davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-20
LETTIR FROM THE AIRSHIP.
Written in Cipher. Addressed To fhoma. a
Edison. and Found in an Illinois village.


ASTORIA, ILL, April ia great SEN
satlon was caused here yesterday after
noon when It was learned that message
had been received from the alleged ar
Bert" Swearingin found on farm one
half mile north of the town piece OF reed
about three feet long sticking IL tue
ground with a red white and blue streamer
attached 10 the top.
An egg-shaped stone was tied by rags
to che lower end. weighing about three
pounds
About half way TO the top or the reed
was attached u packet enclosed In
large and dirty envelope, on which was
written:
From airship.-Notice to finder: Please
mail letter inside. Passed over here about
half-past two p. NJ. April 10, 1897. about
>. 300 feet high. going east and north. Tx
cuse dirt, as just got done oiling.
HARRIS
The letter was addressed and ready for
mailing TO Thomas A. Edison, New YORK
city. Ii was opened and found 10 be writ
ten in cipher. dated April is. and signed
&C. l.. Harris, Electrician, Airship No.
g." 1t VIII be mailed. Captain James NC
Neil, Mrs. Walters and others here de-
clare they saw the ship last night
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-20
pattlsd With n nevll Fish

TACOMA. WASH, April 19.-katie Her
bruck and Lillian McKeehan. of Tacoma.
went out in a rowboat collecting sea
urchins and star fishes In Puget Sound.
They were attacked by deyi)-nsh meas
urlng over twelve feet between the ehns
OF oppsite arms.
They first noticed II when the octopus
thrust an arm into the boat. catching
MISS Herbruck by the foot. She screamed
and finally slipped OF her shoe, Inc octo-
ms vghipped The Sound white and the
Young women pounded It with oars and a
fsh hook.
Finally the octopus twisted an arm
about the cross p.ece In the boats bow.
and headed for sea- This frightened inc
hone lay IN cutting or this tentacle. They
succeeded in doing this with an oar. ar
ter having been towed six miles. Another
stroke killed the monster. which was drug
ged into>the boat. IL weighed ilo pounds.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-20

has been annihllated in Southern Apys-
sina. IL appears that the Ethiopian gen
eral commanding at Baro requested Ma
jor Bottego TO halt until the expeoi,ion
was authorized by the Negus TO proceed
The Italians thereupon fired on the mes,
sengers bearing the flag OF truce anu
killed them. In the fighting between ,he
AbyssInnians and Italians. which ioho"'
ed, only two OF the latter escaped.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-20
Killed Uer NOther-iu-I.aw.

BARBoURSvILLE. W. VA. April h
Mrs. Amos -. Reynolds was killed by
her daughter-in-law last night during
family row. Her head was severed from
her body with an ak.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-20
RANGE OF orruEsMoMErER.

The range OF the Thermometer at The
Times Office yesterday was the follow
3 A. NJ, 80; u NJ. ~: p. NJ. IS; &
p. NJ. "a: p. NJ. e.; L NJ. %. Aver.
age, c5 IL
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-20
WEATHER FORECAST.

WASHINGTON. April ls;-.foresast Tor
Tuesday-Virginia and Nortn Satouna
fair and decidedly colder: northcrly wires.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-20
italian FxpedjtIon DESTROYED.

PARIS. April l9.-The Temps publishes
a dispatch this evening, saying that an
Italian eypedltion. under Major Bottego,
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-20
TO RETAIN The GAS-WORKS
The Committeeman Decide II is IneIpe-
dent 10 Lease or Sell The Plant.
The STATEMENT OF Mr.. KNOWLES.
Showing tho Financial Operations and Re
suits of the works Tor Thirty Years Past.
Including the Fast Two Years and the
first Three Months of 1897.

