davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-10-28
The Merle Murder I1Q[.
The Defendant Was Put On The
Stand Today.
Large Crowds Continue To Fill The
Courtroom To Witness The
Proceedings. D.

There seems to be no abatement Of
interest in the Jake Merle murder
trial All day yesterday, last night
and This morning the chief topic Of
conversation was4 the case which is
now attracting crowds of people to the
Thirty-seventh District courtroom, I'M
til the history was known in its fullest
details by nearly everybody in an An
tonic. Some read the accounts in the
newspapers and others got their infor-
nation from what they heard on the
streets.
Especially at the Sunset depot is in
terest at its height and arguments can
be heard pro and con among railroad
men. There are friends of Jack Muir
tagh, the deceased, and Jake Merle,
and while there are no direct open ex-
pressions of views the feeling that eX-
lists in the affair is quite discernible.
The state closed its case yesterday at
ternoon. 80 p
Sam B. Pettus, an engineer on the
Southern Pacific, was the first witness
called for the defense. He said that
the morning of the &c Murtagh was at
the roundhouse and grabbed Merle, at
the shoulder in rough manner, and
asked why he had to have pass when
other people don't, and also said he
would give him pass to hell tonight.
Thomas Leonard, the callboy at the
roundhouse, testified that Murtagh
said, you come outside and l will give
you a pass"
]. T. Halle, living on Grand avenue,
said that the two men had a struggle
at Maverick park just before the shoot
ing.
]. KimbrOugh said he came here from
Houston on the morning of the killing
and that Murtagh said Merle was
afraid of him and had a right to be.
Albert Meyer, who runs a saloon at
the corner of Avenue ID and Grand av-
enue, said: Il knew neither John
Murtagh nor Jake Merle. l saw Muir
tagh on August 26, walking along the
sidewalk. 1 was sitting at my win
dow. l saw Murtagh run behind Mer-
lie on tiptoes and grab his arm, and
turn him around, and saw Merle
shoot Murtagh."
On cross examination by District At
torney Levy witness said he was born
in Medina county and had been in San
Antonio about four months.
Do you know Charles Wittler?"
The tailor; yes"
Did you ask Whittier what was the
matter out theTe?'
Yes"
why did you ask Whittier, if you say
you was sitting at your window and
saw the shOoting?"
Il wanted to see what he would say
about it,"
Did not some one ask you what was
the matter and you said that you was
drawing a glass of beer, and did not
see anything?"
Yes; l did not want to let him know
that l saw it, so as not to get into court
about it,"
Then, if you told him that you told
a lie, didn't you?'
Defendant objected to the question
and the objection was sustained.
Why did you tell anyone else about
IL If you did not want to get into court
as a witness?"
Somebody must have seen me at
hn VII
San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-10-28

George Jackson-'I live at 414 Milan
street. Am a machinist and work in
the Southern Pacific shops. 1 have
known Merle about for four years. /
knew Murtagh slightly
Mr.. Dwyer asked the witness as to
the duties of the foreman in reference
to physical work, and the answer was
that there is no physical work for the
foreman. He then asked what the
work of a machinist was like. The
witness replied that it is constant eX-
ercise and hardens ones muscles, so as
to fit him for fight.
The witness also stated that he had
asked Murtagh if he was looking for
work, and that the latter replied that
he could not get job as long as Merle
is here.
The district attorney asked the wit
ness that if Merle's duties prior to his
foremanship were not those of ma
chinist, and did not serve to harden
his muscles, and the answer was in the
affirmative.
San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-10-28

Mrs. c. NJ. Bruce-'I am a sister OF
Mrs. Zallmanzig. Mr. Merle rooms al
my house."
DO you remember the killing of
Murtagh by Merle last August"
Yes"
Did you hear the pistol shots?'
How many were there?"
-Four"
Did you see Mr.. Lockwood get out
of the carp
Il saw Mr.. Lockwood get out of a
car. Mr.. Lockwood came by the gate
and said. Isn't this terrible?' -
On cross examination the witness
stated that after the four shots were
fired the men were facing each other,
and Murtagh then staggered into the
park and fell at the gate, and that he
had knife in his hand. The witness
was fifty yards from the scene.
Why is it that you could see the
knife and not see the pistol he was
Murtagh with?"
Il couldn't say it was pistol that
he struck him with, but saw some in
strument, and am positive that l saw
a knife"
San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-10-28

