davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-17

of the Maine disaster The gravity of the situation, in case later advices should show the disaster was not pure ly accidental, was admitted by all pub lie men. Many public men, in the face of the appalling catastrophe. the mea- ger information at hand and the possi- ble consequences, therefore declined to express any opinion at this time. Chairman Hit of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Chairman Dingley of the Ways and Means, and members of the Naval Committee of the House all said they preferred to await further infor- nation before expressing themselves. Hit said it would be well for the pub lie to follow the cue given by Captain Sigsbee and suspend judgment until the cause was ascertained.
 Senator Platt of Connecticut express ed the belief that the explosion would be found to be the result of an accident from within.
 Ex-Senator Butler of South Carolina, a member of the Committee on Foreign Relations in the Senate during his service, was of the opinion that some bold man had gone aboard the Maine and placed a grenade with slow match where it would explode the mag azine.
 Senator Hale, chairman of the Com mittee on Naval Affairs. said he had just come from an interview with the Secretary of the Navy and he felt con- fident the Navy Department would in- stitute a thorough investigation.
 There is no occasion," said the Sen ator, for Congress to take the matter up. It is, of course, impossible from the information received to say how the accident occurred. but I feel confl- dent the facts when developed will show that it was an accident. The Maine was prepared for action in case action should be necessary, and had
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-17
FORMER DISASTERS
 IN VARIOUS NAvIES.
Great Ships of War Are Peculiarly Liable to Accidents That Lead
 to Their Destruction.


 There have been several apparently narrow escapes of vessels or the new navy from destruction from causes such as have been surmised as leading to the destruction of the Maine. wet coal and badly ventilated bunkers nave set fire to the coal in several ships with more or less serious results. Two years ago the Cincinnati's bunkers were dis covered to be on fire, and in the ad- Joining ammunition room separated from the bunkers by thin steel bulk head the boxes containing live smells were already scorched. The prompt flooding of the ammunition room saved fhe ship. About six months ago the oregon's crew had fire practice from similar causes-wet coal and neglected observation of temperature.
 The economy necessary to be prac- eiced in allotment of spaces in a mod ,rn ship-of-war places elements of langer which singly are bad enough, out when combined require but slight ,auses to send the whole fabric to destruction. The magazine and shell
 ooms for the main battery, the sec )ndary battery and small arms ammu- lition are necessarily close together; the ;toreroom containing torpedo heads, run cotton and other high explosives ire in close proximity, and to make matters still more uncomfortable the iynamo room is located above but 1uite close to the common center of destructive forces. With tempera- .ures in the hold as high as 120 degrees md with coal bunkers red hot from coal undergoing spontaneous combus-
 ion it is a miracle that the adjoining ammunition rooms do not explode theil contents.
 Other navies have experienced seri- ous disasters from the cause Of bae yentilation, and ignited coal in bunk ITS. and fourteen years ago the British ,loop-of-war Doterel sank in tht Straits of Magellan. drowning most o1 her crew. The catastrophe was due
 0 generated gas in the store room con, aiming paints, etc, which blew out he ships bow.
 A few months ago a lucky discovery was made of a bomb in the coal in tended for use of the monitor Terror The explosion of this bomb in the fur. lace of the ships boilers would have sent the Terror sky high, and she would have added one more to the lons ist of mysterious missing ships. The loss of the Maine and the sacri ice of lives is the most serious one il American naval history. The losses of ships and lives since the rebellion closed foots up to large sum of money and great loss of life. The aggregate number of deaths from casualties 1T .he navy during the rebellion of 1S61-6; was 2272, including 373 incidental cas- ualties and 95 deaths in rebel prisons
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-17
find out just how the explosion occurred.

