davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-03-31

Though 30 years have passed since
MaximiIian was shot in Mexico his
brother the emperor Of Austria, al
ways holds memorial services ON June
10, the anniversary Of that tragic event.
At the castle of Miramar, near Trieste,
on the Adriatic, the rooms occupied by
Archdukc Macmillan before leaving
for the new world are kept, by the en-
pcror's orders, just as his brother left
them when he went to his death.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-03-31

when in Its normal position. has been
forced up so as to be now about four feet
above the surface OF the water, therefore
about "a feet above where II would be had
the ship sunk uninjured. The outside bot
tom plating is bent into a reversed V
shape. the after wing of which, about Is
feet broad and SO feet in length from
frame II 10 frame 25). is doubled back upon
itself against the continuation of the same
plating extending forward.
At frame IS the vertical keel is broken In
two and the fat keel bent into an angle
similar TO the angle formed by the outside
bottom plating This break is now about
six feet below the surface of the water and
about 80 feet above its normal position.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-03-31
IT Was 4 MINE
The Maine Court of In
quiry SO Reports to
the President.
SPAIN Is NOT MENTIONED
Captain Sigsbee and the Vessels
Crew Are Completely
EXOnerated.
THE PLATES BENT UPWARDS
Presidents Message to Congress
Does Not Mention Posi-
bility of War.
THE PLATES BENT UPWARDS
Transmits the Report TO Congress
with No Startling Statement as to
His IptentiOn-Asl1s for De-
Iiberate Confederation.

Washington, March 29-The president
Monday sent the following message to
congress:
To the Congress Of the United States:
For some time prior to the visit Of the
Maine in Havana harbor our consular rep
resentatives pointed out the advantages to
flow from the visit of national ships to the
Cuban waters, in accustomlng the people to
the presence OF our flag as the symbol of
good will and Of our ships In the fuIfilment
of the mission of protection to American in
terests, even though no immediate need
therefor might exist
Accordingly, on the oath Of January last,
after conference with the Spanish minister
in which the renewal of visits of our war
vessels to Spanish waters was discussed
and accepted, the peninsular authorities at
Madrid and Havana were advised OF the
purpose Of this government TO resume
friendly naval visits at Cuban ports, and
that in that view the Maine would forth
with call a the port of Havana.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-03-31

The recent deadly fire in Chicago,
when two elevator men kept the ele-
vators carrying living freight to safety
while the flames cracked all about, is
another illustration of the bravery that
is 50 ingrancd in American humanity
that !. only needs the occasion to be
auifcStp1
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-03-31

that day by the engineer officer on duty.
The fire alarms in the buEkers were in
working order, and there had never been
a case of spontaneous combustion OF coal
on board the Maine.
After Boilers Only in Use.
The two after boilers Of the ship We're in
use at the time of the disaster. but for
auxiliary purposes only with a compare
lively low pressure of steam, and being
tended by a reliable watch. These boilers
could not have caused the explosion of the
ship. The four forward boilers have since
been found by the divers, and are in a fair
condition.
on the night of the destruction of the
Maine everything had been reported Sc
cure for the night at eight p. m. by re-
liable persons, through the proper author
tiles, to the commanding officer. AT the
time the Maine was destroyed the ship was
quiet, and therefore least liable to accident
caused by movements from those on board.
Were Two Explosions.
3. The destruction of the Maine occurred
at sac p. NJ. on the 18th day of February
! 1898, in the harbor of Havana, Cuba, be-
ing al the time moored on the same buoy to
which she had been taken upon her ar
rival
There were two explosions OF a distinctly
different character with very short but
distinct interval between them, and the
forward part of the ship was lifted to a
marked degree al the time of the first ex-
/ plosion.
The first explosion was more in the ma
ture of a report, like that of a gun, while
I the second explosion was more open, pro-
| longed and of greater volume. This sec
/ ond explosion was in the opinion of the
court, caused by the partial explosion Of
two or more of the forward ma gaines of
| the Maine.
Condition of the Wreck.
| 4. The evidence bearing on this being
prjncipally obtained from divers, did not
enable the court TO form a definite con-
| clusion as to the condition Of the wreck.
although il was established that the after
part Of the ship was practically intact.
| and sank in that condition a very few
minutes after the destruction OF the for
| ward part.
The following facts IN regard to the for
ward part of the ship are, however, es-
| tabiished by the testimony;
| That portion of the port side of the pro-
| tectiye deck which extends from about
| frame 50 to about frame Il was blown up
/ aft and over to port. The main deck
| from about frame 80 to about frame 81
| vas blown up aft and slightly over to
starboard. folding the forward part of the
| middle superstructure over and on top o.
| the after part.
| This was, in the opinion OF the court,
| caused by the partial explosion OF two or
more Of the forward magazines OF the
Maine.
Plates Forced Up.
| 5. At frame Il, the outer shell OF the ship.
! from point IIIs feet from the middle
I -. - 4ba shin md SIX feet above the keel
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-03-31

