davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-03-23

is closed with plug which screws into
the projectile, and which contains small
aperture through which detonating fuse
can be introduced to fire the explosive.
The most delicate operation in the whole
process is the hardening of the projectles.
This Is done by heating and cooling re-
peatedly. The work Of all the other de-
partments may be spoiled here. If the
steel is too hard, it will shatter on the
face of the plate against which il is fired.
Ii too soft, it will ''mush," in either case
failing in its purpose. Every step in the
process is under the direct supervision of
skilled Government officer, and when
the projectiles are turned out one from
each lot is selected for test firing. Upon
the quality of this the acceptance of the
whole pile depends. Thus, while all possi-
BILE speed is being made in getting ont
these messengers of destruction and death.
there is also the strictest regard paid to
accuracy and efficiency.
The work of making guns at Newark
is just as intricate and important as that
of manufacturing projectiles at Reading.
Tons of metal are melted in the great fur
naces and this when at the proper degree
of heat and purity is let off into the great
casting pot.
The gun comes out in the rough, and the
worthless portions are broken off and the
manner in which these stand the tests is
the standard upon which the quality of
the metal in the entire gun is judged At
first the gun is cast in a solid piece. Then
it is bored with machinery adjusted with
the accuracy of the movement of watch.
Six weeks is the shortest time in which a
modern gun can be made, but this is when
everything goes along satisfactorily.
Oftener than otherwise this result can
only be obtained through much trying
and expenditure of time. The work of
making the guns, to one not thoroughly
acquainted with all the intricacies of the
business, seems to be largely a matter of
knowing how TO properly manipulate the
machinery employed in the process. Ex-
cept in the forging room scarcely blow
of a hammer is heard. The shops are al
most as silent as the grave. Wheels re-
yolve, cutters turn, men stand placidly
by the side of machines, moving softly
here and there. All this time, each Sec
ond, the gun that some day will belch
forth fire and steel of its own is coming
nearer completion. Chips fall as the bars
revolve, but the cutters are not heard.
The guns, it would appear to the onlook-
ers, are almost making themselves.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-03-23

coastwise ships to powerful seagoing
tugs, and all, when properly equipped,
could render most effective service. The
militia organizations will be depended on
to man a great number of ships, except
those which will form the auxiliary fleet
for operations in tie open sea. Fast
yachts have been found innumerable, md
owners of some of the fleetest and ost
sumptuous have informed the official that
if required they will be willing to deliver
them to the Government for war pur-
poses.
Big tugs and little yachts are now being
considered with view to forming tor
pedo boat fotilla, each being manned with
torpedo tube and two or three six-pound-
ers. 1t is proposed to utilize large num-
Der of heavy towing ocean-going tugs as
improved rams, and assign them exclu-
sively for harbor defense purposes.
The information so far received by the
department shows that 929 vessels of all
types available for impressment are at
the service of the Government, including a
large number on the lakes, which would
not under any circumstances be used un-
less it was developed that the Eastern
ports failed to present the requisite num-
Der. OF these forty-three are on the list
of auxiliary cruisers, or ships which are
engaged in coastwise and foreign trade,
and capable of high speed and great
steaining radius. These would be man
ned with guns manufactured at the Wash
inyton gun factory and sent to join the
flying squadrons or to harrass the enc
mics commerce.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-03-23
Patent Office Record,

The annual report of the Commissioner
of Patents for the calendar year 1897 has
been laid before Congress. In 1897 there
were received 1861 applications for pat
ents, and in addition q large number of
applications for designs, trade marks, etc.
Patents granted amounted in number to
%, 12J, including designs; Go patents were
re-issued, 1,661 trade marks registered
and ii labels and 16 prints. The number
of patents that expired was 1926. The
total expenditures were $1,122,S43, the
receipts over expenditures 1882, 1913. The
total balance of the credit of the patent
office in the treasury of the United States
on Jan. /, 1893, was $4,971 ,43S. In pro-
portion to population more patents were
issued to citizens of Connecticut than to
those of any other State-one to every 1856
inhabitants. Next in order are the follow
ing: Massachusetts, District of Columbia,
New Jersey, Rhode Island and New York.
To residents of England, 706 patents were
issued; to residents of Germany, sol;
Canada, 2S6; France, 222. The number
of applications received for examination
during the year was greater than for any
other in the history of the Office, yet the
report says there was no increase in the
facilities or force for doing this work.
Applications awaiting action Dec. % last
numbered II 1,3S2, due to inadequacy of
the Office force. For the ten years begin
ming in 1910, the average number of ap
phcations was 1,1S6, and for the eight
years beginning with 1890 it has grown
to Al ,419 per year.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-03-23
Stfike Spirit Rampant.