The Committees on light and Finance
me, in Joint session I'm room No g. OF the
City Hall al 5 =. NJ. yesterday with Mr..
T. ID. Starke. chairman Of the joint COM
mlttcc. presiding Present from the
Committee on Light-Messrs. Hardwicke.
Noble Stokes. Tanner. Vaughan. Witte
Wallerstein and Starke and from IN"
Finance Committee-Messrs O. :. Allen,
Harrelson. Roun;rce. starke. Wallerstoin
and Hardwicke Mr W. s. Woodson.
The clerk OF the committee was IN his
place.
There were also present Mr.. w. i.
Knowles. Superintendent OF the Cily Gas
Works. Gas Inspector J. NJ. Shelton, ana
Judge II. W Flournoy OF the couhsei lot
the Philadelphia firm which wishes 10
lease or purchase the city Gas works.
Chairman starke laid before the JOINT
Committee the summary ana stalehchl
OF the financial results Of operations at
the City Gas Works Tor thlrty years
past. and statement OF their operations
for 1896 and 1896 and for the first three
months of lS7. which were read by tho
clerk as follows.
TIE STATEMENT
once Of the
Superintendent Of the city Gas Works,
Richmond. Va. April 10. 1881.
10 the Joint Committee on Lght ana
Finance.
Gcntlemen.-In compliance with your
instructions. ] beg TO hand you herewith
inc annexed summary. made up from the
ACCOMPANYING statement shows as fol-
lows.
During the period Of thirty years, be-
ginning 1@5. and ending 1896 the Gas
Works of the city paid into the city treas
my the sum of 81 ia S55 %, over and above
the amount drawn out for cost or run
ming the works. and producing the gas
This amount exceeds the total Of the
construction and extension accounts for
The thirty years by S52l 2s3.5i. and, de-
ductfue the cost Of plant. etc, previous to
1857 saw S3g1 .37126. the works, besides
paving back To- the oity its entire outlay
for grounds. buildings. plants. pipes, and
an other appurtenances. has surplus
10 its credit of N3'.@b.5l.
This surplus must be still further IN
creased iv the difference between the
value of Gas furnished the city for public
consumption. and the interest allowed
tho city on cost Of works &c. say SoS.-
O1i23 making total surplus of si1.sS05f.
after rcpaving the city for its investment.
ACTUAL RESULTS.
Tho city owns its gas works, with en-
tire Outut without cost, ana mas It'tlNtu
"a bonus OF sfaS gSOA. The interest allow
ed the city. in statement, was at the
rate Of per cent per annum, to 1881.
and a per cent thereafter and in
terest was allowed sduring the entire
time on actual cost. without any deduc-
tiOu which the works were clearly en-
titled TO for it's annual repayments on
investment
Tho net revenues mp TO 1856 more than
reimbursed the city for its entire outlay.
therefore a proper calculation Of interest
would more than double the surplus OF
Sfg3 esO.5i.
Respectfully submitted.
W. u. KNOWLES
Superintendent
Summary showing net results to the
IL
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-20

Surplus after repaying invest
ment ..... ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS S4g3, 80 "a
The figures in the above statement, are
taken from the books in the Auditors
Office.
THE PAST TWO YEARS.
Statement Of operations OF the Richmond
City Gas Works for the years 1895 and 1896,
also for the first three months Of 1897;
1885
Receipts for gas from consumers. .Sl60. $50 y
Receipts for coke. tar. etc. ........ 900 -
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-20

Total in .avor Of Works. no
allowance made for public
consumption ..... .... ........ Ss04IG 20
THE COST TO BE LESS.
The present Superintendent cannot be
credited with the result for the whole
Of 1895 ms he did not assume charge Of
the Works un.i June Of that year.
The results ls shown by the above
statement for 1906 are not what they
might have been. due to the fact that
when I took chlrge OF the Works LJune
1851 ! found th'm very much out Of
repair I'm fact. in deplorable condition.
and unfit for the successful operation OF
the plant.
This fact made II absolutely essential
to oxpend an unusually large amount 10
place them I'm coed running order. Now
that the Works arc in good condition.
the annual expenses for maintaining them
will be reduced TO a nominal figure. as
compared with the first eighteen months
OF my administration. end I think the
above statement for the first three
months OF this year GS9O fully demon
strates this fact.
You will note. per this statement, that
the amount in favor OF the works with
out any credit for public consumption
Is $50 .36. and have no doubt but that
this years results VIII De the bese tH"l
have been obtained for years.
The quality of the gas IS first-class, ana
will compare favorably with that Of any
gas company in the country. The iilu-
minating power is Pas candles.
To make these works an up-to-date
plant il will be necessary to make the fol-
lowing improvements, namely:
IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED.
Two additional carburettes. Z feet IN
diameter. with reversible steam connec-
tions. which include water cooled valves
and friedrich lined connections enlarged
outlet connections. move present scrub
Der and condenser TO a new location; add
a new S-foot scrubber and condenser, and
change present blast pipes and working
floor.
The approximate cost 10 make these
improvements will be $1,000. believe the
entire cost Of these improvements could
be saved I'm two Yeas
Reepectfullv submitted
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-20