find out just how the explosion occurred.
 "What good will that dos" he asked. What can divers discover about q hulk of 5000 tons Of steel sunk ID the mud and filth Of tbe fouiest hur6or m the world z No There IS TO Investigation Of that kind which can De or the slightest yuiue. # the presumption IS that the Maine was sunk by outside means, then Spain must De held strictly accountable, and there js only one way known among the nations Of tbe world by which accountability can De enforced. 1.-the tragedy vas due 10 torpedo. tben it must De assumed that this torpedo was cfrected 6y those Who are iR control Of the harbor and the city.
 No. 0isarowGi can nVW nothing Spain might say that # was fbe work of an jrre- sponsibie ard crdzy subordinate. She might offer the most abject apology and put 10 death every man responsible directly or indirectly. Even that would rot avail. There IS only one way n which satisfaction can be given. That is through on appeal 10 arms.
 The man who said this is not q lingo. H his name were to De disclosed tt would carry weight on two continents, and hs spoke with q seriousness which vas born Of the gravity O. the sjtuaton.
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-17
OFFICIALS AT SEA
 ABOUT THE DISASTER.
But There Is Clear Idea That Spain Is at Fault for the Catas-
 trophe

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16.-Just what caused the accident that sent the United States warship Maine to the bottom of Havana harbor last night is still unknown in Washington. al though it is gradually coming to be be- lieved that the explosion was the work of some person, either Cuban or Span iard.
 Dispatches from Havana to this Gov ernment to-day were not specific upon the accident General Lee, United States Consul, was apparently as much at sea as anybody; and it is likely to be some time before the truth of the matter comes out. The feeling in Washington was intense, and it is the general belief that the Spaniards are responsible for the loss of the Maine, although it is frequently suggested that the work may have been done by Cubans, who would like to get this country embroiled in war with Spain. Still this is not generally ac- cepted
 It was noticed this morning that the Spanish Government was remarkabl bly, prompt in getting message of sym pathy to the United States Govern ment. The unusual promptness ex- cited the suspicion that if the Maine was sunk by Spaniards the Govern ment at Madrid had previous knowl- edge of the plot.
 Secretary Long was urged by pretty nearly all of his associates to send warships to Havana immediately. The Secretary, on the other hand, was urg- ed by General Lee at Havana not to send warships there. whatever else he did.
 This signifies that the feeling at Ha- vana must be at a tremendous high pitch, and General Lee feels that great trouble would be sure to follow the ap- pearance of American warships in the harbor.
 His dispatches did not indicate that ships were not needed. but that he feared the consequences if they were sent.
 The department within recent years has been greatly troubled with reports of spontaneous combustion of coal ir the ships bunkers, which have endan- gered the lives of the crews and tht safety of the ships. The Cincinnati twice at least. has been obliged tc flood her magazines to prevent theil blowing up during fires of this kind and the cruiser Boston has been in tn, same condition. In some of these case. shelving in the magazines which sepa. rated the powder have been charred b. the heat caused by the burning coal il 1 the adjacent bunkers. Although thu bunkers are inspected under the regu lations at frequent intervals, so nu merous have been these cases of spon taneous combustion that the Navy De partment only recently had the specia board investigate the subject with th' view of applying preventive measures Unfortunately, this board was pre- vented from making the thorough in | vestigation necessary because no fund were applicable to the purpose. Ever empty bunkers have exploded. In tn, ] Atlanta some years ago. the bunker ex
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-17
THE BATTLESHIP MAINE.
History of the Vessel Whose Bones Now Lie at the Bottom or
 Havana Harbor

The, illfated Maine was built in ac- cordance with an act of Congress of August 3, 1886. She was an enlarged copy of the design of the Brazilian armored cruiser Riachuello, built in England in 1883. and which has proved a very superior ship of war. The Maine was designed by the late Chief Con- structor Theodore D. Wilson, at that time chief of the Bureau of Construc- tion.
 The ship was begun October IT. 1888. when her keel was laid. at the Brook lyn Navy-yard. She was launched No- vember IS, 1890, and placed in commits sion September 1T. 1895. The appropri- ated limit of cost, $2, 5OO, ,Oo0, was only for hull and machinery, and her total cost without stores is given at $3, 732,- 155, including armor and guns. She was credited with a trial speed of 17.45 knots on 9293 horsepower, which exceeded the calculations, but the actual maximum sea speed was very much less. The ship was well built and with strong scantling, and was superior in its con- struction to the Texas, built sinul- taneously with the Maine from modi- fled plans of British design.
 When the Maine was fitted out for her first commission the disagreeable fact developed itself that with her bunkers full the ship Was drawing two feet four inches more forward than aft, a condition which is usually reversed in other ships, and with such a trim the vessel would be unmanageable. She also showed a considerable list to starboard, and this defect, as we'll as that of proper trim, necessitated a shifting of weights, removal of heavy weights forward and ballast in the shape of pig iron was put down aft. These alterations took money and time, l and 1t was not until December 25, or more than three months after the nom- l inal completion of the ship, that she was actually ready for service, and made trip to Fortress Monroe.
 The Maine has been attached to the North Atlantic station during her brief existence; her cruising has been very limited, and her total steaming record for twenty-two months, up to July last year, is only 9102 miles. Her l time, since then has been chiefly spent at the New York Navy-yard under l going alterations, on which objects l s241. .279 were expended, besides $37,OO0 l in repairs.
 IIneyentful as her career has been, m to her first and final mishap. the l ship never developed any of the defects such as other ships of the new navy are charged with. The surgeons re- 1 norted her as being comfortable for l officers and crew. the interior not being entirely monopolzed by machinery, and as consequence the ventilation was all that could be desired and the 1 temperature in all parts of the ship l much below that in later ships.
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-17
GENERAL ALGER HAS ADVANCED
 A NEW THEORY
Perhaps a spanish Spy Cane on Boord iD Disguise and Put Dynamite in the Ships
 Mdqdzine.

