davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-24
HAVANA HARBOR-SCENE OF THE MAINE DISASTER.
efficient In the presence Of dreadful and
sudden disaster

efficient In the presence OF dreadful and
sudden disaster.
OF the survivors OF the Maine, ffty-nine
have been sent to Key West, twelve remain
ing to look after the bodies OF the dead, !,
and twenty-five being hurt so badly that
they cannot be removed.
AS to how the explosion may have oc-
Cured, host OF opinions are expressed
both In naval and civilian circles. Some
navy officers believe spontaneous combus-
tion ignited the coal in one OF the Names
bunkers, and that the burning fuel heated
the metal partition between the bunker
and a magazine, causing an explosion Of
the ammunition. Others think some ex-
plosive substance in the coal caused the
disaster when the fuel was shovelled into
the furnaces.
Secretary OF the Navy Long has directed
the commander Of the North Atlantic
squadron to organize a court Of inquiry ut
once to make a thorough investigation Of
the affair. Members of the court will go
to Havana, and divers will help them in
reaching positive conclusion.
Naval officers say that IL the divers find
the armor plates OF the Maine are bent in
ward it will be conclusive evidence that she
was sunk by torpedo or some other ex-
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-24

E. J. Berry, an expert horse grovsA
in an al ess at recent convention
of American stock breeders and feed
ers in the city of st. Paul, referred to
q condition in the markets which is OF
great interest to the horse trade of
this country. He declared that he
and other men conspicuously engaged
in stock raising believed that TIE
United States would q no distant day
witness horse famine, and thas 1t
would be due partly to the hard times
and low prices which have driven
many growers out of business and
partly to the increasing demand for
American horses in Europe. He said
that horse raising, ifproperly attended
to by farmers, would speedily become
one of the very foremost of our agri-
culturul interests, and his recommen-
dation was that special attention be
given to growing horses OF the grades
In demand in foreign markets, which
die described as follows: First well.
bred coach horse; second, cab horse;
third, the omnibus horse; fourth, the
draft horse, and fifth, the American
trotter. To these Mr.. Berry might
have added the cavalry horse, which
is growing in favor wherever Ameri-
can stock has been used in that service.
There is but little, and there will te
still less demand for poor horses, here
or abroad, but there is undeniably
growing market at home and in Eu-
rope for thoroughly sound, properly
bred animals such as American
stockmen are amply able to raise.
There is no reason why this
important branch of agricultural in
dustry should not experience wide
spread and profitable revival.
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-24

How many people know that the
United States produced last year one
fourth of the worlds gold, or about
$50, OO0, 900 worth? And Colorado is
credited with about one third of this
as her share. These figures, furnished
by Robert E. Preston, director of the
mint, tally very closely with those
furnished by The Engineering and
Mining Journal, which gives S241,-
891 1889 as the worlds total produc-
tion of gold for 1897, an increase OF
more than s2s, 100000 ever 1896.
The gold found in the Klondike re-
gion swells the Canadian output from
q, $40, 900 in 1896 to perhaps 81, ,Ooo,-
900, during last year.
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-24
STORY OF AN EYEWITNESS.
Scenes In Havana Bay and Along tho City
Water Front.

Scenes In Havana Bay and Along tho City
Water Front.
HAVANA (By Csble).-A American cor
respondent was In cable office when the
explosion occurred. He saw from the win
dow Of that Office great column OF Ere
shooting upward, like big blaze Of fire.:
works, and he hurried to the wharf. By
that time the correspondent could see,
q few moments later the Maine sank.
Mingling with the echoes Of the walls OF
the wounded and drowning sailors were
heard the shouts OF "Viva Espanal" I'D cath
to the Anne .icans!' 'Manana tendremous
buena pesca en- Ia bahia!' cove shall have
good fishing In the bay tomorrow and
such remarks coming from the Spanish
rabble, who were copgregatiug In great,
numbers around the wharves and seemed
greatly delighted at the misfortune which
had befallen the Americans. 1tL
It was then that for the first time the
suspicion Of foul play came to the report,
er's mind. Having induced boatman to-
take him to the side Of the burning vessel
the reporter saw sight most horrible and
not possible to describe.
Near the ship were already two boats Of
the Maine with few officers and men who
were rescuing their shipmates. The AL
fonso XII, not far distant, had also sent
some Of her boats, which were assisting.
It Is marvellous how some OF them could
swim, as they were nearly all very severe.
ly hurt. One mnn Lad both legs fractured,
another had an ankle shattered, and near.
ly all were severly burned.
One horror was saved. Havana Bay usu-
ally swarms with sharks. At the sound Of
the explosion they were frightened away.
Cannon were discharged all day to keep!
them from returning.
Later, as the reporter was going upth
steps OF the Palace he passed group OF
Spanish officers. One OF them said:
81 guess this will bring the war that we
oil u;ahr
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-24
WATCH OFFICERS STORY.
Lieutenant Bisndin's Succinct Description
of the Catastrophe. Il

