davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-01-27
AN EXCITING TIME.


Officers Suppress Row Near Dover and
Land the Participants in JAN.
Special Correspondence Of Gazette and Journal
Dover, Jan. %. People living in the
vicinity of Railroad avenue and Water
street, on the outskirts of Dover, were
alarmed last evening by hearing several
reports like the shooting of firearms.
The Dover policemen and several de-
puties had made raid upon gang of
men, presumably strangers. who, it is
said, had been engaged in conflict
which threatened 10 tleralnp into a riot.
People living III tee vicinity had re-
ported the matter 10 the police and as
the men had been acting in q suspicious
manner it was feared that some of the
residents might become targets for the
eyil-disposed men in the crowd.
The otliuBrs lost no time IN responding
to the summnDs, and they went out
armed, anticipating trouble. By tho
time they arrived on the scene. now
ever, the ranks Of the belligerents had
diminished, but four men who wers
found there were arrested aud locked
up in the Jail, 1t is possible that the
men who were responsible for the
trouble may have escaped, and little
could be learned as to the cause of the
row, as the prisoners would say nothing.
The officers believed, however, that
two of the men under arrest were
slightly injured, this inference being
drawn from their appearance. 1t is
thought that nobody was seriously hurt.
The men will he given hearing to.
day before Magistrate Cooper.
People living on the outskirts of
Dover have been very much annoyed
lately by tramps, who have become bold
and impudent
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-01-27
noanD or EDUCATION.



way at Washington Street Bridge.
The Board of Education held regular
meeting Monday. A proposition had
heeu made on August a3d, 1897, to the
board in regard to building new stair-
way partly for the accommodation OF
the scholars of No. 81 Schuol, to extend
from the park drive TO Washington
street. The Park Commission, Street
and Sewer Department and the board
were each TO bear one-third of the ex-
pense. The board last night ordered q
check drawn for $3.50 as its share OF
the expense.
A motion to improve the toilet rooms
and the heating apparatus OF Schools
Nos, Il and % WIS referred to the com
mittee on heat, fuel and coal with
power to act.
i committee was appointed consist.
ing Of President Baird aud Mesers. Nor
row, Turner. Shortlidge and McCaus-
land to investigate my educational bills
that may come before the Legislature.
The monthly appropriation was or
dered drawn amounting to Sll. 7lS. 50.
The new building committee reported
having awarded the contract for chairs
TO M. Megary & Son and TO j. 81 j. N.
HarmRn for other furniture. The new
building COMMITTEES vera given power
to purchase new chairs for the board
room.
The board is considering plans TO en-
large the High school and the work
may lie done this year, Sometime age
the board secured the house and lot on
Eighth street adjoining tho school.
Several offers have been made to tent
the building for this year. but as there
Is possibility that the ground may be
neelled it has not been rented. The
matter is now in the hands of the
new building committee, which will
probably make report at the next
meeting of the board.
The board sometime ago requested
the secretary to make search for tbs
deeds of all schoolhouses SO that they
could be properly filed. The secretary
could not find the deeds for Schools
Nos. II, IA ard 90 Some members Of
the board thought that they were
loaned to some lawyer or architect and
not returned. The deeds are recorded
and another copy can he secured.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-01-27

Senator Cannon has introduced in
Congress bill providing for the pub.
lication of the pension lists in pam
phlet form. The information given
will comprise the relationship Of the
pensioner 10 the person, and to the full
name of the person who performed the
service where the title is derivstive
the company and regiment, or other
arm of the m ilitaIy or naval service
the date and place Of his muster in and
the rank then held. and the date and
place and manner Of termination of
service and the rank then held; present
rate of pension and from what date
pension was originally granted, with
dates and amounts of increase, if any.
The Secretary OF the interior is directed
to mail to each newspaper in the United
States copy Of the pamphlet for the
State, Territory or district in which
the newspaper is published.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-01-27

