davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1898-02-24
WAR SPIRIT AT WASHlNSTON,
Feeling That the Maine Disaster Re
suited from spanish Treachery.

suited from spanish Treachery.
Washington was atlame Wednesday
with the war spirit Everybody eagerly
read the extra newspapers carrying latest
dispatches from Havana and the strained
efforts of those high in official life to show
the blowing up of the Maine to have been
an accident only added to the impatience
Of the general public. Both houses of
Congress assembled at noon under the
most exciting conditions since war times.
From the advces received from Lee
and from other sources in Havana" said
Secretary Long, 81 am not inclined to
think it was an act Of Spanish hostility.
have no explanation to make. but the
fact that Capt. Sigsbee has asked that
public opinion be suspended leads us to
believe that those who are in a position
to have the best information do not regard
it as a hostile act. The dispatch from
Consul General Lee says the cause Of the
explosion is yet to be investigated, but it
also says that the Spanish have rendered
all possible assistance. Nothing yet re-
ceived indicates that the disaster was the
result of Spanish treachery, and we will
proceed with care until we have further
PARTICULARS
Public opinion, however, refused to be
suspended, and to say that the capital was
excited over the report of the destruction
of the Maine is but to give but meager
and inadequate idea of the real condition
of affairs Wednesday. 1t was the only
topic Of conversation. There were extra
papers on the streets every fifteen min
utes, people wildly shouted their opinions
of the catastrophe, and on all hands were
talk of war and demands for more infor-
nation. Treachery was the word on all
lips. No one could be persuaded that the
affair was not of Spanish origin. 1t was
thought that some Spanish agent secured
access to the vessel and exploded gren-
ade near the ammunition magazine.
If Spanish treachery did not destroy the
magnificent battle ship Maine and MUIR
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1898-02-24

der more than 25O American seamen,
Spain must produce the proofs that the
Maine was blown up by some other power
than that of Spanish torpedo. Wash
ington advices on Thursday stated that
officers of the navy did not believe that
there could have been an accidental ex-
plosion on the Maine from spontaneous
combustion or any other cause, when the
battle ship was lying at anchor without
steam in her boilers, or coal in her for
ward bunkers, and with only projectiles
and such ammunition as might be explod-
ed by conclusion in her forward maya
zine. While some officials at the Navy
Department talked of accidental explo-
sions, there were few Of practical expe
rience who did not privately scout such
theories, and said that to advance them
means to condemn the modern war vessel.
The corps of constructors at the Navy
Department insisted that the explosive
power must have come from the outside
of the vessel, because it is their business
to prevent accidents of this kind occurring
within the hull, and they claimed that it
is impossible fer the vessel to have been
destroyed by an explosion in one of the
magazines. Chief Naval Constructor
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1898-02-24

Hichborn said that an accidental explo-
sion was impossible, leaving the infer
ence that he believed the explosion to
have been due to treacherous hands
The President and his cabinet tried to
keep down the excitement until full re-
ports could be received from Captain
Sigsbee. They did not care to base their
judgment on dispatches that must be pass
ed upon by the Spanish censors in charge
of the telegraph wires at Havana They
therefore followed the theory of an acci-
dental explosion because it would be very
serious for the administration publicly to
assume that the Maine could have been
destroyed in any other way, until they
had the full details of this affair from the
commander Of the ship.
1t is asserted by naval officers that the
harbor of Havana is full of submarine
torpedoes, which need only an electrical
connection to make an explosion possible.
The theory that the Maine was destroyed
by torpedo found ready believers. No
body was willing to assert that the Span
ish Government was primarily response
bic for touching off a torpedo, but among
the hotheads roaming the streets of Ha-
vana in. the state Of excited feeling now
existing there are many, it is believed,
who would not hesitate to commit such
an OlltraUa
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1898-02-24
COURT OF INQUIRY.
NAVAL BOARD TO SEARCH OUT
THE FACTS.
Several Days May E1apse Before Ycr-
dict Is Reached, but There Will Be No
Unnecessary De1ay-Inyestigatio to
Be Rigid.


