davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1898-04-01

looked after on the Maine to obviate danger.
Special orders in regard to this had been
given hy the commanding officer.
Narnshes, dryers, alcohol and other COM
bustibles OF this nature were slowed on or
above the main deck. and could not have
had anything 10 do with the destruction of
the Maine.
The medical stores were slowed aft under
the wardroom and remote from the scene of
the explosion.
No dangerous stores Of any kind were
stored below in any Ofthe other store-rooms.
The coal bunkers were inspected daily. OF
those bunkers adjacent to the forward maga-
zines and shell rooms, four were empty
namely. B 3, b I, b ). b G.
A Is had been in use that day and A 16
was full of New River coal. This coal had
been carefully inspected before receiving it
on board. The bunker in which it was
slowed was accessible on three sides at all
times, and the fourth side, at this time. on ac-
count OF bunkers b 1 ana b e being empty
This bunker. \ IL. had been inspected that
day by the engineer officer on duty.
The lire alarms in the bunkers We're in
working order. and there had never been
case of spontaneous combustion of coal on
board the Maine.
The two after boilers of the ship
We're in use AT the time of the dis
aster, but for auxiliary purposes only.
with comparatively low pressure of
steam. and being tended by a relia-
BILE 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 Il fair condition.
On the night of the destruction of the
Maine everything had been reported secure
for the night at o'clock by reliable persons.
through the proper authorities, to the com
manding officer. At the time the Maine was
destroyed the ship was quiet, and therefore
least liable to accident by movements from
those on board.
Wrecked by Two Explosions.
The destruction of the Maine occurred at
9.4S p. m, on the 18th day of February,
eighteen hundred and ninety-eight, in the
harbOr of Havana Cuba, she being at the
same buoy to which she had been taken
upon her arrival
There We're two explosions. of distinctly
different character. with avery short but
distinct interval between them, and the for
ward part of the ship was lifted to marked
degree at the time of the first explosion.
The ilrst explosion was more in the nature
OF Il report like that of Il gun, while the
second explosion was more OPEN prolonged
and Of greater volume This second eX-
plosiOn was. in the opinion of the court,
caused by the partial explosion of two or
more of the forward magazines of the
Maine.
4. Condition of the wreck:
The evidence bearing upon this. be-
ing principally obtained from divers, did
not enable the court to form n definite con
clusion rs to the condition of the wreck, al
though it was established that the after part
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1898-04-01

lutely no sign of the action of a torpedo,
and the Judge advocate of the commission.
can find no precedent for the explosion of
the storage magazine of vessel by Il tor
pedO.
The report makes clear that owing to the
special nature of the proceedings following,
and the absolute respect shown for the extra
territoriality of the Maine, the commission
has been prevented from making such an
examination of the side of the vessel as
would determine even the hypothesis of the
internal origin of the accident.
This is to be attributed to the regrettable
refusal to permit the necessary cooperation
of the Spanish commission both with the
commander and crew of the Maine and the
different American officers commissioned to
investigate the cause of the accident. and
later on with those employed in salvage
work.
The report finishes by stating that an ex-
animation OF the inside and outside of the
Maine, as soon as such examination may be
possible, as also of the bottom where the
vessel rests, will prove that, supposing the
remains of the wreck are not totally or par
TALLY altered in the process of extraction,
the explosion was undoubtedly due to some
exterior cause"
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1898-04-01
Names Friendly Visit.

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 to Cuban ports and that
in that view the Maine would forthwith call
at the port of Havana.
This announcement was received by the
Spanish government with appreciat on OF
the friendly character OF the visit OF the
Maine and with notification OF intention to
return the courtesy by ysending Spanish ships
to the principal ports of the United States.
Meanwhile the Maine entered the port OF
Havana on the 25th of January. the arrival
being marked with no special incident be-
sides the exchange of customary salutes and
ceremonial visits.
The Maine continued in the harbOr of
Havana during the three weeks following
her arrival. No appreciable excitement at
tended her stay; on the contrary Il feeling of
relief and confidence followed the resump-
ton of the long g-interrupted friendly inter
course. SO noticeable was this immediate
effect of her visit that the consul general
strongly urged that the presence of our ships
in Cuban waters should be kept up by re-
tanning the Maine at Havana or in the event
of her recall, by sending another vessel
there to take her place
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1898-04-01

