davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-07-29

The Queerest vessel in the United
States navy. if not, indeed, the queer
est afloat, is the aptlv named Vulcan.
She is literally a floating machine shop,
thoroughly equipped with all the tools
and appliances to be found in any
shop ashore where the work of repair
ing machinery to vessels is done. The
vulcan Is now with Admiral Sampson's
fleet. h may not win as much popu-
lar glory as her armed sisters, she may
not present so gay an appearance, and
she may not do such deeds of daring,
but she has her mission to fulfill, and
she Will not be found wanting,
The real heroes of the war are not al
ways to be found on the quarterback.
Did you ever think Of the men buried
away down in the sitting bowels of the
ship, the men who see nothing of the
battle, but upon whose efforts the &C.
ton Of the ship entirely depends? That's
the way it is with the Vulcan. Her
labors will probably be unpraised and
unsung, but they will be none the less
valuable for allSthat.
Her mission is to remain with the
fleet and repair any damage that may
be done to other vessels. For his work
she Is thoroughly prepared. Her equip
ment includes nearly a hundred IONS of
tools and machinery valued at $780,
600.
If you have ever visited a navy repair
shop and can imagine the scene trans
ferred to shipboard you can get a fairly
good idea of what the Vulcan looks
loke. There are plate bending rolls
and punching and shearing machines
that can bite through an inch of solid
steel. There are lathes for turning
castings of nearly any size, there are
planners, drills and milling machines of
compass enough to meet almost any de-
mand, and blowers to supply the
several FORCES and to draw foul air from
between decks and send it through
the ventilators above. She can even
make small rapid fire guns.
There are pipe cutters, bolt cutters,
sized cupola for the melting of suffi-
Gent metal to make a heavy casting.
A supplemental electric plant has given
excellent lighting facilities throughout
the ship, but principally in the work.
shops situated OF what is termed the
third deck.
There are also evaporatOrs and dis
tillers of a capacity equal to a daily
output of quite 10000 gallons of water,
several times more than the needs of
the Vulcan could demand. She has two
steam cranes, with ten foot arms, that
will lead to the hosting drums amid
ship and to the cranes to the matches.
These cranes are specially designed for
removing weights from the men-of-war
and for transferring machinery to the
disabled ships. And, lastly, there is a
magnificent little foundry for manufac-
turing casting up to a certain size.
OF course, skilled workmen are re-
quired to perform the work of repairing
m QahinnrU on1 tho hncf roooHioio tot q
n mechanics in the service have been
assigned to the Vulcan to perform the
work for which it has been fitted out,
and this brings to light a condition of
affairs quite as unique as is the ship
herself. There is no mechanical plant
in the country that admits of such a
variety of accomplishments as this one.
The variety of departments gives the
Vulcan more chief petty officers than
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-07-29

