davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1899-09-24
SHORT STORIES OF THE DAY
Adventures of Sylvester Frank Wilson,
Formerly of Nebraska.
NOW AGUINALDO'S AGENT AT HONG KONG
Nebraska Boys Career in the Navy
Effect of IA Trumpet Blast at n Re-
Vival Meeting-COIoneI Stotsen-
berG's Early Military Life.

Sylvester Frank Wilson, mentioned In the
dispatches from Hong Kong as a member OF
the Aguinaldo junta there, is well known to
the older residents OF Omaha, to whom his
latest fantastic venture will be no surprise.
Any one who knows Wilson, however, will
be inclined to demand an acknowledgment
from Aguinaldo himself before believing that
Wilson is in truth one of his representatives
Wilson fourished in Nebraska eighteen or
twenty years ago, when he was publishing a
paper at Humboldt, Richardson county. His
sheet was of the wide-open variety and was
we'll qualified to be called the father of
yellow journalism. Because of it he became
involved In a controversy with a man who
called himself Doctor Candy, and the lat
ter had the editor arrested by the United
States marshal for violation OF the postal
laws In sending obscene matter through the
mails, most OF which matter concerned
Candy. Wilson was brought by the author
dties to Omaha and confined in the county
Jail. Here he posed as a martyr by writing
articles on the freedom OF the press and
getting them printed In the local papers.
About this time George Francis Train hap
pened along and being attracted by Wilson's
Nominations took up his cause, adding much
TO the self-styled martyrs notoriety in his
own peculiar way. The burden of Trains
song was, like that OF Wilson, the freedom
of the press.
After Wilson's release from Jail he went
out over the state, representing himself as
q correspondent of The Bee, only to be dis
credited by a warning to the public when
he was discovered. Then he went to Phila-
delphia and repeated there his Omaha ex-
periences, starting another yellow sheet and
getting into jail for some OF his publications.
He went through the same program of bid
ding for sympathy in oppression and sue
ceeded in stirring up quite a sensation.
After that Wilson drifted from one place
20 another, finally landing in Kansas City.
He claimed there TO be a newspaper man OF
experience, and, having a rather pleasing
personality, succeeded in getting control of
enough capital to start the Penny Post,
which soon developed into the same kind of
a sheet as he had published in Humboldt
and Philadelphia. 1t is said that when he
had exhausted the funds with which he
started he interested four other persons and
caused them to lose considerable money in
his venture. Then, four months after start
ing the paper, he disappeared from Kansas
City, leaving a large number OF debts and
q reputation by no means desirable. The
following spring he reappeared as the man
ager OF a emale base ball team, which
played several games there. Hearing that
a warrant vas out for his arrest, he again
left the city suddenly. He was then lost
sight OF until he appeared in New York and
was imprisoned for a term Of years for some
serious crime.
Now he is heard from as an agent OF the
ttlipinos In Hong Kong. The dispatches
Omaha daily bee., 1899-09-24

price. He replied that it was 81 per bushel.
AS corn was selling in the market at 20
cents at that time my eyes flew open in sur
prise, and I asked him II he did not con-
slider that a little steep. Well replied the
trust hater, this is all the corn in the
neighborhood that will grow and / can get
81 per bushel for it. ! hauled out the
money and paid it over, but as 1 did so l
slyly asked him if he did not consider that
he was operating a monopoly. He looked
down his nose a little and then glanced up
with the remark: 'Msbbe so, but / am in
terested in this trust myself, and 1t makes
a difference He never preached against
trusts to me after that"
Omaha daily bee., 1899-09-24
HAUNTED HOUSE NOT WANTED
Odd Tale Of a Dwelling in Omaha Thirty
Years Ago.
GHOSTS DANCE OVER GRAVES OF DEPARTED
Inquisitive Real Estate Agent AXE
Queer Discovery, Solving Mys-
terry Which PerpIexed Resi-
dents of the Town.

Does superstition embarrass investment In
real estate? There never was a landlord OF
rental agent who managed many estates OF
properties but had to contend with this more
or less knotty problem. The majority OF
real estate dealers say they would rather
be the poor mar with the elephant" whom
De Wolf Hopper made famous in song, than
to undertake to rent or dispose of a house
reputed to be haunted.
Omaha has had several so-called haunted
houses" said a man grown old in the real
estate business, "and the history Of any one
would make a story OF more than ordinary
interest. Away back In 1870 there was one
/ remember in particular because OF a per-
sonal experience. 1t stood near Twenty
fourth and Vinton streets and could hardly
be graced by the name of house when ID
came into my hands. 1t was rather a hab-
itation-a dilapidated shack.
"a few years before 1t was a comfortable
cottage. Its rooms were as neat as could
be desired and the lot-a corner one-was
desirable in every respect. The property
had been owned by ar old German, a shoe
maker, who, with his family of five, lived
In the cottage. During the severe winter
of 1869 the people became poverty-stricken
the shoemaker's ill-health being the cause.
and one by one they died-the mother first
and the children afterwards.
THE old German was too poor to afford
funerals, SO he buried his family ON his
own grounds not far from the house. In
the spring he also died and was buried In
one OF the cemeteries by some of his rela-
tives from the east, who claimed the prop
erty and sold 1t. The family had no init
mate friends and few acquaintances, so the
circumstances OF their sudden demise were
never known, but townspeople believed the
cause to have been starvation.
THE house stood unoccupied while its sale
was being negotiated. and before the year
was up rumors became current that 1t was
haunted. People said that on dark, still
nights the ghosts Of the old German woman
and her children danced on their graves.
"One of the chief attractions of the place
was a hne we'll. It was some fifty feet deep
and the water drawn from 1t even on the hot
test July days was as cool as ice and clear
as crystal. There was not a more desirable
piece OF property in Omaha at that time,
and yet in one short year superstition made
OF the place a drug on the real estate mar
ket. 1t became branded as a haunted house
and in consequence nobody could be in
duced to live in 1t, even rent free.
Family after family moved in, only TO
move out again In periods varying from one
10 FIVE weeks. None cared to remain In the
house longer than a month, and the real
excuse for leaving could always be traced
TO the same cause. Some said the water
was not good, others declared the house was
too small, but for all that the true cause
was that the house had the reputation Of
being the abiding place OF spirits. People
Omaha daily bee., 1899-09-24