Some enterprising Maine men are do
ing their best to allay the fears eX-
pressed in some quarters that the sup
ply of gold is becoming insufficient for
the worlds uses. They have been en-
gagged in obtaining the precious metal
from salt water and believe they have
succeeded. Like many another alleged
discovery, this is important if true"
If gold can really be Obtained in paying
quantities from the water Of the ocean
the question Of supply is settled for all
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-03-31

Candles, candles everywhere. That is
the lighting custom in Sweden, where
one firm turns out for home use an
nually about 100000 Of candles of all
sizes, from two to seven feet in length.
in tile larger cities electricity has been
introduced to a limited extent, but
among the people candles are rs much
as ever necessary household conven-
ipucp
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-03-31

There is n bad state of affairs in Cleve-
land, 0. The Plain Dealer reports a
man as saying: My cigar last night
cost me u dollar" How so? queried
his friend. II smoked it at home and
my wife was sure the gas was leaking
and tclephoned for a plumber"
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-03-31

a party of 1o2 men in Ohio within
three weeks killed 1902 rats, ,4s9 mice,
514 muskrats, 81 molcs, 30 owls. %
hawks, POS sparroWs, minks and 10
wcasels. The escape OF the grounding
is due to his mistaken but fortunate
impression that lie is a weather prophet.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-03-31

H. O. Weaver. Of the United States
commission OF fish and fisheries, has
sent report to Wisconsin fishermen on
the fisheries of Lakes Michigan, Huron
and Erie. lie SAYS that the herring
catch Of Lake Michigan for the last year
was over e2,00o,000 pounds. This great
Iy exceeds the production of any pre-
vious year covered by the commissions
reports, and for the first time in the
history of the great lakes surpasses the
herring catch on Lake Erie. where the
yield was slightly under 2o,0O0.00O
pounds. The trout catch has been light
the past season.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-03-31

Undauuted by the terrible experiences
of Henry Savage Landor, William Jane
son Reid, of Boston. well-known
Asiatic explorer, will undertake jour
ncy to Thibet, with the main object of
securing an entrance TO Lhn>sa, the
sacred Buddhist stronghold. He has Sc
cured financial backing from a number
of wealthy men. He will leave for
China at the end of this year, intending
10 reach the neighborhood of I.hassa by
easy stages Then, with the assistance
Of trustworthy guides. he hopes to en-
ter the sacred city by n unique method,
the detailsof which he refuses to disclose.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-03-31

4 gun tested near Washington recent
~ threw a shell over ten miles, which
means that hostile ship would be I'M
der fire for 20 miles in passing a bat
terry. Such target practice will make
il Interesting for the ship.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-03-31

Women in France have just secured a
slight addition to their legal rights.
They may henceforth be valid witnesses
to registration of births, marriages, and
deaths, and to the signatures in legal
documents.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-03-31

