davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The herald., 1897-12-01

ed. the same IL true: but If the common
schools are perverted, God save the COM
mon schools and the country"
Mr.. Poor here moved that hereafter
whenever witness thought himself be-
ing taken advantage OF ne appeal to the
board for protection, and that all wit
nesses be assured of that protection.
This motion prevailed by consent.
Although 1t was not exactly the time
that the confession of Adams had been
expected, that member rose and being
recognized walked slowly to the witness
stand. He there produced a type-writ-
ten statement which he proceeded to
read, His manner was not such as to
add impressiveness to his confession,
and it was not nearly as forcible as that
made the night before by Axtell. He
read slowly and with seeming earnest
ness. His statement was as follows:
ADAMS CONFESSION
I desire to make a statement to
this board and to the public as to the
reasons why 1 am occupying the posi-
tion which I have occupied and now oc-
cupy in this investigation. 1 want, In
making this statement, to do no injus-
tice to any one else, while only doing
simple justice to myself. AS Is generally
known, was elected to the school board
as Populist, and was, for that reason,
entirely in the minority. At the same
time 1 naturally desired to get all the
power that l could for the purpose of
securing patronage in the different de-
partments of school employment for my
constituents. and especially in those de-
partments. charged with the employ
ment of laborers and mechanics. When
the board was organized it was pretty
generally understood that Mr.. Webb
and his friend Bartlett, through some in
fiuence with the president, were the
principal powers in organizing it. The
make up of the committees, think, will
show this. The committee on supplies
was composed of Mr.. Webb, myself ana
Mr.. Conrey. The committee on build
ings was composed of Mr.. Bartlett, my
self and Mr.. Davis. The committee on
teachers was composed of Mr.. Conrey,
Mr.. Webb and Mr.. Bartlett. The COM
mittee on janitors was composed of Mr..
McInerny, myself and Mr.. Braly. 1
managed to get places on the committees
of janitors, supplies and buildings.
which were the ones whose patronage
was principally valuable to the con-
stituency that I represented. Shortly
after we We're organized Mr.. Webb be-
gan to say that the majority should
stand together and to urge me to stay
in with them on all matters. He prom
ised me that I should have certain
patronage for my constituents among
The herald., 1897-12-01

self and he was obliged to. reiterate
my former statement that the attorneys
for the defense in this investigation
have been proceeding with a view and
purpose of so intimidating witnesses
tina it Will be impossible to secure thu.
attendance of others. 1t is not true that
it is the intention of the prosecution in
this case to persecute any innocent per-
son. We will do all in our power to ex-
onerate any innocent person. These
people are here because they are inter-
ested. If the state is perverted, they
should know it; if the church Is peryert-
The herald., 1897-12-01

80 you say ran the board Of educa-
tion with an iron hand. How did run
it?" demanded Webb.
"Yes, you ran 1t as nearly as any body
of men could be run. You and others
who assisted you" Here Adams inti-
mated that he himself had unwillingiy
been one of the others.
SPECIFIC CHARGES DEMANDED
Then came a surprise In the form of
an unexpected demand on the part OF
Webb Turning to the board and the
attorneys he asked that specific charges
be preferred against him and that they
be heard in due time; the sooner the
better. He said he wanted this because
he desired to secure counsel to assist
him in his case. Il want that man Adams
here every night during the trial. too
he said. MY purpose In demanding his
presence Is to show what creature
he is."
Mr.. Conrey stated that the request tor
specific charges was reasonable one.
This matter started as an investiga-
ton against two men, whose cases have
now been practically disposed Of. 1t has
gone farther than any of us expected.
look upon the developments with no
pleasurable emotion, no feeling OF trt-
umph, but with feeling of regret that
such a condition could exist as appears
to exist. We must go farther. The peo-
pie are here because the integrity not of
the board but of the schools is ut stake.
And the public schools form the founda-
ton Of our liberty and nation"
He then argued that in the preparation
of the charges care would have to be ex-
ercised in order that the accused might
be protected and also in order that the
prosecution could have an opportunity
to prepare it's case. To that end he
urged that there be no undue haste, but
that the matter be deferred until the
charges could be prepared as they should
be prepared.
MR.. GIBBONS EXPLANATION
Mr.. Gibbon agreed with Mr.. Conrey.
He thanked Mr.. Webb for the expires
sion Of confidence in him that Webb had
used. He denied that he had ever
sought out information on his own ac-
count, but asserted that all the informa-
ton had come to him through other
sources. Whenever fact was presented
he would refer 1t to either Mr.. Davis or
Mr.. Conrey for investigation and they
would Investigate the matter. When
substantiated the facts were used fear
lessly for all they were worth.
"As to the statement that these
charges have been confined to circum-
ference measured by the influence of Pit
mans church." said Mr.. Gibbon. II think
can explain that. Axtell was a men,
The herald., 1897-12-01

