davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-11-18
A TRAGEDY AT SNOW HILL
The Details of the Death of
William Sidney Wilson.
WAS CAUSED BY HIS OWN HAND
Shot Himself In the Head Near
the Right Ear.
No Reason for the Suicide Given-Deceased
Was Well OF Financially, and Had a
Bright and Interesting Family aud a
Comfortable Home.

Snow II i'll, Nd. Nov. IL. The sudden
death OF William Sidney Wilson, yes
kerday afternoon, was a tragedy which
has been q shock to this whole conf
munity. II is now known that Mr..
Wilson committed suicide. He shot
himself in the head, just above the
right ear. Tht pistol was discharged
wbiln he was alone in his sitting room,
lying on a couch. Mr.. Wilson wac we'll
of financially and had bright and
interesting fumily and a comfortable
home.
1t was reported yesterday that his
daughter, Miss Louise Wilson, was
standing in the room with her back
toward him, when her attention was
attracted by sudden noise from the
direction of the couch, bur it i5 now
known that she was not in the room,
but was in the hall outside the door
when che heard the report Of the pistol
and dashad in the room to find her
father lying dead with a bullet 10 his
brain. His right hand had fallen over
the side of the couch and the pistol,
with one chamber empty, was on the
floor. The ball was OF 32calibre and
entered just above the right ear, taking
an upward course, apparently, but at
death was instantaneous IL was MOI
probed for Not feature OF the deat
mans face was disturbed, and the onl.
thing which marred hiH appearance wa
the tiny wound in the sidB OF the head
Mr., Wilson returned home on Satur
day night from Ocean City, where b
had been on shooting trip, and seeme'
10 all his friends to be 10 the best o
4 apirits and in much better health thai
q he had been for many weeks. He open
all Sunday morning at his home an
had planned a drive for the afternoon
4 His horse and carriage we're sent {
him. but as they came before be ha'
M lunch be sent them back with direction
to come later. Before the driver cam
ngain Mr.. Wilson'S life vas ended.
Shortly after lunch he lay down o
q the couch, and while lying there wit
/ the pistol in his hand the fatal she
was fired. DIR. William d. Straugh
q was. sent for at once and soon camt
bu-,found Mr.. Wilson dead. The pist'
was one which Mr.. Wilson had cleane
4 few days before. Plans had been mac
H by MIR. Wilson to start on a bicyclir
Il tour 10 Virginia next Wednesday, an
4 be had just had his wheel put in goe
( condition for the trip. lie hal all
made arrangements for his family
& Hpsnd the winter ID Baltimore, whe
they are we'll known in social circles,
Mr.. Wilson'S remains will be burit
ht All Hallow's cemetery with Mason
Il honors. Ewing and Victor, the ty
q oldest sous of Mr.. and Mrs. Wilson, a
= rived home to-day.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-11-18
cor. AYARs HONORED.
has Been Selected as "a Member OF tn
Fredericllsburg Battlefield Commission.

has Been Selected as "a Member OF the
Fredericksburg Battlefield Commission.
Gen. Goblin, commander in-chief OF
the Grand Army OF the Republic, has
selected Col. Peter u. Ayars OF this
city as a member of the Fredoricks-
burg Battlefield Commission. There
are three commissioners. The govern
ment has the appointment OF two OF
them and the commander in-chief of
the q. A. II. the other one, and the
honor conferred upon Col. Ayars is a
mark OF the esteem in which he is
held by the commander in- chief, and,
in fact, the g. A. II. all over the
country.
Col. Ayars was a member OF the
Ninety ninth Pennsylvania Regiment
of Philadelphia, which took a promi-
nent part IN the Battle Of Fredericks-
burg, on December 18th, 1862. In the
engagement the regiment suffered a
losg OF the colonel and eeveral ofhcerf
and 81 men,.
Tho government has a large nationa
cemetery at the scene OF the Battle o,
| fredericksburg, and the province o
the commission is to look after natter
connected with the cemetery. Ih'
other national cemeteries, wher'
veterans ara buried, arc at Gettys
burg, Antietam, and Lookout Noun
tain. At the fredericksburg cemeter.
are buried must Of the hsroes who fel
at the battles of the Wilderness, Spott
sylyania, Gold Harhor, Malvern Hill
and other PLACES where battles wer
fought near fredericksburg.
The Ninety ninth Pennsylvania ReRi
ment has two monuments at the nationa
cemetery ut Gettysburg.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-11-18
SUlT OVER A RELIGIOUS PAPER.