any other ship known. A. dozen such
officers is the usual complement for a
warship, but the Vulcan, out of her
crew of 200 men, has ninety-tWo men
who have the right to wear double
breasted short coats and officers caps.
No vessel that has yet started out
for the war has carried such a large
complement of well-trained and edu-
Gated men. The repair ship has on
board some of the finest engineers in
the country, n among the number is
a Providence millionaire Inc a college
professor, who entered the service of
their country as soon as it was known
that the United States was to have a
floating machine shop.
Chief machinists, expert boilermak-
ers, moulders, brass fnishers and cleo
tricians, wrights, plumbers-all have
the rating of first class petty officers.
The Vulcan's captain is Lieutenant
Commander Ira Harris, who has been
general manager Of the Chicago Drop
Forge and Foundry company, n of
like concerns in Kansas and Cleveland,
Ohio.
The chief engineers are Gardiner
Sims, the head Of the Arlington &
Sims Engine works, of Providence, r.
l., who has thirty Of his best machan-
les aboard, n Prof. Aldrich of the
university Of West Virginia, one of the
best electrical experts Of the country.
Frederick C. Nelson, son of Medical
Inspector John l.. Nelson. United
States senior medical officer at Charles
OWL is an assistant engineer. The
leading merchanics have quarters in
the old passengers state rooms, and
will live very comfortably.
Officially the Vulcan is described as
an engineers repair ship, but Engineer
In Chief Melville, who was responsible
for her purchase and transformation,
sets the mind at rest as to her position
in the navy by calling her a floating
machine shop. The Vulcan was form
erly he merchant steamer Chatham.
Shortly before the war commenced En-
gineer-in-chief Melville recommended to
the department that two vessels be ac-
quired which could be transformed into
engineers repair ships n attached to
the North Atlantic and flying squad
rons.
The recommendation was not ac-
cepted with the haste which the en-
gineer-in-chief thought the occasion de-
manded, and, in fact, after a discussion
Of the matter with the official heads Of
the department Mr.. Melville was COM
PEELED to be content with one steamer.
The Chatham was recommended for
purchase by the auxiliary cruiser
board, then in session, and Upon a
satisfactory inspection by an engineer
officer she was purchased. Her trans
formation has been in progress at the
Boston navy yard.
While the ship is not intended for
lighting she carries two rapid fire six
FOUNDER guns. The purpose of the Vul-
a is manifest. She is to follow in
the wake of a fleet, her great coal capa-
city giving her a wide radius of action,
and she is to supply fresh water to the
other vessels and to make then and
there all necessary repairs.
The men or board this vessel will be
able to repair almost any damage tina
would naturally happen to a warship,
either in ction or otherwise; therefore
the government believes that the craft
will prove itself to be one of the most
valuable adjuncts of the navy.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-07-29
Great Fun at Kite Parties,

Did you think, remembering your
boyhood or your girlhood, and recall
ing what you have recently read in
magazines, that kite flying was simply
a youthful amusement on the one hand
and a new science on the other? If you
did you are very wrong. Kite flying
has not yet risen to the dignity of a
great national diversion,it is true, nor is
it likely to, but the latest phase of it is
that society has taken it up as a pleas
ing pastime.
1t is necessarily a sport for country
house parties, for in town there is no
space. Even the most cOmmOdiOuS roof
top is too limited in area to do any
kite flying that is at all interesting.
kites that society is flying on these
parties, but kites of a goodly size. and
box kites at that, of the elaborate sort
made so popular in the recent scien-
tiic experiments.
These parties are generally given at
country houses particularly well stu
ated for this sport from being either
upon or close to a hill that somewhat
commands the country, or at houses in
the center of a broad, level plain, or at
houses on the %seashore, for it is es-
sential that all the circumstances and
surroundings be favorable to kite fly
ing, especially since the kite flyers of
both sexes are very new at lis game.
A fine breezy night is chosen, and
the party marching forth separates into
couples. There are half as many kites
as there are men and girls, n at
the start a kite is assigned to each ou-
two men or two girls shall never be
working at any kite, and this is strictly
adhered to-.
At the signal the kites are started
Some, by force Of luck or skill in han
ding, catch the breeze at n c and dash
along in the air, pulling on the kite
string vigorously. AS these successful
kites swing high above, with many a
swirl and dip, they look strikhgly pic
clear n well moonlit), the candle
light cleaning through their sides in
faint rays.
1t is a science, this flying Of box
kites, harder than most people would
suspect, and few get their kites up at
the first, second or third attempt with
out much difficulty. Chance complicates
the competition. The element Of luck is
very pronounced, n even those most
skillful fail in some particular time
and again.
All are up at last, for the unfortun-
ate players who can not manage to
raise their kites will after a while be
rescued from their ~predicament and
helped out. Then, with a dozen OF
these unwieldy boxes that seem SO
strange in the kite world pirouetting at
the same moment in the air, gyrating
fantastically, the picture is m Of much
novelty.
Once up aloft with these kites the
great problem is to keep the candles
alight. A third or half of their can
dies suddenly extinguished, and the
beauty and strangeness Of these great
floating glow worms of the air is par.
TALLY, at least, lost. It Is an hour OF
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-07-29

