davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-02-23
WE ARE READY TO STRIKE.
Within "a Hours Our Ships Could
Blockade Every Cuban Port.

Within "a Hours Our Ships Could
Blockade Every Cuban Port.
A New York dispatch says Three flag
officers of the United States navy are
watching events at Washington, Madrid
and Havana with great interest They
are Rear Admiral Montgomery Sicard
commanding the North Atlantic squad
ron; Rear Admiral John A. Howell, COM
manding the European squadron, and
Capt Colby NJ. Chester, senior officer IL
command of the South Atlantic squadron.
Each of these three commanders received
telegraphic order to hold his ship in read
iness for active Sc re and to Keep it fully
coaled and provisigned at all times There
is an American flag floating over frown-
ing broadsides of guns within easy strik-
ing distance of every port on the northern
and southern coasts of Cuba.
Within twentyfour hours from the dec
iaration of hostilties every port in Cuba
and Porto Rico could be sealed by a block
ade, while fleet of our ponderous battle
ships would be laundering away at the
castles which guard Havana harbor.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-02-23

The public trial of Emile Zola, the great
French novelist, and NJ. Perreux, man
ager of the Aurore newspaper, who have
been prosecuted by the Government as
the result of letter which the novelist
caused to be published in the Aurore in
December last, strongly rejecting upon
the high officials connected with the Drey-
fus case, has been Europe's latest sensa-
tional event. NJ. Zola was renrescuted
by NJ. Laborie, and NJ. Perre.- was de-
Tended by NJ. Clemenceau.
The trial was characterized from the
outset with a determined effort on the
part of the Wac Department witnesses to
maintain silence about the Dreyfus trial,
the court sustaining them in refusals to
answer questions. The first day these
witnesses refused to appear. Later the
principal ones were summoned, Gen. Mer-
cier, former minister of war, Major Es-
terhazy, whose recent acquittal OF the
Dreyfus charges caused Xola's letter, Cas-
simir-Perier, former president of France,
and other officers were summoned by the
court. Also Madame Dreyfus, wife of
the imprisoned captain was allowed TO
testify. But the court not oni! limited
questions to the witnesses, but protected
the officials and ex-otllcials when they
refused to tell all they knew of the Drey-
Us trial NJ Laborie, Zola's counsel,
fought persstently against these restric-
tions, while the throngs of neople were
allowed TO make noisy demonstrations
against Zola in and about the court, the
friends of Zola being in a minority.
The law of France is not based on our
common law, Our law assumes that
man is innocent urtil he is proven to be
guilty, and therefore his so-called confes-
sions are ruled out as doubtful evidence.
Under the French law, when a man is
charged with a crime, he is believed TO
be guilty until he proves his innocence.
AS a consequence. the person indicted la
bors under immense difficulties. Many
of the witnesses whom Zola summoned on
his behalf refused to To- iy. on the plea
of professional secrecy" AS an newt
able result, Zola was hampered at every
step.
Zola tried very hard to get at some of
the secrets of the Dreyfus trial, but the
judge steadily ruled that inasmuch as
Zola merely assailed the result Of the
secret trial of Count Ferdinand Ester
| haZy, he had no right to attempt to drag
in a revision of the proceedings in the
| Dreyfus trial. This would be good law
in this country. All these troubles in
France seem to have originated from the
fact that France permits and has permit
ted for ages secret trials; and secret trials
at the present day are considered at war
with justice and fairness. 1t may be said
that the Anglo-Saxon race abhors secret
trials. In France secret trials have so
long existed, and their verdicts are so re-
spected that some people are surprised at
the popular ferment over the secret trial
of Dreyfus and EsterhaZy. But France
is gradually becoming a genuine republic,
and French philosophers now hold that
the time has come when France must e2s-
tirpate the secret trial from her system Of
judicial procedure.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-02-23
COURT OF INQUIRY.
NAVAL BOARD TO SEARCH OUT
THE FACTS
Several Days May E1apse Before yer-
dict Is Reached, but There W;IlBe No
BE Rigid.
Four Men TO Decide.

