davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-16

that when a child asks for a red hot
stove it must have it.
A three-year-old child's judgment
about what is good for it goes" OF
course, in Mr.. Reid's opinion.
But this is about all that could be
looked for from an intellect that COM
posed Human Hearts
A more sensible defense was expected
from Mr.. Reid but perhaps none should
have been expected from the man VINO
has had the temerity for three long sea-
sons to infiict this play" on long suf-
fering public
Mr.. Reid tapped his expansive brow
with his fOrefinger as he stood before
the curtain and said: This play came
from here" Then he placed his hand
over the place where his heart should
be and added land from here" 1t
sounds like it had. If he had pointed
to his stomach it would have been just
as effective.
But whatever may be said of the play
Human Hearts and the acting of Mr..
Reid, the fact remains that he allows
three-year-old child to repeat from
memory ''22 pages of typewriter man
uscript" because the child wants to
do So Some time there win be a
Gerry society in every city in the cOun-
try to protect tender children from un-
healthful mental and physical indu-
ences. Reid's absurd fiasco last night
will not convince single mother in To-
peka that her child ought not to be in
it's trundle bed at 10 o'clock at night
rather than behind the footlights re-
pedllLS q pages u ISpeWIAlLeA uleu-
uscript.'
Mr.. J. E. Caven of New York, the
owner of the copyright on the play
Human Hearts" severed his cOnnec-
tion with Mr.. Reid and his company in
this city last night. He also caused
Miss Esther Cuff, his sister-in-law, to
sever her connection with the company
For the rest of the season the piece will
be managed by Mr.. Isaac NAPLES, q
furniture dealer in Kansas City, who
signed articles of agreement on a roy
atty basis with Mr.. Cavan yesterday.
Mr.. Cavan gave UP the management
of the company because, he states he
was tired of trying to get along with
Mr.. Reid.
Mr.. Cavan and Miss Cuff will leave
for New York this week. Miss Cuff will
probably engage with one of Frohman'S
companies next season.
1t was against Mr.. CaVan's express
orders that Reid made an exhibition OF
himself last night The company, on
the point of breaking up is in hard
lines, indeed.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-16

quest for safe keeping. Will send all
wounded men to hospital at at Havana
New York, Feb ia special copy
right cable to the Evening World from
Havana says the officers of the Maine
state the explosion was in the central
magazine and that the Maine was rais-
ed out of the water, then went partial
ly to pieces. The dispatch continues:
'All but the surgeon were in the ward
room at the moment of the explosion.
Then came the stupendous shock. All
the officers then rushed on deck, but
could get no further forward than the
middle Superstructure on deck. Only
very pitiable few of $50 jacl1ies ever got
from below. The water rushed over
them and many were stunned and
drowned but not mangled.
1T is likely that not more than 40
sailors We're saved. The officers on deck
narrowly escaped. In the junior Off
GERS mess all had to Chamber out through
water and wreckage waist deep. One
ladder was jammed with men strug
Cling up for life. All agree that a dou-
BILE explosion occurred from the natural
result of an under water explosion of
the magazines"
The dispatch says that the account of
the passengers on the Ward Line
steamer City of Washington, which was
lying 300 yards from the Maine bears
out the foregoing statement. COntinu-
ing the cable SAYS: Brass pipe angle
iron, etc, fell in a shower on the decks
of the decks of the City of Washington,
so Two DOdIS ItlaI Wuen lower
ed they were useless. Out of the dense
smoke came anguiShed cries for help
simultaneously with the cessation Of
falling fragments, search lights were
thrown on the wreck and it's load of
agony. Spanish boats from the shore
joined those of the Washington along
side at once, but the regular ferry boats
passing soon after the explosion did not
stop to offer aid
New York, Feb. ia special to the
| Evening Telegram from Havana, says:
Vice Consul Springer has just assured
me that all the officers We're saved eX-
| cept Jenkins and Merritt, who are MISS
ing.
Mr.. Springer says at least 300 lives
were lost. Capt. Sigsbee was an deck
| when the exp. .OS:On came. 1t was in the
| bow of the vessel. A sentry stationed
at the bow was unhurt He had seen
nothing suspicious
Here are a few names of the surviv-
OrS brought ashore: LOstuS, private
marine: Shea, Gartner, c. A. Smith,
| Load, Durkee, Kane, McNair, Ruske,
| Brenan.
Il have talked with some of the res
| cued officers and seamen. One officer
| whose name 1 could not learn said of
| the explosion: I was in my bunk. w hen
| [ got on deck fire had started forward.
| There was a good strong breeze. The
| call for all hands on deck was promptly
| Obeyed and the men and officers were
| perfectly cool. All possible efforts were
| made to check the fire, but without
| avail.
The flames spread rapidly and sew
| eral explosions occurred. Magazines
| were burst open and explosives were
| was apparent nothing could save the
| ship -
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-16
Every Window in the City of
Havana is Shattered by
the Force of the Ex-
plOsiOn.

