davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-10-08
PREMIER DEAD BEAT.
He Comes from Ohio and Has
CuIled People Cut Of $780,.
900 in Four Years.
TWO BIG MEN AMONG HIS VICTIMS

Henry Clews and Wanamaker Contribute
10 His Prince!y Income of 100000 Fer
Annum-it the Same Time He Is Vice
President of a Stree. Railway Company
in Akron. O.-Now, However, in the Grip
of the Law.
New York, Oct. S.-Emra. B. Gibson,
alias George B. Sher:r, railroad pro-
moter who claims that he was At ore
time judge in Ohio, and who was once
President Of the Akron, o., Street Rail-
way company ard is now vice president
OF the company. was arrested yesterday
afternoon charged with laying down
bogus checks, beating hotels out Of board
bills and carrying on swindlirg opera
tons Of various kinds. The police say
that Gibson is the most accomplished.
bogus check and hotel swfrdler in the
country. Gibson, according to the po-
lice. has succasded by means Of forgery,
bogus checks and dealings in stocks and
bonds and playing his wilss upon first
class hctalleepers, during the last four
years in getting and spending in the
neighbOrhood CT 100000. Among his VIC
TINS. according to Police Captain Nc
Cluskey, are Henry Clews ard John
ting complaints of his feats from differ
ent first-class hotels il this city for many
days back.
said the Cops Were Mistaken.
Detectives were put on the CIews case
and they located Gibson at the Hotel
Eartholdi. They did rot find him in
when they went 10 the hotel Wednesday
to bag the game. He was, however,
found in the Grand hotel. The detec-
tves saw a tall, slim. sharp-fea tured
man. with blue eyes. high forehead and
blond Whiskers. He was well dressed.
ard very cool when the officers invited
him 70 take stroll to police headquar-
ters. protesting that the police had made a
mistake. At police headquarters he said
he was vice president Of the Akron Street
Railway company, Of Akron. O.. a law
yer and oEce upon a time judge in an
Ohio town. Gibson had an office in the
NILS building not long ago" said Cap
tain McCluskey. 1T was Handsomely
appointed. He talked about his correc-
ti0rs with the Akron Street Railway
company as a winning card to gain con-
fidence.
Way He Nulcteti CIeyys and WaraInatc~.
He won over even Mr.. Henry Clews
In fact, his office was next 10 Nh, Clews.
When he had wcrmed himself into Mr..
Clews' good graces he calmly laid down
with him a S1,3GC check. Mr. Clews
casheG it. only to discover how worth
less il was. but Gibson had gone Gibson
met Mr.. Wanamaker in Philadelphia
some time ago. and the dry goods man
was attracted to him. Gibson suggested
a paper to he started ard run by him in
the interest Of Mr.. Wane<naker's store
Good idea Mr.. Wanae2aker said to
Gibson and plant was purchased. The
reXt thing AIr. Waramai->T knew Glib
son had sold the plant for several thou
sand dollars ard philadelphia has not
known him since. so far as I know I
have not yet got a definite idea of the
amount Of Gihson's swindles. I am told
that they will foot UP more than S400 COCO
in four years. and he operated IL both
the east and the west
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-10-08
TIE stats Rest, In Luet2erl's TrI I.

Chicago. Oct. Sin the Lue.gert
triai the state rested It's case this af-
ternocn a'ttr q prosecution lastip g
several weeks. Court ad journed un-
til next Monday, when the defense
will probably put on few rerebut-
tai witnesses; then the arguments to
the Jury will begin lasting six days
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-10-08
Chns. \. Dana Nearing His End.

New York. oct. S.-The condition Of
Charles y. Dana, the editor Of The Sun,
became 50 much worse that the family
was summoned to his bedside. Just what
turn his condition may take the physi-
clans attending hrm are unable to fore-
tell. Dana has been Ill for three months.
and while showing remarkable vitality
he has become much worse.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-10-08

Dubuque, Ia, Oct SIT has been de-
cided that the case Of Rev. Scott. who
eloped with a Waterloo girl and is
now in an insane asylum. will not come
before the Methodist conference, be-
cause he has been adjuGged insane by
civil tribunal and the conference can
not put In Insane person ON trial.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-10-08
Talk Strike .;gain at Chicaro.

Chicago. Oct. S.-Superintendent Bow
en-. of the Chicago City Railway COM
pany. gave new life 70 the slumberirg
revolt existing among the street rail
way employees by discharcinc seven cen
ouctors and cre motorman. all Of whom
Were said to be instrumental in thu
formation of union. The men are row
again talking strike and have sent for
N2hon.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-10-08

Des Mcioes, Oct S-The supreme
court Of Iowa today adjudged guilty
OF corrup. miscon duct II of'ice the
board OF aldermen Of Dubuque, who
pessec rss"lu.sou raising tncir sal
aries in '95
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-10-08
WEYLER VERY MUCH FULTON.
Grows Desperate Over Le,ting & Go Of Cab.
-O.htr Late News.