Jim Gilduff was the next witness
called. This was after six O'Clock
in the evening. Gilduff said: /
work at c. p. Diaz. 1 am
machinist. l knew Jake Merle
since 1889; first met him at Temple. l
also knew Murtagh and met him at
Denison for the first time in SO.
Worlds Fair, and l saw him year
ago in Little Rock. Murtagh said to
me in Chicago, When l see that little
Dutch (meaning Merle) I'll
kill him. Murtagh had bad reputa-
ton and would likely carry out his
threats
Mr.. Turtledove; l mean Gilduff,"
said Mr.. Levy, where are you from?'
Il was born in Adrian, Michigan.
You are a first-class machinist?"
Yes"
Was Murtagh not a first-class ma
chinist?"
NO"
"McDuf, 1 mean Gilduff, what
brought you here from Mexico?"
THE carwheels."
who told you about this case COM
ing up?"
Ham Barnes told me in Mexico"
You paid your expenses"
Il paid my own expenses"
Which road did you come over on?"
The Southern Pacific"
Did you not tell Lutz that you were
coming here and had a pass?"
mo SIR"
"Wesn't you so drunk when you
came here that you didn't know what
you was doing?"
mo, never drink that much. The
strongest l ever drink is beer
San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-10-28
Just ArriVcd!!
X NOT -
FROM KLONDIKE

Though, but from the Northern mar
kets, tremendous Stock of Fine Goods,
which we wilLsell, for short time only
at less than others sell you trash for.
San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-10-28

Defendant is yet on the stand testi-
flying as the Light goes to press.
San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-10-28

AT the corner of River avenue and
Grand avenue"
What did you see Merle and Muir
tagh do?"
II heard four distinct shots and
heard someone say, come on, there are
two men fighting l saw two men
facing each other. One man had his
hand up as if to strike the other. l
was 1877 feet from where the men were,
which someone told who had measured
the distance. One of the men had a
knife and the other a pistol
San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-10-28

Mrs. Ida Zallmanzig-"I live at 1913
Avenue c and was living there on Au-
gust e."
DO you remember having seen Louis
Michael at the time of the killing?"
Yes. After the shooting |
saw Mr. Michael coming from Tenth
street, going in the direction of the
shooting. 1 heard him say that he
thought some boys had placed torpe-
does on the street car track.
know Mr.. Merle; he roomed at my
sisters, where / live. He had roomed
there since last May"
On cross examination, the district
attorney asked: Did you see Mr..
Lockwood, his wife and niece get off
the carr"
Il saw them get off theIRiper avenue
car after the shooting" -.r.--v
"Where?" -
San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-10-28

Daniel H. Toomey, travelling engiE-
eer on the Southern Pacific-'I know
the reputation of Merle as a quiet
law-abiding citizen. Murtagh had
a bad reputation. Railroad men told
me so. When l learned of the manner
Murtagh had spoken of Merle l told
Merle to fix himself, as Murtagh would
not try to get the worst of it,"
1t was 1880 p. m, and court adjourn
ed until 9 o'clock this morning.
Der Deutsche beobachter. [volume] (New Philadelphia, Ohio) 1869-1911, 1897-09-22
13 6 a piteI.

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2aterne9" faste Mib pamesa @reps
lod au Der alten SousbGlkrr..
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IGaft," antsnnrtete bic Qlngerebete.
rGs lit ftDdfiniter bruuBen. unb ts
fInqt an Az regnen.1
.Das fhredt mid nidht ab. : <1.eeos
neie bic olte Sunsfsr rubis. inbsm Re
Der Deutsche beobachter. [volume] (New Philadelphia, Ohio) 1869-1911, 1897-09-22

Uorqebeust. 6err: ~Mber,
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manem BortrGt meinegla5e pieI r5ther
oenrult ais lie TIL. MdIer:: ~Er6(fn
Gie {i9. iie fDirb fhon nod 70 rotb
uethta. o;S IL !ie 9eulolt 9dbel'
Der Deutsche beobachter. [volume] (New Philadelphia, Ohio) 1869-1911, 1897-09-22

