davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-18
Tribute to sigsbee.

JACKSONVILLE. Fla, Feb. 17.-In an in
terview to-day with Captain Pillsbury, COM
mander of the dynamite cruiser Vesuvius.
in port here, he expressed the opinion that
the injunction of Captain Sigsbee, of the
battle ship Maine directing the American
people to suspend judgment until further
information should be secured, was an in
spiration and should be observed. Captain
Pillsbury said: THE report that Sigsbee
said the destruction and the sinking of the
Maine was caused by floating torpedo is,
in my opinion untrue for if he said that
yesterday he knew it the day before IN
fact, he knew it at the time of the explosion;
which is extremely improbable. lie has had
no time in which to investigate and think
it very wise for us to withhold our Judg-
ment until thorough investigation can be
made Whether the explosion was from
within or without can easily be ascertained
by divers / will stake my commission on
it that Captain Sigsbee made no such state
ment. He is cool as any man ever saw,
and what there is to be known about the
Maine accident will be brought out by him.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-18
ADJUSTMENTS.
EngIish,s-..Iiss Francis OF YaIe.'

EngIish's-"Miss Francis or Yale"
In one respect the author of Miss Fran
els of Yale" concocted more wisely than
he intended. He has made a greater hit
with the women than with the men. Male
theater goers, probably, agree that it is
simply jumping-iack farce filled with
ridiculous situations. 1t may be a tempo
rary relief to one whose head has been
bothered all day with figures or distraught
with the effort of talking some country
cousin into the belief that certain piece
of low ground six miles north will some day
be the heart of the residence portion of
greater Indianapolis, but beyond this trivial
amusement having little merit. The fem
mime population will look at it differently.
Women seem to enjoy seeing one of their
own sex made ridiculous in an affair of the
heart and in Miss Francis of Yale" the
girls are thrown down" during three acts,
while the boys. in the end, come out on
top. The governess of the Fitz Allen girls,
during necessary call at the apartments
of Fred Anderson, a Yale student in love
with Vesta Fitz Allen, discovers a sup
posed blonde woman, Miss Francis, -
smoking cigarette with her feet on the
table. The governess returns and relates
the news, and that queers Fred Anderson S
tAOPSS. NSSld ClI1 <AllcU III neT BTleI Is pre-
vailed on to deny herself all further society
of men. But Miss Francis" the cigarette
smoker, was only another Yale student
dressed for the prima donna role in an en-
tertainment which the Yale boys We're get
ting up. Attempts to explain make matters
worse for the Yale boys. Through the rest
Of the evening Frank Staynor the Miss
Francis, appears in his bicycle suit and is
persstently mistaken for woman by the
Fftz Aliens. When he calls they are
shocked at his brazen conduct, but they are
not willing to turn him away until the Fitz
Allen girls. together with their governess
and the French servant girl, have all taken
whack at reforming the supposed her
He is sent to bed in the spare room and
different members of the family come in
during the undressing act TO teach him
form. In q serious comedy the situations
would be decidedly suggestive but the en-
tire female outfit is so grotesquely serious
10 the utter confusion of the young man
that this Pilar-M NORM "Orange Blossoms
episode is given without smut In the
meantime the young man is assaulted nv
his old college chums, who have broken into
the house and are bent on revenge for
his part in turning the hearts of the Fitz
Allen girls to stone. There is pillow fight
and more horse play, the young man in the
governess's night gown being tied up in a
smile sadly. The women in the audience
seem UNNECESSARILY tickled lit must be
simply because the whole plot hangs on the
way the Fitz Allen girls are being WEIGHED
Then there is some pretty scenery includ-
ing a blue bedroom setting with painted
furniture and a host of things hanging
around whose fitness Is recognized by the
bOudoir sex, but In which a man lakes no
particular interest. Etienne Girartlot. a
little pink tea sort of a man, plays the
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-18
General Gordon Doubts 1t.

