davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Portland daily press., 1897-07-13
BAD NEW HAMPSHIRE MAN.
Tried to Kill Man He Had Robbed and
Escaped From OfHcers.

Hanover, N. H., July IA man call
ing himself Charles Barker, who has been
employed by James Brigham, delivering
ice since the 18th of last April, left Sat
urday night without notice. Mr.. Brig.
ham missed some money and went to
Joseph Merrill in Norwich; VT, Sun
day morning, where he found Baker, and
charged him with taking the money,
whereupon Baker drew revolver and
fired at Brigham, the ball grazing his
face, and passing through the right ear
inf1icting a flesh wound. Baker then
made his escape. He was traced to Fast
Thetford, thence to Sharon, VT, where
he took a Vermont Central train with a
ticket for Boston.
Word was telephoned to White River
Junction to arrest Baker on the arrival OF
the train. Sheriff Hoffman arrested him
on the train and delivered him, hand
cuffed to Policeman John Hutchison, who
has charge of the lobby. When Hutchison
unlocked the cell, Baker knocked him
senseless with the handouts, and placing
him in the cell, took his revolver and
with the money he had about him, locked
him in and relieving himself of the hand.
cuffs, made his escape. He was seen after
wards in Norwich, VT, by two men who
tried to stop him, but he told them he
would never be taken alive and they
better not interfere with him. There is
great excitement in Norwich and Hanover
and officers are on his trail with the
chances of his speedy capture.
The Portland daily press., 1897-07-13

commissioners Monday afternoon for ar
ticles of association petitioned for by the
directors of the Aroostook Northern rail-
road. Hon. A. A. Burleigh of Houlton
appeared for the railroad company The
petition was granted and Mr.. Burleigh
says work will at once be commenced
upon its construction. Men already have
been getting things into condition for
laying out the tracks, etc.
The bonds amounting to 1926, 200 have
all been placed at very flattering figure,
and it seems the prospects of successful
road could not be better. 1t will run from
Caribou where it will connect with the
Bangor & Aroostook railroad and thence
extend through Fort Fairfield to the
terminus at Limestone, over most fer
tile country, the products of which will
find a ready shipment by the new road.
1t will also open up great field for lum-
ber shipment. The road will probably
be completed by November
The Portland daily press., 1897-07-13

attempting to defraud.)
pleasant room, and seemed to be fully en-
joying his stay. But the fact that he had
no baggage made the hotel people sus-
picious of him. so he was summoned to
the office, Saturday night, and questie ned
as to his intentions. When asked if he
could not make an advance deposit, as a
guarantee of good faith, he cheerfully re-
piled in the affirmative, and whipping
out blank check on the First National
bank, Biddeford, proceeded to fill it out,
in the sum of $50, making it payable to
Henry w. Staples, the proprietor, and
signing it, George L. Richards.
Mr.. Staples had considerable doubt as
to the genuineness of the check, and he
asked the stranger to prove his identity
The guest volunteered to go out himself
and bring in somebody to identify him.
Mr.. Staples retained possession of the
check, awaiting the return of Mr.
Richards, but the latter failed to reappear
Chief of Police w. A. Whittier was
quietly notified of the affair, and he kept
sharp lookout for the missing guest
Yesterday the same Mr.. Richards was at
Hotel Fiske, enquiring the prices of board
for four people, whom he said would
shortly be here for long stay. In the
early evening, when Mr.. Staples and
Chief Whittier were talking over the
matter, at the railroad station, they saw
the much sought for man, coming down
the railroad walk. They stopped him,
and Mr.. Staples asked what he had done
with the key to the room.
81 left it in the door," was his reply.
Then Mr.. Staples asked payment of the
bill already incurred, and Richards re-
piled that he had no money. Chief
Whittier took him in tow and lodged him
in the lookup.
The prisoner declined to make any talk
with the officers. No money was found
n his possession. His coat bore the
trademark of New York firm of
clothiers, and in one of his pockets was
found a pill box bearing the name of a
druggist of Rochester, N Y.
He was arraigned today before Trial
Justice Yates, pleaded not guilty to a
charge of attempting to defraud, and the
hearing was continued Ntill Thursday.
Lawyer George F. Haley of SBiddeford has
been retained by the prisoner, who in
formed the officers that enough money
would be sent him Thursday to enable
him to secure bail.
ST believe said Chief Whittier to the
PRESS correspondent, ''that this man is
an advance member Of a gang of pro-
fessional crooks, and that his object in
coming here was to open the way for ex-
tensive operations"
The man is about fifty years of age,
weighs about 200 pounds, and is five feet,
eight inches in height. He is dark COM
plexioned, and has slight French accent.
He sat for his picture at Bakers photo
graph rooms, after his arraignment.
The Portland daily press., 1897-07-13
CONSUL TO THREE RIVERS.
President Designates Biddeford Man
for Place.

