davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1898-02-17
Snakes on Ice.

jamestown (N. d. Letter in Minneapolis Journal
The following snake story is different
from the usual order of these veracious
tales-it can be vouched for by more than
a dozen residents of the immediate vicin-
ity of Pleasant lake, Benson county, where
the scene is laid:
Recently c. w. Mendelhall and Frank
Hamman, while removing straw from an
ice house preparatory to again filling it
with ice found on the bottom of the build
ing beneath the ice layer of snakes near
ly foot in depth. The snakes were coil
ed together in a solid mass and on being
disturbed began squirming and kissing in
a truly frightful manner. They emitted a
nauseous odor. The snakes were from a
foot to six feet in length and large around
in proportion. The reptiles were animated
by being exposed to the air, and one of
the large fellows, with quick movement,
coiled himself around Mr.. Hamman's ankle.
With wild scream of "Oh, my God!
Hamman leaped to the door of the ice
house and ran down the hill, and could
not be persuaded to return for some time.
exposed to view q. mass of squirming,
twisting reptiles But the chilling air soon
rendered them hors de combat and their
removal began. Measured in a bushel
basket, there we're twenty-three basket
fuls.
AS the snakes were removed from the
building they were piled beside the road
in long windrow. where they were viewed
with astonishment by the residents of the
place. On Saturday the frozen snakes were
hauled out on the prairie by e. r. Greene
They were pitched into the wagon with
forks and it was necessary to make two
trips to remove all Of them.
Evening star., 1898-02-17
RADCLIFFE, SUTTON & CO., AUCTs.
TRUSTEES SALE OF SUBURBAN HOUSE AN
TWO AND THREE.FOURTH C2au ACRES Z

TRUSTEES SALE OF SUBURBAN HOUSE AND
TWO AND THREE-FOURTH (2sD ACRES OF
LAND. AT BRIGHTWoOD, d. {.
by virtue of a certain deed of trust, dated Feb
iuary 15 1885, and recorded in Liber No. 1881,
folio 302 ct seq, one of the lard records of the
of the holders Of the notes secured thereby, We
will sell at auction In front of the premises, on
FRIDAY, THE TWENTY FIFTH DAY OF FEB
RCARY, A. ID. 1885, AT HALF-PAST FOUR
O'CLOCK PM, the following described real estate,
situate in the county of Washington, District OF
Columbia, being that portion of the real estate
formerly owned by Elizabeth Butler, deceased,
known lot numbered two co. Beginning at a
stone on Wilson Kings northeast and
ming with his line, ust) north 30 degrees, west
Is. 50 perches to stone, and TO reserved
trarce to the primary school Q6la feet widet,
thence t2d) north l. degrees east l3 perches TO n
stone and TO the south side of the Milk House Ford
road thence cSd) with said road south 90 degrees,
degrees, east 10 perches to stone; thence (5thJ
south 2Sla degrees, west 1921 perches TO a stone
and beginning, containing two and three fourtls
(2T.) Of land less together with the
improvements, consisting of dwelling house and
out buildings.
one year from date of sale, with interest at per
Cent per annum, payable scpi-apnually, 10 be Sc
cured by first deed of trust upon the property sc,
oil cash. at the option of the purchaser. A de-
Posit of 500 will be required at time Of sale.
Convey aEclng at purchasers cost Terms to
conIied with within ten days, otherwise the trus-
tees reserve the right TO iesell, at the risk anu
cost of defaultng purcl aser.
RoBT. E. L. WHITE, Trustee,
sos . ST. NV.
GEORGE W. WHITE, Trustee,
1-d&d5 5O0 u n.
Evening star., 1898-02-17
bones OF AN ELOTHERIUM.
The Animal is Long Extinct. md That
Fact Accounts for It's Name.

