davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31

largest of the group and it is here the
common convicts are kept. The lie
st. Joseph receives all those who have
been previously convicted, and the lie
du Diable is reserved for political Of
tenders.
1t is on the latter that Dreyfus is
passing his days amid an atmosphere
of solitude such as Napoleon on st.
Helena never dreamed of. He speaks
to no man and no man speaks to him.
His days and his nights are spent in
maddening solitude. He has turned
gray and his face is like the face of
mummy. The great wonder is that
he has not gone mad. One of his keep
ers has lost his reason in this place of
awful silence. and there must be an
admirable spark of hope in the breast
of the disgraced prisoner to have kept
alive all his mental faculties during
the few years which must seem to him
like so many centuries.
He is permitted to write, but his sub
jects have exhausted themselves. Of
what could he write? The burden of
all his correspondence now is, II am
innocent" He has never lost hope.
He sees no current papers, but reads
and rereadS the old books and periOdi-
Gals which have been his constant
companions and which he knows by
heart.
Devils Island, in common with the
others of the group, is place of fright
full mental and physical anguish. 1t
is inundated by torrents OF rain, and
the torrid sun during the day is fatal
in its awful power. The island swarms
with vermin, and those who are forced
to exist there are subject to wasting
fevers and mad Authorizations. Death
is welcome boon on Devils Island.
All who die, and there are many, are
buried in the sea. This is one of the
most horrible phases of life on the
island where Dreyfus is spending his
days. One coffin is used for all. 1t is
used over and over again, and has
most remarkable history-N. Y. Her
aid.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31
A FREN CHI PENAL STATION.

The eyes of the entire world are fixed
on Paris where the intrepid lola has
stirred up such a maelstrOm of senti-
ment concerning the case of Alfred
Dreyfus, the former captain of the
French army who has been convicted
OF treason. And Dreyfus-what of
him? Dreyfus, as all the world knows,
is a prisoner on Devils Island. And
Devils Island is we'll named. If there
is a hell on earth, the French govern
ment has discovered it, and is now
utilizing it as penal colony.
Les lies du Salut, or the Safety
Islands, comprise group of three, off
the coast of French Guiana. They
are the lie du Diable, lie Royale, lie
St. Joseph. In 1852 they became a con.
vict settlement, and previous to that
time they had been utilized as an asy-
lum for lepers. The lie Royale is the
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31
YbadfadqUa:

There was full attendance of the
members of Pierian Circle at their
meeting on Sunday, March q, and in
the responses at roll call many utter
ances were given touching upon the
all important themes of the hour. viz:
"Spaln, Cuba and War;" all of which
tended to show spirit of patriotism
even in men who are in durance vile.
The program, which was well rendered,
was as follows:
Violin Solo.
Paper.
Social Spirit in America. BY Member of Glass G
Paper.
Character BY Member of Glass A
Solo.
Selection from Bohemian Girl"
............ BY Member of Glass G
Paper.
Social Theories. By Member of Glass B
Special Paper.
Automatic Equipment on Freight Cars
............,...........B By Member of Glass E
Solo,
"COme Back to Erin. By Member of Glass
Debate.
ReSOved-That fine feathers make fine BIRDS
Automatically Member of Glass f
............N Negatively Member of Glass B
Song.
Three Black Crows Pierian Ouartette
The judges of debate gave their de-
cision in favor of the affirmative. Some
caustic and at the same time patriotic
remarks were made by several men,
bers in defense of the "Father of Our
Country" which were called out by an
article read by member at previous
meeting, all of which put the members
in good frame of mind and was en-
tertaining. c. w., Secy.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31
MOVEMENTS OF OUR POPULATION

School attendance. I43.
Patients undergoing treatment in
hospital, Z.
Prison population March 81: Males,
o19; females, Z; total, 526.
Prisoners received during the week
ending March 81, 4; Discharged, >.
Grade standing March 81: First
grade, 1862; second grade, 1853; third
grade, II.
Prisoners received during the week:
George Washington, U. S. District
Court, Granddaughter, five years.
Leroy Berrier, L. S. District Court,
violation of p. 0. laws, two years.
Moses Barr, Rock Co., grand larceny
second degree, one year and ten days.
J. w. Sternfeldt, Hennepin Co., in
decent assault, fifteen years.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31

