davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1898-01-06
RUSSIA MAKESAGRAB
DEFlES ENGLAND BY SEEING
MORE CHINESE TERRITORY.
Gear Holding Kin-Chau-Occupics the
Strategic Point In the Gulf of Lao
Tong-control OF Manchuria as Well
as of Corca.
Ominons Move Toward Pekin.

Russia has made another grab of Chin
ese territory, and evidently is intent up
on forcing the hand of Great Britain in
regard to partition. News comes that
the czars forces have occupied Kin -Chau,
lying north of Port Arthur. This places
them little nearer Pekin and gives them
command of another important strategic
position in the Gulf OF Lau-Tung. The
incident has intensified the interest in ORR
entail affairs, and is taken to mean that
the czar Is intrenching himself in the flow
cry kingdom. 1t is also taken as signify
ing that an understanding exists with
Germany and possibly with France.
kin-Chau is an important walled city
mot an open port Mt the head Of the gulf
of Lau Tung, and it commands the mouth
of the river Yaloo, where the great naval
battle between the japanese and Chinese
was fought, and the other important riv-
ers which flow into the gulf. 1t is about
equidistant between the mouth of the va
loo river and the terminus of the great
wall of China. 1t commands the railway
system recently constructed from Tien-
Tsin to the capital OF Manchuria, and is
Of pre-eminent Importance as strategic
position.
The seizure shows that Russia has
practically taken possession of Corea,
Manchuria and the gulf of Lau Tung, and
possesses q significance which will cause
CONSERVATION among the diplomats of the
old world. Its situation is such that its
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1898-01-06
TEACHERS IN SESSION.
Federation of Educational Associa
tions Meet in Chicago.

Federation of Educational Associa-
tions Meet in Chicago.
In Chicago Wednesday afternoon the
Federation of Educational Associations
.eld the first session of its second annual
meeting. The attendance at the opening
was nearly two hundred. The Federation
of Educa tional Associations is an out
growth of the Western Penman's Asso-
citation. At the tenth annual meeting of
that body, held in Chicago in December,
1895, il was thought that the interests of
the teachers of shorthand and typewrit-
ing, the teachers of writing and drawing
in the public and parochial schools, and
the teachers of the general commercial
branches in the business colleges and COM
mercial departments of all other schools
demanded special and separate considera-
tion. Three new bodies were formed,
and with the existing association were
made to comprise the federation.
A clash between the adherents of the
different styles of handwriting taught in
the schools took place. The argument
arose in the discussion OF paper by A.
n. Palmer OF Cedar Rapids, Iowa, en-
titled Copy Books Condemned" While
the discussion was at its hottest chance
reference was made to the vertical style
of handwriting introduced recently. A
score of excited pedagogues were soon ar
rayed against one another in spirited de-
bate. The argument was decidedly in
favor of the exponents of the old system
of slanting chirography. Speed, the es-
sential element in handwriting to-day, it
was declared, could not be attained by
the vertical system.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1898-01-06
SLAIN BY A MOB.
Iownns' Attempt to Tar and Feather
Ends in Murder.


Ends in Murder.
White caps have been ut work in Lee
County, Iowa, and as result one man
is dead and warlike spirit has been
aroused in the neighborhood that threat
ems further trouble. Abe Balm and his
two brothers are well-to-do farmers, liv-
ing near West Point. Not far away
lived their father in the most abject pow
erty, and 1t was declared his sons refus-
ed to help him. When the old man died
few days ago it was claimed he had
starved to death, and the alleged cruel
treatment of the sons was generally de-
nounced.
After the father was dead the sons re-
fused to pay the expenses of his burial or
even to see the body. This so enraged
the neighboring farmers that they decided
to rid their neighborhood of the brothers.
They determined to tar and feather them,
and Tuesday night a mob of about thirty
marched to the home of the Balm Droth-
ers and called for Abe, the oldest. Abe
stepped to the door, and, seeing the crowd
outside, retreated into the house before
the mob could lay hands on him. He call
ed to his brothers, and all three opened
fire on the visitors from the open door Of
the house, inside of which were Abe's
wife and children.
The mob returned the fire, and after
the smoke had cleared away it was found
that Abe had been mortally wounded.
The farmers retreated in the darkness.
They were all masked, but Abe gave his
brothers the names of seven neighbors,
whom he declared he recognized in the
mob. The brothers swore out warrants
against the seven neighbors, charging
them with murder. The entire neighbor-
hood is up in arms.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1898-01-06
FRANCE STEPS IN.
rricolor Hoisted Over the Island Of
Hai-Nan.


