davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-02-16
VALET BETTER THAN MAID.
That's What Miss L. B. Freeman of Paris
and New York Thinks,

New York. Feb. 14-Most women
would think they had reached the highest
sum of human good when they had taken
unto themselves a maid. But Miss L. B.
Freeman, a young American woman,
now staying at the Cambridge hotel in
this city. will have none of her. Instead
she has brought to this country with her
Il man servant, whom she calls a courier
valet, and who is part of her establish
ment in Paris, where she makes her
home. The young fellow is sturdy Ger
man boy, and is learning to speak Eng
fish, and a being who can do more things
than a juggler, and has more of the vir
tues of service than any article in the
advertising placards of the elevated
train.
'aow did [ come to have a man in
stead of the time-hOnored maid % said
Miss Freeman. That is easy enough
told-he is a better servant-men make
better servants in the duties that this one
has to meet than the best maids that ever
were born. Why? Well they-or rather,
he-can buy my tickets. run my errands
announce my carriage at receptions, and
see me to and from the theater at night
No maid could do all this
Miss Freeman said she preferred to do
UP her own hair, SO didn't miss a maid
on that account
That boy can do anything ever heard
button them, if necessary. He runs thir-
ty errands a day sometimes. Does won
de:s for me, and he begged me to bring
him along to see America. In Warsaw.
Poland, IN France, and in England they
have Wallets, and it is such a common
thing that no one ever pays any attention
to It, and no one ever comments OH it -
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-02-16
DID LEE WRITE A LETTER.
RumOr that There May be a Sequel
to the De Lone
Incident.

New York, Feb IA dispatch to the
World from Havana says: There is a
rumor that the palace authorities have
letter written by Consul-General Lee, the
contents of which are as interesting even
exciting, for Spain as the De LONE letter
to Canalejas was for the United States.
1t is said that Gen. Lees frankness in
conversation insures the existence Of such
missives, and the opinion is openly ex-
pressed that Gen. Lee, too, must go.
Washington, d. c., Feb. 14.-The state
department officially denied reports alleg-
ing that Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, cOnsul-gen-
eral to Cuba, had rendered his resigna-
ton.
1t can be stated also that while details
are not Obtainable matters regarding the
De LONE incident have assumed such
shape that an early and entirely salts
factory adjustment of the affair between
the United States and Spain is confident
ly expected by the state department.
The officials of the state department
still maintain their reticence as to the
WoOdford received late Saturday night
1t may be said that all statements
so far made as to the nature
of this dispatch are speculative.
The message was not deciphered until
well along in the afternoon yesterday and
then II passed into the hands OF Assist
ant Secretary Day and the President in
turn, who have been the only persons ex-
cept the translator, who have seen the
letter.
New York, Feb. lit is now known
on the highest authority that the real
reason for sending the United States tor
pedo Gushing to Havana was that the
Spanish authorities have been tampering
with mail sent to the battleship Maine i'll
Havana harbor, says the Washington cor
respondent of the Herald.
This resulted III Capt. Sigsbee of the
Maine sending a protest to Washington
with a suggestion that a regular service
be established between Key West and
Havana by means of torpedo boat.
On the strength of this protest the
Gushing was dispatched to Havana.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-02-16
CONRAD BEHRENS DEAD.
WeH-Known operate Singer Passes
AWAY.

New York, Feb. 14.-Conrad Behrens,
wen-knOwn singer, formerly with the
Walter Damrosch Opera company, but
who for the last two years had devoted
himself to vocal instruction in this city.
died last evening in private hospital
after protracted illness from kidney
trouble complicated with other disorders,
during which he underwent two severe
surgical operations.
Mr.. Behrens was So years old and was
born in Brunswick, Germany, where his
father was a minister 1t was intended
that, he should follow in his fathers foot
steps, but he engaged in commercial pur-
suits In Hamburg and later in Stockholm
His voice attracted the favorable atten-
ton Of the King Of Sweden, who ena-
bled him to devote several years to its
culture in Paris. He made his debut in
Stockholm in the Royal opera.
lie sang in Berlin and Brunswick after
this and under Col. Mapleson's direction
IN London until 1880 Then he became
first basso of the grand opera at Rotter-
dam. He had visited this country sew
eral times before he took his final en-
gagement with Mr. Damrosch.
He went abroad last summer for his
health, but experienced but little relief
A widow and a young daughter survive
him
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-02-16
MERIT SYSTEM GOOD.
Commission Tells of the Reforms
Which Have Been AC-
COnnliShed.

