davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-20
THE HOUSE AND ITS SPEAKER.

A member of Congress now in Washing
ton, who was asked what Congress would
do in regard to an important question, re-
piled: ASK Mr.. Reed. He can tell you
what the House Is likely to do, and prob
ably no other man cam. If this means
that Mr.. Reed, because of his position and
acquaintance with the House, can forecast
more accurately than anybody else what it
is likely to do. it is all right. Mr. Reed is a
very able man, and with his long expert
ence in legislation and personal acquaint-
ance with members he can doubtless form
a very shrewd guess as to what it will do or
will not do. But there is another view of
the case. If the members reply meant that
the speaker would dictate or control the ac-
ton of the House in the matter referred to.
it indicates a condition that should not ex-
ist There has been in recent years rather
too much of disposition on the part of the
House to surrender itself into the hands of
the speaker and TO submit to his guidance
and control almost without question. This
disposition has not been confined to Mr..
Reeds service as speaker, though. being
naturally strong and aggressive man. he
may have aided in developing 1t. But 1t
has appeared under other speakers. and APP
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-20

NEW YORK, Nov. 19-Bradstreet's to-
morrow will say: There is moderate i'm
provement in staple prices and in distribu-
ton of WOODEN goods, shoes, hats and hard
ware in the region tributary to Chicago,
st. Louis, Kansas City and Omaha. In
South Carolina, Tennessee and Louisiana
jobbers report a moderate revival in de-
mand from interior merchants, which rep
resents some of the business delayed by
yellow fever guarantees. Trade reports
from Georgia and Texas are quite irregu-
lar Some cotton planters are compelled to
sell cotton at a loss to meet advances made
earlier in the season, and have little or no
surplus with which to buy merchandise.
Others. notably in Texas, continue to hold
cotton which delays mercantile collections,
and in some sections has an unfavorable in
huence Colder weather Northwest and in
the central Mississippi and Missouri river
valleys have helped retail trade.
Manufacturers of iron, steel, agricultural
implements. stoves, railway cars and
wooden goods report an active demand and
large output, although the appearance of
speculative steel has resulted in weakening
the price of billets, and like tendency on
the part or BeSsemer pig iron.
Hlgher prices are recorded for wheat,
corn, oats, syrup, hides, leather shoes and
for turpentine. The reaction in iron and
steel is likely to be followed by an advance
If the present rate of consumption con-
tinues. Lower prices for wheat -four and
pork are expected to recognize the advances
on wheat and Indian corn, so that a lower
price for copper is practically the only i'm
portant decline of the week.
Wheat exports show a heavy increase
alike over last week and last year, and
with one exception, that of the second week
in September. is the largest single weeks
total on record. The total exports of wheat
(hour included as wheat) from both coasts
of the United States and Montreal this
week aggregate 6653,792 bushels, against
5,445,542 bushels last week 3.9370O bushels
in this week a year ago, 2.916, 900 bushels IN
1895, 3,313,675 bushels in 1894 and 2,764 $50
bushels in 1893. The total exports in the
second week of September, 1891, were 1884,
600 bushels. Corn exports also show a gain
aggregating 3,209 790 bushels for the week,
against 2,975721 last year, 1,743,0O0 in 1895 and
1S9, 900 in 1894.
There were 235 business failures reported
throughout the United States this week
compared with 273 last week, 30S in the week
a year ago, 323 two years ago. 295 three
years ago. and as compared with 1858 in the
like week of 1893.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-20
Wnste OF NnturaI Cans.

