davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-11-29

In California an interesting case, in
which the doctrine that property may
be acquired by crime, was reaffirmed,
has just been decided. Frank Belew,
who was without funds, killed his
brother and sister, who had estates in
their own right, and who We're unmar-
ried, his only apparent motive for the
crime being his desire to succeed to
a portion of their property. He plead
ed guilty, and was hanged. The petit
TONERS for the distribution of the es-
tates Of the murdered man and woman
asked that they be distributed in equal
shares to the surviving brothers and
the estate of Frank Belew, the muir
derer. Objection was made on the
ground that he, having murdered his
brother and sister, could not succeed
to any part of their estates, but a gen
eral demurrer to that objection has
been sustained. the court holding that,
under the code Of civil procedure, the
distribution asked for must be grant
ed
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-11-29

A sharp reflection upon French ideas
Of justice is involved in the decision of
the military governor Of Paris to try
Col. Picquart by court martial. When
Col. Picquart learned that the case
against Dreyfus and the case against
lola rested upon testimony which had
been provided to order and forged doc
uments, he frankly said so, thereby
showing that he was not only a just
but a brave man. Before being i'm
prisoned, he stated that if re was
found dead it would be a case of muir
der, as he had no intention Of COM
hitting suicide. Col. Picquart is
charged with the use Of forged docu-
ments. The people of Paris, outside
the military authorities and the latter
thick and thin supporters, seem to be-
lieve in him.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-11-29
THE WORCESTER SPY
BY TIE SPY COMPANY,
WORCESTER, MASS.
View York Office, 80 Potter Building
SUBSCRIPTION RATES.

THE DAILY SPY: Two cents copy, L
iuarter. 81 90 year. includinG the sunday
spy by carrier 81 cents a month, $500 a
year.
TIE SUNDAY SPY: Four cents a copy.
200 a year.
THE MASSACHUSETTS SPY Cweekly)
Published every Friday morning: Five
,ents copy, $500 year.
All subscriptions payable IN advance.
sample copies sent on request
THE PYSH0ULD HAVE THE EYE OF ARGUS: he
is HONORABLE If He DO BUT LOOK 10 THE WEI.
FARE OF THE COMMONWEALTH"
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-11-29

Most of the current gossip ABOUT Gov.
Roosevelts appointments disregards
the most important factor in the prob
lem-that is, his consistent record as a
professional and practical civil service
reformer. He is. in fact, the first pro-
.fessioual civil service reformer who has
been elected to the governorship of this
state. and almost if not quite the first
to be elected to any high office in the
nation.-New York Evening Post.
This is indeed an interesting fact,
and, fortunately, there is every reason
to expect that Gov. Roosevelt will be
true to his record. He has never al
lowed what might appear to be personal
interest to interfere with the perform
ance of his duty, and in his career there
has been no instance of lack Of courage
to do what he believed to be right.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-11-29
THE WORCESTER THEATRE.
The Blizzard Causes Postponement of
THE White Heather"

The Worcester Theatre was unex-
pectedly dark last night, and numbers
of ticket holders for the opening per
Torrance of THE White Heater We're
accordingly disappointed The cqkl-
pany played in Portland Saturday, AND
Sundays blizzard kept them and their
scenery from reaching Worcester till
late yesterday-too late to mount their
scenery in time to give q performance
The stage settings for the play are so
elaborate that it takes six hours to
place them in trim in a new theatre
but with last nights rest, everything
and everybody will be in excellent trim
for first-class performance tonight
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-11-29

One of New York city's fire engines
has been provided with rubber-tired
wheels, and the first trip with its new
equipment was altogether successful.
When the alarm sounded the engine
dashed into the street and away, but
there was none of the old rattle. The
machine glided along almost as
smoothly as a bicycle. and the horses
showed that they appreciated the diff
ference in their favor in the amount of
muscle required. Fire department Of
ficials were greatly pleased with the
result of the experiment, and it is said
to be only question of time when all
the apparatus in the city viii run on
rubber tires. When the change is ac-
complished, it is expected that the cost
of repairs will be reduced one-half by
the freedom from racking and shaking.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-11-29

TUESDAY. NOVEMBER 20, 1sos.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-11-29