From the Rocky Mountain News
The discovery Of the entire skeleton OF
an elotnerium in the Bad Lands, fifty miles
east Ct Rapid City, S. D., has aroused con-
siderable interest among paleontologists.
The valuable find Is accredited to Prof ..
C. Harrington of the Field Columbian Mu-
scum of Chicago, and the bones have been
shipped to the windy city.
The interest in Colorado is partly due to
the fact that Prof. o. c. Marsh twenty
seven years ago, discovered a skeleton in
the northeastern part of Colorado, the first
of the species found. Prof. George L. Can
non of the East Denver High School, who
is paleortologist of note, learned of the
discovery in the Bad Lands with interest
and gave scme interesting bits of informa-
ton concerning this ugly beast of history.
Prof. Marsh, who has explored a large
portion of Colorado in search of evidence
of prehistoric life. says the genus elother-
ium, established by Pomel in 1871, repre-
sents a family of extinct animals, all OF
much interest. They were found first i'll
Europe, but are now found in the miocene
beds of North America, not only on the
Atlantic coast, but especially in the Rocky
mountain region and still further west.
The family includes several genera and
Sub-genera and quite a number of species,
scme of which contain individuals of large
size, only surpassed in bulk among their
contemporaries by members of the rhinoS-
cerOS family ana OF DroHtOtneTluae. ne
mains Of the group have been known for
nearly half a century, yet until recently
comparatively little had been determined
with certainty regarding the skeletons.
The adult individual, when alive was
more then seven feet in length and about
four feet in height. The basis of the res
toration by Prof. Marsh is the specimen
found by him in 1870 in the miocene beds
of northeastern Colorado, and described in
1873. Looking at the skeleton, the most
striking features are the large and pecu-
liar skull and the elongated and slender
limbs and feet. The most notable points
in the skull are the long, pendent process
OF the malar bone characteristic of some
of the sloths and the strong projection of
the lower jaw. Another feature Of the
skull is the very small brain case, which
proves that the brain itself was very di-
minutive. This was also true Of the other
known species. and was probably the main
reason which led to the early extinction
of the whole group. The slender. highly
specialized limbs and feet are likewise par
ticularly noticeable in restorations. They
indicate clearly that the animal was capa-
BILE of considerable speed and thus must
have been of great service as protection
from it's enemies.
Evening star., 1898-02-17
BURRos roR JAPAN.
Big Bunch Of Them to he Shipped
Prom the Oregon Ranges.


A Big Bunch OF Them to he shipped
Prom the Oregon Ranges.
From the Morning 0regonian.
1t was expected that nearly 1000 burros
would arrive in Pendleton yesterday from
Huntington. Not long ago, when w. L.
Powell and A. ]. Powell were riding through
Wallowa county to buy horses, they no
ticed on the range numerous herds Of bur
ros. They hunted up the owner, a hotel
man at Elgfn.
What do you want for those burros?'
asked one of the Powells.
The owner fixed no price, but would SELL
"I'n give you $3.50 head and round them
up myself, or SO a head, you to deliver them
at the corrals.'
A contract was made on the latter basis
Tor 600 head. The owner found the Job of
collecting those burros a big one. They
We're wild and free and objected to captiv-
nave been busy with lariats, and they have
Just finished the work When q bunch of
Six or seven were captured their heads
were tied together and they were released
until wanted. Nearly q thousand head.
many OF them young jacks, were at last
rounded up and delivered The Powells took
them ALL They will be shipped to Seattle
10 De USED there as pack animals. Some
go to the klondike however. The younger
ones will be released by the Powells on the
ranges near PrOsser, Wash, to further in
crease and multiply.
A dozen years or SO ago the pack train Of
an emigrant outfit, consisting of burros,
was turned loose in Wallowa valley. From
Powells
Evening star., 1898-02-17
INFLUENZA IN LONDON.
Another Tidal Wave of Grip Said 10
BE Coming.

From the London Mail
During the last few weeks London prac-
titioners have realized that influenza is
anxieties. 1t can hardly be said that there
has been a new outbreak, for the affection
has never been absent from the mstropols
since its temperance just eight years ago,
says the British Medical Journal.
The deaths directly referred to this dis
ease, which had been Is, % and 43 in the
three preceding weeks, declined to 40 dur
ing the week ending Saturday last, jan
persons under forty years of age and II of
persons aged between forty and sixty
years, while q, or rather more than one
half of the total deaths, were Of persons
aged upward of sixty years. East and
Central London have bean hitherto practi-
cally free from fatal influenza, nearly all
the deaths from this cause recently record
ed in the metropolis having occurred in
West, North and South London.
The disease appears to be most fatally
prevalent in Kensington, Maryle0one, st.
Pancras, NewinGton and Lambeth. Speak
ing generally, the "reminiscences are of
short duration, attaining their maximum
intensity in about three weeks, and dying
out in about eight. There is reason, there
fore to hope that the present epidemic will
not be of great severity.
The Influenza is spreading rapidly in
Paris. So many postmen are on the sick
erably retarded, while all the government
offices, banks and other large establish
ments are short-handed.
1t Is estimated that nearly one-third of
the children attending school at Epernay
are suffering from the complaint.
Evening star., 1898-02-17
felt, q, "a, 2S, mh2
THOMAS BOWLING & CO., AUCTIONEERS-
No. eI2 e st. NV