To the Editor Of the indianapolis Journals
If the newspapers of the gas belt would
take up the fight for the preservation of
natural gas. and do as the Journal did in
it's issue of the 18th inst, this useless waste
of gas would have been stopped long ago.
The facts are the local authorities, both city
and county, are powerless and have done
nothing If the laws are inadequate, let the
Governor call an extra session of the Legis-
lature and make laws for the protection of
the people. The point l wish to make is
that there is no oil here to speak Of, and
of all the wells drilled there are but few
that have made any money for the opera
tors the vast majority are dry holes or
flowing only a few barrels a day, and 1t is
a shame to waste millions of dollars on a
speculative chance to get the fortune vainly
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-20

Two local scientists or experimenters at
Nineveh, Ind, claim to have been success
full in artifcally crystallizing carbon into
diamonds. Nineveh is a small village in
Johnson county, hitherto noted for the fine
corn land that surrounds it and for it's two
Touring mills. If its two local scientists
have indeed made the discovery claimed for
them it will become as celebrated as the
ancient Assyrian capital of the same name
Let other scientists waste their time in vain
attempts to transmute silver into gold and
let reckless thousands risk their lives try
ing to reach the Klondike. Our Ninevites
have chosen the better part in discovering
a short and easy way to manufacture pure
diamonds. There's millions in it.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-20
COMMISSION PROPOSED
TO SETTLE THE DISPUTES BETWEEN
THIS COUNTRY AND CANADA.
Statements from Laurier and Davies,
Who Have Returned to Ottawa
Gen. Fosters Proposition.

OTTAWA, Ont, Nov. 19-Sr Wilfrid
Laurier and Sir Louis Davies have re-
turned from Washington. Within a couple
of hours after their arrival a meeting of
the Cabinet was held, at which the premier
explained the recent negotiations with
President Mckinley and his ministers. AS
a result of this meeting it is stated that
the Cabinet has decided to send commits
sion to Washington composed of men famil-
lar with the various questions involved, to
meet with a similar body of men appointed
on behalf of the United States, with ex-
Secretary Foster at its head, and endeavor
to reach a settlement on all boundary and
other things at present at issue between
the two countries. At the conclusion of the
Cabinet meeting Premier Laurier, in an in
terview, said 1T is plain to us that the
sealing question cannot be settled by itself.
1t can only be considered in connection with
irritating and important questions. There
is no intention whatever of negotiating any
reciprocity treaty that would interfere with
or affect Canada's existing British prefer
entail tariff
When asked as to the result of their visit
to the United States, Sir Louis Davies said:
Il have just been reading the press reports
sent out from Washington, and it seems
TO represent our maj CO4CluSlCu LARRY we'll
The representatives of the American and
Canadian governments are satisfied with
the results of the conference held, al
though, of course, none of the chief matters
il controversy could be brought to final
issue A statement of facts has been mu-
tuaMy agreed on, however, which estab-
fishes a firm basis for future operations.
We now know exactly where we stand, and
will not hereafter he cropping in the dark.
Each party knows its true position. After
both representative parties confer with
their colleagues in their respective admins
trations statements of the demands re-
garding the proposed reciprocal treaty re-
lations will be exchanged and replies SUBJ
nitted by each. / can add nothing new to
what said as to the American tariff press
ing too heavily upon us in respect to their
duties on our lumber coal and fish exports.
1 think that the United States authorities,
after they have maturely considered the
whole situation in regard to Cana6a, Will
agree as to the correctness of our repre-
sentation. This may carry sufficient weight
with the joint commission, should one be
agreed to, to bring about such reciprocity
ARRANGEMENTS as are most desirable to both
countries. From what General roster mas
intimated, we think that the prospects OF
the final appointment OF joint commas
Sion are good. :"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-20
THE ANDRE PRISON SOLD.
House in Which the Spy Was Confined
to Be Opened to the Public.
New York Tribune

