davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Van Buren press., 1897-09-25
DARKY'S MIRACULOUS ESCAPE
Riding ON bumpers, He Comes Out of
Collision Unscathed

n Washington railroad man tells s.
most remarkable story of hairbreadth
escape which he says was reported to
him by the engineer of freight train
on his road recently. 1t happened some
where in Delaware, near Dover The
train on which the engineer was en-
ployed was running at terrible rate
down grade, when through somebody's
mistake the headlight of another train
appeared just ahead on the same track
There was no time to avert a collision.
The engineer and fireman jumped for
life, and the two trains came together
with a force that piled cars in heaps
and reduced the engines themselves 10
hot scrap iron. The engineer picked
himself up, badly bruised. and started
back TO look for the train crew. Sud-
denly in the darkness forgot to say
that the accident happened at night
he heard a faint voice calling for helm.
a search revealed the figure of a negro
perched on the top of car. He was al
most too frightened to speak at all. but
he managed to say that he had been
stealing ride and that when the col
hson occurred he was standing on tba
bumpers between two cars. The bumn-
ers crashed together and he was shot IN
TO the very top Of the car. where he
clung, absolutely uniniured. He HADN'T
even bruise, and if you ever heard of
an escape more miraculous than that
Id like to know it.-Washington Pos.
The Van Buren press., 1897-09-25
GRAPE UPON THE DOOR.

Somber Grape, somber Grape, morsel NOR
tails use to drape
Doors through which Death unlimited came
in dread and awful shape,
Waving slow to and fro that the thought
less throng may know
One home-sunbeam was eclipsed beneath
cloud of bitter woe
Thou hast been through long years emblem
of earth's countless tears
When darkest certainty replaced alter
nate hopes and fears;
When torn hearts long on the rack turned
like thee laek-luster black,
And the stars no longer shone in heaven s
once hope-illumined track
Yet those years have brought to me bet
ter views and thoughts Of thee
For each sorrow hath its morrow which
experienced souls may see;
] have learned that meath thy veil shines
the light which cannot fail.
Harbor-beacon beekoning homeward
through the darkness and the gale.
Badge of grief. badge of grief, back of
thee, in grand relief,
Lies the glory which the reaper finds with
IN the golden sheaf:
Death is life. end of strife, close of years
with evil rife.
The beginning of the winning; rest when
sheathed the surgeons knife.
Ours the tear, theirs the cheer, and Heaven
yistas vast and clear.
Where their wings may spurn the ehrysalis
which hampers spirits here;
Where each JOY they can see with new
views from earthmists free.
Proves the story of the glory that is
promised you and me.
Somber sign, proof benign Of thought
full love divine
Which hath made Death but its messenger
to lead us DER the line
Welcome, friend. who canst end woes and
shattered spirits mend.
Unto thy kindly ministries in grateful
trust we bend.
l. EDGAR JONES.
The Van Buren press., 1897-09-25
ENRICHING THE SOIL.
Aids to Success in the Use of Commercial
and other Fertilizers.


and other Fertilizers.
The impression that the mere appli-
cation of a few pounds of fertilizers TO
a poor soil is all that is necessary to
make it produce large crop has now
about disappeared from the minds of
the average farmer. This wisdom has
been gained from experience, but un-
fortunately this same experience fre-
quently proved to be very costly. The
more light that is thrown upon this
important question, the more prosper
Gus will be the condition of the farmer.
In the opinion of the writer the three
great essentials which have most to do
with the successful culture of the soil
are good cultivation. proper rotation
and judicious fertilization. Carving
these on, hand in hand, and taking the
seasons as they come, the results will
more than crafty any toll tiller. The
three requisites mentioned are mutual
ly dependent upon one another If the
soil is in the best physical condition,
and this can only be brought about bv
thorough cultivation, il affords bet
ter opportunity for the plant roots to
forage about in search Of food. Fur
thermore, it admits the passage Of air
and enables the water to move freely.
and unless the soil admits Of such the
plant is retarded in its growth which
of course means a reduction in the
yield.
As for the rotation. every farmer
with experience knows that II is not
good plan 10 grow the same crop year
after year upon the same soil II is
The Van Buren press., 1897-09-25
III for Tnt.

