davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-07-30
MoNGoosE AT WORK.

was famous. And the inevitable result
soon made itself felt. Nature began to
put in n protest against this disturb,
ance of her balance. This wholesale
destruction of the insectivorous birds
and beasts, besides affecting various
industries directly, as we have indi-
Gated, led to an excess of injurious in
sects which also commenced to affect
industries. Various insect pests APP
peared, particularly the pimento borer
and the cattle tick, which in short
time created a grievous menace to the
pimento plantations and the stock
farms throughout the land.
By the year 1890 the situation had
become so grave that the government
appointed commission to inquire into
the matter. They were unanimous
against the mongoose, and, whilst Civ
ing him credit for his services, decided
that his evil deeds counterbalanced
them. 1t was proved that besides de-
stroying animals, birds, reptiles and
their young ones and eggs, the mon
goose had by his adGptability become
omnivorous, and, the meat menu de-
clining, was making himself pest to
the fruit farmers.
But no action was taken on the re-
port, and in few more years the tick
plague was destroying the cattle whole
sale, whilst the mongoose himself was
creating havoc among the fruit planta-
tions and rendering the Jamaica peas
ant homesteads desolate. A commits
sion was appointed some time ago to in
vestigate the tick trouble, but nothing
material came of that, either
What might have been the fate OF
the island had things gone on thus it
is not pleasant to contemplate. But ma
ture is no blind force. Behind her
stands her Almighty Lawgiver whose
fiat is that justice he tempered with
mercy. And in this case nature is
righting matters in a marvellous way.
Mr.. j. i. Duerden. the curator of
the Jamaica museum. tells me that an
other, more hopeful and probably the
last, phase of the question has been
reached Recently the mongoose itself
has decreased very noticeably. and the
results are shown in The reappearance
of species supposed TO have been ex-
terminated. There is not nearly the
same outcry against the loss of poul-
try, domestic animals and fruit as for
merly, and he Is convinced that the
maximum influence Doth for good and
for evil of the mongoose is passing
away in jamaica
But the story points moral re.
peat. OF which the world may well take
heed. 7. ,. PORTER.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-07-30
GEN. sHAFTER's REPORT.

In It He Tells why He Had to Banish
Some Newspqper Correspondents, and
Replies to Numerous Press CrIticisms.
Washington, July 25-Gen. Shafter
reports that the condition of the troops
at Santiago was rapidly improving
and said he hoped IN the course of
day or two to have them all located
in comfortable camps, where they
may rest and recuperate and where
the sick may recover. He is feeding
11,000 Spanish prisoners of war, and
although he has not yet been able to
furnish them tents yet this deficiency
is being made good and meanwhile
their present condition is no worse in
this respect than before the surren-
der. The general makes no mention
of the alleged letter from Garcia to
himself, nor does he speak of any
friction between them, hence the
department. doubts the authenticity
of published stories on these subjects.
In his report to the war department
relative to conditions at Santiago.
Gen. Shafter has thrown some light
upon the difficulties in which certain
of the newspaper correspondents
there have involved themselves.
From his report it would appear that,
animated by an ambition to take a
prominent part in the important
events following each other in rapid
succession at Santiago, after the
initiation of the negotiations for the
surrender of the city, n few of the
correspondents were guilty of grave
breaches of military law, necessitat-
ing prompt corrective action by Gen.
Shafter. Thus, for instance, one cor
respondent in his efforts to take part
in the flag-raising over the city hall,
resisted the military officers in the
execution of their duty and even at
tempted a personal assault upon the
commanding general. This made him
subject to severe punishment, even
death, yet Gen. Shafter, probably real
izing that ignorance of military law
was the explanation OF the action.
contented himself with eXpelling that
correspondent from Cuba.
A more serious offense, from the
fact that it might easily have led to
rioting and loss of life, was that of
three other correspondents, who, it
appears by Shafter's report, by circu-
lating infiammatory posters stirred
up the town. There were likewise de-
ported, and as evidence that he has
no ill-feeling towards the paper repre-
exercise such control as is demanded
evercise such control as is demanded
in the interest of the safety of our
troops and protection of the people
under their care, Shafter has declared
that these correspondents may be i'm
mediately replaced by others from the
same paper who will observe the rules
Of prudence.
In a very dignified manner Gen.
Shafter takes notice of some of the
severely critical newspaper articles
that have appeared, touching the con-
dition of the troops before Santiago,
while they lay in the trenches. He
admits that there was a shortape of
tobacco for time, but shows conclu-
|, sively that there was no lack of the
necessaries of life and that the troops
were adequately supplied with hard
bread, bacon, sugar and coffee. AL
though this bill of fare is not as ex-
tensive as that afforded troops in gar
rison, it embodies the main features
| of the army ration.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-07-30
HAS A sWELLED HEAD.
AguinaIdo, the Leader of the Philippine
Insurgents, Proclaims Himself Dictator
American Troops Advance on Manila.

