davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-17
TWO DEATHS IN BEDFORD
CT Men Whose Lives Had Been
Strangely blended.

BEDFORD CITY, VA, March e.
(Special.)-At about the same time Fri
day night in different parts Of the coun-
". occurred the deaths of two men
whose lives had been singularly blended
in many ways since boyhood. and who
were fast friends. Near Walnut-Grove
church, at the home where he had spent
his life, Mr.. John c. Golfer died sud
denly He had passed the evening in
the company Of his family and two
ministers who were his guests-ReY.
oscar Iittleton. presiding elder Of the
Lynchburg District of the Methodist
Conference. and Rev. Mr.. Shackford-
the minister in charge Of the circuit.
who purposed holding the quarterly
meeting the mex, day. Mr.. Cofer seemed
I'm perfect health. and cheerfully babe
his guests goodnight after 10 o'clock.
About o'clock next morning his
wife was awakened by his peculiar
breathing. and failing in her efforts to
arouse him, summoned assistance, but
I'm a few moments life had become eX-
tinct
MIR. Cofer was 70 years Of age, and
is survived by his wife and eight chill
dren. all of whom reside at his home
save two-Alrs Lila Ewing, OF Ne
braska. and Miss Sallle Cofer-of Dan
Vile. The first mentioned are Richard
Mamie Alice. Gordon, Pleasant Cofer
and Mrs. Lucy Obenchain.
Mr.. Golfer was a valuable and highly
respected citizen. and a leading member
of the Methodist church.
Instead Of the services Of the quarter
~ conference, the funeral services took
place at the church, and were deeply
impressive to the large assemblage OF
trfap1e and neighbOrs.
The same night. at Cifax, Mr. y. II.
Hatcher met a sudden and tragic death.
He was found in a stall Of his stable
his body terribly kicked and bruised by
the boofs of the horse. II Is supposed
that in getting the feed for his stock
Mr. Hatcher fell from the loft into the
STAN beneath. and being u years OF age,
and not very active, could not succeed
4, letting away from the horse.
He was a most estimable ana honored
citizen. and great regret is felt on ac-
count of his sad end. -,
I'm youth these two men had loVeu
and wooed the same lady, MISS SaIah
1rarlv MIR. Cofer was successful In ms
suit and married her. Mr. Hatcher
Iovol TO the romance Of his early me-
had never married.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-17

It a blow with a pick causing 1t TO split
omen, revealing a space in the centre. in
which lay roll of birch-bark. covered on
one side with strange hieroglyphics. The
workman was intelligent enough TO know
that the find was Of some value, and. tax
ing II to his home carefully spread out the
manuscript and encssed II between glass,
IN a frame. The matter was brought TO
the attention Of Miss Emma Clark OF
Fairfield. who had heard or the museum
AT Columbus. and she wrote there. ue-
scribng the find in all its details. l con
cluded that the find was certainly worth
examining. and persuaded Miss Clark TO
send the wood receptacle and manuscript
for my inspection.
THE bark is extremely thin, and It's
natural color is well preserved. rms
Is due to the fact that IL was sealed
almost air-tight. The edges are torn ana
broken. and there is every evidence that
a part OF II is missing. | had further
excavations made. but there were no
more fragments or rel'cs or any de-
scription, and the workman positively
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-17

edge. makes in this article the first ac-
curate statement. and the only one, re-
gardng the manuscript which was dis
covered by a workman at Fairfield. Ia.
Despite his learning regarding the nj
eroglyphics I'm which the Aztecs trans
mtted their history from generation to
generation. Professor MOOrehead has been
unable 10 satisfactorily decipher the in
scription upon the birch-bark. For TINS
reason, he forwarded the manuscript TO
the Smithsonian Institution. The results
of the examination by the experts there
will be far more important than might
be thought at first consideration. I'm
questionably, it is the first genuine Aztec
manuscript ever unearthed within the
borders of the United States.
Professor Moorehead says, over his
own signature. there is small doubt OF
it's genuineness 1t has long been held
that the Aztecs inhabited certain por-
tions of this country as early, if not be
fore. their advent 10 Mexico. This nnd,
and the ancient appearance OF the nj
eroglyphics, as compared with those even
many centuries old, seem 20 give strong
color TO the belief regarding the United
states. Professor Afoorehead states sue
cinctly I'm the follOwing which is from
his own pen. the status Of the find from
an archaeological standpoint. This is
what he says:
"To the Editor
'oThe Ohio state Archaeological and
Historical Society. Of Columbus, received
early in February most remarkable
relic. on September ?, 1886 laboring-
man of Fairfield, Ia, while excavatinG
FOR the water-works. brought to light
what was apparently chunk of wood
except that its surface was encased with
a coating OF pitch. The object was
found about three feet below the surface.
Its dimensions are something over a foot
i'm length. by eight inches ana five or SIX
inches thick ,.
"Out of curiosity, the workman STRUCK
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-17