Biddeford, July 12.-Urabin j. Ledoux
has been designated by the President for
appointment as consul at Three Rivers,
Canada. Mr.. Ledoux received a letter
from the second assistant secretary of
state this morning announcing the fact,
and notifying him to appear in Wasbing-
ton at the Consular Bureau for the regular
examination on Tuesday, July 20. Mr..
Ledoux will leave next Monday for Wash
ington and his appointment will probably
be forwarded to the Senate next week. 4
The office of consul at Three Rivers car.
ries with it a salary of $500 year. be-
sides fees which are said to make the
office worth about $25OO. f. x. Belleau
of Lewiston, the present, consul, has for
warded his resignation.
1t is believed that the ratification Of
this appointment will make Mr.. Ledouz
the youngest consul in the service. He il
not yet twenty three years of age, having
been born August 13, 1874.
|
The Portland daily press., 1897-07-13
LEAGUE TO NuLLlFY LAW.
Rev. Mr.. Berry's Charges Against State
Judiciary and Executive.
ESPECIAL TO THE PREss.1

Saco, July 12.-Rev. W. F. Berry of
Portland, tonight delivered temperance
address here in the interest of an en-
deavor to form a local branch of the
Maine Civic League. GIN the course of.the
address he declared the Executive Off
GERS and the Judiciary department are
combining in setting aside the intent
the Of prohibitory law so as to help out
County ]. treasures. No judge in the
State imposes sentences of imprison-
ment On any seller who can be made to
pay fine. Articles for organization
were signed at the conclusion of the ad-
dress.
The final session in the series of tenn
perance mass meetings was held at the
camp grounds tonight. Rev. D. T. Cal
of Biddeford spoke an hour on general is.
sues and incidentally arraigned the jul
dietary and executive officers for the lack
of enforcement of the prohibition laws
He declared that the hard times are due
not to political causes, but the tremen.
dous expenditures for liquor.
The Portland daily press., 1897-07-13
A Georgia Mystery.

Atlanta, Ca, July 12.-Specials to the
Journal from Quitman, Brooks county,
confirm the reports finding there of q
woman's body hacked to pieces, and
packed in a barrel, which had been buried
in a swamp. The discovery was made by
farmer named Jacob Wooten, on Mule
creek. The body was tumbled into bar
rel and dirt packed around it, but 1t was
still in a remarkable state of preserya-
tion, the flesh retaining almost its natural
coloring. The top Of the barrel was de-
cayed and pine roots had worked through
its sides. This would seem to indicate
that the body had been there for some.
The Portland daily press., 1897-07-13
OBITUARY.


Mr.. Freeman T Merrill died at his
residence on Wilmot street at 1.15 this
morning. He never recovered concious-
ness after the paralytic shock he suf-
fered on Wednesday night last.
Mr.. Merrill was about sixty years OF
age. When young he learned the black
smiths trade and was employed for years
in the Portland Company. He went to
Aspinwall, Isthmus of Panama, with
engines from the Company. He could
not stand the climate and returned
North.
During the rebellion he enlisted il
the 25th Maine regiment, Gen. Francis
Fessendens, and served the term o.
nine months.
Soon after his return from the war
1870, he became patroleman on the
police force and remained there, mos
efficient officer until fewlyears ago
serving as patrolman and deput,
marshal.
Mr.. Merrill was very prominent in ODD
Fellowship. He was a member of Har
mony lodge, Machigonne Encampment
and the Relief. He ha'
passed through the several chairs and al
the. meeting of the Sovereign Crane
Lodge in San Francisco, few years ago
he was one of the lgrand representatives
Mr.. Merrill leaves widow and son
Mr.. Harry F. Merrill, the we'll known
singer
The Portland daily press., 1897-07-13
Weather Observation.

