davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The evening times., 1898-07-26
AN ELECTRIC WHEEL.
Dahbury Man Says His Bicycle Was
Charged With Eightninx.

Danbury. Conn. July ga bicycle
frame heavily charged with lightning
nearly killed Charles Wight on Saturday
night. Wight lives near Branchville. and
works in this city. He usually rides
home over the Ridgefield road, and while
pedaling through the woods below Sugar
Hollow on Saturday evening he was over
taken by a heavy shower.
There was binding flash of lightning
and a crash which seemed to Wight to
shake the earth He remembers that
something struck him a blow, but after
that all was blank to him until the rain
splashing upon his face awoke him, and
he found himself lying in the gutter by
the roadside, soaked through and acn-
ing in every joint of his body. His wheel
had rolled along ten feet. and was re-
ciining against the trunk of tree.
After few minutes he recovered suf-
ficiently to remount his machine He
no sooner touched the steel handle bars
than he was knocked backward by a
powerful electric shock and his hands
were severely burned. He was dazed for
a time, and when he recovered he saw
that the rear wheel of the bicycle. which
lay upturned on the ground. was slowly
revolving and that the chain and gear
wheels emitted blush sparks, which
snapped and sputtered.
:. Wight knew that electricity will not
pass through rubber. so he took hold of
the tires and dragged the wheel further
away from the road. and managed to-
stand 1t partly against a tree He trudz-.I
ed home through the rain then fearing
TO touch the machine again. Early Sum-
day morning he went back to the Hollow
and found the wheel II was still charg-
ed with electricity. but not so heavily as
the previous night He pushed il home
and exhibited it to many curious persons.
who touched their fingers TO the frame
and received shocks. The electricity dis
appeared from the wheel entirely by noon.
Wight says he remembers that as he
fell from the wheel blush ball of fire
exploded at the point where the handle
bars connect with the steering fork and
that sparks of fire few from the spokes-
The evening times., 1898-07-26
Niece. Contest Aunt. VIII.

New York, July 26.-Matilda, Catherine
and Mary L. Everdell, sisters, in the ear
ly part of 1881 made an agreement where
by they were to make mutual wills, and
it was stipulated that the survivor should
leave all of her property and whatever
she received from her sisters to her
nieces equally.
Matilda died on July 4, 1851; Catherine
survived her about six months, and Mary
L., the third sister, died on October 4,
1897, leaving considerable property. She
gave $1,000 each to ST. Luke's Hospital
and St Luke's Home for INDECENT Chris
tian Females, made small bequests to
some of her nieces, and directed that the
residue of her fortune should be held in
trust, the income to be paid to her niece,
Harriet E. Burns, and upon her death It
should then be divided among her nieces.
A contest over her will took place in
the surrogate's court. but Surrogate Fitz-
gerald decided that the will should be ad-
mitted to probate. Eight Of the nieces
have now brought an action In the su-
preme court to upset the will, on the
ground that the surviving sister did not
carry out the agreement which she made
with her other two sisters, and they.
therefore, claim to be entitled to the en-
tire property equally, and ask the court
to enjo;n any disposition of 1t pending the
trial of the action.
The evening times., 1898-07-26
At Porto Rico.

In sense. the advance guard Of Gen.
eral Miles army has arrived, and the
American flag is planted on one of the
most important, for our future pur-
poses, of Spains islands 1t is there to
stay. Some fighting will have to be
done, some lives will be lost. but the
lives Of American soldiers could not be
offered to the greater advantage of
their country than in gaining full pos
session of Porto Rico. There is no
present determination to do anything
more with Cuba than to prepare it for
a government by its own people; the
question of the Philippines will be
attended to hereafter: but as to
the beautiful island of Porto Rico, there
is no room for discussion-it is to re-
main the property of the United States.
To have aided in the acquisition of such
useful territory will be an honor for
which soldiers may well struggle.
The Times has already presented in
detail the plan of General Miles cam
paien, of the success of which is sure.
Any hour may bring the news of an
important step in the progress of his
movement.
The evening times., 1898-07-26
s.scAHP ALsER's BIRD.
Tho seventh nIs.sis = Have Live
EsGle fer. . Mascot,