On Thursday the court of inquiry TO in
vestigate the cause of the Maine disaster
was called to meet in Havana by Admiral
Sicard. 1t is composed of the following
officers: Capt William r. Simpson, Capt
French f. Chadwick. Lieutenant Com
mander William p Potter and Lieuten-
ant Commander Adolph Mark, judge ad
vocate. The verdict of these four naval
experts, writes a Washington correspond
ent, may mean war with Spain.
Under the direction of Admiral Sicard,
says the correspondent, writing immedi-
ately after the calling of the court, the
members will hear evidepce and examine
the debris. The splintereJ and twisted
hulk is expected to tell its own story. The
plates will be bent in or out IfNall point
outward, the disaster was causedN from
carelessness or probably treachery On
board the ship; if they point inward, then
to Spanish treachery from without. Be
meath the waters of the harbor the divers
will turn their electric searchlights as
they search the deep for the submerged
debris of the once mighty battle ship.
They will report speedily to their SUI
periors. There will be no unnecessary de-
lay. Public opinion will not stand indefi-
mite suspense. The verdict Of the court
of inquiry will go to the Secretary of the
Navy and to the President. There will
be cabinet meeting. There will be no
splitting of hairs. no quibbling over Off
cial etiquette. This matter is executive;
it will not follow precedents; there are
none to follow
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1898-02-24

For six years the labor of men was put
into her. Her keel was laid in the Brook
lyn navy yard in October, 1888 She was
launched ON Nov. 10, 1890. The construc-
ton of the Maine was authorized by an
act of Congress passed Aug. 3, 1886. The
act provided that the new boat should
cost S2,500,000, and over that sum was
expended upon her. In size the Maine
was goodly ship. Her length over all
was 324 feet; at load water line, 31S feet;
her beam, 81 feet; her draught, 2115 feet;
her displacement, 6,64S tons. She was
designed for flag ship, but the great
changes in modern methods of naval con-
struction We're the cause OF her being fin
ished up as fighter.
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1898-02-24

the Spanish. And if the explosion is not
satisfactorily explained it may be expect
ed that similar opinions will be offered
in Congress and elsewhere in such form
as to give great provocation. The feeling
in Congress has reached a more acute
stage than ever before. The Dupuy de
LONE incident intensified the prejudice
against Spain and developed 4. hostility
that was never so bitter as to-day in any
quarter and is particularly pronounced
among those who have been preserving
an impartial judgment and a conservative
attitude. The excitement from one Incl
dent does not subside before another even
more aggrayating occurs. And it seems
as if Providence were leading both coun-
tries into war,
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1898-02-24
"HE United States battleship Maine

"HE United States battleship Maine
lies at the bottom of Havana har-
Dor, cbarred and torn hulk, and a
tomb for over 250 of her crew. She
was blown up about 10 o'clock Tuesday
night by terrific explosion said to have
been an accident The explosion occur
red in the bow of the vessel and at an
hour when the honest sailors had retired,
while most Of the officers had returned
from the gayeties of the city. Whether
the magazine OF the ship was fired by ac-
cident or treachery, whether bomb or tor
p-ds placed beneath the bow sent the
Maine to the bottom of Havana bay and
its blue jackets to their long home per-
haps no man shall ever know. All that
sailors and officers of the fated craft could
say was that there was crash and-a roar
that men were hurled headlong from
their hunks upon the cabin floors, and that
out of the darkness, the grinding of burst
ing timbers, the surging of the water rush
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1898-02-24

less the great mass of steel that had been
called the battle ship Maine. She was a
proud, strong ship, and she will go down
into history alongside the Royal George,
the Victoria and other men-of-war which
were wiped out Of existence with their
crews under appalling circumstances.
The Maine was one of the best ships in
the American navy. In an up and up
fight she would have stood her own
against any boat of her class afoat. She
was not a cruiser. She was built to fight,
and she was a floating fort. All the in
genuity Of modern naval architecture was
brought to bear upon her construction.
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1898-02-24