"You don't know much about the city,
do you?" said the city cousin in his SUI
perior way as he was showing his
country relative around
"No more'n you do about the farm
was the prompt reply.-Chieago Post.
The Van Buren press., 1897-09-25

-One-eighth of the entire populs'
ton of Great Britain live within %
limits of London.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-18

did not vary greatly from Fitzsimmons
at made a mistake in not keeping away
was the way he put it. "Fitz, 1 knew to
be a terrific puncher, but I never calcu-
lated on his being able to reach me- If
the sixth round had lasted ten seconds
longer 1 would have landed him to a GER
tainty. His nose was clogged with blood
and his legs were wabbling. The gong
sounded Just as l was about to plug him
with nv right, and end the battle. He re-
cuperated wonderfully, and I stayed away
from him until l thought he was about
ripe for another drubbing at short range.
NV neglect in not standing off when he
tapped me on the cheek in the fourteenth
lost me the championship. That heart
punch simply choked me up. ! could not
breathe or move for fifteen seconds, and
II was several minutes before 1 realized
that I had committed a breach Of ETH
ouette in trying to follow up my opponent
after he put me out. l meant IL when
said I would be his friend hereafter. He
whipped me fair and square, but / don't
think he is the best man yet and we will
have another so II money can bring him
into the ring"
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-18

clinched and smiling in each others faces
Round 5--Jim swung a hard left on the
Jaw, which made Fitzsimmons groggy,
and the Australian tried to corner his
rival but Jim was too fast and got away.
sending a left on the jaw as he skipped
back. Bob was not grlnning quite 80
much now. Jim was a bit wild with the
right at the stomach on the first attempt,
but, on the second. he landed viciously on
the wind. They exchanged hard right
body blows. and then Corbett landed with
both hands, his right finding the body
and his left the jaw. In the clinch ne
upper-cut Fitzsimmons, and the latter re-
turned the compliment with right hook
on the jaw. Corbett sent In two right
hand body punches and they clinchsd.
After they stepped back Jims right
reached the wind but Bob countered with
a jolt under the chin, A left jab from the
Californian made Fitzsimmons' mouth
bleed and a howl Of Joy went up from
COrbett's admirers at the sight of blood.
This seemed TO nerved Jim and he came
in with a vicious right and left on both
sides Of Fitzslmmons' head. Fitz came
back with right swing, which
caught Corbett tust above the ear and
the Californian clinched. They stepped
back on the word from the referee and
then Jim put a heavy left on the jaw, 20
which Bob had no return. A right on the
body and a stiff left on the jaw flush on
the face made the claret flow freely from
Fitz's nose and mouth and he appeared
a little ratified. Jim was now doing all
the work. He supplemented right ana
left on the Jaw with a right arm punch,
which was just enough behind the point
Of Fitzsimmons Jaw to minimize the dan
ger Corbett showed much more conh-
dence and shifted his attack from the
body TO the jaw. Four times before the
bell rang Jlm's right and left landed
lightly on the point OF attack and as the
ben rang he upper-cut Fitzsimmons IN
ciinch.
Round e-Fitz opened the round with
a right and left swing for the jaw, which
were both short. The fast Australian
seemed 70 grow very vicious az his fail
ure, and he rushed al Jim and rugged
him hard, Attempting to wrestle him
against the roges. Referee Siler quickly
noticed the roughlng and cautioned Fltz-
simmons. The caution seemed 10 have the
desired effect. fo9 In the clinchcs which
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-18

11tz held up his shoulders too high. Jim's
only effort in the way of a parting shot
was fun right upper cut, which he
brought around very clumsily and failed
to land by at least foot every time he
tried. He did get in one good upper-cut
in the fourth round, splitting Bobs under
lip and starting the blood in a thick
stream. Several times the men cllnched
and parted with both hands up.
Frequently Bob worked Jim into a cor
ner and reached for him right and left
with blows that would win any cham
pionship battle if they had landed. Fitz-
simmons himself admits that Corbett
shuftied and side-stepped his way to safe
ty in manner which simply dazed him.
Il never saw such a clever man in my
life" said Fitzsimmons this evening. HE
got away from me time and again when
thought had him dead to rights: 1 knew
1 could wear him out so 1 kept coming
right along until my opportunity arrived.
He was weak in the last round and all his
cleverness could not keep him out of that
left punch under the heart. The only
blow that really worried me was the one
which split my lip. The others never
felt. He fought fair and hereafter he NAV
have my respect if he continues to merit
it,"
Corbett's own version of his "Waterloo"
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-18