Washington, D. c., Feb. 14-The an
| nual report of the civi-service commits
sion for the fiscal year ended June 30,
1897, has been presented to the Presi-
dent. 1t begins with a statement to
show that after an experience of nearly
htteen years the hopes of the advocates
of the civil-Service law have been large
ly realized. In practice the law has
proved to be a constantly eXerted and eff
fective force in the direction OF economy.
Considering the few changes in the
service under the merit system and the
wholesale removals under the patronage
system, the economy and efficiency of
the one stands as a striking contrast
to the extravaganza and inefficiency of
the other.
Since 1883 the year of the organization
of the commissiOn) the unclassited posi-
lions which have been subject to political
control have increased in number 81 per
cent. and III cost 43 per cent, while the
classified positions subject to examination
have remained at a standstill. The large
extension of civil-service rules in May,
1896, to include positions hitherto I'M
classlhed, the report says, brought to
hight number of unnecessary positions.
Quite number of these have been abOl-
lshed as measure of economy.
The whole number of persons examined
during the year was 1915, of whom 2S,-
600 ptSSeu lie nulnUcE OIL appoint
mentS was 4136. The commission, the
report says, has been steadily making its
examinations more practical. Numerous
complaints have been made of violation
of the rules of the civil-service in the
treasury department, the department of
justice and the interior department. In
each case examinations have been made
by representatives of the commission and
such cases as appeared to be violations
of the law were referred to the depart
ment to which it belonged. In each case
the commission has not yet received a re-
ply.
The report speaks highly of the pro-
motion system based on the efficiency
record. This has been especially en-
dorsed by the navy department in the
work IN the yards. On the other hand
the commission deprecates the PROPOSE
ton of limited tenure of government of
lice, pointing out that it would not only
impair the efficiency of the service but
omen the door for Dolitical infuanca
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-02-16
SEVEN BODIES FOUND.
Known Victims of Pittsburg Fire
Number Eighteen-As Many
More Missing.

Pittsburg, Pa, Feb 12-Seven bodies
were taken from the ruins of Wednes-
day nights fire today. Six were identi-
fed, as follows:
William Finch.
George Neuman.
William DOran.
Prof. James MOXOn.
David B. Wickerly.
d. A. Geary.
All the bodies were terribly bruised and
mangled and were found lying close to-
gether and the body of Doran was found
lying across that of Prof Moxon.
The finding of the seven bodies makes
the number of known victims eighteen,
and there is no doubt that others will be
found as the search for the dead pro-
crosses.
An additional force of 200 men was
put to work clearing the debris, and it is
thought that if there are any more bod
les in the ruins they will be uncovered
within the next tWenty-fOur hours. Thir-
ty-hve people are still missing.
With the exception of Lieut.. Rosmund
of engine company No. 2, whose legs
We're amputated, all of the patients at the
Homeopathic hospital, injured in the fire,
are getting along we'll and will recover.
Rosamund's condition is critical and he
may die.
Eight of the victims were buried today
and the interment of the others will take
place tomorrow. The origin of the fire is
still a mystery, but Fire Marshal Nc
Fadden is of the opinion that it was
caused by spontaneous combustion,
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-02-16
WOULD NOT ANSWER.
Handwriting Expert Takes a Pc
Culiar Position in the
lola Trial.

Paris, Feb. 14.-When the trial of NM.
lola and PerreuX was resumed today NJ.
Jaurez, the Socialist member of the Cham
Der of Deputies, was recalled. He reit-
Grated his belief in the culpability of Maj.
EStcrhazy.
The examination of NJ. Bertillon, the
handwriting expert, was then resumed.
He said he though it impossible to ask
the minister for war for the discriminating
documents seized at the residence Of
Dreyfus in 1894, which, according to the
testimony of the witness on Saturday last,
would enable him to prove that Dreyfus
wrote the bOrdereau.
NJ. LabOrie, counsel for M. lola, there
upon protested and twitted NJ. Bertillon
with being unwilling to testify in court,
while giving interviews to the newspa-
pers.
NJ. Bertillon said the interviews were
false. Being pressed by NJ. Laborie, how,
unless he had seen the secret documents,
he was able to prove at the cOurt-martial
that Dreyfus wrote the bordereau, NJ.
Bertillon answered that he could not eX-
plain without documents which were no
longer In his possession. This statement
caused a sensation in court, and NJ. La
borle demanded that the acknowledgement
compel the witness to reply. The advo-
cate-general made no answer.
Finally NJ. BertillOn, who persisted in
not answering questions, left the witness
stand amid considerable uproar, NJ. La
borie remarking, "And that is the man
upon whose evidence Dreyfus was con-
victed"
The garrison of Paris has been rein
forced by troops from Versailles.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-02-16
POPE IN EXCELLENT HEALTH.
Gives Evidence of Strength When He
Celebrates Mass,

