davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-13

New Orleans, La, December 9.-The
weather throughout this state, Missis-
sippi and north and central Texas Is
the worst experienced in December for
mafy years.
At Alexandria. La, the weather is
freezing; sleeting all day.
At Arcadia, La, sleet and snow COW
ers the ground to a depth Of several
inches.
At Summit, Misk., high winds pre-
vail and sleet and snow is falling.
At Raymond Miss, snow and sleet
have been falling for the past twenty
-four hours.
At Vicksburg, Miss, sleet and snow
were falling all day.
At Marksville, La, it is freezing and
sleeting all day.
At Laurel, Miss, sixteen hours OF
continuous rain wound up with a
heavy sleet and freeze
At Greenwood, Miss, the ground is
covered to a depth of 10 inches with
snow.
Dallas, Tex, says the storm which
began at noon yesterday continued un-
til moor today; there are now -four
inches on the ground. Similar condi-
lions exist from Marshall To FL Paso
and from the river TO the gulf. The
cattle ranges are in bad condition In
southwest Texas because of a drouth
during the summer and the losses to
stockmen will be quite heavy.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-13

Festive Affair by the Gallant Fire Lad
dies

"A clever set Of fellows those: b nj
then that has been our opinion all the
time
We are referring to the members Of
Engine Company No. 2. located at
Sixth n Castle streets, and just to
more explanation ourselves We viii
told you something's
Yesterday afternoon the boys enter
tanned quite a number of fheir friends
at an oyster roast, AND it was a most
festive affair. The roast took place in
the yard at the rear of the engine
house, and oysters by the gross were
dished out in fine style with the usual
trimmings, and they polished off man
an appetite. Chief Schnibben and a Mes
senger representative nave a fond recol-
lection, and ever now smack their lipe
with delight. The members OF the
Chemical Engine Company also drop
ped in, and lost their appetites.
Captain Mike" Bowling made q
most gracious host, and around him
were clustered his extra high quality
clever uns-Firemen job II. Yates
Eve put his name first, because he
opened our oystersa, r.. E. Daniels.
Theo. Swami, 4. A. Hughes, j. b.
King, T. B. Jackson and j. S. Bryan.
While up to pay his respects to the
roast, which he is conceited
enough to believe he accom-
plished most artistically, The
Messenger representative took a birds
eve view Of the interior of the engine
house. Neatness and system greeted
his optics everywhere.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-13

New York. December 9.-The Dam
ish cargo steamer Nordkape. which
sailed from Norfolk and passed out
Cape Henry. just one month ago today.
bound from Galveston for Denmark.
in command of Captain Rasmussen.
has not been reported. spoken or sight
ed since she sailed. A passage OF 30
days across the Atlantic by a steamer.
The time the Nordkape has been out. is
an unusually long one.
The Nordkape Is a steel vessel with
twenty-five water-light compartments.
built in 1896 at Newcastle. England
and Is $500 gross tonnage. Her crew
numbers about fifty men.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-13
THE ARMY INCREASE BILL
To be Reported Before the Holidays
and Quickly Passed

Washington, December 9.-Thc house
committee on military affairs began
consideration today of the important
measures for the reorganization and
increase of the army to meet the con-
ditions arising out of the war. Such
progress was made that Chairman
Hull said at the close of the meeting
that he expected not only to report the
bill to the house before h hC-.-u.s,
but also to pass it by that time. In
order to expedite the work daily COM
mittee meetings will be held beginning
next Monday.
The committee agreed to report ia
vcrably a resolution offered by Mr..
Hay. of Virginia, asking the secre-
tary of var as to what towns in Cuba.
Porto Rico and the Philippines will re-
quire to be garrisoned by United States
troops, the number required for each
town, and what number will be re-
Quired within the United States
proper.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-13
The Government Purchases lookout
Point

Washington. December The gov
ernment, through 5he Chtckamauga
park commission has secured The deeds
for sixteen acres on Lookout point. the
highest po.nt in the Chicks maugl re-
gion and overlooking seven states and
all the battlehelds adjacent to the
park.
During the seige OF Chickamauga.
this point was an importan; confedcr-
ate position. occupied by a battery. The
park commissioners will at once replace
the battery In the position IL occupied
during the war and will erect histori-
cal tablets at important points. II will
be left TO the several states whose
troops were engaged at his point to
erect monuments and memorial tablets.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-13