The Massachusetts legislature has
passed a bill substituting the electric
chair for the hempen cord in commit
ting one judicial murder to punish an
unjudcial one. The bill also provides
that all legal murders in the state be
touched off at the state prison. The
people of Charlestown may now swell
with pride (?) as residents of Hang
town, Mass.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31

Warden Wolfer has been busy for
the past ten days compiling and re-
arranging the rules governing the con-
duct of the prison. The new rules,
which it is expected will 60 into effect
after the May meeting of the Board of
Managers, will be different from the
ones at present in effect as they will
also contain regulations plainly out,
lining the conduct of officers as well
as prisoners. They will be very ex-
plicit and will give every man clear
idea of what is and what is not" as
the saying goes.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31

Our local clerk of court sends us
"a Pathological Reason for War" that
would probably appeal to this COM
munity as sufficient causus belli to at
once begin operations against Spain.
But we consider the occasion a little
too serious at present for the anticipa-
ton OF "three additional holidays per
annum in which to celebrate Amer
ica'S latest victory"
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31
TO INMATES.

For the information of new arrivals and all
others desiring to send THE MIRROR to friends
we wish to say that the privilege will be granted
by complying with the following rules: Write
out your own name, register and cell number
and send to this offi( g with name and address
of person to whom paper is to be sent. All
papers must be kept clean and folded in the
same manner as it is when you receive it and
placed in your door every Friday night. All in
mates are requested to comply with this order
whether sending out copy or not.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31

Alf Austin, the English poet-laureate
has again broken loose with a tive-jag
mess of uninterpretable poetic mush.
He starts off with the melodramatic
catcali: "What is the voice l hear on
the wind of the western sea?" Poor
little ALT has had sore heels ever since
he attempted to strut about in Tenny-
sons shoes.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31

Some of the larger manufacturers Of
powder and other munitions of war
are showing their patriotism (?) by
putting the leech to Uncle Sam and
kiting prices higher than is at all reas-
enable. If this country was dependent
for existence on the patriotism of men
who worship the almighty dollar above
everything else, America would soon
be in a plight more despicable than is
Spain today.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31

There is more effective eloquence in
the fine weather now coming on than
in all the sermons from human lips or
facile pens. At this time of the wear
when Nature awakens from her wintry
Information and everything speaks of
the bounteous array of color soon to
garland the trees and hillsides, it makes
one think what dupe he must have
been to do anything to cause his being
chained up like a wild animal away
from all that is worth living for.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31

''klondke Grubstakes" is the name
of the latest monthly hailing from Sc.
attic. 1t is Intended to supply a long
felt want in the shape of reliable infor-
nation for prospective KlOndikers,
and costs one dollar per annum,
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31

The man who is honest only because
he HAS to be, is greater menace to
society than one who is known as
thief. The former, knowing he is
trusted, only awaits what he calls
dead sure" opportunity to steal With
the ordinary suspected thief you may
be Oh your guard.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31

Within the next two years it is not
unlikely that some historian will have
an opportunity to write work on
"The Decadence of Spain" that will
make a companion piece for Gibbons
"Decline and Fall of the Roman EN-
pre-"
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31

Some idea of the care taken in
selecting recruits for the navy may be
deduced from the fact that of twenty
five applicants in st. Paul last week only
three were successful in the rigid ex-
animation.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31

Pugilist COrbett is now making an
effort to represent California district
in Congress. His voltage of wind
power might entitle him to some con-
sideration, but it is doubtful if the
American people are anxious to be
represented by worn Tout, stage-fed pu-
gilistS with divorce. court records.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31

The regular quarterly meeting of the
state Board of Pardons will be held at
the Capitol, st. Paul, Monday April II.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31

The April meeting of the Board of
Managers will be held here next
Wednesday, April 6.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31
Local,
risOnettes Lucid
Logical.

h. c. Smith of Sleepy Eye with b. B.
Smith, city, passed through the prison
Saturday.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31

w. j. Gillespie and John ODER of
Austin, and Vince Connolly were call
ers here on Tuesday.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31