AguinaIdo, the Leader of the Philippine
Insurgents, Proclaims Himself Dictator
American Troops Advance on Manila.
Washington, July 23.-The following
cablegram was received at the war de-
partment yesterday:
Hong Kong, July 22.-Aguinaldo
declares dictatorship and martial law
over all the islands. The people ex-
pect independence. Recommend China
ponies. ANDERSON"
Anderson was the senior army officer
at the Philippines when the dispatch
was sent, probably several days be-
fore its Hong Kong date. The refer
ence to China ponies means that Col.
Anderson desires that kind of cavalry
animals.
New York, July 23.-A special to the
Journal dated Cayite, July 10, via
Hong Kong, says;
The entire regiment of First Califor-
MIA volunteers advanced to-day to jan
bo, only two miles from the Spanish
lines surrounding Manila. The Cali
fornia trops have been thrown out by
Gen. Anderson to form the advance of
the attack in force. South Manila
is to be captured first. The Colorado
and Utah batteries are being landed at
Parangue directly from the ships. The
Tenth Pennsylvania volunteers, with
the rest of the artillery, will land at
Malabon, just north of Manila.
Brig. Gen. Francis V. Green, form
erly colonel of the Seventy-frst regi-
ment of New York, is in command of
the advance. The United States cruis-
er Boston was detailed to cover the
landing parties. She occupies a po-
sition almost within range of the guns
of Fort Malate, which is only short
distance from Manila proper.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-07-30

Islands most important and promis-
ing domestic industries have been
nearly ruined and incalculable finan-
cial damage inflicted on it-all because
an ignorant but self-opinionated
sugar planter laid the fiattering unc-
tion to his soul that he had discov-
cred royal road to saving his cane
pieces from the depredations of rats.
Fortunately, nature is a benign other
whose chastisements are inflicted in
loving kindness rather than anger and
never exceed the bounds of necessity
Hence, the crisis over, the disturbed
"balance of nature" is now calmly but
certainly readjusting itself. like the
needle of shaken compass. But the
facts of the case, briefly stated, will
be found of general interest as well
as serving to furnish a warning to
other countries and future genera
tions.
A quarter of century ago Jamaica
was still a fourishing sugar island, al
though the advancing shadow of the
substance of European bounty-fed
sugar that has since fallen on the
West Indies with more or less fatal
force even then trailed up over her in
dustrial outlook. But in those days
the planter had other and more i'm
minent cares than the bounties, none
of which was more formidable than
the plague of rats that threatened de-
struction to his cane fields. Jamaica,
especially, was oyerrun with the crea-
lures. They swarmed over the land
like locusts in Africa, until the very
existence of the sugar industry was
imperiled. In those days it had hap
pened that in a single night score of
acres of magnificent cane fields had
been laid utterly waste by an invasion
of the rodents-so, at least, have been
told.
At any rate, the plague was formid-
able enough, and in 1872, all normal eff
forts having failed to reduce the evil,
one of the foremost planters, Mr.. w.
B. Espeut, conceived the brilliant idea
of pitting the mongoose against the
rats. And he carried it out; with what
result it is the purpose of this story
TO briefly set forth. The rats were
wiped out, indeed; but so, also, was to
most alarming extent the fauna of
the island, what is called in natural
istic parlance 1.-The balance of nature
receiving so rude shock that the
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-07-30