Havana, Feb. 16.-At a quarter after
ten o'clock last evening a terrible ex-
plOsion took place on board the U. S.
cruiser Maine. in Havana harbor. Many
were killed or wounded. and after burn
ing a short time the vessel sank.
The wounded sailors of the Maine
are unable to explain it.
The explosion shook the whole city.
The windows were broken in all the
houses.
The correspondent Of the Associated
Press says he has conversed with sew
eral of the wounded sailors and under
stands from them that the explosion
took place while they were asleep, so
that they can give no particulars as to
the cause.
The widest CONSERVATION prevailed
in Havana. The wharves are crowded
with thousands of people. It is be
lieved the explosion occurred in a small
powder magazine.
Captain Sigsbee and the other officers
have been saved. It is estimated that
over 100 of the crew were killed, but it
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-16
The News Causes Intense Feel
ing at Washington and
Dispatches Fly Thick
and Fast.

AT 1:3O in the morning the Maine was
still burning.
The first theory was that there had
been a preliminary explosion in the
Santa Barbara (magazine) of powder
or dynamite below the water.
New York, Feb. ia special to the
Evening telegram from Havana con-
cerning the Maine disaster says:
James Rowe, ship cook, was the least
injured of any that were brought in
while I was there. I asked him how it
happened.
I don't know" he replied speaking
with difficulty. Il turned in my ham
mock at 8 O'Clock and heard three bells
strike. 1 don't remember anything
more till 1 felt myself turning over and
over and falling heavily upon the deck
When I got there the superstructure
deck was dipping under water and I
jumped overheard to keep from being
drawn down in the suction.
I was picked up by a boat from the
Spanish man Of war. Four more were
picked up by the same boat. They
were Daniel CrOnin, a Iandsman;
Charles Bergman, boatswain; Albert
John, seaman, and BlOOmer, a lands
man.
One poor fellow whose face was in
jured past all recognition was lying in
a cot in the hospital. I asked him his
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-16
U. S. BArTLEsHIP MAINE.

name and he mumbled back through
horribly swollen lips:
My folks would feel uneasy if told
you
So far as I can learn the explosion
took place in the magazine used for the
stOra sc of gun cotton for the torpedOes.
The vessel lies with her bow wholly
submerged and only a part of her stern
showing.
The explosion which shook the city
from one end to the other, created the
widest excitement. All the electric
lights were put out by the shock. Fire
engines rushed madly from one direc-
tiOn to another and no one knew for
certain from which direction the ex-
plosion came.
Consul General Lee who was at the
Hotel Inglaterra, received a telephone
message from General BIancO telling
him that the Maine had been blown up
General Lee hastened to the palace
where the cabinet is now assembling
Washington. Feb. 16.-Secretary Day
received the following dispatch from
General Lee:
THE Maine blew up at 9:4O. TIE ex-
plOsiOn occurred well forward under the
mems quarters, consequently many
were lost. It is believed all officers
saved, but jenkins and Merritt not ac-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-16
SPANISH TREACHERY
Says Commodore Montgomery, is Re
sponsible for the Explosion.