Special TO the Indianapolis Journal.
ANDERSON, Ind, Feb. 17.-Gen. j. b.
Gordon, the great Confederate commander
later Governor and senator of and from
Georgia, thoroughly conversant with war
fare, in discussing the Maine disaster to-
day, said: 1T is difficult for one who knows
the great care taken by naval men to be-
lieve that the Maine disaster was wholly
accidental. The sailors of a man-of-war are
on guard all of the time, and their Vessel
and its safety is everything-lfe itself-to
them. To have it go down under them is
like having the earth cave in under US. me
modern structure of vessels, much improved
in recent years, seems TO preclude any accl-
dent of this kind. Even the old vessels did
not have accidents of this kind. tnnk;
however. that Americans should wait until
a fun investigation before flying. into a
fury. and laying it at the door or Spain.
Perhaps it was an accident, AFTER all Gen
eral Gordon is in favor of recognition Of
Cuban belligerency.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-18
Jingoism i'm Kentucky.

FRANKFORT, KY, Feb. 1.-THE follow
ing resolution was introduced in the Ken
lucky Legislature to-day and will be voted
on tomorrow:
Whereas, War is now being waged by
the Cuban patriots for liberty, home and
country; and.
kindly endeavor in trying to secure peace
and autonomy for the insurgents has been
repeatedly insulted by the Spanish govern
ment to such an extent as to be no longer
withstood; be it
Resolved, by the General Assembly of
the state Of Kentucky, That Cuba is and
of right should be free and Independent, and
to secure this end immediate steps should
be taken by our representatives in Con-
gress and senators to s, cure liberty and re-
store peace and forever renounce the right
of Spain to govern said island. Be it fur
Their
Resolved, That a copy of these resolu-
lions be presented to our representatives
and senators in Congress, that they may
know that in the sense of the representa-
tives of the Commonwealth of Kentucky,
further delay is cowardly, and the time for
action has come"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-18

WASHINGTON. Feb. lit is probable
that the families of the victims of the
Maine disaster will be cared for by the gov
eminent, as were the survivors of those who
were lost in the Samoan hurricane several
years ago, when fifty-four American officers
and sailors were lost from the Nipsic Van-
dalia and Trenton, which were wrecked on
that occasion. Representative Mcclellan, of
New York, introduced joint resolution APP
propriating $4,000 for this purpose in the
House to-day. The resolution provides that
the secretary of the navy be and is hereby
directed to pay out of any money in the
treasury not otherwise provided a sum equal
to twelve months pay to the legal heirs or
representatives Of each of the officers and
crew of the United States steamer Maine.
who persisted in the disaster at Havana Feb
Is, 1888 and the sum of $4,000, or so much
thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated
to carry out the provisions of this act
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-18

tainty which exists as to this point 1t would
seem before the Legislature adjourns sine
die it should authorize the executive to ten
der to the President of the United States,
on behalf of the State of Illinois, what
ever moral and financial support that may
be necessary in this emergency TO main
tain the honor of the American flag and to
prevent or punish any attempt at the hos
tile invasion of our common country.
JOHN r. TANNER, Governor"
The State Senate this afternoon unani-
mously adopted joint resolution indorsing
the action of tho Governor in issuing the
message and formally authorizing him to
tender to the President of the United
States all moral and material support that
may be necessary in this emergency TO
maintain the proper dignity of our Republic
and the honor of the American flag" The
resolution was unanimously concurred in by
the House. The Governor received numer-
people throughout the State, among others
being tender of the services of the Sew
enth Regiment /. n. g., by its colonel
MarcuS KaVanauCh.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-18
NOT YET CLEAR.