Sutpts
Sm 8erlaufe n,einer 9ene1urg
fragte Did mid oft iiber mein perganz
genes Qeben aus. .Sait Ou ME einen
Water ober cine Mutter sstannt, pola
lp9" fraete er zines Sases.
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name2"
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1agte, als sic mid auf Der @trabe
anrebeten," mar meine Mnttport.
,lnb bic fleine, perlorene Nan, bic
Ou 10 lebr liebit, bat tie au1 teinen
anberen Namen9"
nSie bieb einfad gsun. seraoe tpie
id pollb."
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pii1enloie 9ere. bic @cras. bat Dir
nie ettpas bon Oetnen Gltern eraGblt;
baft Du lie ME boriiber befragt9a
sd befraste iie oft barber; bod
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fhlGgen beantiportet.@
Did Nanbine perfiel in Madbens
Ten. .Du bait ulio natiirIih feine
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Define Ghpefter ift21
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meine Ghrefter s.in. Ob, Gerr, es
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The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-11-11
"Old Maids Children"

Theoretical yokes, halters and highways
are admirably, but "facts are stubborn
things and will not be harnessed or driv-
en-. IF the theory does not accord with
the facts, tho worse for the facts, is the
universal position of theorists, however
untenable it may be. The fault is not In
the theory, but in those who attempt to
put 1t into practice The statement that
cold maids children are perfect" Is In
tended as q slur upon the old maids, whose
theoretical children have been theoretically
trained, but in truth it iss reflection upon
ourselves in the fact that our irrepressible
and fractions flesh and blood children are
not as sweet and lovely and amenable to
control as are the offspring of the virgins
gentle thought. How beautifully and
amiably have these latter developed under
careful training, but what little unman-
ageable colts and cubs have we producedl
DIR. Mary Wood-Allen in Womankind.
The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-11-11
Newspaper Files Under Guard.

A complete file of each of the newspa-
pers that have been published In chicago
since the fire--in fact, moro complete than
ia to be found i'm many of the newspaper
offices-is one of the features OF the Chlca-
90 Public library When the editors OF the
various newspapers are appealed to In re-
gard to articles that have appeared in their
papers, they, with one accord, refer the
applicant to the Public library. In adul-
ton to persons so referred, there are
large number of people, who, knowing Oh
these files, are constantly wanting either
the whole or a portion of the articles they
have read, but failed to preserve. Many
of these requests are for articles OF very
recent date aud the area from which they
come Is only limited by the circulation OF
the Chicago papers, together with such pa
pers as make excerpts from them
There is probably nothing In the library
that is the source of more request IMAM
these files of Chicago newspapers, and
there is certainly nothing more closely
guarded. This latter fact accounts for the
Ale i'm the Public library being more per-
feot than are many of those in the Offices
where the paper is published. 1t Is not
ouite easy to understand why person
who would not think OF tearing page
from book will ruthlessly mutiiate
new spaper file that Is far more Valuable
But tho fact remains, and for this reason
the newspaper files at the Public library
are constantly guarded. No one Is per-
mitted to examine them save under tht
shryeillance of the guard. -Chicago LTD
me.
The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-11-11
Tired Locomotives.

Locomotives, like human beings, have
their ailments, many of which defy the
skill of those deputed to look after
them, says the Toronto Mail. We hear
of tired razors, simple complaint
which vanishes after brief period OF
repose, but locomotives are apt to be-
tray indisposition even after q days
rest and much oiling Of the various
parts.
Two good engines may be made on
the most approved principle. They may
each cost-as those of the London and
Northwestern railway do-e2. 200, and
yet one will exhibit from the first a
hardihood of constitution altogether
wanting in its companion. A first class
locomotive of 800 horsepower, costing
e2, 600, is expected to travel during its
life 200, 900 miles, or, say, ID, 600 miles
per annum for Is years, yet now and
then an engine is found so impervious
to the assaults of time as to be able IN
its old age to do its daily work with all
the zest and vigor of youngster
The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-11-11
Tree Ages.

Gericke, the great German forester,
writes that the greatest ages to which
trees In Germany are positively known to
have lived are from 500 to $40 years. For
instance, the pine in Bohemia and the
pine in Norway and Sweden have lived to
tho latter age. Next comes the silver fir,
which in the Bohemian forests has stood
and thrived for upward OF 400 years. In
Bavaria the larch has reached the age OF
275 years. OF foliage trees the oak ap-
pears to have survived the longest. The
best example is the evergreen oak at
Aschoffenburg, which reached the age OF
40 years. Other oaks in Germany have
lived to be from 3l5 to $50 years old. At
Aschoffenburg the red beech has lived to
the age of 245 years and at other points
to the age of 225 years. OF other trees
the highest known are ash, 40 years;
birch, 100 to 900 years; aspen, $50 years;
mountain maple, 225 years; elm, l3o
years; red alder, lao years.-Public Opin-
Ion.
The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-11-11
BURGLAR FRANK MCCOY.
His Escape From Jail and Life In Board
ing House.