1-Acess OF receipts over dis
bursements ..... ..............Sl .Sllii,N13 -
Public consumption. 81 ,5N,9l3 e3
Icss interest on cost
of works. &o....... 1.143S39 20
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-20

Set revenue for thirty years. .Ss5,So' 50
Less cost OF works.
&c February ]. 1870
80 per report OF City
Auditor W. II. All
derdice ..... ........S40S, )26 81
Less construction ac-
count FOR 1851, 1865
and 1869 ............... IS 6i9 o
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-20

CONTINUED on Second PaseJ
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-20
.. p KNOWLES.

Summary showing net results to the
city OF Richmond from the Gas Works
from the year 1861 20 1896 inclusive:
Receipts from eas-bills sales etc.s 90. 9o6 %
ytrnanaffurnos
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-20

al 4os os si4os oa
Hutchinson gazette., 1897-12-30
LANGDON ITEMS.
VENETTA,

VIII and Frank Miller came down Sat.
urday to spead holidays
Rev. Thomas Goats prenched here at
the Christian church last Sunday morn
ing aud evening.
Mrs. Lou Silkot is visiting with her
parents up near Sterling,
Dr. Ives made business trip up near
Il, ,moud last Friday, returning Sunday.
Mr.. Bruce Dodd and family Of beauti-
ful Troy spent Christmas here with his
brother, U. l.. Dodd.
Mr.. Jonn Holmes of Raymond was Wis.
lting here with Dr.. Ives the first of th-
week.
The Langdon lyceum was orgauiz d,
last Thursday night and vii meet ever,
Friday night hereafter. The question
fol discussion mex Fudty night is; Re
solved that women should be granted
The right to vote.
Rev. Persy's son, of Hutchinson, is Wis.
iting his father at Laugiou.
Miss Mable Jones has returned from
EmpOra where she has beeu attending
school. to spend holidays.
The young folks OF Llugdon had an
oyster supper at Mrs Lucy jones. There
were about twenty present and all report
a good time.
Mr. j. n. Holmes hauled a lond Of
-four from Turon Tuesday for Joseph
SherOw
The protracted meehrgat the Metho-
dist church has commenced again an
will hold the balance OF the week.
Nero
Hutchinson gazette., 1897-12-30
A SINGING Squirrel.

It was several years ago that, while
cunning one day in the woods near Do
yer, n. H.. my attention was drawn to
what seemed the singing of bird
somewhere among the branches at lit
tie distance away. The note was so pc
culiar that | turned my steps toward
the sound TO see what species of bird
was making it. 1t was some time be-
fore | could trace the note to its source
Then | found out that it came from a
red squirrel sitting upright ON bough,
singing away as if in love with his own
melody. At sight Of me he stopped, but
as remained perfectly still he present
ly piped up again.
As to the quality Of his melody,
should compare it to the single note Of
a canary unusually prolonged, with no
variations except in rising or falling
and increase or decrease Of volume. 1t
may have been a call to mate. 1t GER
tainly had nothing in it of the scolding
character associated with the chittering
of the northern red squirrel. There was
no movement of the throat that could
discover III the production of the sound.
From time to time he would stop his
singing, and presently, after three or
four minutes, would start up again, al.
ways in the beginning with a low note
which increased in volume until shortly
before the next pause. remained on
the spot half hour listening, and went
away leaving the squirrel singing away
with as vigorous note as ever. New
York Sum.
Hutchinson gazette., 1897-12-30
Farmers Correspondence
MEDFORD TOWNSHIP.

