davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning times., 1897-02-12
NEWS FROM ALEXANDRIA
A Large Quantity of Illicit Brandy
Captured.
Two Lantern Thieves Arrested.
Preparing for Washing
tons Birthday.

Internal Revenue Officer S. L. Monroe
returned yesterday from trip through
the mountains OF Virginia. With Deputies
Marlborough, Pinkston anu Dear Mr. Mon
roe seized quantity OF Illicit brandy
from +. w. and j. e. Brown. who reside
near Sperryville. The brandy was taken
to that town.
jim DAVIS and Charles williams. both
colored, were fined $40 each by Mayor
Thompson last night for the larceny of sew
eral lanterns. They have recently been en-
gagged in removing the lanterns which had
been placed, according TO tie city laws on
building material etc. in tile streets, and
tie police have been eudeaYoring 10 break
them up al their game.
Five candidates were admitted TO mem
beTshp at a special meeting Of the Ancient
order OF Hii,crnians on Tuesday night.
MT Harry Kramer, the well-kno WI trick
bicycle rider, was married yesterday after
noon TO Miss Jennie Toy. The ceremony
was performed by Rev. J. H. Butler, at
the parsonage OF the First Baptist Church,
on Washington street.
Atanad journed nIeet!ngofLheA A leXandria
Insurance Company, held yesterday, the
old board of directors was reelected, Mr.
Il Wheat was chosen president, and Mr.
George Mise, secretary.
Mr. w II. Hunter and Miss Mary swain,
both OF this city. We're married in Wash
inCton, or Wednesday.
Policemen Roberts and Goods are con-
fined to their hornes on account of sickness,
Mrs NJ J. CarIn is critically i'll at
her home, on Duke street.
Mrs {. Begs has issued cards foI
reception TO be held on tie ! Sth inst
in honor OF Miss Mamie French.
Miss Annie Hough Uhler last night en-
tertoincd her friends at the residence OF
ler father. Councilman l.. F.. Uhler, on
South Washington street.
Miss Lena Lawson of Fauquier is the
guest of the Misses Dempsey, on South
Fairfax street.
Belle Haven Council, Junior Order United
American Mechanics, is arranging for the
celebration OF Washington's Birthday.
In the corporation court yesterday in the
case of James McCuen, guardian. VS.. Laura
Croson ct al. decree for sale of prop
erty was entered and James McCuen was
| appointed commissioner.
The morning times., 1897-02-12
Supt. Bosbyshell's Appeal.

The record in the matter of the appeal Of
Oliver c. Bosbysbell from the Judgment Of
the court OF appeals for the third circuit
in favor Of the United States was filed in
the Supreme Court of the United States
yesterday The judgment was against Bos-
bysbeIl for about $4,000 for the loss of
gold bars stolen by subordinate employe
from the Philadelphia mint while Bosby-
shell was superintendent,
The morning times., 1897-02-12
Charged with EmbezzIement.

George Taylor, n driver for Mr. Anton
Lehrman, a coal aud wood dealer, at Fourth
and Riggs streets northwest, was arrested
last night by Detective Barnes, OF the
Second precinct, on charge OF embezzle-
ment preferred by his employer. Taylor is
charged with appropriating $l5 which had
been entrusted to him by Mr.. Lehrman to
make purchase of wood.
The morning times., 1897-02-12
Stricken With ApoDlexy,

An unknown colored man about seventy
years old was stricken with apoplexy
shortly before o clock yesterday afternoon
on NJ street northwest, between Thirty-first
and ThiTty-second streets land died few
minutes later, just as he was being placed
in the Seventh precinct patrol wagon.
Coroner Hammett viii investigate the case
to-day
The morning times., 1897-02-12
CAfARRH and Deafness.

Rheumatism. Dyspepsia, Kidney
Trouble, Liver Complaint, Asthma,
Bronchitis, Female Troubles, Head
aches, Colds. Coughs and All
Throat. Lung and Blood Diseases
Quickly and Permanently Cured.
The morning times., 1897-02-12
MUNYON'S improved
Homeopathic REMEDIES.