Now that time has come when the
housewife who does much of her own
cooking and preserving must often have
her fingers stained with the juice Of
berries, peaches, ETC., it may be
well to remind her that the fumes Of
sulphur viii remove most fruit stains
from the fingers. Put a tiny lump Of
sulphur in a tin plate, pour on a little
alcohol, and set it on fire. Hold the
finger tips above the flame, and the
d~iscoloration will disappear.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-07-29

'It is impossible to allow his per-
sistent contempt Of court to go OF any
longer" exclaimed the presiding judge
w%rathfully, "and 1 shall be forced to
go to the extreme length of taking the
m step that will stop it."
There was a long silence; then M of
the leading counsel arose slowly, and
with just a trace of a smile, inquired:
"If it please your honor, from what
date will your resignation take effect?"
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-07-29

delightful uncertainty. The turn of
fortune with a perfectly managed kite
may see it's light go out; a badly con-
trolled kite may keep it's light until
it is finallyv pulled to the ground; but,
on the other hand, a misadvised jerk
may end that kites career for the night
and leave it hanging, a black mass, in
midair.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-07-29

Mr.. Bickers "a bachelor)-Thompson
got married so that he wouldn't have
to go to the
MI. Tiff "a benedict)-If he thinks
he a avoid fighting that way he is
very much mistaken.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-07-29

The old Barnard mansion, the oldest
house in Hartford, Conn.,, is being torn
down to make room for the Church
Home association building. The own
ership of the house can be traced as
far back at 1876, when it was owned
by John Webster, fifth governor Of the
colony Of Connecticut.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-07-29

Mrs. Ducats--I declare, Mr.. De Cash
less, I believe you go to a different
summer resort every year.
Mr.. De Cashless-Yes, I simply adore
things fresh, you know-new scenes,
new faces, new everything.
Mr.. Ducats (under his breath)-Yes,
and especially new creditors.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-07-29

Toyle Knott see dat dey have
chainless bikes, Ollie.
Ornery Oliver-Well, I hopes dey won
apply de same principle to dawgs.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-07-29

"Who was the man who gave the
concert last night. Was he a finished
musician" asked the visitor at Red
Dog.
least the boys started out with him
about midnight with hat end in view"
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-07-29

One popularity of railroad travel in
Spain is to be found in the fact that
employees of the railroad company are
entitled, as a matter of right, to the
best seats, even regardless of the tick
cts sold to passengers.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-07-29

Jenny-What is a patent, Benny?
Benny-Oh, it's a sort Of thing that
gives one person the exclusive right
to all the litigation in connection with
some other sort of thing for a GER
tain number Of years.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-07-29
WITH II WITS.

II gave the boss a great calling
down today"
Didn't he discharge you?"
ooh, no; he didn't hear me-"
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-07-29

Jack-I noticed in this mornings pa
pers that the Prince Of Wales is now
at an English seaside resort and takes
q surf bath daily.
Cholly Gust before he faints with
rapture)-To think, bal Jove! that I
battle in the very same ocean he does!
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-07-29

suit from Such a course-Is it any
Before the Gold Standard is Estab-
lished-Misery and Ruin Would Re-
Should fight such legislation-Head
Wonder that we who know this
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-07-29

Molly-They had a big fuss owe al
engagement ring.
Dolly-I would like to have had
finger in it.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-07-29

Gobang-What makes you think that
he is such a sensible man?
Ukerdek-Well, he is bald and does
not think that new hair is growing
IN the top of his head.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-07-29

Mrs. Pesterd-John Henry, did you
know that we may expect war from a
new source any hour?
Mr.. Pesterd-It's the first intin. alton
I have received that you expected an
imminent visit from you mother.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-07-29

The devil can always find work fol
idle hands to do, and some men pu'
their foot in it besides.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-07-29
A FLOATING SHIP MACHINE SHOP.