Eagle fer . Mascot,
"Old Abe" the famous eagle Of the
Eighth Wisconsin Regiment. which flew
over the heads Of the army in the battle
Of Corinth, Is to have q successor. Ac-
cording to the Chicago Chronicle, If the
Seventh Illinois Volunteers march into
Porto Rico. Marcus, their mascot. will
make the Spanish Dons start a-trembling
with his screams. Marcus is a grand
specimen Of his kind. and the Seventh
Illinois should be proud to bear to war
the first successor OF 'Old Abe" the cell
ebrated battle eagle Of the Wisconsin
regiment. who has been made famous in
song. story and history Of the civil war.
II "Old Abe" were alive today he would
recognize Marcus as worthy successor.
SO brilliant Of coloring and strong Of
build Is he. His gray beard falls grace
fully over broad brown breast, his per-
fectly nodded beak il Of yellow, which
matches the color of his claws, and
his great, brown eyes are kindly looking
and true. Wherever he goes, Marcus
will be leading figure, and whatever
the victory. his will be a fair share of
the glory. He is an untamed spirit, fear
ing nothing, never taken unawares.
Marcus left Chicago yesterday for
camp Alger. and when he arrives at the
headquarters Of Col. Kavanagh there will
De great rejoicing. for the Irishmen will
nave outdone their fellow-campers in the
procuring of mascot.
happened several weeks ago. when
). sexton. with his son, was visiting
Col. kavanagh at Camp Alger that there
was trouble among the tents of the Sew
ehth- Every other regiment in camp had
d MASCOT In some cases II was a rook.
q gun, dog. even a rattlesnake-any-
thins which was alive and could be called
mascot The men of the Seventh had
Deen searching for a suitable net for
weeks without success. and they began
10 1eel that their reputation was at stake
In their ability to select something which
would surpass the live stock already
quartered at camp. But where to get
one-in the sunny climate of Camp Alger
eagles are not plentiful
Mr. Sexton offered his services and ca
geriy began a search. which. for some
time. was unsuccessful. To all the 20
illogical gardens of the East and West
he wrote for information. The garden
managers were as lost on the subject as
was he In fact. several animal keepers
at large Zoos were at the very time try
Ing to replenish their stock. It was
through Superintendent Andrews of Lin
coin Park that at last word came of an
eagle catcher in Wisconsin. The bird
catcher was visited. his services procur-
ed. and yesterday there arrived at Mr.
Sections office telegram saying briefly:
Have sent your bird The bird came
yesterday morning in chocolate bon bon
box. and having been refreshed from his
journey he was sent on southwark. While
he rested in Chicago Mr.. Sexton decided
to name him Marcus" after the colo
mel OF the regiment which he goes to
join. and this name was engraved on n
tag and fastened to the ring which will
hold him captive by the claw.
The evening times., 1898-07-26
Fire in the House Of Babies.

New York, July 26.-The House of Ba-
bies was touched by fire yesterday, caus-
ing,-a panic among the tenants. who
rushed from the six-story tenement in a
state of intense excitement. Only one
woman was hurt, she falling on her knees
In trying to get out.
The House of Babies is six-story ten
ement at Nos. G9. Il and 70 Rivington
Street, on the southeast corner of Allen
Street, and Is SO designated because Of
the number of children 1t contains. There
are at present forty-nine families in the
big house and fifty-two babies. Altogeth-
er there are about 200 children.
The fire started in the apartments of
Jacob Edelstein. on the second floor
front. An Oil stove exploded. The fire
was confined to the Edelste;n apartments
and was put out by the firemen in a lit
tie time.
The evening times., 1898-07-26
SIMPSONS FLEET DIVIDED.
The Battleship Texas Is to Come
North First.

