherwise it presents every week, panorama of the world, the work of the best writers and the best artists. During the com ing year it will have, in addition to it's regular news features, three admirable serials by Mary E. Wilkins, E. F. Ben son, and John Kendrick Bangs. Western subjects will have especial attention, and two new features will consist of paragraphs on foreign happenings and of news and gossip about music and the drama. Life and Letters" by W. D. Howells will be illustrated, and This Busy World" by D. s. Martin has been enlarged. A periodical containing all this and much more and appearing fifty two times a year. would naturally sug- gest itself as most satisfactory gift during this holiday season.
Birmingham state herald., 1896-12-16
All kinds of Barbecued Meats, barbecued by Colonel Tom Jeffers, today, at Metho- dist Bazaar.
Order SpIint Coal. sun&u
DIR. J. w. SEARS.

Resolutions Adopted by the Jefferson
 County Medical Society.
 At meeting yesterday of the Jeffer- son County Medical society the following preamble and resolutions were unani- mously adopted by a rising vote:
 Death has taken from our number Dr. J. W. Scans, beloved member of this society-one of the oldest, if not the old est, in fullness of years, of the physi- clans of this city.
 Mfe to his chosen calling, and in that life he had magnified it..
 To his convictions of duty he was al- ways faithful. Simple and unassuming in manner, quiet and deliberate in ac- tion, thoughtful and wise in counsel, ever genial and courteous in association, he won the respect and hindliest regard of his fellow practitioners and the warm est affection of those who sought his aid in times of sorrow and aff1iction.
 To many home he has brought so- lace and comfort, and by many hearth stone he will be deeply mourned.
 His relations to his medical associ- ates were open, frank, upright and sin cere.
 He followed no tortuous ways, but, true to his own convictions Of right, walked without guide or self-seeking.
 We mourn his exemplary life, for in the church, the society, in the community, and, more than all, in his home, he will be sadly missed.
 Therefore. Be it Resolved, By the Jef- ferson County Medical society, in view of this bereavement, we extend to his widow and the family our assurances of deepest and most kindly sympathy in their great loss, and in the shadow that has come over the home.
 Be it further resolved, That these reso- lutionls be incorporated in our minutes, and that copy of the same be sent by our secretary to the family, and to the Alabama Medical and Surgical Age and our daily papers, with a request for their publication.
Birmingham state herald., 1896-12-16
 A GREAT EVENT
 Promised to Birmingham In the Near Future-Ya1e College Foot Ball Team to Play Here December 29.

On December 29 Birmingham will have within her gates the famous foot ball team from Yale college which is pre- pairing at this time for tour of the south during the winter, as was announced in the press dispatches in the columns of this paper few days ago.
 When the itinerary was first made out Birmingham was listed for date, but soon apprehension was felt that the nee essary guarantee to secure the famous foot ballists could not be gotten.
 Prof. Taylor, one of the most ardent and enthusiastic lovers of the sport, be- coming anxious that the Yalesians should appear here, took the matter in hand and in an incredibly short space of time had the necessary amount guaranteed.
 Those who guaranteed the amount, $500, ara Prof Taylor, Birmingham Railway and Electric company, Hon. J. A. VanHoose, Prof. Miles and Messrs. J. H. Davidson, s. E. Laird and Robert Jemison.
 The game is a go. The lovers of grid iron sport will have an opportunity of witnessing a game of foot ball between the champions and the "All-Alabama Eleven, which will be a treat of a lifetime. The Birmingham Excursion company seeing in the coming of this great aggregation of foot ballists splen- did opportunity of advertising the city, w.ll arrange for excu1eions from all the principal towns of the state on that oc- casion. President McClary. of that company, has already arranged for the necessary advertising matter, and will have a man on the road at once an- coming to Birmingham on that occa-
Birmingham state herald., 1896-12-16
Order Splint Coal. Phone ll45 and 6l4. sun&wed If.
THE SOUTHERN LEAGUE.

