davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-09-30
a eATTIE WITH RarS.


PennsylVanta In borcr Lays Out FfftyA
Three of Them In Daylight.
Jacob Bricker. of Rauchtown, had
quite unique as we'll as thrilling ex-
pcrience the other day, which he is
al a loss TO account for, and has no
desire 70 again repeat. Mr.. Bricker is
a lahorer. and on the day in question.
feeling somewhat indisposed, did not
go to work. He was Iounging in his
house, when he heard a peculiar noise
in the third story, or attic. Surprising
at first that the noise was created by
mice and rates frolicking about. he
paid little attention 10 il, but the con-
tinued and Increasing diseordant
screening. combined with the swish OF
wings and an everlasting pit-pat, as il
made by birds flying against some
thing. aroused Brieker sufficiently 20
institute an il vestigation. Alone he
went % the attic and was at once non
plused md astounded 10 see the small
room literally black with bats. flying
helter-skelter and attacking every in
animate object in sight.
When Bricker first saw the bats he
he had no thought of self-protection,
bu; imagined that they would brighten
at his approach and leave. Hardly had
he gotten fairly into the room until the
bats, in perfect swarms. few at him.
Their sharp claws and stiH wings as
they few In his face and alighted on his
hands made many painful abrasions,
and il was with difficulty the man was
enabled to secure a short stick. luckily
living near, with which 10 defend him
self.
Striking right and left. Bricker went
fer the mouse-like birds. and with every
stroke a dull thud on the floor told OF
one less bat But the birds were in
fer fight. and the more killed the more
il appeared came at the man. Just
how long the struggle continued Brick
er has no idea OF reckoning. 1t could
not have been more than five minutes.
but TO him il seemed like an hour or
more. Finally, when the swarm Of bats
began TO grow manifestly smaller I'M
der the sure stroke OF Bricker's club,
they began TO scatter. and with ono
porting screech took hasty leave.
Covered with blood on face and hands
and suffering no little pain, Bricker
took survey of the room and for the
first time realized he execution lie had
been able TO do.
The floor was covered with dead and
disabled bats. the latter still sereeching,
fiopping about and endeavoring 10 get
away. These were dispatched as soon
as possible and without any mercy, and
then the man made a count Of the dead
birds lie found 81 in all. and he il
positive that fully twice that many eS-
capped. The bats entered the attic
through an open window, but where
they all came from is mystery
There are a number Of caves in the
immediate vicinity. but they have most
~ been explored and very few bats
were seen. And then the time of their
visit being made in daytime is another
strange occurrence, as bats habitually
fly al night, or after twilight begins 70
Times.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-09-30
PITH AND POINT.

An Everlasting Fact.-Tom Barry
Why did the Lord command us tc
love our neighbors?" Perdita-"Be-
cause we can get along with most every
body else. Truth.
An old librarian. unable to find his
umbrella one evening when it was time
TO close, returned and looked anxiously
for it in the card catalogue, under the
letter U.-Household Words.
-He-''I dislike TO see a woman
standing up in a street car" She
Yes; I've noticed you manage to get
a newspaper in front OF you at such
times."-Yonkers Statesman.
A little girl who had told lie was
escorted to her bedroom by her mother
and told 10 ask God TO forgive her for
her sin. This is what the listening
mother heard: oh. God, thought you
could take a joke. Life.
- hab noticed" said Uncle Eben.
"dat er man kin allus fin people ter buy
liquor fur i'm ontell he gifts so run down
dat his system actually feels the need
oh it. Den dey tells i'm he orter be
ershamed oh hisse.f." - Washington
Star.
AS He Understood It.-"Maw, what
did you tell Mrs. NeNdore that we
oughtn't to monkey with the English
styles for?" Il didn't, Willie. | said
we ought not 10 ape the English styles"
"Wcll. what's the difference Chicago
Tribune.
-Squildig-'I say, McSwilligen. lend
me $50, will you?" McSwiIligen-"You
owe me S25 now. don't YOU know >"
THAT is one reason why wish 10 Dor
row $50" "lIow SOP Then can
pay you back in your own coin. Pitts
burgh Chronicle-Teiegraph.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-09-30
The Smallest Horse.