Mr.. Schnow has returned from Oregon
and says there is nothing loose out there
so he came back.
The Christmas tree at the U. B. church
was success. The literary entertoi -
ment WAS good. The white tree was well
loaded with presents. The pastor got
white rooster and J, F. Ross received
turkey. Mr. Ross put his turkey in his
buggy and went in after his famhy. When
he returned the turkey was gone 1t is
strange how turkeys will disappear some
times.
Jake Weigle is hunting for the steak he
set when he went up west, lie wants to
find where to begiu husling corn.
think Jake would rather hunt than husk
corn amy way
VENBTTA,
Hutchinson gazette., 1897-12-30
MADE A BAD -nsITTER.o
Trouble of Artists with the Princess Of
Wales In Her Youth.

Trouble OF ARTISTS WIN gnh AEimOebS %
Wales In Her Youth.
When the Princess Of Wales was o
young bride, she was constantly III re-
quest for sittings to portrait painters,
sculptors and photographers. She was
not, however, good "sitter," and used
TO pout when compelled to endure the
tediousness of sitting in studio. Mr..
Firth, the painter, was engaged to paint
q picture Of the prince and princess, aud
he gives pleasant glimpse of his tribu-
lations with the Princess Alexandra.
The princess, says Mr., Firth, wns
very young and very beautiful, as all
the world knows She graciously con-
sented to come to my house and 20 af-
ford me every assistance in the way of
sittings for my picture.
The princess is also we'll known for
her kindness of heart Oh, how that
heart would have ached if its owner
had realized the aching of mine when
I-tOo soon--discoVered that the iliustri.
ous young lady did not know that keep
ing her face in one position for few
minutes even was necessary to enable
an artist to catch a resemblance Of it'll
The first sitting can ever forget? l
did not dare to complain till after two
or three truitless attempts. With down
right failure staring me in the face, l
opened my heart to the Prince of Wales.
"You should scOld her." said the
prince.
just Mt this time the princess was sit
ting for her bust to the celebrated soulp
tor Gibson, II. A., in "a room at MARI
borough House. l was sent for by thu
prince, and before was admitted to an
interview was shown into the sculp-
tors studio, and found him waiting for
sitting from the princess. The bust
was already in an advanced stage Ibid
not think it was very like, and i'll reply
to Gibson said so,
"Well, you see, )" said Gibson, "the
princess is delightful lady, but she
can't sit bit +"
At that moment was summoned to
the prince, whom l found with the
princess, and saw, or thought saw,
sort of pretty, smiling pout, eloquent OF
reproof and Of half anger with me. The
prince had something to show me-pho-
tographs, l think-and then he led the
way to Gibson, the princess and l fol
lowing.
No sooner did we find ourselves in the
sculptors presence than-after some re
marks upon the the bust-tho prince
said:
''How do you find the princess sit,
Mr. Gibson?"
"Now," thought l, "if ever "a man
was in an awkward fix you are, Mr.
Gibson, for after what you said to me IL
few minutes ago you cannot i'll my pres
enoe compliment the beautiful model on
her sitting.
The prince looked at Gibson, and
Gibson looked i'll dead silence at the
prince and then at the princess. Then
he looked again at the prince, smiled
and shool; his head.
There, you see, you sit properly nei
ther to Mr.. Gibson nor to Mr.. Firth"
II do, 1 dol' said the lady. You
are two bad menw
And then we all smiled, and Gibson
went on with his work, the princess
sitting admirably for the short time
that l remained. Youths Companion
Hutchinson gazette., 1897-12-30
Some Plain Facts.