Big Frank Mccoy, the burglar, exhib-
tied great GOODNESS in his escape from the
county Jail at New Castle, Del. he had
been convicted of an attempted bank bur-
plary at Wilmington and was sentenced to
punishment at the whipping post and
long term of imprisonment His counsel
tried hard to save him from the whipping
post, but in vain, and the convict took II
especially hard that "a criminal of his rank
should be subjected to so humiliating an
ordeal
The iail at New Castle was conducted
in a domestic fashion, and the prisoners,
all idle, since Delaware has no peniten-
tiary properly so called, gradually came TO
know all of the sheriff's family. The
sheriff's house indeed was part of the jail
structure. Mccoy made his escape by way
of the domestic apartments, and In doing
so encountered the wife of Sheriff Grubb.
That lady was of enormous bulk, and
consequently of great elaboration In her
movements According to her account
Mccoy said to her:
"Goodby, Mrs. Grub. I'm going to
leave you," and she replied forbidding
him and threatening to scream.
She was too much astonished and un-
nerved, however, to give the alarm I'M
mediately, and when she nnally recoVereu
herself, Mccoy was away with the pals
that awaited him just outside the jail
with "a carriage and swift horse.
One of the most remarkable phases oil
McCoy's life was his residence with his
wife at boarding house at New Haven.
The pleasant manners of the wife and tho
ease and suavity of the husband recon-
mended them to their fellow boarders, and
they came to be on friendly terms with
some of the best known people in the uni
versity town. The occasional absences OF
the husband were explained by the wife as
! resulting from business engagements and
| the pleasant relations between the burglar
/ and his distinguished acquaintance went
| on for months, until it came like thun
| der clap to the latter that he was notori
| Gus criminal under suspicion for recent
| burglary. New York Sun.
The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-11-11
OLD GLORY'S PERPETUAL YOUTH.
The Flag at the Capitol Is Often Repaired
but Never Renewed.


but Never Renewed.
It is a question which no one can an
swer, What becomes of the flags which fly
session after session over the two houses of
congress9 The life of a flag exposed at
such height to the tattering winds nat
urally cannot be long. Every now and
then, after storm, II great rent Is seen In
Old Glory as it proclaims from the house
top that our statesmen are celebrating.
Sometimes the edges only are frayed,
Sometimes stripe is gone, or perhaps
half the stars may be torn away. Then
in day or two it flies again with all Its
stripes and it's stars, as If 1t had never
suffered by the storm.
asked what became Of the old flags.
Nobody knew.
What do you do with themf
Nothing.
They are the same fiags-that is, there
are no new ones. The old flags are simply
mended. There Is q patriotic poem In
this. Old Glory has perpetual life-that
is, the Old Glory that presides over the
capitol When stripe blows away, new
one is put In its place, and the same old
flag Is pulled to the head OF the staff. II
it is the blue field and stars that are gone,
they are reproduced. If only rent, 1t Ii
darned; if hole, it is patched. Then an
other stripe goes, and a new one is added
| So on the old portions are blown away,
| tho newer standing until the new becomes
] the old in turn and tears away, and IL
endless revolution the old flag lives on. II
is always the same flag, but from year tc
| year its entire texture is changed and thu
| small bits are blown away by the Winds
and other small bits take their place
| There is no graveyard for Old Glory. II
has perpetual life. No one can tell when
the flag which floats over the senate was
bought 1t is still perfect flag but M
| part of what was first drawn to the mast
| head is now in Washington
| Star.
The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-11-11
Mile. Couesdon's Prophecy.

Mile. Couesdon. Paris notorious
prophet of evil, has established COM
munication with the angel Gabriel and
is doing business again at the old stand
Royalty, she declares, will be re-estab-
Iished In France. and the capital will
be transferred from Paris to Avignon
Terrible, things will happen The first
fearful catastrophe will take place III
the Champs Elysces. far eclipsing the
charity bazaar calamity. Fire will
then burst out IN one of the big shops
Emperor William will die u violent
death, and France. after again being III
The throes Of invasion. will he afflicted
first by drought and then by inunda
lions
The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-11-11
A GOOD TALkeR AT BREAKFAST.
xiterature Claims His Existence. but None
Meets Him In Real Life.