Shanghai adviccs say that the admiral
of the French feet has hoisted the French
flag on Hai-Nan island. The Chinese
offered no opposition. A dispatch to the
London Daily Mail from Singapore con-
firms the report of the seizure of Hal
Nan island by the French. Hai-Nan ISL
and is off the south coast of China and
separates the Gulf of Tonquin from the
China sea. 1t has an estimated area of
10000 square miles and population Of
100000 Chinese, exclusive of wild tribes
in the interior.
According to the Neucstc Nachrichten
OF Lcipsic, Prince Bismarck disclaims all
responsibility for Germanys policy In
China, but he approves il and wishes 1t
executed with energy, on the assumption
that it implies an entente with Russia.
According TO special dispatch from
Shanghai, the British admiralty has re-
questioned three Of the empress steam
ships, belonging to the Canadian Pacific
Railway Company.
The Tagliche Rundschau, on what it al
leges to be the best authority in Lon
don," declares that Russia and China
have been negotiating for many months;
that China consented last October to a
temporary Russian occupation of Port
Arthur, and that England, hearing OF
this, demanded n cession of the islands
at Hong Kong, strip of coast opposite
Kow Loon and the mouth of the River
Canton; but, knowing that France also
wanted compensation, England suggest
ed that she should take Hai-Nan island.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1898-01-06

@,(r0E1E1l|EE1ps
AIdermanic Salaries.

Chicago aldermen should be willing t.
pay the public for the privilege of holding
their jobs.-Buffalo Express.
Prosperity has struck Chicago and
wages arc going up to beat the band. The
Chicago aldermen last night raised their
own salaries from SO n week to 81 500 .
year.-Toledo Bee.
The modest advance from So a week to
81, 500 a year each voted themselves by
the Chicago aldermen must not be under
stood as in the nature OF a limit to the
aldermanic income.-Cincinnati CONNER
cial-Tribune.
The gang of genteel highwaymen in the
Chicago City Council have beaten all rec
ords for immaculate gall. 1t Is doubtful,
however, IL even Chicago public sentiment
will countenance such unexampled rob-
bery.-Minneapolis Tribune.
The Chicago aldermen have fixed their
salaries at 81 1,500-a figure scarcely high
enough to insure honest work. 1t Is pos
sible, however, that the very highest pay
would not serve to keep born boodlers
from boodIing.-St. Louis Post Dispatch
Perhaps It's worst feature is that II
gives example and encouragement to
counoilmen In other cities, some of whom
wonid not have thought OF such device
for personal emolument, while others
would not have been brave enough to
adopt Il had II not been for the action Of
their Chicago compecrs.-Philadelphia
Ledger.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1898-01-06
PHILADELPHIA BANK FAILS
Chestnut Street National In the Hands
of Receiver.

Nneotnut Strcct NatAomul IN t0c homoD
of Receiver.
One Of the greatest financial sensations
of the year was sprung in Philadelphia
Thursday morning when the Chestnut
Street National Bank, OF which William
M. Singerly, proprietor OF the Philadel-
phia Record, is president, closed it's doors.
Business was also suspended by the
Chestnut Street Trust and Saving Fund
Company, which was allied with the bank
and occupied the same building.
Rumors of the banks shaky condition
have been in circulation for month. Dur
ing that period the most hcrculean efforts
have been made by President Singerly
and his friends to save the institution
from bankruptcy, but they were futile.
National Bank Examiner William NJ.
Hardt is in charge of the bank and State
Commissioner Of Banking Kilkeson is in
charge of the trust company.
The one explanation for the failure,
which Mr.. Singerly himself afiirms, Is
made by no less an authority than Comp
troller Eckels. The closing of the bank
is primarily due to shrinkage in value Of
bonds and notes OF the Singerly Pulp and
Paper Mills located Mt Elkton, Md. The
liabilities will exceed $3,000,0OO, but un-
til the bank examiner makes his report
the actual value of the assets will not be
made public. The last official statement
of the bank placed the resources of the
bank at S3,S68, ,07O.5S and of the trust
company at 81, ,S5S, ,G59.3S. Both institu-
tons occupy the same building and are
under the same management.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1898-01-06

statistician Adams Gives Ont Figures
for Twelve Months.