ing back to fill the great chasm torn by
che explosion, came the screams of wound
ed men and long red jets of flame.
Ten minutes later and the Maine. all
afire from stem to stern, began to settle
in the water. Over the side went the sail
ors, half clad or clad not at all, fiinging
themselves into the bay, still dazed, bruis-
ed and bleeding. Out of the red murk and
the horrible uproar could be heard the
loud voices of officers, ordering and di-
recting, cool and plucky in the face Of
death, showing even in that hour of horror
the grand courage and the steady disci-
pline that won ut New Orleans and Mo-
bile-the grandeur of Farragut, the iron
nerve of the hearsarge's crew upon the
rock of Roncador. There were no weak
souls nor towards there; the officers held
place and power even as at dress review,
and to their GOODNESS and their courage
is due the fact that the panic lid not re-
suit in even heavier loss of life than the
explosion and the water caused combined.
The nation mourns for those who per-
ished with the Maine. Such a startling
vision Of sudden death has not for years
tragedy appeals to all American hearts.
For all must feel that the lost stood ready
at an instant call to make Of their bodies
q rampant between their country and their
country's foes. There have been few such
disasters in modern times. The catastro-
phes to the Royal George to the Victoria,
and, in Apia harbor, to the Nipsic, the
Vandalia and the Trenton are among the
few comparable to it.
A dispatch from HAVANA said that the
widest excitement prevailed in the city.
The wharves were crowded with thou
sands of people. There was a rush and
hurry and it is claimed that the Spaniards
heut every energy to the saving of the
doomed Americans. Out from the great
black sides of the Spanish warships, says
the dispatch, flew boat afSer boat and the
Spanish sailors never pulled faster oars.
Over the bay they skinned seizing here
an arm extended from the water in the
last struggle Of the drowning man, grasp
ing there 4 drcnched blue-ja cket, until the
boats were full of rescued men and no
more living bodies could be found upon the
surface Of the water.
The shock Of the explosion wrecked ev
ery window in Havana. Capt. Gen. Blan-
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1898-02-24
WE ARE READY TO STRIKE.

Within "a Hours Our Ships Could
Blockade Every Cuban Port.
A New York dispatch says: Three flag
officers of the United States navy are
watching events at Washington, Madrid
and Havana with great interest. They
are Rear Admiral Montgomery Sicard.
commanding the North Atlantic SQUAD
ron; Rear Admiral John A. Howell, COM
manding the European squadron, and
Capt. Colby NJ. Chester, senior officer in
command of the South Atlantic squadron.
Each Of these three commanders received
telegraphic orders to hold his ship in read
mess for active service and to keep it fully
coaled and provisioned at all times. There
is an American flag floating over frown-
ing broadsides Of guns within easy strik-
ing distance of every port on the northern
and southern coasts of Cuba
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1898-02-24
COUNTRY GREATLY EXCITED.
Seems as Though Providence We're
Leading Two Countries to War

Seems as Though Providence We're
Leading Two Countries to War.
The agitation and suppressed excite
ment that prevail throughout the coun-
try are shown by the kilograms of inquiry
that have been received at the various
departments and newspaper Offices and
by members of Congress as to the proba-
BILE cause of the explosion. And it is
clear that, however it may be explained,
this awful calamity must seriously in
crease the tension between the United
States and Spain by provoking excitement,
suspicion and irritation. The comments
of many public men as furnished in the
press dispatches cannot be overlooked by
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1898-02-24
SHIP BLOWN UP
Cruiser Maine Destroyed
in Havana HarbOr.
GREAT loss OF LIFE
Two Hundred and Fifty=eight
American Sailors Dead.
UUUl EUl I'LL I'LL nWIlltUU
Belief That the Terrible Affair
Was Not Accidental.
WILD TALK OF WAR.
Many Americans Would Wipe Span
ish Off the Earth.
SUSPECT THE SPANIARDS
Belief That the Terrible Affair
Was Not Accidental.
WILD TALK OF WAR.
Many Americans Would Wipe Span
ish Off the Earth.

Powerful United States Naval Vessel
Waters Lies at the Bottom of the
Bay a Charrcd and Torn HuIk-Ca-
tastrophe Took Place at 10 O'clock
at Night, When All the Sailors Ex-
cept Those Detailed for Duty Were
S1eeping-Exp1anat Which Seems
to Best Fit Circumstances Is That a
Torpedo Was Exploded Under the
Ship.
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1898-02-24
HOUSE PASSES RESOLUTIONS.

Sympathy Expressed for the Families
of the Dead.
In the National House of Representa-
tives Wednesday Mr.. Boutelle, chairman
of the Committee on Naval Affairs, offer
ed the following resolution, which was
unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That the House of Repre-
sentatives has learned with great sorrow
of the calamity which has caused the de-
struction Of the United States battle ship
Maine and the appalling loss of more than
go lives and the wounding of many 9TH
ers CT the gallant defenders of our flag.
and that the House expresses its sympa-
thy for the injured and its sincere condo
leaces with the families of those who have
lost their lives in the service of the na-
ton"
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1898-02-24
MORRO CASTLE.
Frowning Guardian of Havana's Gate
way and some of It's Uses.