The coal miners of West Virginia are
about to strike. Not in years has the
strike spirit been so rampant as it is now.
In the New River, the Kanawha and the
Fairmont districts the trouble Is caused
primarily by the refusal of the operators
to agree to pay the Chicago rate, which
is 10 cents per ton in excess of the rate
that is now paid in the West Virginia big
vein districts. The first step toward en-
forcing the new rate was taken by the
New River men, 1000 of whom notified
the Chesapeake and Ohio Coal Associa-
ton that they demanded an instant recog-
milton Of the Chicago scale. The opera
tors refused and the men informed their
employers that if the rate was not grant
ed by April they would strike. The men
in the Farmont district then took up the
1O-cent increase and there also the op-
orators refused the raise. The Fairmont
men will hold a meeting and it is likely
that this district, so hard to induce to
strike under ordinary circumstances, will
soon be idle. The situation is increasing
in gravity.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-03-23
Notes of Current Evenis.


A full State ticket will ne nominated
by the Republicans of Kansas at Huleh-
inson June s.
| Electricity as a substitute for hanging
is being considered by the Massachusetts,
Legislature.
1t is finally settled that the battleship
| Kent acky will be christened with .:atcr
instead of wine.
| Heavy consignments Of Tennessee mar
bic are being shipped to the City of Mex
| leo from Knoxville.
Nearly 10000 acres have been reclaim.
ed in Ireland during the past year from
bog and marsh lands.
Judge John Newton the last treasurer
of the Southern Confederacy, is critically
| Ill at his home, near Staunton, Va.
Sixteen-year-old Sadie Storer is in iail
! at Huntsville, Ark, together with her
sweetheart and her mother, charged with
the murder of her father, A. NJ. Storer.
prosperous farmer at that place.
California orange growers have succeed
| ed in developing an orange tree that will
Withstand temperature of IL degrees
| and yet yield IL sweet and well-favored
| fruit.
| Six thousand painters and decorators
of New York will demand $4 and So 20
per day for eight hours work on April 4
If their demands are not granted strike
| will follow.
A terrific hail storm occurred near Po-
| catello, Idaho, doing immense damage TO
stock. The storm wee accompanied by
thunder and lightni.g md the hail stones
were as large as hens eggs.
The army recruiting officer at Chicago
received an order from the War Depart.
ment at Washington to enlist all desir-
able applicants fitted for artillery. and
send them tC Fort Sheridan" Within
FIVE hours after the order had been posted
on the bulletin board over 500 men had
applied for enlistment.
question arose in the English House
of Commons as to the expediency of ten
dering the United States the use Of the
British feet in the event Of war, the inter
ests of the nations being so closely allied.
1t was not up for consideration by the
House officially, but many members ex-
pressed themselves as favorable to the
project.
Another Mayfeld Ky.) negro has been
nuniSleQ Dy EuDDs i HIS one escaped
with whipping and warning to leave
town. Since the hanging Of negro burg
lar there about twenty-five pilfering ne
groes have been warned to leave town.
and have done so.
The United States monitor Terror.
which left Hampton Roads, has arrived
safely at New York, having passed
through heavy gale off the Delawars
Capes, which thickly encrusted her bows
with ice. She now lies in New York
harbor looking formidable and business
like, and fully able to protect New York
against the entire Spanish feet in Ameri-
can waters.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-03-23
TeIe0ranhic Rreyifies.

