davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-01-07
Railway EmbarrasSments,

The past year was a bad one for
Dads, since 5,441 miles went into
ssss hands of receivers, involving $173,
100 of bonds and $102. $50, 1000 of
81 aks. The n aud O., with 1904 miles.
ssnsa the louisville, New Albany aud
sago, with sol miles. were the pTin-
sssM sufferers. The pFescfit@sra Of re-
eeiarships began, says the Railway
are, iii 1892 when 10 sos miles OF road
were involved. In 1888 the mileage
was 20, $40 miles, in 1894 it was TOPS
miles, IN 1895 it was 4.089 miles. To
find like figures we have to go back to
1885, when 1886 miles went into raceiv
ers' hands, and 1884, when the mileage
vas II OBS miles, In the Intermediates
years the average was little over 1000
miles. The five years beginning with
1892 broke the record. foreclosures in
1896 affected 1873 miles and 81, 100 377,
600 of stocks and bonds. Since 1876 the
sales under foreclosure have aggregat
ed 59,497 miles with S. 440, 239, 600 OF
stocks and bonds. Farmers. it seems.
have not baen-the only sufferers in the
two decades. The "bloated bondhold
err and Wall street have had their
losses also The plain truth is that
when one large interest is affected all
other interests sympathize with it in q
practical way.-Balt. Sun.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-01-07
AGubernatorial Boycott.

There is quite merry little war
going on between the democratic pa
pers here and Gov. o Ferrall. the
latter has boycotted the papers ths:t
attacked him during the recent cam
paign and vii! not go out of his way to
give them or encourage Others to give
them any news from the executive de
partment of the State government. AS
is we'll known, Gov, O'Ferrall dsclined
to support Bryan and the Chicago
platform This course was severely
criticised by the Bryan papers here
and in other parts of Virginia.
The Governor has not forgotten this,
and now the word has gone out that
such papers will not be remem bered
when any good scoops are to be giy-
en- out from the executive office to re-
porters The result of this policy is
that journals not i'll favor have to keep
mighty sharp lookout if they do not
wish their more favored competitors
to secure tae best news items that are
to BE- secured in the neighborhood of
the Governors office. This boycott is
q brand new thing at the Virginia
State House. No one can recall the
fact that any OF Gov. O'Ferrall's pre-
decessors ever brought it into play
whenever newspapers of opposing par
ties took occasion to criticise their
public actions. correspon.
dent Baltimore Sun.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-01-07
Railroad Development.

Statistics of new railway equipment
built in this country in 1896. gathered
by the Railroad Gazette. show that 480
more locomotive were constructed than
in 1894 and "a more than last year.
The nam Der built in 1896 was t,175,
of which 800 were for export, chiefly to
South America. but some also to Rus
STA, japan and South Africa. Locomo.
tive builders in this country at present
have orders On their books for 70
engines for Japan, where most of those
now in service are of English make
The statistics of car building are
from Al companies and show total of
81, 1S9 freight and 474 passenger cars
built in 1896, an increase in freight
cars over 1895 of "a per cent. The mum
Der of passenger cars built in 1896 was
430.
The railroad tracks laid in the United
States in 1896 make a total of 1862
miles. In 1895 1,428 miles were built
and in 1894 the total was 1,760 miles.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-01-07
Suicide of Bank omnials.

Richard d. Cornelius; one of the old
est and best known bank cashiers of
Baltimore, committed suicide on Mon
dav last. His body was found in the
duck pend in Druid Hill Part that 1af
ternoon few hours after a shortage
of $50, OONA had been discovered in his
accounts at the National Farmers and
Planters Bank. On Saturday Bank
Examiner Winchester drew the atten-
ton of the officers of the bank to irreg
ularities in connection with the ac-
counts of an out of town institution.
Monday morning Mr.. Cornelius was
asked to explain the irregularities. He
did not attempt to do so, but abruptly
walked of. A closer examination of
his accounts disclosed an apparent
shortage of $4,000. Mr.. Cornelius was
in addition to his position as bank
cashier, a local worker in the Metho.
dist church, and very prominent in
religious circles.
w. A. Hammond, Vice President of
the "Bursted'' National Bank of II
linois, drowned himself and his sorrows
in Lake Michigan on last Friday night.
The disappearance of Hammond re-
calls the suicide of Otto Wasmansdorh,
Ullc UI1AhCi d lCn o1y e~So' w
dorff's death was the direct result of
the failure of the National Bank of II
linois, the collapse of that institution
pulling down the firm of Wasmansdortf
and Heiniemann, of which Wasmans
dorff was the senior partner. Wasmans
dorff blew his brains out with re-
volver.
Henry Hustled, cashier of the Union
County National Bank, Liberty, Ind
was found banging by the neck to a
rafter in his stable last Saturday. His
knees were touching the floor. and he
was dead when found by his son.
SELMA, Ala, Dec. 91-Geo. B. Will
kins, vice president of the Commercial
National Bank of Selma, which failed
yesterday, committed suicide by shoot
ing himself through the head in the
Episcopal church here at o'clock this
morning. He Was treasurer OF the Pro
testant Episcopol Diocese of Alabama,
OF St. Paul's parish. of the Brother
hood of St Andrew, of the Odd Fellows
and of the Y. NJ. G. A,
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-01-07
Caba Again.
ICommunicated.l


