davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-24
A STARTLING CONFESSION.
IL Durranf, After All, GuiltIess.-A
Suicide Says So,

HOUSTON. TEN, November GA
special TO the Post from Morgan, Tex.
says: In March last in the columns Of the
Post was noted the death of Jose E.
Blanther alias Forbes. who committed
suicide in the Meridian JAIL in this county.
on March ID While Blanther was incar-
cerated in the Meridian jail there was
also fellow prisoner named Pitts, who
was arrested on some minor charge and
occupied a cell adjoining that of Blan-
Their. Pitts is a farmer. who now lives
near Iredell, I'm this county. and is known
to have cOnversed with Blanther during
his two or three days confinement
In a letter TO Word. billiard & Word. at
torneys, OF Meridian. under date of No
vember 22d Mr. Potts encloses a letter
from Blanther. and says:
Il have been looking through some
papers that | had on file I'm jail at Meri-
dian. and | find the enclosed sheet which
speaks for itself The papers alluded TO
here worked through a hole in my pocket
hence the delay i'm not discovering them
sooner. l well remember that Forbes. or
rather Blanther. asked me. the evening
Of the night he took the poison. which
coat was mine of several coats that were
hanging i'm the cell he occupied / never
thought further of the question until /
found the letter he wrote. / send it TO
you, for the reason that you best know
whom to notify In California. L hope
that 1t may be worth something TO you
in the way of saving Durrant. of Cali
fornia, who ] understand, is sentenced to
death for killing Miss Lamont"
Following is the Blanther letter:
Meridian Jail. To Mr.. Pitts: AS this is
my last day on earth, wish to say that
cannot die without telling a truth. 1
murdered Mrs. Langfeldt. also Blanche
Lamont and Minnie Williams. l put this
in your coat-pOcket. and hope you Will
find II in time to save the life of Durrant
1t may also be of service to Mr. Wo-
mack in getting his reward money. 1
want you to have my watch for your
kindnes to me. You have my best wishes
and I hope your troubles will end, but
not as mine.
(SigneD "BLANTHER FORBES"
The letter written by Blantber was
with a letter written by him to
County-Treasurer Randle while he
(Blanther) was teaching school at Kop-
perl, this county. and the Identification
Is pronounced TO be beyond doubt
Cashier Rudisill OF the Bank OF Merl-
dian. says ii compares favorably with
Blanthers handwriting while others have
hestancy In pronOuncing the last letter |
rs written by Blanther.
The alleged confession Is now in the |
hands Of Word, Dillard & Word, of Meri- |
liam. who will at once notify the San |
Francisco officials Of the startling con-
'eesion
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-24

organize the police. and to enforce strict
sanitary and other disciplinary measures
among the keepers OF disorderly houses
In official circles news is expected OF
important surrenders Of insurgents TO
General Panda yesterday at Casilda. on
the south coast, and to General Parade.
this morning, at Marianao.
CUBANs ATTACK A TOWN.
An official report just issued says that
several insurgents attacked the small
town OF Santa Maria del Rosario, this
province. last night. intending to eforce
their way into the place. The e-Smy,
however. was repealed by the loca, gar
rison.
General Agurria. II Is stated. from
headquarters. was astonished to find I'm
the railroad stations of Santo Domingo
a number Of pale and thin soldiers. He
asked them where they were going. They
replied that they were on their way to
the district hospital at Sagua. but as the
men were evidently unable to travel, the
General ordered them to return to the
local hospital OF Santo Domingo, until
they were able to perform active service
to the extent OF transporting themselves
to the larger hospital
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-24
A HOLD-UP THAT FAILED.
Train Backed by Engineer Under
Fire-FOur Robbers Fooled.