"At frame II, the outer shell of the ship,
from point II l-2 feet from the middle line
of the ship and six feet above the keel which
in its normal position has been forced up so
as to be now about four feet above the sur
face of the water; therefore, about "a feet
above where it would be had the ship sunk
uniniured.
The outside bottom plating is bent into
reversed V shaped "A, the after wing, of
which, about 10 feet broad and 30 feet in
| length Crane II to frame 25) is doubled
back upon itself against the continuation Of
! the same plating extending forward
"At frame 1S the vertical keel is broken In
two and the fiat keel bent into an angle sim
iliar to the angle formed by the outside bot
tom plates. This break is now about six
feet below the surface of the water and
about 80 feet above its normal position.
"In the opinion of the court this effect
could have been produced only by the eX-
p!osion of mine situated under the bottom
of the ship at about frame Is and somewhat
on the shore side of the ship.
The conclusions of the court are: That
the loss of the Maine was not in any respect
due to fault or negligence on the part of any
of the officers or members of her crew.
"That the ship was destroyed by the eX-
| plosion of Il submarine mine, which caused
the partial explosion of two or more of her
forward magazines and that no evidence
has been Obtainable fixing the responsibility
for the destruction of the Maine upon any
! person or persons.
II have directed that the finding of the
court ofinquiry and the views of this govern
ment thereon be communicated to the
government ofher ma aiesty the queen regent,
and do not permit myself to doubt that the
sense of justice of the Spanish nation will
dictate course of action suggested by
honor and the friendly relations of the two
governments.
1T will be the duty of the executive to ad.
wise the Congress of the result, and in the
meantime deliberate consideration is in
voked. (Signed).
civilian MCKINLEY.
Executive mansion, March %, lS9S."
The message was referred to the commit
tee ON foreign affairs and the House ad-
journed.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1898-04-01

CRANSTON, r. l.. March 30--Elwood G.
Haller, 90 years old, colored, and who says
he belongs in New York, is at the state prison
here awaiting examination on II serious
charge. Early in the morning, as the first
section Of the midnight express bound from
Boston to New York, on the Providence divi-
sion of the Consolidated road was approach
ing the bridge over the PawtuXet river, the
engineer saw some one ahead waving
burning object as signal. The train was
stopped, and IIaler was found beside the
track. He told the train crew that he found
two sleepers on the rails, and knowing
that the train was due in few Sec
onds, took off his shirt and set it on fire to
use as signal torch. The story was not
believed, and 1t is the theory of the railroad
officials that the seepers were placed on the
track by Haler, who hoped by stopping
the train to get free ride to New York. He
was arrested and arraigned on the charge
OF placing distractions on the tracks of
railroad company. He pleaded not guilty,
ana was ordered to furnish $4,000 bail for
further appearance.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1898-04-01

charge the onerous duty imposed upon
them.
Aided by strong force OF wreckerS aud
divers the court proceeded 10 make u
thorough investigation on the spot employ
ing every available means for the impartial
and exact determination of the cause of the
explosion. Its operations have b en- con
Quoted with the utmost drliberatiOn and
judgment. and while independently pursued
ne source Of information wa, neglected and
the fullest opportunity was allowed for a
simultaneous investigation by the Spanish
authorities.
The finding Of the court OF inquiry was
reached after % days OF continuous labor.
on the 2lst Of March instant, and having
been approved on the 22nd day by the com
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1898-04-01
Genuine Old Slave Pen Sold.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla, March 3O-Baron
Edgar de Bora of France has just bought
through Il Boston Mass. farm agency, the old
Bushell grant, comprising 575 acres of land
situated nine miles north of this city, and
which belonged to Capt. Edward G. Allen,
who inherited the estate from his grand
father. Capt. Daniel Hurlburt. The latter
carried on, at one time, an extensive sugar
plantation and was at the same time largely
engaged in the African slave trade. He
was one of the largest dealers in slaves in
the South. He would land Il vessel load of
slaves. several hundred in number, on the
beach just below the slave market, and take
them to his plantation to be accimated and
put in condition to sell to cotton and sugar
nlanters of the South,
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1898-04-01
AN UNABRIDGED REPORT.
Finding in Full Of the Board of
Inquiry.