CALIFORNIA; S petroleum trade is booming.
Thirty-two new wells have been sunk
since March !.
Reports from various points in New
England show that the cotton mill strike
will soon end.
The convention of cattle raisers at Fort
Worth, Tex, raised a subscription for a
monument to the dead of the battleship
Maine.
At Holly Springs, Miss, little May
Briggs, the 4-year-old daughter of James
Briggs, swallowed button and choked to
death in a few minutes.
Rain has fallen abundantly all over
Kansas, and stock water, which was
scarce, is now plentiful, and pastures and
wheat are much benefited.
A contract was let by the Board of Pub
lie Affairs for lighting the city Of Fort
Smith, Ark, with electricity. The CON
tract carries with it an electric street car
franchise, to be put in operation in twelve
months.
Spain's ideal hero, Franscuelo, the cele-
6rated bull fighter, who has been hon
ore6 by the queen regent and high Off
cials OF the Government, is dead, and all
Spain is in mourning.
There is no doubt now that at least
eleven of the deputies of Sheriff Martin
will be tried a second time on charges Of
feloniously wounding strikers at Latti-
mer, Pa, last September.
Enlistment Of able-bodied seamen for
the United States navy is being rapidly
pushed ON the receiving ship at Mare Isl
and navy yard, and large supplies of pro-
visions and ammunition are being laid in,
and the Yorktown ard Philadelphia are
being placed in readiness for sea.
The Society of New Mexican Pioneers
and Historical Society, in session at San
ia Fe, resolved to observe with appro-
pirate ceremonies the Booth anniversary
Of the first permanent settlement Of the
territory which was made by Spaniards
at the junction of the Rio Grande and
Chama river July 13, 1898.
The great newspapers of London expect
war between the United States and Spain,
and are making elaborate preparations
for war correspondents. The British
Government will detail two or three war
vessels with complete schools of naval
officers ON board to cruise in the immedi-
ate vicinity Of the Spanish and American
fleets 20 take observations.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-03-23
RUSH TO THE FROZEN NORTH.
Many k1ondike Prospectors Reach the
Pacific Coast.

Pacific Coast.
Over 5000 prospectCrs have passed up
the Straits of Georgia since the season
opened, hound for Alaskan ports, accord
ing to letter from Consul Smith, receiv-
ed at Washington. AIR. Smith writes:
The advance division of the army of pros
pectors bound for the Klondike gold fields
has arrived on the Pa cifc coast and In even
larger force than WAS anticipated so early
In the year. At least four-ifths are Ameri-
cans, though many come from England and
also from various British colonies. That
more have not gone Is due to the lack Of
room on the boats, although there are at
least fifty steamers and schooners constantly
and solely employed In carrying men, stock,
horses, dogs and provisions up TO the still
frozen region of the north.
Most of tlSse are from the Sound, and
contrary to the general rule In the waters of
the Pacific, the majority are American ships
manned and owned by Americans and dis
playing the stars and stripes list lust
published shows that forty-two steamers and
twenty-four sailing craft are now engaged In
this trade between Puget Sound and Dyea,
Skaguay, Wrangell, and other Alaskan
ports. About one-thlrd of the American
steamers touch at Victoria on their way
north. In addition to this feet, twelve
British steamers and several schooRers sail
from this port as often as they can make the
trip, which is every two weeks Sometimes
StFerdi AldSkHI steamers IeHVe tnlS port In
one day Many old hulks that have been
idle for years have been Oyerhaued re-
paired, equipped and pressed into this SER
vice, and ali go loaded to their utmost ca
pacity. AS natural result, the price OF
passage has already been advanced % per
cent, and strikes frequently occur among
the men employed on the steamers.
This congestion will inevitably be much
relieved when the ocean steamships now on
their way here arrive, which will be next
month, urleSs. indeed, the thrOng increases
as the days lengthen, The dangers Of the
route, the suffering already prevalent and
the knowledge that not one in ten Is at all
hood do not hinder the hegira to the frozen
North. In consequence Of the immense In
crease in the c0asting trade, pilots have TO
be occasionally employed who are not IA
miliar with the many reefs and rocks of the
archipelago Of islands through which the
channel > Alaska lies. and already two
steameis have been wrecked, and each
proved almost a total loss.
But as long as there are letters received
like the following addressed to resident Of
Vancouver, 1--WE have struck It rich on an
unknown creek across the border In Alaska
never before seen by man. In the crevices
OF the rocks In one day we picked up $50, 900
in coarse gold. Sell your business. or give
1t away, and come quick with ten men"-sO
long will the crowds go north. regardless Of
snow, ice, storms or wrecks.
The outfitting trade Is the scene Of fierce
competition among the different cities Of the
coast 1t has given new life to all and
caused material prosperity, such as they
have not known for years.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-03-23
MARKET QUOTATIONS.