Tho agricultural department weather
bureau for yesterday, July 12, taken
at p. M, meridian time, the observa
tion for each section being given in this
order: Temperature, direction of wind,
state of weather:
Boston, 76, S, cloudy: New York. "a
S, rain; Philadelphia, IA, Sc, cloudy
Washington, 72, NV, cloudy; Albany,
70, Sc, rain; Buffalo, 70, N, clear;
Detroit. 66, NJ rain; Chicago
"a, N, p cloudy; st. Paul, u
NE. clear; Huron, Oak. so, NE, clear
Bismarck. 78, Sc clear; Jack
tsonyille, 80; SW, cloudy.
The Portland daily press., 1897-07-13
INTERVIEWED SALISBURY.
American BimetalIic Commissioners Are
Now In England.

London, July 12.-An important con-
ference was held at the foreign office to-
day between Senator Wolcott, former
Vice. President Stevenson and Gen. Paine.
the members of the United States bime-
tallic commission, and Ambassador Hay
and Lord Salisbury, Sir Michael Hicks.
Beach, chancellor of the exchequer; Mr..
Arthur Balfour, first lord of the treasury,
and Lord George Hamilton, secretary of
state for India.
The conference, which lasted an hour.
was preliminary to the carrying on of
further negotiations on the subject of in
ternational bimetalllsm. The Americans
did most Of the talking. Lord Salisbury
inquired what were the powers of the
American commissioners, and was in
formed that they stand authorized to
make arrangements for the holding of an
international conference or to negotiate a
treaty of international bimetallism, which
they might submit to their government
for ratification.
1t was stated also that France was ready
to cooperate with the United States.
Great Britain and Germany in reaching
an agreement for international bi-metal-
lism
The British representatives present
made no statement indicating their in
tentions in the matter.
Consultations of high British officials
| will be held before another meeting with
the American commission and in the
meantime the latter will privately discuss
the question with Baron Rothschild and
other financiers and endeavor to secure
| their support.
Lord Salisbury, accompanied Messrs.
Walcott, Stevenson and Paine to luncheon
at Windsor on Saturday, when they were
received by the Queen, and presented to
Her Majesty their commissions as spec
ial ENJOYS. The reception was entirely
| formal.
The Portland daily press., 1897-07-13
Marrow Escape for Government.

narrow escape from defeat in the Chamber
CT Deputies fodav The ministers desired
Is, ,4.t,zsls l4@4o4E sS..iI;I4a t4aG siiscd ssioli
Of the bill for the readjustment of the
direct taxes, the passage of which would
chiefly benefit the peasantry.
In the first division the government
was defeated by vote of 270 to 245. A
scene Of wild confusion ensued, the
socialists rising to their feet shouting and
shaking their fists. Another division
was finally taken and Mr.. Millerand' s
motion for the immediate discussion of
the bill was lost by vote of 270 to 257.
The trouble was largely due to the de-
fection of section of the rightists.
The Portland daily press., 1897-07-13
AFFAIRS AT CAPITAL.
AppOrtiOnmeHt Of School Fund By
State Treasurer.
DATE OF ENCAMPMENT OF MILL
TIA NOT FIXED.

| WILL FTOUdUly ocBAh oAbdIuay hukuBt o.
The Season at Squirrel Island-Bonds
Placed for New Railroad in Aroos-
took County.
Augusta, July 12.-The apportionmens
of the school fund and mill tax to the
several cities, towns and plantations in
Maine. has just been completed by State
Treasurer FIN. Simpson, and blanks will
be forwarded to the several town treasur-
ers today.
The total amount apportioned is $780,
5s9.10, which isadivided pro..rata among
2io,2o4 scholars, giving to each 81. 42s56s.
These figures show very little change
from 1896 when the sum of $500, 933. .O5
was apportioned among POS, ,49l scholars,
giving q. .43415 to each.
The amount distributed this year is
divided among the several counties as
follows:
The Portland daily press., 1897-07-13
Local Weather Report.

Portland, Me-, July 12 Tho local
weather bureau Office records as to the
weather are as follows:
8 a. m.-Barometer. 29.64l; thermo-
meter, u; dew point, 6S. humidity, SO;
wind, S velocity, II; weather. pit. cldy.
8 p. m.-Barometer. 29.705; thermom-
eter. 6S; dew point, s65, humidity, 81;
wind, 5; velocity, 8: weather, clouy.
Mean daily thermometer, IS; maxl-
mum thermometer, II; minimum ther-
mometer. SO; maximum velocity OF
wind, 20, S; total precipitation, A.
The Portland daily press., 1897-07-13
A Cuban General Killed.