Congressman lect John r. Thayer
is in Philadelphia on a visit to his
daughter, Miss Thayer, who has been
sick at Bryn Mawr.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-11-29

me regular meeting OF the Knights
OF rather Mathew was held at their
nan last night The regular routine
work OF the society was transacted.
The times., 1898-02-21

during the civil war in the navy. As
they drank they became involved in a
discus sion over the maine disaster. Os-
trom insisted that no such calamity could
ever hefall a soldier, as soldiers were too
xatchful.
This enraged Harrigan, and the veter-
ans Logan to fight. Burke ordered them
out of his place, and they went to the
sidewalk. where they continued to scuffle.
Burke suddenly heard Ostrom shout, '-Oh.
YOU stabbed mel" Burke ran to the door
and, seeing Ostrom PROSTATE on the side
walk, held iIarrigan until the police ar
rived and arrested him. Ostrom was car
rieG TO the station, and later to the hos
pital. The wound was at first said to
amount to nothing. but later Ostrom died.
IL was said that the cause of death could
only be determined by an autopsy
Harrigan was arraigned today in police
court. He protested that he had not
stabbed ostrom, and the police admitted
that no knife had been found. Magis-
trate Simms committed Harrigan to the
Tombs without bail pending further in
Nestigation.
The times., 1898-02-21
ORDERED TO RUSH.
Work on Government Vessels
Pushed 10 tie Utmost.

Work on Government Vessels
Pushed 10 tie Utmost.
Baltimore Feb. 2c.-Orders have been
received by the Columbian Iron Works
to rush with all speed the work on the
three vessels now building at the yards
for the United States Navy. The orders
from Washington have caused a decided
increase in animation within the past
tweHty-four hours at that busy shipyard,
The works are now building the sub
marine torpedo boat Plunger, twenty
knots, and are replacing engines in the
tweEty-four and a half knot torpedo
boat Rogers. IL is reported here that
Mckinley has been corresponding with
Mayor Malster, president of the Column
bian Iron Works, in regard to Cuban af-
fairs.
On Friday a letter came for Mayor
Malster from the President marked inn
portant.
Secretary Warderell hastily despatched
the letter TO the mayor who is now out
of the city. 1t is believed that this last
letter is relative TO the explosion of the
Maine and that Mr.. Master was request
ed to visit Havana and take a look at the
demolished battleship for the purpose OF
forming an opinion relative to the worth
of the vessel and the chances of its being
raised and repaired
The times., 1898-02-21
Mr.. M'k|NLEY GOES AWAY.
He Will Keep an Engagement
in Philadelphia.
HIS PROMISE TO STUDENTS
The President Considers 1t More
Important Than Staying in Wash
tngton at This Critical Time. wrel
the Maine Disaster Investiea-
tion Requires His Presence.

President Mckinley will leave the city
this morning, and not return until We'd
nesday. He is to deliver an address be-
fore the University of Pennsylvania to-
morrow.
Mr. Mckinley will be accompanied by
Secretary Porter. They will leave the
city at II O'Clock. The address is sched-
uled for IL o'clock tomorrow. 1t is to be
a Washington's Birthday address, and 1t
is said that it will be filed with fine
patriotism and with the advice to the
people OF the land to love their country
and to serve il faithfully.
The President will return to the city
ON Wednesday il nothing more pressing
detains him in Philadelphia, and resume
the thread of the Maine incident.
Notwithstanding the fact that the alb
solute proof of one of the most dastardly
and appalling crimes in the history of
the world is now expected at any hour
from the court of inquiry, which proof
would confront the country with the
greatest crisis since the civil war, the
President declined TO disappont the Uni
versity of Pennsylvania. He takes this
responsibility, Notwithstanding sus-
picion that there may be some comment
of mild character by the people and
the newspapers of the country over what,
TO some, will seem a neglect of duty.
1t is stated at the White House that
the university has been making prepara-
tions for the event for many weeks. and
that the President felt it wrong to dis
appoint the boys.
This may sound little strange to some
millions of people whom the President
persistently disappoints at this crisis,
but. after all, it will perhaps be as easy
for him TO do nothing In the keystone
State as at the seat OF government, and
1t won't look half so bad.
The times., 1898-02-21
HE SAW THE DISASTER.
Confident That the Maine Was De-
strOyed by TORPEDO