Grave errors, injustice, wrongs Of
greater or less degree, arise from lack
of knowledge of the truth, and more
frequently from deception.
The most infamous case on record
Of deception and injustice is the at
tempt to demonetize silver as a money
of final redemption in the United
States.
There is no learned judge, skilled
lawyer, or court of justice that IS
capable of reconciling the effort with
the constitutional laws that govern
the issue of money in this country.
The people have been deceived,
officials in power, chosen to admins
ter justice under the laws, have
ignored their sworn duty, and given
aid to the scheme that has paralyzed
industry, reduced property values
one-half, and beggared millions.
There is no authority of law, either
specific or by inference, by which
gold alone is made the only money
with which to discharge debts, either
public or private. The effort to
make it so is unconstitutional and a
national calamity.
Plain and ample information, facts,
and truth, concerning this almost sue
cessful scheme to corner the wealth
of the people, is now being printed
in the Cincinnati Enquirer, a news
paper which the combined power Of
money has failed to muzzle or buy.
The Weekly Enquirer is only Toe
a year. The address is
Enquirer Company Cincinnati, O.
Hutchinson gazette., 1897-12-30

Going east, take the Santa Fe Route
rs far as Chicago.
Most direct line from the Southwest
generally, and thirty miles The short
st between Missouri River and Chi
cagO, which secures quick tiSle and
sure corrections. Track is straight
and rock-ballasted, with very few
crossings at grade.
Vestibuled limited expresses, with
attest pattern Pullman and free hlifL
ars. Meals served In dlni, z cars u
carte.
Inquire Uf nearest agent. or addres
W. Black. g.. P A., A. I. Il 3 FN
Ry.. Topeka, Kansas,
Hutchinson gazette., 1897-12-30
TEXAS HUMOR.
How Legislators Joke Was Made Into
Law to His Surprise.

How Legislators Joke Was Made Into
Law to His surprise.
Every one knows that Phil Sheridan
said Of Texas, IF | owned Texas ana
hell, I'd rent Texas aud live in hell. "
Possibly out of respect for so great u
man the Texan answer was suppressed,
but it WAS good just the same. He said
with great Iromptness, Well, gin'r'l,
yer know Cus4 alters will take up fel
the place he cum frum.
The Texan has "a strong sense of hu-
NOR, and it manifests itself in other
ways than ropartee. The legislator who
proposed that all trains running into
Texas should be detained for ten min
utes at the state line and required to
whistle three times in acknowledgement
of the sovereignty of the state didn't
expect to be taken seriously. He wasn't
but his colleagues thought it would be
such good joke on the railroads that
they made the suggestion law and for a
time rcligiously enforced it.
The Texas women have their share OF
humor and they can be sarcastic, too
as the following conversation between
the daughter Of Texas congressman
and New Yorker at Washington ball
testiiies:
"You are from Texas?" the New
Yorker said in very much the same ton
that he would have used had he asked
if she was from Hawaii or some other
remote place.
Eyes" " she said, smiling sweetly.
"Lots of cowboys out there" he said,
like u man who knew.
"Ycs, " she said doubtfully.
you've seen some of course?"
"Oh, yes" This in tone of convic
ton.
In what part of the state?" he Went
on.
"Oh, 1 didn't see any cowboys in
Texas. The ones 1 saw were on Broad
way, New York. New York Sun.
Hutchinson gazette., 1897-12-30
Cues. She Wasn't Much American.

An American Woman" in the Lon
don Daily Chronicle describes the aver
age Englishman as "a superior being,
of active brain, much travel, experience
with women and certain desire tC
please, American men are an eccentric
growth, hodge podge flung together -
agalloping money grabbing civilization,
not fully known to themselves. Shv
adds, "m America we all like our fi,
theirs and brothers, but we haven't any
great admiration for our husbands, al
though we may be fond Of them in a
patronizing way.
Hutchinson gazette., 1897-12-30

1t was just previous to the battle of
Waterloo The Duke Of Wellington was
eating. Before he finished his repast he
remarked: II enjoyed that meat, espc-
cially the Bonaparte, and now of Cor
sican 90 some pastry. Bring me Ma
poleon."
After the hattie was over he said Of
the opposirR general. WaterloOser hs
vas. "-TWinklea.
Hutchinson gazette., 1897-12-30

Ask your grocer today To show Won a
package Of CIR Mn y, the new food
drink that takes the place of coffee
Ihe children may drink II without in
jury as we'll rs The adult. All who tr,
it, like *. GRAIN-O has that rich
seal brown Of Mocha or Java. hut it IS
made from pIre grains, and the mosl
delicate stomach receives it without
distress I the price of coffee. l5cts
and 25cts. per package. Sold by all
grOcers.
Hutchinson gazette., 1897-12-30
nER LOVE aREw COLD.

