davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-15

the books. He was known to be the
only man not connected with the Of
flee force who was in possession of the
vault combination. This combination
was changed for the reason that Judge
Kirby wanted to catch the thief. For
twenty-one nights ex-Chief of Police
Lige Goodrich slept in the office with
a buIrs-eye lantern and a revolver, but
no one ever came. Goodrich was cou-
WINGED that the nocturnal intruder was
aware that the place was being watched
and was lying low. He expressed this
belief in the presence Of Judge Kirby.
HE won't come while I'm there"
said Goodrich, referring to Draper.
YOU'D better discharge me for a while,
or else get someone else"
This was agreed to.
During this same conversation Hast
ings remarked that he was down town
every night, and that he would drop
in and see if he couldn't catch the fell
low.
You'd better go armed" advised
Goodrich. THAT man is dangerous and
you know he hates you.
This idea struck Hastings as being
ridiculous. He was an old soldier, and
naturally a courageous man. He pooh
poohed the danger, and so it was set
tied that he would keep his eye on the
office. Wednesday night, the night Of
the murder, was an ideal one Cor
prowling about unseen. Something
was wrong at the waterworks, and the
electric light plant could not run. The
town was dark as pitch. 1t was rain
ing hard and a perfect gale was sweep
ing from the prairies and across the
city. Hastings must have realized the
opportunity offered, for despite the wet
weather, he left his boarding house af-
ter supper and came down town. He
was seen by DR.. Frank L. Norbury at
9:06 O'Clock, across the street from his
office. He was alone. No one saw him
go to. his office, but it is presumed that
he went there almost Immediately, for
in less than a half hour Draper was
seen on the street by AL Morrison and
John Pine, covered with blood.
Draper was already at the vaults in
Judge Kirby's office when Hastings UNI
locked the downstairs door and began
ascending the dark stairway. At the
top of these stairs there is a hall. Pass
ing down this, entrance is made into
Judge Kirby's Office through a door to
the right. The vault is in the back
room, where a light could only be seer
from the rear of the building.
Draper saw when Hastings entered
that it was all up with him. There
must have flashed across his mind the
vision of himself. anu sais family. dis
graced by the exposure which would
surely follow. There may even have
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-15


ut means some O. them English re-
lations O. course" unused Matt Barlow
as he had used a dozen times before.
Il ulster hear Grandfather Barlow talk
of money that had oughter come to US
from the other side by rights, but never
expected nothin' to come of it. Won
der If Lucy seen it? Wonder if" and
then the thoughts which gathered
round that name became of a character
not to be uttered aloud to a drink
sodden, frowsy tramp, even If he hap
pened to be oneself. AS he waited on
the corner for the crawling horse-car
which amply met Philadelphia's de-
mand for rapid transit in 1874, he did
mutter a few words audibly:
She'll act queer at first-if she amt
married again-yes, there amt no
doubt but she'll act queer. But I kin
make her understand that at first it
was as much as my life vas worth to
turn up ~anywheres, and then, when the
war was over, twas too late; she
wouldn't have had me, Lucy wouldn't.
But now that I kin bring something to
her an the children, as well as myself,
by comm back, it amt SO much of a
psodigal son business"
"A deserter! A deserter!"
The ~vagabond woke from an uneasy
dream in which all the people in the
car seemed pointing scornful fingers at
him and kissing that title of reproach
in his ear. He started as the blue
uniformed conductor laid a hand on
his shoulder, to say sternly: Wake up,
you, or I'll put you off the car. You
disturb everybody with YOU muttsr-
ings."
1t had been a good many years since
Matt Barlow had allowed himself to re-
call exactly why it was that he was
wandering homeless about the country
Indifferent to the fact that his family
must mourn him as dead, or why 1t was
that he half hoped that they did so
mourn him. But to-day it was all wax
ing, waking within him under the inf1u-
enc of the day, together with the new
desire he had vaguely formed to take a
fresh start in life. When, a half hour
later, he stood in the densely packed
crowd in the cemetery and waited for
the ceremonies of Decoration day to be-
gin, he strained his eye to see the In
scription on the huge obelisk, half bur-
led in floral tokens, around which the
guard of honor stood. but the sun was
in his eyes. OF course it was the
sun.
What soldiers is that monument
raised to. sissy?' he asked, huskily. Of
a tall girl Of u or 10. who stood be-
side him, holding a smaller boy by the
hand.
To the imperishable memory Of the
heroes Of the -th Pennsylvania volun-
teers. who fell in defense OF their coun-
try. this shaft is erected read the
girl in a clear voice. "Them's the sur
vivors,' she added in kindly explana-
ton, as the sound OF the band and the
flutter of the red. white and blue BAN
ner, was dimly discerned in the dis
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-15