What processes 10 be the smallest
recorded specimen of the equine race is
NOW on view in Milan. 1t is the property
of Marchese Careano, a well-known
horse fancier Of I.ombardy whose fom
finland of Shetland ponies has been the
admiration Of his fellow citizens for
some years past. The creature which
the marchese has succeeded in rearing
is said to stand only six hands, or -
inches. high. We believe that the small
est Shetlands seldom are under eight
hands. But this pony is no less re-
markable for its perfect symmetry than
for its minute proportions. The pro-
prietor has great liking for miniature
horses, contendine that they do more
work for their size than an ordinary
horse, and consume much less food. His
fcur-in-hand only costs him trifie over
Cd. a day-IondOn Chronicle
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-09-30
THE EAST.

At WilkesEarre, Pa, Sheriff MART.
and IS OF his deputies were indicted for
the murder of % striking miners near
Lattimer on September 10.
Robert J. and John r. Gentry paced
mile in double harness in Philadelphia
in 200, breaking the worlds team rec
ord.
The arctic explorer. Lieut.. Peary, ar
rived in Boston from Sydnor. j. c. lie
said the big meteOr.'e he brought TO
America weighed 100 tons.
Completion Of the new steel arch
bridge over the Niagara gorg was eel
ebrated at Niagara Falls.
IN fire in a grocery store al Chester,
Pa. six persons were seriously injured
by the explosion Of barrel of gasoline
At the leading clearing houses iii the
United States the exchanges during
the eek ended on the 24th aggregated
S1.36s. 500. 6.7. against 81 .Ss6.354,2i2 the
previous " eek. The increase compared
with the corresponding week of 1896
was cos
In the United States there were 2O9
business failures in the seven days
ended on the Path, against 2O4 the week
previous and 315 in tho corresponding
period of 1896.
In an interview in Boston Lieut..
Peary. the explorer. said that re should
start on his next polar expedition in
the latter part Of July. lSoS. and that
he would reach the north pole or lose
his life I'm the attempt.
In the National league the percent
ages of the baseball clubs for the week
ended on the cath were: Baltimore,
.704; Boston. 1903; New York. .G3s; Gin
cinnati. SCI; Cleveland. .53l; brooklyn,
.i65; Washington, 400; Pittsburgh.
AS; Chicago. AL; Philadelphia, 40;
Louisville. .4O2; St. LOUIS. 2ls.
The new steamer Of the North Ger
man line. Kaiser Wilhelm der Crosse.
made the trip from Ircmen to New
York in ) days. % hours and IS min
utes, making new record.
Arthur W MAY. aged 81. Killed Cora
KaSeman. aged Is. and then took his
own life At Shamokiu. IN. Refusal of
the parents Of the girl 10 allow them
10 marry was the cause.
In Maine severe earthquake shocks
were felt al Belfast. Ellsworth. Bangor
and several other towns.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-09-30
FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE

y confession has been made by
Eduardo Nelasque- formerly chief of
police ia the city of Mexico. that he d.
rected the murder of Arnulfo Arroyo,
who was under arrest charged with an
assault upon President Diaz.
il is reported that Japan t. landing
troops in Hawaii preparatory to re-
sisting all attempts to annex the is
lands TO the United States.
The death OF Mrs. Orr. aged 112 years.
occurred in Kingston, Ont.
Advices say that all the foreign pow
ers except Austria refuse to back Spain
in her Cuban policy, recognizing the
interests of the United States Justify
the latter's interference in Cuba.
The Russian government will shortly
prohibit the expectation Of wheat from
Russia
4 filih-stering expedition for Cuba
was captured and 10 men on the vessel
were slain by Spaniards.
At Girgenti, Italy, a landslide impris-
oned 40 persons in a well with no hope
for their rescue.
In prison in the City Of Mexico
Eduardo Velasquez. former inspector
Of police. accused of instigating the
murder of Arroyo while the latter was
in custody for his attempt to assault
President Diaz. shot himself dead
Fire destroyed the Musee theater in
Toronto, Ont. and in the panic that
ensued one person was killed and many
others were injured.
An announcement that Mrs. Lilly
Iangtry, the actress. viii marry Prince
Esterhazy is confirmed.
The Colombian government has sus-
pended the export duty on coffee.
WlSle lying off the town of Ufa.
Russia. the steamer Admiral Gervais.
with 200 passengers, took fire and many
persons jumped overheard and were
drowned.
4 resolution was adopted at n large
meeting i'm Athens calling upon King
George and the cabinet to renew the
war with Turkey rather than accept the
terms of peace offered by the confer
enee.
IN a silver mine l. miles from FL
Paso. Tex, in Mexico, cave in killed II
men.
There was said 10 be a fair prospect
that Spain would accept the good Of
fce~ Of the Tnited States as TO Cuba.
It is said that the sultan Of Turkey
VIII address the powers shortly on the
subject of Great Britain's evacuation of
Egypt.
Gen. Weyler cabled n request TO the
ditional administrative officials 10
Cuba.
From the Nichipicoten region on
Lake Superior reports of rich gold finds
continue 10 come.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-09-30
No IItimatnm Issued.