Chicago Cattle, common to prime
$500 to $4.25. sheep, fair to choice, S2.5G
to $4.75; wheat, No. 2 red, $1.01 to $1.03
corn, No. 2, 2Sc to 30c; oats, No. 2, 2oe
to 27c; rye, No. 2, 4Sc to soc; butter,
choice creamery, 1Sc to 19c; eggs, fresh
DC to lie; potatoes, common to choice
55c to 70c per bushei.
polis-Cattle, shipping, $500 tc
$3.50; hogs, choice light, $500 to $4.2o
sheep, common to choice, $500 to $500
wheat, No. 2, 95c to 97c; corn, No.
white, Sic to &c; oats, No. 2 white, Zoe
to 30c.
st. Louis-Cattle, $500 to s5T5; hogs
$500 to $425: sheep, $500 to S4.75
wheat, No. 2, 97c to Csc; corn, Ne. Z
Y, How, 26c to Csc; oats, No. 2, &c TO 2Sci
rye, No. 2, 4Sc to Acc.
Cincinnati-Cattle, $3.50 to s5.25; hogs
$500 to $425; sheep $3.50 to $500
wheat, No. 2 red, 9Tc to 9Sc; corn, No. z
mixed, Sic to 32c; oats, No. 2 mixed, 2sc
to SOC; rye, No. 2, sac to SOC.
Detroit-Cattle, $3.50 to $3.50; hogs,
$500 to $4.25: sheep, $3.50 to $500;
wheat, No. 2, 94c to 9Sc: corn, No. z
yellow, Bic TO 33c; oats. No. white, 2Sc
to sic; rye. Sic to &c.
Toledo-Wheat, No. red. 96c to
9Sc; corn, No. 2 mixed, 30c to 32c; oats,
No. white, &c TO 2Sc; rye, No. 2, 50c to
SIC; clover seed, $500 to $40.
Milwaukee-Wheat, No. 2 spring, 92c
to 94c; corn. No. 2, 30c to Bic; oats, No.
white, 2Sc to soc; rye, No. i, Acc to sic;
barley, NJ. 2, 3Sc to 43c; pork, mess,
$1,000 to S1050.
Buffalo-Cattle, $500 to $3.50; hogs,
$500 to S425; sheep, $500 to $500;
wheat, No. 2 red, 96c to 98c; corn, No.
2 yellow, 33c to 35c: oats, No. white,
Bic to 33c.
New York-CattIe, $500 to $3.50; hogs,
$500 to $3.50; sheep. $500 to S5-25;
wheat, No. red, S1.04 to s1.o5; corn, No.
2, SIC to 3Sc; oats, No. white, &c to
34c: butter. creamery, 16c to Zoe; eggs,
Western. 10c to lie
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-03-23

from trustworthy sources that of all our
trst-class floating engines of war, only
one-the Massachusetts, supplied with
projectiles sufficient to last over day
in action. 1t is only since 1890 that pro-
jectiles have been manufactured in this
country. In that year the Carpenter
Steel Company undertook the work at the
solicitation of the Navy Department. The
tests Of the work for the past seven years
have shown that the projecties of Ameri-
can manufacture are not only up to but
even surpass in quality and effectiveness
the very best that can be made abroad.
Day and night the work of getting ready
the munitions of war is going on in these
two places. The grinding wheels and
boiling cauldrons of metal are continually
doing their work. There is no time to
lose. The projectiles must be ready and
the guns to fire them must be complete if
we have any business with Spain.
There are several kinds of projectiles
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-03-23

sportsman and man about town. The
shooting took place at the corner of Four
teenth and + streets, in front of the West
ern Union building, in the presence of per-
haps thousand men, women and chill
dren. Canty drew a revolver and delib-
erately fired into Rye four times. The
latter reeled and fell to the street. He
was carried to a drug store and died FIVE
minutes later. Canty coolly replaced his
revolver in his pocket and waited for an
officer to come and take him. The day be-
fore the two men had had quarrel at
the same spot and it is said Rye threat
ened Canty with drawn dirk. Dennis ] i.
Canty has borne good reputation hereto
fore. lie was appointed to clerkship in
the interstate commerce commission I'M
der Col. w. Il. Morrison. He went into
brokerage business with III. w. Van Sen
den, who was formerly private secretary
to Secretary Carlisle. The firm failed
and the members were indicted. A week
or so ago the indictments were nolled. X
is learned now that the shooting is the cul-
mination of the failure of Canty's firm.
Rye, who is said to have been a horseman
and specnlator, lost lsr the failure and
threatened revenge.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-03-23
DIE In THE FLAMES.
MANY LIVES LOST IN AN APPAL.
LING CHICAGO FIRE.
Avenues of Escape Cut Off and Victims
Leap from Windows or Are Buried in
the Ruins of SixStory Structure on
Wabash Avenue.
Terrible Scenes Witnessed.