NORFoLk Va, Feb 16-Today went to Old Point Comfort ' Russell A. Alger, of War General Ager has been seriously troubled past with Y He and Mrs Alger stopping he General Alger but the Y count the morning bulletins which, Asked his idea Of General Ager said that 1t
 
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The San Francisco call., 1898-02-17
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
 HESITATE TO SPEAK.
And Yet It Is Apparent That There Is Among Them More Than
 Suspicion of Spain.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 16.-The great est interest prevailed among Senators and Representatives as to the extent
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-03-03
That "Rocky Ford Cantuioupe CO.,

The cantaloupe growers OF the valley
are offered 80 cents per crate, crates fur
nished, for their entire seasons crop, by
the Rocky Ford Cantaloupe Company
organized for the purpose OF handling
the entire product, If their proposition
should be accepted. We understand the
growers OF Rocky Ford, Fowler, Lamar,
Las Animas and other localities are fav-
orable to it, considering the offer good
one--Pueblo Market Report.
The so-called "Rocky Ford Cantaloupe
Co." is corporation Of Denver aud
Kansas City schemers, whose chief aim
seems to be to destroy the melon grow
ers' associations. It's active man is W.
E. Alexander whose methods have been
repudiated by the Fowler farm RS with
whose interests he is supposed to be
identified. The growers Of Rocky Ford
will have nothing to do with this mis-
named and misunderstanding corpora.
tipn
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-03-03
A New Department Added.

Progress is the order of the day
in Rocky Ford and its enterprising
business men are ever n ert to
keep up with the march of i'm
provement. Among the latest ev-
licences Of the development of the
Rocky Ford country is the de-
mand that has been made upon
the Newton Lumber Co. for an
enlargement of its lines of bust
ness. For the past week Mama
ger Crawford has been busy un-
loading and putting in shape a
car ! ad Of mixed paints, colors in
oils, etc. The new stock includes
a full line of painters supplies of
all kinds aud is in fact the largest
aud best stock of paints now in
the valley east of Pueblo. Parties
building will also find here the
very best stock If glass in Rocky
Ford. 1t is the aim of the New
ton Lumber Co. to meet all the
wants of builders for any goods
belonging to their line.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-03-03
Oar Association Mlsreprcsentel.

The Las Amin IS Leader last week had
IN editorial assaiIing the Rocky Ford
Melon Growers Association. Among
other things it was charged that at the
meeting held here on the 2lst our associ-
alton demanded control of everything in
sight, ninety per cent OF representation
in the central assocsation aud the west
ern market and the privilege OF naming
the price in the east. "Nothing else
would suit them aud as their demands
were preposterous the meeting ad-
journed" is the way the Leader puts it.
Ii is surprising that Mr. Bhoades, who
Is generally known rs a straight man,
would have so mistated the facts. We
are sorry our old neighbors should resort
to such methods, but the Fordites will
try to paddle their own canoe in the fu.
ture as they have in the past.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-03-03