Finding ia Full Of the Board OF
Inquiry.
The following i the full text Of tue court
OF inquiry:
L. 5. 5. Iowa. First Rate.
KEY WEST. Fla.
Monday. March "a. 1898.
After full and mature consideration OF all
the testimony before it, the court finds a.
follows:
]. That the United States battleship
Maine arrived at the harbor of Havana. Cuba,
on JAMS. 1898. and was taken 10 buoy No.I
in from j l-2 To- q la.noms of water. Dy the
regular government pilot
The L. :. consul general at Havana had
notified the authorities at that place the
previous evening Of the intended arrival of
the Maine.
2. The state Of discipline on board the
Maine was excellent, and all orders and
regulations In regard to the care and safety
of the ship were strictly carried out.
All ammunition was stored in ac-
cOrdance with prescribed instructions.
and proper care was taken whenever ammu-
milton was handled.
Nothing was stored in any one OF the
magazines OF shell rooms which was not
permitted to be slowed there.
The magazines and shell rooms were al
ways locked after having been opened. and
after the destruction Of the Maine the keys
were found in their proper place in the cap
tain's cabin, everything having been re-
ported secure that evening at y. IN.
The temperature Of the magazines
and she'll rooms were taken daily and re-
ported. The only magazine which had an
undue amount Of heat was the after l0-inch
magazine, and that did not explode at the
time the Maine was destroyed.
The torpedo war heads were all slowed in
the after part of the ship, under the ward
room. and neither caused nor participated d
in the destroying Of the Maine.
The dry gun cotton primers de-
tonators We're slowed in the cabin
aft, and remote from the scene OF
the explosion. Waste was carefully
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1898-04-01
Destruction Of the Maine.

At 40 minutes past nine in the evening of
the 18th OF February the Maine was destroyed
by an explosion, by which the entire forward
part of the ship was utterly wrecked. Inthe
catastrophe two officers and 264 of her crew
perished those who were not killed outright
by her explosion being penned between
decks by the tangle of wreckage and
drowned by the immediate sinking of the
hull. Prompt assistance was rendered by
the neighboring vessels anchored in the har-
Dor, aid being especially given by the
boats of the Spanish cruiser Alphonso
XII and the Ward line steamer City
of Washington, which lay not far distant.
The wounded were generously cared for
by the authorities of Havana, the hospitals
being freely opened to them, while the
earliest recovered bodies of the dead were
inferred by the municipality in public
cemetery in the city. Tributes of grief and
sympathy were offered from all official
quarters of the island
The appalling calamity fell upon the peo-
pie of our country with crushing force and
for brief time an intense excitement pre-
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1898-04-01

Baron Won Richtkoven says that at
the present rate of consumption the
world could draw its supplies of coal
from southern Shensi alone for over a
thousand years; and yet, in the vely
place referred to, it is not uncommon
to find the Chinese storing up wood
and millet-stalks for their firing in
winter, while coal in untold quantities
lies ready for use beneath their feet.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1898-04-01

Professor Bryce has made a bad
slip in his book ON South Africa. He
accuses the Beers of abusing the
English by speaking of them usually
as "rotteu eggs" whereas the Trans
vael phrase is root mex, red neck,"
and applies to the British complexion.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1898-04-01

The Denver young lady who con-
tracted with New York doctor to
supply her with two sweet dimples,
and secured seven, is justified in feel
ing hurt. Two dimples, properly To-
Gated, are attractive, but an eruption
of them has its drawbacks.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1898-04-01

WASHINGTON. D. c.. March % The
president has sent the following message
to Congress
To the Congress OF the United
States:
For some time prior to the visit Of the
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1898-04-01

the cause. the responsibility and the facts
warranted. the remedy due. This course
necessarily recommended itself from the out
set to the executive. Tor only in the light of a
dispaesionately a~certained certainty will it
determine the nature and measure Of its full
duty in the matter.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1898-04-01
VOL. XIV.
Essex County Herald.