DALLAS, TEX. November pa spe-
cial to the News from Dublin, Tex, says:
Theregular west-bound passenger train on
the Rio Grande railway came into this
place at $40 p. NJ. with more passengers
than usual When about three miles west.
while rounding curve into deep cut,
the engineer discovered the track 10 be
obstructed by a pile of rock. The en-
gineer reversed his engine. stopped his
train, and started to back to this city
AS the train slowed up four robbers sur
rounded it and ordered all hands up, but,
seeing the train move backward, they
opened fire on the engineer, who had
crouched behind the boiler 10 avoid their
bullets. Many shots were fired, but no
one was hurt.
Mr. o. H. Weissinger a travelling man
from Waco who was a passenger, said
that considerable excitement prevailed
among the passengers. All made frantic
efforts TO conceal their valuables. Most
of the passengers consisted of delegates
returning from the Methodist Conference
at Weatherford
The men wore masks. The Sheriff and
a posse were conveyed TO the scene at
once.
The crowd showed their appreciation of
the engineers bravery in a substantial
manner.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-24
stanton Wins n Suit.

STANTON, VA, November .23.-CSpe-
clal.)-The case of Mrs. w. III. Hyer
against the city OF Stanton was de-
cided in favor OF the city to-day after
trial In the Circuit Court lasting six days.
The suit was a result of the great flood
OF September 1896, when the waters ran
waist deep in the streets and substantial
brick houses tottered and fell. In the
Hyer case 1t was alleged that the demoii-
ton of the plaintiffs two-story brick
building directly resulted from the city's
actionable negligence in its care OF
Spring-Farm creek, which is the Shockoe
creek OF Staunton. This was the second
hearing. the first resulting in a hung
jury. The case is OF far-reaching i'm
portance to the city. as giving the DEATH
blow to any movement of other losers
in the flood In seeking damages. The
Hyer case was especially strong in GER
tain points peculiar to IL alone. Messrs,
Gordon & Patrick represented the city
and Mr. A. c. Braxton appeared for the
plaintiff.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-24
News of the Courts.

The trial Of the case OF William Baker
against T. w. Wood & Sons, for 500 dam
ages, which has been In progress in the
Law and Equity Court for two days. was
concluded last evening by a verdict being
returned for the defendant.
Several suits were instituted in the City
Circuit Court, as follows:
j. ID. Carneal against j. G.. Lumpkin and
others for Sl7S.t6.
Hill Montague, trustee, against Sarah
r. Heath for Sl02.
The Thorne Typesetting- Machine Com
pany against the State Newspaper Com
pany for $5ll.4O.
Judgment was rendered In this court for
s5.OO5 In the case OF the l.. Il. Taylor
Company against the Cohoke Wooden
ware Manufacturing Company.
Motion for Judgment for $i02.aS was filed
In the case OF X. II. McGeorge & Co
against George T. King.
The following marriage licenses were is
sued in the Clerks Office of the Hastings
Court: Charles c. Millner and Lizzie ).
Moss: John j. Theimer and Ellen Hunt;
Elias Chesroun and n. Louisa Armistead;
Charles NJ. Duke and f. Myrtle wager.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-24
FIRE on THE OREGON.
ConI In the BuDkeFs Ablaze-Hard
Work to Subdue Flames

SAN FRANCISCO CAL. November
23.-The Call says: The coal-bunkers in
the United States battleship Oregon
caught fire Sunday evening from spon-
taneous combustion, and for over eight
hours the crew worked with a ven
geance TO smother what looked like a
costly blaze. There were over $50 tons
Of coal in the vessel, and prompt action
alone saved the ship
The fire is supposed to have started
from water leaking into the coal-bunk-
ers. This would eventually cause a ter
rifle heat from accommodating gases.
Luckily, the fire was discovered before
ii had gained much Roadway. An alarm
was Immediately given, and orders were
issued TO remove the coal from the yes
sci TO the wharf. Steam-pipes were at
tached, and connected with the lower
part of the vessel in an attempt TO
smother what fire might start in other
pars Of the ship.
The men worked with a will, but the
task was harder than was at first sup
posed. The work was done with diff
Guilty as the smoke hindered the men I'm
their attempts to quickly put out the
blaze. During the whole night after the
fire had been discovered the entire crew
labored in removing the smoking and
blazing coal. and it was not until day
break that the men were allowed to leave
their work
The warship will be dry-docked within
a few days and righted. after which she
will be coaled and her ammunition
placed on board, when she will be |
ready for action.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-24
AFFAIRS IN CUBA.
Uneasiness Over Protection Move-
ment I'm Spain.

