davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Crawford avalanche., 1898-01-13
THE GOVERNMENT HAS LOST 4
LARGE SUM.
New System Of Checking Brings Out
, Irregularities that May Have Been
! Expensive Confidence Pervades Most
Branches of Business.
Robbing tine Government.

Auditor Castle Of the Postoffice De
partment at Washington has discovered
Irregularities in money order accounts
which may possibly result in n loss to the
Government Of considerable sum. They
were brought to light as the outcome of
a new system Of checking accounts by
postmasters which went into effect on the
first of the year. About three years ago
the practice of checking money order ac-
counts in the office of the Auditor was
changed, they being audited by stubs or
coupons and not by the orders themselves,
as had been done previously. If the post
masters returns corresponded in each
item with this coupon or stub the account
was assumed to be correct and was closed.
When Auditor Castle took charge of the
Office he discovered defects in the system
which made it possible for dishonest post
masters to rob the Government. He then
put into operation a new system, which
he believed would cover all defects. Sew
eral cases have already been detected In
which orders were issued for as high as
$50 and 500 and were reported by the
Issuing postmaster at 81 or 81 each. How
many such frauds were perpetrated dur
ing the three years in which the old sys-
TEN was in operation can only be guessed.
Crawford avalanche., 1898-01-13
A Surnrisinp Decision.

Greatly to the surprise of administra-
ton officials in Washington, the award of
the arbiter in the matter OF the claims of
Charles Oberlander and Barbara NJ. Mes
senger, citizens Of the United States,
against the Government of Mexico, is
against the claimants. The only expense
to which Mexico will be put will be to
pay half of the cost Of the proceedings,
while the United States will not only have
to defray its share Of the expenses, but
has lost what administration officials have
considered the best claims on file in the
Department of State. The award of the
arbiter, which is final, has been filed in
the Department of State and in the De-
partment of Foreign Affairs of Mexico.
The claims of Oberlander and Mrs. Mes
senger grew out of the alleged brutal
treatment of the man and the inhuman
treatment of the woman some years ago.
Oberlander was deputy sheriff of the
county Of San Diego, Cal. He went into
Mexican territory to examine into a suit
In progress just across the line and be-
came involved in a dispute. He was
knocked down and searched by Mexican
police, who found in his pocket warrant
for the arrest of Mexican who had COM
mitted an offense in California. Ober-
lander was at once taken to jail, but man
aged to escape and get to the house Of
Mr.. Messenger, just ncross the boundary
line in California. Mrs. Messenger was
very much frightened when the Mexican
officials entered her house and seized her
guest. Despite her protestations, Ober-
lander was dragged out Of the house. The
matter was finally brought to the atten-
ton of the American minister in Mexico,
who secured the release of Oberlander
Crawford avalanche., 1898-01-13

frst expedition. viii lead an exploring
party 70 the froxen north next summer.
The authority for this statement Il DR..
Nansen himself. DIR. Nnnsen says the
Norwegian Government has already con-
scented to lend Captain Sverdrup the
Fran. and that the sturdy seaman would
sail for Smith Sound and the unexplored
region beyond early In the coming SUM-
mer. He will take with him about fifty
men. DIR. Nansen further says that Cap
tain Sverdrup would make no attempt to
reach the north pole, but would devote all
OF his time TO scientific observations along
the coast of Greenland. As he did not
know of Lieut.. Peary's intentions while
forming his own plans, DIR. Nansen does
not believe 1t would be an act Of discour-
tesy' for Captain Sverdrup to persist In
carrying out his scheme, and inasmuch as
DIR. Nansen is convinced that Sverdrup
conceived the plan at least as early as
Peary, he does not think that Peary has
a prior claim on the route and project or
that he Is entitled to any exclusive priv
ileges on the northern coast of Green
land.
Crawford avalanche., 1898-01-13
DUPLICATES SUMS LIGHT.
Marvellous Invention Claimed by
Logansport, Ind, Man.


