davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-18
AN ENGINEERING FEAT.
Span of an Iron Bridge Replaced I'm
Two Minutes and n Half.

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 1.-THE feat of
replacing an iron bridge span 242 feet long,
% feet wide and 80 feet depth with one of
the same dimensions of steel was accom-
pished in this city to-day in two minutes
and thirty-two seconds. In this space of
time nearly LOO tons Of iron and steel were
moved g. distance of twenty-five feet, and
there was not a slip or a hitch in the entire
proceedings
This remarkable feat of engineering was
accomplished at what is known as the con-
Meeting railroad bridge over the Schuylkill,
just above Girard avenue. 1t is the bridge
that bears the tracks of the New York d.
vision of the Pennsylvania Railroad, the
busiest division on the Pennsylvania sys-
TEN. The time set for the replacement was
the forty-eight minutes intervening between
the passage over the bridge of the Chest
nut Hill accommodation trains leaving
Broad-street station at 2:47 p. m. and at $3.50
p. m. A work train crossed to the eastern
end of the bridge and stopped. The gangs
of trackmen began to unSpike the rails or
the west bound track on the old span. This
DONE the grapplers of the work train took
hold of the ends of the rails, the engine
started up and the entire length or rails,
242 feet, was snaked off in short order.
Meanwhile four stationary engines, one at
each end a level with the bridge foun-
dations and another at each end on scows
securely moored at the base of the bridge
piers. were putting and emphasizing their
readiness for the task they had to do.
There was said to be less than hundred
horse power represented in these four en-
gines, yet so well was everything arranged
that they moved the leviathan without any
apparent overexertion. Then the signal
Yves given for the little stationary engines
to exert themselves. 1t seemed as If they
all started at the identical instant. There
was Tightening of the cables, an almost
imperceptible creak of a wheel somewhere,
and the big bulk began to move northward.
1t was like clockwork AS the edge of the
old iron span began to show beyond the
bridge piers the crowds on the north side
of the river set up a shout, and as the
breadth of the new steel span began to dis
appear behind the piers the crowds on the
southern coigns of vantage also Joined in
the cheer and almost before the cheer had
died away the mighty feat had been accom-
plished In just two minutes and thirty
Two seconds from the time of starting the
engines the new span occupied the exact
position from which the old one had been
removed.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-18
MURDERER LYNCHED.
white Man Pursued by an Arkansas
Mob and Hanged.

DERMOTT, Ark, Oct. IA lynching in
which the victim was a white man named
Cole occurred near Wilmot early Friday
morning Cole had committed a cold-blooded
murder and was pursued, captured and
strung up by posse composed of the muir
dered mans friends. Cole was of unsavory
reputation and a habitual loafer. He was
arrested on Wednesday by Constable James
Jones on the charge of having committed
some slight misdemeanor. When taken be-
fore justice of the peace Cole was placed
under bond, which he succeeded in giving
and was released. AS he walked out of
court he muttered threat against the con-
stable. saying that he was be-
ing unjustly prosecuted and would
get even with the officer. Later
Cole secured a double-barreled shotgun
and slipping up behind Jones, fired both
barrels into the constables back. killing
him instantly. In the excitement Cole made
his escape, but a large posse was soon or
ganized and started in pursuit. Blood
hounds were secured and the search for
Cole was continued until early Friday
morning, when he was found in the woods
eight miles from Wilmot. The mob made
quick work of him. A rope was tied about
his, neck and he swung up without GER
eYrony. The mob returned to Wilmot, leav-
ing the body of Cole swinging TO a tree.
Jones was an old officer and stood high in
the community.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-18
WRECK OF THE TRITON
ONLY FORTY-TWO OF PASSENGERS
AND CREW RESCUED.
One Hundred and Fifty Lost, Many
Probably Becoming Food for
SharkS-Terrib1e Scenes.