Chicago, Feb. 16.-Commodore J. E.
Montgomery, once of the United States
navy, a commanding officer of a Confed-
crate fleet during the civil war, and who
raised the frigate afterwards the ram
Merrimac, was very emphatic today in
declaring the sinking of the batteship
Maine in Havana harbOr the result of
treachery and an act without parallel in the
worlds history In his opinion war must
inevitably follow. when the divers go
down and examine the hull of the vessel, -
said Commodore Montgomery, 1T will be
found that it was stove in by a torpedo
exploded under the bow with diabOlic in
tent. To be sure, an accident may occur
on shipbOard-a magazine may explode.
but, considering the circumstances, you
will not entertain the theory of acci-
dent. In tile history of our navy there
should the first one occur in so perfectly
equipped a vessel as the Maine and under
so capable a commanding officer as Sigs-
ssHhy sholf1d it occur in Havana har-
Dor. where the vessel was at the mercy
know the Spaniard is and has been as
long a 5 he has figured in history? Why
should it follow so closely the recent ex-
posure of the Spanish minister to the
United States as deSpicable time-SerVer,
who wore an affable demeanor in Wash
our chief executive and our people in pri-
vate letters to cOmpatriots? The COM
bination of facts is too strong to leave a
doubt. I miss my guess If retribution will
not be swift"
with small boats or otherwise to set a tor
pedo to destroy the American vessel This
is his theory of how the Maine was
wrecked.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-16
K. P. is SOLD.
The Final Act Of the FOreclOs-
ure Proceedings
As They Relate to the Govern
ment COnSummated Today.
WAS ONLY ONEBIDDER
The.'ROad is Bid In by the Re-
organization Committee
At the Principal of the Gov
ernment'S Claim.

The government lien on the Union
Pacihes railroads in Kansas was wiped
out of existence this morning at the
Union Pacific station in this city The
Kansas Pacific road was bought in by
Alvin w. Krech, representing the reor-
ganization committee, for Sc, 300, 600
There was no competition at the sale.
Mr.. Krech was the only bidder. He
waited until Judge w. D. Cornish of
St. Paul finished reading the long
drawn out decree of foreclosure, and
then quietly stepped up to the special
master and said:
"On the part of the reorganization
committee I bid Sc, ,3OS, 900 for the road.
Ten feet away the bid was not heard,
but it was one of the final steps in the
big railroad deal. Judge Cornish then
repeated the amount.
q am offered Sc. .3O3, 900 for this prop
erty by Mr.. Alvin W. Krech, represent
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-16
bv gpontaneous eombustion. is not tena-

by spontaneous combustion, is not tena-
bic.
Washington, Feb. 16.-While Secreta-
~ Long was with the president the
following detailed dispatch from Capt.
Sigsbee. commander Of the Maine, was
brought to him:
Advise sending wrecking vessel at
once. Maine submerged except debris
mostly work for divers now. jenkins
and Merritt still missing Little hope
for their safety. Those known to be
saved are: Officers, "a uninjured, crew
1S Wounded now on board Ward Line
steamer in city hospital and at hotel SO
so far as known. All others went down
on board or near the Maine. The total
lost or missing 253.
with several exceptions, no officer
or man has more than part of suit of
clothing and that is wet with harbor
water. Ward steamer leaves for Mex
leo at o'clock this afternoon. officers
saved are uninjured. Damage was in
compartments of crew. Am preparing,
to telegraph list of wounded and saved.
Olivette leaves for Key West at I p.
m Will send by her to Key West the
officers saved except myself and Vain
wright Holman, Henneberger, Ray
and Holden will turn over three unin-
jured boats to Captain of port, with re-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-16

Is impossible as yet to give exact de-
tails
Admiral Manterola ordered that boats
of all kinds should go to the assistance
of the Maine and her wounded. The
Havana 6remen gave aid, tending care
fully to the wounded as they were
brought on shore. 1t was a terrible
sight General SOlano and the other
generals have been ordered by Captain
General Blanco to take steps to help
the Names crew in every way possible.
The correspondent of the Associated
Press has been near the Maine in one of
the boats of the cruiser Alfonso XII
and has seen others of the wounded who
corroborate the statement of those
hrst interviewed that they were al
ready asleep when the explosion oc-
CURED.
Captain Sigsbee says the explosion oc-
Cured in the bow of the vessel. He
received a wound in the head. Orders
We're given to the other officers to save
themselves the best they could The
latter, who were literally thrown from
their hunks in their night clothing. gave
the necessary orders with great self
possession and bravery.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-16
CAUTIOUS IN THEIR TALK
If the Explosion Was Not Accidental
War is Inevitable.


