davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Globe-republican., 1898-06-30

OASuOA AusClACAC Will Suc PERFORMANCE OF
his particular duties to the company, or
tend to place the company in the false
position of appearing to be itself en-
gagged in politics."
The Kansas railroads are already
making preparations for moving the inn
mense wheat crop of Kansas and Okla
hOma. Box cars that have been travelling
over the country on foreign lines are be-
ing collected and repaired preparatory to
use. Every box car is given a season in
the shops for q thorough overhauling,
and by the time the wheat movement
commences the rolling stock of the
freight department of the Kansas roads
will be in shape to stand several months
continued heavy traffic. While all the
roads are preparing for the wheat move
ment, the Santa Fee, because of the fact
that it has double the wheat territory of
any Of the other Kansas roads, is making
more extensive preparations. Besides
overhauling and repairing all box cars
now in service, the carpenter department.
at the shops in Topeka is turning out
new cars at the rate Of two day. One
hundred new box cars were completed =
short time ago, aud over 200 more will
have been turned out by the time the
wheat crop requires attention.
Assistant General Superintendent TN.
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-02

what is tho condition OF the starboard
turretf" witness was asked.
ITO my knowledge II has not been found.
SIR" was the reply.
He understood something had been found
under the place where the turret formerly
was. but It's exact character had not been
determined.
Impressions OF Ensign Poweison.
What impression Ii produced upon your
mind by the reports. as far a. you have
quoted them?" Ensign Powelson was asked
From reports alone or from the appear
ance OF the wreck?"
Either from such reports or the condi-
lions which you believe TO exist"
''The impression produced upon me-" re-
piled the witness. lis that an explosion took
place well TO port OF the midship line. and
at a point In the length about opposite the
coming tower" tff
Witness In reply to further questions said
his opinion was based upon the observation
OF things above water. He gave no weight
TO Mr.. Morgan's statement about falling
into hole on the port side because Nor
gan might have been mistaken about It.
Referring 10 his notes made Of things on
the Maine, Ensign Powelson said that the
arc OF the engine room telegraph and the
shaft OF the steering gear coming down
through the armored tube (turrep was bent
from port to starboard The port side OF
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-02

In reply 20 an inquiry as TO whether
he meant with reference TO their original
positions Ensign Powelson replied afiirma-
lively. The beam supporting the pro-
tective deck few inches abaft OF the ar
morod tube, 10 port OF the midship line.
was bent up TO starboard OF the mid
ship line Just forward OF the coming
tower. underneath the deck. two beams
met at right angles; one beam was broken
and pushed from port 10 starboard. A
grating was found on the poop awning
just forward OF the after searchllght.
A piece OF the side plating Just abaft
OF the starboard turret was visible. This
plate was bent outward and then the for
ward end bent upward and folded back
ward upon Itself This plate was shearcd
from the rest OF the plating below the
water line This plating below the water
line has been pushed out 10 starboard."
The armored gratings OF the engine room
hatch were blown of. A composition
strainer was picked up from the bottom
on the starboard quarter at point about
opposite the poop capstan and about 20
feet from II. The chief engineer thought
tho strainer was from the firemen's wash
room. IL was not a strainer In the ships
side.
Near the piece OF outside plating TO
were pieces OF red shellaced pianks. on
these planks was bolted a composition
track two inches wide and an inch thick.
Ensign Powelson then asked II the court
meant for him 20 say anything about what
the divers reported or just what he saw.
The judge advocate replied that he would
like TO have him state any important dis
coveries which might lead the court 10
draw some conclusion as 20 the cause,
and II diver gave such information 10
state the divers name. Before doing so
tho Judge advocate asked witness TO state
II the forward and after part OF the ship
were In line. Ensign Powelson replied
that as far as he could Judge they were
not. The end where the explosion oc-
Cured seemed TO be pushed from port
TO starboard from five 10 ten degrees, he
should Judge. with the apex to the star
board The divers reported 10 witness that
at n point whore the ten-inch shell room
should be they discovered ten-inch shells
regularly arranged. but the ship had sunk
down so much that some OF the shells were
in the mud.
Gunner Morgan reported that in walking
on the bottom he fell into a hole on the
port side and went down IN the mud. lie
also reported that as far as he could Judge
everything seemed 10 be bent upward In
the vicinity OF this hole. He also reported
that the plates seemed 20 have been pushed
over TO the starboard and then bent down.
Ensign Powelson then said that a six
inch powder tank that he saw appeared 10
be an empty tank broken by the explosion,
as II was not badly dented and merely
ripped the length OF the seam. ten-inch
tank was badly battered out OF any con-
ceivable shape.
Continuing, the witness said the divers
M to the night before he was then on the
stand had not been on tho outside OF the
ship. The mud was too deep for them 70
walk on the bottom
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-02