Madrid, Sept. 2s.-Several of the
newspapers of this city allege that Gen.
Woodford has said in interviews with
their representatives that the negotia-
tions between the United States and
Spain on the subject of Cuba have not
begun and that he has only had pre-
iiminary chat with the Spanish minis
ter of foreign affairs. The general is
quoted as having added that he found
the duke of Tetuan to be most amiable
and able man and that no ultimatum to
Spain was delivered. as that country
would not put up with it and because
the intention of the United States was
only to offer it's good offices in the most
friendly terms. Finally, it is alleged
that Gen. Woodford has said that in the
event of complete accord being estab-
lished between Spain and the United
States the latter will take measures to
suppress filibustering.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-09-30
FlEND INCaRNATE.
Murders His Wife and Five Children
and Sloofs Htu,s.Ie

Farroll, Ia, Sept. 2s.-The home of
John Blocker, farmer living eight
miles west o. Carroll, is the scene of a
terrible trag edy which took place Sun
day night.
1t is undoubtedly a case of murder
and suicide. The indications are that
Blocker first dispatched his wife with
the shotgun, shooting her in the neck,
then used the revolver on the baby. first
shooting then knocking out its brains
with the butt. He then went upstairs
where the five children were sleeping
and attacked them. He must have used
a light for his aim was effective, each
victim being shot in the forehead. All
but two children met With instant
death. for the blood clos were under
their heads and two lay as calmly re-
posing as if in sleep. All except Henry,
who is not yet dead. were attired in
night robes. He had reloaded the
weapon while upstfir and evidently
sent the second bullet into the oldest
girls brain just before leaving the
room. Going downstairs he stretched
himself beside me corpse of his wife
and shot himself. His right hand was
burnt by The powder, showing much
use of tne revolver. The revolver he
borrowed from his brother Henry last
Thursday, remarking that he wanted
it to kill rats in the cellar.
Blocker was "a years old and for over
20 years lived in the same neighborhood.
in fact, on the same farm. He was mar
ried IL years ago, anda after living a year
with his parents, moved to the scene of
the tragedy which is almost within
hailing distance of the old home. He
has been regarded as a prosperous
farmer and only recently bought 200
acre farm few miles from the old
homestead.
1t is surmised that he and his brother
Henry had trouble about the home
place which John was urged to vacate
for Henry. This is assigned by some
as the cause of his troubles which cul-
minated in murder and suicide. The
family are Germans and highly respect
ed citizens
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-09-30
DEFICIT DECREASED.
Gratifying Showing Made I'm Govern
Einnnces

Washington, Sept. 2s.-The Septem-
Der monthly statement a the govern
ment receipts and expenditures will
show a material decrease in the deficit
as compared with August. The increase
that viii be shown in the receipts from
internal revenue sources seems TO JUS
tify the expectation that by January 1
next the deficit will have been reduced
TO nominal amount. The excess of
expenditures over receipts so far this
month amounts TO something over So
100000, but ii is expected that by Oc-
tober 1 this excess will have been re-
duced to 100000 or less, making the
deficit for the first quarter of the fiscal
year about S2s,00O,O00. Internal rev.
enue officials call attention TO the fact
that already the receipts from internal
revenue exceed those of last year by
about S6.O00.0O0 and confidently pre-
dict that by January / this increase
viii have reached 100000 and posi-
bly, ss,O00,00O. The receipts from Gus
toms so far show no material gains, nor
is it expected that any substantial i'm
provement will be shown until after the
first of the year. Sugar is then expected
to figure prominently in the receipts,
and before the close of the calendar
year much is expected from wool i'm
ports.
The expenditures on account of the
Pacific railroads at the beginning of the
year will be exceptionally heavy. On
January there will be due matured
amount of S10,614,12O; Union Pacific,
S15,919,5 SIP; Kansas Pacific. 81 ,423,000:
Central branch of the Union Pacific,
$685. O0; Sioux City & Pacific, 81 ,62S,-
800. making n total of 500. 904,952. In
addition to this amount the interest
payments on January will aggregate
approximately 100000. If, however,
the offer of the reorganization com
mittee of the Union Pacific is accepted
about S40,000,000 would be added to the
available cash in the treasury and would
reduce the January payments on ac-
count of the Pacific roads by about $17,-
000,0 900. Estimating the deficit for the
next three months at S17,000,000, ex-
elusive of payments on account of the
Pacific railroads, the available cash
balance in the treasury at the close of
the first half of the fiscal year would be
about 100000, 900 in excess of the pres
ent figures, or $225, OOO, 900. This would
be net loss for the six months of S15,-
100000. Summing up the situation, the
treasury officials confidently predict
that before the close of the calendar
wear the receipts will fully equal or
exceed the needs Of the government.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-09-30
THE KATYDID HEARD:
10 the Tradition Il, Right We shall
Have an Early Winter.