On Thursday the court of inquiry TO in
yestigate the cause of the Maine disaster
was called to meet in Havana by Admiral
Sicard. 1t is composed of the following
officers: Capt. William I. Simpson, Capt.
French Il. Chadwick, Lieutenant Com
mander William r. Potter and lieuten-
ant Commander Adolph Mark, judge ad-
yocate. The verdict of these four naval
experts, writes Washington correspond
eEt, may mean war with Spain.
Under the direction of Admiral Sicard
says the correspondent, writing immedi-
ately after the calling of the court, the
members will hear evidence a4d examine
the debris. The splintered and twisted
hulk is expected to tell its own story. The
plates will be bent in or out. If all point
outward. the disaster was caused from
carelessness or probably treachery or
board the ship; if they point inward, then
to Spanish treachery from without. Be
meath the waters of the harbor the divers
will turn their electric searchlights as
they search the deep for the submerged
debris of the once mighty battle ship
They will report speedily to their su'
periors. f. e will be no unnecessary de-
lay. Public opinion will not stand indef-
of inquiry will go TO the Secretary of the
Navy and to the President. There will
be cabinet meeting. There will be nc
splitting of hairs, no quibbling over Off
cial etiquette. This matter is executive
it will not follow precedents; there are
none to follow.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-02-23
-------7a---=--=7====-----
CAPT. SIGSBEE.
Career of the Naval Officer il Com
mand of the IlIt N ed Batt1eship.

Career of the Naval Officer il Com
mand of the IlI-E NJ ed Battleship.
Captain Charles ID. Sigsbee, who COM
manded the Maine, is one of the most pop
ular and efficient officers in the American
navy. He was graduated from the naval
academy at Annapolis in 1868. He was
appointed from New York, his native
State, in 1859, and in October of the year
of his graduation he was made an ensign
and assigned to the steam sloop Monon-
gahela. He was serving on the Brooklyn
in 1864 and was in the battle of Mobile
Bay He took part in both attacks on
Fort Fisher and the final assault on the
same fort. From 1865 to 1867 he was
with the Asiatic squadron, being in the
meanwhile promoted to master. In 1867
he was commissioned a lieutenant, and he
has been steadily advanced through all
the grades in the navy to his present posi-
ton. He has served at the naval acad-
envy, on the flag ships Severn and Wor-
cester at the North Atlantic station, on
the Canandaigua, in the photographic of
fee and the coast survey, on the Dale aud
the old kearsarge at the European sta
tion and in other places pertaining to the
Navy Department, and in all he served
we'll and faithfully
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-02-23
TRIP To DISASTER.
When and Why the I1I-Fated Maine
Went to Havana.

Went to Havana.
The Maine arrived in Havana and drop
ped anchor in the inner harbor on the
morning Of Jan. %. The trip had been
hasty and the arrival of the boat so soon
had not been expected by the residents Of
the Cuban capital, yet no demonstration
was made and no unpleasant occurrences
had to be recorded. 1t had been the in
tention of President Mckinley for a long
time to send a war ship to Havana. Sew
eral weeks were spent in preparation, al
though the details Of what was going on
were not known to the public until the
final orders were given.
The Maine started from Dry Tortugas
early in the morning of JAN %, and in a
few hours reached her destination. As
the big vessel steamed into the harbor
through the narrow strait over which
MORO Castle stands guard, friendly sa-
lutes were fred. The answer wss at once
returned by the guns of the forts and the
Spanish flag ship Alphonso XIII, which
was at anchor in the harbor. Almost be-
fore anchor could be dropped small boat
was alongside containing officers of the
Spanish vessel. The visitors were met
by the officer of the deck and at once con-
Quoted to the captains cabin. Here in
Productions were made In the most friend
ly manner.
When tie Maine entered the harbor she
anchored almost in the center, and quite
close to the Spanish flag ship. The docks
were lined with excited Spaniards and GU.
rious Cubans. They did not cause any
trouble at the sight of the vessel so hated
or so much despised, but it was reported
that some of the ignorant Spaniards went
off in grumbling disgust when they saw
their own boat hoist the enemy's flag by
way of courtesy. According to orders
Admiral Sicard established line Of small
boats between Dry Tortugas and Havana
in such a way that signals could be rap
idly transmitted from the Maine to the
fleet. This was done to make certain of
speedy aid to the vessel on guard if il
should happen that the use of the cable
was me- &c impossible. This was only one
Of the precautionary measures that were
taken, not only TO prevent trouble but to
make sure of having a strong defensive
position if unavoidable trouble should
~
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-02-23
WAS A FLOATING FORT.
Maine One of the Best War Ships ii
the American Navy.

