davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-04-04

with a rs foot levee front running from
hill to hill. The town is very much in
the position of fortified city, and when
under the pressure of a very high river,
the water shot through a 20 foot open
ing and struck the place like a hurri-
cane, sweeping everything before it,
Houses were turned and tossed about
like boxes. The people were not warn
ed of the break, and for that reason so
many were caught. Those at home
sought refuge in second stories and on
house tops.
Those in the streets were carried be-
fore the avalanche of water and proba-
bly, a majority were drowned.
Citizens came from the place by sI<iffs
to a telephone several miles away and
asked for aid from Evansville. They
said that they had reason to believe
that 500 or even 1000 people were
drowned. The water stands from 20 to
80 feet all over the town
There are, of course, no fire or lights
in the place and total darkness envel-
ops the deSolate scene. Consequently
1T was impossible for them to have
anything like definite information. The
men quickly left the telephone and no
communication has since been had with
the place. All telephone and telegraph
wires are down.
At 10 O'Clock last night two steam
boats and couple of tugs started for
Shawneetown under full head of steam
and 1T was expected some of them will
arrive there by o'clock in the morn
tnK. They carry large supplies of food
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-04-04

independence and may go further than
that and propose intervention This is
his policy, and it will be disclosed in
the official action
Washington, April 4-Mr Grout
(Rep., Vt.) to-day introduced the fol-
lowing joint resolution recognizing the
independence of the republic of Cuba,
and for other purposes:
Resolved, By the Senate and House
of Representatives, that the United
States of America recognize the repub-
lie of Cuba as free and independent
state.
That the President is hereby author
lied to expend out of the appropriation
made for the naval defense in the act
approved March 9, $685. not exceeding
S50O,0O0 to provide non -combatant Gu
bans with the necessary food, raiment
and medicine for their Immediate re-
lief from starvation, also necessary i'm
plements of agriculture and seeds for
planting a crop.
Provided that the relief herein an
thorized to non-combatant Cubans
shall be extended only through author
lied agents of the United States, and
to this end the President is authorized
to request the co-operation of the
proper officers of Spain in the island of
Cuba.
Mr.; Grout said that he believed that
the Presidents message would go be-
yond resolution of this Kind.
Washington, April 4.-The senate
it's sitting today. The committee has
arrived at a definite conclusion as to
the resolutions it will recommend, and
Senator Davis has prepared the report
to accompany the resolutions. This re-
port will deal with the situation in Wig
orous language and it is understood
that much will be made in it of the
Maine disaster. The committee has ac-
cepted the finding of the court of inqui-
ry, so far as it goes, but has exercised
the prerogative of ending the inquiry
and drawing conclusions in advance of
those drawn by the Maine court This
report will be in the nature of an ad-
dress to the country in justification of
the resolutions to be reported by the
committee The committee now expects
to be able to report on the same day
that the presidents message is received
and members of the committee still look
for a message that will be in perfect ac-
cord with their resolutions; that it will
recommend both the recognition and a
declaration favorable to intervention.
washington, April AT the meeting
of the house foreign relations commit
tee today, Chairman Adams informed
the committee that the president would
soon communicate to congress his views
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-04-04

of which Premier Galvez is the head,
today issued a manifesto appealing to
all those bearing arms in Cuba, insur
gents as we'll as Spaniards, by mutual
consent and understanding, to cease
hostilities and consider a re-establish
ment of peace on a strong and firm
basis. This manifesto will appear in an
extraordinary issue of the Official Ga
zette probably today explaining the
benefit of home rule, declaring that the
colonial constitution may be reformed
broad lines and making a patriotic
call for the celebration of peace, under
a previous understanding and mutual
consent.
One of the paragraphs of the mani
festo says the provisional government
ardently desires that all CubanS with
no exception whatever, should unite in
the noble and wise undertaking of re-
storing peace and harmony upon a
strong and enduring basis. The provis-
ional government by its own inspiration
and also as faithful Interpreter of the
warm wishes of the government of the
mother country, addressed itself to the
CubanS, who are in the field fighting to
attain, what really has been attained,
the triumph of right and justice with
perfect assurance of future improve
ment and for the orderly and rising de-
VelOpment of all the resources and eIe-
mentS of society.
Let the noise OF arms cease, let Us
shake hands. Let US embrace each
other warmly as brothers of the Cuban
country regenerated by sacrifice, let us
work unitedly to make the Cuban peo-
pie great, powerful and prosperous. Let
us as sons of Cuba, come to frank and
loyal understanding to deliberate calm
Iy and resolve rightly on the best means
to reach by common accord, peace with
out dishonor to any and with honor for
all Let us suspend hostilities in order
to hear the voice of patriotism between
brothers equally interested in the fate
of Cuba
New York April 4-The Evening
Worlds correspondent at Havana ca
bled today a denial upon authority of
Consul General F'itzhugh Lee, of the re-
port that he General Lee) had asked
the British consul general, Mr.. Cullen,
to take charge of his effects as he was
about to leave the country.
Madrid April 4.-I:30 p m.-The cor
respondent here of the Associated Press
has lust had an interview with high
parsonage of great authority who clear
ed up many discrepancies in previous
reports. showing just how the papal
intervention occurred Unfortunately
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-04-04
RELIEF MEASURES.
Governor Tanners Proclamation Call
ing for Help.