for the good of the penple. This matter
was discusfbda in the House at the
morning HatTi1p.. At tins when the
members hr Absolutey nothing to do
Mr.. HAZEL SsJSt to question OF priv
lege and Nse about the Senale's
resolution su fling of all business ex-
cept to maize the laws constitutional.
Hu though; all business should be
handlea whifh waa for the henetit OF
the people'nsa IL the Senate wanted to
act otherwisS' that should not influence
the House. The House should do such
work az came before IL, and VI the
Senate refused to take it thu House
will have done its mart and tho respon
sibility will rest with tho Senate. Re-
marks were made by Speaker Riggin
and Mr.. Dempsey on the same line, the
sentiment neing That il there was work
10 be done and the people desired it
the Assembly should not hesitate to
take what is offered. Speaker Riggin
said it had been suggested that ad-
tournament might be made for month,
in order, to give tho legal commission
an opportunity to prepare work, but he
was opposed to such adjournment, ns it
would continue the session into the
summer. 1t is likely that the House
will consider all business offered, but
lhere is no Indication that the Senate
will recede from the stand it has taken,
although an effort will be made to have
il dp So.
Representative Thompson, at the after.
nUOn session of the House, called up for
final passage n Senate bill which had
passed the higher branch and reached
third reading in the lower branch al
the last session. The bill provides that
no sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable OF
detective shall receive mileage or more
than one fee in cases where more than
one warrant is served or moro than ont
arrest made. There was no comment
on the bill and it passed without on
position, after which it was returned to
the Sanate for tine signature Of Speaker
Harrington This 10 tbs first and only
bill passed at this session.
At the afternoon session OF the Senate
| Speaker Harrington announced that the
| following additions had been made tc
Quantities Corporations, NJ Messrs. l'yle,
and John Nj. q. Moore: judiciary,
Merars. Handy and Fenlmore; revised
statutes, Messrs. Piercs aud W. Il.
Moore; education, Messfs. Pyle and
| Alrichs.
Keys we're distributed among the
Senators during the day.
The clerks OF the two houses having
had printed number of copies Of the
Governor's message. the books were
distributed among the memhers.
Chaplain Stengla of the House was
absent and the Rev. j. Il. Beauchamr
took his place.
additional proceedings on fifth page.l
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-01-27

The funeral of Mrs. NJ. Elizabeth
Duncan, wife of B. Frank Duncan,
took place ON Monday from the reai-
dence of her husband. MaFshallton,
services being hold in st. James,
Church. The death of Mrs. Duncan
occurred in Jersey City last Friday
under peculiarly sad circumstances,
Her brother, Robert Catlin. had re-
Gently married, and with his bride was
on wedding trip to Old Point Com
fort. Mrs. Duncan took a servant TO
Jersey City 10 prepare Mr.. and Mrs.
Catlins new home for their reception,
and while there was taken suddenly i'll
with neuralgia of the heart and died.
MIR. and Mrs. Catlin were returning
from THUR trip when they received
word of MrH. Duncan's death.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-01-27

A pretty wedding took place on
Saturday evening last at the residence
Of James p. Ratledge. No. 24o7 West
Seventh street, when George Ii. Borket
and N iss Mary N. Long, both of Read
ing, Pa. became husband and wife.
The ceremony was performed by the
Rev. Il. L. White Of the Silverhrouk
Methodist Episcopal Church. After
the ceremony pleasant reception was
given the happy couple. They will
remain as Mr.. and Mrs Ratlsdgs' q
guests for few days, and will after.
wards visit Richmond, Va. before re
turning to Reading, whore they will
make their home at No. 60 South Sixth
street,
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-01-27
IN THE MUNICIPAL COURT.