-Oshtr Late News.
Madrid. Oct. S.-Weyler is using
every means in his power to prevent
his recall before June. 1t is reported
he has even threatened to utilize his
inhnence In the army to create dis
turbances or Sell himself to the Carl
lists.
Madrid. Oct. Sit is officially an
nounced this afternoon that Weyler,
at tomorroW's session Of Ihe cabinet,
will be recalled from Cuba.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-10-08

Appleton, Wis. oct. S.-The eleventh
annual convention Of the Wisconsin
Christian Endeavorers was opened here
last night. Abeut 200 delegates have
already arrived and 500 more are ex-
pccted this noon
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-10-08
Children Ea. Poisonous Berries.

Appleton. Wis. Oct S.-Wallace an :!
Viola SedO. aged 1 and ? years. respec-
lively. died yesterday at Black creek
presumably as result ofeatinS poison
Gus berries in the woods whsre they
were playing The children died abcue
four hours after being taken sick.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-10-08

o GalesbCrS. Ills. Oct S.-Charles An
derson, farmer. was killed yesterday
afternoon hy William Wilder, a negro.
Tns assault was made with a knife.
Beth were drunk GEG ouarrelsome.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-10-08
Thieves Make IL Big Haul.

Louisville. Oct. S.-A special to The
Post from Morganfeld says: Thieves
entered the office Of the Union county
bank yesterday during the lunch hour
and secured over S3.0ec in currency
which had Leen left In the cash drawer
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-10-08
Jimmie Has the Mile Record Now.

Philadelphia, oct. s.-"Jirnmie" Michael
Yesterday on the Willow Grove track
lowered the mile paced bicycle record
Is seconds. making the distance
in 1856. NcDurie, Of Bosten, held the
record Of I:cS Is
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-10-08

Fort Wayne, Ind. oct S.-The tlIir-
tCcE;h annual meeting Of the northwest
synod Of the German Reformed church
was called to order by Rev. John Kuell-
inE. over 100 Clersymer are pre.eat.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-10-08

John Johnson an old settler Of Nc
Farlard. Dane county. AVIS. was prob
ably fatally injured. He was caught
in the straw carrier Of sorghum mill. his
left arm being broken ard his LEFT,
shoulder blade fractured He was other
wise badly bruised. lie is about 30
years cd.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-10-08

New Orleans. Oct. s At noon the
board of health reported p new
cases OF yellow flver. and four deaths
today
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-10-08

After serious illness, like typhoid
ever. preu monia. or the grip.
Hoods Ssrssparilla has wonderful
strengthening power.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-10-08

Arnold's Bromo Celery cures head
aches; 10. 25 and 50 cents. Reiss'
drug store.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-10-08
TOUGH ON LUETGERT,
The Way the State Impeached
His Sfaunch Friend, Miss
Mary Siemering.
NOTHING LEFT OF HER TESTIMONY

EXCEPT Its Memory. and That Appears Tn.
holy-Integrity of Charles Attacked and
Ills Wife'- Testimony Contradicted -
Members of a Grand jury Brought Into
Court to Smash a woman's Reputation
Prosecution to Conclude Today,
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-12
.Nine-sIxteentns OF a mne, maiden twOye!

Nora ll5 (Saugh er), to o5....................l D.
hrmaL tine ll5 (BakeTJ, is to l.. .........2
Prince Bismarck ITO (W. Deanl, II 10 1..........3
Time. :o714 Glsnore Lee, WolfOrd, ir " sy-
man, Belle UI 81 Lou > Hayda, Bradford, LUugh
Mask and Collars anu CUFFS a.so ran.
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-12
j. PlERP0NT MORGAN HOME.
Believed 10 Have Made Deals IN Northern
Pacific and An hracIte Coal
Stocks