country is only now beginning to mani
fest signs of recovering from the dis
astrous industrial effects.
Jamaica welcomed the mongoose
with open arms, for the losses incident
to the rat plague, including the cost of
the important trade of "rat-catching,"
itself half a million of dollars, amount
ed to ruinous annual aggregate. Nor
did the carnivore disappoint the most
sanguine expectations. The animals
increased and multiplied marvelously,
and in ten years time the island re-
sounded with the praises of the mon
goose.
BY that time the dreaded rats had
been practically eXterminated. The
mongoose had done his work swiftly
and thoroughly. DR.. Morris, then di-
rector u the government botanical
plantations, now of Kew in London.
was authority for this, stating after
an official investigation that the re-
suits were most satisfactory, and that
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-07-30
AoesoN RETURNS.
The Leader of the Merrimac Expedition
Arrives from Washington with Dis
patches from Admiral sampson.


patches from Admiral sampson.
Washington, July 23.-There were
several events of interest at the war
and navy departments yesterday. Gen.
Anderson ut Cavite sent n message
saying that Aguinaldo had declared a
dictatorship and martial law over the
Philippines, something that gave the
cabinet food for consideration at their
regular meeting. There is no disposi-
tion to force any issue with the insur-
gent chief at this time, but it is pretty
well understood that he will not be
allowed to commit the United States
government in the future treatment
of the Philippines question.
The brief report from Admiral
Sampson declaring the success OF the
expedition to Nipe is really more inn
portant than appears on the surface.
The bay of Nipe lies on the north coast
of Cuba, almost directly across the ISL
and from Santiago. 1t is proposed to
establish base there which will save
at least two days time in getting sup
plies into Cuba as compared with the
Santiago route. 1t will also form a
good point of operations against Hol
guin, not far distant, and if it should
develop that restraining hand must
be laid upon the Cubans themselves,
Nipe in connection with Santiago
would be an effective means of doing
this. The war department has not
yet been informed that Gen. Skaters
Cuban allies have quit the American
lines for the reasons sent out in n
printed letter by Gen. Garcia, but it is
scarcely doubted that such is the case.
for the friction has been growing more
pronounced every day since the fall of
Santiago and it is feared that sever
ance of relations can not longer be
avoided.
The last and most agreeable event
of the day was the arrival at the navy
department of Lieut.. Hobson, the hero
of the Merrimac. The officials were
not informed of his approaching visit
except through the newspapers. Con-
sequently when he reached the rail
way station here there was no official
there to meet him.
The officer was driven at once to
the Army and Navy club and after
brushing himself up he drove over to
the navy department. This time he
carried with him a large official en-
velope which bore in the corner the
inscription North Atlantic Squad
rom" AS he approached the Office OF
the secretary of the navy there ensued
another demonstration. A large crowd
had gathered about the doorway and
the hearty welcome it gave the young
officer brought bushes to his cheeks
Secretary Long came out of his office
and, grasping Hobson with both
hands, said: Lieutenant, am glad
very glad to see you" Then he drew
him into his Office. Hobson spent half
an hour in conference with the secre-
tary and then returned to the club
| to rest
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-07-30
FORWARD, MARCH,
Three Regiments Leave Camp Thomas and
Begin n Trip 30 Porto Rico


Chickamauga National Military
Park, Ga, July 23.-The actual move
ment of troops from Camp Thomas for
the Porto Rican expedition began Fri
day when Gen. Haines' brigade, the
Second of the First division, First
corps, broke camp and marched to
Rossville. The regiments included
were the Fourth Ohio, Fourth Penn
syIvania and Third Illinois. The
Fourth Pennsylvania, the last to load,
did not leave Rossville until last night.
Their route is to Cincinnati over the
Cincinnati Southern and thence to
Newport News, via the Chesapeake &
Ohio.
These troops will be followed to-day
by Gen. Brooke and staff, the reserve
ambulance company, the reserve hos
pital corps, the signal corps and Gen.
Brooke's guard, consisting of Troop II
of the Sixth cavalry and Company +
of the Eighth infantry.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-07-30