New York Tribune
The heavy wind and rainstorm which
Two weeks ago blew down the whole frcnt
OF the stone house at Tappan. in which
MAJOR Andre was imprisoned before his ex-
ecuuon as spy in the revolution. has ac-
complished more than the united efforts of
thousands Of people who in the last forty
years nave endeavored in vain to gain adj
Hnssion to the historic building, for DR..
Stepnens, the owner, yesterday sold the
9ullolng TO Charles A Pike, a wealthy resi-
ue1t OF Iappan, who will rebuild the front
and preserve the rest of the building as it
is; ana open II to the public.
Ii. stephens, III his ownership, would not
perm! any one to enter the house under
any circumstances and since he purchased
me property people from all parts OF the
country nave visited 1t to view the interior
OF the structure, but in every instance they
nave been turned away Had the storm not
Ittlo part of the building in ruins it would
ySS De closed to the public.
h, 1Ince the rront fell out hundreds OF relic
hunters nave sought the place and carried
away pieces of brick and mortar as memen-
los Inc room on the north front which
was Major Andres prison is smaller than
~ was at that time, as the back part has
T ~ =. partluoned off into another apartment
II was in this front room that Alexander
uamllton and others visited the unfortu-
nate young man. Back of this front room
Is the one in which Major Andre slept and
q q, WIIlooW looks out to the west where, ira
1IIloh says, he saw them rear the secaffold
by old boards
fhere is no record as to when the struct-
ure was built. In the revolution It was
known as the Mabie Tavern It's subse~
q uent owners have been Frederick Blau-
xet, Philip Dudley, Henry Gasner' Henry
Storms. Thomas Wondle. L. T. Sneden.
henry RyerSon and DR. James Stenhens
Inc latter purchased it forty years ago
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-20

sought by so many. The gas belt of indiana.
Is now the richest portion of the state. In
diana sends all over the world axes, plate
glass, tin plate and wire nails; pays out in
wages alone not less than one hundred mil
at good wages to thousands of men. All this
must be sacrificed and allow nonresident oil
spectators to overrun the State and threat
and prosper but why tear down great in
dustries to build up lesser ones? The terrible
results to this county and the gas belt of
manufacturing institutions can scarcely be
imagined. 1t seems strange to pursue this
policy of noninteffRsEnce any flonger. Call
an extra session of the Legislature at once.
Alexandria, Ind, Nov 49, FARMER.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-20

Washington dispatches say that General
tablishing a reputation at the State De-
partment for GOODNESS and diplomatic dis
erection. If so it is another case of respon-
sibility making man conservative. Gen.
Woodford has always been regarded as
rather an impulsive man, End only few
weeks before his appointment he made an
ardent speech in favor of the insurgents at
o meeting of Cuban sympathizers He is a
man of ability. though, and probably pos
sesses the American faculty of adapting
himself to circumstances.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-20
ABRAHAM LINCOLN KEPT WAITING.
ne waited TO Speak Until His Favor
lite StenOgrapher Appeared.
Illustrated American.

Congressman Hit, Of Illinois. began his
career as a reporter on the Chicago Tribune
Where his experiences as a stenopra nher
caused him to be assigned to report the
sspeecnes OF Abraham Lincoln in his cele-
prated Joint debate with Douglas in 1858
Lincoln came to depend on his young friend
SO mat his first thought, when facing an
aCulence, would be to see that Hit had his
pencil ready On one occasion the chairman
OF meeting had introduced Lincoln to the
great audience who had gathered to hear
nlmz and every sound was hushed and every
mead bent to catch the first syllabes that
were TO rail- from the lips of the orator
Lincoln was observed to be uneasy He
craned his long neck this way and that
peerlng about the front rows of the ex-
pectant multitude. Then he broke the still
ness ness with the sudden query, Where's
1titt? The spectators exchanged glances.
thinking something untoward had happened
NOBODY understood the question except a
lew newspaper men, who were aware of
the part played by the young stenographer
AGAIN Lincoln made as if to speak, but only
to ask, anXiously where's Hit? Doesn't
anybody know where Hit is?"
reporter who stood near window after
taking a quick survey of the Landscapes
called back: It's all right; Hits com
ing And he was. He had been to dine
with friend, and accidentally overstayed
the time. AS he pushed his way into the
hall, ali GREATNESS, Lincoln heaved a great
sigh OF relief, and soon plunged into a
speech which, by many. critics, was pro-
nounced the most effective of the campaign
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-20

