davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-20
TO BE REBUILT.
Concluded from First Page


conditions. Dry gun cotton is very explo-
sive, and wet gun cotton will explode if the
dry Is placed with it and subjected to a
shock or an electric current fire from
fuse 1t is the habit on men-of-war to keep
the bulk of gun cotton saturated with water
and a small quantity of dry for printing
purposes locked up in the cabin or at some
safe place where it will not be subject to
contact and can easily be inspected. 1t is
usually stored in red steel box suspended
to the wall or TO one of the ribs of the ship
In another red box at q distance from all
other explosives are kept the fuses for the
torpedoes, which are made of the illuminate
of mercury. These also are inspected every
day and are never removed except in case
of action or target practice.
Although Captain Sigsbee may have load
ed his torpedoes, it is not believed that so
prudent an officer would place war
head" they call it, in position, because
that could be done in a moment whenever
necessary. AT the same time 1t IS possible
that a loaded torpedo may have been ex-
ploded by shock or by contact or by mis-
chievous meddling or because of structural
weakness.
Such things have happened on other ships,
not only in our own but in foreign navies.
The torpedoes carried by the Maine were
the Whitehead, the same are used in the
British navy, and are propelled by COM
pressed air, which is forced into powerful
tank inside the torpedo. The great danger
in the use of the Whitehead torpedo is that
in order to be ready for action they are al
ways kept pumped up, and If there is the
slightest defect in the material explosion is
sure to follow, as the strain is very great.
One can get an adequate idea of the energy
stored in the torpedo by the fact that it is
required to make the first COO yards at the
rate of from twenty-eight to thirty knots
an hour. 1T is just possible that Captain
Sigsbee, anticipating trouble, placed one or
two torpedoes in their launching tubes on
deck, which tubes resemble the old-fash-
toned smooth-bore cannon used ON board
ship fifty years ago, and in order to be sure
that they would carry their fun distance
If discharged had them pumped up to the
safety limit of pressure. Though the great
est care is taken in the manufacture and
inspection of torpedoes, structural weak
ness not discernible to the eye often occurs,
and if it existed in one OF the torpedoes on
the Maine the explosion is easily accounted
for, as it may not have been able to with
stand for any length of time the immense
strain 70 which it is subjected. The war
head of a torpedo carries 200 pounds of gun
cotton, sufficient to blow any ship out of
the water. The practice head, which is sub
stituted for torpedo practice, is filled with
water, and is used to avoid any accidents
in the use of the torpedoes for instruction
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-20

that even in the worst cases he is sure
shere has been some Improvement. Frank
Fisher, who was saved by the Spanish
steamer Colon. died on that vessel yester-
day Five bodies were recovered in the
aarbor to-day near the wreck, but only. one
them. that of Tennis was recognizable.
Consul General Lee viii reward the fire.
man. Ugarte. who, at the risk of his own
life. made a gallant rescue of a drowning
sailor Ugarte. who was badly burned
about the head, persevered until he sue
ceeded in saving the drowning man. He
will be decorated by his battalion chief and
by the municipality of Havana.
Captain Sigsbee to-day said to the Associ-
ated Press correspondent that the men at
work under water about the Maine are ex-
pert divers, but that the work requires time
and patience. Most OF the day was spent in
getting the divers accustomed to the work,
and nothing of Importance was found. A
careful search will be made for the Names
log book, which will be of great Importance
to the court of inquiry. II is yet too soon to
form any just opinion as to what the divers
will be able to recover from the wreck
The day has been a tranquil one in Ha-
vana- Rear Admiral Manterola returned
the visit of Consul General Lee and Capt.
Eigsbee this afternoon.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-20
THE LYNCHERS UNEASY
RIPLEY COUNTY OFFICERS, INCLUD-
ING THE SHERIFF., SUSPECTED.
wabash College Boys Spend the Night
in Rioting-New Castle Bankers
Wife Secures Divorce.
Special TO the indianapolis journal.