A Logansport, Ind, inventor has con.
structed lamp that he claims will super
sede electricity, gas and all other forms
of artificial illumination, because of its
cheapness and utility.
The light is sealed up like a bottle Of
perfume and the inventor claims that 1t
will last forever. 1t may be compared to
a bright electric flame or gas jet, bottled
in a glass sphere, and forever remaining
the same.
The inventor is S. b. Nickum, who for
the past three or four years has kept
himself locked up in his rooms. 1t has
been known by many that he was working
on some kind of an invention, but the ma
ture Of the same has been n secret up to
the present time. The device is now so
perfect, in the mind of the inventor, that
the facts have been given to the press.
The process by which this new light is
produced the inventor will not at present
make public. He claims that the new
lights can be made of almost any bril-
liancy, from the size of a pea to that OF
the most powerful arc lamp. The light
is beautiful, never-changng, never
flickering white light. There are no wires
and no electric current used. When not
In use the light can be placed In bureau
drawer or any convenient refeptacle till
needed.
The light is kept constant br the sur
rounding moving matter a'r-Nickum
says, but the globe is cold, usfe being no
loss of heat or movement firm the inte-
rior to the exterior. There is no possi-
bilty Of fire resulting fr7m the use Of
the light, for the very inNant there is a
crack in the globe the DSat will so out.
1t could be broken in a Leg OF gunpowder
without the slightest danger Of an explo-
sion. The cost will probably not greatly
exceed the first cost of the incandescent
light in present uSs.
1t is now over three years since the in
ventor claims he first discovered that
light could be produced by the ever pres
ent and perpetual vibration Of matter, but
the secret has been kept in order that the
light might be brought to a higher state OF
perfection, and that proper patent protec-
ton might be obtained.
Crawford avalanche., 1898-01-13
KILLED BY AN INDIAN.


Mru. Leard IL Brutality Murdered BY .
Seminsfc An Oklshoma.
A lonely little cabin In the woods near
the town ef Maud, o. r., was the scene
Of horrible murder. Mrs. Julia Leard,
young married woman. was at home
alone with her two small children when
a strange Seminole Indian came to the
house and asked to borrow a saddle. Mrs.
Leard refused to let him have It and
ordered him to leave. He hung about the
place. however, and, becoming alarmed,
Mrs. Leard took down the shotgun and
attempted to shoot him. The gun would
not go of, but the woman's courage
frightened the Indian away. Late in the
afternoon Mrs. Leard stepped out of the
door with her babe In her arms. In
stantly the redskin sprung from his hid
ing place behind tree and rushed be-
tween the woman and the house, cutting
off all chance of escape. He snatched
up the shotgun and leveled 1t at her, but
again 1t refused to work. The plucky
woman tried to unchain the dog, but be-
fore she could accomplish this the fend
had attacked her with the stock Of the
gun. After he had knocked her down
and killed her he threw the baby into
the doorway and dragged the mother
about the yard
Crawford avalanche., 1898-01-13
UNITED STATES DEBT.

The December Statement Shows De-
crease in Public Debt.
The monthly statement of the public
debt. issued at Washington, shows that
at the close of business Dec. 81 the debt,
less cash in the treasury, amounted to
5000, IL ,567, decrease for the month
of $40, ,114, 800. This decrease in the
debt is due principally to an increase In
the cash, which is accounted for by the
sale of the Union Pacific Railroad. The
cash in the treasury is classified as fol-
lows: Gold, $197, ,469, ,235; silver, $5OI,-
POI 1854; paper, $106,331 COL; bonds, dis
bursting officers balances, ETC., $oO,29S,-
72S total, $S61 ,391, ,370. There are de-
mand liabilities outstanding amounting to
$625, 5,016,G01, which leaves the cash bal
ance in the treasury, S235, 5,414, 169. The
monthly statement of the Government re-
ceipts and expenditures for the month of
December shows the total receipts to
have been $59, GAG, Cos, of which $11 $780,
TSS was from customs, $i4,342.92S from
internal revenue and $33,G42,9S0 from
miscellaneous sources. The expenditures
for the month aggregate $27.634 ,092.
Crawford avalanche., 1898-01-13

Thirty Persons Dead BY Disaster at
London, Ont.