TRUSTEES. n SALE Ale OF VALUABLE UNnIPRov-
ED REAL ESTATE. BEING LOTS NOS e. s
D..
Cnder and by virtue Of certain deed Of trust
dated the 5th day of February, A. d. 1892 and re-
corded In Liber No. 1866, folio 55 ct seq, of the
land cords Of the District Of Columbia. and at
the request of the party secured. the undersigned
trustees will sell, at public auction, in front of
the premises, at HALF-PAST FOUR O'CLOCK
on THURSDAY, the SEVENTEENTH DAY Of
FEBRUARY, AID 1898, the following described
land and premises. situate in the District of Co
lumbia, known and distinguished as and being
lots lots, numbered six (6 eight Is, aud nine 90 in
West lexington, subdivision made by Horace
J. Gray ct al. of part of .'Youngsborough:" as per
plat recorded in Book County No. - fclio 1iS,
Of the records of the surveyor of said District;
said lots will be sold separately.
Terms Of sale. One-thrd cash, and the balance
in and two years, for which the notes OF the
purchaser must be given, bearing interest, pay
able semi annually, at the rate OF six per centum
per annum until paid, all cash, at the pur-
chasers option. deposit of $50 will be required
on each lot at time of sale. All conveyancing,
acknowledging and recording at purchasers cost.
II the terms of sale not complied with in ten
days from day of sale, the trustees reserve The
right to resell the property at the risk and cost
of defaulting purchaser.
CHARLES EARLY, Trustee,
615 14th ST. NV.
SAaIL. MADDOX, Trustee.
fe5-dSds $40 Ind. ave.
Evening star., 1898-02-17
SPEAKING PASSING sHIPs.
New Efforts to! Revive Old-Tfme
COurtesies Mt Sen.

New Efforts tor Revive Old-Time
COurtesfes Mt Sen.
From the London Daily Mail.
The fine old custom of speaking passing
ships is rapidly dying out among the skip
pers of today, and the general opinion
seems to be that the modern master is, as
a rule too easy-going to bother about any
thing of the sort.
Latterly, however, the matter has been
taken up by Col. Hozier, the secretary of
Lloyds, who considers that deal of
trouble and anxiety would often be avoided
If captains would but take the trouble to
speak ships within reading distance of their
signals. In many instances anxiety with
respect to overdue vessels would be allayed,
and, furthermore, there would continually
be news for the friends of masters and for
the hundreds of thousands of others who
are interested in the great merchant marine
of this country.
Chatting the matter over, Capt. Froud,
the secretary of the ShipmasterS' Society,
said: 1.-The practice of speaking each other
at sea and reporting at every opportunity
is, am sorry to say, dying out among the
captains of the present day. I suppose they
are indifferent, or careless, and do not con-
slider 1t worth the trouble Of hoisting the
signals and making out the other fellow s.
1t Is a very great pity that an exceedingly
useful custom should be neglected, and I
his utmost to induce masters to speak other
ships, and to report whenever 1t is possible.
Il am convinced that if captains can be
persuaded to take the trouble to do this
much good service will be rendered to the
public generally. This society is doing its
utmost to get masters to revive the prac-
tice, and want the Daily Mail, which has,
1 notice. made an important improvement
in its shipping columns by the addition Of
a list of overdue vessels, to help us in the
present matter
Capt. Frouds appeal was strengthened
by the picturesque evidence of an old-time
skipper, who admitted that speaking and
signaling had been almost entirely neglect
ed of late years. when I first went to
sea- he said, "it was the invariable Gus
tom to exchange names and destinations
and sometimes reckonings with passing
ships, but nowadays captains don't bother.
Sometimes a skipper is short-handed, and
he won't take even one man from his work.
but mostly he doesn't bother himself about
the thing at all. That's my experience, and
I've been at the game a week or two.'
Evening star., 1898-02-17
BUILD ON YOUR OWN LAND.
A Man Who Lost House on His
NeighbOr's Land.

