davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-07-14

some friends and had a very pleasant
visit. We brought them a basket
hlled with tobacco and beer, So of
course they received US with open
arms. l went over the camp with
Lieutenant Bannon, an old academy
friend OF mine. He said that they
had a skirmish nearly every night.
Inc SpaniaruS pursue a guerrilla war
rare, Crawling up TO the rifle pits ID
the dense underbrush and firing when
ever they see target. Bannon said
that the Spaniards were brave, and
good soldiers and that the Cubans were
absolutely unmanageable in battle.
There is a small force of about 200
Cubans acting with the marine bat
TALON. In the only action of any
consequence that they have been en-
gagged in, they threw down their rifles,
and With nachete and revolver charged
the Spaniards, cutting them to pieces.
The Cubans take very few prisoners.
and. they invariably kill all the native,
Cubans they catch fighting on the op-
Eosihs side. The vegetation makes it
impossible to move troops, except ON
the regular roads. This is probably
, fortunate for the small force at
Guantanamo as they can hold the
paths much more easily than they
ooald in an open country.
4 met Colonel Huntington, who is
in command of the marines. He is a
very pleasant man and a. soldier from
the ground up, He was very glad 20
get some of the tobacco we brought
them. Like the bloekading fleet, they
have a supply ship which is coming
but which never arrives.
THE story about some men being
found mutilated by the Spaniards is
untrue. Three scouts were killed by
the Spanish troops but they were not
mutilated. The Cuban forces are
rmed with magazine gums, 45-calibre,
very much like the old
navy Hotchkiss rifle. Our forces have
the new Lee rife. The
Spanish forces are armed with a Ger
man rife and a large calibre Reming-
ton rifle. There seems to be no dis
cipline IN the Cuban army. They are
poorly clad, but pretty well armed and
enthusiastic fighters.
eve fired a few 13-inch shells into
the town and returned to our block
aiding position the same night. We
have been here since waiting for the
army which is always to get here to-
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-07-14
Vessel Engaged in the Operation of Cable Cutting.

morrow No mail has reached us yet
| though ships come here from Key
West nearly every day. Some papers
came from the flag ship this morning.
[ have not seen them yet.
June 21st-We are still on the
blockade with no new DEVELOPMENTS
except the arrival of an advance
guard of the troops. We expect some
of the soldiers to land in couple Of
days and the city ought not to be able
to hold out long against the force they
are sending here to take it, Taking
this place will be no Manila affair
though. There is going to be some
one hurt. [ am expecting Admiral
| CerVera to make a dash in the next
few days and with what ships he
manages to get past our line. sink
whatever transports he can find. If
| were in his place | should certainly
make a fight for it now as he is sure
to be captured if he waits until the
army lands. 1t would be better to
lose his ships in a good fight than to
let them fall into our hands without
little love for the Spaniards but they
demonstrated at Manila that they
could die fighting against hopeless
odds and | confidently expect a fight
before we get through here. | hope
we will get through soon as this bat
| tie Ought nearly to end the war.
| The discontents in Spain will prob
ably be able to overthrow the gov
eminent if we gain a big victory here.
1t is possible that Cervera cannot
come out on account of the collier
Merrimac, which was so CALAMITY
sunk in the channel by Assistant
Naval Constructor Hobson If that
is SO the only task here will be in
taking the forts at the entrance
June 22-Early this morning most
Of our ships left us to protect the
landing Of the troops at two points
about 10 miles on each side of the en-
trance to this harbor. There has been
heavy firing in their direction all day
but of course we know nothing of
what kind of success the soldiers have
met with. We got a signal from the
Texas some time ago saying that she
had been struck and several men
were hurt. I do not know the extent
of her injuries but they can not be
serious as the Texas continues firing
on the shore batteries. We are too far
out to get into the fight today. There
will probably be more fun when the
troops advance on the forts. Many
of US expected to see Cervera dash out
last night, but nothing happened to
disturb our rest
"The nights down here are connpar-
atively cool and we all try to get as
much sleep then as possible. 1t is alb
impossible to sleep in the day
time on account of the heat. and
when we are kept up all night we get
pretty tired before another chance to
sleep offers itself. The mail is to
leave for New York this afternoon 60
will send this letter today We have
10 stamps on board. The postofice de-
oartment allows us to send letters G.
}. D."
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-07-14