Special 10 the indianapolis Journal.
VERSAILLES Ind, Feb. 19.--Hon. Hugh
D. McMullen, of Aurora, who has been en-
ployed by Attorney General Ketcham to
assist Prosecuting Attorney Connelley in
the investigation Of the September lynching,
was here yesterday. 1t was learned that,
as the grand jury had found no indictments
against any of the persons connected with
the lynching, some steps would be taken by
the states attorney next week TO procure
the arrest by bench warrants or otherwise
of persons against whom they have suffi-
cient evidence to warrant such proceedings.
There has been an impression that Sheriff
Busching, who was not at his residence the
night of the lynching, would be arrested for
completely, and that some of the other
county officials would also be arrested for
participating in the affair. Those persons
who are suspected of knowing something
about the lynching have expressed Them
selves as secure in the belief that the state
will never convict a person charged with
the offense. Public sentiment here is
against any further agitation of the matter.
but there is some anxiety to know just
when the Governor and attorney general are
going to let up on the investigation.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-20
CALLoUs TO DANGER.
Incidents Showing CareIessness of
Men on board War Ships.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19-W. K. Curtis,
of the Chicago Record says: ''Men-of-wars
men become callous to danger and just now
in any room of the Navy Department you
can hear stories of accidents and careless
ness and narrow escapes from death and
destruction that chill the blood of lay
man who Is not in the habit of fooling with
torpedoes, gun cotton and that kind of toys.
Judging the Maine by what has happened on
other ships, you can see a thousand ways in
which an explosion might have occurred. A
veteran officer relates what he calls "a little
incident" to show the nerve Of an apprentice
boy A division of the crew of one Of the
battle ships was overhauling the after mag
azine one day, breaking out fixed ammuni-
ton, cans of powder and gun cotton, and
cleaning house, as it were, under the direc-
ton of a lieutenant and gunner's mate.
The latter stood leaning over the hatch,
singing OUT orders to the men in the maya
zine, when he accidentally knocked his Ian
tern against the steel side of the hatchway.
The spring that held the lamp gave way and
it fell into the pit, bottom side up and still
burning upon the top OF a large tin can of
powder. The men in the pit We're busy stow
ing, with their backs turned, and did not
ner'S mate and others who were looking
over tho hatch We're stupehed with horror
but fortunately fer that ship and its crew
OF five hundred men apprentice boy
had ms Wits with him and quicker than you
can tell II Skinned down the tackle, seized
the lamp with his fingers, grabbed the heat
ed can OF powder in his arms and sang out.
You lubbers, haul me and this here can 10
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-20

Sincere Regret Expressed by Our Cou-
sins Across the Atlantic.


sins Across the Atlantic.
LONDON, Feb. 19.--The newspaper opin-
ions expressed and the official messages
sent convey only partial idea of the uni
versal sympathy for the United States, felt
on account of the terrible disaster to the
battle ship Maine in Havana harbor. The
official world is, naturally deeply inter-
ested, and every opportunity has been
taken to express regret to the United
States charge d'affaires, Mr.. Henry White,
in the absence of the United States am
bassador, Colonel John Hay, who is travel
ing in Egypt But in addition to this, many
private Americans diving here are receiving
letters and calls of regret and sympathy
from their English friends. On the day of
the funeral of the victims whose bodies
were recovered the flags over the CONSUL
ateS were half-maSted, and at Southampton
many of the ships, following the lead of
those of the American lines, half-masted
their ensigns
"A high naval official writes from the Ad-
miralty to friend: II am grieved to hear
of this lamentable accident to the Maine,
which will move with sympathy every man
who has lived aboard man-of-war. When
our little Doterel was similarly destroyed
the feeling was strong in England that it
was a dynamite explosion. / was employed
us of relief that Prof. Abel testified that
he had ample reason to believe it was the
explosion of coal gas which caused the
powder magazine to explode. Later he dis
covered that the dryer, known as zerotine
siccative, the probable cause"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-20
NO MEDDLING.
1ConcIuded from First Page