the saving to plantations, directly
traceable to the diminution of rats,
amounted to an enormous round sum
almost equivalent to the actual losses
annually incurred before the animals
introduction.
SO far well. But nature had peen
outraged. The mongoose proved-as
may have been foreseen, only that it
was not--a deadly foe to other i'm
digenous species besides the rats. So
long as his obvious natural foe, or
rather victim, survived, well and good.
But rs the mongoose increased and the
rodents decreased to the vanishing
point, the former had to adapt them
selves to other diet-and they did,
with facility that soon rendered
them greater menace to the island
than the rodents ever were.
And now for the aftermath. Poultry
rearing was one of the most important
of the minor industries, and it was to
the domestic animals that the mon
goose first turned his attention after
the rats failed to supply his necessi-
ties. And dolorous was the destruction
that he wrought. Entire poultry yards
were wiped out, and the industry was
seriously menaced. But once on a
new scent, the mongoose-perhaps
fortunately for the island-became
more and more catholic in his taste
and did not proceed to eXterminate
the various indigenous species one by
one with the answering determine
ton with which he had followed up the
rats at first. 1t soon became apparent
that other groups were diminishing,
particularly the birds and reptiles
and this opened up another phase of
menace to the island, in the form of
nature" itself, which was only too
swiftly and fatally realized.
The story from this point onwards of
the dcpredations of the mongoose, from
scientific point of view, would be too
lengthy aud lacking in popular inter-
est to be gone into in detail. Suffice it
that in a surprisingly brief lapse of
time the five species of snakes and 90
of lizards common 10 the island had
been practically cleared out of exist
ence. Here and there individual speci-
mems were occasionally found; but as
occupants of the island they had dis
appeared. The same applies to the croc-
odiles, which had been formerly abun-
dant in the waters of Jamaica. Sim.
ilarly with the land and fresh-water
tortoises, and, above all. with the fa-
nous sea orgreen turtles that gave life
to an important industry, to the eggs
of which the mongoose took only tco
aptly.
The island was getting in a bad way,
truly. But this is not all. The birds
suffered as much, especially the nu-
merous ground birds for which Jamaica
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-07-30
Tried to Blow Up the Shin.

New York, July 26.-A letter writ
ten to prominent officer here by
Capt. Brackley, of the supply ship
Port Victor, says that an attempt was
made to blow up the ship when she
was three days out. He said that a
box containing 80 pounds of dynamite
and gun cotton was found without
any address, on the man deck of the
steamer. A clock-llne mechanism
had been arranged Dy which the ex-
plosives were to be set of. The box
and explosives We're thrown into the
sea. The Port Victor left New York
ON July II.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-07-30

Columbia, S. c., July 27.-The fast
mail train from Charleston to Column
bia on the Atlantic coast line was
wrecked yesterday four miles from
this city. The train was running
about 40 miles an hour and when COM
ing around IA curve on high embank-
ment so yards from the bridge over
Hampton's pond, the engine jumped
the track. The whole train went down
the embankment, turning over on its
side. The engine landed in the edge
Of the ponl. Engineer johnson was
dreadfully scalded and Is passengers
were injured, none fatally.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-07-30
Found a saO,OOO shortagr.

Milwaukee, Wis, July ga short
age of at least 1000 in the accounts
of John Myers, secretary of the Home
Building & Loar association, has been
discovered. There are about $50 stock
holders in the association, all OF whom
it is believed, viii lose heavily. Mr.
Myers stated Friday that he would
turn over to the association every dol
lars worth of property he owns. One
of the directors snie that the associa-
ton would probably go into voluntary
liquidation or receiver would be APP
pointed. The liabilities amount to
$165, 900 and assets about $4,000.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-07-30

London, July 27.-The London
morning papers agree that it will be
impossible for Spain to pay indem-
nifty and that it is improbable that the
United States will demand money
compensation. They all concede that
the Spanish flag has gone forever
from Cuba and Porto Rico. The ques-
ton of the future of the Philippine
Islands is universally admitted as pre-
seSting grave difficulties, owing to the
impossbility of granting independ-
ence. The general opinion is that the
United States will retain coaling sta
ton.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-07-30
STORY WITH A MORAL
Remarkable Natural History, Phe-
nomena in Jamaica, w. L
How n Sugar Planters Experiment.
Upset Natures Balance and Nearly
Destroyed the Cattle and
Poultry Industries,
Tsp ecial Kingston (Jamaica, letter. ]