The contention of leading members of the
Baptist Congress, in session at Chicago,
that immersion is not a necessary prereq-
uisite to the Lords supper, is a startling
departure to those who have been accus-
toned to regard 'close communion as one
of the foundation rocks of the church. One
reverend brother went so far as to assert
that baptism was not even church or
dinance and that Baptists had no right to
dictate who shall sit at the Lords table.
Spirituality and not conformance to church
ordinances, he maintained. was the divine
conception Of the Lords supper. Verify
the world does move
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-20

Somehow, Americans think of historical
buildings in the old world as permanent in
this is because they have already lasted so
long, or it may be because they are sup
posed to have been built in a way to defy
time and the elements. At ALI events, the
thought of their destruction by fire does not
occur to tourists while looking at them,
and stay-at-homes who hope some time to
enjoy the same privilege fully expect all the
landmarks to remain as they have always
been. The burning of the famous Church
of st. Giles in London will create a new
and disagreeable feeling of uncertainty con-
corning these celebrated structures.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-20

One of the Journals Eastern exchanges
declares with some show of indignation that
it is the Objectionable fairness of the Ameri-
can hog that makes its meat unpopular in
Germany and other parts of Europe The
Journal was about to resent this charge
as slur upon the animal and to assert that
in Indiana, at least, the very fat, the really
obese, hog was a creature of the past and
his place taken by a comparatively lean and
sprightly porker whose "side meat" had
streaks of fat of exactly the proper width.
At this juncture an account of a Danville
hog seven feet eleven inches in circumfer-
ence, nearly three feet in diameter and
weighing SS9 pounds came to hand, and the
defense was postponed to a more suitable
occasion. A hog of that size is capable of
doing much damage to the reputation of in
nocent pigs.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-20

The fire which occurred in London yes
has occurred in that city in recent years,
though not nearly as much so as some that
have occurred in the United States. In
English and European cities they build with
and depend more upon preventing than
upon fighting fires. Nevertheless, great fires
will occur occasionally in all large cities
That of yesterday seems to have swept over
a business district, destroying many large
warehouses filled with merchandise. The
loss will well up into the millions, yet
1t will not rank among the great fires of
history. London itself had a $54,OOO,0OO fire
in 1866. 1t ragged four days and burned over
436 acres The great Chicago fire of 1871
lasted two days, burned over 2,124 acres and
destroyed 1872, 100000 worth of property
The city of Moscow had $150, 200, 600 fire in
1872; Paris $16O, 600 fire in 1871, and Bos-
ton a $75O00.0O0 fire in 1872. Several fires in
this country besides those mentioned have
reached the $40, 600, 900 mark, as New York
in 1885, SIS 900, 900; Pittsburg in 1885, $1,000
900; San Francisco. in 1851, $40, OO0 900; Port
land, Me-, in 1866, $11 ,OO0 900. The fire in Lon
don yesterday destroyed some very costly
buildings besides business blocks, and wiped
out some very interesting historical land
marks However, any considerable fire in
London would be pretty sure to do that.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-20

desperate, who, armed to the teeth with
six-shooters, a Winchester and p scalping
knife, accompanied him wherever he
went-just like the lamb did little Mary.
This desperate had killed seventeen men,
and had winged fifteen that he didn't
want to kill. Mr.. Alexander had a written
contract to pay this desperate SIS g. month
to protect his life, and, in the event the
desperate was killed, he was to receive
Christian burial at the expense of Alexan-
DER. In Oklahoma in those days this sort
OF protection beat life insurance all hol-
low. The result was that Mr. Alexander,
ex-mayor of the twelve-hour old town of
willow Springs. made money in Oklahoma
ana lived to be judge in a horse show
in st. Louis nine years later"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-20

A correspondent at Alexandria, whose let
ter is printed in this issue of the Journal,
writes very earnestly concerning the waste
of natural gas. The circumstances fully
warrant his earnestness. No greater public
wrong in the way of wasting natural re-
sources has ever been perpetrated than the
waste of natural gas which has been go
Ing on for months in this State. 1t savors
of barbarism and is almost enough to make
pne wish for an absolute government that
rould interfere with force that none dare
question to stop the outrage.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-20