Australian, who had recovered wonderful
w. A couple of 1olts on the wind before
the bell rang weakened Jim AS Fitz
went to his corner he heard his wife saw
something about blood on his face He
turned quickly and said: Never mind
the blood, I've got him licked"
Round 7-F1tzsimmons came I'D looking
fresh and stood his ground. Corbett, how
ever, was the first 70 lead with a left on
the jaw and a right on the body Fltz
stopped a hard right lead for the body
but was Wild with his right and left. and
Corbett jabbed him three times in the face.
F1tzsimmons put light uppercut on the
chin and they came together Fitz was
bleeding freely and Corbett was plentiful
ly besmeared with the Australians gore.
Jim sent light left on the
face Bob returning with left on the
body which yas also light Bob swung
his right hard for the Jaw, but missed and
they clinched. He tried again with the
same result. Both were cautious for a
moment and then Jim let fly a light left
on the nose. Bob reached the face with a
light left, but missed with both hands. In
an attempt 70 get to the Jaw. Jim SHOW
ed his left twice in the face, Bob coun-
tering the last blow with a left on the
Jaw CoTbetts right caught Fitzslmmons
hard on the wind, but the Australian
countered heavily on the head. They
were slow In breaking away Fitzslm-
mons right on the wind, brought a coun-
ter from Corbett. with left on the same
spot. Jim landed a light left on the Jaw.
and both swung wildly. Corbstt
put his left glove lightly on the face, and
as Fitzsimmons clinched he uppercut
Corbett with a right on the Jaw Both
were sparring for wind at the end OF the
round.
Round Slim opened with light lef..
which Bob stopped The Australian swung
right and left. but missed and Jim drove
his left on the wind. Bob faxed a left
lead and then caught Jim lightly on the
Jaw with a right. Fitz forced the hght-
ing with heavy left on the wind but
ne was very wild with his right swings
and a couple Of clinches followed. Cor
bett cleverly evaded a left for the head
and then sent his own left for the body
twice Fitz drove his left hard above
the heart. but Corbett drew back In time
20 avoid the fun force OF the blow. jim
landed hard left punch on the side Of the
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-18

wind. little hugging followed and for
the first time the referee came In between
the men and broke them. Before the bell
sounded cessation, Fitzsimmons put a
neat right on the body and swung his left
TO the jaw, and the honors were fairly
even.
Round Aim again led Off, with left,
which failed to land, and they clinched
and broke clean, Bob tried with a right
lead for the head but missed. and Cor
bett put hard right punch on the body.
and in the clinch swung his right TO the
jaw. Bob was determined, but slow. Cor
bett commenced to make things pretty
lively, but they cliuched three times with
out blow being struck. A light LEFT swing
on the jaw from Corbett was returned with
interest by Fitzsimmons. as far as inten-
ton went. but Bobs right and left MISS
ed the mark by a few inches. Corbett
landed two heavy rights on the wind and
put straight left flush In the face. Then
jim planted his right under Bob's ear and
easily escaped a right and left. Jim sent
ms right to the wind and Bob clinched
taking an uppercut on the chin before
they broke. Corbett seemed TO cling to
Fftzsimmons In clinches as If to save his
strength. Fitz shot out his left with ter
rihc force on the wind and swung a vicious
right on the Jaw, which was short Cor
betts left landed on the stomach, and he
repeated the dose a second later. He
swung, missing right and left, but on his
third trial he sent his right to the stom-
ach and followed up with two stiff lefts
on the jaw. Corbett was on the agrees
sive now, and, after missing a Ieft for
the head, he sent his right across on the
stomach. Time was called with the men
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-18