use at the time OF the dinaster. but for
auxiliary purposes only with compare
lively low pressure OF steam. and being
tended by a reliable watch. These boilers
could not have caused the explosion OF the
ship. The four forward boilers have aimee
been found by the divers. and are in a fair
condition.
On the night OF the destruction OF the
Maine everything had been reported Sc
cure for the night at eight p. IN. by re-
liable persons. through the proper author
tiles. to the commanding officer At the
time the Maine was destroyed the ship was
quiet. and therefore least liable TO accident
caused by movements from those on board.
Were Two Explosions.
g. The destruction OF the Maine occurred
at $40 u. IN. on the 18th day OF February.
1898, In the harbor OF Havana. Cuba. be-
ing at the time moored on the same buoy 10
which she had been taken upon her ar
rival.
There were two explosions OF distinctly
different character with very short but
distinct interval between them. and the
forward part OF the ship was lifted 10 a
marked degree at the time of the first ex-
plosion.
The first explosion was more in the ma
ture OF a report. like that OF a gun. while
the second explosion was more open, pro-
longed and OF greater volume. This sec
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-02

held fast and bent that deck downward
Witness here exhibited two sketches to the
court showing diagram OF various parts OF
the sunken ship and explained them TO the
court.
The witnesses evidence about the strip
on the starboard side OF the outside plat
ing OF the ship which was folded and
rolled back, was recalled to him, and Pow
elson said he could see plate underneath Il
was bent outward, as he could see Il, as IL
was only two feet under water where the
shear occurred
Witness had taken soundings and had
found five fathoms OF water on both sides
OF the Maine down TO the mud. Taking a
f-pound lead line and dragging with a
wherry for distractions on the port side
dragging close to where he thought the wa
ter ways would be found, he found no OBJ
structions whatever on the starboard side
he found distractions for 20 feet where he
had reason to believe the waterways had
originally been.
In answer TO questions he said there was
nothing left OF the port plating at all. lie
dragged along the outside to zee IL anything
had fallen out and found nothing. Wit
ness thought the ship on the port side was
entirely gone opposite point indicated on
a diagram handed the court. 1t was en-
tirely blown out.
This concluded Ensign Powelson's tes-
timony on the third day.
Divers story.
Chief Gunner's Mate Olsen, OF the United
states steamer Iowa. told how he had been
sent TO Havana for the purpose OF doing
diving duty on the wreck, lie had descend
ed four times. making about eight or nine
hours OF total examination.
Olsen told how on his first descent he
went over the forward part OF the shin.
To use his own expression. he said: II
found the wreck all blowed UP. found q
lot OF CRATE bars down there" The second
time he went down further forward and
there located a lot OF ten-lnch shells. For
ward OF these the plates were bent inboard
over them.
Asked IL he imagined himself looking for
ward he stated that he did. Going over the
plates he struck into lot OF six-inch shells
with the sings on them. Going 10 the right
witness stated he found lot OF wreckane
IL seemed TO have been blown over the sta p
Doard. Olsen stated that he put his hand
six-pounder shells.
The next time he went down. Olsen teet,-
ned he went outside the ship. forward OF
bottom along and found that the ship's
side was blown cupboard and along The
crane u could be walked on.
pietely," witness said. part OF her bottom
plates are turned up. Then you follow the
ppiyt ,.oeh from mere up, and the plates are
blown cupboard. At the top and underneath
bent IN About three feet forw Spdr of t 9nd
sp0t there u a piece Of Iron laid along the
66n oi,siis The skin Of Tho inside o. tho
per inboard from stem to stern ~ Pa-
AmidNhips on the same place fhcrc 4. N i,
armor plate, one plate complete. the TON ~
d ane piate standing up. The plate e inclined
up with the thick part OF the p,afo down
I - inclined forward. and over 10 star
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-02