Lieutenant Biandin's Succinct Description
of the Catastrophe.
KEY West, Fla. (Speciar r.-Lieutenan
John ]. Blandin, Of Baltimore, one of the
Names survivors, who Is ut the Key West
Hotel, gave succinct account OF the
disaster, saying that not until now has he
been able to recollect the sequence Of events
In tho awful ten minutes following
the explosion Tuesday evening. Lieutenant.
Blandin was on the Trenton at the time
Of the terrible disaster OF Samoa, In
March, 1889. when American and German.
vessels lost "a men all told. Lieutenant
Blsndin says:
'"I was on watch, and when the mer had
been piped below looked down the main
matches and over the side OF the ship.
Everything was absolutely normal.
81 was feeling bit glum and, In fact, was
80 quiet that Lieutenant J. Hood came mp;
and asked laughingly II I was asleep. I
said, No, am on watch ~.
Scarcely had spoken when there came
duh, sullen roar. Would to God that
could blot out the sound and the seen ss
that followed Then came a sharp ex-
plosion; some say numerous detonations.,
remember only one.
ut seemed to me that the sound came
from the port side forward. Then came
perfect rain of missiles OF all descriptions,
from huge pieces OF cement to blocks of
wood, steel railings, fragments OF gratings
and all tho debris that would be detachable
in On explosion.
81 was struck on the head by piece OF
cement and knocked down, but was not
hurt, and got TO my feet In q moment.
Lieutenant Hood had, run to the poop.
When got there, though scarce minute
could have elapsed, had to wade In water
to my knees, and almost instantly the
quarterback was awash.
"0n the poop found Captain Sigsbee as
cool as II at a ball, and soon all the officers
except Jenkins and Merritt joined ne. The
poop was above water after the Maine set
dered the gig and launch lowered, and the
officers and men,, who by this time had as
sembled, got tho boats out and rescued o
number In the water.
Captain Sigsbee ordered Lieutenant
Commander Wainwright forward to see the
extent Of the damage and IL anything could
be done to rescue those forward or to ex-
tinguish the flames. &,
"Lieutenant Commander Wainwright on,
his return reported the total and awful
character Of the calamity, and Captain
Sigsbee gave the last sad order. Abandon.
Ship to men overwhelmed with grief, in
deed, but calm and apparently unexcited.
Meantime four boats from the Spanish
cruiser Alfonso XII. arrived, followed soon
by two from the Ward Line steamer City oil
Washington.
''The two boats hrst lowered from the
City OF Washington were found to be rid
died with flying debris from the Maine and
unfit for use. Captain Sigsbee was the
last man to leave the vessel and left In his
own gig. 81 have no theories as tc the
cause Of the explosion. cannot form
any. An examination by divers may tell
something to court Of inquiry"
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-24
Description Of the Maine.

The Maine is bastleship of the second
class, and is regarded US one OF the best
ships in the new navy. She was built at
the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and is 31S fset
long, 81 feet broad, 21.3 feet mean draught
and 66s2 tons displacement. She has two
ten-inch vertical turrets and two military
masts, and her motive power Is furnished
by twin screw vertical-expansion engines,
having a minimum horsepower OF 9293,
capable OF making speed Of 17.45 knots.
She carries four ten.inch and six six-inch
breech-loading guns In her main battery,
and seven six-pounders and eight one
pound rapid-nre guns and four gatlings in
her secondary battery, and four White
head torpedoe5.
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-24
GLOOM III WASHINGTON.
The Awful Disaster to the Maine Puts
the Nation In Mourning.