little procession passed through the crowd
without receiving much applause and got
into their quarters at 1O4l
Corbett left 5haw's Springs in a closed
carriage and was accompanied by White,
Delaney and Judge Lalor His brother
Joe, with Jeffries, Woods and McVey, fol-
lowed in stage, as did Jims two mas
cots, the collies Ned and Laddie. They ar
rived at LILO and went at once to the
dressing room. At II: 80 Mrs. Fitzsimmons
left the dressing room and took seat
in box directly behind her husbands cor
ner. There We're about dozen women
scattered in different boxes.
At ll:15 a scattering round of applause
announced Fitzsimmons' appearance. He
wore Turkish toweling bath robe Of blue
and white and was followed by his sec
onds. He had scarcely got half way to
the ring, when Corbett appeared in the
aisle at the opposite side of the ring. He
wore a dark gray brown striped Dress
ing gown. Both men reached the plat
form almost together, but Fitzsimmons
was first up the steps inside the ring.
The lanky Australian stood I'm his cor
ner for a moment and sized up his rival
with a peculiarly cool and critically
searching glance. Then he paced up and
down his side Of the ropes, rubbing his
hands together with a nervous motion.
Corbott appeared very cool and chatted
confidently with his friends at the ring
side.
The gloves were then handed In by
Wheeloch. and the men donned them
Charley White looked after Fitzsimmons'
fitting. and Martin Julian performed a like
act for Corbett. Master OF Ceremonies
Billy Madden introduced the men, and
Referee Siler announced the officials and
seconds. In Corbett's corner were Charley
White, Billy Delaney. Jack McVey and
Billy Woods. Fitzsimmons' aides were
Martin Julian, Roeber, Hickey and stenz-
Ter.
George Silcr called the men together
and said: Il don't suppose It Is neoessa-
ry for me to instruct YOU"
Both quickly shook their heads
"You both know the rules as well as I
do" Sller continued.
Eyes, yes" Corbett answered. Fitzsim-
mons nodded his head emphatically and
Siler stepped aside and Corbett walked
towards Fitzsimmons with his Right hand
outstretched, but Fltzsimm0ns shook his
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-18

BY $50 o'clock the outer gates of the
Dig wooden arena were thrown open and
those who were not fortunate enough to
possess tickets for the reserved seats got
their breakfast hurriedly and FASTENED to
obtain the most advantageous seats on the
benches The holders of numbered seats
took things more easily and did not start
for the scene of action until about $50
o'clock. The battle was advertised for
10 o'clock, but the special trains from the
east and west did not arrive until long
after this hour, and it was evident that
both Corbett and Iritzsimmons knew that
there was no hurry for they took their
time about reaching the ring side. by IL
O'Clock the arena was comfortably filed
and nearly all the ticket-holders had taken
their seats. The seating capacity of the
arena is estimated at IS 900 and the crowd
were all seated and numbered about 5000
people While the spectators were await
ing the arrival of the principals and their
aides, they put in their time listening to
a series of challenges to the winner.
Billy Jordan challenged on behalf of John
l.. Sullivan, and the old-time champion
was greeted with a round of applause when
he DOTTED his silk hat and clambered
through the ropes to make the customary
speech.
On behalf of Joe Goddard and Tom
Sharkey, Billy Madden hurled defies at the
head of the prospective champion.
Fitzsimmons was the first to reach the
dressing room which had been selected
for him on the north side of the arena.
Martin Julian and Roeber led the way for
Fitzsimmons, who was driven by his wife
in a neat single buggy. They were fol-
lowed by Hickey and Stenzler, and the
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-18


College lin
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David semn
defeated Duncan Mcdonald the
in
knocked
hadbe
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Toms
in
al
San Francis
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San Francis
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weny -seve rounds Benecia Cal
Sal Fancsc
Pot land, Ore.
1890 from Domnick McCanrey four
exhibition L. san
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w York
W York.
l. NewO
three roundsJ
Orange N. Y
exhibition thlet club
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-18

followed, Bob was much more cautious
Corbett landed a light left on the lace
and Bob came back with his right on the
body lightly. but missed a terrific left
swing for the jaw. They 6linched and
Bob caught Corbett a hard clip with the
right on the side of the head on the break
away. Corbett sent in a neat aud effec-
tive right on the wind, and came again
with a right on the ear, and a left on the
mouth and nose, which started
the blood afresh Encouraged
by his seconds and the shouts
of his friends in the arena, Corbett fol-
lowed his man all over the ring jabbing
him hard with the left. Bob appeared 10
be very near Queer street and Rugged
Corbett closely. While he hung on, Cor
bett uppercut him in the wind, pasted a
right and left on the Jaw and forced
Fit2simmons into his corner Fitzsimmuns
came back at him, however, and the fight
ing that ensued was fast and furious
both men being covered with blood. jim
sent a hard right to the jaw and swung
his left. catching Fitzsimmons under the
ear and bringing him 90 his knees. The
Australian remained down until Siler
called nine and then got to his feet jim
rushed at once, and planted right and
left on both sides OF the face. Fitzsm-
mons kept away for a time and recover
ed quickly, showing his wonderful recup-
eratlve abilities He was slow. however,
and kept clnching. Jim upper cut him
repeatedly in the clinches and swung
right and left three or four times on the
jaw Fitzsimmons appeared very grog-
gy, but Jim lacked strength to get in the
deciding blow. In a clinch Jim took a
short arm punch on the nose from the
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-18