washington, Feb. 16.-The greatest
interest prevails among Senators and
representative as to the extent of the
Maine disaster and many of them re-
paired to the navy and state depart
ments to learn if there were any further
details With only first reports be-
fore them and a recognition of the
gTavenesS of any utteranceS, there was
a hesftancy to express opinions at this
time.
The immense gravity of the situation
in case later advices should show that
the disaster was not purely accidental,
was admitted by all public men. Con-
servative public men in the face of the
appalling catastrophe, the meager in
formation at hand and its possible con-
sequences, therefore declined to express
any opinion at this time.
Chairman Hit of the foreign affairs
committee, Chairman Dingley of the
ways and means committee and men,
bers OF the naval committee of the
house, all said they preferred to await
fuller information before expressing
themselves. Mr.. Hit said it would be
well for the public to follow the cue
given by Captain SigSbee, and suspend
Judgment until the cause of the disas-
ter was ascertained.
Senator PIatt of Connecticut, express
sed the opinion that the explosion
would be found to be the result of an
accident from within and he doubted
that anyone could have planned and
carried out plot to bring about an ex-
plosion on the ship.
Ex-senator Butler, of South Carolina
who was a member of the committee
on foreign relations in the senate dur
ing his service, said that it was decid-
edly strange that American vessels had
visited every port in the world and no
accident befallen them but as soon as a
vessel visited Havana, this great dis
aster should occur.
General Butler was of the opinion
that some bold man had gone aboard
the Maine and placed grenade with a
slow match where it would explode the
magazine. 1t was probable, he thought.
that many people had been permitted
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-16

counted for. Cause of the explosion
yet to be investigated Captain gen
era1 and army and navy officers rem
dered every assistance
"Sigsbee and most of his officers are
on board the steamer City of Washing
ton. Others on Spanish gun boat and
in the city. Am with Sigsbee, who has
telegraphed navy department.
Havana, Feb. 16.-The report that
Capt SigSbee was wounded when the
explosion occurred on the Maine, is in
correct Capt. Sigsbee with other or
hcers went in a small boat to the Ward
Line steamer City of Washington. Two
officers and more than 200 of the crew
are missing. Some of the crew who
were able to support themselves by
swimming We're saved by the boats.
Six of the wounded crew and one of
the officers have been taken to the mil
itary hospital by Gen. Blancos orders.
Washington, Feb. 16.-At 11:2O o'clock
Secretary Long received the following
unsigned telegram from Havana:
"Only two officers unaccounted for.
The explosion was forward, to all indi-
cations in the magazine but cannot tell
until an investigation is had. The
sentry on the poop deck reports that
there We're no boats in the vicinity
when the explosion occurred"
Another telegram to Secretary Long,
from George Bronson Rea, said to be a
newspaper correspondent said: mo ex-
citement. All quiet. Only feelings of
sympathy and sorrow for the acci-
dent
Another telegram received at the
navy department stated that the miss
ing probably would number 200.
Secretary Long, for the president, has
sent this telegram to Capt. Sigsbee:
''Sigsbee, U. S. S. Maine, Havana.
The president desires me to express
for him his profound sympathy with
the officers and crew of the Maine and
desires that no expense be spared in
providing for the survivors and the
care of the dead. (Signed)
JOHN D. LONG,
Secretary
The president has recalled his invita-
tions for receptions this evening and
tomorrow, owing to the disaster which
has befallen the American navy.
Key West, Fla, Feb. 16-The torpedo
boat Gushing, Lieut.. CIeves, command
er, with steam up, is here ready for
duty.
The norther in the gulf is increasing
in violence and there promises to be a
heavy sea.
It is stated here that the Maine had
hard coal on board and that therefore
the theory that the disaster was caused
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-16
CHILDREN CRY FOR 1T.
Hal Reid Attempts Defense of Baby
Actors on the Stage.