An Interesting Case of assault and Battery
Disposed OF "a Wife-beatcr Fined and
s scored.
Il Municipal Court, on Monday,
Geoige Lever and Charles McCafferty,
two small boys ahnut l3 years of age,
were charged with assault anu battery
on Harry johnson, who liyeH with his
parents at Maryland avenue and I}roOme
streets johnson testified that he had
much trouble with the boys and caught
Lever in tho orchard on November 9th.
Levers companions threw stones and
stickH at him. He had stick in mis-
hand and hit the boy several times. He
also stated that whila he had Lever
down, the latter cut his left hand with
a knife, cutting tho arteries and terdons
of tho hand and causing him 10 wear
his hand in snlints for five weeks.
Lever was called 10 his own behalf and
stated that johnson threw him down
and kicked him and standing with
great pressure ppon his breast and
chest, beat him with two sticks. The
boy told atraightforw story TO his
counsel, William 4. Lyman, anu was
af.erward cross duestioned by Solicitor
Cahoon, but vas MT shaken. lie nd-
mitted cutting Johnson. Lever was
held in 5000 bail to keep the peace
and McCatforty was discharged.
Hugo Giehler VAS arraigned on the
charge Of carrying concealed deadly
weapon. Ur. j.. N. Slaughter stated
tnat on Saturday evening he heard a
commution outside o. his ofiico and
found tiiehler in broken wagon. He
attempted to straighteL the wheel Of
the wagon and Gieller pointed re-
volyer AT him. Giehler was allowed to
make statement. with Turnkey Ham
merer ms interpreter, and said that the
revolver was an old weapon, which be
had received from a man named Max
Hoffman for the purpose OF repairing
it. Hoffman verified tine statement.
Defendant was placed under Sl00 bal
for his appearance mt the upper court OF
the charge of pointing a weapon.
Adam Baier wRs charged with assault
aud battery on his wife. She statet
that she went to bed Saturday night
when her husband came to the room
and beat her on tho head and back.
She has four small children. Baiei
was fined sS25 and costs. Judge Bal
said that men of this stamp should b'
placed at the whipping post, thorough.
scourged aud afterwards compelled Il
support their families.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-01-27
Request Left 10 Charity.

Comparative tables computed by the
Rev. 9. J.. Ward of New York City
show the amount OF money left for
charitable or benevolent purposes by
testators throughout thu United States
during the past three years. He finds
that these bequests for the year 1897
are $1,000, 900 in excess of those for
1896 In 1893 the bequests amounted
to 50. 4ol, 500, in 1896 to $13, ll2, 300 and
in 1897 to S14,37i.S 500. or the more
than Sl4, ZOO, 600 bequeathsd last year
So, 204, 600 was designated for chari-
table purposes, 50, $751; 600 for mis-
sionary purposes and SIS, 292, 200 for
educational purposes. The princinal
testators in 1897 were William Lamp
SOD, LIE Roy, N. y, $500. 0oU; Lewis
Grocer, Chester, Pa, $3.50, 600; George
NJ. Pullman, Chicago, ILL.,, 81, $50. 600,
and Charles II. Coutoit, Nsw York
CITY, SG00, 900,
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-01-27
FURIOUS FIRE AT SPOKANE
The Great Eastern Block De-
stroyed Monday Night.
LOSS ESTIMATED AT $4OO,OOO
Five People Supposed to Have
PeriShed.


Spokane, Wash. Jan. %. "A fire, in
which S400, Goo worth OF property was
destroyed and Rt least five lives we're
lost, occurred hero last night nhs
Great Eastern Block, six stories in
height and constructed of brick, caught
fire about .I5 O'Clock. and in three
hours was totally destroyed. Tho Two
upper floors and part Of the third for,
were used for lodgings, and about 30
people were asleep in the building wh,n
the fire started.
Mrs. Stark Oliver, wife Of DR.. Stare
Oliver, who lived on the second floor
says that she heard an explosion shortly
before the flames appeared. The boiler
of the engine may have exploded and
caused the fire. There is also theory
that the chemicals in tho basement,
stored there for the photographic supply
department Of John W. Graham q Co.,
started the conhagration.
The Great Eastern Block was built
in 1880, at cost of $3.50, 900. aud was
owned hy Louis Levinski Of San Fran
cisco, who carried only $50, 600 insur
ancs.
On the ground floor OF the structure
were the establishments OF the John W.
Graham Paper Co., stationery and sup
plies, and Skerritt d. Donnely, boots
and SHOES. Both ars total losses. Graham
carried a stock worth EGO, 900, aud
Skerritt g. Donnaly had stock valusd
at S25, o0e In the offices above are
heavy losses on law Libraries amt
fixtures. besides probably larger losses
on furniture and household goods.
Mrs. p. II. G. Davies of Nebraska
City. Neb.. fell or jumped from fifth
story window, and died Two hours later.
A thrilling rescue was that Of Mr..
and Mrs. Robert Mason and their 2.
years old son, from the fifth floor.
From a fire escape on the fourth floor,
seven feet to one side from thor
window, firemen threw them rope,
which Mason made fast to his hsd and
down which he came hand under hand,
carrying the hoy. Mrs. Mason followed,
and while she was hanging far above
the ground. the crowd watched with
breathless interest, and when she was
grasped by fireman, a shout OF joy
went up.
The names of those known 10 be lost
are: Rose Wilson, aged is years; Rose
Smith, an invalid. aged 20 years, aud
Mrs. Davies. Other bodies are sup.
posrd to be in the building, which is
| too hot to enter. .
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-01-27