Rome, Feb. 1.-THE pope celebrated
mass in st. Peters Sunday morning The
vast basilica was crowded. There were
present $1,000 residents of Rome and
pilgrims from everywhere in Italy, in
Guiding a large number of Catholic clubs.
with their banners and insignia The
ceremony was in celebration of the six
tieth anniversary of the first mass of his
holiness. The pope was attired in red,
and wore gold chain around his neck.
He was borne the whole length of the
church in the Sedia gesratoria. on the
shoulders Of six fOOtmen, amid the ring
ing notes of the silver trumpets. The eff
feet upon the vast assembly was intense
After mass his holiness was again carried
through the church, wearing his tiara
He kept his hand raised in continual
blessing as he passed through the throng
The pOpes voice was strong, and his APP
pearance created much enthusiasm. He
appeared to be in excellent health.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-02-16
A POWERFUL SPEECH,
New York Merchants Ask to Have Cuban
War Ended.

Washington, D. c., Feb. 1.-THE most
powerful speech that has yet been made
upon the Cuban question was submitted
to the President yesterday, and the man
uscript now lies upon the files of the
department of state. 1t was not made
by a politician to excite the passions
Of the people and create votes, nor for
the purpose of aiding spectators by in
creasing the prices of cereals or depress-
ing the value of stocks. 1t is a serious
appeal for peace signed by seventy-five
Of the most important merchants in New
York, actually engaged in trade with
Cuba, forty-twO in the city of Philadel-
phia and sixty-three in other parts of
the country. These gentlen IN represent
a capital of several hundred millions of
dollars and commerce with Cuba and
other of the West India colonies and the
South American countries amounting to
not less than $500, 100000 year. They
are not jingoes, nor politicians, and they
do not belong to the Cuban junta, but
they are all serious men of affairs with
large personal property and commercial
interests at stake.
In respectful manner they set forth
that the Cuban war has already cost
American commerce $500, 100000 and is
now costing not less than 500, 900. 900 a
year, without including the capital in
vested in sugar and tobacco plantations,
sugar refnerieS and other manufactures,
railways, mines and other interests which
have been irretrievably destroyed. They
call attention to the fact that the United
States is more deeply interested in the
commerce of Cuba than Spain, and that
fact they believe is sufficient justification
for some form of intervention to protect
American capital that has been invested
in the industries and commerce of the
island These gentlemen offer no sug-
gestions. They only set forth the facts
and leave it for the President to choose
his own means.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-02-16
WlSCOnSin PafRnfS

Patents for the following Wisconsin
inventors are reported for this week by
Erwin, Wheeler & Wheeler, IS ana 80
Loan and Trust building, Milwaukee,
Wis. These attorneys will furnish The
Inventors Handbook free:
c. S. Beebe, Racine, bicycle: \. A
Christensen, Milwaukee, governor valve for
air-compressors; G. NJ. Doersch assignor,
Amigo, tiretightener; w. Doyle and E.
Cartwright. Milwaukee, rolls for straight
ening metal rails and bars; f. Eggers, Two
Rivers, bicycle-locking stand; f. e. Fitz-
gerald, assignOr, Milwaukee, buffer for saw
mill carriages; w. c. Foster, La Crosse,
assignor, fish knife and scaler; Z. Gleason,
Onalaska. automatic vending machine; j.
4. Hagan, adjustable staging; Z. e. Hills,
Medina, seed drill; A. \. Lundquist, Ke-
nosha, assignor, machine for removing hair
from hides: j. Mallmann, aSsignor, Sheboy-
gan, cash register; o. L. Parmenter, Mil
waukee, cigar cell, series three patents;
II. c. Swan, Oshkosh, antratting device
for fifth wheels; H. c. Swan, Oshkosh. ad-
Unstable step-pad; p. and H. Weber, Mil
waukee. device for inserting or removing
inner tubes of tires.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-02-16
DAUNTLESS SLIPS OUT.
Big Cargo of Arms and Ammuni-
ton is on the Way to
Cuba.