NEW YORK, n. Y, June III. Pier
pont Morgan has returned from Europe
on the White Star steamer Teutonic He
has been arranging while abroad for M
portant changes and reorganizations in
several large railroad properties, and IS
believed to have had entire success in his
plans, though he refuses 10 confirm this
report further than by say ng that the
financial situation abroad seems much
improved.
The deal in Northern Pacific, contem-
plated by the Morgan interests, is said to
involve the transfer of the controlling in
terest in the road to the Great Northern
clique which upholds James J. Hill in the
management of the latter property. This
clique consists of the large banking
houses in Amsterdam. Berlin, Hamburg
and London. T e Deutsche Bank oil Berlin
is the chief factor In the control of this
property.
Anthracite coal matters are also said to
have received the attention of Mr.. Morgan
while abroad. Foreigners have hereto
fore had little interest in the coal-carry-
ing roads. 1t is stated now, however, that
through Mr.. Morgan's connections sew
eral blocks of Philadelphia and Reading
and Lehigh Valley securities will be placed
in Europe The former road was reorgan-
lzed by J. P. Morgan & Co. Mr.. Morgan
personally owns large amount of its Sc.
curities, and as the head of the reorgani-
cation syndicate his firm will also receive
large blocks
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-12
MOURNING At SKAGGS SPRINGS.
Alexander Skacgs, an Ideal Landlord and
Generous Man, Passes TO
the Beyond.

SANTA ROSA, CAL, June 11-Alex-
ander Skaggs, owner OF Skaggs Springs
and a pioneer of this county, died at his
home near this city to-day. He had been
ailfng for some time and his death was
not altogether unexpected.
Alexander Skaggs was born in Baron
County. KY, seventy-one years ago, and
came to this State in 1858, by OK team over
the plains. He located in Nevada County,
and after residing there for four years
moved TO Sonoma County. He was mar
ried in 1856 tn Miss Eliza Thomas and was
the father of four children. The widow
and one child, EAza beth, survive him.
AS the owner and manager of Skaggs
Springs, Aleck Skaggs, as he was every
where known, was a familiar figure. OF
a iovial, kindly disposition, he has well
coined and godspeeded thousands of guests
to aud from the springs, and there are
people in almost every State who hold
him in kindly memory. He was sue
cessful business man, an ideal landlord
and a good friend to those who deserved
his good will.
The body will be placed temporarily in
the vault in the Stanley Cemetery, but
will finally rest in the little burying
ground at Skaggs Springs, under the trees
he loved so we'll
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-12
PRAISE SoAohA'S A0SPI7ALITX.
NatVs Daughters Conclude Their L6ors
Viii the Ins nIIation of
Officers

SONORA, CAL, June Ito orrow
will witness the departure of Sonora's
guests, the Native Daughters of the
Golden West. 1t is not too much to say
that the Grand ParIor session just closed
will go down in the history of the order
as one of its most enjoyable gatherings
The delegates are profuse in their praise
of the hospitality of the residents, while
Sonora's people regret that the visit has
been so brief.
The Grand Parlor has finished its labors
and tonight installed its newly elected
officers. They are: Grand president, Mrs.
Belle Conrau OF Sonora; grand vice
president, Mrs. Lena II. Mills of Stock
ton; grand secretary, Mrs. Georgia c.
Ryan of San Francisco (re-elected);
grand treasurer, Miss Lizzie DOUGLASS OF
San Francisco; grand marshal, Miss Rosa
Day of San Francisco; grand inside SEN
tinel, Miss Callie Shields of Plymouth;
grand outside sentinel, NJ IS Irene Nc
Leod of San Jose; trustees-Mrs. J. S.
| Van Harlingen of Sonora, Mlss Laura
| Frakes of Suffer Creek, Mss Cora ford
of Ventura, Miss Lillian Garlic OF San
Francisco and Mrs. Kate Briggs of Placer
vile.
After the installation ball was given
in Turn Verein Hall, at which fully 1000
people were present. The pleasure OF
dancing was INDUCED in until long alter
midnight.
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-12
Pacific Grove Citizens
View an Unusual
Phenomenon.
Curved Streak of Light and
Color Arising From a
Bank of Mist.
Its Ends Disappear in tha
Heavens.

PACIFIC GROVE, CAL, June 1.-THE
people OF Pacific Grove witnessed strange
phenomenon last night-the appearance
of an inverted rainbow in the Eastern
heavens None of the hundreds who
gazed skyward at the spectacle had ever
seen the like before. and the scientists
who are here in attendance at the summer
school were deeply puzzled.
The sky was perfectly clear, except i'm
mediately behind the rainbow, where
there was a thin mist, the last fragment of
the early morning log. Instead of stretch
ing from horizon to horizon its ends SEEM
inglY resting upon the earth, as Is the usual
position, this bow appeared TO grow out of
the mist at its eXtremities and upside
down, its greatest curve being about - de-
grees above the eastern horizon. The bow
was clearly defined and brilliant, but
much smaller than arches of color old Sol
usually paints with raindrops.
There is much speculation among the
townspeople as to the cause of this phe-
nomenon. Those who are skilled in as
tronomy are studying it. Among the
superstitious it is believed to be a sign
with some portentous meaning, an omen
OF something that is to occur to this por-
tion at least and perhaps to the entire
globe.
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-12
FATAL FIGHT At Alta.
BENJAMIN Billings Neck Broken by a Blow
From Gorge Sharon's