Jacksonville, Fla Feb 20-The first
person to arrive in Jacksonville who was
an eyewitness of the Maine disaster is
Joseph NJ. Mann. who reached here last
evening direct from Havana. Mr.. Mann 5
home is at Providence r. I. He was a
passenger on the steamer City of Wash
ington, which was anchored about 300
feet from the Maine at the time the
explosion occurred. In conversation with
reporter Mr.. Mann described all of the
horrible details of the disaster, and said
that he would never forget the terrible
sight so long as he lived. He believed
the explosion was the work of out
side bomb or torpedo, and that it was
not caused by an explosion of the mag
azine from the inside.
In the debris that landed on board the
City of Washington from the Maine when
the explosion occurred" said Mr.. Mann,
was a piece of cement nearly two feet
square and several inches thick. which
undoubtedly came from the bottom of the
Maine. AS everybody knows, the bottom
of the boat is lined with cement of sew
eral inches thickness. Now. If the ex-
plosion had occurred from the inside
does II stand to reason that the cement
would have been blown into the air sew
eral hundred feet and then 800 feet distant
on board the steamer City OF Washing
ton, or would the cement have either re-
mained where IL was or been blown
through the bottom of the boat? If the
explosion occurred on the outside OF the
Maine, then the cement would have, of
course, gone up.
Until some expert can explain to me
how it would be possible to blow this
cement UP with an explosion inside of
the vessel / shall believe that 1t was q
torpedo on the outside. 1t would be IL
logical to believe otherwise
Mr.. Mann reports that, although boats
were put out from the Spanish warship
Alfonso XII and many men of the Maine
saved in this way. yet many of the sail
ors refused to be taken on board pre-
ferring TO remain in the water until
American boats could pick them up.
Others that were taken on board the
Alfonso refused all assistance after
reaching her.
Despite the fact that the men were
suffering the most intense pain, l never
heard a murmur from one of them he
said. They bore the tortures that they
must have been suffering most hero
ically.'
Mr.. Mann came over from Key West
on the steamer Olivette, which brought
a large number of the officers and men of
the Maine. He left New York for Ea-
vana with the intention of doing some
business there, but. after witnessing this
horrible affair. he concluded that he did
not care to stay. and left the Olivette
as soon as possible Although it gener-
ally takes an entire day to get pass
port vized in Havana, he broke the rec
ord by getting his through in the short
space of three hours. He says that this
was sufficiently long for him to remain
in Havana.
The times., 1898-02-21
SPANISH EMIsSARY HANGED.
Compromising Documents Found on
His Person

Pinar del Rio, Cuba. Feb. 15.-ACsustin
Morales, an emissary from the Spaniards
to the captain of the insurgent general.
Pedro DiaZ, commander-in-chief of the
Cuban forces in Pinar del Rio province.
was hanged q few days ago. in accord
ance with a sentence passed upon him by
court-marital. Morales was sentenced on
January 81, but Diaz granted him twelve
days respite.
The Spanish governor OF Pinar del Rio
Senor Fdbio Friere, said the execution Of
Morales was nothing but murder. and in
answer to that statement Gen. Diaz has
sent to the Cuban jUnta in Havana and
New York a certified copy OF the pro-
ceedings of the court-martial and the
sentence.
Morales was caught near the camp of
Gen. Pedro Diaz with several compromise
ing documents on his person. One of
them was a letter from Francisco f. de
la Paz, chief of police of the Spanish town
of San Cristobal. addressed TO Gen. Diaz
himself. PaZ proposed TO Diaz in the
name Of Gov. Friere. and of the Spanish
general. Don Francisco Bernal, to sur
render to the Spanish and accept auton-
omy. He offered moneT TO Diaz and his
men, and said that. In case of his accept
ance. Gov. Friere was ready TO have an
interview with him about the matter
Two Spanish passports were also found
on Morales. and his credentials as
Spanish political agent. Morales con-
fessed that he knew what the letter to
Diaz contained, and that he fully Intended
to deliver it.
Gen. DiaZ then ordered the court-mar-
tial. Morales refused to name counsel,
and Col. Hugo Roberts was appointed
10 defend him.
The court-nlartial proceeded in the reg
ular way. found Morales guilty of violat-
ing the penal law of the Cuban army,
condemning to death all emIssaries from
the Spanish camp bringing such proposals
and sentenced him TO death
Gen. Diaz approved the sentence Such
facts as these show the utter failure of
autonomy.
When Col. Ruiz was shot by Gen. Aran-
guren the Spaniards declared that the
act was committed only 10 terrorize the
troops who were ready 10 surrender But
as time has passed, all the Spanish en-
issaries have suffered the same fate.
proving that the resolution of the Cubans
to hear only proposals based on the in
dependence of the island is very rigid in
its application.
Among the Spaniards there is no doubt
now of the failure Of autonomy. Gen.
Blanco is becoming, day by day. more
unpopular among them. and many letters
and cable dispatches have been sent to
Madrid against him. via Key West, by
the most rabid Spaniards in Havana. The
man they are all yearning for now is
Gen. Polavieja.
The times., 1898-02-21
GETS INTO CLOTHING BOX.
A Sing Sing Con vict's Clever Ruse
to EScaCe