The Awful Disaster to the Maine Puts
the Nation In Mourning.
WASHINGTON, D. C. Especially Washing
ton Is in q state Of painful excitement.
The city has been all day hotbed OF start.
ling reports and sensational rumors. Pub
lie business In Congress and In tho Execu-
tive Departments was almost at Q stand.
still because OF the awful disaster In the
harbor OF Havana.
President Mckinley and the members Of
the Cabinet repudiate the theory that the
disaster was due to treachery or foul play
Of any description. The news caused
tremendous sensation and the loss OF the bat
tlsship is regarded as inf1icting an almost
crippling blow on the naval efficiency OF
the United States. Prompt and energetic
measures were taken by Secretary Long to
send relief to the wounded. A telegram OF
condoleuce was sent by President McKin-
ley to Captain Sigsbee.
According to special correspondent In
Havana, OF the Names crew Of 354 there
were 96 men saved. OF the 25S lost, two
were officers.
Dispatches from Captain Sigsbee, the
commander OF the Inflated vessel, put two
officers and 256 men in the dead and miss
inS list. 1t Is officially reported that twen-
ty-four officers and seventy men are saved.
WQ1le the c8uSe OF tE0 eAploSlou tuat uo-
stro,- 4 the Maine is as yet undetermined. !.
navi, experts are inclined to the belief
that its origin was within and not from
without. The idea that the Spanish Gov
ernment or Spanish officers had anything
to do with It is secuted in most quarters as
preposterous.
Among tho members Of both Houses OF
Congress conservative opinions prevail,
and the inclination Is to follow Captain
Sigsbee's request and suspend Judgment
until an official report Of the catastrophe
and It's causes has been received.
Resolutions expressing the sorrow and
sympathy of Congress- were introduced IN
the House OF Representatives. Prominent
members Of both houses express suspicious
that the Maine was destroyed by foul play,
but say they will await evidence.
The meagre accounts gathered from curt
official dispatches and censored press mes
sages indicate that the Officers and men
who were left alive behaved themselves
like American sailors, stuck by their ship
and comrades, and were brave, cool and
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-24

they thought at at once that the ship was
doomed. By the time they reached the
deck they saw at once that the Maine was
sinking.
A large part OF the crew were In their
quarters, and they were not able to get out,
but went down with the ship, which sank
bow first about 1000 feet from Fort Atares.
Captain Sigsbee, in all his comments has
been very careful not to accuse any one OF
causing the explosion. All he will say Is
that a careful investigation will be made,
and 1t will probably determine whether in
terior or exterior causes produced the dis
aster.
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-24

! Jefersonville, Ind, is proud of a
veteran of the war, who lives near
there, and is the father of nineteen
living children, all of whom were
born since the war. The eldest child
is thirty years old and the youngest
seven. Among the children are four
sets of twins. Newton Norris, the
father, draws pension, but if he
lived in Canada he would be receiving
an additional sum for adding so gen
erously to the population.
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-24
Expre,sions Of sympathy.

WASHINGTON, D. c. (speciaD The Span
ish authorities In Havana and Madrid have
profusely expressed regret and sympathy,
have rendered kindly offices. and have
bestowed them whenever possible.
The newspapers Of Madrid reflect in their
utteranees the course ofthe Government.
Expressions OF regret and sympathy were
officially made in London to the United
States representatives. The Government
of Spain hastened to express to General
woodford, the United States Minister, re-
gret for the calamity that had befallen the
American battleship.
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-24
Avalanche in Pennsylvania.