HAVANA. Oct 1.-THE gunboat Maria
Christina. which left this port yesterday for
the scene of wreck of the coasting steamer
Triton. bound from Havana to Bahia Hon
da. Pinar del Rio, which sank yesterday
morning between Romica and Mariel has
returned. accompanied by the tug Susie,
which went with her. The two vessels ar
rived here at l o'clock this afternoon the
gunboat having on board nineteen and the
tug boat twentythree of the members of
the lost ships company of whom thirteen
are civilians and soldiers. The whereabouts
of the others of the company are unknown.
The Triton struck the rock during a
heavy rainstorm. Her cargo shifted, and
fifteen minutes later she sank in 100 faith
oms Of water. A scene of terrible confusion
and panic ensued as soon as the passengers
realized the meaning of the crash In a
wild struggle they rushed for the boats. The
first boat that was lowered capszed imme-
diately and all of it's occupants were
drowned in the whirling waters. The next
was struck by an enormous wave and turned
over, drowning twenty, but the frail craft
righted again, and eight who had been
thrown out regained it, Some were good
swimmers and kept themselves afioat for
hours; others floated around for twen-
ty-four hours on planks. Four soldiers on
one plank whom the strong currents car
ried east of Havana, opposite MORO Castle
were saved this morning by a pilot boat
going towards Cardenas They declare that
last evening there were many others near
them on planks, but when morning came
all these had disappeared Some of them
probably became food for sharks
Those who were rescued tell heartrending
stories of scenes during the terrible quarter
of an hour before the Triton sank. An
army captain, his wife and daughter went
down together, locked in last embrace.
mother with twins fifteen months old
drifted helplessly away on the crest Of
great wave. All the other ladies and chill
dren were drowned. Just as the Triton was
sinking Captain Ricardo, her commander,
committed suicide by shooting himself with
his revolver. 1t is impossible to give the
exact number of those who were lost, but
it is estimated that they were no fewer
than $50. No passenger list has been found.
The consignee says that the vessel, which
carried a general cargo, was not insured.
The forty-two rescued persons suffered Sc
verely from the exposure All of them were
more or less bruised and many of them
badly wounded.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-18
WOMAN FOR A HORSE.
Pretty, Blue-Eycd Gypsy Girl offered
in Exchange for an Animal.

PORT JERvIS, N. Y, Oct. ia band of
gypsies EN- route south were encamped near
Dingmans, Pa, where one of their horses
stranded them by falling dead. They
pitched their tents in piece of woods and
from last Thursday until yesterday they
stopped every wagon and bicyclist on the
way asking them if they had horse to
trade for woman. They showed the wom-
an they were willing to trade. She is twenty
years of age and pretty, dark brown hair
fine teeth and blue eyes. She seemed much
interested and watched each person who
approached with interest. why do you
wish to trade her for q horse? Why don {
you buy horse and take the woman with
your" the leader was asked. He said: Be
cause we are one too many any way and
she has too many new ideas for us and it
is cheaper to keep horse than a dissatis-
fled woman" The girl when asked her opin-
ion of the proposed trade said: It's all
right here. / am willing to go. If | amt
worth more than a horse you needn't take
me-" But the trader was unable TO effect
the desired trade and the camp broke up
and left the vicinity.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-18
Indiann Notes.

The History Club has been organized at
Earham College for this year. Prof. Cyrus
w. Hodgin will be the president, and Miss
Francis Wright secretary.
Manager Forbes Holton, of the Union
window-glass works, of Anderson, an
nounces that the plant will be put in OPP
Grafton next Friday. The Union is not a
trust plant.
Kid Graham. an Indianapolis pugilist,
is in Elwood and has issued def to
the Elwood pugilists for a twenty-round
go or a fight to a finish for any sum from
$500 up to $1,000.
A movement is on foot at Richmond for
the organization of company of capital
lists to buy the Mncl1 brewery of that city.
and convert it into a plant of sufficient size
to supply the local beer trade
A new advertising scheme is being intro
duced into Richmond. The person introduce
ing it selects one of the largest attended
churches and agrees to furnish free of
charge one hundred hymn books The fly
leaves will be filed with ''ads.," and from
them the publisher derives his profit.
Yesterday was an important day with the
congregation of st. Paul's Evangelical Luz
theran Church. of Richmond Within the
past few weeks the interior of the church
has been remodeled, the auditorium being
made into one of the most modern in the
city. A handsome pipe organ has been
added, and this was dedicated yesterday.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-18
STATE READING CIRCLE.
A Few Facts Concerning Its Organ
ization and the Purposes of 1t.
Wa hacIn Tribune