Springfield, ILL.,, April 4.-Governor 4.
Tanner has issued the following proc
lamation:
To the people of the state of Illinois:
It is my painful duty to announce
that a terrible disaster has oVertaken
the citizens of Shawneetown, in this
state, which owing to the condition of
the public treasury 1 am powerless to
relieve without the voluntary aid of
the charitably disposed
At 4:45 O'Clock on the afternoon of
Sunday April 3, the IeVee which sur
rounds the city of Shawneetown broke
and the city is under water and in the
midst of a raging flood, pouring down
from the north 1t is six miles to land,
and the current of the Ohio river is
sweeping through the town. I am in
formed by Mayor Carney, of Shawnee
town. that approximately one-fourth of
the population has been drowned, all
the property destroyed and that the
people are collected on the tops of the
water of the levee, exposed to the rain,
without shelter and without fuel or
food.
$ It would be of no use to call the leg
islature in session to meet this emer-
gencv. because it would have no power
to raise any money from which to pay
any appropriation that might be made.
I have sent the secretary of the state
board of public charities as my official
representative to the scene of disaster,
to assist in the organization of the
emergency relief work which requires
to be done. with authority to draw
upon me for what funds may be neces-
sary in anticipation of funds which viii
no doubt be contributed by the public
at large for this purpose.
I therefore make this urgent and in
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-04-04
IN THE HOUSE TODAY.
Mr.. Bailey Wants to Know Why
Emergency Measures Are offered


Washington. April 4.-Chairman Can
non today moved to suspend the rules
of the house to pass a joint resolution.
allowing the erection of Notifications on
private property.
After unanimous consent for it's con-
sideration had been refused, by Mr..
Bailey, the chief of engineers, recon-
mended the passage of the resolution.
Mr.. Cannon said this gave the presi-
dent discretion in the matter of acquir-
ing land.
Mr.. Bailey said he simply desired to
call attention of the house to the fact
that it had been in the last 80 days call
ed upon to vote emergency measures,
yet the house was not in possession OF
any information showing that the ad-
IniniStration thought there was any eX-
traordinary emergency confronting the
country. He would have denied
Democratic president the $50,0O000O ap-
preparation.
Mr.. Bailey said congress ought to
know what the administration is doing
and intends to do. The Democrats were
ready to assist in the prosecution of
war to a successful termination.
This caused applause, which the
speaker rebuked.
Mr. Bailey said the applause in the
galleries was merely the miniature Of
the feelings of the people of the coun-
try Again there was applause IN the
galleries and the speaker threatened to
have them cleared.
Mr.. Steele (Rep., Ind) said this would
hardly be fair, as Mr.. Balley was taik-
ing to the galleries. (LduShNer on re
publican side.) .
Mr.. Bailey closed by saying that il
the president wanted more time 10
treat with the Spanish butchers, 1t
would be granted ,.
arencv amendment to the resolution
Mr. Williams (Den. ,Niss.), member OF
the committee on foreign affairs, op-
nosed the amendment for belligerency.
saving he thought il inopportune at this
time.
I'VE should all move in a solid pha-
Ianx when the time comes" He SAID
that the Democratic side of the mouse
had expressed it's views and now 1t was
time to wait.
This statement was cohsloereu 1t k51e
nificant as Mr.. Williams had but M nalI
an hour ago emerged from the foreign
affairs committee room.
Mr. Maddox (Dem, CAD SAID Ina tnat
when it was proposed to make war Ihdt
the Indictment against Spain should De
thoroughly made up so each member OF
house would know what he was VotlHS
for. 49, : .,,v,,o,+
cd the resolution He said the Demo
cratic party would show lts pdeIAoeASt
by supporting the resolution.
Mr. Cannon said that MI Balley We
posturing before the country his own
CITY of Galveston might pc IN dahseA
..Tt xvo11Id be stopped before 1t could
get there if we had the proper sort OF
an administration, retorted MT a0ley-
Mr.. Cannon continuing, sald ne WI WI
talking business. He said tnal ~ III ~.
lions Of the emergency approprlatlon
has been expended for coast defenees-
Mr. Savers (Isein., Tex.) in suppOrtlns
the resolution said he was ready 10 vote
for anything that was needeo 70 pe1- .--
fContlnued on Sixth Page.l
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-04-04
70 MEDIATE.