asserted that the manuscript was found
IN the box In a fragmentary condition.
and that he had sealed between glass
all that he had found OF II.
WITH STONE AXES.
THE wood IL OF oak, and shows marks
on the end OF having been rudely hewn
with stone axes With the manuscript
were received letters from prominent
citizens. certifying as to the character
OF the workman. A letter from the
editor Of the Ledger. the county paper
published al Fairfield. states that Griffith
Is a laboring man OF about average in
telligence and information. and would
have neither the ability nor the knowl-
edge to mislead anybody as to the cir
cumstances. Nor is there any practical
Joker In this vicinity who would have
the knowledge to execute a plan like
this and keep quiet about it. Nor has
there been interest sufficient in matters
OF this kind IN the community to furnish
such people basis for work
"a tree. some fifty or sixty years old,
grew directly over the spot. the hollow
log or wood. being found under its roots.
The gum or wax, which not only fastened
the pieces together. but made the re-
ceptacle practically water and air
tight had been evenly distributed by
turning the block over a fire. This was
plain. because the block was not only
covered with SCOT. but was also slightly
charred. The characters are written In
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-17

the manuscript There have been t seve,
raj fraudulent seulptur e',t tbev are all
totally dinerent from this. and do not
snnear either aboriginal in concept or
execution. - tt,ot
bark 10 the Smithsonian Institution, at
Wasbineton for further examination
vim = request for an opinion as to their
'a,,,',,, and age. Whatever may be
said the find is one OF great interest and
value to the arehaeologieal world, and "a
there Is every indication that II points TO
s ~ ern Il party sent North from the
Aztec country. o,r,,r,
"T,,rator Department OF Archaeology,
Ohio state University"
The most generally-accepted BELIEF con-
cerning the Aztecs has been that they
came from some portion Of Asia. IL Is
sunnosed they made their advent into
NSsY,co about the year 1870. for. from that
time or soon after. their history seems
TO have been interviewer with that OF the
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-17
DOTETOURT.
One Held, the other Reic"sed-Ihe
New Jail.

FINCASTLE. March 16.-tSpeciai.) ne
two prisoners, Beverly and Davis al,
rested in Norfolk on a charge OF GRIMM i. u
assault committed at Eagle hoeh' III
Februarv. were brought 10 the latter
Mace for recognition and preilinlnaiS
rial last Saturday. when one OF thenI
Davis. was released. Beverly Is no"
stored away in Jail at Roanoke Tor saie,
keeping until the meeting OF the grahu
i,ry next month. All the parties are
coIored babe" Beverly had already
been committed to jail on the same
charge. and the final trial viii not come
off until May. nd
Miss sue Jones. highy-esteemed ana
nonular young lady. daughter of Mr. Har-
rin0ton Jones. living one mile from FIN
castle. has been stricken with paralysis,
INVOLVING one entire side, and Is expected
10 die at any moment
we have mad two deaths from measles
The disease is attacking some or those
Who have had il before, and seems 10
have little respect for age
The new jail here is nearly completed
and as a neat and substantial buildins'
win compare favorably with the best IN
tho state. II is 30 feet square. WIN
three stories above the basement.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-17
CONSIDERING TIE TARIFF.
The DIngIey BiII Before the Ways
and Means Committee Yesterday.