Hal Reid, big, clustering and awl1-
ward, led three-year-old Wilbert Mel
vile out on the stage after the first act
of his play last night and asked the
babe whether he wanted to play the
child part in the piece.
Yes said the child.
rs Mr.. Reid good to yOu?''
Yes lisped the little fellow.
well, you cannot play tonight" re-
piled Mr.. Reid.
"Oh please let me play, please do
said the child much as he would say
any other lines in which he had been
well drilled.
If Mr.. Reid had carried his question
ing further and held up a stick of candy
covered with arsenic and said:
This candy is filled with arsenic,
Do you want it - the reply Of the child
would have been Yes, please give it to.
me-"
Mr.. Reid says that the baby wants to
play and concludes that it is right to
allow it to play. 1t therefore follows
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-16
TWO CENTS.

600. The eastern division is 14O miles in
length. It will be bought in by Mr..
Krech
The party will leave Topeka after the
sale tomorrow and go to Salina where
sion of the road, a distance of 254 miles.
under a special mortgage. Judge Cor
nish will conduct the sale and Mr..
Krech will buy in the property, paying
the upset price, So, 300 600.
On Saturday the entire line of the
Kansas Pacific from Kansas City to
Denver will be formally sold at the
Union Pacific station in North Topeka
This will be under the consolidated
mortgage and the upset price viii be
SS, 600 900. Judge Cornish and 8Ir.
Krech will officiate in the respective
parts at this sale as at all others.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-16

ing the reorganization committee" said
he. 'Are there any other bidders?"
He paused a moment and looked at
the faces about him over his gold
word spoken and a moment afterward
he continued:
There being no other bidders, I de-
clare this property described in the de-
cree sold to Mr.. Alvin w. Krech, on the
part of the reorganization committee -
That was all there was to it. The
Kansas Pacific road had passed out of
the hands of the government. The
first step was taken in the formal es-
tablishment of the reorganized rail-
road.
It was just II o'clock by the big clock
in the depot waiting room when Judge
Cornish commenced to read the decree
of foreclosure, standing on the brick
pavement in front of one of the waiting
room windows. He had arrived at the
depot a few minutes before with the
party interested in the sale, including
Judge John COwan, representing the
government, Mr.. Alvin Krech, secretary
of the reorganization committee Mr..
H. G.. Burt, the new president WinSlOW
rectors, Mr.. w. r. Kelly, general So
lcitor of the road, Mr.. Oliver w. Mink.
one of the receivers, Mr. Lawrence
Greer and Mr.. w. P. Cowan of New
York and General superintendent J. O..
Brinkerhoff.
The party walked from the Hotel
Throop, accompanied by Messrs. A. L.
Williams, N. H. LOOmis, and R. w.
Blair, of the legal department of the
road in this city, and Mr.. Chas. Blood
Smith and Mr.. Hiram P. Dillon, to the
Union depot in North Topeka The ma
jOrity of the party wore high silk hats,
and walking in double file across the
new bridge presented a distinguished
parade appearance. In walking across
the bridge the eastern portion of the
party didn't forget to compliment the
TOpeba norton on the handsome Struc-
ture.
Judge Cornish started the reading of
the decree in a strong voice, but as he
progressed into the two columns OF non
paren his voice gradually lowered until
| the reading was conducted IN muir
mur On Kansas avenue traffic crashed
| by and in the railroads yards engine
| bells changed and whistles screeched,
| and the movement of the special mas
| ter's lips was the only sign the crowd
about him had that the decree was be
| ing read.
| It was a large and motley crowd that
| surrounded the special master. He
| stood in the center of a circle of hu-
| manity, the inner wall of which was
| formed by the railroad magnates and
the attorneys interested in the sale
] Outside of this, all manner OF callings
| from messenger boy up, were repre-
/ sented by dozens of men of different ap-
| pearance and different dress.
| Judge Cornish finished the decree and
/ the notices of adjournment, and ther
\ formally offered the property for sale
that Mr.. Krech made his little speech
| and the transfer of the Kansas Pacific
| road was declared.
| The party will remain here today and
| tonight and tomorrow at IL O'CLOCK
| Judge Cornish will again engage in z
/ program of sale He will sell the east
| ern division of the road under a Specia
/ mortgage, the upset price being S4,5OO''