It has been admitted officially at the
Nevy Department that the battleship
Texas had been ordered to New York. The
departure of the Texas means the dis
solution of the armor-clad squadron.
which has been on duty at Santiago for
more than a month"; in connection with
the work of blockading and destroying
Cervera's feet.
The battlesh:ps Iowa and Indiana are
to follow the Texas, and the Massachu-
sets will be ordered to the United States
as soon as she has performed her part in
the work of landing troops at FajardO. in
Porto Rico.
All the ships under Commodore Samp-
sons command are not to leave San
tiago Immediately. 1t was explained that
it is deemed advisable to retain suffici-
ent force at that point until all danger
OF an attack on Santiago by Spanish
troops is gone. This means that after
the prisoners now collecting at Santiago
have been shipped to Spain Sampson and
the men-of-war under his command Will
be relieved from duty at their present
stations and ordered to other points.
1t is proposed 10 expedite the work of
repairing the ships and cleaning their
bottoms SO that they can be made ready
for service as rapidly as possible. The
Brooklyn dry dock, which can accom-
modate the battleships, will. according
to Civil Engineer Endicott. chief of the
bureau of yards and docks. be ready for
service in about two weeks, and it is
proposed to utilize 1t in getting the ships
ready for sea
Spain is making desperate forts to get
her squadron in condition for active serv-
ice. Official information which has besn
received in Washington announces that
the battleship Pelayo and the armored
cruiser Carlos V are at Cartagena un-
dergoing repairs in consequence of their
long voyage.
Ceuta, which Is just opposite Gibraltar.
will be an admirable base from which
Camara will be able to operate either for
the protection of Cadiz or the Mediterra-
mean coast of Spain. The American fleet
cannot possibly get by Ceuta without
having TO engage the Spanish fleet, as the
straits at that point are not very wide,
and II is expected that the Spanish fleet
will fight under the fortifications at Ccu-
ia, which are being placed in the best
possible condition.
BY placing Admiral Camara's fleet at
Ceuta the Spanish government abandons
the Canary Islands and the northern
coast of Spain, their only protection be-
ing their fortifications, which will proba-
bly, not be molested by Commodore Wat
sons fleet. 1t has been officially an
nounced that the object of Commodore
Watson's force will be Admiral CANA
ra's command and its destruction. and
by taking station at Ceuta Admiral Ca
mara invites the battle which IT is the
duty of his American adversary to seek
In view of the determination of the de-
partment to give the American commo-
dore an overwhelming and thoroughly eff
ficient force no doubt exists in naval cir
cles as to the result of the combat.
The evening times., 1898-07-26
EuLArE CARRIES HIS POINT.
His Privileges Are Similar to Those
of Cervara.

Annapolis. Md, July 26.-The point taxi
en- by Capt. Eulate. that his word of pa
role should be taken as we'll as Cervera's,
has been decided in his favor. The mat
ter was forwarded to Washington. and
Sunday Capt. Eulate, having adjusted
his affair, went out TO church with his
fellow-officers who attended ST. Mary's
Catholic Church. He was out yesterday
n the city of Annapolis again. His
wounds are so much improved that his
appearance is altogether different Half
a dozen of the Spanish officers obtained
special permission yesterday morning to
attend early mass. They were out at
o'clock. and then went to the Maryland
Hotel and had breakfast
The parole of the Spanish officers has
been extended from to sunset to go into
Annapolis, and are now to be allowed the
privilege of the academy grounds from
6 a. m to $50 p. m.
The evening times., 1898-07-26
BLEW UP. DEWEY.
G..ner B.ilcy jre9l. Of HI. E.pIo't
In flAi Civil War.

j
In thss Civil War.
Mr.. H. C. Bailey, G'famous Confederate
gunner. was in evidence at the Atlanta
reunion. where he told his thrilling story
to many. including the Constitution. The
tale is Of timely interest. since the cap
tain Of the Inflated Union warboat which
was sunk by Bailey's shots was Admiral
Dewey, the hero Of the battle of Manila.
IF could just GET to Manila and see
Dewey" said Gunner Bailey. yesterday.
II think could show him several new
points about the firing OF a rife. There
is no doubt hut that he would remember
me and in five minutes could refresh his
memory exceedingly"
Gunner Bailey was in charge OF a 6-inch
rifle at Port Hudson, on the Mississippi
River. Just below vicksburg. The squad
gut. had seized the Confederate vessels
at Mobile; had captured all the forts Of
the lower Mississippi and was on its way
to Vicksburg, when, II met with a crush
ing defeat at Port Hudson. There were
thirteen boats in the fleet and Admiral
Farragut was In command.
The first boat that approached Port
Hudson was the Mississippi, and Lieut.
Dewey was standing on the bridge. The
boat was first sighted when within miles
Of the port. but the range of the guns
was only 4 miles and Gunner Bailey
waited for the boat to get within range.
Then he began firing.
AS the Mississippi came up." he said
yesterday. Il began to pour solid shot in
to her water line. The engagement last
ed only thirty-two; minutes. but fired
exactly sixteen shots from my gun.
when the boat was within one mile of
my gun l sent "a shot that crashed
through her center and wrecked the ma
chinery below. crippling her engines and
running her aground on the other side OF
the river. Before the boat could be put
in shape to get into the channel we
threw hot shot and combustible shells
into her and she burned to the waters
edge in full view if the battery.
The crew swan ashore. Lieut.. Dewey
being among the number that escaped.
We sent out boats, but captured only
four OF the crew. as the others ran
ashore. ran down the other side of the
river and were taken on board the other
ships of the fleet, which then returned,
never again daring to pass u.s.
Lieut.. Dewey was brave man during
action and he steered his boat full out
into the channel of the river and ap-
preached our fort with colors flying. the
men cheering and every gun on deck fir
ing point blank at us. We did not lose
a single man and not one of us were even
injured. Dewey then got the same de-
feat that he gave the Spaniards few
weeks ago at Manila and he doubtless
used some of the experience then that We
gave him on the Mississippi"
Gunner Bailey now lives near Carroll
ton and is coroner Of Carroll county.
The evening times., 1898-07-26
SPAIN. Domestic Menace.