London, Ont.
Thirty persons are known to have been
killed and many injured by the collapse
of floor In the city hall at London, Ont,
Monday night. The night closed the mu-
nicipal campaign, and ut the close OF the
polls crowd gathered In the city hall,
where 1t has been the custom for years
past for the successful candidates to ad-
dress the electors.
The building was crowded to the very
doors, prsbably 1000 people being jam
med In it, narrow space. There was a
lull In the proceedings when the audience
called for several Of the newly elected
aldermen ut once, and there was some de-
lay In securing speaker to address them.
Aid. Car others Joined the Mayor. in an
effort >. secure quiet. In response to
numerous calls II. NJ. Toothe was pushed
forward to the platform on which the
speakers stood As he reached it there
was MI ominous cracking and the raised
platform on which the Mayor and newly
elected aldermen were seated seemed to
pitch forward to the floor.
There was n sagging of timbers and the
next moment hundreds of people were
hurled twenty feet to the floor below. A
beam running twenty feet along the cen
ter of the hall had given way and the
crowded mass standing above that section
of the floor was thrown in heap to the
basement. A large safe stood in one corr
ner of the hall, and, with huge steam
coil weighing half ton, came crashing
down on the heads of the victims.
Following the crash there was wild
rush for the doors. At the south door,
where the majority of the crowd had en-
tered, there was terrible panic. Those
in front were thrown down by the on
coming rush, all shrieking and fighting
for the door and safety. Only one-half
of the rear door, space probably three
feet wide, was open. In the mad rush no
enc thought to open the door in it's en-
tirety, and 800 people struggled through
the narrow space, the strong bearing down
the weaker.
Several men lowered ropes and endea-
vored to haul the wounded out of the pit.
From under the massed weight Of the
broken beams came many cries for help.
The windows on the ground floor were
broken in, and the living and the dead
were tenderly passed to the waiting am
bulance.
An investigation of the wreck after the
catastrophe disclosed the fact that whole
section of the floor had dropped, the joists
having been as neatly cut off as If the
work had been done with a saw. The
building was an old one, having been
erected in the early sos, and of late years
additional stories had been placed on the
old walls.
Crawford avalanche., 1898-01-13
MARKET QUOTATIONS.

Chicago-Cattle, common to prime,
$500 to $5.I5; hogs, shipping grades,
1870 to 1915: sheep. fair to choice. $2.00
to $4.75; wheat, No. 2 red, Soc to 91e;
corn, No. 2, 2Sc to &c; oats, No. 2, roc
to &c; rye, Ne. 2, 45c TO ACC; butter,
choice creamery, 29c to 22c: eggs. fresh.
21c to 23c; new potatoes, Soc to 65c per
bushci.
1ndianapolis--Oa shipping, $500 to
$o.I5; hogs, choice light, $500 to 1910;
sheep. commen to choice. $3.00 to S4.3O:
wheat, No. 2, 0Oc b. 92c; corn, Ne.
white, 27c to 2Sc; oats, No. 2 white. 24c
to 2Vc.
st. Louis-Cattlc. $500 to $3.50; hogs,
$500 to $50; sheep. $500 to x4.1S;
wheat, No. 2, 02c to 94c; corn, No. 2
yellow, 24c to &c; oats, No. 2 white, PC
to 24c; rye, No. 2, 45c TO 46c.
Cincinnati-Cattle,$ $3.50 to $5.25; hogs.
$500 to 1915; sheep. $2.be to s4.75:
wheat, No. 2, Ole to 03e; corn, No. Y
mixed, 2Sc to zoe; oats, No. 2 mixed, 24c
to 25c; rye, No. 2, ACC to 4Sc.
Detroit-Cattle, $3.50 to $5.25; hogs,
$500 TO $3.75; sheep. $3.50 to <4.5O:
wheat, No. 2, SOC to Ole; corn. No. 2
yellow, CSC to 30c: oats, No. 2 white, 24c
TO 26c; rye, 4Tc to 4Sc.
ToIedo-wheat, No. 2 red, Ole to 93c;
corn No. 2 mixod. &c to Csc; oats, No.
2 white, 21c to 23e; rye, No. 2. Acc to 47c;
clover seed, 1920 to 1926.
Milwaukee-Whent, No. 2 spring, SEC
to SSc; corn, No. 3, 28c to 2Sc: oats, No.
2 white. 24c to 25c; rye, No. 2, 4Tc to 4Sc;
barley, No. 2, 3Sc to 43c; pork, mess,
$S.75 to $9.25.
Buffalo Cattle. $500 to $3.50; hogs,
$500 to $4.00; sheep, $500 to $500.
wheat, No. 2 red, 94e to 98c: corn. No.
2 yellow, Bic to 33c; oats. No. 2 white.
&c to 20c.
New York-Cattle. $500 to $3.50; hogs,
$500 to $4.25; sheep, $500 to 800;
wheat, No. 2 red, 800 to $1.01; corn, Ne.
2, 34c TO PGc; oats, No. 2 white, 2Sc to
29c; butter, creamery, 15c to 23c; eggs.
Western. 21c to 24c.
Crawford avalanche., 1898-01-13
UNEARTH A CONSPIRACY.
Railroads systematically Robbed a
Kansas City stock Yards.