The Charlotte Smith who wants to
have Boston girls enlist for the Cuban
war is the same personlwho desired to
have marriage made compulsory. Char
lotte ought TO bd put under bonds to
keen tic ncace
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-03-31

1t gives some notion of the ire
mendous scale of a grand opera venture
in these days 10 read that Mr.. Grau has
signed contracts for next year which
oblige him to pay out $850,000
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-03-31

SO much interest is atprcsent being
manifested in the United States army
and navy that the relative rank of otli-
GERS in the two branches of service is
herewith given. Iiucal rank only being
considered: General with admiral,
lieutenant general with vice admiral,
major general with rear admiral, brig
udicr general with commodore, colonel
with captain, lieutenant colonel with
commander. ma jor with lieutenant com
Inander, captain with lieutenant, first
lieutenant with lieutenant (iunior
grade), second lieutenant with ensign.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-03-31
Rirer CALLS gonruaI.
G. f. MORSE, Publisher
RIVER FALLS. WIS.

1t is not alone in railways that the
United States leads all Europe. Our
100000 telephones are about double the
number in use on that continent.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-03-31

Dolly Swift--Miss Thirtysmith was
beside herself last night.
Sally Gay-I hope she took the OPP
portunity to stand off and see how ride
ulous she looked.-Judge.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-03-31
THE COURTS REPORT.
statements of Capt. Sampson and
Ills Associates Based on Tes-
timony Taken.

The following IS the fun text Of the re
port of the court Of inquiry:
United States Steamship Iowa, First
Rate-Key West. Fla, Monday, March r.
lSqS-After fun and mature consideration
Of all the testimony before It, the court
finds as follows:
/ That the United States battleship Maine
arrived in The harhor of Havana, Cuba, or
the 18th day Of January, 1898. and was taken
To buoy No T. in from five and a half to six
.athoms OF water by the regular govern
ment pilot The United States consul gen
eral at Havana had notified the authori-
ties at that place the previous evening of
the intended arrival Of the Maine.
Discipline was Excellent.
>. The state Of discipline on board the
Maine was excellent. and all orders and
regulations in regard to the care aCd safety
of the ship were strictly carried out.
All ammunition was slowed away in ac-
cordance with instructions, and proper care
was taken whenever ammunition was
handled
Nothing was slowed in any one OF the
MAGAZINES or shell rooms which was not
permitted TO be slowed there
The magazines and shell rooms were al
wa, locked after having been opened; and
after the destruction of the Maine the keys
tain's cabin, everything having been re-
ported secure that evening al eight p m
remnerature Was Norman.
The ternperatures OF the magazines and
sheIlrooms were taken daily and reported.
The only magazine which had an undue
amount of heat was the after ten-inch mag
azine, and that did not explode at the time
the Maine was destroyed.
The torpedo war heads were all slowed
I'm the after part of the ship under the ward
room, AMI neither caused nor participated
in the destruction OF the Maine.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-03-31
The Mnine ut Haxann.

This announcement was received by the
Spanish government with appreciation OF
the friendly character of the visit of the
Maine and with notification of intention
to return the courtesy by sending Span
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-03-31

Brown-Jones strikes me as man
who is afraid to think for himself
Smith-Why doesn't he get married.
Puck.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-03-31
Condition of the wreck.
Plates Forced Up.

s. At frame Il, the outer shell OF the ship.
from A point l1Is feet from the middle
line of the ship and six feet above the keel
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-03-31
No Loose Powder.

There was no loose powder kept in the
magazine All the coal bunkers were ven
tilated through air tubes examined weekly
by the chief engineer, and were connected
electrically to the annunciator near his
cabin door The forward coal bunker on
the port side was fun. The forward coal
bunker on the starboard side was half
full, and it was being used at the time OF
the explosion.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-03-31

Washington, March 29.-The president
Monday sent the following message to
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-03-31

Hoods Pills at ne 9 9e s attGrdin gso
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-03-31

! in the forward bunkers. No report was re-
ceived from the chief engineer that any
| coal had been too long in the bunkers. and
sensitive
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-03-31

What impression is produced upon your
mind by the reports, as far as you have
quoted them ?" Ensign Fowelson was asked.
prom reports alone or from the appear
ance Of the wreck"
EITHER from such reports or the condi-
lions which you believe to exist"
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-03-31

that day by the engineer officer on duty.
The fire alarms in the bunkers were in
working order, and there had never been
a case of spontaneous combustion OF coal
on board the Maine
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-03-31
Coal Bunkers Not overheated.