janitor money, or should have It made
up to me in patronage from my ward
through his supply committee. After
Mr.. Axtell paid Cooper's $50 to Mr.. Webb,
Mr.. Webb came to mel don't know Just
how many days afterwards-and said
that he had got Cooper's $50 from Mr.,
Axtell, but that he was in great need Of
money to pay his expenses to the Ma
tional Teachers association and he had
not been able to get the $500 warrant
cashed that the school board drew for
the expenses of that trip and he would
have to use all of the $50 to help pay his
expenses. didn't receive cent or that
sum and have never received any part or
it. So far as know, the money paid by
Cooper was all that was paid to any
member of the board by janitors and
know of no payments by teachers.
don't know of any money having been
received by any member Of the board
from any teacher or from any janitor,
except the Cooper money that Mr.. Webb
said he received.
This is the substance of my connection
with the matters that have been testified
to before this board by the witnesses
who have been called In the Axtell ex-
animation. have given my reasons for
getting into 1t. I cannot say how re-
pentant I am that should ever have
allowed myself to become mixed up IN
a matter of this kind. 1 want to say,
however, that it had its beginning in an
effort upon my part to provide places,
as far as could, for people OF my ward.
and especially for the laboring men or
that ward, for whom I could get places
hest through the committees controlled
by Mr.. Webb and his friends.
Then Adams attempted the dramatic.
He had finished his statement, and the
copy of it he clumsily started to return
to his pocket, but the stenographer in
terrupted him with a request that he file
it in the case, and he handed 1t over.
Then he hesitated and fumbled for a
time in his inside coat pocket. At last
he produced small slip of paper, from
which he read: whenever the good Of
the board of education demands my
resignation, it shall be forthcoming.
This will be recognized as the closing
sentence Of the statement which he
made to the board on the first day of the
investigation. In that statement he
denied all knowledge of the charges or
of the basis of them. He was not under
oath then, however. Then he sat down.
1.-THE GREATEST LIAR ON EARTH" !"
AS soon as Adams had finished reading,
Director Webb arose slowly. His face
was almost as white as his shirt front
for he was in a rage, and was trying to
control his feelings. In this he sue
The herald., 1897-12-01

yesterday, that he intended to confess?"
Eyes, saw him and we talked over the
NATTER E..
"You say no person ever paid you any
money, either janitors or teachers. What
did you get out of it?'
Here Adams became more animated
and replied that he had only gotten cer-
tain patronage which he had secured
through Webb.
"Did you tell Axtell that you thought
of confessing?"
II did; for had thought Of 1t for some
time
The herald., 1897-12-01
ADAMS ON THE HACK

beryof that church and as such was as
ISOLATED with several Of those who were
on the list of principals. He could APP
proach them with more case than 9TH
ers. He was friendly to them and,
thinking their positions were In danger,
he did take up the matter in their behalf.
thinking he was doing them a SERVICE"
"This matter Is not confined to any
such limits, however continued Mr..
Gibbon. 1T has reached TO all sections
of the city. Facts are In my possession
that prove this and all OF those facts VIII
be brought out, AZ apsevidsace Of this
The herald., 1897-12-01

will show one thing which occurred to-
day. received In the mall this morning
an anonymous letter, written evidently
by q woman. which on its face bears thu
mission OF the chair will read IT,
AFRAID TO TESTIFY s
He then read the following:
"Sir: II you can give some assurance
that loss Of situation will not follow
the giving of damaging testimony ~
The herald., 1897-12-01

has. yet been held. It's proceedings Of
ferad greatly from those of the night be-
fore when AXtoll accused Webb in his
confession of corruption. On that occa-
sion there was much of the sensational
and many surprises to those who were
not acquainted in advance with what to
expect. Last evening the meeting
opened in manner which promised to
eclipse the other in sensationalism, but
soon afterward it became what ap-
peared to be an earnest, honest effort on
the part Of all not accused to get at
the truth without resort to bulldozing
The herald., 1897-12-01