\ separate cure for each di>eaSe-are
sold by all druggists. WITH them every
one can beCUIue their own doctor IhOu-
sands OF homes nave no other family ply
siciau than Munyon's Remedies. Hun
dTedS OF Washington people have been
cured.
The morning times., 1897-02-12

Mrs Burrows held the last Of her very
pleasant receptions yesterday afternoon.
She was very becomingly gowned in Per
sian grenadine, with diamond ornaments
and cream lace Those assisting were Mrs.
Andrews, in fawn crepe; Mrs. Loud, OF
Michigan, in gray cloth; Mrs. William AL
den Smith, Persian grenadine; Miss Tai
mage, lavender null over satin; Miss BaS
sett, of Fall River, blue and gray silk;
Miss May Morgan, green and gray silk;
Miss Alice Peck, of Minneapolis, brown
velvet, yellow lace and violets; Miss San
ford, of Bridgeport, rose satin, with lace
trimmings, and Mrs. Heawole, who pre-
sided at the dainty tea table, in black satin
with ermine trimming.
The drawing-rooms were handsomely
decorated with palms, ferns and white
roses.
The morning times., 1897-02-12

Miss virgie Moncure, Of Stafford county,
Va, is visiting her brother, at No. 515
Eleventh street northwest.
The morning times., 1897-02-12

Senior Godoy, first secretary Of the
Mexican legation, and Sonora Godoy, with
their family, arrived in Washington yes
terlay.
The morning times., 1897-02-12

Miss Clements, of No. 1923 I street
gave very enjoyable musicale last
evening.
The morning times., 1897-02-12

MUNYON'S ELECTRIC MACHINE
Cures Paralysis, Stiff Joints, Neu-
raigIa. Nervous Diseases and All
MnscuIaT Pains
The morning times., 1897-02-12

The German ambassador and Baroness
Won Thielman entertained at dinner last
evening the minister OF Mexico and Nine.
Romero, the minister Of Switzerland and
Nine Pioda, Mr.. and Mrs. V. Reichenan,
Col. Siebert. Mrs. Hearst, Miss Paunce-
fote, tie Count de GalarZa, Miss Mott,
Prince Wrede, Countess Ross, Mr.. and Mrs
JOHN w. Foster, Mr.. Rockhill, Mrs. Ander-
son and Rev. DR.. and Mrs. Mackay Smith.
The morning times., 1897-02-12

The decorations were Of narcissus, in
three large clusters. and garlands of sInilax
and narcissus ornamented the table still
further.
The morning times., 1897-02-12

ITO be conoluded.)
The morning times., 1897-02-12

be sufficient was the form Of the curt
permission; and the only other concession
granted TO love was "a promise to allow
the subject to be reopened. at the end OF
The morning times., 1897-02-12

Pure Linen Bond Writing Paper,
sells lor JOc quarter ream l20
sheets. During this sale. Sc
One lot Odd ana End Boxes Fine
Paper and Envelopes The boxes
are a little soiled or broken, but
the paper is perfect. Have sold
for 3uc- 10 45c. box Durlng this
sale, per box .21c
Inks and Mucilage &c Bottle.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-04-18
The French in Tunisia.

When, on May ~, 1881, Tun:sia was
placed by the Bardo convention under
French control, this old province of Africa.
formerly one of the granaries of impe-
rial Rome, had fallen through centuries of
misrule in a quasi state of barbarism.
Many portions of this territory. once so
fertile, became desertlike and covered with
unproductive brushes. When the French
entered Tunis there were but four kilo-
meters of road, 229 kilometers of railroads
near the coast, three lighthouses on the
northern shore. The ports were all
choked with sand, and hardly accessible.
The cisterns were often waterless,
and irrigation very badly cared for. There
were but twelve postoffices, most unre-
liable. as matter of fact; twenty-four
schools, of which twenty were kept by re-
hgious congregations. An unpaid army
was the only protection granted 10 natives
and settlers. Such was the chaotic state
OF affairs in the regency when the protec-
torate was instituted. Since that time a
wonderful progress has been accom-
plished. To-day Tunisia possesses 14OO
kiiometers of macadamized roads, 667
kilometels OF railroads, eleven large
lighthouses, twenty-nine smaller ones
and ten luminous buoys at the har-
bors' entrances. Four large ports and
eleven less important ones are now open
to the trade. Forty-two localities are sup
Piled with 10000 cubic meters of fresh
water per diem. S;xty-four postoffices
ana LOO sub-slations have been esta blished.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-04-18
A REV0I UTl0nIZIhG INVENTION IN HEAVY Army ORDnAl