The churches of the United States
and Canada are endeavoring to look
after the religious interests of miners
in the gold d-felds of the KlOndike and
on their way to them.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1898-04-01

vailed. which in community less just and
self-cOntrollcd than ours might have led to
hasty acts OF blind resentment.
This spirit, however, soon gave way to
calmer processes of reason and to the re-
solve to investigate the facts and await ma
teriaI proOf belore forming a indignant US 10
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1898-04-01

The usual procedure was followed as in
all cases of casualty or u disaster to national
vessels of any maratme state.
A naval court of inquiry was at once or
ganized, composed of officers we'll qualified
by rank and practical experience to dis
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1898-04-01

LEWISTON, Me-, March 31-The gates Of
the Androscoggin mill have been reopened,
and sufficient number of the old operatives
returned to start 400 looms. At the opening
OF the gates several of the strikers who
would not return to work gathered. and
there was some hoOting and yelling at those
who went into the mill. At the noon hour
another crowd had gathered and the same
scene was enacted. Police were present,
and there was no attempt at any violence
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1898-04-01
Dental Notice.

make Artificial Teeth without rubber or
metallic plates.
Gold Crowns, Porcelain Crowns and
Bridge Work Il specially.
DIR. X. q. PICKETT, Dentist,
243 Middle ST., Portland, Me.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1898-04-01
MAINE BLOWN UP BY MINE
So Says Court of Inquiry in
Dispassionate Report.
Claims Impossibility to Fix RespOn=
sibiIity==Spain Not rlentiOned.

President McKinleys Message-Does Not Doubt
That Sense Of Honor Will Dictate Spains
Course of Acknowledgements Consideration
on the Part Of Congress is Invoked.
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1898-04-01

SACO, Me-. March 31-The reopening of
the York mill gates and the ringing of the
corporation bells for the first time in 10
weeks, were not attended by any great
thrush of operatives. OF the 1900 strikers
only about 200 went in to work in the
morning and a few more in the after
noon. The starting of the machinery was
only matter of experiment, to see
how many operatives could be mustered
in the face of the strikers decision to stay
out. The prospect of getting full crews
seemed so uncertain that late in the after
noon Agent Page decided to abandon his
plan. He notified the overseers to send out
the 200 operatives who had voluntarily gone
to work, and at o'clock the speed was
shut off. The agent says he shall not re-
open the gates till requested to do so by
majority vote of the strikers, even II the
shutdown continues all summer,
Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1898-04-01
The Condition of the Shin.

of th,4ship vas practically intact and sank
In THAI t-.;Iition very few minutes after
the destruction of the forward part.
The Condition of the Ship.
The following facts in regard to the for
ward part of the ship are, however estab-
lshed by the testimony:
That portion of the port side of the pro-
tective deck which extends from about
frame 80 to about frame Al was blown up aft
and over to port. The main deck from about
frame 80 to about frame Al was blown up aft,
and slightly over to starboard, folding the
forward part of the middle superstructure
over and on top Of the after part.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-07-21
LOCAL BRETITIE>.