AUBURN, CAL, June II. - Coroner
Mitchell was this morning called to Alta,
a railroad station thirty-three miles above
here. TO hold an inquest over the body of
young man named Benjamin Billings.
Billings and George Sharon of Dutch Flat
became intoxicated, quarreled and re-
paired to the street 10 settle their diff
Guilty. They were allowed to fight and
honoTs were about even when Billings
suddenly fell. Those present thought he
had been knocked Insensible, and were
greatly surprised to find on picking him
up that his neck was broken and he was
dead.
The blow which knocked Billings down
seemed to be an awkward swing of
Sharon's right fist, which landed on the
jaw. Whether Sharon had anything in
his hand or not is not known.
Sharon Immediately gave himself Cp to
the local officer, and when Sheriff Conroy
and District Attorney ChamberIain ar
rived he was arrested and charged with
manslaughter,
Billings, the dead man, was % years
DID, and Sharon is only q. Both are of
prominent parentage, and Billings was
employed as engineer on the narrow
gauge railroad of Towle Brothers Lum Der
Company.
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-12
FOURTH POSrMAsTERs.
Senator Perkins -hGy BE Deprived o.
(erfnin PTeronnfire.

Senator Perkins .Ldy BE Deprived OF
Certain Prero0atiue..
WASHINGTON, D. c., June 1I.-Sen-
ator Perkins was at the Postotfice Depart.
ment to-day to see about the appointment
of iourth-class Postmasters in those Cali
fornia Congressional districts now repre-
sented by De Vries, Barlow and Castle.
The Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
said that the department would ike to
show some consideration TO the defeated
Re publican candidates in each State,
and that in California Grove Johnson
Bowers and McLlchlan would be asked
10 make recommendations. He said the
department would like Senator Perkins to
indorse their selections, however. This
Senator Perkins declines to do and he
told the Fourth Assistant Postmaster
General plainly that be did not propose to
interfere in any way.
Senator Perkins feels that he should be
allowed 10 name the HostmasteTs in dis
tricts now represented in Congress bv
DenocT He is not especially anxious
about it but he feels that a Senator
should not be called upon to indorse Sc.
lections made by the defeated candidates
If the department decides 20 accept the
lamentations of johnson, Bowers
and Mel Llchlan it will have TO get along
without any Endorsements from Senator
Perkins. He proposes 10 let the gentle
men name whom they may. The depart
ment will reach no decision in the matter.
however, until Postmaster General Gary
returns from Nashville.
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-12
FLAMES IN cL0UDMAE FIELDS.
Fire Sweeps Through Pastures, Rc6b ng
RaHcherS of FOOD for Their
6 ork

STOCKTON, CAL, June 11.-Several
thousand acres of pasture near Cluudman
was swept by fire last night. Nearly all
the grazing land near the town was barred
OF its grass, and the farmers will now have
TO move their stock to the San Joaquin
River, as the pasture toward the Yosemite
has been used up.
The Ere was started on the ranch of
John Thompson by teamster named Cort
OF Stockton, who was Camped for the
night and was cooking his evening meal.
The flame from his campfire was commu-
nicated to the dry grass near by, and the
fire was soon beyond his control. The
flames spread rapidly and i'll short time
the whole country about was ablaze.
Running before the line OF fire were deer,
jackrabbits and coyotes, all moving
together in their haste TO get out of the
way of the flames.
John Curtin lost 100 cords of wood and
500 acres of pasture. Mr.. Probes lost 900
acres of pasture ami a quantity of fencing.
John Wight's 500 acres of pasture were
swept over and Mrs. Rushing and her ION
lost 800 acres. John Thorn pson. on whose
p ace the fire started. lost between 600 and
700 acres of pasture. No buildings were
burned and no stock was lost.
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-12
VAR OF URANCE MEN.
Stockton AGENTS Firm In Their Stanc
A01inst the UndertCritsrs.