Have an Early Winter.
If there be any truth in the tradition
concerning the katydid. winter viii be-
gin early this year. The familiar CA
OF this noisy grasshOpper was heard on
Long Island a week ago. and according
70 the country folk Tins Is an infaIlible
sign that within Sin weeks there will be
frost
Penetrating as is the sound of this i'm
sect, the katydid as he is nick-named, or
to give him his correct name. Cyrto-
phylIus concavus, measures barely one
inch and half in length. The wing COW
ers are long and concave In form. meet
ing above and below and inclosing the
whole body after the manner of pea
pod. II is by the friction of the upper
part of these cases that the sound is
produced, an able-bodied adult being
capable of making himself heard at
a distance of full quarter of a mile
In this part Of the country these insects
rarely appear in very large numbers.
but in some places in the west there ara
50 many that sleep is almost impossible
to one who is unaCCustomed TO their
sound. They are fond OF the buds OF
flowers and will eat fruit. bat nowhere
DO they prevail in sufficient quantities
II DO much damage.
Usually they begin to make them
selves heard in this part of the country
about the close of August or early in
September, and for two or three months
may be heard any night in places which
they frequent. With the first approach
of cold weather the male is observed to-
cease bis love-song, grows melancholy,
droops and finally expires and tumbles
from the tree-tups. The female in the
meantime is busily employed in max
ing ruts in the trees with her sharp.
curved piecrer, and having deposited
her eggs therein she. too, declines.
gives up the ghost, and drops after her
mate. The average life of the katydid
is from two TO three months.
In some parts of the country tho
Indians used. and perhaps do still. to-
catch large quantities OF these insects.
roast them and grind them to powder.
out of which they made articles Of food.
Katy5id cake is said TO be excellent
y Y Sun.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-09-30
4 BLOODY RIOT.
Polanders at Girardville, Pa, Fight
All Night
Three Men Are Reported Dead -
ThIrty-six Were wounded, of
Whom IL Is Thought Nine
VIII Die.

Girardville, Pa. Sept 2s.-At least
nine men received fatal injuries and
possibly two score others were more
or less seriously wounded in bloody
riot here late Sunday night and early
Monday morning. The battle was the
outcome of a quarrel over the Hazleton
troubles. Thirty-six men are known
to have been wounded and about so
more are being secreted by their
friends who fear that they will be sent
to Jail. Twelve of the ring leaders were
brought before Justice Elias Kissinger,
an ten before Justice ii. b. johnson.
All were charged with assault with in
tent to kill, house breaking and rioting
and were held in heavy bail for court
Many more warrants have been issued,
but have not been served as yet
Three Reported Dead.
DIR. Charles Salesman attended to
% of the wounded, nine of whom, he
says, will die. Drs. William Monaghan
and James Donaghue attended to IA
others, and how many the other ply
sicians cared for is not known. Three
other men have been reported dead, but
this cannot be verified yet on account
of the uncommunicatiye nature of the
participants. The story of the riot is
as follows:
story of the Riot.
Several hundred Polanders board at
William Culacabbage's hotel on Second
street. Joseph Ca, endish is proprietor
of hotel at the east end of town, where
several hundred more Polanders make
their headquarters. Bad blood has ex
listed between them for a long time, and
the recent strike troubles at Hazleton
embittered them still more. Sunday
night matters came TO crisis. Cula-
cabbage, it is charged, and his followers
to the number of several hundred, arm
ing themselves with guns, revolvers,
knives, axes and clubs, marched to Cav
endiSh's hotel, where several hundred
of their enemies were celebrating pay
day. The Cayendish men ascertained
that their foes were marching on them
and, arming themselves hurriedly,
awaited their arrival. After a demon
stratiye march the Culacabbage contin-
gent arrived and Immediately stormed
the saloon.
Then bloody battle ensued. The
men fought like demons; the shoot
ing was fast and furious-aXes, knives,
clubs and other weapons were used
with deadly effect. The battle lasted
almost an hour, when the Culacabbage
gang was routed, leaving their wound
ed behind. Everything in the house
was smashed and the floors were strewn
with wounded men. The walls were
despatched with blood and shreds of
human flesh.
After the routed rioters had returned
to their headquarters, the Cavendish
gang armed themselves to the n
and marched to their enemies rendez-
vous, where a battle still bloodier than
the first ensued. The police force and
the constables of the surrounding re-
gion were called to the scene, but were
unable to cope with the rioting horde,
who continued hostilities until morn
ing. The town people did not sleep a
wink all night, and while they watched
the progress of the fight during the
night they made no attempt to inter
fere
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-09-30
Church Debt Wiped out.