head slowly and half turned back to his
own corner. Corbett smiled and stopped
short. Fitzsimmons' action was received
with Kisses and cheers.
Official Time Keeper Billy MVldoon mo-
toned to Lon Housenan of Chicago, who
held the watch for Fitzsimmons. and
Jimmy ColVille, who acted as time keeper
for Corbett, and then MuldOon Changed
the gong and the battle was on. During
the contest the crowd seemed impressed
with the greatness of the struggle and the
fair and manly way in which it was
waged.
Good order was maintained until the
last moment and after couple of rounds
the telling points made by each man were
loudly cheered
After Corbett came to his senses, the
two pugilists shook hands, Jim having
indirectly apologized for his outbreak
after the contest was decided.
After Mrs Fitzsimmons had embraced
her husband utterly regardless of his sam
culinary appearance, the victorious pro-
cession headed for the dressing room, A
wash and rub down improved the cham
pion's appearance a hundred-fold. His
better half's rosy cheeks grew a degree
roster at the applause which greeted the
new champion as they set out for home.
She shifted the reins to her left hand and
waved a tiny cambria and linen handker-
chief. The pair bowled along at merry
pace to Cook Ranch, where Bob's appe-
tite showed no diminution after his exer-
else.
After Corbett had been rubbed down,
he dressed quickly and got into a carriage
and drove to the depot anG got on board
a train for San Francisco.
The betting underwent very little
change before the battle, and the men en-
tered the ring at 100 to 20 on Corbett. Few
big individual bets were made, but during
the progress of the fight Moses Gunst of
San Francisco bet $500 even on Corbett
with Pittsburg Phil. The latter won $1,000,
and would have wagered much more
money at the ring-side If he could have
obtained suitable shareholders. Paris mu-
tuals paid 1880 for one on the comblna-
ton Fitzsimmons, Green and Hawkins.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-18


o
liza and they live Grey Road Taru Zealand His father
man. is Z Z of age
Count
here he
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e a he
bought gloves and practicd
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wasre
after toying W he
VOL
nokedo OUT
Chicago
1891 won fromB Pearl FUNDS
knocked out amesF Farrell re
1892 cked out Joe Godfrey, roun
knocked out erryS York.
&2 knocked out Zen
93kn cked out lin leans
knocked
knocked on
WON'T ON
idraww Joe
knoc OIL
q ocxed Quit Creedon
knocked out
knocke out Tex.
1S6 los to Thomas
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-18
BEFORE THE BATTLE.
Scenes and incidents Prior 10 the
Opening OF the Fight.

Carson, New, March 17.-The absence OF
rain or snow and a moderately clear morn
ing would have satisfied the sports, and
their thanks to the weather deity were
fervent indeed, when they saw the sun
rise in all his majesty 60 shine benignantly
throughout one Of the most glorious days
ever experienced IN this locality. Every
one was astir by o'clock. Both train
ing quarters were visited by a constant
stream OF vehicles and those who were
satisfied with the condition of the men
from various visits stood around the street
corners discussing the probable outcowR
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-18

right on Bobs side, and followed with
a fast left on the wind Both men were
getting carefully and cleanly out Of
clinchos Bob's left reached the wind, but
Corbett swung his right on the Jaw IN tho
clinch that followed Then Jim put his
left on the body, and as Bob came into
clinch him. Jim piled two stlff rights on
the wind, and followed up with another
on the body. Fitzslmmons landed q nice
left on the Jaw. after missing the right
lead for the stomach A clinch followed,
and Bob got IN a straight drive on the
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-18

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