An extraordinary avalanche OF stone was
set in motion at Carlim, Penn. A solid
limestone hill, 175 high, 100 feet long, and
125 feet deep, moved from its base and went
crashing into the valley below. 1t is esti-
mated that there were 150,0 ,003 tons OF loose
rock in the avalanche and the the thunder
ous noise was heard for many miles.
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-24

plosiye from the outside. II, as Is expect
ed. the plates are bent outward, they
declare It will be proof that the explosion
was In the interior.
Laymen, realizing the folly ofunwise talk,
as a rule decline to discuss the explosion,
and follow the sagacious lead OF former
President Cleveland, who believes the ex-
plosion was due to an accident, and asks
his fellow citizens to suspend judgment un-
| til An official investigation fastens the re-
| sponsibility where It properly belongs.
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-24
Mess.x.s Of condolsncse. ..

President Mckinley received messages OF.
coincidence and sympathy over the Maine
tragedy from most OF the rulers Of thei
countries OF Europe, and similar messages
came from General Blanco and tho Mayor
Of Havana. There were cheers In the
British House Of Commons when II was
announced that message OF sympathy
had been sent to the President. 1,
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-24

mediately lowered and three were filled
with men, but the fourth boat was swamped
before it could be utilized. When the ex-
plosion occurred Lieutenant Blandin had
charge OF the deck.
It Is said that the men who carried out
the order to food the gun cotton failed to
return, and the brave men undoubtedly
lost their lives in the performance OF their
hazardous duty.
Several OF the officers were down below
together when the explosion occurred, and
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-24
Forty.Fiye Dead Taken Out.

Forty-Five Dead Taken Out. /
An explosion Of lredamp has oceurredin
the yereinigte CarolfnengIuck colilsry I'M
westphalis, Germany. Forty i've dead and
thirty wounded have been taken ont, and
It is estimated that from eighty to one hun
dred others are still entombed. 80
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-24
The Wheat Boom.

Nay wheat in Chicago reached the
highest price since 1891, being bid up to
S10SE. Shorts found great difficulty in
covering, as there was no wheat offered for
sale. Letter brokers were overbidding
Armour's agents in the Northwest. Charles
Gounselman reported great scarcity in
European markets.
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-24
TO DIsMANTLE THE MAINE.
The Merritt wrecking Company Directed
to Send Vessels to Havana.

New YORK CIrY (speciaD-The' Merritt
Wrecking Company was directed to send
vessels to Havana for the purpose Of per-
forming the preliminary work OF saving
property pertaining to the Maine. 1t Is
believed generally by naval officers that the
proposition to raise the Maine Is quite feasi-
Bile. The battleship islying only in about six
fathoms OF water. Probably no vessel OF
the weight OF the Maine was ever raised. It
is possible, however, to tighten the ship ma.
terially by removing her heavy. guns and
appurtenances OF the deck and ho.d. II 1t
should be found impossible to raise the
ship, she could still be thoroughly dis
mantled OF materials worth several hun
dred thousand dollars.
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-24
kansas Pacific Sale.

The Government lien on the Union Pa
ciac was wiped out at Topeka. Kan,
when the Kansas Pacific road was bought
in by Alvin w. Krecb, representing the Re-
organization Committee, for SO, ,3O3, 600.
There was no competition n the sale. Mr..
Krech was the only bidder.
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-24
Wreck of the French Steamer Flachat.

The French steamer Flachat, bound from
Marseilles for Colon, was wrecked on the
island of Anaga, one of the Canary group.
There was n thick fog at the time the
steamer struck. The vessel and her cargo
are total loss. Forty-nine passengers
and thirty-eight Of the crew were drowned.
The Captain, second mate, eleven OF the
crew, and one passenger were saved.
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-24

The Senate and the Kansas Pacific.
The United States Senate, S4to 80, passed
the Turple resolution insisting that the
Governments claim be paid In full before
any confirmation of the sale Of the Kansus
Pacific q ~. -
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-24
0lai secret societies composed Of

ofa1 secret societies composed OF
kingmen in Denver, Col, have
stermined to boycott the department
stores. As all of these organizations
have branches with women members,
who are the principal patrons of the
stores, lively contest between the
affiliated bodies is expected. The
women want to shop where they can
get the best bargains, boycott or no
-6hveott
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-24

Preponderance of Males in New Jersey.
There are nearly 100000 more females
than males in New Jersey, and the increase
OF females is in that classtknown as M
tiYes.
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-24
No Horseassh b wantsd.