Henry G. Adams, statistician of the In
terstate commerce commission, has issued
the ninth annual report of railway statis-
tics in the United States. 1t covers the
year which ended June 80, 1896.
At the date oil which the report ended
there were 151 roads in the hands of re-
ceivers, being a decrease of Is as COM
pared with the corresponding date in the
previous year. During the year covered
in the report 4S roads were taken out of
the hands Of the receivers, while 80 9th
ers were placed in the hands of receivers.
The length of operated mileage in the
hands of receivers June 30, 1896, was 3d.
475.39 miles. The operated mileage in the
hands of receivers June 30, 1895, was 37,-
$3.50 miles. The capital stock represent
ed by the railways in the hands Of receiv-
ers Juno 80, 1896, was $742,597 ,G9S, and
the funded debt 5000, 1873, 166. These fig
ures, compared with tn corresponding fig-
ures for the previous year, show de-
crease Of $1S3,075,TG0 in capital stock
and $319,5G1 ,44T in funded debt.
At the date on which the report closed
the aggregate mileage was 1S2, ,776.63
miles, being an increase of 2,119.16, as
compared with the previous year. This
shows n percentage increase during the
year covered by the report of LII. The
per cent of increase for the previous year
was 1.O9 and for the year ending June
30, 1891, it was 1.27. A comparison of
this increase in mileage with the increase
for the years 1850 and 1890, when the
length of line was extended about 1000
and 6,000 miles, respectively, enables one
to appreciate the extent to which railway
construction during the last few years has
fallen off. The statement pertains to sim
gle track mileage.
The total number OF railway corpora
tions June 80, 1896, to be accounted for
by the statistics OF railways in the United
States, was 1885. OF this number 1,00S
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1898-01-06
TERROR AT A EIG FIRE.
Explosion Follows Blaze in Chica-
20 Basement Many Hurt.

Explosion Follows a Blaze in a Chica-
20 Basement Many Hurt.
Ten minutes after an alarm of fire had
been given at the Tosetti restaurant, 104
and 106 Madison street, Chicago, Thurs
day afternoon, terrific explosion occur
red beneath the sidewalk in front of the
burning building. Structures were shaken
for block around aud windows were
shattered as by an explosion of dynamite.
Scores of men and women were hurled to
the ground, and dozen or more were in
jured by flying glass. Firemen were
scorched in n whirlwind of flame, and
tossed in the air like SO many leaves in a
windstorm, and several policemen were
stricken to the earth as il with club.
Wild excitement prevailed for several
minutes, and when the ambulances and
doctors had finished their work of mercy
the list of injured was found to number
nearly thirty.
A drop of blazing oil from an overhead
ed basement engine is said to have caused
the fire which threatened with destruction
the entire south side of Madison street
between Clark and Dearborn streets.
This started blaze that could not be con-
trolled and eliminated in the explosion Of
a drum OF ammonia under the sidewalk,
the explosive ignition of natural gas
main and the destruction of the building.
The loss exceeds 100000.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1898-01-06
State News in Brief.

There is one case of scarlet fever at
Metamora.
Taxes are being paid slowly at Muske-
gon and the city is hard up.
Clarence Snyder was seriously injured
at Mt. Morris in a runaway accident.
A scheme is on foot for canal be-
tween Maple Rapids and Grand Rapids.
Bay City's poor commission has no
funds and the poor people are suffering
greatly.
The Catholic Church at Palma was
burned the other morning, causing loss
OF $1,000.
While Cloud and Fremont would like
to capture the Newaygo County scat from
Newaygo.
NJ. H. French has been offered the post
mastership at West Branch by Congress
man Crump and has accepted it.
The anti-saloon leagucrs Of Kalamazoo
County are talking OF trying to submit
local option to a vote next spring.
A wcst-bound passenger train on the
Grand Rapids and Western Railroad ran
into n Michigan Central freight train mt
Lansing and demolished several freight
ears.
Fred Hctop. proprietor Of the American
house at Kalamazoo, has been swindled
out of 500 by means of forged check
which he indorscd for guest of the
house.
The fling of notice Of lis pendens
has revealed the fact. hitherto suppress
ed. that two mortgage foreclosure suits
have been commenced against the four
teen-story Majestic Office building, corner
Woodward and Michigan avenues, De
troit.
1t is believed that Richard McKernan
in digging deep EARN well Mt Brown
City struck well of crude petroleum.
There X much excitement and there is
much talk of extensive drilliDg. IL Is said
the Standard Oil Co. is trying TO secure
leases of land.
The Lansing, Dexter and Ann Artor
Electric Railway Co. was organized at
Lansing. The new f>mpany proposes to
build an electric line from that city
through the southeastern part Of Ingham
County, through the southern part of
Livingston County and along the Huron
river TO Dexter.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1898-01-06
SPAIN SEES A CHANCE.
May Ask America to Rcpress Activ,
Cuban Societies.