stockton AGENTS Firm In Their Stand
AOatnst the U"derCrifsrs.
STOCKTON, CAL, June 1.-Another
conference of the local insurance men was
held to- night with every local agent pres
ent. The idea was to form a defensive
association TO com bat the coercive meas
ures adopted by the Board of Underwrit-
ers of the Pacific. The special agents
here, to the number of a dozen or more,
were invited to be present and listen 10
the views of the local men. but only two
responded, and they expressed willing
ness TO make concessions if the other Iep-
resenIatives of the underwriters were
willing, or rather TO advocate such meas
ures. They claimed that they had no au-
thority TO say that their companies would
do this, bat it was the general understand
ing that no rate-cutting would be done
until after 4 conference to be held next
Monday with the representatives of the
underwriters and a committee represent
ing the agents OF Stockton. San Jose,
Fresno, Sacramento and Los Angeles.
During the meeting to- night telephone
message was received from Sacramento,
intimating that the agents there we're in
firm accord with those of Stockton. An
other meeting will be held tomorrow.
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-12
PAs0 R0BLES INQUEST.
CoFoBer's Jury FINDS the RaiiW1y Com
Pany Resp9HS bic for Mss Han
sens Death

PASO ROBLES, CAL, June 1.-THE in
quest to determine the responsibility for
the death of Stella Hansen, who was
Killed by train at a railway crossing
near here last Saturday, brought out
some conflicting testimony. A number
OF witnesses swore tn at no bell was Tung
or whistle blown by the engineer, while
he and the fireman claim that the proper
warnings were given at the whistling
post about 1900 feet from where Miss
Hansen was killed. Engineer Grimes
says he has been railroading for seven
teen years and this was his first accident.
The jury, after deli Eberating for twenty
minutes, returned the following verdict:
We, the undersigned, find that Miss Stella
Hansen was native OF the State of California,
aged IL years, and that she came to her death
on Junc D, 1897, in this county by being run
over by locomotive engine the result of
extreme careless ness of the engineer in not
blowing the whistle and failing 10 ring the
bell and the failure OF the railroad company
To provide proper protection against danger to
travellers
Thomas Rhodes, an attorney of this
city, who has damage case against the
railroad. sat as a juror at the inquest.
This called forth much comment.
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-12
WAR IN A SAN JOSE CHINATOWN.
sensIbHny With a Piece of
CroHbrE

SAN JOSE. CAL. June n.--There was a
small religious war in Sixth street China
town this morning, in which the princi-
pals were Chinese priest and two high
binders. About a week ago Ah Shang, a
priest from San Francisco, came to this
city to hold religious services IN woolen-
mill Chinatown. Alter conducting sew
erai meetings he was offered better in
ducements TO carry On his missionary
work at the Sixth-street town. Shang at
once packed up his traps and opened his
services in the new quarters.
The woolen-mill ueniZens requested the
priest to return. This he refused to do
and two hatchetmen were sent after him.
Chin Ah Lock and Chin All Fang were
the ones selected TO bring back the recre-
ant. He refused to accompany them and
thereupon lhey set upon the priest and
beat him into insensibility with piece
of crow bar.
The priests assailants, Chin All Lock
and Chin An Fang. were subseque ntly
arrested and have been charged with as
sault to murder.
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-12
Startling Claims Made
by a Son of the Late
PaSadenan.
Says Evidence of Foul Play
Was Found by Exhuming
the Body.
Is Now In California Pursuing an
investigation to Support
His Theory.

LOS ANGELES, CAL, June ia SEN
sation has been caused i'll Pasadena by the
Investigations being made in that city by
E. T. Singer of Chicago into the manner
of the death of his father, the aged million
aire, II. n. Singer. The elder Singer died in
Pasadena last December, some time after
sustaining an accident in falling from a
moving streeIcar. The remains were sent
TO the former home of the deceased at
Lockport, n. Y, for interment The
widow and two children of the aged mil
lionaire remained in Pasadena, but there
was divorced wife at Lock port, where
the remains found lodgment. 1t is the
first wife of Singer, together with his son,
who will make thorough examination
into his final taking-off.
E. T. Singer, the son, who is himself a
gray-haired man, has been interview wing
the doctors and others in Pasadena to dis
cover evidence 10 confirm his suspicious
that his paternal ancestor came TO his
death by foul means. To-day he told the
health officer of Pasadena that the re-
mains of his father, after being inferred
i've months, had been taken up at Lock
port and examined, with the result that
traces of poisoning were discovered.
The son is convinced that the old mans
death was FASTENED, if not actually
brought about by foul play, though the
certificate OF death mentioned menIngitis
as the cause. Singer is making efforts to
bolster up his claim, and is interviewing
every one in Pasadena who ever had any
knowledge of his sire or of MS passing
Tho son is not well pleased with the result
of his research, for it has not tended 10
confirm his suspIcions. The disposition
OF the millionaire properly is the incen-
tive for the investigation a. this late day.
Mr.. Singer is staying in this city while
pursuing his Investigations. The widow
and children living at Pasadena affect in
ference as TO The result of the researches
OF the other widow and her son.