That portion OF the port side OF the pro-
tective deck which extends from about
frame 80 TO about frame Al was blown up
aft and over TO port. The main deck
from about frame 80 10 about frame Al
was blown up aft and slightly over 10
starboard. folding the forward part OF the
middle superstructure over and on top OF
the after part
This was in the opinion or the court.
caused by tho partial explosion OF two or
moro OF the forward magazines OF the
Maine.
Plates Forced Up.
g. AT frame ~, the outer shell or the ship
from point liz feet from the middle
line or the ship and six feet above the keel
when I'm its normal position, has been
forced up so as to be now about four feet
above the surface OF the water, therefore
about "a feet above where II would be had
the ship sunk uniniured. The outside bot
tom plating is bent into reversed V
shape. the after wing OF which. about rs
feet broad and 32 feet In length Qrom
frame IL to frame 25 Is doubled back upon
Itself against the continuation OF the same
plating extending forward.
AZ frame is the vertical keel Is broken In
two. and the fiat keel bent into an angle
similar to the angle formed by the outside
bottom plating. This break is now about
six feet below the surface OF the water. and
about 80 feet above its normal position.
Caused by "a Mine.
In the opinion OF the court, this effect
could nave been produced only by the ex-
plosion OF mine situated under the bot
tom or the ship at about frame rs, and
somewhat on the port side OF the ship.
8. The court finds that the loss OF the
Maine, on the occasion named. was not in
any respect due 10 fault or negligence on
the part OF any OF the officers or members
or the crew OF said vessel
q In the opinion Of the court the Maine
was destroyed by the explosion OF sub
marine mine. which caused the partial ex-
piosion OF Two or more OF her forward
magazines.
The court has been unable TO obtain ev-
idence fixing the responsibility for the de-
siruction OF the Maine upon any person or
persons.
w. T. SAMPSON,
Captain. u. s. N. President.
A. MARK,
Lieutenant Commander. u. s. N, Judge
Advocate.
The Findings Approved.
The court, having finished the inquiry II
was ordered to make adjourned at III n m
20 await the action OF the converting au-
thorlty.
w SAMPSON,
Captain. u, s. N. President
A. MARK,
Lieutenant Commander. u. s. NJ, Judge
Advocate.
u. s. Flagship New York. March %. $685.
on Key West, Fla.--The proceedings and
findings OF the court OF inquiry In the above
case are approved.
| Rear Admiral, Commander I'm Chief OF the
| Y. 8 Naval Force on the North Atlantic
| Station
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-02

the protected deck was covered with n
greasy deposit. the starboard side being
comparatively free from Il.
The forward smoke pipe, between tho
main and superstructure decks. did not
show signs OF the internal pressure OF
gases. on the main deck forward OF the
coming tower where the fore and after
angle bulb beam was located the plankinx
was blown of on the only remaining plate
or the ain deck on the port side while tho
wood was still attached to that part on the
starboard side between the coming tower
base and the turrets. What witness saw
protective deck up on the port side, and
the protective deck on the starboard side
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-02

ond explosion was, I'm the opinion OF the
court. caused by the partial explosion OF
two or more OF the forward magazines Of
the Maine
Condition of the Wreck.
4. The evidence bearing on this, being
principally obtained from divers, did not
enable the court TO form a definite con-
cluson as 10 the condition Of the wreck,
although II was established that the after
part OF the ship was practically intact,
and sank In that condition very few
minutes after the destruction OF the for
ward part.
The following facts in regard TO the for
ward part OF the ship are. however. es-
tabllshed by the testimony:
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-02

amount OF heat was the after ten-inch mag
azine, and that did not explode at the time
the Maine was destroyed.
The torpedo war heads were all slowed
I'm the after part OF the ship under the ward
room, and neither caused nor participated
In the destruction OF the Maine.
The dry gun cotton primers and deton-
ators were slowed in the cabin aft and
remote from the scene OF the explosion.
The waste was carefully looked after on
board the Maine TO obviate danger Spe-
cial orders in regard 10 this had been given
by the commanding officer.
Varnishes, dryers. alcohol and other COM
bustibles OF this nature were slowed on
or above the Maine deck and could not
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-02