Ensign W. V. N. Powelson was called
the third day of the court. He testified
that he had been present on the Maine
every day from the arrival of the boat
Fern and during a great deal of the diving.
In reply to a question TO tell the court
all about the condition of the wreck, he
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-06-14
A CHURCH SCANDAL
Senate Investigates the Methodist
Book COuc6ru

WASHINGTON. June 13.-For nearly two
hours today the senate had under discus
sion the resolution of Mr. Lodge OF Massa-
chusetts, directing the claims COMMITTEES
to make inquiry as to the disposition Of the
money appropriated by congress to pay
the claim of the book concern of the Meth
odist Episcopal church, south. A heated
colloquy between Mr. Chandler of New
Hampshire and Mr.. Pasco was the feature
of the discussion. Mr. Chandler said that
Mr.. Pasco was unwittingly and unwnungly
the agent through which deception had
been practiced upon the senate. Mr.. Pasco
demanded the withdrawal of the statement,
but Mr.. Chandler insisted that 1t was cor
rect and refused to withdraw it, although
he disclaimed any intention to reflect upon
Mr.. Pascos honor. The resolution probably
will be called up again tomorrow.
Today's discussion of the matter devel-
oped the fact that Major r. B. Stahlman
was the lobbyist who had received about
500 900 of the amount awarded to the
church, and Messrs. Hoar, Chandler and
Tillman were free in asserting that the
church officials should see to it that he
is compelled to disgorge the amount which
bad been paid to him, in view Of his and
their assertions that none Of the money
awarded had been pledged or would be paid
to LOBBYISTS,
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-06-14

Toxic saying: blouse of Representatives.
having rejected a bill for increasing land
tax, It was dissolved June 10. However,
civil code and supplementary budget bills
have passed both houses without material
notification
The announcement that the civil code and
supplementary budget bills have passed is
of great interest to many countries as the
enactment of the former was vitality neces-
sary to the carrying out of the new treaties
Japan has made with the United States
and other countries. The supplementary
budget contains many estimates of military
and naval expenditures. The land tax bill
was a measure the government had pressed
urgently but which met the opposition CT
the liberal party
The government believes the land tax in
Japan is frequently far too small, valuable
city property frequently being assessed at
farm prices. Now that the matter has
been rejected, popular appeal will be made
and an election held five months hence with
this for an issue.
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-06-14
SLOWLY STARVING TO DEATH
Only the Soldiers in Havana Are Fed.
The Comon Pemople Starve

TORONTO, Ont, June 13-Letters re-
ceived from officers OF The British cruiser
Talbot and a merchant CT Havana by per-
sons in this city give gloomy pictures of
affairs in Cuba generally and the capital in
particular The navy officer says he had
every opportunity Of noting the state of
affairs. He found the common people were
slowly starving to death, while the wealthy
were reduced 10 considerable hardshps.
The soldiers are on rations under the regu-
la tion quantity. General Blarco is using
every natural formation to make the de-
fenses stronger and Is mining and entrench-
ing at all points.
The mood of the garrison, he says, varies
At times 1t IS buoyant, then depressed
Soldiers are fairly well disciplined and
If they can be kept in good spirits
they will doubtless fight splendidly.
Blanco appears to have abundant ammu-
milton, but the British officer thinks he is
short of guns of sufficient caliber to de-
stroy battleshlps He thinks the gunners
not too well trained. He reiterates the
views of the commander of Che Talbot,
given some time ago, that it will be difficult
to carry the fortress by assault. even after
effective bombardment. The garrison can
be starved into surrender in short time.
The letter concludes with the statement
that several conveys for the Spanish garri-
son undoubtedly ran the blockade recently.
The fall of Santiago is predicted as soon
as determined attempt at capture Is made
The officer says the place cannot be de-
Tended against any well directed attack.
The merchants letter takes very gloomy
view of the situation. He is quietly pre-
pairing to leave Cuba. There is no trade in
the city, and the people have no faith in
Blanco's ability to defeat the United States
Attack and surrender are only a question of
time.
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-06-14
CHINESE CONCESSIONS
Great Britain Satisfied with the POSI-
ton She Now Holds