Var Ships Now Repaired out OF the High Seas "WhtIe You4Wait'
--Uncle Sans Repair Ship. The Vulcan.
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-08-21
MINERS UNION PICNIC
It's Likely to Break All of Mon
tana's Picnic Records.
EVERYBODYLL BE THERE
There VIII Be Frequent Trains to and
From Anaconda Park-The List OF
sports-This WIN Be a Great Day
In the Unions History.

Everybody ought to 60 to the Miners
union picnic to-day and II looks now
as though everybody Is going to do as
he ought to. The Miners union deserves
the support and encouragement OF every
resident of Montana. for the miners
made Montana
The miners always 60 in to la the
big picnic Of the year in Montana and
this yea will eclipse all former efforts.
The picnic win be held at Anaconda
Lake park. Trains from Butte will run
at 7:45, 10 a. m, / n 6 p. m. and 1t is
expected that more han 5000 people will
go over on these trains. The park has
been placed in the best possible condi-
ton for the day.
The events Of the day will be 80 In
number n there will be more than
100 prizes. The following are the events
ing the nearest the number of tickets
sold to Anaconda on picnic trains on
Aug. 81, shall receive $50. All guesees to
be sent to the Miners union Office be-
fore the 18th of August.
A baseball game between the Butte
Miners union team and the Shamrocks
OF Anaconda.
A single-handed drilling contest.
Tug-of-war, Butte VS.. Anaconda.
100-yard running race open for all.
100-yard running race for members of
the Butte Miners union.
100 yards fat mems race.
100 yards boys race, under is.
250-yard hurdle race.
Old mans race for men over 50.
Married ladies' race. 70 yards.
Young ladies' race.
A fat woman's race.
Old woman's race.
A boys hurdle race. distance 100
yards.
l00-yard sack race.
T~hree-legged race, 100 yards.
Putting the 16-pound shot.
Throwing the hammer.
Throwing the 50-pound shot.
Ladies' egg race.
50-yard young married ladies' race.
50-yard race for girls under IL years.
Running high jump.
Running broad jump.
Hop, step and jump.
200-yard running race for members Of
the Butte Miners union.
Climbing a creased pole.
Catching a creased pig.
Ladies' boat race.
Gents boat rae
Ladies' tub race
Prize of $751; so TO be given TO the most
popular Miners union man m the
grounds.
Best lady walter, during the after
noon.
Best gentleman walter, during the
afternoon.
Best lady waltzer, during the evening.
Best gentleman walter. during the
evening.
Best lady step dance
Best gentleman step dancer.
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-08-21
Feeding the Multitude at FL Csney.

James II. Hare in Golfers Weekly.
w have three barley Dawes and two
small fishes. but what are they amongst
so many?"
This passage of Holy Writ was
brought wildly to mind by the sight /
witnessed to-day at FL Caney. II was
estimated that at least 10000 people left
Santiago de Cuba IN Monday. July 4.
on the occasion of the withdrawal Of
non-combatants. and since hen they
have been augmented by more exits
from the doomed city and also by the
return OF The inhabitants OF Caney. VINO
had fed 10 the hills. until it IL estimated
that there at least 10000 souls there
to-day. counting children. without the
slightest visible means OF subsistence.
A great number of our troops are get
ing only a half supply OF r~ations. so IL
can hardly be expected that We can sup
ply the wants OF these people. However,
the commissariat has been called upon
10 send up some supplies. and the Red
Cross society has opened a depot of re-
lief. which is in barge of a Mr.. Bangs.
who vas not allowed a minutes rest
during my stsy-a matter Of some IS
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-08-21