Eli Shaw, betrayed by His Sweetheart, l.
Indicted for Double Murder
CAMDEN, n. j., Dec. 2S.-Yesterday
Eli Shaw was indicted for the murder
of his mother and grandmother in Oc-
tober. Shaw is only 81 years old. lie
committed the crime while engaged to
marry Maibelle Nelson, of Woodbury.,
whose faith in her sweetheart at first
was one of the most remarkable phases
in the whole affair. Later she aban-
doned him and her SJ..,.A-uts had
much to do with his indictment
Hutchinson gazette., 1897-12-30

Wickshire-You seem to be pretty
well trained down since you got yOui
wheel, and yet never see you riding.
.Mudge-I don't have to ride. 1t keeps
me thin worrying about the payments
indianapolis journal.
Hutchinson gazette., 1897-12-30

Pledged to theCause of the people and
against the bosses, always s fighting on de-
batabe ground and strong in its belief OF
the tenets of true democracy as enuci-
at, d III the Chicago platform The Kun.
sas City Times is now the only free sill
yer paper Of he mrtropnhtar c ass IL TIE
State of Missouri and tie great middle
West and Southwest. IL is the paper
for the Western man, fer tlIp reason that
Western interests find their strongest
advocate in The Times. Its editorials
ARE widely quoted and its devotion tO
the free silver cause has the unqualified
Endorsement Of the entire democratic
rural press.
It's corpsof writer's and correspondents
are thoroughly trained in the preparation
of news and the way TO nrnduce u bright,
Ieaddble paper. Aside trom its political
views, its culums receive more attention
from the national iress, and is quoted by
them more than all other Kansas City
papers omhined.
The cause OF silver is constantly grow
ing, and t" keep alive 10 It's progress You
must hive The Times. 1t prints th-
newt-ail of il-all the time.
Daily. for one year. "a Co. Twice-a-
Week Times. one year. s W
Send your order now 10 The Kansas
cry lines, Kansas Ci y. Mo
Hutchinson gazette., 1897-12-30

TOPEKA, Kan, Dec. ss. judge Hazen
has rendered a decision in which he
releases the 81 fire insurance compa-
nies which do business in Kansas as
parties to the legal controversy pend.
ing between State Insurance Commits
siOner McNall and Harrison Clarkson.
the inpranee rate king.
Hutchinson gazette., 1897-12-30
THE KANSAS CITY
TINES.
The OnIy Metropolitan Free silver
PaPeFim MInsonri ana
Gbe wenI.
DAILY "a 90 A YEAR.
TWICE wEEK, SI.OO A YEAR.

Fearless, Democratic, Absolutely and
Unalterably IN Favor of Free Sill
yer, 1t Is the One and the Only
One Metropolitan Daily Supporting
the Cause of Free Silver and the
Chicago Platform. 1t Stands at
all Times for the Interests Of the
People and the West aud Against
Trust Domination, Political Or
ruption, Gang Rule, Combines and
Wall Street Shylocks.
Hutchinson gazette., 1897-12-30
The rnlifernIn LlmIlea

Takes you to Los Angeles III only forty
nine hours over the Santa Fe Route
Best route, best train, best time, Meal'
always good.
Hutchinson gazette., 1897-12-30

TED-TRUsTwORTHY AND ACTIVE
w FetHlemen or lalies % uayel Tor IN p'I
.ihle' established house iR Kansas iionlhlN
eos 90 and exD-rsps. Position steady. hef,r
enee, 9uclOePd .elf addressed .tanped en'el'
ope. The Dominica &, mpuny, Dept, fChieag'