the batteries responded feebly..
About midnight last night the St.
Louis cut the last remaining cable
and now the poor Spaniards have no
communication with the outside world.
The mechanism on board a regular
cable ship is intricate, but a ship of
war generally uses only the cutting
grapnel to destroy the cable. When
the boat reaches the spot where the
cable is to be cut sounding is taken
to locate it's exact position and depth
A steel mark buoy is then moored
as nearly as possible over the place,
to act as a guide while graphing, and
as d bearing to go by when the cable
is hooked. The buoy is moored by
means Of a mushroom anchor, which
holds we'll in almost any kind of bot
tom, and has no projecting points or
arms, which might foul with or chafe
the cable. The anchor is usually
shackled to Is fathoms Of heavy chain
and the buoy rope attached to the end
Of the chain. The buoy rope is paid
ont till the anchor is within a few
fathoms of the bottom, the end being
then attached to the buoy chain on
board the boat. By means of the ap-
paratus on the boat the buoy is then
slipped overheard and the anchor al
lowed to reach bottom and held there
The ship now leaves the mark buoy
and steams out a mile IN a course at
right angles to the line of cable, then
lowers a grapnel and steams slowly
back up to the buoy, passing and re-
passing it till the cable is hooked. AS
soon as the cable is hooked it slips by
means Of pulleys between two knives
or teeth. It is then slightly lifted and
the strain caused by the lifting is
strong enough to bring the two teeth
together with force enough to cut the
cable.
'The Spaniards are working pretty
hard to get their batteries in condi-
ton and they no sooner build them upl
than we batter down again. On the 18th
inst. the entire feet shelled the de-
lenses. There were no casualties on
our side. We do not know how much
damage the enemy sustained. Our
ship was not struck but several shots |
fell in the water very near US. One
of them threw water on me as I was
taking photograph Of the Iowa. 1t
scared me pretty badly. I hope the
picture was not spoiled. The shells
come with a gentle buzz, followed by
shrek that makes person feel very
much like getting out of the way. At
first everybody used to dodge when
a shell came within a mile of us. Now
they all stand up pretty well unless
the shell actually does come near, and
then the terrible shrek would make |
wooden Indian dodge. One of the |
good things that has happened down |
here was a consignment of fruit sent
TO the suffering sailor men by the
Colonial Danes. Everybody on this
ship got an orange and a couple of
lemons, in consequence Of which the
DANES are now in high favor
t'The day before yesterday we went
70 Guantanamo for coal While there
visited the marine camp where I met
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-07-14

San Francisco, July 1O.-The cruiser
Philadelphia has been ordered to
Honolulu to raise the American flag
over the islands. The vessel will
probably be placed in commission to-
morrow and a few days later will
make the trip. Major Gen. E. S. Otis
has been ordered to proceed at once
to Honolulu and take part in the
ceremonies Of occupation of the ISL
ands. Gen. H. G. Otis will be brig
adler general Of the fourth feet. Gen.
NJ. P. Miller, senior brigadier of the
troops remaining here, will probably
be left in command Of the expedi-
tionary forces after the departure of
Naj.-Gen. F. S. Otis.
The Tacoma has been chartered by
the government to carry supplies to
the fleet at Manila. Under favorable
conditions the Tacoma can make the
trip to Manila in about so days.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-07-14

are seen to be facing odds enough
to dishearten ordinary troops.
The cruiser Charleston and the
transports carrying the first Ameri-
can military expedition to the Philip
pines arrived at Manila On the way
the Ladrone islands, raising the
American flag there. Gov. Marina
and the Spanish soldiery were taken
along as prisoners of war. The at
tack on Manila has been deferred ten
days, awaiting answers to dispatches
and the arrival of the second Ameri-
can expedition.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-07-14

ing, in which was located the Citi-
zcns' State bank, J. F. Laderer and
Co., the largest clothiers in the city;
Broughton's music store; Larimer's
tailoring establishment, and nearly
all the principal real estate and
loan Offices in the city burned
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-07-14