Frowning Guardian of Havana's Gate
way and some of It's Uses.
MORO Castle. the guardian of Hayana's
gateway. stands upon an imposing height
at the east entrance of the harbor. Ha-
vana was founded eighteen years after
Columbus visited the island. and the site
of Ell Moro was the earliest location
among Notifications. The castle, of solid
masonry and stone parapets, looks secure
against all oncomers. Less fortress
than prison, however, is the Morro Cas-
tie of to-day. 1t has ramifcations under
the sea and chambers that have not been
explored for hundred years-at least by
others than Spaniards. The castle has
come to be used principally as prison
for political offenders, and its moldy.
drainless cells are a horror to Cubans,
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1898-02-24

co was among the first to realize what
had happened, and he spared no exertion
to aid Capt. Sigsbee's men. Admiral
Manterola and Gen. Solano proved wor-
thy coadjutors, and the Spanish sailors
and soldiers alike did all that was in their
power. Capt. Sigsbee was not hurt, al
| though the earlier dispatches represented
him as severely wounded. The explosion
took place directly under the quarters of
the common sailors, missing the officers
| cabin by many yards.
The wounded sailors in hospital declar-
ed that they were utterly at q loss as to
the cause Of the eXplosion-that they were
all asleep when the crash came, and that
all they could do was to pick themselves
up from the floor, grope their way amid
falling timbers, smoke and flame and take
TO the wafer and the Spanish boats.
Capt. Sigsbee says the explosion oc-
Cured in the bow of the vessel. He re-
ceived wound in the head. Orders were
given to the other officers to save them
selves as best they could The latter,
who were literally thrown from their
hunks in their night clothing, gave the
necessary orders with great self-rosses-
sion and bravery. The first theory was
that there had been preliminary eXplo-
sion in the Santa Barbara magazine, with
powder or dynamite, below the water. Ad-
miral Manterola believes that the first
explosion w::S of a grenade shell that was
hurled over the navy yard. When the ex
plosion occurred Captain Sigsbee was be-
low, but he rushed up on deck in his shirt
sleeves and gave orders. Efforts were at
first made to save the vessel, but when
Captain Sigsbee realized the extent Of
the damage done and that many casualties
had occurred he bent all his energies to
assuring the safety of his men.
Report of Captain Sigsbee.
The Secretary of the Navy at Washing
ton received the following telegram from
Capt. Sigsbee: MAINE blown up in Ha-
vana harbor $40 and destroyed Many
wounded and doubtless more killed and
drowned. Wounded and others on board
Spanish man-of-war ait: Ward line steam
er. Send lighthouse tenders from Key
West for crew and few pieces of equip
ment still above (water). No one had
other clothes than those upon him.
Public opinion should be suspended un-
til further report. All officers believed to
be saved. jenkins and Merritt not yet
accounted for. Many Spanish officers, in
Guiding representatives Of Gen. Blanco,
aow with me and express sympathy.
"SIGSBEE''
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1898-02-24
WAS A FLOATING FORT,

Maine One of the Best War Ships in
the American Navy.
The great explosion that ratified the
foundations of the Cuban capital and
struck terror to the heart of every human
being in Havana at the same time. in a
few seconds obliterat<d nearly $4,000, 900
worth Of public property and rendered use
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1898-02-24
Flags HaIf-Nasted.

President Mckinley has ordered the
flags at all navy yards and on naval yes
sells, at posts, army headquarters, and on
all public buildings, at half-mast.
The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1898-02-24

who, of course, are the political offenders.
1t is the place of execution wher political
prisoners are not to be shot publicly.
The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-09-05
AT THE HOTELS.