From the Chicago Times-Herald.
This appears to be the moral of the de-
cision Of the supreme court of Minnesota
in the interesting case of Coleman Bridge
mann, vino was unfortunate (or negligenD
enough to erect house on what he
thought was his own land, but which turn
ed out to belong to neighbor. The lower
courts having held that he had absolutely
no right or title to the house, he appealed
to the final tribunal, but the legal principle
applicable to the case is too plain and too
well established to permit any deviation
from it. The supreme court agrees with
the lower courts in denying his claim
either to the house or to lien against the
lot on which 1t stands for its value. Even
the removal of the structure without in
jury to the land would not be permitted
by the law.
There Is nothing novel in the ruling, hut
it shows that the law will make 10 dis
tinction between the case Of one who
knows he builds on the land of another
and one who honestly but enormously
claims title to anothers land. The struc-
ture becomes part of the land when erect
ed or while being erected, and the owner of
the land gets the house. In some cases
this fundamental doctrine of the law of
real property doubtless involves some hard
ship, but the equitable principles con-
corning accident and mistake cannot be in
vCked to afford relief or redress. Depar-
tpIe rum the law WOulQ perhaps entail
more injustice than rigid enforcement
thereof.
Let the man who intends building a
house make sure he has valid and nnchal-
lengeable title to the let which Is to sup
port it. When in doubt defer building until
the question OF title has been thoroughly
settled. Surely this is not too much to ask
OF men intelligent enough to have acquired
property. Still. high moral standard
would compel man deriving a substantial
benefit from another's mistake to offer him.
OF his own accord. some compensation.
The law will let him alone, but his con-
science may not.
Evening star., 1898-02-17
DuNCANsoN BROS. AUCTIoNEERs.

TRUSTEES SALE OF VALUABLE IMPROVED
REAL ESTATE. NO. 1903 TENTH STREET
NORTHWEST.
BY virtue of a certain deed Of trust to us, dated
Nav 49, 1893 and duly recorded in Liber No 1924,
folio 1OS ct seq, of the land records of the Dis
trict of Columbia and at the request of the party
secured thereby we the undersigned trustees, will
SELL at public auction in front of the premises, on
THURSDAY THE SEVENTEENTH DAY OF FEB
RUARY, AID. 1898, AT HALF-PAST FOUR
O'CLOCK PM, the following described land and
premises, situate in the city of Washington, in the
district Of Columbia, and designated and being
lot 129, in Lemar's subdivision Of part of square
1853, per plat recorded in Lber 10, folio 1856. Of
tho records Of the office of the surveyor of the
District of Columbia, together with the improve
merits, consisting Of twostcry and basement
brick dwelling.
to be paid in cash. and the balance in two equal
interest at six l6l per centum per annum, payable
semi annually, from day of sale, secured by deed
Of trust upon the property sold. all cash, at
the option of tho purchaser. A deposit of $500
will be required OF the purchaser at the time
of sale. All conyeyancing, recording and
tarial fees at the cost of the purchaser. Terms
of sale to be complied with within ten days from
day Of sale. otherwise the trustees the
right to resell the property at the risk and cost
of the defauting purchaser after five days notice
Of such resale.
MAHLON ASHFORD,
CONSTANTINE II. WILLIAMSON,
Trustees.
- Address 40 La NV
NATH'L WILSON, Atty. for party secured, No.
622624 f st. NV. fe4-d&ds
Evening star., 1898-02-17
ANACOSTlA HAPPENINGS
Funeral Of Johnf0. lhwlsy, Late Of Sixth
AuditoIs Office.
Burial of Mrs. Hackett-BeneAt Hop
-OtAeF Events.

The funeral Of Mr.. John c. Hawley. late
clerk In the sixth auditors office Of the
Treasury Department, was held today from
his former residence. 331 Lincoln street.
Mr. Hawley was stricken with apoplexy
while at his desk Monday morning, and
died short time after at the Emergency
Hospital
t,ev. Hugh T. Stevenson, pastor of the
Anacostia Baptist Church, conducted the
funeral services today at the late home of
the deceased. The interment was at Ar
lington and was under the auspices Of the
G. A. r. Of the District.
Mr.. Hawley enlisted in the Union army
in New York when but sixteen years of
age. He was captured and spent seventeen
months in the Andersonville, Ca, and other
southern prisons. When finally released he
served In the ranks until the close of the
war. He was deprived of his position in
the sixth audite RS office during President
Cleveland's term and went into the express
business in Washington. Later he sold out
and started in the real estate business in
the city. Finally he was restored to his
former position in the government service.
Mr. Hawley was about fifty-two years
Old He was at one time a member of Kit
carson Post, No. 2, G. A. r. He leaves no
family. excepting his wife, Her brother, Mr..
Platt Lamont Of New York, came on to at
tend the funeral.
Funeral of Late Mrs. Hackett.
The funeral of Mrs. Clara o. Hackett.
who died Monday morning at her resi-
dence, p Grant street, took place yester-
day from the house. Rev. w. G. Daven-
pert, rector Of Emmanuel P. e. Church,
ofhcfated. The remains were conveyed to
Baltimore for interment in Greenmount
cemetery. Mrs. Hackett was the wife of
Mr.. j. G. Hackett, baggage agent at the
Baltimore and Potomac depot She leaves
six children.
Hop and Supper.
A hop and supper were given Tuesday
evening at Oxford Hall, near Oxon Hill,
Nd, for the benefit of ST. Ignatius' Church.
Among those attending from Anacostia
were Mr.. and Mrs. George Bury. Mr.. and
Mrs. Thomas Rec rdon Mr.. and Mrs. VIM.
Mr.. and Mrs George Skidmore, Mr.. and
Mrs. P. S. Quaid, Mr.. J. w. Barley, Mrs.
3. c. Shreve, Miss Davis, Mr.. Charles
Simpson, and Misses Ella Barnes, Leila
Mattingly, Gertrude Leonard, Blanche Crit
fifth, Eva Braumer, Mary Harrison, and
Messrs. John Kane, V. G. King, Gilbert
Osterman, James Heiskell of Oxon Hill,
r:sCn, Thomas Smith, Thomas Leonard,
Henry Grimes and Mr.. and Miss West
eyer.
A telephone wire was blown down by the
wind Tuesday night near the corner of
Jefferson and Monroe streets, and became
entangled in the live trolley wires Of the
Capital Railway Company just rs n car
filled with passengers came along. Alarm
ed by the flashing and noise, many pee pie
left the car, badly frightened. The dam
age was remedied by electricians from the
power house of thetCapital Company.
Evening star., 1898-02-17
REAL BATTLE SONGS.
National Hymns Are Not Used When
1t Comes to Actual Warfare.