In the Hanging of the sailor Andersen
the Rope Breaks and the BODY Falls
to the Ground-A New Rope Secured
and the Man Again Hanged

Norfolk, Va, December 9.-John An
dersen, the condemned murdered of
Mate Saunders, of the schooner Olive
Pecker, was executed in the city jail
at 3 o'clock p. m. today. He marched
from his cell to the scaffold unsupport-
ed and with firm step, ascending the
steps without assistance. After pray
er by Rev. j. 3. Merritt, chaplain Of
the Seamen's Bethel, who kissed him
good bye, Andersen made a short
speech, saying he had forgiven the
men who swore his life away and was
ready to die, at peace with the world
and God. He SPOKE pleasantly to and
smiled at the death patchers and to
h crowd below. and in firm voice
said: Il am ready"
The work of preparing him for the
final act in the tragedy was proceeded
with. AS the black cap dropped over
his head it hid his smile from view.
Deputy Sergeant Rolston, who strap
ped his limbs, says there was not the
slightest tremor of a muscle.
At 3:0S O'Clock the trap was sprung
and Andersen's body shot downward.
The rope parted just inside the knot
and his body fell to the cobblestones
with a dull thud. A thrill of horror
ran through the crowd. Officers and
witnesses rushed to the body n
snatched the cap from his head, to find
loo oozing from his mouth, nose and
eyes. A doctor was called and soon
Andersen opened his eyes and it a
said, began to breathe naturally. He
was carried feet foremost up the steps
to h platform and laid down until
a chair was obtained. He was placed
in this, but leyer spoke.
Preparations for re-hanging him
were made hurriedly. All was excite
ment. The other piece of rope, the end
with which the negro murderer Down.
ing was hanged here December II,
1896, and later a man in M~ecklinburg,
was adjusted around his neck. He was
raised to a standing position INC the
straps again placed on his limbs.
While being supported by the officers
the trap was again sprung. In twenty
three minutes life was pronounced ex-
tinct. Nine minutes elapsed between
the first and second drops. Andersen's
neck was broken, supposedly by the
last drop.
Marshal Treat refused to turn the
body over to the Virginia Anatomical
Society, and it was placed in a hand
some casket and buried in the seamen's
lot in Elmwood cemetery.
It is the unanimous verdict hat An
dersen was the Quickest man ever
hanged here.
Before the first fall all had left the
scaffold except Messrs. Treat, West
and Rolston and the prisoner. When
the rope broke there was a cry from
some one in the crowd: Telegraph to
the president"
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-13

We are pleased TO see that the good
people OF Wilmington are showing their
appreciation for Frank Mcneil, Esq.
by endorsing him and resolving to press
his name for a place on the railroad
commission. The legislature could
hardly find a better man for this very
important position. The proper dis
charge OF the duties Of this Office call
for a man OF a very high order OF tai
ents. Clear h~eadedness. legal acumen.
judicial force OF mind and moral cour-
age are some Of the leading requisites
needed. Mr.. McNeiil has all OF these
qualifications. There is often a sense
this or tina in the 'doings Of railway
eompanies.-Lumberton Robesnnian.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-13

Savannah, Ga, December 9.-Two
battalions of the Second Illinois regi-
ment. of Lees corps, are on the trans
port Michigan tonight and will sail to-
transport Mobile arrived today from
Philadelphia and will sail Sunday with
the One Hundred and Sixty-first Indi-
ana regiment and the Third battalion
Of the Second Illinois. The Panama.
with General Lee and the headquarters
of the Seventh corps. will also sail
Sunday. General J.. Warren Keller is
now in command Of the corps,
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-13
The Cruiser Buffalo on Her Long
Journey