HABANA, November 23-Great uneasi-
ness is felt In influential Liberal circles
over the news Of the protectionist move
inent in Spain. 1t is believed that IL
the government Is not energetlcally Sc
conded serious conflict will come from
the failure OF the new regime, the princi-
pal feature of which is TO leave the tariff
10 Cuban control. But 1t is hoped that
some means may be devised of harmon
izing the conflicting interests.
Senior canalejas. editor OF FL Heraldo
of Madrid, to-day had a conference al
the Chamber Of Commerce with the as
association OF leaf tobacco merchants
promising to do In their behalf all that
he justly could. and to promote as far as
possible measures that would specially
favor their PROSTATE industry.
Governor Jose Breson. Governor NJ
Habana province. returned to the civ
to-day. The first steps OF his adminIs-
tration are highly praised According
TO the official account. the Governor aims
to suppress gambling. and will even for
bid playing at clubs. He intends to re-
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-24
Inquiry N. to Who RaiIens IL.

The Police Department has addressed a
letter TO the postmaster at Shawnee. Ark,
asking for further particulars OF the death
OF the man giving his name as Louis Raj
lens OF Richmond. The description does
not at all tally with that Of Mr.. Louis
Rawlings. and Police Headquarters do
Mr. w. C. Wilkinson, OF this city.
holds an insurance policy on the life OF
Mr.. Rawlings. and has heard nothing
from the matter. Mr. Rawlings was en-
ployed at the Whitaker Brothers Carriage
Manufacturing Works In Wilson. N. C..
last September.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-24
Ii Was Not Knott.
(Chicago Inter-Ocean.l


"Hellol" exclaimed a man through a
State-street drugstore telephone last
Saturday; sis this Knott Lewis e. Co. %
1T is not Lewis & Co. Call off" came
the answer.
II want Mr.. Lewis" continued the
man.
"This isn't Lewis call Off"
"Well is 1t Knott?'
II said it was not" came from the
other end.
"Well, you'll do, Knott" said the man.
"I'-
who do you want. anyway
Knott Lewis"
well, who then, If not Lewis? This
is not Lewis"
'Is II Knott?"
"Nit."
Don't get fresh. young manw
I'm not
Hello. Scott Say
Say; get away from that phone, or
I'll have you reported
Then the young man who wished to
telephone TO Knott, Lewis 4 Co. got
frightened and called two clerks to his
assistance. Then the proprietor was
summoned. and after a couple OF wires
had been scorched some profanities
smothered. several tempers rufied, and
twenty minutes wasted. the young man
decided he would call at the office OF
Knott, Lewis a. Co., and in future
eschew telephones.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-24
623
EASI BROAD ST,

Cards. BtiI-Heads. statements, Letter.
Heads. Note Heads. Circulars. Handtiils
Dodgers. &C.. printed by the Dispatch
Company at low prices. WIN give you
good work at seine prices You pay for
inferior work Send W your orders snl
we viii guarantee Satisfaction Ia sysr&
particular.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-24
UNITED STATES FIELD TRIALS.
Derby Won by Sport McA.-AII-Age
stake Proceedings.