W ESCdtC.
Sing Sing, N. Y, Feb 20.-John Doeh-
man, a German, twenty-five years old,
who was sent to the prison here on June
12. 1895 by Justice Bartlett, of Brooklyn,
having been convicted of murder in the
second degree, TO serve life sentence,
nearly escaped from Sing Sing prison last
night
Doehman, with a gang of convicts, was
employed in the shipping room attached
to the clothing department. 1t was his
duty to pack clothing made in the prison
in boxes or cases.
A warden. after placing the case on fiat
car, inspected it to see whether it had
been properly fastened. He was surpris-
ed to discover q door in the side of the
box. Instead of the side being boarded
from top to bottom, there was a door
which opened on hinges. Murphy kicked
this several times, and was surprised to
see it open. On looking in he saw a man
between the clothing. Murphy ordered
the man to come out, and the first the
prison authorities knew of the escape was
when Murphy arrived at the prison with
Doehman.
Warden Sage at once began an investi-
cation. He learned that the keeper had
been called to one end of the shipping
moved and while he was there. the war
den says. Doehman must have gone into
the box. The warden says he is surprised
the keeper did not discover that the con-
victs had made trap door in the side of
the box.
The times., 1898-02-21
THE GOULDS NOT THERE.
They Did Not Want Miss CIemmOns
to Christen Howard's Yacht.

New York Feb. 2e.-When Howard
Gould's new sj00 900 yacht was christen-
ed at Wilmington. Del. yesterday. none
OF his family was present. This was be-
cause they seriously objected TO Miss
Katharine Clemmons breaking the bottle
of wine, which she did.
1t has been said many and many a
time. that the only reason Howard
GouId's engagement to the beautiful ac-
tress was not announced publicly was be-
cause of the determined opposition of the
-ether Goulds-George J., Edwin Helen
and Anna-to the marriage. when jay
Gould died he left his millions In a trust
to be administered by the joint heirs.
One of the clauses OF the will was that
none Of the sons and daughters should
marry without the consent of all The
trustee.
George J. Gould was already the hus-
band of charming Edith Kingdom. whom
he chose frcm the stage Of Daly's The
ater. George has opposed persistentIy
Howard's desire to wed another actress.
Katharine Clemmons- II is said that he
has taken his younger brother to task
sharply more than once for his public at
tentions TO Miss Clemmons and the gos-
SID lnSE nave EduSt'ls ItOMSlEu ftutiI listS
resented this criticism of his brothers,
and. it is said, toe, that Howard believes
that George was responsible for the in
sertion of the clause in their fathers
Will which acts as an impediment TO his
choice of a wife
The party arrived at Wilmington from
New York on special train They went
at once to the ways where the Niagara
was ready to take her initial dip in the
water.
Soon after the party boarded the yacht
she began to glide smoothly of the ways.
Mr.. Gould remarked that IL was a pity
TO waste such good wine for such pur-
pose.
mo wine is too good for this boat" she
retorted. with much emphasis on the
this" Mr.. Gould smiled, and was much
pleased evidently.
The actress had the bottle of cham
pagne grasped firmly in her gloved hand
for several minutes before the yacht be
gan 10 move upon the tallow. The bottle
was encased in crate of hammered sill
yer. with big bunch OF long red white
and blue ribbons tied at the neck. When.
link and the great mass of riOu and steel
started to move. ever so slowly. Miss
Clemmons drew back her arm and with
a hearty. swinging blow or 4 level with
an opponents ribs, had il been Il glove
encounter. she smashed the sharp steel
PROV with precision and viGor and an-
nounced i'm clear ringing voice:
II christen thee Niagara"
The times., 1898-02-21
SIGNAL STATION SITES.
Government Orders Them Located
nv FIorida Naval Reserves