efforts OF the gases from the burning
powder to blow out through the groove past
the shot The result of the twist of the
shot during its flight through the air is
to prevent it from tumbling and also TO
prevent the air from piling up on the wind
side and so swerve it from straight
course.
The objections to the rifed cannon are
many. Although the principal one is ex-
pense, very careful manufacture Is neces-
sary, and the cutting of the groove is a
difficult task, requiring the most expen-
slve machinery.
The expense Of such a weapon naturally
calls for means to protect it, and conse-
quently the pneumatic disappearing gun
carriage came into existence, as well as
other forms of forts and bomb proofs. A
first-class modern nine-;nch rifled can
non with all equipments would cost in
the neigh borhood of $25O,0OO. A smooth
bore cannon of the same size is worth
about $4,000.
Colonel Bell in his study of projectiles
worked on the theory that it was only
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-04-18
COLONEL WITH. Bell, U.S.A.

suit. He then fired one of his sh OTIS of the
same weight and with the same amount
OF powder. The result was startling, for
the recoiI was so great that the twenty
four-pounder was turned over and broken,
and the shot was carried far out to sea.
Subsequent experiments made a few
weeks later Only served to strengthen the
theory. Colonel Bells shots were fired
three or four times as far as common
solid shot with the same weight of powder.
Their accuracy left nothing to be desired.
The shot showed the highest initial We
locity and struck with the most remark
able precision, although the gun used was
an old discarded one badly rusted.
Colonel Bell is an old artilIeryman and
feels that his invention is perfect. 1t has
already attracted the attention of the War
Department and there is little doubt but
that it will soon be generally adopted.
The importance of this wonderful pro-
jectile does not lie so much in what
might be made of it as in the fact that it
will render a vast number of so.called
worthless guns of the greatest value.
Those old cannon are only fit for old
ifon," is the way officers have for years
described the guns scattered over the forts
and arsenals in different parts OF the coun-
try. But that term can hardly be applied
now.
OF the old guns referred to there are
about 200 OF them lying al the forts around
San Francisco. They were cast during
the last war at a cost of about $4,000 each,
but have simply been considered as scrap
iron for several years. In fact they have
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-04-18
'ECTWE AS THIS GUN WITH THE RIFLED BARREL

There are now 100 French schools. The
Bizerta roadstead has been open to the
largest ironclads and made a safe shelter
for whole feet. During last summer
the Brennus flagship ironclad, of Ad-
mlral GervaIs. made a short stay in the
inland harbor, although she is over
H,OoO tons and draws some twenty five
feet. a survey of the entire regency has
been ccompiished. Under the direction
OF M. CaCnat an archaeological atlas of
lunisia is in preparation, while the gun
boat Condor has been ordered by Admiral
Besnard to contribute to this work with
the photographic map of Carthage's Gulf
between Sidi-bon-Said and Kram.
Tunls has now its lines of tramways;
the kasbah is lit with gas. Just as was
done nj Algeria, extensive plantations of
eucalyptus have been laid in order to con.
quer malaria, while a regular service of
vaccination. serotherapy, and rabies in.
oculation has been organized.
Modern rules of hygiene have been an.
piled to sewers and buildings in such
way that the sanitary conditions have
been vastly improved. Telephone mes
sages can be row exchanged between
Tunis and the sacred and formerly mys.
terious city of Keronan, and in spite of
this immense accomplished amount of
labor the army is paid, and the Tunisian
budget closes every year with a surplus.
Anybody who sails from the south of
France cannot fail to have certain feel
ing of disappointment when he reaches
Algeria. In place of the oriental life, in a
somewhat crude state, that he expects to
find, he disembarks on a shore which
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-04-18