There is every indication that the war
with America will soon take a sec
ondary place in the interest of the gov.
ernment and people of Spain; that the
hungry, badgered soldiers in the colo
nies will be forgotten in the excite
ment of domestic revolution. The de-
parture of the prominent Carlists from
their country is full of significance
which the least intelligent of the Span
ish populace understand. They do not
go through fear of arrest, for it is obvi-
Gus the government would only pre-
cipitate the trouble it is eager to avoid
II 1t should imprison leading member
Of that party. Rumors of the liberal
use Of money, of which the Carlists
possess vast sums. to equip a possible
revolutionary army, disturb the Ma
drid officials less than the suspected
Cariist sentiment among the regular
troops. Where the officers and soldiers
are not favorable to Don Carlos, they
are. in majority Of cases. opposed to
the present dynasty. and would well
come and aid an attempt to set up re-
public.
The situation is further complicated
The evening times., 1898-07-26
L1GHTN1NG's CURIOUS TRICKS,
Passed I'm and Out of a House in nm
Unusual Way.

Gouverneur. n. Y. July 2s.-Ligh.nins
played sine serious tricks during a storm
yesterday. A large barn in III. town OF
Hermon, belonging to E. E. Statbird. WI
struck and destroyed. W. NJ Scriptures
barn and all the contents were burned.
S. ". Phelps farmhouse. near Rich
willie, was also struck. The current en-
tered the chimney. but went ou: of the
chimney on the second floor. and s-ept
down stairway. 1t next struck a stove
whirling the stovepipe about the ROOM
The current went into the kitchen. set
the dress of Mrs. Richard Morrow on fire.
and passed out of the door. Mrs Nor
row succeeded in extinguishing the fire
about her garments and called in neigh
bors. who soon put out the fire, which
had taken hold of the house.
W. F. Priest. resident of this place
who was returning from Hermon re-
ceived quite serious shock from light
ming, which struck in a field near him.
The evening times., 1898-07-26

1t is to be said in defense of the med
ical service that has been criticised for
it's lack Of attention to the wounded on
the battlefield of Santiago. that under
the methods Of modern surgery the func-
tions Of the surgeons do not begin until
the wounded are brought into the hospi-
tai. The soldiers who are wounded are
expected to get along with the use Of the
outfit Of bandages and the like they are
supposed to carry. until they can make
their way to the place selected by the
The evening times., 1898-07-26
Still They Come.

Seven thousand more Spanish pris-
is the announcement by way Of Cape
Haftien of the latest achievement on
the Cuban coast. This is particularly
interesting because it was there that the
Spanish guerrillas resisted the landing
OF and ambushed the marines who were
the first Americans to set foot on Gu
ban soil to drive out the soldiers of
Spain. Attention has been withdrawn
from this now historic spot by the tre-
mendous events at Santiago. but all the
time the American commander has kept
in mind the fact of considerable
Spanish garrison there. Now. In his
leisure, he has gathered them in, sur
render being prompt and without a
shot 1t is not probable the Spaniards
felt themselves bound by the terms OF
General ToraTs capitulation, but. hav-
ing had a taste of American valor, be-
ing hungry and unpaid, and having
heard of the magnaminfty Of General
Shafter, they were glad to join their
brethren who are going home.
That seven thousand soldiers, with
modern arms and any quantity of am
munition, should allow themselves to
be bagged without making an attempt
to escape and unite with the ten thou
sand Spanish soldiers under General
Luque, would be a surprising incident
in the case of any other troops than
those Of Spain. Nothing could be more
significant of the demoralized state Of
the enemy in Cuba, and nothing could
be more absurd than the determination
Of Spain to postpone overtures for peace
in such circumstances. There is every
reason to think Luque's force will fol-
low this example as soon as the Amer
leans find it.
The evening times., 1898-07-26
Shooting In DnnviIIe.