Jacksonville. Fla. Feb. 2o.-The fact
that the naval reserves of this State
have received orders to locate sites for
signal stations along the inland waters
at the mouth of the st. John and the
sounds along the coast was known to-
day and il caused considerable specula-
tion as 10 the objects of the Government
All agree that il betokens active work
on the part of the Government and in
some quarters it was thought that the
situation was growing somewhat warm
err
This morning Lieut.. Merrill, Paymaster
Gibbons and other officers living here
went down the st. Johns River on this
mission. They are instructed, IL is re-
ported. 10 report on the defenses. also
at Fort George Island commanding the
entrance TO the river. and to make other
needed Investigations. The Florida naval
reserves have not a large enlistment at
present but they are in efficient state
and would form large coast guard If
needed.
The officers are reticent as to the fun
scope of their orders.
The times., 1898-02-21
WORKING ON SUNDAY
The Force at Norfolk Navy Yard
Largely Augmented.
MORE BATTLESnIP5 NEEDED,
Much Excitement Occasioned by
Orders Continuing Monitors Ter
ror aud Puritan in Commission
Fort Monroe Ready for Any Emer-
gency-Naval Officers Reticeut.

Norfolk. Va. Feb. 20.-Today for the
first Sunday I'm years the force of work
men employed at the navy yard have
been hard at work. All last night plumb
ers and steamitters worked increasingly
on the monitors Terror and Puritan and
on the torpedo boats Foote and Winslow.
Thirteen hundred men are now employed
at the yard, the force having been large
ly augmented within the past few days
The orders continuing the big monitors
Terror and Puritan in commission and
ordering vacancies in their complement
OF officers and Isaen filled Immediately oc-
Casioned much excitement A draft of
twenty-one men arrived here this MORN
ing from the receiving ship Vermont for
the Puritan.
Commodore Farquhar said he felt that
the agitation resulting from the Maine
disaster would bring Congress face to
face with the necessity for more battle
ships and dry docks and he hoped that
one OF The new ships would be construct
ed at this yard.
At Fortress Monroe today there is no
activity. but the men are watching
eagerly for news, and say that the fort
is ready for any emergency.
Without exception army and naval Of
hcers are exceedingly reticent.
The times., 1898-02-21
FRENCH MOVE ON s0KOT0
The Sultan Commands the Expe-
ditiOns TO Halt.
A CLASH WITH THE BRITISH
The Troops of the Two Countries
Are So Close Together in West
Africa That There May Be Trou-
bie-In London the Gravity of the
Situation Is Realized

Akessa, Feb. 2O.-It has been learned
that French expeditions are advancing
towards Sokoto. Six officers and two
hundred men are now at Arkunga and
Tagga. The Sultan of Sokoto has COM
manded them to halt forty miles from the
capital. William Wallace. the agent Of
the Royal Niger Company. holds the
company's forces. ammunition and stores
in readiness for an advance 10 assist the
Sultan in securing the evacuation by the
French of British territory.
London, Feb. 20. - The motive of the
French advance upon Sokoto. in West
Africa, as told in dispatches from Akas-
sa. town at the mouth Of the Niger
river, is believed here to be bluff of the
Sultan of Sokoto. who recently accepted
the effective occupation of his capital by
the Royal Niger Company's troops.
Ii is learned that the company has
been ordered to expel the French by force
If peaceable means fail
The total British force at Lagos and in
the gold coast IIinterland is between five
and six thousand men. These are en-
tirely native. with the exception Of two
hundred white officers and instructors.
The Daily Mail viii tomorrow publish
an interview with an official an ex-resi-
dent of the gold coast. who declares that
the history of the last seventeen years
shows that there has been an endeavor
on the part of France to squeeze Great
Britain out of West Africa.
The Standard says that the gravity OF
the situation is increased by the igno-
rance OF French writer's. the dangers in
volved by the immediate proximity OF
French and British troops and British
The paper proceeds 10 recall that conces-
sions to France have been tried IN many
quarters of the world. THE claims OF
England in Madagascar. Siam and Tu-
mis-" it says. have been allowed 10 re-
cede before the exigent pretensiOns OF
France. Further concession would only
be misunderstood. and Great Britain had
better take stand firmly now The game
of marching and countermarching on
territory that is indisputably British
must cease II it is continued longer il
will mean bloodshed and probably a gen
eral conflict.
Paris. Feb. 20.-The Journal des Debats
publishes an article explaining the views
OF Minister HanotauX on the West Afri-
can situation Ii states that both the
French and English governments have
instructed their officers and agents in
West Africa to abstain from anything
that would possibly bring about COLI
sion. The consensus Of opinion in Paris
is that the possibility of conflict aris-
ing from the Niger dispute is absurd.