Phillip Plunkett, president of Central
National Bank, dropped In on Chief OF
Police John +. Dolan Monday morning
and presented to him small case. say
ing, This il from myself and your
many friends. " The chief opened the
case and found within magnificent
gold badge about three inches long by
two inches wide, bearing his name at
the top and tho words Chief OF Police,
Wilmington, Delaware" around the
State coat of arms. The beautiful badge
was attached to pin.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-01-27
WOULD NOT SWEAR HIM IN.
James j. Kelley Applied to Marshal Short
on Monday But Was Turned Down.

James j. Kelley Applied TO Marshal Short
on Monday But Was Turned Down.
James j. Kelley went to the Federal
Building on Monday and applied to
United States Marshal John Cannon
Short, the custodian of the building,
tn he sworn in as elevator conductor.
Mr.. Kelley had received the appoint
ment through the Civil Services Com
mission. Marshal Short declined to
swear him in. Mr.. Kelley thereupon
slid that he would report at the blild-
irg each day, TO which the custodian
replied that be could not draw any
salary until he was sworn in.
In speaking OF the matter Monday
Marshal Short said that the Gus.
tom was for the custodian to recon-
mend sons person or persons for the
position and the appointment to BIZ
made upon euch recommendation but
in tho present case he had not been
consulted. Meanwhilc the elevator is
being operated by other employees OF
the Fedural building.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-01-27
industrial Imnrnvemsut Co.

The stockholders of Wilmington In
dustrial improvement Co. held their
annual meeting Monday evening at the
Office of Willinm Il. Smalley, DR.. in
tho Equitable Building, They elected
the following directors: Joseph L. Car
penter, Jr,, A. d. Warner, William
Lawton, D. ". Taylor, Alvin r. Morri-
son. ". F. Smallsy, Jr.. William q.
Philips, Walter ID. Bush. WD, Mullen,
Andrew Il. Johnson, A. S. Reed. At
the directors meeting The following
officers were chosun: President, William
Lawton; Treasurer, D. W. Taylor; Sec
retary, W. +. Smalley, Jr. The COM
pany's textile plant on East Thirteenth
street is about ready for occupancy.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-01-27
THOMAS B. sMirH,s F1NEE.t1.
Resolutions of the Preachers Association
Read at the Services.

Resolutions of the Preachers Association
Read at the Services.
At the funeral OF Thomas B. Smith,
from his late residence, No. 9l4 jeifer
son street, Monday afternoon, tho Rev.
w. L. S. Murray, ID. D., read the fol
lowing resolutions on behalf of the Will
mingtpn NJ. Z. Preachers Association
With you to-day we mourn the de.
parture of one of the most unassuming,
cheerful, helpful and devoted Christian
workers it has ever been our privilege
to know. We doubt not his loyalty,
devotion and liberality to his own
church, but bis influence, like the
fragrance Of the rose branch over the
wall, extends beyond his own beloved
Grace Church. Az ministers of the
gospel seeking to huild up Zion in
places needing special financial help we
have sometimes heen compelled to aeek
aid beyond our own local churches and
we have ever found Thomas u. Smith
not only willing to listen to our story
of need. but again and again has he
responded with substantial ala. He
gave and gave again, quietly. but
cheerfully. always requesting that his
liberalty should be kept secret and that
his name should not be USED. Because
he has helped us in Christian work we
wish to place this tribute on his bier
and declare our belief that he will be
remembered for what he has, done.
I'VE also express our sympathy with
the church, whose loss cannot he esti
mated by us. His presence an quiet
worshiper will be missed by both pastor
and people. His counsel and wisdom
will be absent from the board. Hit
faith and WORKS we trust may inspire
others to be like minded.
"We desire to assure the stricken
family and his afflicted and bereayed
helpmeet that We wsep With those who
weep and will earnestly pray that sus
tanning grace may be given in this houl
of sore bereavement.
These resolutions were signed by ths
committee, the Revs, W. L. D. Murray,
Ezra Tinker and John France.
Addresses were maze by the Rev,
Henry Baker, ID. d., the Rev. G. w.
Miller, ID. d., of Baltimore. former
pastor Of Grace Church, and the bene
diction was pronounced by the Rev. L.
f. Barrett, d. D., presiding elder O.
the Wilmington district.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-01-27
MrsrERIoUs .MUsDER.
America Holland of Pocumoke City Shot t.
Death in Char.