ford. to-day asserted positively that the
coal was of the very best. He produced
tions TO show exactly the state of the
Maine coal supply and the quality Of the
coal. At the end OF December the vessel
had fifty-two tons or coal only in her
bunkers This was made up of Pocahontas
and New River coal. Captain Bradford
said that Pocahontas is standard naval
coal and is rated at 100. New River follows
next and is set down at 30 per cent These
are semi-bituminous Goals of a quality
closely approaching that of the celebrated
Welsh navigation coal, the British naval
standard. In the opinion of Captain Brad
ford neither of these Goals is particularly
subject to Spontaneous combustion. Since
however, she probably has consumed a
good part of this coal and has replenished
her stock from the naval store at the Key
West station. The coal there taken on was
anthracite which says Captain Bradford
sis no more subject to spontaneous COM
bustion than a pile Of stones" The Maine
took on ESQ tons of this coal in December
and in January, before she left for Ha-
yana, she loaded up with 271 tons more.
picket fence, very much exposed to evil
minded persons who might desire to con-
ceal bomb therein; something which
could only be effected with great difficulty
after the coal was stored in the bunkers.
In spite of the British reflections upon
the discipline on American war ships, the
officers here do not hesitate to say that
in the matter of careful inspection of the
coal bunkers, the magazines and the like
our navy is second 10 none IN the world.
But these obscure fires arising from spon-
taneous combustion are very difficult of
detection. Such fires have been known to
smolder undiscovered in piles of coal at
the Washington navy yard here for many
days before breaking out and this, too, not
withstanding the fact that the piles were
visited almost daily. Aboard ship the TAX
ing of the temperature of the magazines
daily is one of the precautions to guard
against such fires. In the case of the Maine
this observation was usually taken at
O'Clock in the morning. so that it was en-
tirely possible for a bunker fire to have
developed sufficient heat during the twelve
hours that elapsed before the explosion to
brown powder used for the ten-inch guns
is difficult to ignite without a detonator
still the application of heat in excess of
600 degrees for some time will cause the
explosion which the application of a match
would fail to bring about
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-18
INCENDIARY CIRCULAR.
Evidence that Feeling Against Amer
leans at Havana Was bitter.

NEW YORK, Feb 17-Medical Director
Wood. of the naval hospital Brooklyn, is in
possession of the copy of & circular incen-
diary and outrageous, which was passed
about the streets, on railway cars and other
places in Havana. A translation of this
circular was sent to Medical Director Wood
by an officer on the Maine, who picked it
up while on train returning from bull
fight. The circular is as follows:
"Spaniards! Long Live Spain and Honor!
What are We doing, that we allow your
selves to be insulted in this way? Do you
not see what they have done to us in with
drawing our brave and beloved Weyler, who
at this very time would have finished with
this unworthy rebelious rabble, who are
tramping on our flag and our honor Au-
tonomy Is imposed on us to set us to one
side and to give posts of honor and authori-
ty to those who initiated this rebellion,
these ill-born autonomists, ungrateful sons
of our beloved country. And, finally, these
Yankee hogs who NEEDLE in our affairs, hui
initiating us to the last degree and for still
greater taunts, order to us one OF the ships
of war Of their rotten squadron after in
sulting us in their newspapers and driving
us from our homes. Spaniards, the moment
of action has arrived. Sleep not. Let us
yet lost shame, and that we know how to
protect with energy BETTING a nation
worthy and strong as our Spain is and al
ways will be.
Death to Americans! Death to auton-
omy
Long live Spain! Long live Weyler'
Mrs. Jungen, wife of Lieut. Carl w Jun
gen. watch officer on the Maine, is at the
home of her uncle, Medical Director Wood.
In answer to questions as to whether any
of her husbands letters indicated a feel
ing existing in Havana against the Amer
lean officers she said: "Oh, yes. In all the
letters from my husband he has spoken of
the bitter feeling against the Americans,
which was everywhere apparent. This was
among the lower class of Spanish, under
stand-Weylers followers. In a letter dated
late as Feb. 10 he used the significant
expression: IF we don't get away from
here soon there will be trouble"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-18
MESSAGE FROM TANNER.
Governor of Illinois Tenders "MOraI
and Material support"

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Feb. 17.-Governor
Tanner to-day called on the Legislature to
authorize him to tender to the President of
the United States the moral and material
support" of Illinois, Ito prevent or punish
any attempt at hostile invasion of our
country" This he did in a message to the
Senate and House. In the Senate the mes
sage came as a profound surprise. The de-
bate on the Berry police report was inter-
rupted to receive it. While it was being
read by the Governors private secretary
there was the deepest silence in the SEN
ate, and at it's conclusion there was a burst
of applause from both Sides Following is
the Governors message:
ITO the Honorable Senate-The. news of
the calamity which has overtaken the
United States battle ship Maine and its
Inflated crew fills me with grief and horror
and / assume that the General Assembly
will by Joint resolution express the SYM
pathy of the people of this State for the
gallant dead and wounded of our navy and
for the surviving relatives. I am unwilling
TO believe that the loss of the Maine was
the result of intention and trust that the
official investigation ordered by our govern
ment may demonstrate that Ii was due to
accidental cause In view of the uncer-
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-18