May Ask America to Rcpress Active
Cuban Societies.
Following upon the almost universal ex-
pressions of disapprobation shown by the
American press at large at the savage
methods of warfare used by Gen. Comes
In. the matter of the assassination of
Lieut.. Col. Ruiz, Madrid correspondent
says he has the best authority for stating
that the Spanish Government thinks the
moment propitious for approaching that
of Washington and asking the latter to
use all means possible to rcpress revolu-
tionary societies in the United States
which are giving active assistance to Co
mcz's force.
All the Spanish Government asks is the
application Of the rule laid down by Pres
ident Grant as the duty OF one friendly
nation toward another. IL that is applied
the Government considers the termination
of the revolution will occur within n short
time. The indignation was twice as great
when the news reached Madrid that Ruiz
was not even permitted soldiers death,
but was hanged.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1898-01-06
BANKERS OPPOSE THE PLAN.
New York Financicrs Declare Against
Postal Savings Scheme.

New York Financicrs Declare Against
Postal Savings Scheme.
The postal savings bank idea is not a
popular one in New York banking circles.
A canvass of presidents of prominent in
stitutions showed that all practically
agreed with President f. s. Mason of the
Bank of New York In the statement that
there were already so many banks in ex-
istence that rates for money had been cut
to point where there was little profit in
banking. +. ID. Tappen, president of the
Gallatin National Bank, thought that pos
sibly In thinly populated districts postal
savings banks might prove beneficial to
the people, but he was confident that the
residents of large towns and cities had all
the banking accommodation they desired.
Oliver s. Carter Of the Bank of the Re
public said that the time had not come to
discuss the proposition. Mr.. Dumont
Clark, president of the American Ex-
change National Bank, agreed with Mr..
Carter. j. Edwards Simmons, president
Of the Fourth National, was also OF the
same opinion.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1898-01-06
Dog Saves a Mans Iafc.

As Thomas Fitzpatrick was driving
across the Michigan Central tracks in De-
troit he noticed small dog running up
and down the tracks and acting Queerly.
Then he saw the dog make for couple of
boys, and jumped out to aid them, when
the animal started to run west. Mr..
Fitzpatrick followed him; the dog, bark
ing ana running, finally stopped ut the
boulevard subway. There lay man un-
conscious and stretched full length across
the track. Mr.. Fitzpatrick half carried,
half dragged the figure to his buggy and
took him back. to his home. He was
wretchedly poor and half starved, and
while on his way TO look for work had
tainted from exhaustion and fell on the
track
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1898-01-06

NEWS OF THE WEEK CoNcisELY
CONDENSED.
Business Done This Year by the 500
Canals-His Life Saved by a Dog
Farming I'm the Upper Peninsula
Sold His Wife at Mason.
1897 the Banncr Year.

The traffic through the United States
and Canadian canals at Sault Ste. Marie,
Mich, and Ontario, and during 1897, was
greater than in any previous year. The
freight tonnage exceeds by nearly 2,O0O,-
600 tons that of 1896, the banner year
heretofore. With the exception of April
and December, the months in which navi-
CATION opened and closed, the freight ton
mage never fell below 100000 tons for
each month. In comparison with 1896
there in n decrease of AT in the number
of passages, but the registered tonnage
exceeds that of 1896, showing the increase
in the size of vessels. Following is n com
parativc statement of the traffic in 1896
and 1897: Passages, 1897. 17,16S; 1896,
1S,615; decrease, 1,447. Registered tom
mage, 1897. 17,610,933; 1896, 17,249,41S;
increase, 3T0,515. Freight tonnage, 1897,
1i,21S,411; 1896, 16,239,0G1; increase,
1,eT9,350. Tassengers, 1917, 1928; 1896,
37,066; increase, '3,147.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1898-01-06
STARVATION IN CUBA.
Thousands Dying ofHunger-Food of and
Clothing Needed.