j. Miller Thomas indicted at the Instance
of the Rev. o. NJ. Grise, Over the Sale Of
the Peninsula Methodist.
The grand jury Tuesday returned u
true bill against Jospeh M. Thomas on q
charge OF false pretence. The Joseph
M. Thomas mentioned is j. MILLER
Thomas, former publisher of the PEN
insula Methodist. He ia charged in
the indictment with 'intending to
cheat and delraud Charles A. Grise OF
money, goods and ehattels, " and with
"falsely pretending to Mr. .Griee that
the true and bona tide subscription list
OF certain newspaper called the Fen
insula Methodist, of which. he was the
owner, was 2, GOO subscribers. ~
This Indictment was sent to the grand
Jury bearing the name of Attorney
General Robert G. White, and without
the name OF Deputy Attorney-General
Peter Il. Cooper, Jr.
1t appears that Deputy Attorney,
General Cooper represents Mr.. Ihumas
in civil suit against the Rev. Charles
A. Grise in the Superior Court. This
suit ia brought TO recover the amount
of a check given by Mr.. Grise az
treasurer OF a syndicate OF ministers
who purchased the Peninsula Methodist
| about a year ago.
"Thomas sold the Peninsula Method,
ist," said Mr. Cooper, " to syndicate
of miuisters represented by Mr.. Grise,
for 50, 500, of which $1,000 was in cash
and $500 in the form of check giver
on the Farmers Bank at Georgetown
The check was presented and went q
protest, and then Mr.. Thomas brought
suit for the amount of the protested
check. which suit is still pending ant
is to be tried at this term.
"Grise pleads fraud. He says tina
the size of the subscription list wa
misrepresented to him, but rs a matte
Of fact the contract on which the sal
was made, whics was signed by bott
Grise and Thomas, makes no mentioi
of tine subscription llst. which was no
part of the consideration at the ealn,
The Rev. G. A. Grise is pastor OF To
M. E, Church at Chestertown, Md, am
formerly was stationed at Brandywin
Church, this city.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-11-18
AN INTERESTING QUESTION.

Concerning the Care of IA Feeble -minded
Delaware Woman Now In Pennsylvania
Institution.
An interesting question has developed
concerning the future OF Ella Smeltz OF
New Castle county, n feehle.minded
young woman who is now being cared
for by the managers OF the Home for
Friendless and Destitute Children.
A number of years ago Ella Smeliz,
who was then a child, vas placed 10
the Home for Friendless and Destitute
Children. Ii wns found that she was
feeble. minded. and. under the statute
empowering the Governor to send a
certain number of patients to the
Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane
| at West Philadelphia aud the Pennsyl-
yania Institute for Feeble minded Chill
uren at Elewyn, Gov. Reynolds nominal
ed her for the latter institution. She wat
sent there about eight years ago and
has remained there ever since, being
| there at the pr esent time. The managerI
| Of the Home for Friendless and Desti
tute Children in this city has been pro
viding for her in the way Of clothing
and other necessities, which represen
an annual outlay of between S75 ant
Sl00. Now she has reached her majority
and under the charter the Home fo
Friendlesa and Destitute Children can
not provide for adults, and the manage
ment has asked the trustees of tn
State hospital for the Insane TO reliey
thum OF the charge.
DR.. Bellville. who was recently hp
pointed a committee TO Investigate tn
case, has made an investigation an
will make report at the next meetin
Of the trustees.
Just what disposition will be made {
, the case is not known, but it is ikel
, that the patient will he allowed TO rt
main in the Pennsylvania institutio
and the Delaware State Hospital mar
, agement will provide for her there
the Home for Friendless and Destitut
, Children has been doing.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-11-18
VISITORS FROM LONDON.
Mr.. yarrow and Others of the shipbuiid-
mig firm Of Yarrow g. Go.

Mr.. Yarrow and Others of the shipbuiid-
mig firm of YArrow g. Go.
Alfred Fernandez Yarrow, chief OF
the shipbuilding firm oil Yarrow ~ Co.,
Isle of Dogs, Poplar, London, accom-
panied by two Of his friends from that
city, ono of whom was the chief eq-
gineer Of Thu Millwall Docks, London,
arrived in this city on Tuesday. Mr..
Charles W. Pusey met Mr.. Yarrow in
London lust summer, and acquaintance
was ranewsd in New York recently at
the annual meeting and banquet OF the
Naval Aruhitects. 1t was then arranged
that Mr.. Yarrow and his friends should
come to Wilmington. They we're
met at the r., W. q B. station by Mr..
Pussy and escorted to ths works of tine
Pusey e. Jones Co., where an inspection
OF the plant was made.
Tho party was afterward taken to the
Office of the HARLAN & Hollingsworth
Co., and were taken through the work.
of that company by 4. jackson Shaw,
superintendent Of the drnughting anc
designing department.
MIR. Yarrow and his friends expressed
themselves as agreeably surprised at th
visit. 1t is understood that MIR. Var
row is looking for a site in some uthe
country 10 which 10 locate his immens
plant. The men in England are not
on strike aud troubles arise ther
consinuaily. 1t IL surmised that b
may settle in Germany.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-11-18