Havana, July 12.-Reports from Sancti
Spiritus confirm !. the rumor that Gen.
Quintin Bandero, who commanded the
insurgents in the engagement on July 5
at Pahaya heights, was Killed during the
fight.
Captain General Weyler, who left Sancti
with the Asturias battalion, surprised a
camp of insurgents near Jarico, and a
sharp engagement took place. Among
the killed was the well-known Dr. Her
nandeZ
The Portland daily press., 1897-07-13
LOOKING FOR TROUBLE,
The State Ready to Take Action In VI

Wheeling, W. Va, July IA great
change has come over the miners Of this
state, and the operators do not disguise
their intention to do their best to keep
the organizers from doing effective work.
Meetings were held at Thacker, Elkhorn
and Bluefield last evening, but no definite
action was taken, though sympathy for
the strike was expressed.
Gov. Atkinson and Adjutant General
Appleton are preparing for trouble.
Within the week 500 stands of arms have
been secured from the government, for
the militia, with half a million rounds of
ammunition, including gatling cartridge.
The militia will be used as soon as there
is any reason for it. All the commanders
have been communicated with and or
dered to be ready.
The Portland daily press., 1897-07-13

time. No one has been missed from the
community recently, and it is the general
opinion that the body was either buried
there several years ago, OF else brought
there from distance.
1t is said that several years ago there
lived near the place man who had
a wife whose hair was the color of the
hair possessed by this corpse. The wom-
an left and has never been seen since.
Shortly after her disappearance he left for
Florida with another woman.
The Portland daily press., 1897-07-13
All Aboard for New Sharon.

Pennington, July 12.-Hon. L. Atwood
of Philadelphia, president of the Frank
lin, Somerset and Kennebec railroad
company has opened an office in Bates
college block, today and active prepara-
tions will be made for the early constIuc-
tiQn of the road to New Sharon.
The Portland daily press., 1897-07-13
VIII Try to Arbitrate.

Pittsburg, July 12-Strong efforts will
be made this week to settle the miners
strike by arbitration. A conference will
be held here this afternoon. Representa-
tives are already here from Ohio, Indiana
and PENNSYLVANIA.
The Portland daily press., 1897-07-13
But This Stranger Was Without
Money.
ATTEMPT TO SWINDLE OLD
ORCHARD HOTEL PROPRIETOR.
Offered Bogus Check Signed by George
L. Richards. Bangor--Arrested and
Case Will Be Heard Thursday-Man
ESPECIAL TO THE pREss.l

Old Orchard, July 12.-"Why yes, can
get dozens of men about here to identify
me. This was the reply made by a
stranger who had offered check for $50
in payment of board at the Old Orchard
house, and was asked by the proprietors
If he could get somebody to vouch for his
integrity
George L. Richards, Bangor, Me. :"
was the signature this stranger affixed to
the Old Orchard house register, Friday,
when he made arrangements for two
weeks board there. He was assigned a
The Portland daily press., 1897-07-13
fHE WEATHER.

Boston, July ~.
Local forecast
for Boston and
vicinity, for Tues
day: Threatening
and showers prob
ably followed by
clearing Tuesday
evening, variable
winds.
"oc1,s~or
The Portland daily press., 1897-07-13

July 12.-Forecast for Tuesday, for New
England and Eastern New York: rain,
variable winds,
The Portland daily press., 1897-07-13
damaged by Lightning.

Salmon Falls, N. H., July 12.-During
heavy shower here this afternoon, the
no lse of e. A. Stevens, superintendent
of the Somersworth Machine company.
was struck by lightning and badly
damaged. Mrs. Stevenson was rendered
unconscious by the shock. but recovered
in short time. In South Berwick, Me.
lightning struck the Baptist church and
residence of Mrs. Gideon Dow, causino
quite bad damage in both places.
The Portland daily press., 1897-07-13