People not directly interested in educa-
tional work know little of the mission of the
Young Peoples Reading Circle of this
State. Since it's organization in 1887 by
prominent educators until the present its
growth has been productive of many ia
vorabe results. 1t was intended to remedy
an evil that insidiously threatened the sta
bility OF the schools as an educational fac
tor not to supplant or subvert the pre-
scribed curriculum, but to supplement it,.
1t was found that some means must be de-
Vised to relieve the schoolroom of the mo-
notony and tedium of the usual work. The
minds of the pupils needed more than the
regulation bill of fare.
The idea became somewhat popular that
the schools were not as progressive as other
institutions of society and that a good,
wholesome reading circle would be an
auxiliary that would relieve them of that
criticism. Many country homes were given
an intellectual stimulus from the reading
of these books and many boy or girl had
his first incentive TO delve into the hidden
treasures OF literature and general knOwl-
edge as q result Of this acquaintance.
After a few annual purchases and dis
tribution of these books by the trustees or
school officials. noticeable pride was mani
fest among the pupils in regard TO the IL
brary; not only were they interested in the
reading. but also in the preservation of the
books.
selected books adapted 10 the ages and in
clinations Of the pupils from the various
grades, and suitable and wholesome literary
food was placed at their disposal. Reside a
disposition to increase their knowledge OF
various authors a ccmmendable spirit per-
tanning to the use of books was noticed
They gradually familarized themselves
with the books so that they could with adj
vantage use them in acquiring supplemental
knowledge and the ability TO use a book
well and intelligently is certainly the de-
sideratum after a knowledge of the book
itself This shirt developed by the use OF
the library Influenced many to become inde-
pendent in their search for knowledge. In
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-18

short gave them that mental habit belong
ing to the true student. They were freed
from the teacher and hearsay and thrown
entirely upon their resources in their read
ing thereby giving them mental inde-
Another benefit noted was the increased
interest manifest in their prescribed studies.
From reading they learned not onty the au-
thors opinion, but of other specialists: they
many writers is productive of more experi-
ence than contact with one. and the move
appealing TO the various faculties results in
broader and moro cultured intellects.
In short the mental and moral status of
the schools was greatly elevated by the
wholesome introduction of this literature
for which the pupils minds were DESTROYS.
The growth Of membership has been rapid
and at the close of the last year numbered
and that represents an increase of 1900
over the year of 1894. Any pupil of school
age reading any book suggested by the
board was eligible for membership, and
those who were not students, but who read
under the direction of a competent teacher.
were entitled to the same.
The General Assembly of 1895 made ade-
quate provisions for the purchase of books
sanctioned by the Reading Circle board and
1896 a trustee in southern Indiana was in
weighed into the purchase of books not
adopted by the board and not sold by their
agent, but by an unscrupulous party rep
resenting himself as an authorized repre-
sentative of the board.
The patrons of his township protested
the Appellate Court sustained the petition
ers, but failed to discriminate between
books approved and sold under the sane
ton of the state board, and those books
not recognized by the same board and sold
by designing men purporting to be author
lied agents Of the board
Many attorneys have placed the liberal
construction upon the decision, that it is
effective only upon nonreading circle books
and in no manner affects the general law.
Despite the consensus of opinion on that
subject many trustees have been timorouS
of making the regular annual investment
in good wholesome books, in fact many
have declined to buy and cite the above
case as their authority, while only small
number are buying the usual amount of
books. 1t is regretted that a mistaken con-
Struction should be taken of the court de-
cision since it's observance affects the men
tai and moral progress of every child in the
State.
All friends of progress and culture want
books disseminated among the children
The State can do this most economically
because in its position 1t can buy books at
the lowest prices. Talented men and women
interested in the higher life of the pupils
devote time and energy to this VI rthy
cause without remuneration. Surely econ
only does not consist in the nonexpenditure
Of funds, but in their judicious outstanding
so as to yield the most wholesome results,
ard what investment commands a higher
price than that of good books.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-18