Is In jail and held on his own confess
sion of guilt. Hastings was found in
the law and abstract office Of Judge u.
p. Kirby, where he had been placed to
guard certain papers from mutilation
and to catch II possible the person who
had entered the place before and dam
aged other papers. Draper is also an
abstract lawyer, with his Office in the
same building. He had, with Hastings,
at one time been IN employe OF Judge
Kirby, and 1t is said the two had some
difficulty which made them enemies.
Blood was found on the stairs and on
the knob OF Diapers Office door, and
his arrest quickly followed. The char
acter OF Hastings murder stamps 1t as
one of the fearful deeds in the history
of crime. 1t was evidently the work
of a man so beside himself with rage
that he knew not what he was doing.
There was no cold, premeditated butch
cry, no evidence of a gloating over the
horror or the blood letting. Rage, al
most madness, is evident In every pune
ture of the dead mans body. The arm
tudL DllCu lnG hnlAt Iluot haNC hSPt ~
its wild work until all but physically
exhausted, for there we're 1873 cuts in
the various parts OF the corpse. The
principal wounds were located as fol-
lows:
Left arm, 6; left forearm, s.; left
hand, / long cut back; left hand, 2
stabs: left hand front. index and mid
die finger incised, also second wound
on index; right forearm. long incision
oblique cut along toward elbow, start
ing at wrist; left side body and near
to backbone, 76 cuts or stabs; right
side, 2 cuts or stabs; right side of neck.
6; punctures into pleural cavity, 8; left
thigh. / stab.
The body was not mutilated after
death. Evidently every blow that was
struck fell In the struggle which took
place in that room where the two men
we're fighting. To this feature more
than anything else is attributed the in
tense interest which is being taken in
Jacksonville in developments as to the
crime. Hastings is largely responsible
for his own death, by reason of the fact
that he visited his Office on the fatal
night unprepared to meet an enemy.
He had been warned to be ready for a
fight to the death, but he neglected it
and paid for this neglect with his life.
Draper had been suspected of being
the mar who was surreptitiously visit
ms Judge Kirby's vault and mutilating
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-15

lance. coming to lay flowers on II ans
make speeches."
Matt Barlow shook so that he was
forced to steady himself by graspnig
the shoulder OF the small boy, who
gazed up at him with a wondering
face which struck some faint chord OF
recognition within him. They won't
know me-" he muttered to himself in
~quayering accents. Lucy herself. mol
my W mother wouldn't know me as
! look now. An. anyhow, they could
MT do nothin' TO me.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-15

come to him the thought that the peni-
tentiary awaited him. His most hated
enemy stood before him. exultant at
having at last cornered him. where he
could heap disgrace and contumely
upon his head. Maddened beyond all
control. he rushed upon Hastings. cut
his wrists with the knife and thus rem
dered him powerless to defend himself.
Then the awful struggle OF life and
death followed. Hastings battling with
his bleeding stumps. the other man
plunging the knife into his body with
the rapidity OF a woodpecker tapping on
a rotten limb. BY and by came the
beginning of the end. Hastings ex-
hausted by the loss OF blood, evidently
tried to escape from the room. He
took his keys from his pocket In an eff
fort to unlock again the spring lock
between him and life. They must have
been torn from his enfeebled grasp, for
they were found on the floor. Exhaust
ed finally, too weak to stand, he sank
down into a chair between two others.
Painting, he lay there with his arms
outstretched to either side. for there
are pools OF blood to show where his
life ebbed out at his wrists ends onto
the floor. With his head thrown back
and gasping for breath he afforded an
opportunity for the death blow. The
knife was plunged and the warm blood
spurted in a torrent on the carpet. The
shock lifted him to his feet. The bleed
ing wrists were pushed back against
the wall behind him as he Strengthened
out. Then he fell forward on his face
and died. The murderer, having fin
ished his flendish work, having cut his
enemy in 1873 separate places, then
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-15
Rocked on the Crested waves.