Railroads systematically Robbed at
Kansas City stock Yards.
The detective department of the Mis-
souri, Pacific Railway has unearthed a
conspiracy at the Kansas City stock
yards by which it has, it is alleged, been
robbed of thousands of dollars on live
stock shipments. False afiidavits OF
shortage in the number of live stock re-
ceived have been made to the claim de-
partment of the Missouri Pacific and
shippers have, it is said, been paid for
the number of head Of stock reported to
be missing. The robbery has been going
on Systematically for years and nearly
every railroad entering Kansas City is
said to have been victimized. The
amount paid for fraudulent shortage
claims during the last five years will run
up in the thousands of dollars.
Crawford avalanche., 1898-01-13
REBELS IN CONTROL.
General Pando Left without a Base of
Operatious.


Operations.
II IL reported from Santiago de Cuba
that Gen. Pando is greatly dishearteRed
on account of the obstacles which pre-
vented a successful campaign against the
insurgents in that province. He declares
that he has no base Of operations, the in
surgents being in control so completely
that it is impossible to convey supplies to
Spanish columns operating in the interior
of the province. Gen. Pando is said to be
convinced that the insurgents OF Santiago
de Cuba province will not accept auton.
omy. When he was In Spain he did not
realize that the insurgents in the province
had such strength.
1t is said that Gen. Sagua, operating In
Santiago de Cuba, has been unable to
agree with his superior officers, and on
the pretext that he Is sick he has arrived
I'm Havana and will return to Spain by
the first mail steamer. Ex-Minister Ca
nalejas, the Madrid editor, who has been
investigating the situation In Cuba. Is
said Ia. be thoroughly discouraged with
the outlook.
Mr.. Amblard, who has just returned
from the United States, Is said to take
the same hopeless view of the situation
as Canalejas, and 1t is stated that he will
decline the proffered appointment of sec
retary to the Cuban autonomist cabinet.
Mr.. CapuAes, governor Of Santiago de
Cuba, has resigned, being unwilling to
make appointments dictated to him by
the Government through Gan. Pando. The
military commander, Oliver, Is acting In
Capules place. The Diario de la Marina
calls the attention of the authorities to the
pitiable condition of the people In the
town Of Alonso Rojas, in Pinar del Rio
province. During the first ten days CT
December 100 persons died. Whole Gam
lilies of eight and ten persons have per-
ished. or ninety-two volunteers only
nineteen arc fit for duty, the remainder
being sick with smallpox.
Crawford avalanche., 1898-01-13
CAR g: 5g,n
Tive News u