Mrs. "A. E. Boyesen, St. Paul; Mrs. L..
G. Stanford, Kelso, n. d.; Mr.. F. E.
Boswell and Miss Boswell, Minneap-
Oils, were pleasant party of visitors
here Saturday.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31

DR.. n. E. Hedbeck, our present hos
pital steward, has resigned and will
take up his residence in Wisconsin.
He will be replaced by Dr. Nj. E.
WithrOw of Forest Lake.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31

The anonymous letter referred to
IN testimony taken before the naval
board and of which but very little was
given out in their report is said to re-
late that three men were to be paid
$4,000 for blowing up the Maine. The
information is undoubtedly true, but
is useless in that it was impossible to
find out the author or whether he was
connected with the Spanish govern
ment.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31
CHURCH NOTICE.

Services in the Prison Chapel at 900 o'clock
every Sunday morning. Protestant and
Rev. j. HI. ALBERT and Rev. FIR. CORCORAN
chaplainS.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31

When the Cuban question is settled
once for all the American people will
have ample time to seriously study the
power welded by money kings in this
"free" country. If the present strain
ing of the war dogs accomplishes moth
ing more, a desirable end will have
been reached by the lesson the Ameri-
cans will learn of the foes in our own
country whose only selfish interest is
the increment of their present store of
centralized wealth,
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31

1t may be said of this country above
all other nations that when it comes
to real demand for active patriotism
the Americans are right on the spot,
95 per cent pure and ready for action.
Even among prisoners there is senti-
ment OF loyalty to "Old Glory" that is
entirely removed from the mere selfish
possibility of securing freedom. From
all we have heard on our nightly round
it is safe to make the statement that
men in here take as much patriotic in
terest in the great questions of the
hour as any like number of ordinary
mortals now enjoying freedom.
The latest and most authentic war
report is that the government has
made peremptOry demand upon
Spain to cease hostilities in Cuba. and
if this is not promptly complied with
the President will consent to congress
going ahead and declaring war. Every
reliable report confirms the statement
that Spain must back down within
few days and evacuate Cuba, or fight
America with the positive fore knowl-
edge that she will be whipped in short
order. The Spaniards practically ad-
nit this and are making all sorts of
pleas for delay as the loss of Cuba
means revolution at home with the
probable overthrow of the reigning
family.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31
OUR WEEKLY GOSSIP.

Regardless of all the sad examples
that mark the history of single gen.
Grafton, it still is a favorite "pastime"
to grasp at any chance of getting some
thing for nothing. The little trade in
government time checks that has re-
Gently come to light is a good example
of it. Shrewd bankers and business
men did not stop moment to reason
the matter out-they did not notice
that the endorsements on the checks
were nearly all in the same handwrit-
ing, nor that the penmanship was of a
quality not likely to be INDUCED in by
men working at manual labor. 1t was
"a good thing"-that sufficed Some
of the bankers who invested in the pa
per considered it "too good" for their
banks and took it on personal account.
The result everybody knows instead
of fifteen to twenty-five per cent profit,
there is a total loss.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31

We were shown a letter yesterday
that shows what an eX-cOnvict can do
when sincere in his efforts. The letter
is from former clerk in the Deputy's
office, now on parole. He has clerical
position paying him $500 per month,
and receives $500 extra per month
for working on set of books three
nights per week. An income of $4,000
per month is not to be sneezed at now
adays.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31

Any of the inmates anxious to be.
come proficient in a particular line of
study, without wasting" the time they
now devote to reading, should try
using the twenty five minutes that are
spent in the cell before dinner every
work day. This amount OF time may
seem trifle not worth using; but if
you have a sincere purpose in view you
will find that a wonderful progress
may be made in a few weeks or
months.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31

PRISON OFFICIALS.
MANAGERS.
JAS. S. O'BRIEN, President saltwater
EDWIN DUNN, Eyota
b. F. NELSON Minneapolis
F. w. TEMPLE, Blue Earth City
RESIDENT OFFICIALS.
HENRY WOLFER, Warden
+. II. LEMON, Deputy Warden
GEO. BIXBY, Clerk
B. j. MERRILL, Physician
MISS MARY MCKINNEY, MatrOn
j. H. ALBERT, Protestant Chaplain
CHARLES CORCORAN, Catholic Chaplain
PRISON AGENT.
F. A. WHITTIER st. Paul.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31