loss Of energy which leads finally to con.
sumption Is not always very rapid, but IL
it isn't stopped 1t will presently begin to
saw its way into the most vital part Of the
body, the lungs. There would be very
little consumption If every family would
keep DR.. Pierce's Golden NJ, iical Discov-
cry in the house, and use il whenever feel
ing "out of Sorts" II keeps the entire
body in such high condition of health
and forcefulness that wasting diseases have
no chance to get a foot-hold A teaspoon
full or two before meals, in little water,
gives the digestive organism power to as
simulate the blood making, nerve.tonins,
strength building properties of the food.
II enables the liver and excretory system
to clear the circulation of bilious poisons
and remove all waste matter from the body
1t replaces worn out tissue with hard mus
cular flesh, and changes weakness and
debility into active power and nerve force.
The originator of this great Discovery"
R. V: Pierce, NJ. D., is chief consulting
physician to the great 1nvalids' Hotel and
Surgical Institute of Buffalo, N. Y, at the
head of staff of nearly a score of eminent
associate physicians and surgeons He has
acquired, in his over thirty years of active
practice, a reputation second to no living
physician In the trt atment of obstinate,
chronic diseases. His prescriptions must
not be confounded with the numerous
" boom" remedies, "extracts," "com.
pounds" and sarsaparillas, which
profit-seeking druggist is often ready to
urge as a substitute. DR.. Pierces medi-
cines are the product of wide experience
and deep study. Any one may consult
him bv mai! free of charge.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-03-03
Otero County horticultural Society.

Otero County horticultural Society.
The meeting Of the horticulturists OF
the valley at Fairview orchards yester-
dap WIS most important one. Both
morning and afternoon were devoted to
spraying pumps and nozzles. Most OF
the lending manufactures of the union
were represented by specimens OF their
machinery and appliances, A committee
was appointed to thoroughly test them,
whose report will be of much value to
those OF our fruit growers who must bny
spraying apparatus this spring. A full
report aud the findings OF that committee
will be given next week.
The picuic portion OF the days pro-
gram WAS entered upon with zest by the
entire crowd, about 100 in number. Mrs.
Crowley's diniog room was utilized for
the occasion, the baskets OF the visitors
contributing to the excellent bill OF fare.
However, Mrs. Ciowley's culinary skill
was responsible for very considerable
portion OF the feast. Her cherry aud
plum pies were b;ghly appreciated. the
latter being made from plums OF Mr..
Crowley's growing, which were canned
for him by the Rocky Ford Gaming Co,
and are now on sale in the Rocky Ford
groceries. Homegrown aud sun.dried
prunes were also greatly enjoyed.
Mr.. Crowley dld not forget to let the
visitors taste the flavor OF the fruit grown
in the Fairview orchards. Two large
baskets of apples were placed where they
were sure to be seen and an opportunity
was given to taste the grape wine OF
which he made small quantity last
eanonn
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-03-03
GRAND VALLEY.

The Grand Valley dinner given
at the home of Mrs. Jordan last
Saturday was indeed notable af-
fair. Her pleasant home was filed
to the utmost. Several parties
were out from town and of course
all the neighbors were in attend
ance, each bringing delicacies of
every description. The table was
bountifully spread. The guests
numbered about seventy.
o. NJ. Barton's place is much
improved in appearance by the
painting Of his new home and the
erection of the new fence in front.
VIM. Egbert Is improving very
rapidly since coming home.
Sui. Baker has purchased new
buggy. Girls, smile your sweet
est.
o. NJ. Barton has returned from
Colorado Springs.
Alex Best has moved to La
Junta. We are sorry to lose these
old-timers, but they have not
moved SO far but what they can
call on us once in while.
Mrs. Will Tewes has been
spending few days at Fowler.
]. H. Morgan and family will
farm A. ID. Best's place this year,
and will soon move thereto.
]. J. Russell moves to the place
vacated by Mr.. Rhoades.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-03-03
CHURCH NEWS.