initiation he repudiated his first oath and
swore fealty to the Southern Confederacy
il was Tranter's confession that caused the
arrest Of Bowes, Milligan and Horsey and
on his testimony principally they were con-
victed. After President Johnson had re-
leased the Indiana constructors" Horsey
returned to Martin counly, poor in purse
and broken in spirit. His property had been
dissipated in attorneys fe,ss, and he was
no longer a man Of influence The war feel
ing was still high, and Horsey was prac-
ucally an outcast
Some time ago Horsey was running a
little apple brandy still in the wild hill
country of northern Martin. His beard had
grown until it completely covered his face
and he looked for all the world like a wild
man of the woods :" He was laxative and
still uncompromising. claiming that he had
been greatly wronged and that the wrong
could never be righted Horsey's contention
was that the organization was not in op-
position TO the United States government,
and he always claimed that pertured wit,
nesses brought about his downfall
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-18
Indiann Obituary.

ATLANTA, Ind, Oct. 17.-Philip King, a
pioneer, died here yesterday. He was born
in Pennsylvania, Dec. a. 1915. came to this
State in 1889 and settled at Thorntown,
Boone county. In 1910 he married Josinah
Miller, who survives him. In 1865 he re-
moved to Indianapolis, where he resided
until 1867, when he came TO Buena Vista,
now Atlanta. Mr.. King did much to build
up the town of Atlanta. Two sons John l..
King, of Indianapolis, and VIM. c., of At
lanta, and three daughters, Mrs. Sarah
Good, Mrs. Laura Essig and Mrs. Mary A.
Cochran, survive him. One son, Milton,
served in an Indiana regiment during the
war and died in the service. Franklin B.,
the youngest of the family, died eight
years ago, and the oldest daughter, Jerusha
A, who became the wife of Albert Mere
dith, of Thorntown, Ind. died in 1889.
LEBANON Ind, Oct. 17.-R. NJ. Richey,
an old settler, aged seventy-two years, died
to-day at his home in this city of typhoid
fever. He was born in Kentucky and moved
to Hamilton county, this State, at an early
age, residing at BoXleytown. In 1915 he
biazed his way to this county and took up
his residence here. He was twice married.
His second wife and three children survive
him,
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-18
RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE
POINTS FROM THE GENERAL SUPER
INTENDENT's ANNUAL REPORT.
Fourteen Postal Clerks Killed and los
Injured During the Year-Oth-
CIR PostoGlce Statistics.

| WASHINGTON, Oct 17.-An abstract of
the annual report of the general superin-
tendent of the Railway Mail Service fol-
lows: At the close of the year there were
| 1,164 railway postoffice lines. manned by g.
| S54 clerks; 80 electric and cable lines with
| 102 clerks; AZ steamboat lines, with 81 clerks;
making total number of lines 1929 and total
number of clerks lob. In addition to these
there were 81 clerks assigned to duty at
important functions and depots, and 23S de-
tailed to clerical duty in the various offices
of the service; making a grand total of
1862 clerks. The miles of railroad covered
by the railway postoffice car service was
1874 Us; of electric and cable, 303, and Of
steamboat lines, 1859 The grand total of
miles Travelled of all classes of service was
2S2, sSO. OSl. There were 654 whole cars in use
and 173 in reserve, and 2,026 apartments in
cars in use and $40 in reserve.
The number Of pieces of all classes of mail
matter distributed on the cars during the
year was 11,571, 5406SO, exclusive of regis
tered matter and city mail. OF registered
matter there were &c. 1868 pieces in all.
The amount of city mail distributed for sta
lions and carriers during the year aggre-
gated 462, ass, $40 pieces. The increase OF or
binary mail handled over the previous year
Ing a period of ten years shows that there
has been an increase in the amount of mail
handled of 772 per cent. and an increase
in the working force Of 4S.6 per cent. The
number of pieces of mail matter handled
correctly to each error in distribution dur
ing the past ten years has increased from
1884 to IL $50. The number of errors in dis
tribution during the year was 967,53S, a de-
crease of 14.7 per cent The number or
pieces of matter, illegibly addressed, hand
led during the year was II, 972,7 64.
There were $50 casualties during the year,
in which IA clerks lost their lives, 80 were
seriously and 70 slightly injured This is
larger number of casualties and fatalities
than have occurred during any previous
year since the organization of the service
The passage of the bill for the relief of the
families of clerks killed in the line of duty;
of clerks injured and untitled for service
permanently or temporarily, and for the
retirement on partial pay of clerks who
have served so long as to be untitled for
service, has gain been urged.
The reorganization and Reconstruction or
the service is again strongly urged by the
general superintendent. Recommendation Is
made for the enactment of some legisla-
ton to prevent unwarranted and unlawful
interference with postal clerks while on
duty in mail cars. The distribution Of sec
ond-class matter by publishers and mailing
agences has been followed up during the
past year, with considerable success, and
the congested condition of affairs in the
larger postoffices has thereby been consid-
erably relieved.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-18
THE ORIGINAL SMITH.
The Founder of the Family at Last to
Have a Monument.
BOston Transcript.