Newport News, Va, December =
The auxiliary cruiser Buffalo, which
sailed from New York with 800 troops
for Manila, arrived at Old Point Com
fort this afternoon.
The Buffalo came in the capes at 1
D. m. She was signalled by the flag
ship Texas and drew up near b bat
tleship, which vas lying off the point,
and dropped anchor. The Buffalo is
on her long voyage to Manila, by way
of the M%editerrean and the Suez canal
route. Last Tuesday a six hours trial
of her engines was made at Tompkins-
Vile, S. l., and the test showed them
to be in perfect working order.
The cruiser is heavily loaded with
stores for Dewey's feet and carries a
large number of officers, jackies and
marines for the admiral's ship. The
Buffalo was formerly the Nictheroy, a
dynamite cruiser, built at he Newport
News ship yard. 1t is probable that
she will receive orders to proceed to
her destination tomorrow.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-13
THREE WIEN KILLED
by an Explosion In One OF. the Mills OF
the Dupont Powder Works

Wilmington. Del, December g.
Three men were killed and eight injur-
ed, three of them probably fatally, by
the explosion of a press mill and four
grinding mills in the Hagley yard of
the Dupont powder works. a few min
utes after 10 o'clock. The dead are:
Robert McHenry As years old, mar
ried, leaves widow and four children;
John Wright, SO years old, married;
John Moore 40 years old, married,
leaves widow and five children. Seven
others were seriously injured. Every
W iimington physician who could be
communicated with was summoned to
the scene of the explosion, to render
hid to the wounded.
The explosion occurred in the press
Dom of the Hagley, Or lower yard
works. A car load of powder that was
being wheeled into the room was acct
dentally overturned and the al wheels
'unning into the loose powder, caused
a friction that set the powder afire.
The explosions quickly followed, all
he powder that was in the press room
rOing off in five successive detonations.
The press mill was wrecked.
The operators at the press were Nc
Henry and Wright and the explosion
,aused their instant death. The force
of the explosion carried portions of the
bodies across Brandywine creek, a dis
lance of 100 yards from the mill.
At the time of the explosion, Moore,
who is employed as a carpenter in the
yard, was within a few feet Of the
press mill. The back of his head was
crushed and he died a few minutes
later.
The shock of the explosion damaged
property and shattered windows in all
directions.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-13

Washington, December a.-Major
General Wheeler authorized the follow
ing statement today as to the reports
that he had decided tS>resign from the
house OF representatives:
Il was surprised to see what pur-
ports to be an interview about my re-
signing from congress. / have never
gone further than to say that ! would
consider the question when i had time
and would take such action as my
friends would approve. Thus far. how
ever, | have reached no final conclu-
sions.''
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-13

Baltimore, December 9.-Chairman
Albert Mott, OF the Racing Board.
League OF American Wbeelmen. an
nounces in his bulletin issued today
that the riders competing i'm the big
six days bicycle race at Madison
Square garden, n. Y. are fined $50
each and suspended from all l.. A. W.
tracts until such fine is paid. Madi-
son Square garden Is taxed 81 900 for
permitting the race to be held on is
track and Is suspended from the sane
ton of the league until the fine IN
paid.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-13

ASAe - - y
OF urunken Americas Negro Soldiers
Santiago de Cuba. December s.-The
extremists of the Cuban republican
party seem anxious TO assume the re-
sponsibiiity for the outrage at the
Spanish club Wednesday evening. when
Juan Castillo. a former Cuban officer.
accompanied by two negro subordi-
mates. rode into the club rooms and
with their machetes smashed several
lamps and did other damage. E Por-
yenir, the organ Of his faction. claims
that the act Of Castillo. represents
the feelings OF a long outraged but
now sovereign people.
Vice President Ba~rbarossa. of the
San Carlos Club. has asserted that IL
CASTILLO had not been promptly releas-
ed from custody 10000 Cuhans would
have known the reason why. But such
expressions must not be taken as rep
~resenting the views Of the best Cuban
element which is really very strongly
in favor of annexation.
General Leonard Woods strong hand
is much missed here. and his return.
which Is expected eariy tomorrow, will
be doubly welcome.
Today Colonel Beacon a before
him Lieutenant Cranshaw. OF the
Third Immune regiment. who repeated
a conversation he had had with Cap
tain hickman. of the Ninth immunes.
which throws considerable light upon
the recent drunken ARRAY of negro SOL
diers at San Luis and goes TO show
that the affair was premeditated and
that the officers were more guilty
than the men.
Chief of Gendarmie Valiente has
now ready 1900 men from Who Cen
eral Wood will choose a sufficient num-
Der TO constitute the force of gendar-
merle which he purposes establishing
Most of them. Chief Valiente says,
were good soldiers during the war. but
many have since been virtually ban
dts. out of sheer hunger. as they cdsld
not get rations because they were aA-
ed and refused to disband. He believes
that they would MAKE efficient gen
darmerie.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-13
Wanamaker to Testify In the QuayIn.
dfctments