1t is expected that the usual services
will be held in the Presbyterian church
next Sunday. Topic in the morning:
The Rewards of Liberality; in the even
ing: Moses-Service.
Elder G.. L. Tomson will preach at
Rockers hall next Sunday at 3 o'clock
p. m. Subject: "The Work of the
Spirit in Converting the Sinner and in
Consoling the Christian. All are invit-
ed to be present and hear what the spirit
saith unto the churches, Congregations
Rev. NJ. E. Stewart and wife, hav-
ing the La Junta circuit in charge, are
now living at La Junta, but expect soon
to move to Rocky Ford. This Metho.
dist circuit includes five appointments as
follows: Campbell, Holbrook Center
and Bee Hive schuol houses in Holbrook;
Best School house in Grand Valley; and
Vroman school house between Rocky
Ford and Manzanola. The Sunday
which is spent in the Holbrook county
Mrs. Stewart takes charge OF one Of the
services.
Hereafter the Christian church will
hold services every Sunday in Rockers
hall, Rev. g. L. Tomson, pastor.
Sunday at the NJ. E. church. the
Morning subject will be: perfect Love.
or the Doctrine OF Sanctification." The
evening subject: "The Magnifcence Of
This Mortal Life"
Mrs. Barnett will lead the devotional
meeting Of the Epworth league next
Sunday.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-03-03
Rocky Ford Woman's Cub.

Questions for Friday, March IL:
/. When was the second Persian expe
dition?
2. What was the important battle OF
the second expedition?
3. Who was the Persian commander in
the battle Of Marathon?
4. What was the Atheninn plan Of lead.
ership prior to the battle OF Marathon
whnt change was made ut that battle
and by whom?
5. How much larger was the Persian
army than the Athenian army Mt the
battle OF Marathon?
g. Whit was the result OF the second
invasion?
Z. Trace the course OF the second expe.
ditIon?
8. Why was Aristides ostracised?
y. What was Themistocles' naval pol.
icy?
10. Who opposed Themistocles' naval
II. What did Themistocles call the
fleets OF Athens?
IL. How many triremes were added each
year to the Atheniap navy?
ID Who wns Aristides' father?
IA. What became Of Themistocles?
10. Whit accustomed the reconciliation
OF Aristides and Tlemistocles?
16. In what way did MiItiades fall into
disgrace after the battle of Marathon
aud what became of him?
II. III what way did Themistocles in
tend to conquer Asia?
1s. Why was the battle OF Marathon
called one OF the decisive battles of the
worldp
10. Why did the Spartans not aid the
Athenians in the battle of Marathon?
~. What weapons were used in the
battle of Marathon?
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-03-03


One farmer, at least, (and his Wife
propose a most satisfactory solution to
the question Of Sunday shipments Of
cantaloupes. They have the most sub.
stant,al grounds for the belief that both
Divine law and mans highest physical
good require one day rest in seven, and
will ship no cantaloupes on Sunday next
season. They do not, however, propose
to allow one duy's picking to go to
waste. Sundays picking will be saved
for seed. Such is the demand for reli.
able seed just now that there will be
widespread regret that very many grow
ers did not devote their Sunday crop to
seed last season. We believe that the
plan proposed to avoid Sunday ship
n,epts will actually pay from stand
point Of dollars and cents, to say nothing
OF the higher considerations.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-03-03
YOur Choice,

Subscribers, new or old, paying ono
year in advance will be presented with n
yerr's subscription to one OF the follow.
ing pnblicatiops:
The Denver Times Sun, n first. GLASS
weekly, containing 3 pages, with COL
umns to the page, or
nnI. handsome and useful monthly
inapnzine, having valuable horticui-
tural department conducted by Frank
Crowley.
You pay your money and take your
choice OK these publications, the sub
scription price Of either OF which is 80
cents Der anuum.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-03-03
Resolutions of Resnect

At regular meeting OF Violet Re-
bekah Lodge, No. 8, OF Rocky Ford, the
following resolutions were adopted:
Whereas, In the providence Of our
allwise Ruler 1t has pleased him to re-
move from our midst our esteemed
brother, G.. P. Salyer; therefore be it
Resolved, That in the denth OF Bro.
Salyer our lodge has lost worthy and
honored member; that while We shall
miss him from among us, we realize that
he had nearer and dearer ties which
bound HIM to earth; therefore be it
Resolved, That this lodge extend to
the bereaved family our heartfelt sympa.
thy and commend them for consolation
to the kind Father who doeth all things
well.
Resolved, That our charter be draped
for 80 days. these resolutions spread on
the minutes OF our meeting and n copy
be presented to the family.
JOSIE P. GARDENER,
MINNIE MAHoNEY. Com.
ANNA HAUCK,