All the Smiths will be proud (more or
Iess) now that a statue is to be put up in
Pittsburg in honor of Tubal-cain. 1t
would have amazed that worthy man. the
original instructor of every artificer in
brass and IRON" as the author of the Book
of Genesis describes him. if his mother,
zillah, or any of his. relatives. had told him
that some thousands of years later "a two
hundred thousand-dollar bronze ststue Of
him would be set UP, SO big that travellers
by rail or river might see it passing by.
A colossal bronze figure swinging an enor-
nous hammer above mammoth anvil may
not be beautiful, but the Pittsburg people
are evidently determined that IL shall be
impressive in regard to size OF course
the project has nothing whatever to do
with art, any more than the Eiffel tower;
1t is intended as an apotheosis OF industrial
success, and the big pedestal of iron and
steel will represent the solid basis of the
fortunes of Pittsburg.
The materials are exceedingly slight for
a biography of the patron" chosen by the
Engineers Society of Western Pennsylva-
mia and the Pittsburg Foundrymenis Assoc
cation. About all that there is authorita-
tive to tell of Tubal-cain is that he was
sixth in descent from Cain and seventh
from Adam himself. Being a descendant OF
original Adams has. of course, always
counted for something It is noteworthy in
this connection that chief among the ia
nous Smiths since Tubal-cains time was
Adam Smith, the great Scotsman and po-
litlcal economist, only child, by the way.
of another Adam Smith, which seems to
indicate some idea OF an unbroken line Of
connection However that may be- there
have always been shining lights bearing
his name along the way that leads back
through the dim past towards the days
lossal statue coming at Pittsburg, IL is only
proper to speak Of Tubal-cain's business
with a capital letter. His fathers name
was Lamech; his mothers Christian name
was Zillah-or perhaps it is more accurate
to say her heather name
1T was Tabul-cains wife who was really
the first Mrs. Smith. and the ancestress OF
all the great men of her name How well
Sydney Smith would have enjoyed tracing
the family connection If the whim had
popped into his jocund mind CAPTAIN, John
Smith. Sir Thomas Smith. Admiral Sir
William Sydney Smith. of Napoleonic fame;
Edmund Burkes great friend Sir William
'Cusack Smith. LII. D.; the Greek and Eng
dish dictionary DR.. William Smith: the
Father of Geology William Smith; the Eng
lish Elizabeth Smith (who knew her Ara
bic, Hebrew and Persian as well as she
knew Greek Latin. and all the modern
languages) Horace and James Smith. of
the Rejected Addresses" Elizabeth Cakes
Smith OF Portland. Me; Alexander Smith,
of Ayrshire. who tried to be a poet and
Oliver Goldsmith, who was one. make up
a pretty list of distinguished shades to take
a friendly interest in the Pittsburg statue
to the founder of their family.