The resolution OF the Senate, in re-
lation to Cuban affairs, is raising a
very grave question which the people
OF the United States should immediate
ly consider carefully. The historic re
lations Of Spain to the American cont
nent, its islands, seas and CULTS, are of
such prominent pre- eminence before
the world as to demand recognition
everywhere. Spain belongs to the
family of European nations which
have established, and do endeavor to
maintain. 8 balence of powers, which
is claimed for the peace and safety of
the whole. Any disturbing cause be.
comes subject of enquiry by the sys-
TEN of powers. Though Cuba is re
mote from Spain, yet the island and
its proximity to other possessions are
recognized in according. to Spain her
rank in the sisterhood of European
powers. Interfeafenea with q domain
of such magnitude and national i'm
portance impairs the autonomy Of the
Balence of Powers. and will not be
assented to with appreciation by the
Powers. 1t is not only a question of
property and dignity to Spain. but it
gives a new phase to the safety and
freedom in the channels of entrance
to the Gulf Of Mexico and the coast OF
Central America. Agitation on the
part of the United States, at this time,
may awaken the apprehension OF
Europe as to the quiet enjoyment of
their rights in American property and
waters, in anticipation of a completion
of the transoontinentai routes ever
Central America. England controls
Gibraltar and Suez Canal by the east,
and q prospective shortcut oyer Cen
trail America by the west, must be q
consideration of great Importance TO
her and the continent. Are the United
States willing to risk the trial OF results
upon the iinpracticable theory-senti
ment, of better government for. the
Heterogeneous, intractable, illiterate
and uncuitivated populations who
would predominant?
ETSEERSVJJJE
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-01-07
A Kentucky Christmas.

The Christmas festivities we're cele-
brated in Kentucky, in q style becom-
ing that newly republicanized com
monwealth. We have not at command
reliable statistics covering previous
Christmases dating back for more than
thirty years, but we admit that whilst
it hes been hard to withhold the ener-
getic people of Kentucky in their on
march, that at no period of her history
ward has she shone so brightly,as since
she became weddedto the gold standard
and unfurled the banner If prosperity.
To illustrate this we find that during
Christmas week Kentucky merrymak
ers were RECALLED with seven lynching
parties. On and about the day of peace
on earth and good will towards men,
the following trivial matters of differ
ence were settled, SO that when the
new year began it should be with a
clean balance sheet.
at Cynthiana. John Howe, colored,
shot and killed policeman Chas. Lacy.
Nea. the same place Alex. Small killed
Geo. Bowers.
On Big Elkhorn, Tom Edelson stab
bed Bud Stein to death.
In Browne county, Chas. Ewalt, a
prominent aOhate man, killed Harry
Saster, colored, at dance.
At ball in Breathitt county, four
men were stabbed and cut, and one
was mortally wounded.
Bill Morrow, gentleman seemingly
highly gifted in the use of firearms,
amused himself at Kavenaugh Chapel
over in Lawrence county, by shooting
the candles off the Christmas tree
Geo. Pack modestly requested Mr..
Morrow to cease firing until the chill
dren obtained a few more presents,
whereupon Mr.. Morrow turned the gun
on Mr. Pack and snuffed out his light
Then Mr.. Morrow quietly rode away.
Joe Robertson, who seemed to pride
himself somewhat on his strength, I'M
dersook to eject John and Geo. Rex
road from Christmas tree at Column
bisi whereupon John and Geo. opened
fire upon Robertson, and increased bis
avoirdupois by several ounces, from
which too sudden taking on of flesh
Robertson died.
What merry, merry Christmas they
die have over where the blue grass
grows.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-01-07
GRAIN TRADE AND CROPS.

