davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-26

The Government Reported to Have
Purchased 3OO.OOO Tons.

PITTSBURG, Feb. 25.-The Post to-mor-
row will say: 1t was learned to-day
in Pittsburg, through an officer of one
of the largest coal corporations doing busi-
ness in this district, that the Navy Depart
ment had closed contracts with the incor-
porated firm of Gastner, Curran & Billtt
of Philadelphia, for the delivery at Key
West, Sand Keys, Dry Tortugas, Savan-
nah Charleston and Fortress Monroe of
250 600 tons of Pocahontas coal, and with
the Rhodes & Beidler Coal Company, of
Cleveland, for the delivery of $1,000 tons of
the Goshen coal of that company The stip-
ulations of the contracts just placed are
that the coal so ordered shall be delivered
at the designated coaling stations as soon
as it is possible TO do so, and that the ut
most secrecy be observed about the matter.
In carrying out these contracts the rail-
roads play ii most prominent part, and for
the purpose of moving everything as expe-
ditaously as possible President NJ. Il. In
gals, Of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad;
o. G.. Murray. of the b. & o.. and General
Manager l.. +. Loree, of the Pennsylvania
Railroad, went to Washington last week
and consulted with Secretary Long, OF the
navy. and Assistant Secretary Meikeljohn.
of the War Department, on the matter.
The contracts and arrangements for the
rapid handling and shipping Of the coal
Continued ON Second Page.)
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-26
SITUATION VERY MUCH MIXED
WITH THE POSSIBILITY THAT SPAIN
MAY TAKE The INITIATIVE
If Asked to Apologize for the Blowing
Up of the Maine-Accident Theory
AbandOned-War Preparations.
special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON Feb. 25.-Opinion and
speculation divide into two channels as to
the Cuban complications A great majority
of public men in Washington are convinced
that war will be the outcome, and that it is
inevitable. A strong and influential minor
ity, which is admittedly closer to the White
House than the other element, and which
is more likely to reflect administration
views, holds to the opinion that the trouble
will be settled without recourse to arms,
and that Spain and Cuba will be permitted
to fight it out to the end without interfer~
ence from this government. There is Il
practical unanimity of expression, however
that much If not everything will depend on
the findings of the court of inquiry ap-
pointed to ascertain the cause of the ex-
plosion of the Maine and upon the treat
ment of questions arising from that report;
therefore, there is a disposition to await
with patience the report of the inquiry,
which may be in the latter part of next
week, and which cannot be delayed longer
than two weeks at the outside, according
to the best information at hand.
The accident theory has not been entirely
abandoned, although its adherents are
weakening all along the line. The the
Ory that the vessel was blown up by
order or with the acquescence of
the Spanish authorities has been abandoned
by everybody, except a few irreeoncilable
Cuban sympathizers of the most radical
type. 1t is the common expectation that
the report of the court of inquiry will be
that the explosion was caused by a sub
marine mine set off by accident or by some
irresponsible person on shore. If this ex-
pectation is realized, demand, of course
will be made on Spain for a disavowal, an
apology, reparation and heavy indemnity
No one doubts that Spain would make the
disavoWal, but it is a question whether
she would apologize for something she re-
fuses to acknowledge the responsibility for
or whether she would pay an indemnity
Those who are best acquainted with the
situation in Spain say that no government
could live that would submit to such hu-
initiation, and that the Spanish people
would rather fight than bend the knee to
that extent to the United States, especially
when they are reminded that such pay
ment would not be assurance against sub
sequent intervention by this country 1t
will, therefore, be observed that the situa-
tion is very much mixed, and that there is
still plenty of room for speculation as to
what will be done. 1T is not altogether a
question whether the United States will as
sumo the aggressive. Spain may Conclude
to enact that part herself and take the in
itiative.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-26