early to-day from Tampa, owing to the
lack of regular boat, but it is thought
that he will be there in time to conduct the
investigation when it opens next Monday.
While the court is entirely master of it's
own proceedings the department does not
doubt that after a preliminary session in
Key West which will lay the foundation
for further investigation through the taxi
ing of testimony of survivors now at Key
West, the board will proceed TO Havana.
At that place the work can be conducted
rapidly to finish with the assistance OF
Captain Sigsbee and the information gath
cred by the divers from the wreck.
Touching this question, the examination
of the wreck by divers, the naval officials
believe that there is no cause for appre-
hension as to the fairness and complete
ness of the investigation. Captain Sigsbee
has telegraphed that he has made an ar
rangement with the Spanish officials for the
prosecution OF this inquiry, and that there
is no friction. so that the officials believe
that there is no reason now to interfere
with the naval officer I'm the discharge Of
his duty.
dispatch from Key West says: THE
battle ship Iowa came up from the fleet to-
day. She mad on board the commanders OF
the Massachusetts and Indiana, who will be
members of the court to inquire into the
disaster to the Maine. Rear Admiral ST.
card came ashore from the New York"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-20

Ones physical feelings, like the faithft1
setter, search and point out plainly the
fact of disease or health.
If man is not feeling we'll and vigorous
IF he is losing flesh and vitality, If he IS
hstless, nervous, sieepless. he certainly is
not we'll. The down hill road from health
to sickness is smooth and declines rapidly.
At the first intimation of disease, the
wise man takes d pure, simple vegetable
tonic. 1t puts his digestion into good ac-
tive order and that puts the rest of his
body in order. The medicine that will do
this IS medicine that is good to take III
any trouble of the blood, the digestion, or
the respiration, no r1atter how serious <
may have become.
The medicine to take is Dr. PieTce's
Golden Medical Discovery. II is a remark-
able remedy II cures diseases in a per.
fectly natural way, without the use OF
strong drugs. It cures by helping Nature.
It has peculiar tonic effect on the lining
membranes of the stomach and bowels.
By putting these membranes into healthy
condition, stimulating the secretion of the
various digestive juices and furnishing to
the blood the proper purifying properties,
II reaches out over the whole body and
drives disease-germs before it into the
usual excretory channels. It builds uD
firm muscular flesh, makes the skin and
the eyes bright.
DR.. Pierce's Golden Medical Discover
has been found wonderfully efficacious i,
the treatment of skin diseases --ecxdlna-
letter, erysipelas. salt-rheun-from com
mon pimples or blotcfes to the worst case
Of scrofnle.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-20

MUNCIE, Ind, Feb. 19-Word was re-
celVed from Cleveland, o., to-day of the
deatn tneIe OF Mr.. Rudolph Sprankle, aged
eighty-four The old gentleman was the
owner of the High-street Touring mill in
this city and for five years has resided
in Muncie, until recently when he became
afflicted with cancer Of the stomach He
leaves large fortune for his only son,
James Sprankle, of Cleveland, who former
The death of Mrs Rebecca Anthony oc-
CURED to-day from a stroke of paralysis
few days ago. She has resided in Muncie
many years, and was seventy-siX years old.
She was the widow of Edward p. Anthony,
who amused a fortune in the Florida or
ange groves.
CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind, Feb. 10
Mrs. Mary Braden, wife of Hector S. Bra
den, died here this morning at an early
&c ur. She was born in Charlottesville in
1883 and was a daughter Of Mayor Isaac
Elsten, q pioneer of the place. Besides her
husband. she leaves brother Col. L. e.
Elston, and three sisters Mrs. Aaron II.
end Mrs. Henry S Lane. Mrs Braden was
one of the most prominent members of the
Crawfordsville Methodist Church, and was
a woman widely known for her rare in
tellectual gifts and her charitable work.
LIBERTY, Ind. Feb. 19.-Finley Egbert,
for more than thirty years merchant and
postmaster at Cottage Grove, this county,
died at his home in Anderson Friday, and
was brought to Cottage Grove to the resi-
dence of NJ. G. Keffer The funeral will
take place from the Dunkard Church Sun
day afternoon. Mr.. Egbert had been a res
ident of Anderson about two years, where
his daughter is employed i'll the public
schools.
AIORRISTOWN. Ind, Feb 19.-The death
of Mrs. Naomi Whicker, a widow, aged
eighty-four, occurred at her home southeast
of town this morning. She was one of the
pioneers of the county.
Peter Case, wealthy farmer, aged sew
enty, fell dead at home, two miles north,
this afternoon.
GREENCASTLE. Ind, Feb 19.-Mrs.
Jane Throop died this afternoon after a
brief illness. Deceased was the mother of
the late Arthur Throop, whose death oc-
Cured few days ago.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-20
WEAKNESS OF GREAT SHIPS.
insufficient Precautions to Protect the
Magazine from Fire.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19.--While the disas-
ter to the Maine has created a temper in
the House in favor of liberal appropriations
for the navy, and while it is undoubtedly
true that the House in it's present frame of
mind would not hesitate to vcte for two
new battle ships, one to replace the Maine,
this temper is predicated the theory
that the Maine was blown up by external
agencies. If the result of the official in
quiry should develop the fact beyond per-
adventure that the ships magazine ex-
ploded from fire or other cause within her
hull, it is believed a sentiment in Congress
will be created against the expenditure of
millions in the construction of war ships
that may blow up at any time. 1t seems
likely that a congressional investigation
will follow a report from the board of in
curry attributing the loss Of the Maine to
an explosion of her magazine. No resolution
for this purpose has yet been introduced
in the House, however.
A prominent member of the House naval
committee said that he was absolutely
amazed when he learned that the Names
coal bunkerS abutted the magazine with
only a thin partition between. when L
learned of the fire in the coal bunkerS of
the Cincinnati which charred the boxes in
winch the shells in her magazine were
stored" said he, II did not consider it my
duty to attempt to initiate congressional
action TO avert this danger due to her con-
struction. / assumed, as a matter of
course, that it was the duty of the Navy
Department officials to effect such changes
as would remove the danger. The construc-
ton OF q second bulkhead, leaving an air
passage between the bunkers and the mag
azine, would have removed this danger.
Now l find that nothing was done either to
correct the defect on the Cincinnati or on
any other ship. This being the case, we
undoubtedly will ascertain how many of
our ships are subject to this danger. / do
not know, however, whether it is advisable
to have congressional inquiry
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-20
TOWN TORN WIDE OPEN.
Wabash College Boys Raise Cain Tn
til Police Appear.