Memphis Ready to Fall in Line With
 the Cash Guarantee at Hand.
 The question of a Southern League of base ball clubs is again being agitated, as was apparent by the visit Of Presi- dent Henry Powers, and others, to thls city some days ago. Whether Birming- ham desires to be represented in the league has not, as yet, been made known. The field is open, though for how long, is not known.
 Memphis is ready with the guarantee money to meet the magnates, and means business, as will be seen from the fol- lowing from the Scimitar:
 Memphis will be represented at the Southern League Base Ball clubs to be held this week by Memphian-Charley Frank Frank is a Memphian without doubt, and 1t has been almost decided that he will control the players who are to wear the uniforms of this city. It is a certainty that he will attend the meet ing mentioned, with full power to act.
 It is expected that a letter will be re- ceiyed this afternoon or tomorrow at the latest from President Powers, telling when and. where the meeting will be held So soon as this information is re- ceiyed the boys here will get together, organize and detail Frank to look after the preliminary work.
 If permitted to do so the Scimitar could name half dozen prominent Memphians who have stated to Battle Brown their willingness to come to the front with money, as soon as 1t is needed. Then, too, the Citizens Street railway gives out the encouraging information that they will subscribe a good big amount to the game aside from donating free Of charge a base ball park, complete in all it's details, within twenty minutes ride of the center of the city. s
 If representatives of other cities to compose the league mean business, they will find Memphis ready to put up @ guarantee to play out the season. On the other hand, if there is no guarantee mon ey in sight, those interested here will do exactly as was done last year-that Is. pull out entirely. Under no -circum- stances will the enthusiasts here go into a league which has no sound financial foundation. .I
Birmingham state herald., 1896-12-16
Seven days until Oratoric Messiah at St. Mary's.
 I2-16-til 22 inc
Order Splint Coal.
sun&wed If.
PERSONAL.
I2-16-til 22 |

Mr H. M. Hollis, of Atlanta, is guest at the Morris. ysa.,la ..r, -.sz
 B. M. O'Rear, of Jasper, is in the city
 Associate Justice Coleman, of Eutaw is stopping at the Morris.
 Superintendent Leeds, of the motive power of the Louisville and Nashville railroad, with headquarters in Louisville, is in the city.
 The Tuesday Afternoon Whist club met with Mrs. B. F. Moore. Mrs. Will liam Cochran won the prize. The club meets next with Mrs. W. G. Estees.
 T. c. King has purchased several thous- and pairs of shoes at prices never heard of before. These goods were bought so cheap that he can save you 20 to 50 cents on every dollar.
 Ladies, we have holiday slippers for the gentlemen in a great many styles and prices. Please give us look before buy ing and oblge 1T: C.. KING,
 f 2026 1st avenue.
 Seats for "Powhatan" go on sale Fri day morning at the box office. A full dress rehearsal, with augmented orches- tras took place at the opera house last night few invited guests witnessed 1t, to their evident delight. Friday night is the first performance, and there will be special matinee on Saturday at 2;3O.
Birmingham state herald., 1896-12-16
THE DIXIE HOME

is the name of an S-page monthly, each number of which is chuck-full of mat ter pertaining to the material interests of the south. It is devoted to the up- building of the south on every line of ac- tivity and enterprise. It gives reliable information as to climate, soil, manufac- tories, and everything you want to know about the south. It has Household, Fashion, Religious, Educational, Liter ary, Agricultural and many other good features Price, 50 cents a year. Agents wanted at every postoffice. Easy work and good pay. Send for sample copy and terms to agents, etc. Address the Dixie Home Publishing company, P. O. box 326, Birmingham, Ala.
Birmingham state herald., 1896-12-16
DIR. ]. w. NEWMAN
The New Presiding Elder of the Bir- mingham District Was Formerly
 Stationed Here.