The New Jersey Court of Errors aud
A Appeals Monday affirmed ths decision
OF the Supreme Courts decision in the
case of the Roxbury Lodge, indie
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, against
William locking. When Hooking joined
the lodge the sick benefits were So a
week for an indefinite period. Subse-
quently they were changed to So week
for % weeks. and 81 weak thereafter.
Booking was sick for long time and
sought to recover IS week for the
period. The court decided in his favor.
and laid down the principle that this
benefits which the lodge rules provided
for at the time of member Joining
we're in the nature OF contract, and
could not be changed without the mem.
bar'a couaent
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-11-18

Cant Frederick @. Miller, master OF
the i. A.. B. Nideper yacht Josephine.
has resigned and has placed the yacht
in care OF Cnpt. Chase. He has had a
nlsp on foot for some time for trip ia
the Klondike regions. lie had previous
10 his arrival in this city partly pur-
chased vessel in which he intended ia
20 around tie Horn. His proposition
ia to take 10 more men, with 81. Ool
each, and fit out a ahip and leave New
York City ON or about January LIST,
1898. He will have the vessel httet
out with state.rooms and hunks ant
will carry about 100 passengers, Ihi'
alone will provision the ship ant pay
the expenses of the trip.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-11-18
yaruHaL HISTORY socIETE
Officers Elected Last Eveniny-a Paper oi
Lsaves-Ai inerals and Plants.

Offfcers Elected Last Eveniny-A Paper on
Leaves-niinerais and Plants.
The Natural History Society of Della.
ware, at meeting last Monday, elected
the following officers: President, Will
liam NJ. Candy; Vice President, Walter
d. Eush Treasurer. j. L. Pennypacker;
Secretary, Mrs. j. +. Pyle: members OF
the board Of director, George Hard
castle, Frank M. Jones and Wilmer
Palmer.
MIR. Pennybacker read paper en-.
titlei, Something About Leaves. "
He exhibited number OF leaves from
the mulberry tree to SNOW that no two
leaves are alike. He explained that
frost does not cause leaves to turn
color, but it is their natural ripeuing.
The usefulness Of leaves is 40 great that
without them all vegetation must cease'
The leaves fall because the tres forms
coating between itself and the leaves,
which ruptures the leaves. Tbs same
branch bears leaves only once.
Portions OF the'paper will be read ny
! Mrs. j. p. Pyle before the current
events clHss Of the New Century Club
next week.
| A collection of minerals gathered il
i the West by Howard d. Ross, was pre-
sented to the society. IL incluueO
specimens from the Yellowstone Park,
showing sulphur and obsivian forma
tions the Grand Canon, Yosemite Val
Icy, Colorado and California, as we'll al
some specimens from niagara Falls
Collections of plants were received
from DR.. Robinson of Harvard, ant
Prof. Green OF Washington. Washing
ton State and the Cascade Mountain
were represented in DR.. Robinson
lift. From Capt. James Mcdonald O
San Francisco was received a copy
the book "West American Oaks. -
j. Newlin Gawthrop. Jr., was electe'
member. Miss Emma Beck. Mis-
, Katherine g. Plummer and Miss Emm
Oakford we're proposed for mombershir
After the meeting Of the society th
directors met and the following wer
, selected to read papers: Dacemoe
, meeting. ID. j. Reinhardt: January
|, Frank Jones; February, DIR. WilliaI
G. Pierce; March. Mrs. }. r Pyle
, April, W. l.. Bush; May, Frederic
Hilbiber; June, u. W. Brosius,
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-11-18

Samuel A. Booth, member of the
Board OF TRACE, ia interesting himself
in the direction Of increasing the mem
bership. He informed President Law
ton on Tuesday that at the next meet
ing he will be able to present at least 10
applicatione. Mr.. Lawton expressed
qualification at the actirity shown in
the matter and said: 1--WE need large
membership, for We intend to make our
influences so felt at the next session OF
Congress that S700, 0o0 will BIS appro-
priated for improving the Wilmington
harbor. We have gone to work in
earnest about this matter and arc
almost sure our efforts will be crowned
with SUCCESS. We need all of the back
ing we can get.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-11-18