Special to the indianapolis Journal
CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind, Feb. 19-The
forerunner of the celebration of Washing
toms birthday was kept going until late last
night by the students of Wabash College.
The acts committed are charged. however,
to the members of the sophomore and
freshman classes, as these two classes are
always clashng over this event. Broken
shoulders and unconscious students only
seemed to add zest to the battle and make
each party moro determined to Guido the
other. The college campus resembled a
bowling wilderness for large portion of
the night. Bands were playing and stu
dents yelling like Indians. Professions,
headed by band, would form and take up
line Of march around town, awakening
everybody with their noise. Then a bonfire
was made of fences, signs and whatever
else could be found. The steps into the
college campus were burned away, and it
is charged that shutters were torn from
houses to add fuel to the fires. A wagon
with three saw logs was found this morn
ing In front of the college chapel doorway,
the wagon tongue having been run through
the door. All kinds of signs over town are
down and some missing. The two factions
49, SAeN'A VI 81 Hio 1OOuI AAluAiEHl III
front of restaurant, and the police had to
scatter the crowd. Then the boys concluded
to march to the AS a. m. train on the Mo-
non and escort President Burroughs from
the depot to his home the president hav-
ing been at Linden last evening to deliver
q lecture. But the police headed off the
procession, and the president was taken
home without an escort. The students We're
out for night of vandalism and they tore
everything loose that didn't have roots.
While the steps to the college campus were
burning the band played There'll Be Hot
Time in This Old Town Tonight" and
when the crowd started for the train the
band played ANY Old Thing" until the po-
lice scattered the mob
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-20
Activity at Fort sheridan.