Chicago, Sept GA remarkable rec
ord was made Sunday by the eongrega-
ton of st. James Methodist church at
Forty-sixth street and Ellis avenue.
Dedicatory exercises were held for the
handsome new edifice just completed,
and when these exercises were con-
Guided the debt of the church was
raised by subscriptions from the MEM
bers of the church. The services. both
morning and evening, concluded with
prayers and appeals for funds, and
checks and cash poured into the church
Golfers. At the morning service SAL 900
was raised and at night the remainder
of the debt on the church, $4,000, was
cleared
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-09-30
THE LATTIMER AFFAIR.
Coroner's Jury Renders It's Verde
on thc Shooting of the NIarchers.

on The Shooting of the Marchers.
Hazleton, Pa, Sept. 2s.-The coroner's
jury which Investigated the death of
the striking miners at Lattimer met in
Deputy Coroner Coeman's Office Mon
day evening and after an hours de-
liberation rendered the following YER
dict:
That from the circumstances Of the case
and the evidence offered the said Clement
Platock and others came 10 their deaths
by gunshot wounds on September 10. 1897,
at the hands OF Sheriff James Martin and
his deputies, and in this we the jury do all
agree and we, Phil j. Boyle, Thomas T.
Thomas. Barton Freas and Peter McKier-
nan. of this Try, do further say that the
said Clement Platock, with others, was
marching peaceably and unarmed OF the
public highway: that they were intercepted
by said Sheriff Martin and his deputies and
merciessly shot to death, and we do fur
Their find that the killing was unnecessary
and could have been avoided without seri-
GUS Injury to either person or property,
and we find finally that the killing was
wanton and unjustifable. but IN this we,
George Maue and +. ]. MacNeal, of this
jury do not concur; and we the jury do
further say that there was such strong sus-
picion of unlawful violence at the hands of
person or persons unknown to this jury as
TO make this inquest necessary"
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-09-30
= Fatal Breath.

He had attended "Dutcn lnneh,"
and was coming home redolent, but
good natUred.
His wife was waiting for him.
George" she said, so.emnlv. don't
YOU know that you do wrong to fri,ter
away your time in this sinful folly d?
Do YOU ever think Of the hrevity Of
life? Do YOU remember thar every time
YOU breathe a human soul passes from
existence"
Overtime breathe somebody dies o.
he repeated.
yes"
He thought of that awful cong ON
Grafton of sour potatoes. caviare, linn
burger and beer.
''Well. pom my soul" he said. Il
DIDN'T wonder al it.'-C,cveiand Plain
Dealer
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-09-30
The News Of the Week.
BY TELEGRAPH AND MAIL.
FROM WASHINGTON.

In the forthcoming reports of bureau
chiefs Of the navy department the
necessity of increasing the personnel Of
the navy will be presented 10 congress.
The first meeting OF the monet; "
commission appointed under tine au-
thority OF the convention OF business
men held last January 10 Indianapolis
was held in Washington. Ex-senator
George r. Edmunds. OF Vermont, was
chosen chairman.
The navy department sent orders to
San Francisco TO have the guHbOat
Wheeling sent TO Honolulu.
Advices TO the state department show
that there are more than 10000 Eu-
ropeans and Americans resident IN
China.
The bureau Of statistics of the treas
ury department says the total imports
Of dutiable sugar during the last
fiscal year were 1881 ,4O3,6s7 pounds.
valued AZ So. ant .9O2