Washington, April 4S:1O p. NIT
has just been learned here definitely
that an exchange of notes between the
great powers of Europe has begun con-
cerning mediation on the Spanish
American question. AT least two of the
embassies in Washington have received
information that this exchange is now
IN progress but no definite instructions
have been received by the diplomatic
representatives here.
Paris, April At is semi-of1cialIy ar
nounced that the powers are continuing
their earnest efforts to find common
ground upon which they could jointly
offer mediation between the United
States and Spain.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-04-04
One Hundred and Fifty
People Swept Into
Eternity Without
Warning
BREAKING OF A LEVEE
At ShawneetOWn, ILL.,, Sends
Rush of Water Like a
Tidal Wave
Down Upon the Country Below,
Carrying Everything
Before 1t.
THE LIGHTS WENT OUT
And Both Living and Dead
Drifted About All Night.

Ridgeway, ILL.,, April Alive hundred
lives have been lost blythe breaking of
the levee at Shawneetown, ILL.,, last
night.
Louisville, KY, April A special to
the Courier-Journal from Evansville,
Ind, says:
At o'clock last evening the 1evee at
Shawneetown, Ill, broke a mile above
the town, and, from the information
that can be secured here, it is learned
that great part of the place has been
citizens have been drowned.
Shawneetown rs rs miles below
Evansville, on the Ohio river. 1t is sit
uated in valley of extremely low land,
with hills skirting it in the rear and
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-04-04
our people for one meal. We need
tents, clothing, and burial caskets.
Help us at once.

our people for one meal. We need
tents, clothing, and burial caskets.
Help US at once
D. M CARNEY, Mayor.
Carmi, ILL.,, April 4.-John r. Tanner,
Governor: Mr.. George Goetzman, res
liable merchant of Shawneetown, Just
now confirms report of 1evee break 4ast
night. Says the mayor sent him to
nearest point of communication to get
a message to you co send tents provi-
sions and burial caskets Immediately,
via East st. Louis and ESndeld, where
train from Ridgeway VIII be waiting.
Goetzman says the scene is worse than
Johnstown. Four h1ndred estimated
drowned and all property lost and re-
mainder of people on levee and house
tops. and rain adds to distress An
swer me here, and 1 will communicate
by telephone.
JOHN NJ CREDBS,
President White County Telephone
Company.
Governor Tanner sent the following
message:
N. S. Phillips, president Ridgeway
Bank, Ridgeway, Ill: Hon FredWines
secretary of state board of charities,
and Miss Julia Lathrop will leave on
first train for Shawneetown. The doc
tor represents me in caring for the suf-
fererS. Cooperate with him. informing
draw upon me for $4,000. Have issued
a proclamation appealing to the public
for relief of the flood sufferers. Am
preparing to send a train with tents to
shelter and accommodate 1000 people;
300 blankets and 200 emergency ra-
tions. JOHN r. TANNER,
Governor
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-04-04
HIS STAND.
The Presidents Message Will
Go to Congress Wednesday.
His Policy Has Been Determin-
ed Upon.
INDEPENDENCE SURE
And Probably Intervention to
Be Proposed.
Mr.. GrOut Introduces a ResOlu-
tion i'm the House
Recognizing the Republic and
Providing Aid.
THINKS THE MESSAGE
Will Go Farther Than His Res
OIutiOn Provides.