The gold fever is another example.
Hundreds of thousands are spending
the last picayune to get start to the
KlOndike. When there-what? Why
they will get something for nothing.
Just build little fire, thaw out some
loan and become rich. The stories of
few men who struck it rich have set
the whole country agog. Nobody cares
to hear the forlorn tales of the thou
sands who went to Alaska and are re-
turning broken in health and spirit,
and poorer every way than when they
started. But the prospective Klon-
diker passes up thousand such sto-
ries for the experience Of one who
makes chance strike.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31

The rankest fakes imaginable, if got
ten up with a plausible tinge, will find
myriads ready to bite. Any old scheme
that has a something nothing at.
tachment is as attractive to a large
part of the population as is the electric
arc light to the night flying denizens
of the air, and the result is about the
same in either case.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31

Did you ever notice those fake adj
vertisements with glazing FREE
in large bold faced type? That single
word Free does the business. At
least thirty five per cent of the readers
of a certain class of monthly publica-
tions send their dime or quarter to re-
ceive something "free.' Do they get
it? Oh, yes; but if they had gone to
the office Of their local newspaper the
same material could have been gotten
for almost nothing as butchers and
others who buy wrapping paper can
attest.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1898-03-31

The gambling mania, the chance
shot to get something for nothing, has
stronger hold on the human race
than most people care to acknowledge.
And it is not the denseIy ignorant who
make up this array of seekers after
phantom fortunes. Any one having a
knowledge of snide mail order
schemes will tell YOU that some of the
best people are the best "biters.'
The times., 1898-07-23
River Road to Glen Echo.

With the heat and humidity so great
that the thermometers ambition seems
to have no limits, the asphalt pavement
is so covered with wheel ruts as to Ie-
semble a map of the approaches to San
tiago and even the street bands seem to
take a special delight in sardonically
playing, "There'l be a Hot Time in Old
Town Tonight" comes the desire of the
involuntary urbanite to get out into the
open where one can feel a breeze with
out looking for the electric fan that must
have caused it. Under these circum-
stances, there is no more pleasing trip
in creation than that which may be
taken on one of the cars of the Wash
ington and Great Falls Road, which leave
Georgetown every ten minutes. On the
Journey one has not only the satisfaction
of feeling the cool breeze blowing in his
face but of knowing also that the great
est danger is that his hat may be taken
away by it, The line is nearly all double
track, every inch of rail has been laid
upon a ballasted roadbed and, in addi-
ton to these safeguards, every switch IS
doubly protected by an automatic lever
and a block signal. The way out to Glen
Echo and Cabin Johns Bridge passes
some of the finest scenery in this part
of the country, and this, together with
the satisfaction of knowing that the per-
formances now being given at the Glen
give one a purpose in going there, makes
the trip one of unalloyed delight.
The times., 1898-07-23
commissioners, Orders.

The following orders have been issued
by the District Commissioners:
That the proposal of Paverini &, Greer,
opened July 8, 1898, for the construction of
a boiler house On the grounds of the In
dustrial Home School for the sum of $500,
be accepted.
That sewer be constructed along the
south side of G Street northeast from
Twelfth Street eastward and crossing
from the south side to the middle of G
street in the intersection of Twelfth
Street; estimated cost, $170, chargeable to
appropriation for main and pipe sewers.
That fifjy-one gas lamps be erected on
Fourteenth Street extended, at a distance
of 200 feet apart, between Howard avenue,
Mount Pleasant, and Park avenue,
Brightwood; estimated cost. $780, charge
able to appropriation for street lighting.
That the ten naphtha lamps on Wallach
Street between Seventh and Thirteenth
Streets be connected with the mains of
the Washington Gas Light Company, now
being extended in said street; estimated
cost. $50 ehargeable to appropriation for
street lighting.
That C. g. Van Hook, rodman in sur
veyor's office at SD per day. be pro-
NOTED to be craftsman in the street ex-
tension division at $3.50 per day. and W.
Hamilton Edwards be appointed, tempor-
arily. craftsman in the surveyors office
al $3.50 per day.
The times., 1898-07-23
THE TELEPHONE SUITS.
Answer Filed Yesterday by the
Chesapeake q Potomac.