A cable from Manila. under date of
Saturday, says: 1t is stated by the
highest Spanish authority that Spain
has ceded Yolo, in the Lulu islands,
to Germany, who will maintain auton-
omy on the remainder Of the islands
under a Spanish protectorate.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-07-14

Washington, July S.-Both houses
of congress adjourned without day at
2 o'clock Friday afternoon. This was
the f1fty-ifth congress. The eXecu-
tive session of the senate held just
prior to the adjournment was devoted
largely to cases to which there was
no objection, but no time Of any
consequence was given to any one
case. For near.y an hour previous
to adjournment, President Nc
kinley and all Of the mem
bers of his cabinet, except
the members of his cabinet, except
Secretaries Day and Long, were in the
presidents room, adjoining the senate
chamber. During that time the presi-
dent signed large number of en-
crossed bills, many of which would
have failed had it been necessary to
send them to the executive mansion
for signature. Mr. Morgan (Ala) OPP
posed the proposed adjournment,
maintaining that it would be
more desirable tor congress
to take a recess until the first
Monday in September. Mr.. Morgan
said: There is absolutely no neces-
sity for adjournment. It is a hasty,
improvident and dangerous step. It
seems to me the war with Spain is
drawing to a conclusion. The ending
of the war will bring to congress
questions of the highest Importance
and OF the gravest consequence in our
history. I should not be satisfied to
go away under the circumstances, leav-
ing the president without our sup
port" Mr.. Allen opposed adjournment
because the calendar was crowded, he
said, with bills of a most important
character. Mr.. Thurston (Meb.)
secured the adoption of a
resolution accepting the invita-
ton of President Wattles to at
tend the Omaha exposition. On
motion Of Mr. Allison the senate
at LOS went into executive session
When this ended Mr.. Spooner offered
a resolution thanking Senator Frye,
president pro TEN. Of the senate, for
the able, courteous manner in which
he had presided. It was adopted. A
similar resolution was offered by Mr..
Cockrell thanking Vice President Ho-
bart, and it was adopted with a rous-
ing aye.
Washington, July S.-The end Of
this session of congress in the house
was marked by two notable Incidents
One was senationally partisan, well
nigh resulting in personal conflicts !
upon the floor; the other was notably
patriotic, and swept away all signs
of the former. In the former Messrs |
Ray rep, n. ", Handy dem, Dell !
Cannon rep, lid, and Bell (dem., /
Tex.). were principals. In the latter
all the members Joined, irrespective o.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-07-14
OTIS TO RAISE: FLAG
MAJOR GENERAL TO PROCEED
AT ONCE TO HONOLULU.
TOG ONTHE PHILADELPHIA

Tacoma Has Been Chartered to Carry
Supplies to the Fleet and Troops
at Manila and Will Make the Trip
in so days-Gen. NJ. P. Miller Will
Succeed Otis in Command
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-10-15
Great Debt Reductions.

"There are now funds in the treasury
b~elonging to the bond interest and
| sinking fund, and the special sinking
funds, to the mount OF $l4i,2S5.35.
There is also $136, 974.6i in the treasury
available to pay the current expenses
of the state, and as a final result taking
into consideration the decrease in the
debt together with the available funds
on hand, we find the condition or the
finances to have been bettCrcd by $685.
546.S0.
Under article 10 of the constitution
the legislature by chapter 30, laws Of
1890, authorized the issuance OF $780,
O00.O0 20-year 4 per cent bonds. In ac-
cordancc with said law the bonds were
issued under date Of March l, 1890. The
legislature, by chapter Isl, laws OF 1898,
authorized the levy of q tax to provide
a sinking fund sufficient to pay the
principal and interest on the above
named bonds within ten years. There
Is now in the treasury belonging to this
fund S67, 444.41. The bonds are not sub
iect TO call, but in order to further re-
ducc the bonded Indebtedness OF the
state, | have entered into negotiations
with the holders OF the bonds with the
view Of inducing them TO surrender a
part OF the issue on offer of payment,
but at the date Of this report cannot
say whether we shall succeed or not.
1--WE would most earnestly recon-
mend that the policy OF reduction OF the
state Indebtedness be carried on as far
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-10-15
He Would Go Further.