Before j. Harvey Whiteman, as
examiner, testimony was taken Mon
1av in the chancery suit of Lippincott
4 Co. vs. George q. DeValinger, ct al,
in. the court stenographer's office.
Court Stenographer Ilardesty took
notes of tbe testimony. The witnesses
we're Edwin A. Reel. Prothonotary
Victor 3. Woolley, James ". Thomas
George Il. THOMPSON, George W.
Hagerty, L. /. P. Grubh, {. W. hipp'
II. M. Lodge, and Charles q, Milisr'
Il. Bayaid Heisel, George Lodge ano
]. W. Ponder, appeared for complain
ants aud Harry Emnons for re
spondents. Adjournment was takeI
until November 9th.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-11-18
srREErL0aR u COLLISION.
The Heavy Fog Accountable Tor an Ac
dent at Eden PARK.

n
don't at Eden Park.
A head end collision occurred about
7. l5 O'Clock Tuesday morning between
cars of the Wilmington s. New Castle.
electric railway at the north end of the
switch at Eden Park. One car was de-
railed, but nobody was badly hurt.
The car going south, No. "a, was in
charge of Conductor Fnean, with Will
liam Mccoy at the lever, and the cur
coming into the city. No. rs, was IN
charge OF Conductor Blackburn, with
James Dorris at the lever
The fog was heavy and prevented the
motormen from seeing at any great
length IN front Of the cars, which is
accountable for the accident.
The car in charge OF Conductor Pagan
had hut fow passengers and that OF
Conductor Blackburn had about six
passengers. The passengers on both
cars we're badly shaken up, and Motor
man Doris was cut about the face by
broken glass. lie was also slightly
bruised. His cur was thrown from
the track by the force of the impact
The car run by Motorman Mccoy was
disabled, the brake beam being hent.
Beyond little delay, the service was
not impaired. A short time after tht
accident cars were running as usual.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-11-18
JOHN MOONEY STABBED.
Serious Result of AN Alteration at Della
ware Avenue and du Pont Street.

Serious Result of an Alteration at Della
ware Avenus and du Pont Street.
John Mooney. living on Union street
near Delaware avenue. was stabbed in
tha breast about o. clock last Thursday
night by another man at Dviawars ave.
nue. and du Pont street. The wound
was a serious, but not dangerous one. 4
The matter was reported to the police
and q warrant was sworn out for David
Barry. charging him with committing
a murderous assault upon Mooney, but
when the officers went to look for him
he had left the city. He had been
working with the men who are doing
tine B. & o. bridge work at Pennsyl-
vauia avenue and Fourteenth street.
and Immediately after ths trouble oc.
Cured drew his pay and leit.
The exact cause of the trouble ap-
pears to be a mystery. At any rate,
those who saw the affair profess to
know nothing about the cause. A
crowd OF men had gathered al Della
ware avenue and du t'ont street, and
they had not been there long when O
heated discussion arose. This was FOL
lowed by blows, and in the melee some
body drew a knife and Rlashed right
and left. 1t came into contact with
Mooney and penetrated his breaHt
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-11-18

Mrs. Phoebe Hannum, widow OF vii.
liam Hannum of Kennett Square, died
.erddenly ON Sunday night from stroke
-pf apoplexy at tho home OF her son at
.,RosodaIe. On Sunday afternoon Mrs,
&5iannum drove to Mount Pleasant with
Mrs. Edward Darlington to visit her
Blister. The ladies were about to start
thnme when Mrs. Hanuum staggered and
Nell to the floor. She was assisted to
<riHe and seemed better, but complained
os her head. AS they drove homeward
she was bright and talkatire. Upon
Preaching Rosedale she went into an ad-
joining apartment Of the house. whittier
she was followed by her daughter'in IN
law, who found her lying On the tioor'
4 dead.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-11-18
NoVeMHEn rRIAL LIST.
Cases Gone Over at Yesterday Afternoon
Session of Court.