Savannah, Ga, Feb. 14.-The tug
Dauntless left Savannah yesterday morn
ing, loaded with sixty tons Of coal. 1t is
rumOred that she will meet her mate and
expedition off Tampa
They left Tampa last night. The Span
ish authorities here have just learned Of
this new expedition.
Washington, d. c., Feb. 14.-The Off
Gals Of the treasury department have re-
ceived information through Spanish
sources that the suspected filibuster
Dauntless has succeeded in Guiding the
vigilance of the government officials at
Savannah, and has passed out of the har-
Dor to sea. The Dauntless is said to have a
cargo of arms, ammunition and other sup
plies intended for the Cuban insurgents.
The treasury department has notified the
customs officers and revenue cutters along
the coast to be OH the alert and detain the
supposed tilibuster if possible.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-02-16
BIG FIRES IN NEW YORK.
Resources of the Fire Department
Taxed to the Utmost-Nassau
Chambers Burn.

New York, Feb. 12-One OF the largest
and most picturesque as we'll as danger
Ous fires in several years began burning
here at 6:45 last night in the siX-story
building at Ia Nassau street. The
flames were gotten under control at 8
o'clock, but before this was accomplished
the entire fire department below Fifty
ninth street had been called out and the
streets in the vicinity of the fire were
filled with engines. The loss is roughly
estimated at $1,0OO,0O0.
The building in which the fire started
is known as the Nassau chambers 1t
was valued at 100000 and is completely
burned out. 1t was an old-fa shiOned Of
hce building and burned readily. 1t is in
the center of the block on the east of
Nassau, between Ann and Beekman, and
has an IL" which branches off at right
angles into Ann street.
The fire burned rapidly and though two
alarms were sent out no progress was
made in checking it. The wind was
blowing from the east and carried large
glowing cinders, which fell in showers as
thick as heavy snow for four or five
blocks and many as far as North river.
The cinders dropped SO thickly within two
blocks that spectators were driven to
shelter
While this fire was on in the southern
part Of the island the Atlantic Casino,
seven miles away, at One Hundred and
fIfty-hfth street, burned to the ground.
The city was practically unprotected dur
jig that period. There were no engines
at rest. All were either working in the
south or in the north. Thirty-siX were
making desperate efforts to drown out the
flames that threatened to wipe out mil
lions of property in the business section
of the city, while half this number were
doing service in the newly-built portion of
the metropolis.
Only once before in the history of the
fire department has the second alarm of
double nine' been sent in. That was on
the night of November ). 1895, when the
building on Blocker street and Broad
way was burned. Last night engines
came laundering down to the bright scene
from as far north as West Eighty third
street. Great bodies of reserve police
men ran south from all the station houses
around, everywhere within the confines
of the new city, the red sky and the
burning embers could be seen.
The damage in the Nassau street fire
was close to 100000 while at the Har-
lem fire it was 100000. But in Nassau
street the mere figures do not tell of the
anxiety. Nassau Chambers, owned by
former Gov. Levi p. Morton, were COM
pletely burned. The fOurtpen-stOry Van
derbilt block had the four upper floors
burned out; the famous Bennett building
was atire on several occasions, while that
unfinished giant needle, the Syndicate
building on Park row, saved itself but
lost all the scaffolding with which from
the eighteenth to the twenty-eighth floor
1t was surrounded
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-02-16
HER SHOTS WENT WILD.
Otherwise George Leach, Not Minnie
Chew, Would be a Corpse.

Cleveland, O., Feb. 14.-Minnie Ridge
ly, better known as Minnie Chew, a no.
tOrioUs cOlored woman, entered a saloon
at the corner Of Noble and Bright streets
with a drawn revolver late last night and
fired a fusi!f;uc 0f shots st George Leach
a colored gambler, who was in the place
The shots all went wild and Leach quick
ly pulled a revolver and fired one shot
the bullet lodging just below the woman's
heart. She will probably die. The shoot
ing was the result of a quarrel. Leach is
in jail The Chew woman is we'll known
to the police. She is one of two ANA
IONS who years ago made it a practice Of
holding men up in the Tendcrloin dis
trict For one of her crimes she served
three years in the penitentiary
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-02-16
RABBITS ATTACK FARMER.
Force Him to Retreat to Barn Near
Hinsdale for Sa fety.