CHARLOTTE. n. c.. November ga
special to the Observer from Newton
says that the Derby Stake was concluded
to-day. and was won by Sport McA,"
owned by j. J. Oden and handled by d.
Il. Rose.
The drawing for the All-Age Stake in
the United States trials was bulletned
in the following order: Anna Of Abbots-
ford and Elgin's Dash; Hurstbourn Zip
and Sarsheld; Rodield's Boy and
Christina; Toney's Gate and Young Rip
Rap; Count Gloster and Dave Earle; Gin
cinnatfs Pride and Saragossa Belle.
This race commenced this afternoon,
and will not be concluded before to-
morrow evening. 1t will be the last
race i'm the United States field trials
this season,
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-24

Orders for printing sent to the Dispatch
Company will be given prompt attention,
and the style OF work ana prices wiz
be sure to please you.
The times., 1897-07-06
SALVATION In The WOODS
An Army Of Soul-Sayers Invades
Chevy Chase Forest.
Three Great Bush Meetings on the
Borders of the Lake Led by the
Hallelujah Lassies.

The Salvation Army held series of
''bush meetings." yesterday, in the woods
bordering the Chevy Chase lake. The idea
of departing for the time being from the
usual custom Il Iaboring among the masses
who wall the crowded streets originated
with Staff Captain Charles Noble, and
the large audiences at each OF she three
meet: ingS showed that the Officers had
planned the days Campaign with skill
and foresight The storming party, forty
strong, was differed by Staff Captain
Charles Noble and Mrs, Bessie Noble, Cap:s
Williams and Coup and Lieut. Driesbach.
on a HttIe knoll overlooking the lake
the band gathered, while an immense crowd
of auditors seated themselves on the grass.
Three meetings were held in the course o
the day-the first at IL in the morning;
the second ut 3 O'Clock in the afternoon,
and the tlhrd at O'Clock in the evening
Addresses were made at all these meet
inEs by STAFF Captain Charles Noble, Staff
Captain Mrs. Bessie Noble, Capt Williams
and Cap.a ain Coup.
In his remarks Capt. Noble stated that
the three camps now in the city Were all
Going good work and that in one of
them last evening there were 700 people,
larger congregation than that of any
church in the city, he yentured to say.
Tie Quaker City Band, an organization
composed OF youngsters affiliated with the
army, was in attendance at all the meet
ings. and at night. at the head OF an
army forty strong, marched to an open
air meeting in the city.
It was announced yesterday that ut
Tent No. 1 Ninth street between @ and
r streets northwest, the Womans Sing
ing Brigade would take part in the usual
Wednesday evening services. Staff Capt.
Noble also announced the program for
the annual camp meeting. which will be
held at Was shington Grove, July 8 to IL,
inclusive. Commander Booth-Tucker and
Lieut. Col William Ev ans, of the Atlandc
Coast Chief Division, will be in charge
The music viii be rendered by the Saliva
tion Songstresses, the Golden Minstrels and
Quaker City Brass Band
The leaders of the various meetings dur
ing the encampm.ut viii be Commander
Booth Tucker. Lieut.. Col. William Evans,
Staff Capt Charles Noble, Staff Capt Mrs.
Bessie Noble, Staff Capt Wood. Capt
Lewis. Adjt. Taylor, Capt. Scott, Ensign
Kimball and Capt Coup
The times., 1897-07-06
latin's success is emphasized by both con
siderations
kernan.s-colpred sports.

A troupe of Darktown entertainers has
the stage at Kernan's Lyceum this Week
in tie persons of the dusky members Of
the coiored Sports City Show Company
Every member OF the party is coiored, or
at least was born that way, as Ia the
case OF the high-born lady. The per-
forrlance opened with a medley OF songs,
dances, and humor, called the 'Colored
Sports Reception. 1t closed with a
cake walk which brought out the latest
steps OF the darky prize pedestrians aud
all the remaining gallery holiday enthu-
siasm which hadn't been let loose on the
preceding oiio. This Included the Free
man SISTERS, who are contortion dancers,
the Reese brothers, in acrobatic Juggling;
Joe Ball, q soprano sooist; Eaton aud
Weathers, comedians, and dancers; the
Bartons in an eccentric act, and Billy
Jackson, the premier comedian and a
sand dancer OF endurance
The times., 1897-07-06
ADJUSTMENTS.
columhia-"A Scrap of Paper