Danville, Va. July 2S.-Yesterday after
noon several negroes. who were of a pic
mic party. and VINO were under the in
fluence of liquor, accosted W. W. Gill.
near the city limits. and were very In
suIttng. Mr.. Gill armed himself with a
pistol and a stick He punished the one
who had insulted him. using the stick
and was then attacked by several of the
others. He then used his pistol and shot
Morris Gravely twice, once in the left side
and once in the arm Gravely is badly
wounded. and will probably die. Mr..
Gill is a young business man. and son Of
T. ]. Gill, of Washington. D. c.
The evening times., 1898-07-26
xvxhx NAN NEEDED.
General King Believes Merritt VIII
Want All His Troops.

General King Believes Merritt WIN
Want All His Troops.
San Francisco. Cal. July Sit Is un-
derstood that Brig. Gen. Charles King,
will be In command of the next Manila
expedition. He will probably go on the
Arizona CT Scandal Brig. Gen. Miller,
commander Of the Preside. will probab-
iy remain for the present.
1t Is my personal opinion" Gen. King
said. that every man of the expedition
ary force will be wanted in the Philip
pines. and will go there. Even should
Manila be taken and the war sett ed In
the Orient, as far as Spain is concerned,
with the forces now there or already o.
dered to depart, yet 1t Is not to be doubt
ed that Gen. Merritt will be z ad to have
5000 men before he Is through with
Aguinaldo.''
The transport st. Paul has come eofS
the dry dock and is now being prepared
for the reception Of troops. She will prob
ably be ready to sail by the end of the
week. The Arizona and ScaLdia Will be
in condition for the voyage to Manila
about the same time Extensive aitera-
tons are being made on the steamer Gem
tennial and she may be accepted by the
Government
illness among the soldiers here Is in
creasing. In the division hospital are
2OS patients, and in the Preside barracks
hospital Is, total of z53. not counting
about 100 less severe cases in regimental
hospitals
More soldiers are Ill now than during
the bad weather. when about 14.000 were
at Camp Merritt where today there are
only little more than half that number.
De Witt L. Tucker, private in Com
pany L. Fifty-first Iowa. died of pneu-
monia- Joseph Baker. a private in Com
pany B. First Tennessee. died of dysea-
terry.
The evening times., 1898-07-26
A Spanish RumOr.

From the City of Mexico, where a
considerable element is in full sympa-
thy with Spain in the war, comes the
news of the reported assassination of
President Mckinley by the gentle pris-
oner. Admiral Cervera. The report is
reputed to be in a dispatch from Wash
ington to the Spanish journal FL Moni-
tor at the Mexican capital No explana-
ton accompanies the statement, and it
is not known whether 1t was the inven-
ton of the newspaper or a rumor which
was considered not wholly unreason-
able by its editor. The significant thing
is that it was generally credited by the
Spanish readers of Ell Monitor.
That the editor of that paper and also
its Spanish readers should think 1t
within the bounds of the possible for an
eminent naval officer like Admiral Ger
vera, on parole, to take advantage OF
an audience with the President to as
sassinate him, bears out the EXTREMIST
views of the treacherous nature Of the
Spaniard. OF course. the selection OF
Admiral Cervera as the hero of the in
vented tragedy was ridiculous. but it
is obvious that no small number OF his
countrymen would look on such a deed
as noble. 1t is to be considered that
those who published and those who
credited this story. and those who
praised the alleged deed, are Spaniards.
and may be supposed to understand
the Spanish character, which has not
changed in the past two centuries.
That there are Spaniards who would be
capable of SO monstrous an act is the
testimony of men of their own race in
Mexico.
The evening times., 1898-07-26

surgeons for their work. This. however,
does not excuse the apparent lack Of
system In conveying the severely wound
been in the charge Of the medical de-
partment. and unless the Red Cross So
ciety undertakes to provide an ample
corps of litter-bearers that department
must be held to account for any failure.
The evening times., 1898-07-26
Price of Coal Goe. Lin.

Chicago. July. 26.AAnthracite coal will
follow the example of the mercury and
will make steady advances during the
next few months The Delaware Lacka-
awanna and Western Railroad. which
controls enormous coal interests in Penn
sylvania, advanced the rate 81 yesterday
morning by raising the price of anthra-
cite from $i.15 to $5.15. The new tarff
goes into effect at once in Chicago. Mil
waukee and st. Paul.