The most profound distress prevails
among many thousands Of people in Cuba.
Starvation not only impends but is an
actual fact. The President has been in
formed of the facts from sources whose
crediblity cannot be doubted. He has
gone to the length of his constitutional
power in calling the state of affairs to the
attention of the American people. The
State Department has used all of its au-
thority to mitigate the conditions there,
and the letter to the public sent out by
Secretary Sherman the day before Christ
mas pointed out the way to further alle-
viate the miserable condition of the recon-
ccntrados.
Monday the sum of $4,000 was received
by Assistant Secretary Day from certain
charitably disposed persons whose names
are not disclosed, and this sum was imme-
diately remitted by telegraph to Consul
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1898-01-06
HE HAS NOT RESIGNED.
Rumors Regarding Secretary Gage
Are without Foundation.

Are without Foundation.
A Washington dispatch says that Sec
retary Gage has no intention Of resign
ing from the cabinet.
The report that he had formally tender
ed his resignation grew ont of an incl
dent at the cabinet meeting last Friday.
The subject of the Wolcott commission
was under discussion, and reference was
made to published reports that Senator
Wolcott had criticised Secretary Gage.
Suddenly the Secretary turned to the
President and remarked: 'If my position
embarrasses the administration in the
smallest degree, Mr.. President, will
cheerfully resign and relieve YOU"
The President took occasion to reassure
Secretary Gage. The incident was not
regarded seriously by the cabinet. Moth
ing more will come of il. TIE Secretary
stated afterward to friends that he fad
no idea his position embarrassed tie Pres
ident, but he wanted to be clear on that
point. The Secretary thinks Senator
Wolcott's feelings toward him have been
misstatcd
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1898-01-06
BIG FIRE AT CLEVELAND.
Loss to business Fir ms Placed mt Near
lya Million Dollars.

Loss to business Firm Placed at Near
ly a Million Dollars.
Fire broke out in the business center of
Cleveland, O., at 5 o'clock Thursday af-
ternoon, and, famed by high northwest
wind, destroyed property worth nearly
$1,00O.0O0. The Power block on Frank
fort street, owned by ]. B. Perkins, six
stories high and made of brick, was con-
sumed above the second story and tie
rear of the brick Wiltshire block, six sto-
ries high, owned also by Mr.. Perkins, and
fronting on Superior street, was burned.
The fire started by the explosion of
large can Of benzine in the lithographing
establishment of Johns e. Co., In the Pow
er block. Windows were blown out and
several employees escaped with difficulty
by the fire escapes and a bridge leading to
the Wiltshire block.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1898-01-06
Upper PeninsuIa Farming.

The first county convention of farmers
eyer held in the copper country was in
session at Lake Linden the other day. 1t
was attended by n large number interest
ed in farming from different parts of the
upper peninsula. Two years ago it was
thought that nothing could be raised"
there but copper. In short time farm
ing has sprung into prominence and fully
1900 acres Of good farming land is be-
ing cultivated now. Most of the farmers
are Firms, who got their land from the
Government by homestcading.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1898-01-06
Notes of Current Events.

A terrible gale did immense damage to
the fishing establishments Of NcwfounL-
land.
Youngstown, o., desires TO secure the
location of the Government armor plate
factory.
Fire at Baltimore damaged the plant OF
Crook, Horner a. Co. to the extent OF
$150,000.
The body of William Welsh was found
In the woods at Cumberland, Nd,
through the barking Of his dog that had
kept watch since his death.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1898-01-06

has been moved to protest to the Corean
Government against the removal of a
British official and the substitution of a
Russian-a maneuver threatening to put
the Corean finances under the admins
tration of the Russian minister. The
consuls protest has been ignored, and
the appearance of British warships off
Chemulpo is merely a demonstration that
Great Britain means to make the protest
emphatic. That very grave complications
are likely to ensne-if not now, at some
time i'm the not remote future-is evident.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1898-01-06
Sells Wife tn N RiyaI.

Charles Bishop of Mason, whose domes-
tic happiness has been destroyed by the
visits of Bert Carpenter, signed an agree
nient to relinquish all claim to his house
hold and its effects for SO. He received
the cash and went TO Lansing, where his
father resides, leaving Carpenter in pos
session. Mrs. Bishop recently advertised
in matrimonial paper, and, it is claimed,
received money from men in Montana and
Florida, and then refused to go to them.
Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1898-01-06

maintain operating accounts and render
operating reports. OF the railways rem
dering operating reports 7S2 are indepen-
dent operating roads and 226 are classed
as Subsidiary roads which maintain oper-
ating accounts. The number of indepen-
dent roads reported as not operating dur
ing the year covered by this report was
67. The number of roads which rendered
financial reports during the year was 796,
Of which 324 received a fixed money