Washington, April A leading
member of congress, after a close con-
ference at the White House to-day,
said: 1.-THE message will go into con-
gress about Wednesday, The Presi-
dent has taken very firm and de-
termined attitude and he means to
carry out that policy to the letter. The
President intends to recognize Cuban
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-04-04
ESTIMATE REDUCED.
Number of Dead Now Placed at One
Hundred.

Evansville, Ind, April 4.-The L. & N
railroad accommodation train from
southern Illinois arrived here at 10:30
o'clock. The trainmen bring the report
that the family of Sheriff Galloway was
completely wiped out by the flood.
1t is reported the levee broke while
people were at church, and that many
were drowned without a moments
warning, the flood sweeping over the
town like water through a mill race.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-04-04
SAILS FOR SPAIN.
The Osado Goes on Leaving the Au-
daz Behind for Repairs.

Queenstown, April 4--The Spanish tor
pedo boat destroyer Osado sailed for Fer
rol Spain, this morning. The Audaz, sis
ter boat of the Osado. which was dam
aged considerably by the elements, me-
cessitating her putting into WATERFORD.
from whence she was towed by the OSa-
do, went into dock this morning
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-04-04

troduced a bill creating a military re-
serve to be liable to active duty in time
of emergency.
Washington, April 4.-The house
committee on foreign affairs tomorrow
will call before it Captain Sigsbee of the
Maine and other naval officers. The
Republicans of the committee and the
subcommittee have agreed that
the blowing up of the Maine
is to figure in the resolution,
and the investigation is for the purpose
of ascertaining as many facts as poSsi-
bic outside the testimony before the
board
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-04-04

Continued on Sixth Page.o
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-04-04

CONTINUED on sixth FaEe.l
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-04-04

independence, and may go further than
that and propose intervention. This is
his policy, and it will be disclosed in
the official action
The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1898-07-06
BABY BOATS HIT HARD.

Spanish Gunboats Attack Three Members
of the Mosquito Fleet and Get Decidedly
the Worst of the Combat.
Off Santiago de Cuba, July 5.-On
the morning of July the Mist, Hor-
net and Wampatuck destroyed o
Spanish gunboat near Cape Cruz. On
the afternoon of the same day these
members of the mosquito fleet de-
stroyed another war vessel at Man
zanillo. At the latter place hot en-
gagement ensued between the three
small American craft and nine Span
ish vessels supported by land batter
les and troops ashore. One large
Spanish torpedo boat was disabled,
three Spanish gunboats were seriously
injured and pontoon full of Span
ish troops was sunk, the enemy escap-
ing in boats.
The Hornet was temporarily disa-
bled, but the only casualties on the
American side were three men slightly
scalded by escaping steam. The Span
ish loss in troops and sailors is be-
leved to be large. The Mist, Hornet
and Wampatuck returned to Santiago
de Cuba and were sent to Guantanamo
for repairs.
The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1898-07-06
WITH JEALOUS EYES.

French and Germans View Americas 8
Progress In War and Their Hatred Is
Aroused-England Is Our Friend In the
Present Crisis.
New York, July 1.-C. M. Depew re
turned from Europe yesterday and
spoke freely of his observations
abroad. Regarding the sentiment to-
ward the United States, he said that
in France feeling was most bitter
against this country. Every paper in
Paris except three unimportant ones,
published articles showing the great
est hostility. 1t was believed there
that the object of the United States in
beginning the war was extension of
territory or imperial extension and
the same opinion seemed to prevail in
Germany. In England there was a
complete reverse of sentiment. Six
weeks time had changed the senti-
ment of 100 years and all animosities
were buried by the tide of sympathy
and universal approval and feeling of
relationship, which was binding
against the world.
He said Dewey's victory had had a
marked beneficial effect in arousing
respect for the United States. There
had been general belief that our
ships were no good and that our army,
while being composed of good men,
had no experience or training. In
place of what was expected it was dis
covered that our vessels were of the
soundest construction, with armament
uneXcelled and manned and officered
by skilled seamen and tacticians,
while the army had displayed all the
qualities of veteran troops.
Mr.. Depew said that the rest of Eu-
rope is anxiously watching the appre
hended entrance of the United States
into their circle in the far east. Their
position is one of distrust They are
trying to solve the problem of the in
fluence upon their interests of the
Anglo-American alliance which they
think either exists or is inevitable.
Even if disposed to interfere in our
war they are restrained by the belief
that any movement in that direction
would precipitate an alliance with En-
gland.
lheiI newspapers ulScuSS our uHprt-
paredness for war, the impossibility of
our being a military power until we
have large standing army and uni
versal compulsory military service.
The victory of Dewey at Manila and
the daring effort of Lieut.. Hobson at
Santiago have done incalculabe SER
vice in convincing continental Europe
of our fighting calibre and arousing
enthusiasm in England.
The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1898-07-06
A DEADLY SWATH.
Tornado Sweeps Over n New Hampshire
Town-Nine People are Killed and Many
Injured.