Cases Gone Over at Yesterday Afternoons
Session of Court.
The trial list Of the November term
of Superior Court. which will open next
Monday, was gone over Monday after
noon, or the l34 cases on the list 81
were marked for trial, II we're passed,
TWO of them for settlement; two were
marked settled, II we're continued, and
four discontin ued. The cases repurtetl
settled were those OF Mary McNamara
ys. George L. Little. ana lsrael Pnsey
Wickersham va. Samuel B. Clark. The
cases of the use OF the News Publishing
Go. vs Peirce Gould, ct al, were
passed for settlement The cases OF John
j.. Mclaughlin vs. Benjamin Arm
4 strong, Chester W. Mewa, d. b. a., rs.
n Mary E. litter, p. b. r., were referred
q to Guunnel. Judgment for plaintiff
4 below fur costs was granted in the case
of Lyle & Co., d, b. a., VS.. JRmei
81 Bombay, Jr., & Co.. p. b. r. The cast
OF the Vermont Marble Co. vs. Johr
4 j.. Malone's administratrix will be re
M ferred to referees by the prothonotary
Special iuries were asked for in thu
a cases of William o. Shallcross vs.. th
n r., w. & b. Railroad Co.. and Martin
u. Janvier w. the p, W. & B. Rail
road CO. John Biggs represents Mr.
n Shallcross; 4. Bayard Iieisel, Marth
i. Jsnvier, and Senator George Ora
the railroad company.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-11-18
n11azARp IN NEBRASKA.

Omaha, Neb., Nov. 16. "A heavy snow
has been falling in the western part Of
this State for "a hours, and the storm
has assumed the proportions OF a bliz-
ard. Some snow has fallen In the east
ern part of the State. and ut Omahd.
The storm attained its greatest violencs
in the northwestern part OF Nebraska,
extending into Wyoming and South
DAKOTA. There is much speculation
among stockmen here as to the prob
able effect of tho blizzard on the range
in Nebraska. Tho last cold snap caused
large numbers of cattle to be rushed to
market, but, as this disposed Of all the
stock that was unsheltered and not in
fit condition to pass the winter, the
present storm is not likely to contribute
much stock to the market
The mercury is lowering around zero
all oyer Nebraska. The indications are
good Tor storm OF considerably dura'
tion all over this section of the Vest
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-11-18
STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Its Monthly Meeting, Monday
Night, Remarkably Brief.
May. SECURE LARGER PROPERTY
The Building Now Occupied
Too Small.


The Historical Society of Delaware
held it's monthly meeting Monday night.
1t was decided tu invite ex Gov. Robert
L. Pattson of Pennsylvania to deliver
mis- address on Richard Bassett" be-
fore the society at soma future date.
The question of buying property was
discussed. as the growth Of the society
may require larger building. The
society already has an endowment fund
to which subscriptions will be gladly
received. Treasurer Henry II. Bring
hurst was appointed a committee TO
consider the feasibility OF securing a
property, TO report at the next meet
ing.
A letter from Genrge Read, the signer.
to Col. Patton, describing some real
/ estate transactions, was in the posses
sion of DIR. John z. Wales. 1t was
read, and he was requested to present
it TO the society.
Librarian Henry @. Conrad an
nounced that the estate OF Daniel Farri
had complete set of Nile's Register
and thought it would be advisable 10
the society to secure it. He wac ap
pointed committee to see what coult
be doue in the matter.
Treasurer Bringhurst aud Librarian
Conrad were appointed a COMMITTEES u
have some OF the society's cabinets re
paired, aud Chief Justice Lore, Mr.
Conrad, ana George A. Elliott wer
named committee to see what coul'
be doue towards arranging the map
and papers Of the society in order.
Officers are to be elected at the mex
meeting OF the society. DR.. John L
Wales, George A. Elliott and Alber
W. Smith were appointed nominatin
committee. At that meeting Mr.. Con
rad is to read paper on "Old Delf
ware Clockmakers. Edmund A. pric
of Media is to read paper at the Jant
airy meeting on the Alrich family.
The following donations were n
ceived: An old watchman's rattle frol
Mrs. John p. Wales; canvas walt
worked in colored zepbyrs by Mr.
: Beniamin Rush from Mrs. @. r. Layto
! of Georgetown; Poor Willis Almanac
J 1928; commission of Robert PatterHc
, as lieutenant of the Founth Delawa
J Regiment, dated August 9th, 1893, ar
. signed by Gov. Richard Bassett; sever
old manuscripts. formerly the proper
OF Mrs. Sarah p. Mason OF Snyrn
! deceased. from Mrs. Mary II. Carter
Smyrna; two pamphlets from Ian cast
County Historical Society !, Nc. 2, Va
/. the quarterly of the Texas Sta
: Historical Society; bound volume
the proceedings of the MasHachuset
4 Historical Society of 1896 and l89
n Laws of Delaware, 1897 and tho nj
Q Constitution. from Secretary OF Sta
8 James Fl. Hughes; historical collecti
!. of "Gynedd, from the author. Howa
NJ. Jenkins; old parchment deed dat
n 1900, from Howard DeHaven Ross.