Windward islands, If Spain starts a large
fleet across the water. But the opinion of
army and naval authorities is that the war
will end with the occupation of Cuba, and,
perhaps Porto Rico, and the expulsion of
the Spanish authority from this hemi-
sphere.
How much of a land force will be sent to
Cuba to restore peace and order is a matter
of difference of opinion. The preparations
and plans of the War Department contem-
plate the mobilization of 10000 men. That
number it is thought, would be made up
from the regular army and the National
Guard. The matter of transports has al
ready received attention. The prediction
was made to-day that within two weeks the
concentration of troops at New Orleans,
Mobile and coast points would be under
way. q That limit is probably too short.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-26
ADMINISTRATIONS POLICY.
Views of Editor kohIsant, One OF
President McKinley's Friends.

Views of Editor KohIsant, One OF
President Mckinley's Friends.
CHICAGO, Feb. 25.-Mr. H. II. Kohlsaat,
who is very close TO President Mckinley.
publishes the following in the Evening
Post to-day:
ut can be stated positively that neither
the President nor Secretary Long is in
possession of a single fact or report in re-
gard to the Maine disaster that they have
not made public And while they cannot
confirm or deny the sensational stories
daily published throughout the country as
to the progress of the court of inquiry, they
know that none of the evidence or conclu-
sions of the court will be made public in
advance of the official report Every off,
cial connected with the investigation into
the cause of the disaster to the Maine, from
Captain Sampson down to the divers and
linemen is under oath of secrecy For the
time being the divers are under naval dis
cipline. When above water each is attended
by "a petty officer of the court of inquiry.
The Maine itself is sacredly guarded from
unofficial approach.
"These facts account for the remarkable
equanimity with which the American people
read the daily sensations from Havana and
the stock jobbing forebodngs of war from
New York and Washington.
This much is absolutely true: President
Mckinley knows nothing about the wreck
of the Maine or the testimony as to it's
cause that he has not made public. He
will not withhold any information when he
gets it. He has not come to any conclusion
as to whether the disaster was accidental
or designed, or whether it was caused by
~ iDtarnaI or external pxn1Osion When
he receives the report of the court of in
quiry he will know the facts, which he will
make public, with his conclusions and
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-26

ice for the Navy Department in Cuba, and
color was lent to this impression by the fact
that it was not possible until late hour
yesterday TO secure from any of the Off
cials statement of the nature Of his bust
ness in the south, for it was known that
he had arrived in Tampa on the Montgom-
cry from the West Indies.
The officer himself was not very COM
municative as to the details of his trip,
but he did say that he had been in San
Domingo. He had gone there on the Brook
lyn with his son when the ship started for
ST. Thomas. While in San Domingo he re-
ceived news of the disaster 10 the Maine
and took advantage of the opportunity pre-
sented by the appearance in San Domingo
Of the cruiser Montgomery to make his way
back to the United States and to Washing
ton
NO WORD FROM HAVANA
There was no word from either Captain
Sigsbee or Consul General Lee this morning
at the Navy and State Departments.
The monitor Terror is lying in Hampton
Roads, and it is said at the Navy Depart
ment that she has no orders as yet. The
impression is that she will remain in that
place, which is one of great strategic value
in case of need, at least until the monitor
Puritan is ready to take her place. The
Puritan is almost twice as big as the Terror,
being a 6,00O-ton vessel, very little less than
the Maine in size. She carries twelve-inch
guns in her turrets, against ten-inch guns
for the Terror, and is altogether the most
formidable double-turreted monitor in the
world in smooth water. This qualification
does not mean that she is unable to keep
the sea- but only that from her great
breadth and light draught she is so sus-
ceptible TO the wave motion that it is diff
cult to make good work with her guns in a
seaway. She is now having new furnaces
fitted TO her boilers at the Norfolk navy
yard, the crowns of the furnaces having
come down some time ago owing to the
fact that the boilers are the same that were
built for her when she was originally laid
down many years ago. 1t is said at the
Navy Department that she will be ready
for service about the 4th of next month.
Captain Sigsbee asked yesterday whether
he should endeavor to save the old material
in the superstructure of the Maine, which,
from the pictures, appears to be heaped up
over the boiler spaces He has been told
to let this CO. as it is valuable only as old
iron, which would not pay to bring back to
the States.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-26
URGED TO STRIKE FIRST.
Exeitable Madrid Editors CIamoring
for Spain to Declare Wnr