Miaco's "City Club" began a three days
engagement at the Empire yesterday after
noon, giving the same programme practi-
cally, as when here earlier in the season.
Some of the features that were objection
able in the former performance have been
cut out Manager Miaco claims the pro I'D
distinction of having the only burlesque
show on the road that is not giving ''On
the Banks of the Wabash" Bert Leslie
and Carrie Fulton sing a travesty of the
song in their sketch but the real thing is
absent. Other performers in the olio are
Anna LonnbOrg, sweet-voiced singer
Conroy and Mcfarland, Irish comedians;
Lew Palmer, descriptive songs and imita-
lions; Dick and Kittie Kumins, in a matri-
monial boxing match, and Nellie Waters,
with new song and a dress that looked
like a declaration of war The perform
ance opened and closed with "burlesque."
Living pictures were alternated with the
vaudeville turns. THE City Club" will re-
main the rest of the week Monday the
Gay Masqueraders will begin a three-day
engagement.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-18
OFFICIAL DISPATCHES.
Messages from Sigsbee and Lee-Bu-
rial of Some of the Victims.

LcG-bu@
rial of Some of the Victims.
WASHINGTON, Feb. ia number of
cablegrams were received from Havana to-
day by the State and Navy departments.
The following came from Captain Sigsbee
at 1886 D. m.
General Blanco called on me personally
at the hotel last night, and also the mayor
of the city. They have requested me to
permit the government here to give public
burial to the dead already found in order
that public sympathy may be expressed
thereby and due honor shown the dead.
Ground for the burial has been secured
Is it assumed that I am expected by the
department to bury the dead here? In fact.
it would be impracticable to transport re-
mains to the United States Means and
facilities are lacking. 1 have accepted the
offer of the authorities and there will be a
public funeral at o'clock to-day. All here
from the Maine will go; also delegation
from the Fern. Fifteen bodies recovered
during operations Operations prevented by
rough weather"
In answer Secretary Long sent the fol-
lowing: Telegram received and action an
proved. Express to Captain General Blanco
and to the mayor and people of Havana
the thanks of this department and its an
probation of their action in extending the
honors you have reported to those lost on
board the Maine"
The following cablegram from CAPTAIN
Sigsbee was received this eveninr bv the
secretary of the navy:
'Twenty-seven VIII be buried this after
noon; twenty-five found in harbor and two
died in hospital. Following only can be
recognized:
"Dierking, drummer.
u. S. Graham
wv. r. Tinsman, landsman.
Brown, sergeant of marines
Nero, chief machinist.
"Keyes, ordinary seaman
80. Sheridan
"Gaffney. fireman.
"Cosgrove, fireman.
"Seary, fireman.
"Golpine, marine.
"Kane, coal passer.
u. Smith, seaman"
The State Department this afternoon re-
ceived the following dispatch from Consul
General Lee:
Merritt was in the junior officers mess
room, and jenkins in the wardroom mess
room at the time of the explosion The lat
ter left before an officer who was saved
lights went out Immediately and the water
rushed in. Merritt got to the hatch with
Naval Cadet Boyd, hut the ladder was gone.
Boyd climbed through and tried to pull Mer-
rift up, but the latter let go his hands. fell
back and was drowned. The bodies of these
officers have not yet been found, and possi-
bly, are in the wreck. Sailors funeral takes
place to-day at p. m. VIII be an immense
procession"
Admiral Sicard telegraphed Secretary
Long from Key West:
I'm the opinion of Lieut. John Hood. of the
Maine, who has just arrived from Havana
the Maine can never again be utilized as a
snip. He describes the whole forward BODY
OF the ship as completely collapsed. where
the shock of the explosion was heaviest
Photographs OF the wreck will be sent 10
the department to-day"
The wife Of Captain sgsbee. who resides
in this city, has received a cable from her
husband. simply announcing that he had
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-18