A writer i'm the Buffalo Courier repre-.
sents some one "a asking this Interesting
question: ibid you ever know any one
who could converse brilliantly at break
fastS' The question Is good one. Why,
indeed, should not conversation be bril-
liant at the breakfast table, when the
brain Is fresh yesterdays worries have all
been slept over and today's have yet to
come? And were not the genial autocrat,
professor and poet speakers at breakfast
table where surely the conversation was
nearly akin to brilliancyp There are other
books that give, as early morning talk,
conversations which their authors think
worth printing, and now and then In the
journal or the letters of great man there
is O reference to a breakfast table discus
sion.
Yet what one of us has ever really come
IN contact with brilliant talk at a. IN. J
The very flshballs and buckwheat cakes
are humble, lowly, reassuring viands that
somehow do not inspire the eloquence that
comes with the pungent flavor of the VEN
ison, the cool self confidence suggested by
the orange ice, the epigrammatic terseness
of the after dinner coffee, the genial sun
niness of the fruits and the sweetness OF
the candies.
Even clothes make difference, for more
or less we always talk on the level of what
we wear unconsciously perhaps-and II
is one thing to eat with "a watch in your
hand and the work before you and an
other with the watch in your pocket and
the work accomplished, which Is the diff
ference to most men between their break
fast and late dinner.
We are reminded, to be sure, that there
are social functions known as "break
| fasts," and the talk must be somewha
| interesting and clever or they would hav'
| long ago died out. But these "breakfasts'
| take place at noon, and the buckwhea
| cakes and hshballs have been privately an'
| individually served TO the guests som
hours before and SO these are breakfast
in name only.
There is, too, another evidence that TN
animal nature has the better of the spirit
ual usually at the breakfast hour in tn
circumstance that tho French, who coul
not bear to be conversationally dull at
meal, take the first one of the day In bed
How very clever they are and what rel
utation for unfailing geniality, quicknes
and fascination this one custom perhaI
has given to them We believe that I'll
most glowing description of a brilliar
talker would DO that he Tor she) was so {
the breakfast table.-Rochester Post-E'
| press.
The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-11-11
TRIALS OF A WOMAN EDITOR.
Abused By Rival Who Thought She Was
Man.

The beautiful young girl who had grad
mated only year before with the highest
donors rushed into the family sitting room
and flung herself, with a storm of sobs
upon the sofa.
What is 1t, my dearS" asked her father
soothing her gently. HAS anything ham
pened TO discourage you?'
Papa said the maiden, raising her
tear stained face, II am done with Jour
naiism forever When you allowed me to
purchase that weekly newspaper, thought
that no occupation on earth could be SO
noble, so eleyating and powerful to scatter
good and wisdom throughout the world.
When began editing tho paper, every
thing appeared bright and rose colored.
My editorials We're praised by the en-
tire Texas press, and got flattering words
OF encouragement from even the large
dailies. i was, oh, so proud of the fact
that, although woman, had been ad-
mitted as an equal member of the great
brotherhood that exercises such an influ.
ence upon the minds and morals of the
people. Last week i wrote gentle criti-
cism OF an article that appeared in little
weekly In another county. This, papa
this is what l find In the next issue of that
horrid paper"
The lovely girl handed her father the
paper and buried her head upon the sofa
pillows while he read the following:
"We would say to the loathsome knock
kneed, piebald, jabberwack that infests
the editorial dugout of The Weekly Her.
aid, keep your shirt onl The disgusting
idiotic drivel that emanates from the
clapper jawed, squirrel headed, slab sided
puddle duck that spoils paper for that
sewer pipe of journalism should get pair
of buckskin, kickproof pants, or else quit
squirting such jobs of backhanded, putre
fed slime at decent papers. If the hump
backed, putty faced vermin referred tt
doesn't like our remarks, we will call any
day and scatter a few locks of hair ant
brass buttons around said Herald office
or forfeit years subscription.
"Papa," said the girl graduate in {
small but decided voice, II want you t.
buy me cookbook and some long aprons
I'm going to stay ut home and help mothe
about the house. Houston Post.