Generally speaking. the soldiers song is
q much different one. both in tune
and words, to the national hymn that is
uttered forth from the brazen trumpets for
lis sOvereign's benefit on a review day.
Probably the only good national hymn
which is also the popular war song is the
famous .'Marseilles.'' and this is certainly
the most glorious battle song ever COM
posed.
The British national anthem. God Save
the Queen and even the more popular
Rule Britannia have never been much
used by the British troops in the wars,
says the Scottish American. The former,
in fact is never heard being sung by Brit
ish soldiers on the battlefield. Much more
popular is the favorite known as THE
British Grenadiers." which y as yelled forth
from hundreds of throats as that great
regiment rushed at the foe on the plains of
Waterloo. and. in later days, in the Crimea.
Probably the most popular OF British
army songs, and one which has been sung
and WhisJled times without number in the
face OF the enemy, is the dear old Girl l
Left Behind Me-" This is Tommy's Spe-
cial fayOrite for those occasions when it is
death or glory, as well as for when he
is transferred to another town. At the
storTning OF Lucknow. in the Indian mu-
tiny. the gallant Highianders advanced on
the 1yriads OF savage native troops to the
accompaniment OF thousands of voices
shouting forth. amid the wild skirl of the
baSpiDes' strains, The Campbells Are
c. ming"
On the night before the battle of Abu
Klee. one who was among the Irish SOL
diers of the regiments then waiting for the
fight tells how he was cheered and encour-
aged by the singing by his comrades of
Erins noblest strain. THE Minstrel Boy"
and the enemy of Great Britain has always
reason TO remember when the Beresfords
the Wellingtons and the Wolseeys their
fathers swords have Sirded on
The Royal Welsh Fusiliers march TO bat
tie to the strains of Men of Harlech' and
the noble record of this regiment would
seem to show that Wales need have no
fear Of her great reputation for bravery in
war yet whitening while she can send forth
such men the Fusiliers and the South
Wales Borderers.
song of the troops was not the national
Hail Columbia" but the much more thrill
ling John Browns Body Lies Moldering
In the Grave" the tune and words of which
were most appropriate for that occasion,
as they have been for many since, where
the hero has died. but the cause for which
he fought and bled has still gone march
ing On" Even in England this song has
become immensely popular, especially for
political gatherings
The German army, too. did Tot sing dur
Ing the Franco-German war. their Hymn
t. the Kaiser" The inspiriting Watch by
the Rhine" was the soldiers song. To its
accompaniment they fought at Sedan.
Evening star., 1898-02-17
Porto Rico Tobacco Excluded.

United States Consul Hanna, at San
Juan, Porto Rico. reports to the Secretary
Of State that he is Informed that all Porto
Rican tobacco has been prohibited entry
into Cuba Heretofore" he says, "the
greater part Of Porto Rican tobacco was
shipped to Cuba and there made into cigars
ard branded 'Habana.' I am informed by
dealers that the best cigars and tobacco
that have been going from Habana to the
United States during the past three years
were Porto Rfcan. A. a result of this act
Of the Cuban government. in It's effort to
protect its own tobacco against that grown
in Porto Rico and the shutting out Of this
tobacco from the Habana market, the price
OF Porto Rican tobacco has greatly de-
clined here within the last few days..