John w vogel has good show in Dark
est America" 1t crowded the Park at
both performances yesterday. the house be-
ing practically sold out last night before
the doors were opened. The piece is well
known here. and seems to have improved
since last season, when it played two en-
gagements in this city. 1t is made up of
music, comedy, sketches of life among the
Southern negroes, dances, cake walks and
concludes with what is know as 1.-The OPP
cratic ball" There is any quantity of what
is known to the profession as ginger" in
the performance, and I'll e action is lively all
through. The coon" songs as sung by the
leading members of the big company are
characteristic of the race and greatly pleas
ed the audiences. There is lively time in
the Rabbit Foot saloon scene. The show is
crowded with material for entertainment.
Darkest America" will remain at the Park
the rest of the week. Peters and Green S
Comedy Company follows Monday in Fin
negan's Fortune"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-18
BY A HARVEY TORPEDO.
How the Maine Was Destroyed, Ac-
cOrding to Inventor Gathmnnn.

CHICAGO, Feb. T.-Emil Gathmann the
inventor, believes the Maine was destroyed
by Harvey torpedo. He is conversant with
Havana harbor and from personal exam
ination is familiar with the equipment of
the Maine In an interview to-day he said
that with the vessel pointing against the
tide, with the night dark, and the Maine
not protected by netting, a man could row
a distance from 500 to 100 feet towing a
Harvey or floating torpedo. Allowing the
tide to drift the torpedo against the for
ward end of the Maine he could explode
1t by means of electric wires attached to
the Illuminating cap. Mr.. Gathmann served
two years as a naval apprentice aboard
the training ship Portsmouth when Capt
Sigsbee was her commanding officer Three
years ago he was a member of the engi-
neering corps which conducted the second
trial trip of the Maine.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-18
Hurrying work ON Mortars.

CINCINNATI, Feb. 1.-THE big Niles tool
works, at Hamilton, o., Is turning out
twelve-inch mortars for the government as
speedily as possible. Two naval attaches
assigned to the Ordnance Department, have
been at Hamilton engaged in pushing for
ward the work and experimenting the con-
Within the past few days the work has
been greatly FASTENED to all appearance.
The officials of the company deny that any
special effort had been made to hasten the
work since the recent war scare. Despite
these denials there is every indication that
the work has been hurried and that the
late.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-18
CAPT. sIGsBEE's soHooLMATE.
Editor w. III. Elliott Does Not Believe
the Disaster Was an Accident.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
NEW CASTLE, Ind, Feb. NV. H. Eli
ott editor of the Courier of this city, and
late lieutenant in the United States navy,
was schoolmate of Captain Sigsbee of the
Maine, at the United States Naval Acad-
envy, and in an interview to-day Mr.. Eli
oft said: with some knowledge of the con-
struction and internal arrangements of the
Maine, of the character of the ammunition
in the forward magazine as well as of the
care always. exercised in preparing and stor-
every war ship, and in the light Of the cir
cumstances surrounding the case, 1 am I'M
able to believe that the destruction of the
vessel was an accident. There are many
ways by which she could have been wrecked
by design, and / shall be most happily sur
prised if investigation proves that the ex-
plosion occurred on board ship instead of
under the bow The talk of a boiler let
ting go or of accidental ignition of powder
is. to one acquainted with the discipline
and routine of a man-of-war, the merest
boSh.'
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-18
REPRESENTATIVE sTEELE,s VIEWS.
Believes the Disaster in Havana Har-
Dor Was an Accident.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
MARION, Ind. Feb. 17.-Congressman
George w. Steele came home from Wash
ington to-day. In an interview on the de-
struction of the battle ship Maine he ex-
pressed the opinion that it was due to an
accident. He said that investigation by a
diver expert will reveal whether the dis
aster was caused by an external or in
ternal explosion. Even if it should be
proved, however, that the destruction was
caused by some malicious Spaniard he
thinks no sensible person would suppose
that the Spanish government either pro-
cured or countenanced the act though it
would precipitate a serious situation. Pres
ident Mckinley, he said, is acting with
even more than his ordinary GOODNESS and
sagacity, and the country can depend on
him to bring to bear upon the situation
the utmost wisdom and patriotism Pend
ing the investigation he approves the adj
vice in Captain Sigsbees one sentence,
Public opinion should be suspended till
further reports"