The DIngIey BiII Before the ways
and Means Committee Yesterday.
WASHINGTON. March 16.-The new
tariff bin was considered to-day by the
WAY and Means Committee. The morn
Eng session lasted three hours. The time
vas occupied principally in discussing the
several schedules and explaining the rea-
sons for various increases. These expla-
nations were made by the members VINO
We're most cOnVersant with the work
Tie suggestion that the bin be reported
Thursday met with strong opposition
from the minority The chairman dis
claimed any purpose Of curtaiiing the
opportunities for Offering amendments
huL pointed out the necessity or getuhsf
tte LIu before the House at the earnest
moment The Democrats insisted that
they desired time TO Offer SUCH amend
muts as justice and logic demanded IL
Was explained that no special assign
u.uts Of work were made, but thar the
committee worked together as whole
except M cases where certain members
fom their familiarity with the subject
We're given the practical control OF
schedule AR Russell. Of Connecticut
DO appears. was largely responsible lOr
t.e w00uon schedule. which was explain
or. by him. similarly the changes in the
agricultural schedule We're interpreted Dy
llr D0Iivcr, Of Iowa. The iron ana steer
and glass schedules were explained 10y
Ar Dazen. Of Pennsylvania; sugar by
Ar Payne Of New York and WOOD by
dr. Iawney. Of Minnesota.
ENCOURAGING CHICORH.
Nr Deliver stated in reference TO the
agriculture schedule that the conditions
were more I'm form than IN substance.
THE duty on animals was less than the
Mckinley rate SO far as oranges were
Concerned the duty was assessed by the
pound. instead OF boy bulk. ma order 10
secure "a more equitablee adjustment IN
The collection OF the duty. The decreased
Tate on broken rice was made 20 pre-
Vent evasion Of the present law. Chicory
root hitherto free, was now duuable al
q cents "a pound inasmuch as the INDUSTRY
iaa been recently established u. the west
Of preparing IL as a substitute FOR coffee
MILLIONS IN SUGAR
Nr. Payne was asked as 10 the amount
of revenue the sugar schedule would
produce. lie could not say but tnousnt
tine Increase would be about No.V"'VV0
air. Robertson, Of Louisiana. estimated
me revenue from sugar 20 be hfiy mil
hons per annum
Mr. Wheeler, OF Alabama, referring 10
The glass schedule, desired information
as % the Increases IN small glass. MT.
Ltzell replied that the committee found
Tat duty Oh small glass was not pro-
'-"iivs and that an equalization haS been
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-17

red, evidently the juice Of some plant.
The work is neat.
After a careful examination / decided
that | could not read the characters,
ard. furthermore that no one could
read them. that a great deal had been
published on Aztec and Maya manu-
scripts, but that no one could translate
them, and that one-half the archaeolo-
gists who claimed to read them gave
different TRANSACTIONS Of the same manu-
script The characters are manitestly
Aztec or Maya, and were made, / think,
by some OF the highly-cultured tribes
of Mexico or Yucatan. party, LOT
some unknown reason, set out North,
carrying this little box. and, on account
of a decrease in strength, either through
sickness or war. buried the manuscript
at the point where It was found. 1t Is
not at all probable that the whole thing
Is n hoax. for If IL were fake we
must account for the knowledge on the
mart of the workman who found It OF
Aztec and Maya glyphs, which is not In
the least probable. There are very few
men i'm this country who know any
thing about these hieroglyphics, and it
would be impossible for any one in Fair
field to make them unless he had work
al hand containing plates OF the Maya
hieroglyphics There are only a Few such
books iu existence, and they are very
high priced.
NOT INDIAN.
"The characters are not Indian. For
instance take the grotesque human
Gp,re shown In the middle section.
around which Is the sun symbol. The
eun symbol with the character in the
loft-band upper corner OF this middle
niece and all the characters in the upper
niece are very like those upon the
tablets of Central American ruins, and
70 the four manuscripts, or books pre-
served In the European museums. COM
binations Of straight lines ana dots are
strong proof Of the southern origin OF
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-17
Save the Garden.
CNew York World)

rho proposal to destroy Madison Square
Garden and remove 1t from the face OF
che earth Is suggestion Of vandalism.
- shopld not be permitted 10 materiaiize'
s,cb "A loss would be a blow not alone
80 Now York and 10 Greater New YORK
b,t 10 all who from the remotest regions
- tbc country come 10 admire ana en-
Gov the spleudor of the metropolis Inc
snneal for the preservation OF the gar.
~ mites all classes and conditions OF
neonle from the millionaires OF the horse
sbow and the chrysanthemum eNhlpi'' 10
re uttle children at the circus ana tue
natrons OF the cake walk
The garden does not pay but mat Gos aaes-
t,on IS wholly irrelevant. the Cohseuni;
~ Rome. did not pay, nor does the uruna
Gners AT Paris, nor the state House, a.
6ihanv. Patriotism and pupilc sp,lt
ea,dom nav In the pecunisry sense ous
,hev are always worth their cost,
,hese fail in saving the metropolis iron,
the reproaeh Of sacrificing , ' hsse pys the
.sanrs Of the community II he can PRIV
serve Il with his circus -------------
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-17
AZTECS ONCE In IOWA
PROF. MooREuEAD. DESCRIBES A
DISCOVERY ny A WORKMAN.
ONLY AZTEC MS. IN THIS COUNTRY.
Ancient Theories Controyerted-
The OId-Time Inhabitants of Ncxi-
co May Once Have Dwell In the
Hnwlseye state.
written for the Dlspatch)