The Cincinnati Price, Current of last
Thursday says
The past week has been characterized
by a continuation of mild temperature
in the central regions, and for the most
part the condition of country roads has
been good, favoring the movement OF
produce frotn farms to shipping points
This condition, however. has not had
much apparent effect in charging
grain supplies in commercial channels,
although it may make more Of q show
ing the near future. The prices for
corn and oats are SO very low that sell
ing is mostly confined to persons VINO
are Obliged to realize. The bulk of the
remaining supply of wheati is probably
in tn hands of farmers who are able
to carry it further; until the dollar
price is reached or despaired OF.
There are occasional intimatiOn in
current correspondence that there are
fair supplies of wheat being held back
in farmers bins. The season has, been
one Of constant remark that wheat has
been held back, or has been scarce
the latter condition being made to APP
pear the more emphatic by the non
selling policy of producers. In view of
such a. record it il made possible il not
probable that later on the offerings
may be shown to be more liberal than
prevailing calculations have recogniz
ed. Fer the Immediate future the in
d;ca:ious dn not suggest important
changes ia the offerings or movement
of wheat OF other grain.
Current correspondence reflects con-
siderable comment about damage to
the wheat crop, notably in Indiana,
and to some extent westward, but such
reports are not more numerous than
previously, and taken as whole IA
vorabe conditions attending the grow
ing crop largely predominant.
The wheat market has had some up
ward tendency the past week, but a
part eff the gain has been lost, mani
testify due to realizing sales OF specula-
tive holdings At the close May wheat
at Chicago is &c higher than a week
ago. Corn is slightly higher, and oats
lower.
May wheat at Chicago closed 14c be-
low the highest point of the week, II G
above the lowest point, and 1sc higher
than a week ago.
Corn at Chicago for May closed &c
below the highest point of the week,
&c above the lowest point of the week,
and 5c lower than a week ago.
Wheat receipts at primary markets
were SAG 600 bushels for the week
against 3,7!8. 900 the preceding week
and $40 003 last year.
Corn receipts were 1906, 600 bushels
against 2S75 900 the preceding week
ana 2,305, 900 last year.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-01-07
Col. Philip %. ElkIns Dead.

Col Philip Duncan Eikins, father OF
United States Senator Elkins, dice
Sunday afternoon at the residence OF
his son of EIkins, w. Va. from 81 gen
eral collapse .,f the system.
Senator EiAins was in Washington
when te.egrapned that his father was
.dving He arrived at Cumberland
early in the morning and went at once
to Eikins by u special train, arriving
there before his father expired.
The bir. hplace OF Col. Elkins was
Fauqu:ef county, Va. He was in the
eiGl.ay eighth year of his age. He wa.
a G ,nfed rate soldier and an ardent
den. 3crat.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-01-07
More Banks Close.

The Citizens National Bank of Far
go. N. D., failed Saturday last. The
bank is in the hands of the natlonai
bank examiner, It's capital is 500, QUO.
The president is II. F. Miller.
Bank Examiner Angel took posses
sion of and closed the Whitehall, Mlcn.'
State Savings Bank Saturday. The
bank has made 10 statement. Its Lass
report showed deposits of about
$50, 900; loans and discounts wv IVY;
stocks, bonds and mortgages, "a, $40.
and'about $4,000 on hand.
The Germania Bank of st. Paui,
Mimi, closed it's doors Monday: lts
capital was 100000, with surplus Oh
$4,000.
The Allemania Bank of the same city
also closed its doors on Mondays LIS
statement on Dec. 81 showed loans ana
discounts $706, e42, cash on hand ana
due from other banks S192,O66, oepos
it's 5000, 505.
The City Bank of Nora Springs, Iowa,
suspended Monday.
The Savings Bank of Omaha, Neb.,
failed to open its doors Saturday morn
ing and is in the hands of the State
Banking Board.
Frank Atkins, president of the Col
orado Savings Bank, who was lndlcted
on charge of having received depos
it's when he knew the bank was insol
vent, was acquitted last Saturday.
Henry Durk, cashier of of the First
National Bank Of Niagara Falls, which
recently suspended, was arraigned last
Saturday before United States Com
missioner Norton, of Buffalo, n. y, on
the charge of being implicated in the
| failure Of the bank.
CHICAGO, Dec. 31-E. S. Dreyer OF
the banking firm of E. s. Dreyer Y Co,
which failed as result of the collapse
| of the National Bank of Illinois, is
very sick with Inflammation of the
kidneys, arc not even the members OF
his family are allowed to see him. His
recent financial trouble have aggrava-
| ted his condition to such an extent
that grave fears are entertained for his
recovery.
GRAND FORKS, N. D., Dec. 31.-The
directors of the Second National Bank
tof this city today decided not to open
for business. The following notice was
posted: ION account of recent heavy
Withdrawals OF deposits and the i'm
possibility of realizing upon our assets,
it has been decided by our board OF
| directors to suspend and that the
1 comptroller be advised of our action
1t is said by the banks officers that
following the failures of the National
Bank of Illinois and the Bank of Min
nesota $40,0 900 was withdrawn from the
Second National, while its deposits
had amounted to only about 7,00(
! during the past fourteen days.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-01-07