The landsman, tourist or commercial trav.
eler speedily begins. and not only begins,
but continues, to feel the extreme Of human
pestuous Atlantic. But If, with wise pre-
science. he has provided himself with 4 sun.
ply Of Hostetter's Stomach Bitters, his pangs
are promptly mitlgated, and then cease ere
the good ship again drops her anchor. This
Is worth knowing, and thousands of our
yachtsmen, summer voyagers, tourists and
business men do know 1t.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-15

to a young woman who occupied the
same pew. The priest left the pulpit,
walked down to the pew and asked
WEIGH If he did not know enough to
behave like a gentleman in church.
WEIGH says he started to leave the
church when Father Slane struck him
in the face and added afterward that
he regretted that be did not kick him
downstairs.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-15
Succession Women Flghters

In the little town of Naso. in Sweden. the
firemen happen to be women. however para
doxical that sounds. The place Is only a
little village, and four enormous tubs con
stitute the ''water-works." One hundred
and fifty women make up the fire depart
ment, and one of their duties consists in
always keeping the tubs filled with water.
The women are fine workers. it is said,
and know how to handle a fire with as little
confusion as Observation-Disclosures.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-15
An Ancient BARK.

The bark True Love, built in Phila-
dedphia in 1854, has been found upon
search to be yet af1oat, in the capacity
Of a coal hulk. on the river Thames at
London, engaged in active trade al the
age of 1873 years. This discovery was
made through a casualty recorded In
the Maritime Exchange.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-15
Don't Tobacco Spit and Smoke Your Life lWay,

To quit tobacco easily and forever, be mag.
netlc, full Of life. nerve and vigor, take No.
to-Bac, the wonder-w worker. that makes
weak men strong. All druggists, SOC. or 81.
Cure guaranteed. Booklet and sample free.
Address Sterling Remedy Co., Chicago OF
New York.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-15
A FIGHT TO DEATH.
TEE JACKSONVILLE TRAGEDY
WAS LITTLE MORE.
Their Terrific Struggle In tho Dark for
the Mastery The Victim Received
i33 Knife Wound and Gave Up the
i,attle When He Died


\ was a horrible
murder, that which
occurred at jack
~sonville. ILL.,, recent
ly. when a promi-
nent citizen of that
town, Charles l..
Hastings, was found
murdered, and for
which a I h Q r
prominent resident,
Charles l.. Draper,
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-15
Better never have been born"

The heaviest bell in the world Is that
at Moscow. Russia, which weighs 49,
600 pounds. That in the city hall, New
York. weighs 22.s0o.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-15

A warrant was worn out at Owosso,
Mich. the other day for the arrest of
Rev. Father Peter j. Slane OF st.
Paul's Roman Catholic Church on com-
plant of James WEIGH, a merchant Of
Corunna, charging him with assault
and battery. WEIGH attended vespers
and Father Slane asserts that he was
disturbing the meeting by whispering
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-15