Maine One of the Best War Ships in
the American Navy.
The great explosion that ratified the
foundations Of the Cuban capital and
struck terror to the heart of every human
being in Havana at the same time, in a
few seconds obliteratCd nearly $1,000 600
worth of public property and rendered use
| less the great mass of steel that had been
called the battle ship Maine. She was a
proud. strong ship, and she will 20 down
into history alongside the Royal George.
the Victoria and other men-of-war which
were wiped out of existence with their
crews under appalling circumstances.
The Maine was one of the best ships il
the American navy. In an up and up
fight she would have stood her own
against any boat of her class afioat. She
was not a cruiser. She was built to fight.
and she was floating fort. All the in
genuity of modern naval architecture was
brought to bear upon her construction.
For six years the labor of men was put
into her. Her keel was laid in the Brook
lyn navy yard in October, 1888. She was
launched on \ Y. 10, 1890. The construc-
ton of the A.aine was authorized by an
act of Congress passed Aug. 3. 1886 The
act provided that the new boat should
cost s.. 10000 and over that sum was
expended upon her. In size the Maine
was 8 goedly ship. Her length over all
was 324 feet: at load water line. 31S feet
her beam, 81 feet; hes draught, 2155 feet;
her displacement. 6,64S tons. She was
designed for a flag ship. but the great
changes In modern methods of naval CON
struction were the cause Of her being fin
ished up as a fighter.
Something Of her formidable power may
be imagined when II is said that she could
hurl a broadside of 1922 pounds. This
did not include the fire from her small
arms From her two turrets and forward
guns she could hurl a fire of ,224 pounds
The Maine was a twin screw, armored
turret ship built in the belted style. She
had a belt Of armor to protect the vital
parts Of the fabric after the vulnerable
nsrts had been beaten in with shot. This
belt was foot thick. taperipg to seven
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-02-23
TIME United States battleship Maine

TIME United States battleship Maine
lies at the bottom of Havana har-
Dor, charred and torn hulk, and p
tomb for over $50 of her crew. She
was blown up about 10 o'clock Tuesday
night by a terrific explosion said to have
been an accident. The explosion occur
red in the bow of the vessel and at an
hour when the honest sailors had retired,
while most of the officers had returned
from the gayeties of the city. Whether
the magazine of the ship was fired by ac-
cident or treachery, whether bomb or tor
pedo placed beneath the bow sent the
Maine to the bottom of Havana bay and
its blue Jackets to their long home per-
haps no man shall ever know. All that
sailors and officers of the fated craft could
say was that there was a crash and roar
that men were hurled headlong from
their hunks upon the cabin floors, and that
out of the darkness, the grinding of burst
ing timbers, the ,urging of the water rush
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-02-23
FLAGS WITH FOUR STARS.
Decorations of the American wom-
ans Suffrage Association.

ans Suffrage Association.
Susan 3. Anthony called the thirtieth
annual convention Of the National Ameri-
can Womans Suffrage Association to or
der at the Columbia Theater in Washing
ton. The decorations consisted mainly
in the display Of two handsome American
flags, each with four stars, emblematic
of the States which have granted the right
Of suffrage to women. Prior to the gen.
eral public session there was a meeting Of
the executive committee which was more
fully attended than on any previous oc-
casiOn.
In Miss Anthony's address she spoke of
the success so far attained in behalf of
woman suffrage and urged az. tn 1se identi-
fed in the movement to stand together
for still better results. The grievances
which the women had against their COM
mon enemy-man-to-day were as great
and as many as the early colonists had
against King George. Following the op-
ening address the convention settled down
to routine business, including roll calls,
announcements Of committees, etc.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-02-23
RUSH TO THE KLONDIKE.
Railroads Are Responsible for the
Early Exodus of Argonauts.