"What pressure was brought to bear
upon you to secure your confessions"
IT was seen by q near and dear friend
of mine, a fellow Populist and q man
whom I respect. He told me that II I
knew anything about It had better tell
the truth, and decided to do 30 on his
advice. That man 10 a member of the
city council refer to Edward L. Hutch
ison," was the reply that was received
with applause.
The herald., 1897-12-01

mot exactly that" was the reply.
"You said Cooper should be able to pay
for his position"
did AXtell say had told him to make
Cooper pay?" was the next question.
"Yes, he did, was Adams response.
Ibid not you meet Axtell in the base
ment. of the Spring street school building
and talk with him about this matter,
and did not you learn from him then,
The herald., 1897-12-01

ceeded admirably, in so far as there was
no outburst of temper. For several sec
onds he faced Adams. and the latter
never took his eyes off Webb's face.
Then Webb almost hissed:
Gentlemen, there sits one of the
greatest liars on the face of Gods green
earth"
Then he paused, but the charge did not
seem to have any effect upon Adams.
Then Webb turned to the audience and
said:
'My friends 1 would call your atten-
ton to the affidavits that have been filed
in this case. All Of them, or nearly all
of them, contain the statement that Ak
tell told each of the persons whom he ap-
preached that he had been sent by
Adams. He told one man that he had
paid Cooper's money to Adams. Axtell
and Adams have concocted this scheme
to throw upon the shoulders of Walter
Webb the blame and shame of this mat
ter. l know they were together In the
basement Of the Spring-street school
yesterday before Axtell's so-called con-
fession was made. In the light of what
Axtell said this meeting aroused my .su-
picions, which have been verified in my
own mind by what that man (pointing
to Adams) has just said. This pair
have made plot to put this on me to
clear their own miserable selves.
BOTH CHURCH MEMBERS
| "It is singular that nearly all of these
charges come from within a circumfer-
ence measured by Pitmans church. 1t
is singular that only the Republican
members of this board have been ac-
cused. 1t is singular that teachers will
swear that before the election 1 prom
sed to do all / could for them, and that
these same teachers are those who filed
ahidavits. Would it not have been bet
ter for me, If these charges are true, and
| they are not, to have told them that their
positions were in danger? 1 never
thought that any man would get so low
as to do what these men have done, for
what consideration l know not. I deny
that l ever had any connection whatso-
ever with this matter. l deny it all, and
time viii show that l am telling the
truth in making my denial. All l ask
is that the public reserve it's opinion un-
til / have had chance to prove my in
nocence."
DIR, MATHIS TALKS
President Mathis, whose name had
been mentioned in Adams statement
claimed the right to make statement
as soon as Webb had concluded. H.
said:
my course In this investigation has
been open and above board. ] have IA
vored, insisted and demanded that this
The Dickinson press., 1897-07-03
The Terror of r.

Bang. bang, bang!
Strange, horrifying noises filled the
air.
He trembled az II stricken with the
ague.
Every hair upon his head seemed dis
posed to emulate the example Of the
quilts upon the fretful porcupine. I
siss, boom, bangl
His legs were all too weak to support
his quaking body. and his heart beat
with the rapidity Of a trip hammer. He
crouohed in the corner, the picture Of
abject terror, and uttered low cries like
the cries Of an animal in dire distress
Friends surrounded him and spoke 70
him reassuringly, but he seemed to have
lott all pride. all sense Of shame. IN his
mad surrender to fear Even their tauntg
and gibes were unnoHced. +'
The strange, horrifying noises grew
loader and louder. The booming Of Ican-
non shook the house to ii. lowest foun-
dation stones and made the windows
dance lively jig in their frames. There
was screaming in the air, as Of death
dealing shells, and rattle, as Of mus
kerry.
His former terror seemed insignih-
cant when compared with the new ter
1or that seized him as the tumult swelled
until earth and sky reeled from the
shocks of innumerable explosions
In a very ecstasy Of fear he fled,
bowling. and plunged headlong beneath
q bed in the attic Of the house.
And yet. strange to relate, his act
was not denounced as unmanly.
"Poor Towser doesn't know any bet
ter, - was all the Fourth Of July revel-
| en- said. EARLE II. EATON.
The Dickinson press., 1897-07-03