The Washington Post recommends
Grover Cleveland for the chair of duck
oiogy at Princeten.
1t looks as IL japan could find a few
countries to practice on bet.-e opening
war with the United States.
II England tackles Russia over the
Chinese matter, cannot Great Britain be
found guilty OF rushing the growlcr?
England is becoming more active In this
eastern imbroglio, and while the Mongo-
lian may turn tail, he won't twist the
lions.
New York ought to experience little
difficulty In convictine another Gulden-
suppe murderer, having once learned the
Mack Of II.
Crawford avalanche., 1898-01-13
LARGER WHEAT ACREAGE.
Farmers Plant ia Per Cent. More
than in IS96.

than in 1896.
The special crop report of the New
York Journal of Commerce and CONNER
cial Bulletin says: Final returns make
the area of winter wheat 26,663, 900 acres,
as compared with 23,930,O0O acres har-
vested last year, an increase of 11.4 per
cent. In the more important wheat pro-
ducing States north and west the increas-
ed acreage is: Ohio, per cent; Michigan,
16; Indiana, A; Illinois, 40; Missouri, 10;
Kansas, 10; California, 4; Oregon, 10,
and Washington, per cent. Favorable
weather during December improved the
conditions of wheat. The present aver
age is SIS per cent as against S4.1 per
cent last month. According to the Janu-
airy returns there are 240, 100000 bushels
Of wheat held on farms, which is Alb per
cent of last years production. On the
corresponding date last year there were
held in the same position 190,000,000
bushels"
Crawford avalanche., 1898-01-13
CONFIDENCE IN TRADE.
The Year Opens with Many Encourag'
ing Signs of Activity.


Bradstreets commercial report says:
'"The year opens with tone of quiet
confidence pervading nearly all branches
of business, with encouraging activity in
iron trade, a resumption of work by many
thousands of industrial employees in the
Western glass industry, a largely reduced
volume of business failures as compared
with corresponding periods in preceding
years and general outlook certainly not
inferior to any previous year at this time.
Autumn weather in the Northwest checks
distribution, but collections are reported
good The holidays have exercised their
expected effect on export trade in leading
cereals. Wheat exports from the United
States and Canada for the first week in
January amount to BASIL $40 bushels,
against 5,495, 900 bushels last week. Corn
exports also show n sensible diminution,
amounting to 4,0S6,000 bushels last week,
against 4.S19,0O0 bushels in this week
wear ago"
Crawford avalanche., 1898-01-13
SURPRISE FOR THE INDIANS.
They Will BE Astonishcd When Wash
ington Messenger Comes.

The Creek council met at Okmulgee,
/. T., in extra session to consider the ad-
Visibility of employing attorneys to test
the constitutionality of the act of Con-
gress which went into effect Jan. /, and
which abolishes the tribal courts. They
have not yet heard of the warning of Sec
retary Bliss that such action will not be
approved by the President, and when
the special messenger sent out by Agent
Wisdom to notify them of the Secretary 8
action arrives at Okmulgee 1t will be
like throwing bomb into the midst Of
the councilmen
Crawford avalanche., 1898-01-13
Complies with the Law.

The Union Pacific has followed the lead
of the Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri
Valley and the Chicago, st. Paul, Mime
apolis and Omaha Railroads in the issu-
ance of circular to the effect that no
cars will be received from other lines for
traffic within the State of Nebraska un-
less they are properly equipped with air
brakes and automatic couplcrs.
Crawford avalanche., 1898-01-13
Evidence of Another Murder.

Representatives of the Adams Express
Company opened an ill-smelling box at
Charlton, Iowa, having become alarmed
Mt the strong odors emitted therefrom,
and found the remains of human body
cut into bits. The box stood several days
in the express Office and the officers be-
coming suspicious, pried off the lid. They
were nearly knocked down by the stencil.
Detectives were at once put to work Oh
the case
Crawford avalanche., 1898-01-13
Kansa. City Express Robb.rx

The Port Arthur express of the Kansas
City, Pittsburg and Gulf road was robbed
the other night within the city limits Of
Kansas City by two daring young men,
who secured from SIC, 600 to ST., 200. The
men remained on the blind baggage car
until the train reached the east bottoms
There they burst open the rear Goor Of
the express car and before Express Mes
senger E. N. Hyde could give the alarm
one of them thrust a revolver under his
nose and compelled him to remain nuiet
while they robbed the safe
Crawford avalanche., 1898-01-13
Mystery i'm a Suicide,

A woman whose name is given as Mrs.
Eta Mitchell died at the Kansas City
police station Of poison, self-administered.
At local hotel the woman registered
from Topeka, Kan, but no such person
Is known there. The woman left note
for Harry Johnson, telegraph operate
Crawford avalanche., 1898-01-13
Coffee War Goes On.