ends, and John suggests the picture oil
a steady, solid, sober parsonage, who
seems a bit of a prig until we think OF
Henry, who creates about him an abb
solutely intolerable atmosphere of
moral and spiritual snobbishness.
He whose name of Matt fitted him
better than the shabby, shoddy gar
ments which hung about him in dispir-
tied folds was short and square set and
STOPPING.
Yet he was not so old as age goes
Yet he was not so old as g goes
only 35, and as he told the man who
occupied the same bench, he had only
been on the road for ten years.
i've been trampin' it for nigh on to
fifteen" said his companion, a man OF
about his own age, but whose dress
and person presented an appearance Of
even more acute f~orlornity. Surely, nc
two more unsightly human blots eve
d~isfigured a landscape than these, who
lounged untidily on the benches OF
Washington square, blind to the blue
and gold brightness of the early morn
ing of one of the first Memorial Days
this city ever celebrated. Now and
then smart blue coated soldiers, with
pinks in their button holes, either sing
ly or in groups of two or three, stepped
rapidly through the square, too intent
on reaching the rendezvous where they
were to assemble for the grand parade
10 waste a glance on the two vagabondS
who had met, f~raternized and exchanged
experiences and condolences within the
space of the last half hour.
Fifteen years at trampin' is as good
as a hundred" continued the first
speaker, meditatively. Seems as if a
man gifts it inter his bones by then,
an it wouldn't be any good fer his own
self to want ter stop it, let, alone other
folks. Now, I'd been on the road fer
five years when this war business broke
out. Directly it came / went to Cana
dy. l wasn't goin' ter take 40 chances.
I didn't see nothin' of it, nor ARE moth
in fer it, an wen it was over / come
back and bummed about the country
ever sence, without findin' things much
changed anyways from what they was
before. That's why | don't take no in
terest in this here racket over Decora-
ton Day"
At that moment the thrilling music
CT the fife and drum, as a small de-
tkchment of soldiers wendell their way
down Walnut street, flashing the'Stars
Gnd Stripes in the eyes of the specta-
tors who. instantly collected at doors
and windows, sounded in vivid contrast
to his speech, and in Matt Barlow's
dull face there fickered a faint sparkle
of surprise. II don't feel that way
he said, hesitatingly; "Tm kinder glad
there's Drawer men than-you an me-
something had gotten into his voice
ard made 1t almost inaudible-'sto fight
for the country we're bummin' round
in; an I'm goin' out to the cemeteries
to do honor to the soldiers. dead an
liyin', who did tiff there's any honor
to anybody in a Teller like me bein'
round anywheres. You see, it's differ
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-15

sAly cousin Josephine suffers from weak
heart action ''Weak heart action? Didn't
! understand you to say she had been mar
ried four times?"
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-15

...What is his reputation for veracity?"
Very good; he hasn't seen a single flying
machine this spring.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-15

WAS in THE ARMY MYSELF
ent with me; I used to be in-in Their
army myself" He hurried out the
words half in fear, half bravado, as
though flinging a challenge. and then.
with a sharp indrawing Of his breath.
narrowly watched his companion as
though dreading their effect.
But his hearer was a man without
~curiosity. .'Thasso?" he asked. indlf-
serently, and returned, as though ne
And no interruption to the subject Of
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-15

Aaron Meyer, Of scripstowp. Pa, has
perfectly sound apples that have been
In his cellar two years.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-15
Halls Catarrh Cure
Is taken internally. Price 1,c

"Isabel didn't marry a handsome man. =
How do you know 'sShe had such a quiet
wedding
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-15

when we were first married you gave
me half the Closet Eyes" ''And now you
act as II /! ought to keep my coat and trou-
sers hanging over the hall banisters.''
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-15

Plso's Cure for Consumption is our only
medicine for COS CHS and colds.-Mrs. G.
Beltz, 43O Sth Ave-, nenver. Col. Nov. s. 'Q5.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-15

Mrs. Winsiow's Soothing SYRUP
Forchliiren ~teething, softens theg ums, reduces infam-
nation, allays pain, cures wind collie. Is cents a bottle.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-15
LIQUOR HABIT posTrl

at took me only two days to learn to ride
my wheel Eyes, of course; but how long
was it before you could really ride?'
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-15

TO CURE A COLD IN ONE DAY.
Take Laxative Bromo Quinine Tablets. AL
Druggists refund the money if IL fails to cure. 25t
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-15
PICKED UP ON BROADWAY.

A True Incident woman was picked upn the stretn an unconscdouscon-
diion and hurried TO the nearest hospital On examination her body was found
to be covered with soresc caused by the hypodermic injection of morphine.
This mere wreck OF a mi had once held N honorable and lucrative
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-15

we still cling to those IDEAS,
and to us Tom is a waver-
ing, weakened individual, Joe
suggests a reckless, pranksome
fellow whose heart is in the right
place and his tongue hung loose at both
ends, and John suggests the picture of
a steady, solid, sober parsonage, who
seems a bit of a prig until we think of
Henry, who creates about him an abb
solutely intolerable atmosphere of
moral and spiritual s~nobbishness.
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-05-15