Rev. Dr. J. W. Newman, who was ap- pointed presiding elder of the Birming- ham district by the recent conference, was stationed in Birmingham some ten or fifteen years ago as pastor of the First church. He has thus come back to Bir- mingham, his first love. Our lives run circles he remarked. "We never get far away from the starting point. The hog that gets in a cornfield will root all over the field, but will go out at the hole he got in. I expected to find a new set of people here in Birmingham and in the suburban churches, but the same old set is in the lead-they hold their own we'll If man once gets in the saddle he is apt to stay there-even if he loses his money he will still be man of influence. hope my old friends will hold on for many years to come"
Birmingham state herald., 1896-12-16
All kinds of Barbecued Meats, barbecued by Colonel Tom Jeffers, today, at Metho- dist Bazaar. 'es"sfse.-f#a =.

shans. white and barred Plymouth Rocks. et.4-I@
 W. M. Long, Nashville, Tenn.-Fine Pekin ducks
 Moseley & Webb, Bessemer and Birm- ingham-White Pyle pit games
 P. M. Johns, James, Ala.-Fine lot of buff Plymouth Rocks
 L. D. Cartledge, James, Ala-White and barred Plymouth Rocks, buff Leg horns.
 George A. Steele, Birmingham-Light Brahmas f.-4=.I, -,,0 IA. C.l Emeory, Birmingham-Barred Plymouth Rocks and turkeys.
 Fred lU. Underwood, Brmingham- Homing pigeons. .0.-f.i. J. w. Armis tead, Nashville, Tenn Silver laced Wyandottes, barred Plym- outh' Rocks. ..r.. | =.I.-,'."7 A. F. Hutchings, Aldrich, Ala.-Barred Plymouth Rocks; Houdans.
 H. B. Lansden, New Market, Ala.-Baf- red Plymouth Rocks. .,t.y~ e--1f--fs -- q. George M. Clark, Chattanooga, Tenn.- Light Brahmas. -ftr
 Blue & Howard, Montgomery-Bla Langshans, Cornish Indian games, buff Leghorns and various other fowls -,g
 Zell Gaston, Greenville, Ala.-Barred Plymouth Rocks; bronze turkeys.
 J. D. Henderson, Nashville, Tenn Black Langshans. Hope Hermitage Poultry Yards Mont
Birmingham state herald., 1896-12-16
PSYCHOLOGICAL.

At the laillman hospital at 10 o'clock yesterday morning, Miss Mary Perkins, in first flush of young womanhood, at the age of 20, departed this life. '
 Deceased was the eldest daughter of MT. and Mrs. Constantine Perkins,. 2309 Seventh avenue. The past few years Miss Perkins had been residing with an aunt in Richmond, Va, where she was taking her final course in school. Sew eral months since she became a victim of stomach troubles and failing to get the desired relief in Richmond, her par ents brought her to this city in hopes of securing the much sought for relief. but to no avail
 Deceased was a most lovable young la- dy, and her demise is regretted by her many friends here. 'ii- >4'-
 The funeral will take place this morn ing at 10 o'clock from the family resi- dence, Rev. J. M. Watson, of the Chris tan church, officiating. Interment at Oak Hill. A
Birmingham state herald., 1896-12-16
CAsTo1IA The iac- H '':s:;|s'' ;'$|'' $ ZzAzzzM !::;;:,. ,: ;:;;i $
257O WON.

The monthly drawing for the $10 in gold, offered by the Gelders restaurant, took place last night, and 2570 was the lucky number In the absence of MT. Eli Smith, the drawing was conducted by Judge J. H. Montgomery, Col. Samuel L. Weaver and MT. c. H. Grier. There were something near 16,0OO tickets H. Kreutler, with the Dixie Clothing com pany, held the lucky number, and was given the shining coin. The restaurant was packed during the drawing with in tereisted ticket holders.
 MT. Gelders says he will hold semi monthly drawings hereafter, ticket to be issued with each meal taken at his restaurant giving one chance for the $1O m trn16
Birmingham state herald., 1896-12-16
GRAND BARBECUE Today at Methodist Bazaar.

gomery-White and barred Plymouth Rocks, buff Cochins and Langshans.
 Dr. w. c. Checkley, Augusta, Ga Partridge Cochins, red Pyle game Ban tams. .
 R. H. Pritchard, Gate City-Brown Leghorns and black Minorcas
 Mrs. H. H. Wiles, Birmingham-Light Brahams
 P. H. Whittington-Silver laced Wy andottes. "ae -pf4. s
 John Hickman, Elyton-Brown Leg horns.
 A. B. Hanson, Birmingham-English and Himaolya rabbits. 70
 James Stormont Elyton-Brown Leg horns.