About 500 leading manufacturers and
railroad officials, including Presidents
Cowen of the B. & o. and ingalls, of
the G. & O., Vice Presidents Finley of
the Southern, and st. John of the Sea-
board Air Line; President Gates Of the
Illinois Steel Co.; Abram s. Hewitt
and others contribute to last weeks
issue of the Manufacturers Record of
Baltimore, their views upon the bust
ness outlook for 1897, Almost without
exception they take a very favorable
view of the situation and a general
summary of their letters shows conf
derce in gradual but sure return of
business activity and prosperity.
The recent bank failures and sharp
crack of firearms by the bank officials
in blowing out their brains, were SO
far west of these roseate hued gentle
men they could not hear the sounds.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-01-07
A Big Enterprise.

Mr.. John F. Flournoy, one of the
most enterprising citizens of Colum-
bus, Ga, has organized an electric
light and power company which is 10
invest $500, 900 in its plant for the de
velopment of electric power from the
falls of the Chattahoochee. Already
1 200 horse power has been developed,
and this will be raised to 1900 hors e
power. The power now obtained from
the falls, about one mile from the cen
ire of the city, is used to run street
cars, to supply electric arc lights, to
furnish power for two clothing facto
ries and several smaller industries
The company viii soon be prepared to
supply also all the incandescent lights
that willie be needed in Columbus. In
the rushing Chattahoochee," says the
Atlanta Journal, "Columbus has a
S. URGE OF power and wealth the value
of which it would be difficult to esti-
mate. She is fortunate also in having
citizens who have the means and incli
nation to develop this great resource. "
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-01-07
Working Pablic Reads.

The New York Herald suggests that
the conviets in the State penltentiary
be put to work on the public roads,
The State, it says, needs good Toajs,
and in making them the convicts would
not compete with free labor In some
of the Southern States convicts are
utilized upon outdoor works, and grave
abuses have been complained of in
that connections Bat in those eases
the coDvicts were hired to contra efoxi
vino, it was charged. overworked the
prisoners and treated them with inhu
manity. But if the gsngs were work
ed by the State itself, under tie guard
OF State officers, there need be no cause
for any such complaint. In Maryland
there is A fine opportunity for an ex
pertinent. The House of Correction,
at Jessup's Cut, is overcrowded with
prisoners, and there is the greatest diff
ficultv in dayising employment for
them. TIC bring the free labor OF the
State into killing competition with
convict labor would furnish the former
with a Just cause of complaint. But,
as the Herald Justly remarks. making
roads does not compete with free labor.
On the contrary, free labor would get
the same benefit which would come 10
the community at large from good
roads. A beginning might be made
upon roads within five or ten miles of
the House OF Correction as an expert
meat. These might be graded and
drained and made splendid high ways,
and, If stone or gravel can De found
convenient, the roads might be metal
ed with il. After this isSdene, and the
should be deemed success
full. the area of improvement might pe
extended. II is true that three cOun
ties which come together in the Wei
nifty of the House of Correction would
get the benefit of this labor butas long
as it works no detriment to any other
county there would be no cause for
More than this, each coun-
ty has direct precuniary interest IN
the growth and improvement OF every
other co.lnty.-Balt. Sun.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-01-07
A Woman Pastor WEEDS.