''HUsH THBT INTERNAL BANDr' he CRIED.
ner, hugged q pink baby to her breas,
and did her best to hush it's lusty cry.
Like thunderbolt, wave Of intelli.
genoe overcame the crowd of men with
out, and they let forth . shout Of joy.
GUS laughter as they recognized the cry
Of the frst baby born in Downieville,
and then the trombone found its high.
est notes again, and the bass drum went
booming to the clatter Of the cymbals.
Waily Dimmick, red shirted and siz
footed, drew his giant head above the
crowd. Quick Of wit was Waily and
quicker still of action. No one could
ever pull gun on him. Up went hi,
brawny arms and his lists shook in the
direction Of the big bass drum.
"Hush thet internal band, he cried,
can give ther kid er chancel' @
The noise ceased, the talking ones
hushed their clatter, and then upon the
morning air came the softer, sweetez
music-from baby's throat.
Toby Wimple. with graceful sweep
Of his strong right arm, took off his old
slouched hat, and like a flock Of sheep
the others mutely followed his example.
They stood there motionless In the
sunlight bareheaded, wet eyed. those
gruR ones, those rough ones, those tough
ones, and, like thirsty souls, they drank
Of the gentleness and the melody in the
air about them-the music from the
mouth Of a new born babe, the sweet
est sound that ever comes to human cara.
Then there was deep quiet, solemn
stiffness, for the child was hushed up
on the mothers breast.
Up again rose Waily Dimmick, red
shirted and SIX footed, with his head
above the crowd.
"Let 'er hev 'em, boysr' he cried.
"Hip, hipl Three cheers fer Downis
Dodd nv Downieville. ther furst kid II
ther campl''
AS from surging sea three great
roars rolled up the guloh, and thre.
great echoes resounded from the noun
tains.
The Dickinson press., 1897-07-03
HUMoR OF THE HOUR.

After middle aged citisen Of Second
avenue bad su@ciently recovered to
walk With . cane be covered tho no.
naming cuts and bruises ON his face
With court plaser and went down 10 go
tAe man who sold him tho bicycle. He
was determined 10 keep cool, and had
bis nsighbor along ~ . witness. eau
eoning him 10 note carefully every
thing that was said.
"Yoa sold me bicycle No. - about
two months ago." began the convaies-
oent cripple when face to face with the
dealer. "Kindly refer to your hooks
and see whether I am correct
II remember tho Transaction perfect
u, sir."
"Then you recall telling me that II
was safety bicycle and a. good . safe
y % there was In tho marketl''
81 presume told you that. It is 90.
at al events."
''Would you mind giving me little
writing 70 ahow that you sold me safety
bicycle so-and-so on such q date?''
"Not at all I'lldo 90 with pleasure. %
When they were outside. the citizen
was 90 elated that he forgot to lean ON
his stick, and fairly gloated as he talk
ed to his neighbor: ''Now I've got him.
Got him right here in his own hand
writing. He sold me that wheel for a
aafety, and he acknowledges it. Look at
me-and I only rode that wheel about
90 feet. Accepting his repeated assur-
anoe Of safety, I struck out boldly. ran
into . fire plug at the rate Of a mile a
minute. almost scalped myself, knocked
my face all to pieces, injured my back
turning somersaults, twisted an ankle,
bruised my heels hitting the stone side
walk and knocked ! dear old friend Of
mine insensible. Safety, indeedi III
have him sued for $4,000 damages in
side Of an hour. detroit Free Press.
The Dickinson press., 1897-07-03
Guy j. DeFrance,
Co. Auditor.

At the meeting of the National
Guard company Monday evening it
was decided not to parade in citizen 8
dress on the 5th. The election Of
officers resulted as follows: Capt.
Geo. Aud; 1st. Lieut.. ]. Leask; 2nd
Lieut.,A. j. Osborne; Sergeant, G. E
Somnahl; Sgt, Andrew Lehman; Sgt.
Archie Granteer; Sgt, H.J.Gruschus;
Corporal, VIM. Ray, jr.I Corporal,
W. G. Strohmeyer; Corp, j. R. Clark;
Corp. AP. G. Hagerman.
The Dickinson press., 1897-07-03
FOURTH OF JULY.
BIZ JOEL BENTON.


4 soft light from the purple morn
Across the landscape makes Its way,
And glorious hopes for us are born
Upon the nations natal day.
More than century's years have run
Since Valley Forge and Bunker Hill,
While Concord's fight and Lexington
Bring memories that thrill us still.
Too rarely now we count the cost
And hazard Of that warfare's wage
Or think on what rough seas weee tossed
Tho patriots Of our earlier ago.
Firmly they stood against the night
OF the whole world's gupremest >owe4.
They fought by faith and not by sight
When failure Threatened hour by hour.
But he who rules the fates sud years,
Who shapes all human desthaies,
Made hope the conqueror Of their fears
And brought US freedom linked with
peace.
Lift, then, today the stripes and stars
And let our country's banner wave,
Which went victorious through its wars
And still inspires the true and brave,
Peal, bells, upon the summer airi
Bring music and the cannon's aid,
For where exists land more fair
Than that our patriot fathers madef
The Dickinson press., 1897-07-03
DOWNIE DODD).
4 FOURTH OF JULY EPISODE By WILL u.
CLGMENS,

1h.Vs
copyright, 1897. by VIII NJ. Clemens.]
Then here's to ther mem'ry Of Downie, old
Jack,
VINO KUN TO ther gulch With OF pan ON ez back.
He washod out the gold an stuck to ez claim,
An now it's called Downieville after ez name.
Then drink to ther health Of er brave pioneer
An Join In ther wishin thet Dowie was here.
The tin cups ratified on the bar Of the
Silver Star. Gru6 voices out Of tune
sang the old song, and they all drank
to the memory Of old Jack Downie, the
pioneer Of Fiddletown, the bravest man
In Red Dog and the father Of Downie-
VILE.
Weary Of poverty, he had thrown
down his pick in Fiddltown and at
Red Dog and struck out to the north of
The Dickinson press., 1897-07-03
Dodd showed the men who were in.