Chesapeake & Potomac.
The answer of the Chesapeake and Po-
tomac Telephone Company to the man
damus proceedings instituted against 1t
by Orren G. Staples, filed yesterday, is
substantially the same as that made in
the suit for injunction filed by subscrib-
ers of the company. Mr.. Staples fnsti-
tutes suit under the terms of the act Of
Congress of June 80, 1885, which regulates
the rates for telephone service in the
District of Columbia and prohibits the
charging of more than $50 per annum tor
the rental of a single instrument. Under
this law he rendered the Chesapeake
Company $3.50 as payment in advance Tor
the use of three telephone instruments,
which he directed placed, one each in the
National Hotel, Riggs House and VII
lard's Hotel. The telephone company 5
officers refused the money rendered and
declined TO place the instruments in the
houses named.
The telephone company claims it is
nos required under the law 10 furnish
service TO everyone, as is alleged by
the complainant, but only to such per-
sons as it has authority to connect with
it's conduits, wires or cables. 1t admits,
however, that the premises mentioned
in the affidavit of Q. G. Staples are on
or near its line of conduits and cables,
and also that he rendered theEl $3.50, the
full amount for a quarters rental, in ad-
vance.
Another suit was begun yesterday. w.
I. Hoge & Bro. doing business at No. ylo
Louisiana Avenue, fled bill for injunc-
ton against the Chesapeake and Poto-
mac Telephone Company to enjoin 1t from
removing its telephone instruments.
The times., 1898-07-23
ARREST OF BICYCLE DEALERS.
Charged with Trnfiicking in second
hnrh Gnnds Without Licenses

William d. Hadger John Woerner, Jr.,
John d. Lasley and Charles NJ. Lewis, BIZ
cycle dealers, have been arrested on the
charge Of being unlicensed dealers in sec
ond-hand goods.
They were taken into custody under
the act of Congress of March 3, 1891,
which provides for the payment of a Ii
cense by all dealers in secondhand
goods. 1t is held that the dealers named
are required by law TO pay a license be
cause they deal in secondhand bicycls.
Mr. Hadger and the others were taken
before Judge Scott in the Police Court,
and the case was set for hearing on next
Wednesday.
The text of the act under which the ac-
cused were arrested follows: THAT junk
dealers and dealers in secondhand per-
sonal property of any kind or descrip
ton whatsoever shall pay TO the District
of Columbia a.lIcense tax of SO annually.
Every person whose business ii is TO
buy or sell old iron, rags, paper, second
hand clothing or any secondhand person
al property Of any kind or description
whatsoever shah be subject 10 the pro-
visions Of this act and TO all the laws and
regulations now in fierce in the District
of Columbia, and to all valid regulations
which may hereafter be provided relating
to junk dealers or dealers in secondhand
personal property: Provided. neverthe-
less, that no sale shall be made by junk
dealers and dealers in secondhand per
sonal property of such secondhand prop
erty in their possession until after the
expiration of ten days from and after the
time at which report has been made to
the major OF police of the purchase there
of, as provided by the police regulations
Of the District of Columbia"
Mr. Alexander II. Bell is attorney for
the defendants and Mr.. James L. Pugh,
trict.
The times., 1898-07-23
To Say Farewell

Ensign Simms, who has been in charge
of Salvation Army Corps No. for sew
eral months, has received orders to move
to another station, and tomorrow evening
at oclock she will deliver her farewell
address in the tent at the corner of Third
Street and North Carolina Avenue south
east. She has been assisted by her sister,
Capt. Simms, in her work on Capitol Hill.
Nearly one hundred persons have pro-
fessed conversion during her stay. On
Wednesday evening farewell ice cream
festival will be held, at which the ensign
and her sister will formally say goodbye
to the army in this city.