LONDON, June 13.-In the house of lords
today the marquis of Salisbury replied to
the earl of Camperdown QAberaD, con-
frming the reports Of the concessions
granted to Great Britain in the vicinity Of
Hong Kong, which, he said, in addition to
giving a slight extension to the colony,
also secured strategical Surroundings which
so far commanded Hong Kong that without
them, in case of war, Great Britain would
have been put to certain disadvantages.
These considerations, the premier further
pointed out, had become more imperative
in consequence Of the events of the last
few years. He could not say that any i'm
mediate danger was apprehended. In fact,
the concessions had been demanded for
long time, but recent events made the Chi
nese government more sensitive to the pos
sibility Of unexpected occurrences, and they
quite understand and appreciate the solicit
tude displayed for the maintenance OF peace
and the commercial interests of Great Brit.
ain are those Of the whole world"
The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-06-14
TWICkENhAM'S TRIALS
THE BRITISH COLLIER HELD AS
A PRIZE AT KEY WEST
Tried to Land Contraband Coal for the
Use of Cervera's Bottled
UP Fleet

NEW YORK. June 13.--A dispatch to the
Herald from Mole 81. Nicholas. Hayti,
says:
The merchantmen captured by the auxil-
liary cruiser St. Louis just off Morant
Point, Jamaica, last Friday night was the
British steamer Twickenham.
On board the Twickenham are 5000 tors
of coal for the Spanish fleet. She has been
sent as prize to Key West.
The capturned steamer is London YES
sci which was sent to Martinique, expecting
to effect junction with Admiral Cervera's
squadron at this island. The fleet had de-
parted before her arrival and she was de-
tanned there as a suspicious vessel by the
French authorities.
Word was brought to Admiral Sampson
that the Twickenham had left on Wednes-
day. The st. Louis was Immediately dis
patched to intercept her.
Twenty miles out of Kingston on Friday
night the st. Louis fell in with the Twick-
enham. The armed liner showed only the
green and red lights of a merchantmen and
the collier kept right ahead on her north
she hoped to be able to find some means of
in the harbor of Santiago.
Coming into close range, the St. Louis
surprised the collier by sending a shot
across her bows. The Twickenham, instead
of stopping, put on full steam and tried to
get away.
Quickly overhaulins the Englishman, the
st. Louis fired again. The Captain Of the
collier, seeing fight was impossible, hove
to and was boarded by boats crew from
the st. Louis.
The British Captain at first made v.gor-
Gus denial that he was carrying coal for the
Spanish fleet. His vessel was searched,
however, by the men from the st. Louis.
In the fire room, a man in overalls was
found who spoke only Spanish. After a
vigorous cross-eXamination by Capt. Good
rich of the St. Louis this man admitted he
was a Spanish officer In charge Of the
cargo. On the approach of the st. Louis
he had thrown his papers and commission
overheard. He appeared to be badly scared
at the way things had turned out He was
sent as prisoner of war to Key West on
board the captured steamer.
The st. Louis has recently been engaged
in cutting cables around Cuba. Lieut..
Allen said when she passed Guantanamo
last night the Stars and Stripes were flying
over the marines on the hill. The Ameri-
can men of war were lying in the harbor,
but there had been no engagement yet with
the Spanish.