A birch-bark manuscript now being ex-
amined by the authorities Of the Smith
sonian Institution, at Washington. is like
ly to change the entire theory as to the
origin, so far as America is concerned,
OF the Aztecs. held to be the original in
habitants Of Mexico. Professor Warren
X Moorehead. Archaeological Of the Ohio
state University, and man famous for
being versed IN Aztec lore and knowl-
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-17

tor Elkins at the time. and his son 5 art
less query passed unheeded. vast. then
was his surprise and mystiiicaton me Ioi,
lowing day when the President clappeu
him on the back and exclaimed;
surei I've lust had the pleasure ~ APP
pointing him electrician Of the WHITE
House. on his own application.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-17

Cards. Bill Heads. Statements. Letter
Heads. Note Heads, Circulars. Handbills.
Dodgers. ETC.. printed by the Dispatch
Company AT low prices. VIII give 20.
good work at same prices you pay for
inferior work. Send us your orders and
we VIII guarantee satisfaction In every
particular.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-17

cHEATHAM. at $3.50 p. NJ
March l6. 1897. at No Sls east Franklin
street. Miss BETTE CHEATHAM.
Funeral at Maury's Cemetery. Manches-
ter. THIS Wednesday AFTERNOON at
O'Clock. No flowers.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-17

"laue ny lowering the duty on tho higher
eI"ues There was some criticism from
the Democrats OF transferring cotton
yes from the free list TO the dutlable list
put IT ELECTED no explanation from the
majority, although MIR Wheeler as
se'ea mat we were now exporting cot
W" ues IN great quantities TO countries
so remote as India.
TIMBER RATE CRITICISED.
Inc Democrats also criticised the In
e.vaAed rate on timber for spars and
Nu',NeS, ana for the construction OF tele-
s'aph lines. to which the Republicans
responded BY stating the reasons which
had led TO them
~ was developed incidentally that the
tariH on 70 per cent. OF the sugar importa-
uohs VIII yield an ad valorem duty of ~
per cent
IL was decided at the afternoon meeting
Vi me committee that an adjournment
shVuid be taken from this evening until
Az CLOCK thursday morning The purpose
Oh 'hls was to permit the Democratic mem
pers TO study the bill. and to prepare the
amendments which they propose Offering
When the committee reassembles. The mi
no'l'y VIII tomorrow afternoon meet at
me capitol and decide upon the line OF
Polcy TO be pursued by them both In com
hhttec ana in the House. IL is still unde-
elded II the bill shall be reported Thurs
DAY, but the members believe this to be
the intention Of the majority. Some OF the
republican members think two weeks
should suffice for debating the measure in
the House
LIQUOR CONSIDERED.
The liquor schedule was the first to be
considered this afternoon. Mr. Evans, Of
Kentucky, who was prominently identi-
Mil lee
provisions. lie showed how the duty on
brandy had been increased from $50 to
$3.50 a gallon, and pointed out the advan-
tages the wine producers of France would
gain If that government should give this
country corresponding advantage on our
exports. lie showed that the rates in
the liquor schedule were substantially
return to those in the Mckinley law. Mr.
Wheeler. OF Alabama, referred TO the
enormous profits which the manufacturers
Of a certain grade OF liquors enjoy I'm this
country. owing TO the excessive protection
which enables them to sell a cheap arti-
Gle at enormous profit
COTTON, FLAX, &C.
Mr. Russell. Of Connecticut. was ques-
toned as TO the various paragraphs con-
stituting the cotton schedule.
The schedule relating to fax and jute
was discussed by paragraphs, and the in
quries OF the Democrats were answered
by Mr. Payne Of New York.
Mr.. Hopkins. of Illinois explained the
provisions OF the woollcn schedule.
Mr. Russell was next called upon TO
explain the silk and paper schedules.
which he did in extenso The latter
schedule. he said, differed little, if any,
from the present cav.
1t was explained that buttons Of all
kinds were placed in a paragraph by
themselves. at a rate between the old
and the present law, In order to simplify
the collection Of the revenue. A further
explanation was made with reference to
a number OF articles now on the free
Cist. on which a duty has been placed.
The reason was that the change was ne
cessary in order TO secure additional
revenue.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-17
otal value of said mogaged premises .'anO@