What was probably the most appalling
Chicago fire since the cold storage holo-
caust at the Worlds Fair, broke out in
the Conover piano building, 215 to 221
Wabash avenue, at IL o'clock Wednesday
forenoon. The death list may reach fif-
teen and the number of mangled and
wounded is twice that Within half an
hour after the sheet OF fire shot out from
the top floor of the siX-story building. the
entire structure was wrapped in flames,
and the crash of the huge walls as they
tumbled down was heard for blocks
around
The Conover Piano Company occupied
three floors of the building. including the
ground floor. The remaining tenants of
the building were the National Music
Company, the Presby terian Board of Pub
lication and Sweet, Wallach & Co, pho
tographic supplies. The fire started on
the floor occupied by the Photographic
supply company. The floor was stored
with chemicals and the dry, tinder-like
materials employed in manufacturing pho
tographic supplies. 1t was among this
intiammable stuff that the fire started
The flames quickly spread to the floor be-
meath, where the National Music Com
pany had tons of song sheets packed away
upon counters and shelves.
Elevators became unserviceable stair
ways filled with sitting smoke and all
exits save by the windows were cut off.
There were nearly 400 persons in the
building, and to the windows they rushed
on eve:v one of the upper floors. They
crawled UT on the cornices and down the
fire escapes like flies. They poured out of
the exits over one another. Men and
women leaped from the windows. Some
were caught in the arms of bystanders
and IN blankets, escaping with their lives.
Others fell to death.
The street was packed with people. The
flames reached a store IF varnish and
chemicals on the third floor. There was
an explosion, and the front wall was
blown out. Plate glass windows across
the street were shattered. Scores were
burned, and many more were struck by
the flying debris.
The throng in the street became seized
with panic. The people started to rush
along the thoroughfare. Men and women
fell. They were trampled upon. In a
solid mass the crowd pushed on. Huge
burning brands dropped on their heads.
Teams from the cross streets plunged into
the struggling mass. Neither horses nor
people stopped. Some of the horses rear
ed and struck out, wounding men and
women. Ambulances were called out from
all stations in the city TO care for the dead
and wounded. The financial loss will ex-
ceed 81 100000.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-03-23
Annual Increase in Weight.

The greatest gain in weight is from
young stock. When an animal is grow
ing its increase in weight diminishes
as it approaches maturity, but an old
or matured animal win take on fat
more readily than young one, and
the manure from an adult is also more
valuable. The first week with young
animal is the most important, for if it
is cared for and passes safely through
ter, it will have fewer difficulties to
overcome later. Give Il young animal
fair start and it will save its owner
many hours of labor when it is able to
assist itself.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-03-23
COAL COMBINE OHIO.
Railroads Take the Entire Output and
Make All Sales.

1t is said that since the Senate investi-
eating committee has concluded its work,
coal operators openly admit that the Ohio
coal railroad combine is in active opera
tion. 1t is claimed that every big opera
tor in the State is member of the trust.
1.-The combine" said leading Cleveland
coal operator, "was practically completed
at the meeting here a number of weeks
ago. 1t now controls the entire output in
Ohio. All coal is delivered to the rail-
roads at state. price, and they assume
the responsibility of all sales. 1t is the
strongest and promises to be the most
successful coal combine this country has
ever seen. 1t is expected that other States
will be taken into the combine when the
time for such a movement arrives"
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-03-23
NO HINDRANcE IN BUSINESS.
Continued Activity in Nearly All Lines
Reported by Bradstreet's.

Reported by Bradstreet's.
Rradstreet's commercial report says:
Continued activity in nearly all lines of
distributiye trade, but more particularly
at the larger cities CT the West, South and
far Northwest, continues to be the most
favorable feature coming under notice.
1hat the demand for dry goods, groceries,
hardware, iron and steel and its various
forms and building material is relatively
most active at the West seems evident
from the slight tone OF disappointment in
reports from leading Eastern markets.
where business is reported moving less
rapidly than at the interior Other favor
able features include the heavier foreign
demand for wheat and -four, as indicated
by increased Aports over last week and
last year and bank clearings heavily ex-
ceeding corresponding periods of previous
years. Larger wheat and -four, but small
er corn shipments, are feature of export
trade this week. The total export of
wheat, flour included, from the United
States and Canada this week aggregated
4,4S4,f61 bushels, against 3, ,252, ,003 bush
els last week. Corn exports are smaller.
amounting to only 2,2S5,056 bushels,
against 1904, 900 bushels last week."