I am and have been in hearty sympa-
thy with this law, and, If elected gov
J crnor. ! will use the power OF that po-
| sition TO sustain and enforce he law.
| would go further. While our present
law Is a great advance in the right d.
rection OF controlling railroad corpora
tions in the interest of the Ieop.c, the
state can easily go further. The pres
ent law controls only rates within the
state. Our farmers and shippers aTo
far more interested in reducing tho cX'
orbitant rates TO othcT states on then
grain, stock and other products. And
from other s,atcs on their merchandise,
coal and such other supplies as must OF
necessity be brought into this state.
| would most heartily support n law
that would require tho railroad COM
mission to carefully investigate rates,
and where found excessive, present tho
facts to the interstate ComCrorcc com
mission and seek and demand a rcduc-
ton. A bill for such a law was intro
duccd in Il last legislature but was
defeated.
Our state platform pledges our
nominees for congress to use all their
power and influence TO so amend the
Interstate Commerce act that the Inter
state Commerce Commissioners shall
have power to regulate interstate ratca.
This Is absolutely necessary In order TO
successfully make and maintain rail
road rates which are just and ~cquitablc.
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-10-15
The WorkipgmaD's Party.

| am a Republican because | believe
In the protection Of American indus,
tries and American labor in its fullest
sense.
Theorists say 1t Is a selfish PROPOSE,
ton. admit IL. | thoroughly believe
In looking to the welfare Of our own
people first. ] am opposed TO the plaG,
ing OF American labor in competition
with the poorly paid labor Of Europe
or Asia. Our wage-earners are not SC
well paid as they should be as ii Is.
We want more factories Of every de-
scriptiol. We want employment for
ell. | hope to see the day when q man
will not be compelled to toll ten OF
more long hours at hard labor to sus-
tain himself and those dependent upon
him; but TO sec him have time for co
cial hdppines and comforts Of home life.
With time for intellectual culture.
With time to devote TO the raising and
training Of his children. ] am a firm
believer in labor fraternlties. The ben
Gifts derived from these societies are
many, They bring the people iDto bar
mony OF action and feeling. They
make tho cause Of one the cause Of all.
They teach mon not to unGcrTa.e their
own wealth-which Is labor, unitc5
men for common protection against the
avaricious. The who,c principle is IN
sympathy with our great Republican
protective system.
Why should not all laboring mon ally
themselves with the Republican party?
If you will think for n moment, where
have all the laws reforming and adj
vancing labor come from? W., most
surely from the Republican party. You
mover heard of a lcn-hour law hat was
not enacted by some Republican legis-
laturc and approved by ne Republi-
can governor. Did you ever hear of an
eight hour law for employees of tho fed
eral government until passed by q Re
publican CO ;rcss and approved 4
Republican president?
My friends, the Republican party was
no outgrowth and protest against nu-
inan slavery and the indignities cast
Ipon the honest labor of this country.
Where is there any better evidence
+ the prosperity Of a nation than that
It's People are employed at n rate oil
wages that yields a compensation sat-
lsfactory for such employment? Tho
present prosperous financial and indus
trial condition Of this country is the
logical result Of the success at u last
presidential election of the party
pledged to project American industries,
and give an unchanging value to the
Goney OF the nation.
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-10-15
Support the President