CHICAGO, Feb. 19.-Since Friday morning
Fort Sheridan, where the Fourth Infantry
and the First Cavalry are stationed, has
been in a state of utmost activity. Soldiers
have been polishing their weapons, arrang-
ing mess kits grooming horses and prepar-
ing generally to march at a moments no.
tice. Col. Robert IL. Hall, in command Of
the fort, yesterday received one telegram
among the many messages delivered TO him
daily which caused him to take action. He
at once ordered that general preparations
for a possible immediate summons be made
Accordingly every man at the fort was set
to work. Every man of the seven hundred
soldiers at the fort busted himself arranging
his army belongings. Every man has been
supplied with ammunition sufficient for
one hundred rounds of shots. This is in
both the cavalry and infantry. Orders were
issued to the soldiers TO turn defective
weapons into the ordnance department and
new ones have been supplied. To-day final
preparations in compliance with the orders
We're completed and those stationed at the
fort We're in readiness to receive orders Of
any character.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-20
Alleged miraculous Healing.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ind, Feb. 19.--At the
Wesleyan Methodist Church, six miles
southeast of here and about the same dis
lance from any other town. there is great
deal of excitement over a protracted meet
ing now in progress. During the meeting
quite number of the participants have
claimed to be cured of various ailments.
One young woman had been an invalid all
her life, but at the meetings she was
miraculously healed, ii is claimed, and
now Is as strong as any average girl of
liam McNIichae the largest man in Shelby
county, weighing nearly four hundred
pounds. He had been compelled to use
crutches for some time, but at one of the
meetings threw them away and has no
further use for them This church is in the
same neighborhood as the one in which
Daniels Band held forth a few years
ago by falling into frances and having other
religious paroxysms.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-20

BOSTON, Feb. 19.-The Evening Herald
says: I'm compliance with telegraphic or
ders received at Fort Warren this evening,
a detail Of one corporal and thirteen men
has been sent to reinforce Lieutenant
Ketchum, in command of the mortar bat
terry at Growers Cliff, Winthrop. 1t is ex-
planned that this movement has no particu-
lar significance, but is part of the routine
of the Navy Department determined upon
long before this incident occurred. Rush
orders have been received at the fort di-
recting the commander Colonel Woodruff,
to send a. detachment of corporal and
eight men to Fort Winthrop, where they
Will get eight-inch converted rifle guns to
the deck in readiness for shipment. The
guns are to go to Mobile Ala. where car
riages from New York have been sent to
mount the rifles on. The big guns will go
all the way by rail. 1t was learned to-day
that the orders received some time ago
from the department at Washington bear
ing upon the equipment and efficiency of
the men are being carried out at the navy
yard, and that every marine remaining
there has been inspected, his equipment in
creased to that of active service, and extra
drill is being held daily. The apprentices
on the Wabash, as well as the regular sea-
men and recruits, are being given practice
at the guns and with the cutlass"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-20
CONDOLENCES AND REPLIES.
sympathetic Messages from Abroad
and Answers by the President.

sympathetic Messages from Abroad
and Answers by the President.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19.-Expressions of
coincidence still continue to flow in at the
State Department from sympathetic for
eign nations. Notable among them was
one that came to the President last evening
from the Queen Regent of Spain through
Minister Woodford. 1t follows:
Her Majesty, the Queen, has just sent
one, of the gentlemen of the royal house
hold to express through me to your EX-
cellency her profound sorrow and sympathy
in the sad accident which has befallen the
United States steamer Maine at Havana"
President Mckinley this afternoon for
warded the following reply through Minis
ter WoodfOrd TO the condolences of the
Queen Regent of Spain:
Convey in appropriate manner my sin
cere appreciation of her Majesty's message
of coincidence and sympathy as conveyed in
your telegram Just received.
Acting Secretary Day has sent the fol-
lowing kilograms to Mr. White, secretary
of the United States embassy at London:
THE President is deeply touched by her
Majestys sympathetic message conveyed
through ambassador here, and charges you
to express through the proper channels
grateful appreciation in name of the gov
eminent and people of the United States"
1.-THE touching message of the Prince and
Princess of Wales has been laid before the
President, who charges you in the name of
the American people no less than in his
own to express grateful appreciation of
this tribute of their royal highnesses to this
Nation in it's hour of grief
Please convey to the lord mayor of Lon
don the Presidents deep appreciation of
his message expressing the sympathy of the
citizens of London i'll the terrible bereave-
menr that has afflicted the American peo-
pie. In their name the President returns
the grateful thanks. The President directs
you to convey to his royal highness, the
Duke of Connaught, deep appreciation of his
sympathy and coincidence by reason of the
appalling disaster that has befallen this
government and people in the loss of the
Maine and her crew.
Condolences continue to reach the Presi-
dent from prominent persons all over the
world.