been in use that day. and A i6 was full
OF New River coal. This coal had been
carefully Inspected before receiving II on
board. The bunker In which Il was slowed
was accessible on three sides NJ all times
and the fourth side at this time on ac-
count OF bunkers ID and ID being empty.
This bunker. A i6 had been inspected
that day by the engineer officer on duty.
The fire alarms In the bunkers were In
working order. and there had never been
a case OF spontaneous combustion OF coal
on board the Maine.
After Rollers Only I'm Use.
The two after boilers or the ship were IN
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-02

described with close detail the condition
under the main deck on the port side. The
fixtures were completely wrecked while
fixtures in the same position on the star
board side were In some cases almost In
tact The port bulkhead between the main
and berth decks at the coming tower sup
port had been blown aft on both sides but
great deal more on the port than on the
starboard side. The fireroom hatch imme-
diately abaft OF the coming tower had been
blown I'm three directions-aft TO star
board and TO port The protective deck
under the coming tower supports was bent
in two directions. the plates on the star
board side being bent up and on the lar
board side bent down.
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-02
TOLD BY WITNESSES.
Extract Of Important Testimony
Taken by the Court.
Lieut.. PoweIson's story Told ON the
Third Day of the session-Im-
portnnt Discoveries Made
Up tn That Time.

Washington. March 2s-The following are
portions OF the testimony:
Ensign w. W N. Powelson was called
the third day OF the court. He testified
that he had been present on the Maine
every day from the arrival OF the boat
Fern and during a great deal OF the diving.
In reply TO question 10 tell the court
all about the condition OF the wreck. he
said the forward part OF the ship forward
OF the after smokestack had been to all
appearances completely destroyed. The
coming tower lay In a position opposite
the door leading TO the superstructure aft
and TO starboard. inclined at about ITO de-
grees to the vertical with the top OF the
coming tower In board. Continuing, he
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-02

I. That the United States battieship Maine
arrived In the harbor Of Havana. Cuba. on
the 25th day OF January. 1898. and was taken
to buoy No. A. In from five and a half TO six
fathoms OF water by the regular govern
meut pilot. The United States consul gen
eral at Havana had notified the authori-
ties at that place the previous evening OF
the intended arrival OF the Maine.
Discipline Was Excellent.
g. The state OF discipline on board the
Maine was excellent. and all orders and
regulations In regard TO the care and safety
OF the ship were strictly carried out.
All ammunition was slowed away In ac-
cordance with instructions. and proper care
was taken whenever ammunition was
handled.
Nothing was slowed in any one OF the
magazines or shell rooms which was not
permitted TO be slowed there
The magazines and shell rooms were al
ways locked after having been opened; and
after the destruction or the Maine the keys
were found In their proper place In the cap
tain's cabin, everything having been re-
ported secure that evening at eight y. m.
Temperature Was Normal.
The temperatures OF the magazines and
shellrooms were taken daily and reported.
The only magazine which had an undue
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-02

The evidence OF the divers establishes
that the after part OF the ship was prac-
ticaliy intact and sank In that condition a
very few minutes after tho explosion. The
forward part was completely demolished.
Upon the evidence OF concurrent external
cause the finding OF the court Is as follows:
AT frame IL the outer shell OF the ship.
from a point III feet from the middle line
or the ship and six feet above the keel
when in its normal position. has been
forced up so as TO be now about four feet
above the surface OF the water; therefore.
about "a feet above whore II would be had
the ship sunk uninjured.
Plates Bent Inward.
1.-THE outside bottom plating is bent into
a reversed " shape. the after wing OF
which, about Is feet broad and 30 feet
in length (from frame IL TO frame 25). Is
doubled back upon itself against the con-
tinuation OF the same plating extending
forward.
AT frame Is the vertical keel Is broken In
two and the keel bent into an angle singu-
lar TO the angle formed for the outside
plates. This break Is about six feet be-
low the surface OF the water and about
80 feet above Its normal position.
I'm the opinion OF the court this effect
could have been produced only by the ex-
plosion OF a mine situated under the bot
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-02

have had anything to do with the destruc-
ton OF the Maine.
The medical stores were slowed aft un-
der the ward room and remote from the
scene Of the explosion,
No dangerous stores OF any kind were
slowed below In any OF the other store
rooms.
Coal Bunkers Inspected.
The coal bunkers were inspected. OF
those bunkers adjoining the forward mag
azlne and shell rooms four were empty
namely 3. - 4. b and B 6. A Is had
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-02
tom OF the ship. at about frame IS and
somewhat on the port side OF the ship"
Conclusions OF the Court.
lusIons OF The court arc:

The conclusions OF the court are:
That the loss OF the Maine was not in any
respect due TO fault or negligence on the
part OF any OF the officers or members OF
her crew.
That the ship was destroyed by the ex-
plosion OF submarine mine, which caused
the partial explosion OF two or more OF her
forward magazines; and,
That no evidence has been obtainable fix
ing the responsibility for the destruction
OF the Maine upon any person or persons.
/ have directed that the finding OF the
court OF inquiry and the views OF this gov
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-02

eminent thereon be communicated to the
government OF her majesty. the queen, and
I do not permit myself 20 doubt that the
sense OF justice or the Spanish nation VIII
dictate a course OF action suggested by
honor and the friendly relations OF the two
governments.
II was the duty OF the executive 10 ad-
wise the congress OF the result. and I'm the
meantime deliberate consideration Is In
voked.
(Slgned) WILLIAM M'KINLEY.
Executive Mansion. March 2S, 1898
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-02
THE COURTS REPORT.
Statements OF Capt. sampson and
his Associates BASED ON Tes-
timony Taken.

The following IL the full text OF the re-
port of the court OF Inquiry:
United States Steamship Iowa, First
Rate.--I<ey West. Fla, Monday, March n,
SeS--After full and mature consideration
OF ali the testimony before Il, the court
inds as follows.
The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-02
Two Explosions.

There were two distinct explosions. VIII
q brief interval between them. The frs
lifted the forward part OF the ship yer,
percfptiby: the second. which was NOR,
prolonged. n attributed BY the court 20 IN,
partial explosion Of two or moro or the for
ward magazines.
Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-06-20
Wants a Tax Payers Ticket.


A tax payers non-partisan ticket is
much talked of among property owners
throughout Grant county. The pro-
posed plan is to have the residents OF
each precinct hold non-partisan meet
ings and send delegates to a convention
to be held at one of the larger towns,
there to nominsto a ticket composed OF
man r,5Iged to the enforcement OF the
laws and the minimizing of salaries of
officials. Reasonable salaries proper
tionate to the services rendered are to
be agreed upon, and the nominees if
elected are to all rights to
exorbitant salaries If such are provided
by law. 1t is a good suggestion, but it
is a question whether enough tax payers
will take interest in the matter to over
come the pull of the professional politi-
clans and office seekers.
Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-06-20

Lorenzo Hubbell, of st. Johns, A. T.;
Miss Anita Armijo, daughter of Mrs.
Ambrosio Armijo; Misses Leila and Sofia
Armiio, and Miss Alicia Hubbell, daugh-
ter of Mrs. Sidney Hubbell, returned
from eastern schools. The young men
from Notre Dame, Ind, and the young
ladies from the convent of the Sacred
Heart in st. Louis.
Saturday morning the Danenbaum
Touring mill at Bernalillo, was sold at
public auction in front of the post
Office in this city by B. s.. Rodey. The
property was bid in by j. H. O'Reily at
81, 1925. An hour later Mr.. O'Reily trans
ferred his purchase to L. B. Putney,
who will put an experienced miller in
charge and begin grinding as soon as
possible.
Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-06-20

this crime to Justice. The law, as 1t
stands now, absolutely prohibits the
governor from offering any reward on
behalf of the territory. 1t was charged,
during the sessions of the 32d legisla-
tive assembly, that much corruption
and fraud had existed under the last
Democratic administration in the matter
of rewards, and hence, at n fell
swoop, the authority of the executive to
offer rewards, was taken away.
In this case, as in many others in this
territory, the cause of justice and OF
law is made to suffer on account of the
short comings or corruption of a Demo-
cratic administration.