CoIumhia-"A Scrap of Paper"
Columbia last night by good sized au.
dience, which sought the cooling blasts Of
Manager Luckett s ice shafts and the light
comedy entertainment of the stock conr-
pany. Il is a happy cornbin alton Of
pTopiious condition and delightful diver
sion. This is the eighth week Of the com
pany, which thrives in spite OF weather,
woods and bicycle.
This ought to be the most successful week
of the season Conditions are favorable.
Heat is entirely baffied by the cooling
apparatus, and one even forgets the cold
in the CHEEKY presence Of the comedians.
Moreover, the play is this week of the
inspiring character to bring an enlarged
patronage within its radius. 1t is the
fascinating comedy which p Palgran Simpson
lifted from French into English, "A Scrap
of Paper
1t is an exquisite and quite perfect
specimen OF high comedy The incidents
are wrought with master cleyerness and
the accompanying dialogue bristles with
epigraIhatiC cleyerness and the hunor OF
counter purpose. To be sure, is is a two
part play, but 1T gives conspicuous oppor-
tunity to AFR Barrows, as Brisemouche.
the naturalist. and to Miss Ferrell, as
Louise, and each did exeellently, as usual
Mr.. Thayre accented his resemblance 10
Goodwin IN a yellow wig; Mr. Boag was
surprisingly contained in a stoicaI par {,
and Mrs Wilson appeared adYantageousIy
as the housekeeper.
The first honors, however, went to Mr.
Ingersoll as Prosper and to Miss Gallatin
as Suzanne, the parts played respect
lively ty Mr.. and Mrs. Kendall. Many in
the audience were of the mind that Mr.
Ingers OILS performance eclipsed Mr..
Kendal's. This is really small praise for
comedian OF the natural and technical
attainnents of the American leading man,
who stands on pedestal OF his own achieve
rnent and on no borrowed stool Of matri-
mony. His Prosper is personation of rare
charm, read with intelligence, acted with
insight irto and expression of every mean
ing, clear in conception and accurate in con-
veyance. 1t is the best part he has play yed
this summer.
Miss Galiatfn made her debut as MEM
Der of tho stock. She was warmlyreceived
and the character Of her work promises
that the applause OF welcome may con-
time fog admiration. She is brunette,
with round, chubby face, not slight Of
figure nor tall, but graceful and in her
own scenes dominant. Sheplayed Suzanne
carefully and with evidence of understand
ing and pouvoir faire. The part is an ex-
acting one and the precedent OF Madge
Kendall Is severe handicap. Miss Gal
The times., 1897-07-06
MAKE FAVORABLE REPORT
McCawley's Confirmation as Captain
of Marines Recommended.
Argument of Senator and Ex-Secre-
tary of the Navy Chandler In OPP
position Had No Weight.