Death in char.
Baltimore Sun Special,
poconoke City, Md, Jan. "a. =
Usually this town is of quiet tenn
permanent, but tbiB morning great ex-
citement prevailed when 1t was an
nouncefi that America Holland, re.
spectacle colored man, had been mys.
teriously murdered. As soon as was
possible ". U. Schoolfeld, acting as
coroner, summoned jury and went to
tile home of Holland, on Bonniville
avenue, and began an investigation.
There were a number OF witnesses anu
the examination waa protracted to
anticipated. This was due to the fact
that the witnesses had bsen prompted
to swear to certain facts which after
ward proved to be false.
The widow of the dead man teRtitied
that she came down stairs and went
into the yard, and while attending TO
some matters outside heard the report
of the gun, which it was supposed
caused the death of her husband. Be-
fore shs could again return to the house
she was met by her three soma, who in
| formed her that "some one had shot
anu kllleu papa. pUb went lnlO lIlH
house and found her husband sitting
up in chair where she left him when
sine made her exit, and an ugly wound
had been inflicted back OF the neck,
which Drs Quinn and Wills, who per-
formed the post-mortem examination,
testified had caused instant death. Her
son, Sommer field j. Dennis, who is
the stepson of the victim, was next
sworn, and almost to the letter cor
roborated the statement Of his mother.
Two smaller boys, both SONS of the
widowed woman, were sworn and MADE
statements very much like that of the
mother and older brother, but after q
very careful ross-examination by the
coroner it was thought that they were
swearing falsely and recess was taken.
When the coroner resumed his ex,
animation IT was found that the two
lads had been told by come one to swear
TO certain statements which were foreign
to the facts in the case. This changed
the aspect of things, and at this writing
il ia suspected that Sommerfield Dennis
was the real perpetrator Of the deed.
The excitement among the colored
people is at high pitch, and they
even went so far as to speak in no un.
certain tones as to the efficacy of the
| lynch law in such Cases.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-01-27
--7=----ss-------------=-
SPRUNG a BOMBsHEEL.
Mondays Session of tho Senate Civil Ser
vice Investigating Committee.

i
vice Investigating Committee.
Washington, Jan. "a. "A bombshell
was sprung at to-day's session of the
Senate Civil Service investigation com.
mittse. when E. d. Bailey, aaHistant
chief examiner of the Civil Service
Commission and leading witness, in.
timated that the commissioners had
sought to interfere with his testimony.
Prior to Mr.. Bailey heing called TO
the stand, Col. Mckenzie of the Engi
neer Corps of the War Department gave
some testimony as to the favorable
workings of the system in the engineer
ing department and methods of obtain
ing employees hereunder.
Then Mr.. Bailey was asked as to the
last sweening extension OF the Civil
Service, on May 9Th, 1896. and he said
that the extensions were first suggested
by the ommission to the President,
instead OF the reverse, which he thought
might he required by strict con-
struction.
At this iuncture Chairman Pritchard
read letter, which, he said, ha had
received from Mr.. Bailey, saying he
was 'under unpleasant auspicion, by
reason OF heing summoned, and asking
why he had been singled out from the
commission. Senator Pritehard told
the witness, who hesitated in giving
testimony on this puint and repeated
that lit was, of course, only minor
matter,'' that he must state all that
had occurred. If any one has inter.
ferred with you,r he said, sit is due
the commission to tell everything.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-01-27

Bridgeyille, Jan, %. = unique
oversight was exhibited by Henry W.
jackson In his recent wedding to Miss
Olive Howard in the Methodist Church
at American Corner, west of here. He
had forgotten to show bis marriage
license to the desired parson, II miles
distant, or even to engage the minister
to tie the nuptial knot. So, after the
guests had filled the church, at 8. 80 p.
M, jackson, the groom bsthought
himself of his neglect, and telegraphed
to the preacher on Denton circuit. who,
owing to the long journey, did not reach
the church until II. 45 o'clock.