OOdd showed the men who were IN,
quisitive a paper, duly signed by the
Baptist parson Of Sacramento. 1t said
abe was Of the age Of Al, and her name
was Ellen Shanks. The men in Downie.
vile received her with favor and gen.
tility, and as she was the first woman
to arrive at the guloh the most Of them
were too overjoyed at her presence to
ask foolish questions.
Dodd and the woman rode up the
gulch Oh their mules at sundown. In
an hour every man In the camp had
passed upon her favorably, and crowd
gathered at the bar Of the Silver Star.
Toby Wimple raised his tin cup neck
high, and he shouted toast.
"Ther's ON angel in camp, an yere's
to 'er healthl'' he cried as he wiggled
his red whiskers from side to side.
''Drink to ther luck nv Mrs. Dodd nv
Downieville.
They drank with cheer.
"Fill 'em up againP' cried hoarse
voice at the other end Of the bar, and
Waily Dimmick, red shirted and six
footed, proposed a second toast.
can yere's fer ther old man, he
1oared. Drink 'er down fer Dodd."
And the red rum gurgled in their
throats.
There were 80 men In Downieville,
including the two Cinnamon. They
were a. hard lot, but they were generous
TO q man and sympathetic and patient,
and they toiled on In the guloh, cheer
full in their isolation.
For some days after the arrival Of
Mrs. Dodd the men failed signally at
their work. But in q week OF two the
novelty Of a woman's presence wore
away, and things ran along in the old
groove again, the sound Of the long tom
and the rocker coming in every day
with the sunshine, and the rattle Of the
tin cups at the Silver Star going out
with the moonlight
In the early summer following. late
Of an evening, Toby Wimple and Waily
Dimmick sat on pine bannh In the
Silver Star, with layout @ jacks and
queens and kings and q few other nota-
.bles between them. The night was
warm, and their red shirts were open
and their bronzed necks bare.
David Dodd came with long strides
into the barroom in a state Of excite
ment, and he called for gin in a hurry.
''Big rush yer in," said Toby VIM
pie, looking up from his cards. +.
"Goin after the doc, J" Dodd answer
cd, with an anxious face. "The missus
IL sick, an ther'll be fun fore mornin.! y
"Jumpin wildcatsr' commented Wal.
" Dimmiok without taking his eyet
from the pine bench. Toby suppressed
chuckle and bobbed his head up and
down, whereupon Waily took his eyet
from his cards and winked at Toby.
Dodd put away his gun in the place
where he wanted il and loped out q the
door like a mule with the kick ups They
heard the rap Of his big huokles on the
door of the cabin opposite. ..
Billy Ember, NJ. D., lived over the
way, and above his doorpost was huge
sign, done In lanpblaok on . square
board, and 1t said:
tf .s.ss.sssss.s..,s.......s !,
/ srrxS "a ~
The Dickinson press., 1897-07-03
Fun ct the Boerdinr Hou.e.

3&A Ss sno oo9&o408 house.
1.-THE original bill Of the play" be-
gan Asbury Peppers-''the original bill
Of the play
"Well." asked the ddgety boarder,
"what was the original bill of the
playf"
'Bill Shakespeare, I suppose" said
Asbury Peppers.-Cincinnati Enquirer.
The Dickinson press., 1897-07-03
TroubleAh

"Grinns. the comedian, was In to see
you twice already" said the Office boy.
II think he wants to start somethin."
Have any idea what was the mat.
teri" asked the dramatic critic. a
IT guess IL was that stun you dictated
about his jokes and antics. It came out
antiques. '"-Oincinnat Enquirey.
The Dickinson press., 1897-07-03
Important Chanees,

1mp01t80C Vu10BODs
Crooks, how do you like my new
coate''
''Let me take a good look at it. HIM,
Rivers, there are two things I could
suggest that would improve its appear
anoe. It ought to be little fuller"
"Yes?'
"And then you ought to flll 1t out .
little better. ''-Chioago Tribune.