Hinsdale, H., Feb. 14.--James Hess. a
farmer living three miles north of this
town, was seriously injured in battle
with rabbits here the other day.
He was feeding his sheep when a large
pack of the rabbits attacked him. and
though he fought valiantly he was driven
into his barn and badly hurt.
He stayed there till noon and when
the dinner bell rang he made dash for
the house, but was cut off and obliged to
retreat into the stable again.
At 4 o'clock the rabbits evidently gave
up the siege and retired in fine order led
by an old buck as large as a dog The
last seen Of them they We're going over
hill five miles away and the hill was
gray with them.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-02-16
Germanys Snail Farms

The edible white snail is scientifically
cultivated on snail farms in Germany.
The snaiis, after being gathered during
the month Of August in the surrounding
forests, are put into Il pen and fed on
@ewly-mOwn grass and leaves. After
staying in the pen about a month. the
mouths of the snails are covered with q
hard membrane, which indicates to the
snail farmer that the snail is as fat as #
will ever be, because its closed mouth
prevents its eating. The snails are then
gathered and packed ready for the mar
ketS
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-02-16
A BENEFACTRESS' KIND ACT
From the Eronjo1 More Dot,-o;t Mich

From the Evening Neus. Detroit, Mich
Mrs. John Tansey, of 40 Baker street,
Detroit, Mich, is one of those women
who always know what t. do in trouble
and sickness. One that is a mother to
those ia distress. To a reporter she said:
Il am the mother of ten children and
have raised eight of them. Several years
ago we had serious time with my daugh-
ter, which began when she was about
sixteen years old. She did not have any
serious illness, but seemed to gradually
waste away. Having never had any CON
sumption in our family, as we come of
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-02-16

Most of the Time She Was Confined to Bed.
good old Irish and Scotch stock, we did
not think it was that. Our doctor called
the disease by an odd name which, as l
atterWard learned, meant lack of blood.
1t IS impossible to describe the feeling
John and L had as we noticed our daugh-
ter slowly passing away from US. We
finally found, however. medicine that
seemed to help her. and from the first we
noticed a decided change for the better,
and after three months treatment her
health was so greatly improved you would
not have recognized her. She gained in
flesh rapidly and soon was in perfect
health. The medicine used was DR. Will
Jams Pink Pills for Pale People. I have
always kept these pills in the house since
and have recommended them to many
people. | have told many mothers about
them and they have effected some Won
derful cures.
Every mother in this land should keep
these pills in the house. as they are good
for many ailments, particularly those
arising from impoverished or diseased
blood, and weakened nerve force"
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-02-16
Bridge Orous in the River

Spring Valley, ILL.,, Feb. IA WACO
bridge, which cost the city of Sprila
Valley $4,000, dropped into the Illinois
river this morning, and the loss will be
fully two-thirds Of the above amount.
The destruction of the bridge is said to
be due to the negligence of the bridge
tender who permitted the ice to remain
against the piers when he should have
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-02-16
Slattery and Wife Arrested.

Edinburgh, Scotland Feb. 14-Joseph
Slattery and wife, the Iecturing ex-
priest and former sister of charity, who
were mobbed at Savannah and other
American cities, were charged at a DO
lice court here, with selling indecent
books, purporting to be an Exposure" of
Catholicism The court was crowded
with Catholics and Protestants. Slattery
promised to destroy the books and the
case was adjourned in order to enable
him to fulfill his promise.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-02-16
CINCH ON THE POSTOFFICE.
Drug Firm Whose Members Belong {,
Opposite Political PARTIES

Grand Rapids, Mich. Feb 1.-THE
Hopkins station postoffice has again
changed hands, Thomas Gilligan being
dropped and G. E. Wolfnger taking his
place.
Gilligan is a Democrat and Wolfnger
a Republican. They are partners in the
drug business, and they have been alter
nately acting as postmaster since 1882,
changing about with every change in the
administration.
-Four years ago WOlfnger was dropped,
and now it is Gilligan's turn to mourn,
but the postoffice stays right in the same
corner of the same drug store