The Woolson Spice Company of Toledo
will fight the Arbuckles. 1t has filed an
answer in the Federal Court in the action
brought against it by the Arbuckles. Ii
alleges that the Arbuckles are striving to
wreck its business, and that it would be
dangerous to its interests to permit the
Arbuckles to participate In the manage
ment of its affairs.
Crawford avalanche., 1898-01-13
aantn Fa CoIIisinn-

While James Scott, a Santa Fe Rail
way engineer, slept in his engine cab near
Kansas City, there was a collision. Chns.
X. Landers, stcckman of Brazilton, Kan,
was killed, and NJ. l.. Mars, stockman.
Waveriy, Kan; A. G. Olin and John q.
Myers, stockmen, Brazilton, Kan; J. M.
Meadow, liveryman, Ottawa, Kan, were
injured
Crawford avalanche., 1898-01-13
REyENGEFUL SEMINOLES.
An Uprising in Indian Territory Is
Anticipated.

A bloody uprising of the Seminole In
dams in Indian Territory is imminent. An
alarming state of rioting and hatred ex-
lists owing to the burning at the stake by
whites of two members of the tribe. I'm
less immediate steps are taken by the
United States authorities the Indians may
60 OH the warpath. Charred and burned
beyond all semblance of human beings,
the frames of Marcus McGeisey and
Palmer Simpson, the two Seminole In
dams who few days ago murdered Mrs.
James Simmons, are reclining in chains
against the blackened trunk of an oak
tree near Maud, in the Seminole Nation.
where they met their death in the most
awful manner conceivable at the hands
of an Oklahoma mob.
Crawford avalanche., 1898-01-13

The third international convention Of
student volunteers will be held in Cleve-
land Feb. 23 TO "a.
A boiler explosion near Helena, O.,
fatally injured Henry Kneastcr, George
Robbins and Phil Goodrich.
Lieut.. Gen. wcyler, now in Spain, Is
preparing to publish q protest against
President McKinlcyp message to Cow
grcss.
Crawford avalanche., 1898-01-13
Tramn Shot Down.

An unknown tramp who, at the point
of a revolver, robbed w. Il. Ayres, sta
ton agent on the Kansas Pacific Rail
road at Weskan, and subsequently set
fire to the snow sheds near Sharon
Springs, was killed by Section Foreman
Forseberg at Cheyenne, Wyo.
Crawford avalanche., 1898-01-13
New Chicago-ToIedo Line.

A number of surveyors in the employ
of the Wabash Railway Company have
started to survey the new line between
Toledo, o., and Montpelier. This is in
line with recent statement of Col. s. G.
Reynolds, director Of the Wabash, that
the company would build a new Chicago
Toledo line
Crawford avalanche., 1898-01-13
Mystery in spencer,s Death.

Henry s. Spencer, relative of Judge
Sheldon of Illinois and n son of wealthy
parents, died from asphyxiation at a
boarding house in Brooklyn, n. Y. The
circumstances surrounding his death
prompt the belief among many of his
friends that he committed suicide.
Crawford avalanche., 1898-01-13
Land Opened for settler.

The work of surveying the old Fort
Mckinney military reservation has been
completed and the reservation will be Of
fered for sale. 1t comprises thirty-eight
sections of land most of which Is sus-
ceptiblc of agricultural development.
Crawford avalanche., 1898-01-13
New Justice in Nebraska.

At Lincoln, Neb., Judge John J. Sulli-
van took the oath of Office as associate
justice of the Supreme Court. 1t is the
first time in the history of the Supreme
Court that a member of that tribunal is
other than n Republican in politics.