The crowd surging through Seattle to
the northern gold fields is cosmopolitan in
the highest degree, writes a correspon-
dent. Every State in the Union is repre-
sented, and men are found from Europe,
South Africa and Australia. The crowd
is estimated at from 1000 to 5000 per-
sons. A conservative figure would fix the
number Of actual Klondikers at 1900.
The passenger lists OF the steamhsip COM
pany show average departures of 700
week. Up to the present the largest num-
Der to sail in one week from Seattle, ex-
elusive Of other ports on Puget Sound,
has been S4J for the last week in Janu-
ary.
Transportation facilities are being in
creased so that in March the Seattle
Alaska feet will number forty-two steam
crs and twenty-four sailing craft, with an
aggregat tonnage of 53,470, and a ca
pacity to carry 1880 passengers per trip.
Counting two trips per month, the total
number Of passengers would be 5000, or
at least $1,000 for the spring rush. Trans
portation men are confident that between
10000 and 100000 will come before sum-
md that all will be taken care ".
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-02-23

as if Providence were leading both coun-
tries into war.
Soldiers who would glory in Capturing
hospitals and numbering the patients, who
would machete poor pacificos and women
and children, would not hesitate to set off
torpedoes under a warship Loaded with
sleeping sailors and marines whom they
regarded as enemies. 1t would be perfect
ly in keeping with the warfare Spain has
wnoed In CIha
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-02-23
RELIEF MOVEMENT CHECKED.
Canada Refuses to Permit Our Troops
to Cross Boundary.

The Canadian Government has refused
to permit the United States troops to
cross the boundary line OF British Colum-
bia, and the efforts Of the War Depart
ment to relieve the suffering miners in
Alaska has in consequence Of this refusal
received a temporary check. There has
been considerable interesting correspon-
dence On the subject exchange between
the Assistant Secretary Of War and the
British ambassador The War Depart
ment officials have been surprised by the
attitude of the Dominion authorities.
They had been led to understand that per-
mission for a body Of troops sufficient to
form a safe escort for the relief party
would be readily allowed to enter the
British territory.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-02-23
MORRO CASTLE.

Frowniug Guardian of Havana's Gate
way and some of Its Uses.
MORO Castle, the guardian of Havana s
gateway, stands upon an imposing height
at the east entrance Of the harbor. Ha-
vana was founded eighteen years after
Columbus visited the island, and the site
of FL MORO was the earliest location
among Notifications. The castle, of solid
masonry and stone parapets, looks secure
against all oncdmers. Less a fortress
than prison, however. is the MORO Cas-
tie of to-day. 1t has ramiications under
the sea and chambers that have not been
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-02-23

probably sunk in the mud of that harbor
where divers can neither live nor work
The Maine nj the time of the explosion
was at anchor about 500 yards from the
arsenal and some 200 yards from the
floating dock.
There is no precedent for an accident OF
this sort. No ship of war has ever been
mysteriously blown up. Naval experts
are unanimous in the opinion that an ac-
cident to the powder magazine could nev-
er result in a catastrophe of this sort, and
they say the precautions taken on board
a modern man-of-war make an accidental
explosion in the ammunition a practica
innnnSSihilifu
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-02-23
ship BLOWN UP
Cruiser Maine DESTROYED
in Havana Harbor.
GREAT Loss OF LIFE
Two Hundred and Fifty-eight
American Sailors Dead.
suspect THE SPANIARDS
Belief That the Terrible Affair
Was Not Accidental.
suspect THE SPANIARDS
Belief That the Terrible Affair
Was Not Accidental.
WILD TALK OF WAR.
Many Americans Would Wipe Span
ish OFF the Earth.