The Agrarian party has induced the Cow
ernor Of westphalia, Germany, to issues .,
decree that all importations of horsedesni
and sausages, etc., containing horsefeshj
must be declared as such, and dealers rel
ceiying such must notify the police Within
two days. This Is another move IN thet
agitation against importations from Amer
y :.
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-24
DISPATCH FROM GENERAL LEE.
He Reports the Number OF Dead About
Two Hundred and Sixty.

He Reports the Number OF Dead About
Two Hundred and Sixty.
WASHINGTON Especial. The following
cable dispatch was received by the State
Department from Consul General Lee.
"HAvANA, February 16, 1893.
profound sorrow expressed by Govern
ment and municipal authorities, Consuls OF
foreign nations, organized bodies Of all
sorts and citizens generally. Flags at half
mast on Governor-General's palace, on
shipping in harbor and in city. Business
suspended; theatres closed.
"Dead number about two hundred and
sixty. Officers quarters being in rear and
seamen's forward when explosion took
place accounts for greater proportional
loss OF sailors. Funeral tomorrow at p.
m. Oficers Merritt and jenkins still
missing.
"Suppose you ask that naval court Of In
quiry be held to ascertain the cause OF e1-
ploaon, Hope our people will repress ex-
citement and calmly await decision.
LEE"
Consul General Lee also reported that
all the officers and sailors who are now
alive greatly extol the conduct Of the Com
mandor end sailors OF the Spanish warship
Alfonso XII, who from the very first gave
all the help they could to the crew OF the
Maine and placed special guard all night
around the sunken battleship to rescue the
bodies Of the American sailors.
The municipality Of Havana also re-
solved to participate in the funeral and to
call ON General Lee and inform him that
the city desired to pay the expenses OF the
funeral and the entire cost Of treating the
wounded, I,.lg 80
The military newspaper Diario del Ejsr-
cito Is published in mourning. AL public
spectacles have been suspended. General
Blanco Will assist at the funeral cere-
monies.
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-24
A Prosperity Straw.

The receipts from the sale Of stamps by
the postofice department for January so
far as heard from are thirteen per cent
greater than for the corresponding month
Ia Of YEAR .r
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-24
zola winning III. Case.

General Pellieux admitted at Zola's triah
In Paris that the guilt Of Dreyius was con-
firmed by a document received by tho au-,
thorities after the trial The admissionE
was viewed with much concern by military,
men, who expected to see the War Depaft-j
ment succeed In its efforts to keep these.
matters secret. &t1t -. & -. II -, |,
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-24
Minister Angel to Resign.

James b. Angel, United States Minister
to Turkey, has announced his intention to
resign in time to resume his duties as Presi-
dent Of the University OF Michigan next
fall.
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-24

Armour said Letter, the Chicago grain
speculator, could send wheat up to $l.5o q
bushel IL he desired. Letter took advantI
age OF the high price OF wheat and solo
5000, 900 bushels, making profit OF s60o, :
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-24
white House receptions Abandoned.

WASHINGTON, D. G. (SpecIaD oh ac-
count OF the disaster to the battleship
Maine the President announced that the
State reception to Congress planned
for Wednesday night would be aban-
doned. The reception to the public,
which was to take place Thursday night,
was also declared of. These were the
last official social events of the year, and
the season, which was postponed In De-
cember on account OF the Presidents
mourning, has been curtailed by this later
ufsfortune
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-24
united States Zinc Production.

The Geological Survey has prepared q
tabulated statement showing the steady
increase in the production OF spelter Sor
zinc) In the United States from 33,7
short tons In 1882 to 99, $50 tons in 1887.
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-24
EOUATY RECORD.
ped Every Thursday
SOUTH CAROLINA,
B Y
5 J. BRlsTOw,
hitor and Proprietor.
hos different kinds oftype.
hde in the United States,
one kind of a successful

are much more exempt
p than any other race,
ttle doubt, says a medi-
at much Of this exemp-
TO the great care exercised
&oice and dressing of their
The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-02-24
Novel Exhibit For Paris.

A Southern husking bee, with slaves
slave drivers and all, is to be one OF the ex-
hibity 1T the Paris Exposition in 1850.