LONDON, Feb 25.-According to a spe-
cial dispatch from Madrid, reports received
there from the United States to the effect
that public opinion in the latter country is
becoming more excited, owing to the i'm
preston that the loss of the Maine is not
due to an accident, are ''restrring popular
FEELING here lin Madrid), and the conviction
Is increasing in ministerial circles that the
worst must be expected" Continuing. the
special dispatch says: 'The government
has no choice If the United States adopts a
threatening attitude, for the prospect of
war is popular with all parties, and the
more excitabe newspapers are already urg-
ing the mvernment to take measures TO en-
able Sp@h to strike the first and decisive
blow"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-26
TRAGEDY In TEXAS.
Two Theater Managers Quarrel and
shoot Each other.

LONGVIEW, Tex. Feb. pa desperate
shooting occurred last night between Alba
Haywood, the manager Of the Haywood
Opera Company and p. T. Pegues, the
opera house manager, at this place. Both
are seriously, If not fatally wounded The
difficulty occurred over free tickets for MIR
Pegues's family Haywood was struck twice
by Pegues. Haywood shot Pegues four
times. Pegues says that he received the
four wounds before he shot at Haywood.
He empted his pistol after following Hey
wood in the street one shot passing through
Heywood's right lung. Pegues walked sew
eral yards before assistance came. 1t was
found that his clothes were on fire. Hey
wood walked two blocks before he fell and
then talked In iesting manner TO hose
who supported him.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-26
WAR WOULD BE BRIEF.
Spanish Ships Could DO Little for
Lack of Coal.


ST LOUIS, Feb. ga Washington dis
patch to the Globe-Democrat says: 1t will
be a short war with Spain and a harmless
one to this country, so far as the seacoast
is concerned. Officers of the army and
navy do not believe that a gun will be fired
from the defenses which are being made
ready with SO much haste. They have no
idea that Spanish squadron or a Spanish
war vessel will reach an American port. In
their minds they have fought out this war
TO a finish.
The Vizeaya steamed leisurely and
reached New York unable to go much fur
ther without coal. If she had made the trip
at full speed she would have used every
pound of fuel. The question of coal is a
perfect seacoast defense for the United
States against Spain, unless the latter's
ships should coal at Havana and then
steam for the United States. 1t is a de-
Tense against all of the powers except
Great Britain The officers of the army and
navy know that the fertilization of the At
lan,ic coast is with sole reference to pro-
lection against Great Britain, which alone
has the coaling stations on this side of the
ocean which would permit her navy to con-
duct operations against this country. The
hour war is declared coal becomes contra
band of war. It could not be obtained by
Spain save at Havana
The first act of war on the part of the
United States will be the movement of a
squadron from Key West against Havana.
The purpose may be accomplished by a
blockade of the port, or it may take the
folm OF a bombardment. There Is the pos
sbility of naval engagement or the al
tentative Of a surrender to overpowering
force After the fall of Havana there may
be some sea fighting along the route of the
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-26
DIVER MoRGAN's VIEWS
He Is said to Believe the Maine was
Blown Up by Outside Agency.