Powerful United States Naval Vessel
Waters Lies at the Bottom of the
Bay a Charred and Torn HuIk-Ca-
tastrophe Took Place at 10 O'clock
at Night, When All the Sailors Ex-
sept Those Detailed for Duty Were
leeping-Ex p1auation Which Seems
Torpedo Was Exploded Under the
Ship.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-02-23

A bill is pending in Congress to extend
the criminal and civil laws Of the Unit
ed States to the Indian territory. Ii al
lots in severalty the lands of the five civ
ilized tribes, and adjusts pending disputes
between them The bin abolishes all In
dian courts, and requires the Presidents
approval Of all acts passed by the Indian
Legislatures.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-02-23

inches al a point below the water line.
The engines and boilers were protected by
a curved deck of hardened steel. The
barbette armor was a foot in thickness,
and the armor plates about the turrets
were eight inches thick. In armament the
Maine was one of the most destructive
vessels in any navy of the world.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-02-23
HOUSE PASSES RESOLUTIONS.

sympathy Expressed for the Families
of the Dead.
In the National House of Representa-
tives Wednesday Mr.. Boutelle, chairman
of the Committee on Naval Affairs, offer
ed the following resolution, which was
unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That the House of Repre-
sentatives has learned with great sorrow
of the calamity which has caused the de-
struction of the United States battle ship
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-02-23

Virginia contained fifth of the whole
population Of the country.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-02-23

Business cards, not exceeding fvs Hines, q. %
Legal advertisements at legal rates Advertise
nents inserted with no specified tips WI b
published until ordered out, and charged for A.
eordingly. All bills payable qus4terIy.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-02-23

explored for hDndred years-at least by
others than Sraniards. The castle has
come to be Esed principally as a prison
for political offenders, and its moldy
tirainless cells are a horror to Cubans,
who, of course. are the political offenders.
1t is the place Of execution when political
prisoners are not to be shot publicly.
Flags Half-Masted.
President Mckinley has ordered the
flags at all navy yards and on naval yes
sells, at posts. army headquarters, and on
all public buildings, at half-mast.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-02-23
Another Lie Nailed.

81 once" said the Colonel, so1emnly,
Il once, and only once, had all thirteen
trumps dealt me-"
"Er-I suppose you were the dealerY'
suggested the candid friend.
mo, sirp' roared the Colonel; "no,
sir; was not the dealerp'
'"1'hen may ask what happened to
the trump which the dealer turned
up?
And terrible silence ensued.
Rome wasn't founded by Romeo; it
was Juliet who was found dead by
Romeo.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-02-23
NOTABLE NAVAL DISASTERS.

History of American Navy Records
None So Destructive to Life.
In the history of the American navy
no disaster is recorded in which the loss
of life was so great as that attending the
Evening star., 1898-10-13

the old talent Is going to hang on the Or
phans' pay roll. Burns evidently would
sooner have men who will flarken to his ad-
vice and commands than some of the pres
ent ob1ectors, and for this reason Billy Dah-
len and Bill Lange may go. Both these
men are great players, but of little value to
a club with pennant winning aspirations.
The selling of Taylor and Cross by the St
Louis club probably marks the beginning
and end of Won der Abe. Several of the
league magnates, headed by Brush and
Robson, have doubtless concluded to shove
the St Louis magnate off the league check
er board and then, in case of necessity
fight the case in the courts. The movement
does not seem like an "above-board' trans
action, but when the St. Louis situation is
taken into consideration 1t would appear
as though almost any drastic move would
be indorsed by the base ball public.
Magnate Earl Wagner and Manager Ir-
win We're busy yesterday afternoon chasing
the Senators into the clubs private office
and securing their signatures to contracts
Tor next season or sounding them OF the con-
ditions they wanted before taking the pen
in hand. Both Wagner and Irwin have de-
termined that the backwardness of the play
ers shall not handicap the club next spring
it did this.
The Pittsburg club yesterday secured four
more players for 1899. They are Spike
shannon, outfielder of the Richmond team
William Wilhelm, pitcher, and Arthur Mad
lson, 1nflelder, of the Lancaster team, and
II. f. Payne, pitcher who was released by
Brooklyn early in the season. Shannon is a
P1ttsburg boy, who played right field for
the champions of the Atlantic League. Will
helm is the pitcher who got his start at
9nlontown. Madison was with the Phila-
delphla team in 1895 and part of 1896. For
two seasons he has been a member of the
Lancaster team of the Atlantic League.
Payne is a left-hand pitcher, who did good
work for Brooklyn until his arm gave out
1t is claimed that his arm is now in perfect
| shane.