Tornado Sweeps Over n New HampahIre
Town-Nine People are Killed and Many
Injured.
Hampton, N. H., July 5.-A torna-
do struck Hampton Beach at 3:15 p.
m. Monday, causing immense damage
to property and great loss of life.
Cottages were blown fiat; horses were
picked up bodily and dashed against
buildings; vehicles were carried many
feet; barns were unroofed, large trees
snapped off at their roots and others
were torn up bodily. The tornado
touched the beach at a place about
half mile north of Whittier's hotel
and cut swath 10 yards wide in a
westerly direction, moving in rotary
shape until it passed out to sea.
Twenty cottages were torn down and
several small hotels completely
wrecked The greatest loss of life
and injury came with the demolition
of the old skating rink, a one-story
structure of wood, 500 by 100 feet in
size. Here from rs to 1875 persons were
seriously injured, an unknown num-
Der slightly injured and four persons
are already dead
A yacht owned by Capt. Frank
Mudd, of this place, was sailing off
the beach and was in the path of the
storm. In it were nine persons and
of these five were drowned. They
were:
Walter, Gertrude and Ralph Hodge
son, Kensington, N. H.
Mrs. w. II. Parker, Kensington.
Capt. Mudd, Hampton.
The others in the boat are believed
to have been saved.
The list of dead on shore is as fol-
lows:
Mora, the actress, of New York, who
was playing in piece entitled "The
Blowing Up of the Maine.''
Miss Mae Prescott, Exeter.
Samuel Cammet, Exeter.
w. II. Carlson, Exeter.
Among those believed to be fatally
injured in the pavilion are: Miss O.
d. Pressey, of Haverhill, Mass, frac-
tured skull; ]. F. Pennington and W.
H. Barber, both of Exeter.
Carlson was taken out dead, but
Mora, the actress, was alive when
found and died shortly after.
The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1898-07-06
the st. Paul.


The Vizcaya, Maria Teresa and the
Oquendo were sister ships built al
Bilbao, in 1S90-91. They were of steel
each with two screws, two turrets, two
tunnels and two military masts with
tops. They had displacement OF
$3.50 tons, length 364 feet over all,
beam 65 feet. Their speed of 1875
knots was given by engines having a
horse power of $500.
The armor of these ships made them
particularly formidable. On the water
line there was a belt of armor five
feet, six inches broad and 315 feet
long, of 12 inches in thickness and of
steel. The turrets were surrounded
with nine inches of steel armor; the
coming towers ~ inches. The pro-
tected deck covering, the vitals Of the
ships, had from two to three inches
of steel. Surrounding the ammuni-
ton tubes and magazines was a circle
of eight inches of steel.
The armament consisted of 40 guns
and from six to eight torpedo tubes
on each ship.
AT 11:15 last night the navy depart
ment posted the following cablegram
from Commodore Watson:
'At $3.50 a. m. Sunday the Spanish
squadron, seven In all, including one
gunboat, came out of Santiago in col
umn and was totally destroyed within
an hour, excepting the Cristobal Colon,
which was chased As miles to west
ward by the commander-in-chief,
Brooklyn, Oregon and Texas, Surren-
dering to the Brooklyn, but was
beached to prevent sinking.
None of our officers or men were in
jured except on board the Brooklyn.
Chief Yeoman Ellis was killed aud one
man wounded Admiral Ger a, all
the commanding officers excepting of
the Oquendo, about 20 other officers
and 1000 men are prisoners. About
$50 killed or drowned and 100 wound
ed, latter being cared for on Solace
and Olivette. Have just arrived off
Santiago in Marblehead to take charge
while commander-in-chief is looking
out for the Cristobal Colon"