Secretary of the Interior Bliss, in his an
nual report, urges that Alaska be given a
well-dehned system of territorial and local
government To this end he recommends
that the public land laws be extended to
-fne entire district; that additional land Of
fees be created and appropriations made to
carry the same into effect; that the grant
ing of rights of way for railroads tele-
graph and telephone lines be authorized.
ana that complete territorial government
be established. AS all this is on the old
line, the question arises whether some i'm
provement could not be made. Why should
the government part with all the mineral
lands in Alaska on any terms whatever,
and why should it provide for the granting
OF free franchises and rights of way to rail-
roads. telegraphs and telephones? There
has been great deal too much of that sort
OF thing in every State and Territory.
Alaska is virgin soil, politically speaking.
Why not try and introduce some improve
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-20
Explaining the Anaconda.
Philadelphia Times.


There is something about snakes that ex-
ercises an irresistible encoura cement to a
liar, and there is also tendency in a like
direction over horses, but when horses and
snakes get into the same story and the
story gets tangled on the tongue of a show
man the result is something startling. 1t
is not at all probable that the anaconda.
which killed the horse which rescued the
man intended to do 1t any more than that
the horse made an effort to save the man.
Ii you will watch an anaconda in his lair
you Will see that he takes a hold of every
thlng; goes around the stump of a tree and
presses it; does the same with branch or
a stone. 1t is the way he travels-or at
least, prefers to. First this fellow got
holo Oh the man, and still moving got hold
of the horse. Having done that and feel
ing the horse was trying to shake him on
he just held on the more firmly to save him
SELF from falling off, He held on a little
too hard, that's ALL
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-20
Chicago PeriIs.
Chicago Post

The unfortunate experience of the BIZ
cycle rider who fell into the Chicago river
and developed insanity with resuso;tation
triumphantly vindicates the position of the
Board of Health that water should be
boiled at least thirty minutes before it is
taken into the human system. This emil
sode would seem to demonstrate that the
water of the Chicago river contains germs
similar to those that lurk in the deadly
loco-weed, and thus a new danger con-
fronts the people of this otherwise happy
town. Accident policies may be expected
TO contain clauses holding companies ex-
empt from Chicago river casualties and
persons whose business keeps them on or
near the river will be kept constantly under
the espionage of the authorities at Dun
ming. These are trying times.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-20

They have very high-handed ways of do
ing things up in Chicago. for instance in
the Ketcham case. There is a remote pos
sibility that Ketcham died of poison. but
no one. not even his relatives, really thinks
So If he was poisoned his alleged wife was
undoubtedly the guilty person, yet she is
placed under no restraint by the authorities,
either for that or for her supposed part in
a conspiracy. Her servant. Keller, is. at the
worst, only her tool in all the proceedings
connected with the marriage, and there is
not an atom of proof that he performed
anything more than an ordinary servants
duties nevertheless he is hauled about by
the police from pillar to post, put in the
sweat box and made virtually a prisoner,
though now temporarily at large as q con
cession" to his attorney. In most places it
IS considered necessary to prove the COM
mission of a crime before treating suspected
persons as criminals, but Chicago police
seem to be a law unto themselves.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-20

A convention which has just been held in
Chicago in favor of 1.-The initiative and ref
erendum" drew together a job lot of long
whiskered and side-whiskered individuals,
disappointed agitators, unappreciated re-
formers and pessimistic patriots who be-
lieve that the only way to save the coun-
try Is to give the people. in their primary
capacity, the right to originate and ratify
all laws. One delegate who addressed the
convention said: Representative govern
ment is a failure. A public official is an OBJ
ject of public suspicion. We have reason
to look upon our representatives, be they
aldermen, congressman or senators, as I'M
convicted criminals, and the more we know
about them the less we respect them"
Evidently. the trouble with this person is
that his fellow-citizens nave not placed the
same estimate upon him that he does upon
himself. If he had been elected or ap-
pointed to some good office, representative
government would have been all right.