Philadelphia, December 9.-Counsel
for Senator Quay in the conspiracy
charges for which he is to be tried
next week, today s~ubpoenaed ex-Com-
mon Please Judge James Gordon and
ex-Postmaster Genera Wanamaker as
witnesses for the defense. This news
is interesting, in view of the known
opposition of both of these men to
Senator Quay politically, and in view
of the charges recently made by Sem
ator Penrose in which he stated that
the charges against Senator Quay
were the result Of a conspiracy to de-
feat him for reelection to the United
States senate and in his place name a
person favorable to Messrs. Wanamak-
err and Gordon.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-13

Shang Hal. December 81 John
Barrett, formerly United States
minister to Siam. says the situation
in China IL OF the most critical
nature and that Manchuria Is no lon
ger Chinese. but Russian terri
tory. He asserts that New Chwang,
the chief northern port for the move
ment Of American products. Is practi-
caiiy Russian and Is liable to be closed
any day. The only permanent safe
guard to the paramount American and
British interests. Mr.. narrett says, Is
immediate and united action by the
interested governments To defend the
interest Of the China empire.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-13

Austin. Texas. December 9-The
ground in his section Of the state is
completely covered with snow for the
first time zinc January. 1895. Farmers
say that it comes in time to assume
good spring yields.
Dallas, Texas. December a.-There
are -four inches OF SNOW on tn" ground
and the storm here liz the worst expert
enced in many years. Telegraph lines
TO the south are interrupted by sleet.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-13

1t has been fully demonstrated that
Ely's Clean Balm Is a specific for
Nasal Catarrh and cold In the head.
This distinction has been achieved only
as the result OF continued successful
USE A morbid condition OF the men,
brane in the nasal passages can be
cured by this purifying and healing
treatment. Sold by druggists or IL win
be mailed for so cents by Ely Broth
ers. IS Warren Street. New York. II
spreads over the membrane, In abb
sorbed and relief is immediate.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-13

Washington, December 9.-Surgeon
General Sternberg has issued d de-
tailed letter OF instruction to Colonel
Chas. r. Greenleaf, who has started
for Savannah on 2 general tour of the
large winter camps in the south. The
inspection is intended to guard against
a repetition OF any of the evils arising
from defective food, quarters or medi-
cal attendance such as gave rise to
criticism of the department during and
after the Spanish war.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-13

Detroit. Mich. December 9.-The cor
oner's investigation OF the case of col
lapse of Wonderland theatre by which
a dozen lives were lost returned n YER
dict today 20 the effect that too heavy
a weight was placed upon the roof and
placing the responsibility for the death
of the twelve victims OF the disaster
upon the firm Of John Scott & Co.. ar
chitects of the building.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-13
The Flour Trust

Cleveland. Ohio. December 9.-In an
interview here today Clement B. Stern.
of the Atlas Flour Mills, of Milwaukee,
stated that he expected the big -four
combination would be in operation
shortly. The combine will have a cap
i~talization of $50, 000, 900.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-13

Paris, December An explanation.
evidently emanating from the British
embassy, has been published. declaring
that the speech recently delivered by
the British ambassador. Sir Edmund J.
Monson, has been misunderstood and
regulating any desire TO interfere In
the internal affairs of France or criti-
else her policy.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-13
Democratic congressman TO Hold a
Caucus

Washington. December 9.-To obvi-
ate ali doubt as to the holding Of the
democratic caucus tomorrow night. no.
tiee was given to each democratic
member today that the original eau
Gus programme would be carried out.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-13
SPANS LAST SHOT.
Her Commission Files a Protest Against
American Aggressiveness.
SIGNING OF TREATY DELAYED