ASTORIA-W. A. Wishart, Omaha. Neh.
W. j. Barron, Chicago; A Milne, Winnebago
City; M. II. Davis, La Crosse; G. F. Brown,
Wahpeton, Mimi; Richard j. Ryan, Roches,,
ter, N. Y; L. A. Mathews, Duluth: b Fl
Smith, Kansas City; B. B. Smith. Kansas
City; G. c. Ward, Tower City, N D.; R.
Klaw, Milwaukee, W. H. .stumps, ST. Louis,
Wilcox, Hugo, Mimi; M. S. Collins, Hinckley
G. G. Thomburg, Marshall; William Holland
Wa t. 10; A; E. Stevens, Ellsworth, Wis.
Ebbighausen, Fosston, Mimi; Gus Monthes.
Fosston, Mimi; H. OVERLY. Fosston, Mimi;
w: BTrnton' FosstOn; Mimi; H; Pan, Foss-
Walter Jacobs, Aberdeen, S. D.; Orem Hun.
son, Milwaukee; w. H. Harrington. Winona
A. s., QUAD. Chicago; g; A. Gunderson,
MoI, St. Peter; George B. Ribble, st. Peter:
John M Comtney, Columbus. MINI.
CLARENDON-John Smith, Detroit, MINI. ;
George Taylor, Detroit Mimi; c. R. Mu-
dith, Casseton, N. D.. R. A. ONeal, Cas-
selton, N. D.; J. w. Ture, Casselton ~ D. !;
NJ Curry, Fergus Falls; ]: Rachert and wife,
B. Wilson, New York; C; A Townsend South
Bend, Ind; F. Brown, Fargo. N. D.; ]. w.
Ttlley, Fargo. n. D.; L. Nj. Gunther, Mater,
Mont; ]. ]. Bilsblow, Graceville; R. Greene,
Phillip, GAINESVILLE; B. J. Crandal, Austin ;
H. Madey, Austin; NJ. Sullivan, Chicago:
Thomas Casey, Eau Claire; George La
Brande, Chicago; J. Hanson, Duluth; T. B.
Clawson, Willmar; T. Blake and family, Dem
yer, Col; S. Barnes st. Louis; j. Brady.
Winona: B. Walker, Winona; T. Chamberlain,
Chicago; ]. Wilson, Walker, o.; NJ. Clemens,
Milwaukee, T. Conklin and family, Milwau-
kee; ]. Kennedy Milwaukee.
MERCHANTS H. Nyhus, Winona; w. ].
Baldwin, Milwaukee; ]. NJ Knudson, Winnie
bago City; J. c. Moreland, Chicago; C. N.
Cogsgrave, lie Sueur; f. w. Force Window
w. r. Renkers La Crosse; T. j. Dunbar,
Milwaukee; O. r. De Ryder, Menomonee; r.
Smith, Chicago; w. II. Simpson, Milwaukee;
J. F. Cowan, DEVILS Lake; ]. w. Tilley,
Fargo; D. Stewart Grand Forks; r. A. Sea-
bey Fort Peck Montana; Miss A. b. Brown,
Grand Forks; W. F. Cross Red Wing; D. H.
Hanlon, Montgomery; ]. Johnson, Cresco 10. {;
]. s. Atchison, Chicago; e. Greene, Redwood
Falls; Miss M. Sines, Redwood Fails; H. w.
Burgendahl and wife, GLENDALE, N. D.; j.
B. Gruber, Downing; T. B. Tomb, Kansas
City; E. Monahan, Seattle; F. B. sutllff and
wife Sacramento, CAL; l.. Briggs, Seattle;
W. H. Yerrick Missoula, Mont; l.. l.. Bax-
ter, Furgus Falls; w. F. Naming, DEVILS
Lake W. o. German, Grand Forks; H. A.
Olson and wife, Fargo; ]. w. Ford. Fargo; J..
A. Bede, Pine City; e. R. Clingin, Belt
Mont. NJ L. Page and wife, Alexandria; W.
M. Preston, Duluth; G. R. Safely and wife,
Bozenan; G. M, Root. Bohemian; o. olstad.
The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-09-05
AT THE THEATERS.

The Wilbur Opera company will present
THE Circus Clown at the Metropolitan
opera house, with matinees this Afternoon,
Wednesday and Saturday
The Neill Stock company will begin a re-
turn engagement at the Metropolitan opera
house next Sunday evening, presenting the
following repertory: Sunday, Jim, the Pen
man" Monday and Tuesday evenings and
Wednesday matinee, Diplomacy" Wednes-
flies" Friday and Saturday evenings and
Saturday matinee, "Aristocracy.'
At the Grand next Sunday evening the
Herrmanns, Adelaide and Leon, will appear
in new programme of magic and mystery
Leon Hermann is a nephew of Alexander
Hermann.
Jacob Lift said last week when In s.. Paul:
I'm Old Kentucky is going to be done in
Germany. I have had translation made,
and will produce 1t first in Milwaukee at
the Pabst theater, with the Webb & Wach-
sner company, then 1 will take the whole
company, including the pickaninnies and the
scenery and horses to Germany, opening in
Berlin about the 1st of May I think the
play will make hit there. 1t has been run
ming three years in London, and is earning
money all the time