NEW YORK, Feb. 25.--The Mail and TX
press this evening prints the followlngs|
dated Havana to-day:
..'rhe naval board of inquiry continued
to-day taking the testimony of the divers
who have been working in the wreck on
the Maine. Those who We're sent here from|
the battle ship Iowa and the cruiser Newl
york were examined. While, of course, the
members of the court Will not talk for publ
lcation. + am informed on the highest aus.
thoritv that the evidence of Diver Morgan
AZ 10 the condition of the Maine shows al
most beyond the possibility of doubt, N
the opinion of my informant, that the.
Maine was blown up by an outside ageney-
Furthermore. Morgan's report Was verified
bv other American divers, who descended.
to-day. The court will finish its work here
tomorrow and proceed at once to Key.
West to take the testimony OF the surviv-
ors there. 1t has also been decided not 70
return TO Havana, all the information as "a
the cause OF the disaster obtainable herd
having already been secured. 1t is believes
that decision has been practically
reached. The witnesses yet to he examined
will hardly change the verdict.
'',rhe court has decided against any at.
tempt to raise the ruined battle ship. This
members are convinced that it would he
useless. as she could never be kept asioat
ana the Spanish authorities here vii
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-26
WRECK OF THE BATTLE SHIP MAINE
SETTLING IN THE MUD.
Nothing Yet Done Towards saving Big
GUNS and Removing Heavy Debris
for Lack of Proper Appliances.
PAYMASTER'S SAFE RECOVERED
CONTAINED $22,5OO AND THE OFFI-
GERS BOOKS AND PAPERS.

Divers still Unable to Reach the
GUS Bodies Are Supposed 40 Be.
The evening times., 1898-11-10
MARYLAND IN BRIEF.

The two-story house on the farm of
John Cowden, near Wilson'S was de-
troyed by fire last Tuesday night.
Mr. II. b. Hawkins, general secretary of
the Hagerstown Young Mems Christian
Association, has rendered his resignation
Justice Amos Spielman, at Clear Spring.
yesterday found Benjamin s. Myers gull
ty of beating his wife and sent him 10
jail
Samuel B. Foard, of Elkton, received a
telegram Tuesday night announcing the
sudden death of his brother Major Rob-
ert l.. Foard, of Columbus, Texas.
representative of the Smith Flexible
Chair Company, of Washington. d. c..
which has capital of $500, coo, came here
with the view of having the plant re-
moved here on lands of the Hagerstown
Land Company if certain arrangements
can be made.
Charles H. Adelsperger of Baltimore.
civil engineer was at WiIliamsport in
connection with the waterworks and cleo
trio light commission regarding the prob
able cost of the improvements. 1t is
thought that definite action will be taken
in the near future.
The large frame barn on the farm of
Mr.. w. P. Husband near the Deer Creek
Forge, in the Fifth district, was de-
stroyed by fire Monday night, together
with its contents, consisting of twelve
mules, two horses, twenty tons of hay
and fodder from twelve acres of corn.
William A. Butts, of Williamsport, was
arrested Tuesday on the charge of as
saulting his young son. Justice Masters
found him guilty, but reserved his deci-
sion. Butts, who is employed in the By
ron tannery, is charged with throwing
a knife at his little son across the table
while eating dinner. The point of the
knife. it is said, stuck in the boys head.
The evening times., 1898-11-10
Shipment of Cumberland Coal.

Cumberland Md. Nov l0-The coal
shipments from the Georges Creek Cum
berland region by rail for the week end
ed Saturday, November ), aggregated 64.
76i94 tons, and by Chesapeake and Ohio
Canal. 7.29S.l7 tons. The total shipments
for the year aggregate 3 i5S, 1929 tons,
an increase of 1SS, ,213.1 Is tons over the cor
responding period of 1897. The shipments
by canal show decrease of q, ,057. 10 tons
Through boating to Georgetown is poor.
but steady trade at Williamsport is
kept up, three boats loaded with gas coal
reaching there daily. During the week
%. l00.12 tons of coal and 3,2651 tons OF
coke were shipped from the Elk Garden
and Upper Potomac region in West Vir-
ginia. The output of the region shows a
decrease of 5,33309 tons or coal and an
increase of 1924. II tons of coke, as COM
pared with last year. All rail coal trade
is quiet and the tonnage IS comparatively
small.
The body of slender young man. with
sharp features and dark brown hair. was
found on the Baltimore and Ohio tracks
South Cumberland, yesterday evening,
with head and both hands entirely sew
cred. There was nothing on the body to
establish Identity. A coroner's jury will
meet tomorrow. Some say his name is
Anderson, and that he formerly worked
In the keyser shops. and others say that
he is William Robinson, OF Okonoko, w.
Va
The evening times., 1898-11-10
JOINT TRAFFIC AGREEMENT.
Pennsylvania Directors Adopt Reso-
IutIOns IndorsinE Dissolution.