Despite the opposition which Senator
of Charles l.. McCawley, nominated 10 be
qua rternaster in the Marine Corps with
the rank Of captain, 1t looks very much as
IL he would be confirmed The committee
ordered favorable report TO be made
at its meeting yesterday morning
McCawley was nominated from civil life
and ex-Secretary Of the Navy Chandler
held that under the law the appointment
is illegal.
Nj Chandler made an elabor ate argu-
mcnt before the committee, in which he
showed that prior to 1882 civilians could
be appointed to I'LL vacancies in the marine
corps of the Navy, but under that law no
appointee could go in over twenty-five
years Of age. Before 1882 ALL the grad
yates OF the Naval Academy were taken
into the line of the Navy. Civilians could
be appointed ds paymasters and engineers
Under this system experience showed, said
MI Chandler, that the number of NavaI
officers was becoming too large So by
the act OF 1882 it was provided that
from graduates of the Naval Academy for
each year appointments should be made
to FIJI all vacancies happening during the
year in the lower grades of the line and
engineer corps OF the Navy and the
marine corps; and that the surplus grad
yates should be turned out into private
life. AS the rmy aud Navy are each
divided into the line and staff, so, sald
MI. Cnansler is divided In the same way
that arm of the ssrvice known as the
Marine Corps
DuiinE the fifteen years since 1882 said
Mr. Chandler. no civilian has been ap-
pointed into either the line or staff OF The
Marine Cops. The lowest staff grade Is
that of captain When q vacancy has nap
pened in that grade it has been filled by
promoting lieutenant in the Marine Corps,
and the vacancy thus created has been
filled BY graduate of the Naval a Aca.iemy
Applying this law, which has remained
on the statute books for fifteen years,
tn the case before the committee Nj.
Chandler pointed cut that vacancy low
existed in the lowest staff grade OF the
Marine Corps, that Of captain and assist
ant quarteunaster. He conteuded Cha II
could not be filled by appointing a civ
ilian, and that, tee, ovel the prescribed
age Of twenty-five years.
The committee, however, thought differ
emily aud ordered a favorable report
The times., 1897-07-06
VETERAN CITIZENS MEET
The Oldest Inhabitants Association
Honor the Day as Usual.
Elect Officers, Hear the Deelara-
tion of Independence Read and
Listen TO an Address.

The Association OF the Oldest Inhabl-
tants of the city OF Washington held an
enthusiastic and largely attended meet
ing in their rooms at the CorcOran build
ius at IL o'clock yesterday morning
Mr.. Marbury, ir., president OF the
association, opened the meeting with a
few remarks congratulating the assooia-
tion UPON the great progress it has made
during the past year. At the same tine
be said he regretted that he had 10 an
nounce the death OF four members tfurin z
that period, namely, Robert Ball, 5. w.
K Handy, William Bradley and Patrick
A ByTne.
The following officers were elected
for the ensuing year: p resident, J .Marhury,
jr.; vice presidents. n. ID. Lamer, W
Peron, F. W. Brandenburg, j. W Clarke,
]. T Clark, K. Eichhorn, F. S-keTr. Philip
May, Allison NailoT, B. C. Wright, j..
Yeihmeyer, A. H. Ragan and Solomon j.
Fague; recording secretary. T F. Mcguire;
corresponding secretary, J. T. Howard;
treasurer, Joseph Pratber. marshal, j A
Wineberger MT Allison Nailor read the
Declaration of Independence He was
sets, who made an eloquent address.
"Our nation is at peace with the
world" said MIR Davis. 1.-The expires
sion OF the brave signers at Philadel-
phia was not a new thing with them.
That aIl men are born equal was
always known and cherished by them.
LIBERTY of speech, sentiment, religion, of
the press, and also loconotion, was the
sentiments OF those men
Now that principle is held with firmer
grasp, with more fixedness of purpose, and
cherished with more ardent enthusiasm
then ever before. The principle of union
expressed in the last part of the Declara-
ton was not new one. BENJAMIN Frank
lin had suggestedthe same idea seine tavan:y
years sheforetbattims. We:an say thesame
thing of tie principle of union that we have
said OF the principle OF liberty that It is
cherished with more ardent enthusi isrn
than ever before.
Congress is In session now, and Ii Is
worth while to notice the union that is
stronger than ever before have watched
the roll calls for the past few months
end have not yet seen a strictly party
or a strictly sectional vote
During the Presidents recent trip
through the South thousands of persons
greeted and received him. There was not
one Gisrespec. full word Now, my friend
on these two piliars-hberty and union
rest the foundations Of our nation
The speaker closed with an extract from
the speech made by Daniel Webster a
lit tie while before that great mans death
the one ending with the famous ex-