The steamer Charles Manchester
leaves Prince street wharf on Thurs
day, Friday and Saturday evenings for
Indian Head, stopping at Marshall Hall
going and returning. These excur
sions are cheap and pleasant.
The meeting held last night t the rooms OF
the Business Mems League to discuss matters
vidna adj urned without taking definite &C.
ton Another meeting VIII be held at all
early date.
Leila Lawson has sold to Morris Tally sew
e1al lots in the square bounded by heuly,
Fsyc.te, Madison and Wythe streets, for
$500
The U. s gunboat Priaceton that has just
been repaired Mt the Washington navy yard,
passed down the river this morning
George johnson, Postal telegraph messen-
ger, almost cut OIL two OF his fingers yester'
day evening while splitting wood.
At the meeting las: night of Jackson Coun-
ell, Jr. o. U. A. NJ, three applications for
membership were received.
The excursion given to-day to Colonia
Beach ly the Jr. 0. u. A. NJ. and D. of a.
was quite largely attic dod.
Mr.. Walter Cline was painfully hurt thi'
morning by one of the Columbia fire erglL(
horses stepping on his foot.
A light shower of rain, a'coapanicd ny
ightnin and thunder, fell this evening.
To-day is the 18th anniversary of the frs
battle OF Manassas.
so far but 462 dog licenses have been is
cund
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-07-21
CAMP ALGER.

Camp Alger yesterday resounded
with the crash of musketry and the
shouts of charging cavalry. The peace
of the evening was disturbed by the
din OF sham battle between the
Twelfth Pennsylvania Volunteers and
the Philadelphia City Troop. The
mock fight was the cause Of little dis
turbance among the hospital stores of
the Philadelphia City Troop. The
team of negro was standing in the
company street, and when the firing
began the animals took fright and ran
through the camp, demolishing the
hospital tent. Luckily, no one was in
jured.
1t is understood that Gen. Buffers
brigade will be used to re'enforce the
advance OF the Porto Rican expedition.
Privates Ftz Lee Smith, Company
A; c. F. Davis, and David Downey,
Company F, and c. f. Adams, Company
B. all of the Sd Virginia, were before
the 1st division courtmartial on Tues
dav. charged with drunkenness, disor-
derly conduct aud disobedience of Or
ders.
a party of young ladies from Alex
audria called at the quarters of the Sd
Virginia on Tuesday and brought with
them an exceptionally good luncheon.
The Fredericksburg Lance says:
Capt. NJ. B. Bowe said yesterday that
owing to discharges made from the
Third Virginia Regiment from various
causes, he still lacks 81 men in order to
fill his quota. We understand Capt.
Willard, of the Third Battalion, lacks
81 men and Capt. Freeman, of the Sec
ond Battalion, wants 81. Capt. Rowe
Yesterday sent to the regiment nine
men. and expects to send 20 more this
week. If he does this, he will only
need two men to fill his quota. The
men sent yesterday were Frank A.
Turner, Frank J. Cotter, OF Richmond,
to Company NJ; Herbert I. NJ! ers, Jo-
seph z. Adkins, Fred. &. Mckinney,
Benia &. Cabell. James J. Slate, of
DAnville, to Company A. LafoDzo Jet,
of Falmouth, ana Frederick Coleman,
of Warrenton, to Company c.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-07-21

WEDDING "A quiet wedding took
Mace ut the home of the parents of the
bride DR.. and Mrs. James D. Schep-
NOES in Fredericksburg, at $50 o'clock
last evening, the contracting parties
beinr Miss Jeanette Davidson Schep-
NOES and Mr.. VIM. w. West, the atiable
ticket agent of the Washington-South-
arm Railway in this city. The cere-
mony was performed by DR.. B. W. Me-
Dane, of fredericksburg, after which
The happy couple left on the 9:06 train
Tor tins city where they will make their
future home. The wedding was strict
~ private owing to death in the family,
only the immediate members of the
family being present The bride, Miss
Schepmoes, is n daughter OF DR.. and
Mrs. James D. Schepmoes, one of the
most distinguished families of Loui5i-
ana. She received her name of David
son from the distinguished family of
fnsncierS of the South in antebellum
DAYS. DR.. :. married Miss Adalina
Havener, of New York. He is widely
known in the dental fraternity, but OIL
account of falling health has been com
PEELED to retire from practicing. The
doctor traces his ancestry ID the Schep-
NOES family of whom Col. Schepmoe'
In the year 1914 was commenting otli-
Ger OF New Amsterdam now the city
OF New Eork.