Philadelphia. Pa, Nov 10.-The board
of directors of the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company yesterday adopted resolutions
indorsing the dissolution of the Joint
Traffic Association and the cancellation
of the agreement upon which such asso-
citation was based. The resolutions state
the association has endeavored by every
lawful means to cause its members TO ad-
here strictly to and carry out the proYis-
ions of the interstate commerce law and
has kept the Interstate Commerce Com
mission informed of its action upon all
questions, and furnished the commission
with all It's resolutions, the conclusions
of its committees and the schedules
rates and agreements of every kind.
Referring to the Supreme Court decis-
ion that the association conflicts with
the Sherman antitrust law, the resolu-
tions declare the association dissolved
and that each system represented in the
association designate one person, who, to-
gether. shall constitute a committee,
whose duty it shall be to settle and ad-
just the accounts and obligations incur
red in connection with the association,
and that all books, papers, documents,
cred to said committee by the commits
sioners and managers, and that said COM
mittee proceed as expeditiously as may
be to close up the affairs of the associa-
ton"
The evening times., 1898-11-10

III DIlUR-
ing their babes into the world?
Philosophy of this kind is based upon
gross ignorance The fact is, that there is
no necessity for the severe pangs under
gone by the average woman. If a woman
is strong and healthy in a wonanly way,
motherhood means TO her but little suffer
ing. The trouble lies in the fact that the
majority of women suffer from weakness
and disease of the distinctly feminine or
ganism and are untitled for motherhood
This can always be remedied DR. Pierce's
Favorite Prescription is sure, speedy and
permanent cure for all disorders of this
description 1t acts directly on the delicate
and important organs concerned making
them healthy, strong, vigorous, virile and
elastic. IT banishes the indispositions of
the period of expectancy and makes baby's
advent easy and almost painless. II quick
ems and vitalizes the feminine organs, and
insures healthy and robust baby. Thou
sands of women have testified to its mar
velous merits. Honest druggists do not
offer substitutes, and urge them upon you
as lust as good"
81 suffered fourteen years" writes Mrs.
Mary ]. Stewart, of Box 46, Saratoga, Santa
Clara Co, Cal, with female weakness, nervous
ness and general debility. tried everything TO
no avail. DR.. piercc's Favorite Prescription
and Golden Medical Discovery cured me"
The names, addresses and photographs of
hundreds of women cured by DR.. Pferce's
medicines are printed by permission in
the Peoples Common Sense Medical
Adviser" It's free. For q paper covered
copy send I'll one-ceut stamps 10 oo1'er mail
ing only. French cloth binding 81 stamps.
Address DR.. r. V. Pierce. Buffalo, n. Y.
Every woman needs great medical book.
DR.. Pierce's Common Sense Medical Ad-
wiser fills this want. 1t contains over 1000
pages and nearly 500 illustrations.
The evening times., 1898-11-10
Soil Mnchine Comnlefed-

College Park, Nd, Nov. 10.-Prof Mil
ton Whitney. chief of the division of
soils, L. s. Department of Agriculture
and soil physicist at the Maryland agri-
cultural experiment station, has just COM
pleted the installation at the latter place
of soil hygrometer for the purpose of
measuring the electrical resistance of the
soils, and also an instrument for taking
the soil moisture. At present four large
plots are connected with the experiment
station, all of which have fall crops grow
ing upon them, and next spring as many
more will be equipped when the spring
crops are put In. Mr.. Clarence w Dorsey,
assistant physicist at the experiment sta
ton, is up in the Hagerstown Valley with
one of the assistants of the division of
soils of the department, doing some de-
tailed soil work for the preparation of a
map of that region