KALAMAZOO, MICH. Jan. Rev.
Caroline J. Bartlett, pastor of the PEG
pies Church of this city, was married
last evening to DIR. A w. Crane. city
pathologist. Miss Bartlett's church
has no creed. Its declared purpose is
that Of establishing truth, righteous
ness and love in the world.' 1t is
open seven days in the week. has q
kindergarten. gymnasium and various
features of social and moral improve
ment.- Upon invitation of Miss Bart
lett, Catholics, Protestants, Jews,
Spiritualists, Christian Scientists, free
thinkers and agnostics have spoken
from her pulpit,
This is the church Col. Bob Ingersol
said he would like to join if they woJlld
let him.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-01-07
The Old Watts Residence Burned.

The old Watts residence, about two
miles north OF Roanoke, was destroyed
by fire Sunday night. along with the
kitchen and other outbuildings. The
building was for many years the home
Of the late Col. VIM. Watts. father of
ex State Senator J. Allen Watts of
Roanoke. and contained about twenty
looms. 1t was occupied by George G.
Huff, who Was sick in bed at the time
of the fire, the origin of which is sup
posed to have been a defective fue.
The loss was estimated at 1000 and
there was no insurance,
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-01-07
Don,,,o Hanging in Norfolk.

The first ,iouble hanging in Norfolk
siuce 1921 when two Spaniar'i were
hanged tor tne murder OF IL young
Frenchmaai tiaued LcgaY dette, oacurr
ed6n Tuesday, 5th inst, Chas. w IL
liza us aud Wan. Downing, aged % and
90 years respectively, expiated their
crimes Williams for killing Geo. Bess
(coi J, ans: Downing for killing Emma
Lane (coi The drop fed at SIT a III !,
that hour having been selected in Or
der to have tile unpleasant affair of as
quietly AS possible.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-01-07

DOVER, DEL, Jan 4-rbe Court of
Errors and Appeals today reversed the
decision OF the Superior Court for re-
count of the vote in Kent county by
the canvassing board. This is vic O.
~ for the democrats and gives that
party decided majority in the legis-
lature which will elect United States
Senator.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-01-07
sTAUNToN sFEcTAToR AND vINDIoAToR.
Alpha Tau Omega Convention.

CLEVELAND, O., Dec. 30.-The ff-
teenth biennial convention of the
Alpha Tau Omega fraternity began
here today with about two hundred
delegates in attendance The conven-
ton was opened with an address of
welcome Mayor Robert McKisson, of
this city. to which Mr.. James Pugh,
of Washington, son of Senator Pugh,
responded on behalf of the fraternity.
Milo Massey of Georgia, delivered an
grafton and Charles G. PiEckney Of
Tennessee, read poem.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-01-07
The Nations Vote.

The official canvasses of the votes OF
all the States for President November
8, have been completed. According TO
the official figures, as compiled by the
Associated Press, the total vote was
Is. 1853 q6a. Mckinley, republican, re-
ceived 7,101, 401; Bryan, democrat,
6. 470, 656; Palmer, gold STANDARD demo-
crat, 1876, 95G; Levering, pEohibirion.
130,560; Bentley. national, 4,39S;
Matchette, socialist, 80, 53S. McKinley's
plurality is $50. 745. and his majority
over all is S16,8o0.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-01-07

A little more silver would have pro
babe saved some of the bank crashes
which have become so numerous re-
Gently, and the lives of their sound
money cashiers who have suicided.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-01-07

It is strange logic for railroads to
preac Oh honest money and the honor OF
obligations, when every railroad in
the country has been stolen from the
people who built it.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-01-07

The New York Journal is counting
the days Of Cleveland's administra-
tion. With today we have but Sc
more of those melancholy days, the
eaddest of the year.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-01-07

Now that Mr.. Cleveland will reside
at Princeton and will doubtless witness
some of the foot ball games, we warn
the players in avoiding tackle never
to duck. lest the ex-president might
shoot at them.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-01-07
Spectator & vindicator
THURSDAY. JANUARY z.

This paper has the largest circula-
tion Of any Newspaper published in
the Valley of Virginia. The subscrip-
ton list is open to inspection.
Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-01-07

Governor O'Ferrall has in the past
veal pardoned 1874 persons out OF the
pententiary. The governor will now
never be without tried friends.