hours. Two COWS had been sent in by
Generals Ludlow n Lawton: one was
killed and made into soup the day l
arrived and the other was killed the fol-
lowing morning. but ii was only like a
drop in the ocean to the clamoring mob
waiting for relief. Flour had peer dis
tributed, but II was brought back again:
the people did not know how to use it
they are a most helpless lot-so bakeries
were established end large biscuits
made. I did not envy Mr.. Bangs his
job. As the crowd pushed the a~pathetic
Cuban guards back and surged in on
him in the old church that was used
for headquarters he would shout to one:
GO fetch some water from the brook"
which, by the way, was being polluted
by the as fast as possible
then l will give you some biscuits"
go and get some wood for the fires"
to another, " and I will give you some
jerked beef" Get out OF here." to
some strengthening men: women and
children irst." And so on-one continu-
Gus string of appeals and commands.
I gave one little child a piece OF crack
err ! had with me and Immediately sa
a strong man snatch II away and make
of before I could get a chance to in
terfere. / felt sick at heart TO have TO
refuse so many appeals for food. for
some who begged were undoubtedly dy-
ing OF starvation
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-08-21
READS THE FUTURE RIGHT.
Julius seligman Says Chicago Is to BE
the Hub of the Universe.

From the Denver Press.
Julius Seligman, German by birth,
French by education and American by
adoption, is at the Albany hotel. He
has been a resident of this country for
20 years, and he now believes that Chi
cage is the u of the universe.
Ten years from now" said Mr.. Sell
lyman, New York will be a minor
factor in population and business when
compared with Chicago. This result is
as certain as a sum in Arithmetic and is
due to natural laws. The internal trade
of the United States has been and viii
continue to be superior in bulk and
value to the foreign business, and Chi
cago, at the head of the lake naviga-
ton and with the railroads running
into ii like spokes in a wheel, is bound
to continue in the growth that has al
ready been phenomenal.
Perhaps you doubt the comparison
in regard to foreign and domestic
trade; people often do. but Just dig up
a few statistics n you will find that
the tonnage entering the ports of Chi
cago exceeds by several millions that
checked at the ports of New York n
Boston.
And Boston! 1t is no longer the art
center of America. The impetus given
are subjects by the displays at the
worlds fair has had the result that
was anticipated by the thinking people
of our city when we made the fight
for the exposition. We now have the
works of art and art schools par ex-
oellence of America. New York Is out
OF the race and Boston critics who visit
Chicago are staggered by what they
find there.
Illinois will go republican at the
next general election, and John p. Alt
geld will not be the next United States
senator from the state. He is making
a strong campaign or the issue of 1896,
but cannot command a solid democratic
support.
Chicago business generally was hit
hard by the panic, and outside real es-
tate especially so. But you know what
outside real estate means in Chicago.
In the advancing districts, the north
and south sides, however. frontage is
now selling for double what it was
before the shake-down of 1892 and
1893"
Mr.. Seligman, who takes such an OPP
timistic view of the destiny of Chicago,
is a cosmopolitan. He was born in Ger
many a good many years ago and was
educated in Paris. From 1859 until 1861
ne was in Africa and threaded tungles
with Livingstone in the Zambesi river
country for six months. He declined 70
consider the claims Of st. Louis as COM
pared with those Of Chicago.
The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-08-21
First Recorded Strike.

From the Pittsburg Dispatch.
The earliest strike occurred about
1450 b. c., or upward of 30 centuries
ago. Pharaoh was building a new tenn
pie OF Thebes. The masons received
very little cash. but a quantity of pro-
visions, which the contractor thought
sufficient, was handed to them on the
first day of each month. Sufficient or
not. they mostly ate IL before the time
had elapsed. On n occasion many
of them had nothing left quite early in
the month, so they marched TO the
contractors house, before which they
squatted and refused TO o until JUS
titce was done
The contractor persuaded them to lay
their distress before Pharaoh. who was
about to visit the works, and he ave
them a handsome supply of corn. and
so all went on well for that month.
But the same state OF things required
by the middle of next. and for some
days the men struck work. Various
conferences took place. but tho men
declined TO do another stroke Of work
until they were given another supply
OF food. They declared the clerks cheat
ed them. used false weights and so
forth, familiar enough complaints in
this country under the truck system.
The contractor not complying with
their demands, they marched TO the
governor of the city to lay their de
mands before him. and he tried to get
them to return to work by smooth
words. but that was no use. and they
insisted on having food. At last. to get
ride of them, he drew up an order for
corn on the public grsnary and the
strike was ended.