been offered free to anybody who would
remove them. The value of all these
guns in the United States has been esti.
mated $500, 100000.
BY making use OF Colonel Bells pro-
jectile it would seem as if they all beca me
of their original value again. More than
their original value, because they will fill
the places now taken by guns worth q
quarter of a million.
With such vast amount of guns on
hand the United States can claim to be
the best defended Nation in the world.
With such vast number OF them in &C.
ton there would be no need for expensive
disappearing gun-carriages, for if few
We're demolished there would be plenty
left Old Fort Point becomes more for
midable. With the number of guns at
present mounted there almost any feet
could be sunk in few minutes, and long
before the enemy got near enough to do
any great damage.
modern fort, with three or four flied
nine-inch cannon, is considered "a tough
place 90 tackle" What would a fort be
with thirty or forty not rified, but lust
as effective. Another advantage of Colonel
Bells proiectile lies in the fact that the
''life" of smooth-bore gun is many times
that of rifled cannon.
The more the apparent advantages of
Colonel Bells proiectile are considered
the more valuable his invention becomes.
Whatever it may do in other ways there
can be little doubt but that it will have a
depressing effect on the manufacture of
big guns. WILL SPARKS.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-04-18

food in the lofty region where it grows.
Several years ago an exploring eXpedi-
ton to the Arctic regions very thoroughly
investigated the crow berry for the pur-
pose OF discovering what difference there
was, If any, between the Arctic growth
and the same tiny tree growing on Mount
Desert. The result was a curious illustra-
ton Of the novel effect of climatic condi-
lions upon natural growths. The berry of
the crowberry as it grows on Mount Desert
has marked acidity which, far from rem
dering it unpalatable, makes it more
agreeable as an article of food. The crow
berry in the Arctic zone has a decidedly
sweetish taste, and yet withal if one eats
several OF the berries there is the pucker-
ing sensation about the mouth that is no
ticeable after eating persimmons. These
facts were determined by analysis. and
the most careful reasoning and investiga-
ton arrived at no other result than that
climatic conditions were the cause of the
difference mentioned.
These odd specimens of Arctic growth
are all the more notable because OF the
fact that of the several hundred species of
plants which grow in the Arctic regions
the great majority are herbs. Few of
these, however, are ANIMALS. The condi-
tions existing in the Arctic zone seem to
favor the herbaceous plant above all
things. The subterranean stems of these
seem to be the most efficient vehicle to
carry the lives of the plants over the long
and severe winter. In fact, no woody
plants-with the exception Of those men,
toned in this ar.Icle-growing in the
Arctic regions deserve to be called trees
or even shrubs in the ordinary sense of
the term. Their stems are PROSTATE.
sending up short, leafy branches, which
expand flowers and bear fruit in an in
credibly short time.
A third specimen of the dwarf trees
which was brought back by the Cornell
party is the Arctic willow. There is the
Arctic willow proper. and then what is
known as the "bear" willow. It and the
herbaccous willow grow within the limits
of the United States, upon the tops of the
highest mountains, notably Mount Wash
ington. The reticulated willow is q yery
beautiful plant. the rarest of them all.
The Cornell party discovered a specimen
on the Labrador coast. They had great
difficulty in securing q perfect willow of
this sort, and the specimen that now re SITS
| in Cornell Museum is believed to be the
only one in existence away from its native
| climate.
These little trees which have been de-
! scribed are OF exceeding interest apart
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-04-18
PERFECT TREES ONLY THREE INCHES