HE mans name
was Matt, and it
suited him. Great
is the c%onjuring
nnmnr Of names
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-01-11

by provision In the appropriation bill
which prohibited the employment OF the
army in the enforcement of any enact
ment of the territorial Legislature of Kan
sas until such enactment had been af-
irmed or approved by congress. The sem
ate would not agree TO this and in the
extra session il was left out of the bill
the extra session lasting only ten days.
LINCOLN'S CALL AGAINST SECESSION
The secession of the Southern States
caused President Lincoln to cal! congress
together July 4, 1861. Only month was
required to pass the important necessary
measures for the increase of the military
and naval establishments and the levy
ing OF n direct and income tax.
Another failure TO provide for the main
tenance of the army caused the "ext "a"
session convened by President Hayes.
October 10. 1877 The house endes sored
TO impose restrictions upon the presid ant
regarding the use of troops in Louisiana
and South Carolina for the purpose of in
stating and maintaining the Packard and
Chamberlain governments, respectively
in these States. The bill was passed at
the O. ira session without the restrictions
The second extra session called by Pres
idont Hayes, March Is. 1879, was because
the legislative and army appropriation
bills had failed at the preceding short
session. This extra session was charac-
terized by the very bitter political debates
In both houses relating to the use of
troops at the polls and President Hayes
vetoed, among other. the army and legis-
lative appropriation bills and bill TO pre-
vent military interference at elections, none
of which passed over his Veto
President Cleveland ummoned con-
gress, August I, 1893, to repeal the pur-
- Il L
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-01-11
An Open Winter.
Moberly (Mo) Democrat.

Moberly tMo,) Democrat.
According to the old weather sign, We
may expect an open winter. 1t is said
New Year rules the succeeding two months
and that wherever the wind is on New
Years day. 1t will be for the next sixty
DAYS, with no exceptions greater than for
ty-elght hours at time. The wind last
Friday was toward the South. and unless
the old rule fails, there will be no long
periods OF cold weather before the first of
March at least
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-01-11
But-Nill II 3
Philadelphia Telegraph.

Philadelphia Telegraph.
The new tariff bill can be so constructed
as to meet the requirements OF the hour
and prevent just opposition. even from
their own standpoint, on the part Cf
democratic senator's who believe in what
they are pleased to call moderate pro-
tectio
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-01-11
Mr. Mckinley and the Ladies.

IHINfstOn ITIhUnt'
President Mckinley will wear a home
made suit at his inauguration, but II would
be safe 10 wager a box OF bon-bon that
every fashionably dressed woman In the
throng on that occasion will claim to have
on an imported gown.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-01-11
BOARD AND RooMS.


90. lN...A S-,-.EilA n.S.
FOR RENT--A nice furnished front room,
with or without board; gentlemen pre-
ferred. Apply 1913 Chapman. IL
BOARD AND ROOMS-Two elegant south
rooms. with or without beard: hot and
cold baths. Mrs. Massie. SIS Mckee ST. 10
BEAUTIFULLY Furnished downstairs
front room: also one upstairs. with mod
crn conven. encsS; board il desired; terms
reasonable; two blocks from Main street
12li Prairie avenue. II
WANTED--,A few gentlemen hoarfers;
Lice rooms and good table board and
lodging $50 per month; liable board SIS
per month; references exchanged lOI3
Walker, between Main and Fannin. Is
FURNISHED or unfurnlshed rooms tDhl,,
board in connection: rates reasonable:
everything drst-clGss at us Main sti eel
told Allen homesteaD: uansicnts So
lclted. 10
ELEGANT ROOMS, frst-cIass board. al
reduced rates; special rates to clubs:
central location: hot and cold baths, 502
San Jacinto street. corner Pra.rIe ave
nae. l3
FOR RENT-Two large. newly furnished
south rooms, all modern convenences,
with or without board, in small private
family. Apply 7o2 Crawford. corner Cap
.tol avenue. II
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-01-11
ZEEGEiNEIlET5 T JJ,y s}9 S!j!!;!l

NOrICE--;The regular annual meeting of
Company will be held at The Pos, bniid9
ing Monday. January Is, 1897, al S.3o
2. m. q. j. Palmer. Secretary and
Urea surer. ~"