And William Mckinley, our noble
president! How shall we repay him!
Who, by his wisdom and good sound
judgment, inspired the people with
confidence and hope so that at no time
did we question the result Of the con-
fiCt. We, as patriotic people OF South
Dakota, owe it to him that We send to
Washington, representatives who will
Loyalty uphold his administration and
not clog the wheels Of progress which
are 10 carry this nation to prosperity
and peace. Would it not be we'll &c
| place ourselves right before our sister
| states Of the Union, and be represented
in congress by men who will maintain
the honor and integrity and dignity eS.
setial to 4 new state OF growing i'm.
portance?
The results OF the war will help &c
make this nation a great nation, more
hOnored and loved by her people and
respected and feared abroad. Her in
flucnce in the interest OF peace and en-
lichtened government cannot fail to
produce liberty and a higher grade OF
civilization for the less fortunate ma
tons OF this hemisphere, that have suf-
fercd the yoke of oppression for cen
turtles.
South Dakota has done her full share
by sending forth her noble son willing
and anxious to do their part in the
struggle for liberty and humanity.
| love South Dakota-here has been
my home for the past twenty-three
years, here | expect to pass the rest OF
my lie. Let all of our efforts be for
her prosperity and the protection OF
her credit and good name.
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-10-15
Would Tax Property Now Escaping

am most earnestly In favor OF re-
vising our revenue laws, go that all
property, corporate and otherwise, shall
equally bear a just proportion OF AK"
alton. | can speak on this important
question from an experience OF ten
years.six years as the treasurer of one
of the most important counties OF the
state and four years as the treasurer or
the state.
Tho laws are Inadequate. No provis'
ion Is made for information to guide
the assessment boards in arriving at a
just valuation Of property or Co,ceting
property which escapes taxation en-
tirely. II governor of this state, | viii
recommend to tho Legislature II Insist
on such a revision Of the rcVenrc laws
that every dollar and dollars worth OF
property In this state shall pay a like
rate Of taxes.
AS you all know, I have brel tho I'm
ancial officer Of this state for tho past
four years. You all rcTCmECr at the
commencement Of the year 1895 we had
tho misfortune to have a defaulting
treasurer, which left our state without
immediate funds with which to meet
our current obligations. Besides, n
large floating debt due and or cr5dl-
tors demanding their money, while the
press throughout tic United States pro
claimed that South Dakota was hank
rupt and would not he able to pay the
interest on her bonded debt. | m
personally some Of Ecr own citizens
said the same. At that distressing
timc | knew of South Dakota STATE
warrants, bearing interest at the rate
Of Z per cent that were sold at - cons
ON the dollar.
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-10-15
Excells Other States

Is not this n fair showing? South
Dakota ENJOYS the distinction OF being
the only state in the entire northwest
during the past four years, showing u
reduction OF liabilities. | am in favor
OF economical appropriations by our
state legislature, but believe that good
Judgment Should be exercised so that
none of our public institutions should
be crippled or become inefficient for
want Of proper financial support. ]
would like to see our institutions equal
to any In the land. Our soldiers home
a model Of comfort and happiness for
those to whom we owe a deep and last.
ing debt OF gratitude.
Every good citizen OF this nation
must view with much qualification and
pride the successful conduct and ter
mination Of the war that has so recent.
ly stirred our land. Our magnihcen!
al my and navy which has won such
brilliant victories %uncauallcd by any
country in the present or in the past
deserve our sincere thanks and praise
Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-10-15
A Stable Currency

What We want, What we desire AMI
what we strive to maintain is an un.
changing standard Of value. Not for
The merchant, Tic manufacturer, or the
large enterprises but for the wagc-carn-
CT, the farmer, the dCpositor in savings
banks, the widow and orphan, AMI
those not able TO protect themselves by
ever changing the value Of our curren-
c..
The life Of trade is credit and \
sound currency Is as essential to tho
affairs Of this nation as a pure religion
and n sound system of morals are to
our spiritual welfare.
WIN NC find men trying by glitter
ing visions, by exciting hatred, by
sowing discomfort and by disturbing so.
clal order 10 overthrow The safest mon
etary system in history, we should lc.
ware of them and consider well before
we vote to experiment with tho life
blood Of this nation.
Experience should be the safest guido
to deal with questions and conditions
before us. And | Ecnieve the only safe
proposition is 10 let our currency alone,
It is all right as 1t is, and suits the
present times and conditions Of the
country.