The most interesting feature of the for.
estry and herbaceus collection of Cornell
University is one recently added, consist
ing OF specimens of perfect forest trees
less than three inches high. They were
brought to the university from the Arctic
regions by party of explorers sent out
by the institution itself. The most nota-
BILE features of the collection are the Arctic
birch and the crowberry, which arc shown
in the accompanying illustration.
Nowhere in this country, so far as
known, does a museum contain perfect
specimens of the birch. The curious
growth is occasionally to be found on the
top Of Mount Washington, but no one has
ever before been able to secure one of these
tiny trees in absolutely perfect condition.
The specimens which Cornell has were
found on the Greenland coast, some at
Godhaven, on the isle of Disko. Others
were discovered at Wilcox Head, where
the exploring party that secured speci-
mems did most of its work. A curious diff
ference between this Liliputian birch and
the ordinary forest tree of the same species
IS that the Arctic specimen bears fruit.
The trees on the island of Dlsko were
covered with fruit when the explorers
found them. What is more. this fruit is
decidedly edible. 1t has taste not I'M
like the juniper berry, and is said to be
exceedingly health-giving.
Ever so many persons have read OF this
little birch tree under the scientific name
OF Betula mana without having any idea
of what the name really signified.
Translated it means white birch, and
those who have read of the struggles OF
DR.. Elisha Kent Kane and his companions
in the rctic regions half-century ago
viii remember what an important part
the Betula mana took in sustaining the
life of the mem bers of the expedition.
The berries which grow upon the birch
seem to have all the concomitants of food
and drink, and upon them a person may
exist for long time without materially
losing strength.
The second notable specimen is known
as the crowberry. or, as the scientists term
it, the Emporium nigrum. While this
tree is in q measure q cosmopolitan plant,
although classed as an Arctic growth, the
same difficulty has been experienced in
securing perfect specimens as in the case
of the birch. The crowberry grows in thi.
country-on Mount Desert, in Maine-and
is occasionally found at the highest points
of the Sierra Nevada range of mountains.
Like the birch, it bears an edible berry
and it is no exaggeration to state that it is
one Of the principal sources Of succulent
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-04-18

Patent papers were issued few days
ago for what must be conceded to be the
most important Invention made In the
field of heavy ordnance during the pres
ent decade.
The invention was conceived and worked
out in San Francisco, and the first trials
that demonstrated its effectiveness-wer
made at the Presidio, although at the
time not more than four people knew
what was going on. THE CALL gives the
first explicit disclosure of the wonderful
discovery to the world.
Briefly, the invention is prolectile that
can be fired from an old-lashioned smooth
bore cannon with all the force and pre-
cision of the most modern rife. The
magnitude of snch an invention may not
be apparent at first thought. but it will
dawn upon you as you proceed.
The inventor of this projectile, which
nay revolutionize modern building,
is Colonel w. H. Bell, U. s. A., at present
assistant commissary- general at Wash
ington. Colonel Bell was chief commits
sary of the Department of California for
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-04-18

any shape or dimensions as long as 1t con-
forms to the conical principle.
The projectile is of course made of iron,
! and the main body of it is cast in the
usual manner. 1t is exactly like the conf
cal shot now in use, except that it has
small chamber at the breech.
The other portion of the shot is plug,
that can also be cast. and which screws
lnio the end of the chamber at the
oreech. Around the edge of this plug are
series OF grooves at an angle.
vi course the details of the manufacture
OF the prolectile have not yet been studied
out, but the manipulation will necessarily
be very sim pie. After the body of the shot
Is cast 1t will be put into machine and
nave thread cut around the upper edge
OF the breech end of the chamber. The
plug will also have a thread cut on its
outer edge so that it will easily screw into
and close the breech end of the cham Der,
except the grooves, which now become a
series of holes.
Surprising such projectile were to be
put to actual use. The shot and the plugs
would be carried, without being screwed
together. to The place whore they would
be fired. When all was ready a charge OF
pOWuCI WOuAQ Oc
put into the smooth bore cannon. A
charge OF slow-burning powder would be
put into tho cham Der at the breech of the
shot and the plug screwed into place. The
shot would then be loaded into the cannon
in the usual way and the gun would be
ready for firing.
when the gun was fred the rapid-burn-
ing powder would be consumed first, and
would ignite the slow-burning powder
through the holes on the edge of the plug.
The weight of the shot would offer the
necessary resistance, and the sIow-nurning
powder as II blew out through the holes
would cause the shot to twist" Unjust
be borne in mimi that but very small
quantity of slow burning powder is neces-
sary.
When the revolving shot reached the
atmosphere it would behave just the same
as If fired from rified cannon. The ex.
periments that have been made prove
this
The first experiment made by Colonel
Bell at the Presidio about year ago was
to compare the forces of his and common
solid conical shot
He fired common shot with certain
amount of powder and got the usual re-