ACCOUNT OF STOCKS BONDS OTHER sECI iHTliSS
CIXCEPT INTOXICATED TO THE
COIIAiTETAII SECURITY ACTUALLY
COMPANY, MARKET VALUE VIZ
SAME, THE AMOUNT LOANED ON EACh
AmtLnd
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-30
WATERWAYS OF ALABAMA.
Congress to Re MemOrialized for APP
prOpriatiOns.

Tuscaloosa, Ala, Dec. pa rivers and
harbors convention of the state of Ala
bama was held in this city to-day. The
convention was made up of about 200 del
egates, and was held for the purpose Of
memoralizing congress for an appropria-
ton for the improvement of the harbor
of Mobile, Mobile river, the Tombgbee,
the Warrior and Black Warrior rivers in
order that those rivers may be made nav
igable even at low stages of the water.
Three locks have already been made on
the Warrior river at Tuscaloosa and it is
estimated that il will require about $500, =
900 to carry the remainder of this scheme
into execution.
Gov. Joseph +. Johnston was made pres
ident of the convention. Representatives
in Congress Bankhead, Wheeler and Tay-
lor were present, and kilograms were re-
ceived from the other Alabama represen-
tatives in congress, Messrs. Stallings,
Plowman and Clayton, assuring their sup
port and cooperation.
The convention was entirely free from
politics, and the delegations from the diff
ferent cities pledged themselves to work
in unity for the accomplishment of this
enterprise. The matter will be presented
to the rivers and harbors committee of the
national house of representatives early in
January.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-30
PALMA IN A HURRY FOR PEACE.
RELIEF MOVE AS FIRST STEP TO-
WARDS INTEREES'fToN

Gov. Gen. BIaneO's acceptance OF
President HcKinIey's Request
That the People of the United
states Be Allowed to Send Relief
Declared TantamOumt to Accept
ance of Intervention by the United
states-Senor Palma Says the Jun
tn Is Ready to Aid the Conce ntra-
dos in Resuming Their Former
AVocatiOns.
New York. Dec. 2s.-'sGov Gen. Blanco's
acceptance of President McKinley's re-
quest that the American people be per-
mitted TO relieve the sufferings of the con-
oentrados in Cuba is tantamount to ac-
ceptance of the offer of Intervention by
the United States in the conflict so long
in progress between the people of Cuba
and the Spanish government said Tomas
Estrada Palma. chief of the Cuban junta
in this city, to an Associated Press re-
porter to-day.
LAS The American government believes
that peace in Cuba can be restored only
by political Intervention, it cannot re-
jeet the favorable opportunity that pre-
sents itself to intervene for the purpose
of ending the war in Cuba" continued DIR.
Palma. 1.-THE deplorable condition of the
concentrates has been caused by the cruel
warfare waged by Spain, and the govern
ment, finding itself unable TO relieve the
situation, has applied to the United States
Tor aid. President Mckinley must see by
now that there is no chance for peace to
be established in Cuba without interven-
ton, and, living up to his word, as given
in his previous message, must intervene,
and Spain cannot nationally and consist
entity reject such Intervention"
Coming down to the relief plan itself. Or.
Palma said: IF the American people are
willing to help the concentrates, they
should send no money. Food, clothing
and the like, but no money, that would
be the best plan to follow out. Money
would benefit the Spanish only. Blanco
has accepted the American proposition as
a way out of a difficult position. He
knows that it will require millions of dol
lars to permanently relieve the concentra-
dos under the present conditions. But
the United States can accomplish very lit
tie during the progress of the war. The
only way to relieve the concentrates, and
In fact all Cubans, is to stop this distress
by the Introduction of peace and inde-
pendence.
with peace restored the concentrates
will be able to return to their farms and
their residences. We have the money, the
tools and the materials that will set these
people right at work again. Let the
Americans know that the best plan is to
intervene for peace. They should inter-
vene Immediately.
Spain is trying to shake off the ig-
neminy of Weylerism in Cuba. but it can
not succeed. 1t is necessary that the
world should know the results of that
work in Cuba and the world is learning
fast"