Especial Kingston (Jamaical !,etterl
Jamaica has passed, or IS pass
ing, through the experience ,:at de-
served to have world wide pub
licity, both on account of it's in
trinsic interest and because it
points a significant moral as well as
adorns tale well worth the telling.
1t is story of mans short-sighted
tampering with nature under the spur
of the immediate eXigencies of his own
narrow interests, and natures mex
orable reprisals in her inevitable eff
forts to recover a rudely disturbed bal
Rnce.
As will be seen, in this struggle be-
tween man and nature some of the
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-07-30
Fever Lnden shin OunrnntIned,

Tampa, Fla, July 26.-The trans
port Aransas arrived at quarantine
yesterday and will be held. The
Aransas had on board 64 persons and
on her trip from Santiago several
cases of yellow fever developed.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-11-23
Glorious News

Comes from DR.. D. B. Cargile, OF
Washita, 1. T. He writes: -Four bot
Ties " Of Electric Bitters has cured Mrs;
Rrewer T3Te Of scrofula, which had caused
her her . great re- suffering for years. Terrible
Iores nU. : wnnIS WI break out on her head and
face and the best doctors could give
no help; but her cure Is compie'eb 1I,t bou,s ou
her health is excellent. Inis snymt .Sot
what thousands have proVeo,Isna;O ,,s;
Electric Bitters is the best oioou puaE
fer known. 5 the supreme Eemeut iaeus
for eczema, tetter, salt rneum! ia4ss u,Iets,
boils and running sores: IL s'llnu.asIs aoIs
liver, kidneys apd bowels, ,'n eAPGas tbs
poisons. helps digestion. builas ug 'Io
strength. Ouly 80 cts. Sold py e. e.. -
Allen and E. 5. Leedbeater y 9on''
druggists, guaranteed.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-11-23
Fnr OrerFifH Years

Il J4yNEY, 7o1 KING SIRE
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-11-23
From New Zealand.

REEFToN. New Zealand, Nov. %,
1861 am very pleased to state that
since l took the agency of Chamber
lain's medicines the sale has been very
large, more especially of the Cough
Remedy. In two years have sold more
of this particular remedy than of all
other makes for the previous five years.
AS to its efficacy, 1 have been informed
by scores of persons of the good results
they have received from it, and know
its value from the use of it in my
own household. 1t is so pleasant to
take that we have to place the bottle
beyond the reach of the children.
E. ]. .SCANTLEBURY.
For sale by ]. Il. Janney, Druggist.
701 Zinc strnAt
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-11-23

4S0ID IND WELL-TRIED REMEDY. Y.--Ara
Tiasog Soothing Syrup hes been used for
37sr d'ty years Ry millions Of n others Tor
.lsil children while teething, with perfect
uoooa It soothes the child, sottens the gums,
,sys all pain, cures wind cohc, and is the
salonedy for Diarrhoes. Is pleasant to the
aste sold by Druggists in every part OF the
void. Twenty-fvo cents bottle. Its vslno
i:la'c1able. Be cure snd ask for Mira. Wins
he'ssoothing Syrup and taxa no other Kind
hn17 - 1&w1Ky
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-11-23

CHRONIC NASAL CATARRH poisons
every breath that is drawn into the lungs.
There is procurable from any druggist the
for the cure of this trouble. small
quantity of Ely'e Cream Balm placed into the
nostrils spreads over an inhamed and angry
surface, relieving Immediately the painful
cleanses, heals and cures. a
cold in the head vanishes immediately. sold
by druggists or will be mailed for 90 cents by
Ely Brothers, 56 Warren street, New YORK
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-11-23
Ale*a"d'Ia @azette.
PuHIIaRED DAILY AND TRI-wEEKLx 1T
Gazette Building. $40 e s12 Prince g.
TERMS

AL transient advertisements mugt ba paid Ior
in sdvance.
ontract advertisers viii not be allowed to e.
ceed thoir space unless the excess is paid for
* transient rates and uuder no circum
stsncos viii they be allowed TO advertise
other than their legitimste business In the
space contracted for.
&arriage and death notices must bs paid for
II advance.
6osolutions in memoriam, Of thenks, tributes
or persons, unless Of public concern. viii
only be printed it this paper sa sdvartso.
ments.
Tho GAZETTE Office is connected with he
Telephone Exchanges. Advertisements, Or
ders for the paper, howe or any information
or business can DO sent by telephone.
Entered at the Postofncs Alaxsadris, Virgin.
is. 80 second-class mattor.