Specials to the Kennebec Journal from
Squirrel Island, say that cottagers and
summer visitors are hocking to that IA
nous seashore resort by hundreds. The
first Saturday night hop was held July
10, and was a great success, there being
many guests from yachts and neighboring
islands.
will be chatting dish party, Tuesday af-
ternoon with Mrs. Mutel of Springfield,
Mass, in charge.
Harry Converse of Maiden, Mass, took
a large party around Monhegan Satur-
day in his yacht Penelope. He sailed San
day for Marblehead Neck.
E 8rs not h~s'' s ,
annual encampment Of the National
Guard will be held, commencing Satur-
day. August or the following Monday
1t IS thought that the former date will be
set as by going into camp then the men
would be in readiness to commence the
week and have four whole days, Friday,
being the day set for the departure. The
general order for the encampment are
soon expected. The National Guard
numbers about 400 men. The expense at
the last encampment was about $19, 600.
The prizes for the rifle practice have
been ordered by Col. E. G. Harrington,
the inspector general of rife practice.
They will be of gold and silver, and
war pictures will also be presented as
prizes in some of the contests. Col Far
rington says that the reports from the
companies generally show good work.
Co. M. of Cumberland Mills was unable
to secure the lease land that it expected
to get and its work has been limited.
Co.'S A. at Gardiner and G.. of Bangor
have been handicapped being newly orga-
nizei. Otherwise the companies are re-
ported to be in good condition for the
contests.
hearing WAS had before the railroad
The Portland daily press., 1897-07-13
COAL FAMINE IMMINENT.
Present Supply Cannot Last Over
Two Weeks.
RAILROADS CONFISCATING WHAT
THEY CAN FIND.

Big Advance In Prices Looked For
Trouble Feared In Ranks of the Strikers
scheme to Arbitrate the Trouble
Discussed.
Pittsburg, Pa, July l2.-The miners
strike is causing the price of coal to
steadily advance, and today it was selling
at $3.50, an increase of $50 per cent since
the commencement of the struggle. The
feature today in matters pertaining to the
strike was the presence in the city of the
joint arbitration board, who are endeavor
ing by every means possible to bring to
peaceable conclusion of the strife now in
progress. The strikers made further ad-
vances today in getting out practically
every miner in the districts outside of
Dearmitt's men, who still remain loyal to
their employers
. At mass meeting held at West New
ton, Vice President McKay..of the Miners
Association said he believed the West
| Virginia mines would b3 closed down.
within two weeks. The operators claim
| the railroads will supply cars sufficient to
carry the entire output of the West
Virginia fields.
The Portland daily press., 1897-07-13

Pittsburg, Pa, July 12.-Beyond the
strengthening of the miners lines along
| the river, there was little change in the
strike situation today. The iron clad
contracts which were in force at several
mines in the Monongahela valley were
swept out of existence today and the
strike was made general in the fourth
pool. The men at the Chamouni mine
were the last to lay down their tools
The miners along the river are rejoicing
over this victory.
mass meeting was held at Fayette
City, this afternoon and plans made to
look after the strikers in this and see
that no mines resume.
The hot heads are advising drastic
measures. They have been kept in check
so far, but there is no telling when the
| fever will break, and a concerted move on
Sandy and Plum creek made. The
greatest interest is now manifested in the
scheme to arbitrate the strike question
Labor commissioners and official arbitra-
| tors of the several states affected are now
| in this city. The State of Ohio is the only
one which has a regularly appointed
board of arbitration. 1t exists for Just
| such emergencies as this and IS natural
ly e.ninently y W pre.sF f. +he we 4
Most OF Che Others III erestGd are IsIa.
commissioners and Industrial statisticians
who are also well able to act in the
capacity of arbitrators from the nature of
their work in keeping in touch with the
working people, generally.
There is a strong indication of a coal
famine confronting the country, within
the next ten days, it is claimed by con-
servative operators that the marketable
supply at present, which, is placed at 10,-
900, 900 bushels, would be only able to
meet the demand of the market for about
a month under ordinary conditions With
the scarcity of coal already prevailing at
the lake ports, it is claimed the supply
will not last over two weeks at the
longest. The only source of supply is
from the river mines, as the railroads are
contiscating for their own use all the coal
ready tor shipment along their lines
With the supply limited to the Monon-
gahela district, the prospects of famine is
declared to be certainty. There has been
a marked increase in the price of coal
within the past few days, and it is
claimed that ten cent rate per bushel in
the boat load lots will be reached within
the present week. The retail dealers as
we'll as the operators in general, concede
that famine is imminent, and look for
prices to advance beyond the limit reached
during the previous general strike of the
miners il, 1904
The Portland daily press., 1897-07-13

A hearing was had before the railroad