BY Illness of Secretary of the Spanish Commission-The Spanish Insist
on an International Investigation of the Wrecking of the Maine.
McKinley's Reference to this Disaster Spoken of as an
Insult to Spain .voluminous Documents to Accom-.
pany the Treaty-General Brooke and
Troops Return from Porto Rico.
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-22
TEN THOUSAND TROOPS IN CAMP

formidable monitor in the world, yet she combines with the enormous effen- sive and defensive qualities of the mon- itor type 8 seaworthiness that is al most phenomenal. The Monterey Is described technically as barbette tur- ret, low free board monitor of 4000 tons displacement. She is 256 feet long by 59 feet beam and 14 feet 6 inches deep. She carries in two turrets, surrounded by barbettes, two 12-inch and two 10- inch guns, while In her superstructure between the turrets are mounted six G. pounders,s four 1-pounders and two Gatlings.
 The turrets are 71a inches thick and surrounding the barbettes are 14 inches and 111a inches of steel, and against the arrnor all the batteries in Manila might thunder away without effecting an en- trance.
 The Monterey's personnel is 1s off, cers and 172 men, and once she Is in the entrance of Manila harbor nothing in the shape of a navy would be likely to budge her from her position. Her dispatch may have an important bear ing upon the Spanish Government so openly published of sending re-en- forcements to Manila
 The only doubt as to the feasibility of sending the Monterey Is her small
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-22
SIGNIFICANT ORDERS.
Troops Getting Ready to Break
 Camp at the PreSidio.

It is talk among the volunteers that tonight will be the last night of the First Regiment in camp at the Presidio. The First California, the Oregon regi- ment and twenty-five men each from Companies A and D of the Heavy Artil- lery, under the command of Captain Geary may break camp tomorrow morn ing and sail from San Francisco Monday night on the City of Peking, the City of Sydney and the Australia, with the Mon terey accompanying them a convoy. The two detachments from the Heavy Artillery and Colonel Summers of the Oregon regiment have been unoff1cially informed that they are expected to break camp tomorrow morning. The official orders will doubtless be received by Colonel Summers and Captain Geary to- day.
 Colonel Smith, while he has not been of ficially ordered to do so, expects and is prepared to go aboard the City of Picking busy seeing to the hauling of supplies to the vessel All company property was removed from camp, and 1t is known that the field orders of the First have been called for
 General Otis all along has been fight ing to have the three transport vessels sail together, and it now looks as if he had carried his point and that the three commands named will sail tomorrow
 Major Robe of the Fourteenth has re- ceiVed no orders as yet as to when he must leave, but he said yesterday that he thought his battalion would be or dered to leave to-day or tomorrow.
 It Is impossible to get accurate infor- nation from the various commanders, for they do not seem to know what the Gov ernment's intentions are, and the only fact they are conscious of Is that the
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-22

are now located in this city. They be- gan to come in by the first boat from Oakland, and 10:30 a. m. the last detach- ment was landed at the foot of Market street They reached Oakland last even ing and during the night, so it was merely a matter of running the trains down the Mole and marching on the boats in the morning. This was accomplished as eX- peditiously the Southern Pacific can accomplish anything in the way of transportation it undertakes.
 The first to arrive was a battalion of the Thirteenth Minnesota, the best equipped regiment that has reached San Francisco so far, and they are willing and anxious to match themselves against the famous Tenth Pennsylvania, which is on the way here. Early as the hour was-6:3O a. m.-the ladies of the Red Cross Society were waiting to receive them, and as soon as arms were stacked the men were marched into the baggage room, where they were served with hot coffee, sandwiches and the like in abund- Y ance.
 The next boat brought over the Third Battalion of the Twentieth Kansas the other two battalions having gone into camp Friday night. These were followed by the remainder of the Thirteenth Min nesota, and by S:30 o'clock the last of them had been fed. Line was formed with the Thirteenth Minnesota and the battalion from Kansas, and headed by the Merchants Association band and the fine band of the Minnesota troops, the march to the old race track was begun.
 Companies A. B, c, F, I and l., of the Thirteenth are from Minneapolis, c. D, and H from St. Paul, G from Red Wing. Including its band, the regiment numbers 103S officers and men. The officers are as follows: Colonel C. McC Reeve, lieu tenant colonel, F, W. Ames; majors, J.