Although much has been written con-
corning Nebraska's representation in the
Philippine campaign, especially since the
return of the First Nebraska, but compare
lively little is known of the states repre-
sentation in the navy. One of Nebraska
naval representatives Is Senior Lieutenant
Matt H. Signor, now on the gunboat Castine
at Iloilo.
In 1885, when George W. e. Dorsey wal
member OF congress from the Third district,
he was notified by the Navy department
that he was entitled to the appointment OF
a cadet to be educated at the Naval acad-
envy at Annapolis. During the previous
winter c. B. Signor, editor OF the republi-
can newspaper at Plum Greek, had visited
Washington during the session of congress
to plead his case before the war claims
committee. to whom had been referred his
claim of SIC, 900 indemnity for the blunder
of a colored soldier, who shot off his right
arm at Memphis in 1864, Mr.. Signor being
a civilian. Mr.. Signor said to the commit
tee: 81 do not ask for this indemnity for
the act OF the servant OF the government
because / cannot make a living, for / can;
but have a son in college at Hastings,
Neb., and / find the burden OF his educa-
ton too much for me, and l have to go to
the bank and borrow for him." A member
of the committee from Stroudsberg, Pa,
answered: "If you have a son to educate,
the government has two institutions of
learning, the equals OF Yale and Harvard;
IL a soldier OF the government has wronged
you, why not try to have the government
educate your SOM"
Mr.. Signor found the limit for entrance
to the United States Military academy was
from 16 to is years, and at the Naval
academy from IA TO II years. His son was
about is. SO he took the first train for An
napolls and put in a full day visiting the
academy. After interviews with Super
intendent Ramsey, Lieutenant Green, Chap
lain and Mrs. McAllister. Lieutenant Rit-
tenhouse and Lieutenant Leutze, he con-
cluded that a naval course keeps a young
man busy at drill and study, and is so ex-
acting that two-thirds of any class that be-
gins the four-years' course tails to keep up
and is discharged before graduation.
Congressman Dorsey gave notice for a
competitive examination, and ten bright
boys from as many different towns met in
Fremont and competed for the honor before
five examiners. The son OF a worthy widow
at West Point, Neb., was chosen, and Matt
Rowland Signor OF Plum Creek was named
as alternate. The West Point boy went to
Annapolis in September, but Jailed to pass
the entrance examination. It may sound
curious, but 1t is nevertheless a fact, that
one of the reasons given why he would not
do for a commander in the United States
navy was that there was too little arch in
the bottom of his feet.
Then came Matt Signor's turn To try for II,
and in May, 1886, he and 100 other boys,
nominated from all parts of the country,
underworld 10 pass he entrance xamina-
tion. There We're eighty who succeeded.
OF these only ~thirty-nine were able TO keep
the pace and graduate in 1890. Though from
an inland. non-maritime state. young Signor
Omaha daily bee., 1899-09-24
Undnunted.

Chicago Tribune: Feathers! Feathers"
derisively shouted the toughs and hoodlums
in the audience, abiding in this unseemly
way to the former occupation OF the orator,
which was that of a pillow and mattress
maker.
Gentlemen, y he said, folding his arms and
looking dehantly at his tormentOrs, you
may call me feathers, but you can't call me
down."
And he resumed.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-09-24

convey the impression that his duties con-
sist Of smuggling arms and munitions OF
war to the insurgents, and IL this is the
case the Filipinos have a good man for the
purpose. Wilson was a handsome man, OF
good presence and gifted with the power to
make men confde in him.. While he was
in Nebraska he always turned up at Lincoln
to serve as a lobbyist in the legislature. and.
judging from the successes he made Of his
own schemes, he must have been a valuable
servant for others.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-09-24

A new idea for the bill collector comes
from Louisville, where Manuel Corsica, a
retired organ grinder. being unable to COL
lect three months rent due on a house he
owned and had leased, took his instru-
ment to the house and played it steadily
until the tenant. assisted by suffering
neighbors, raised the money owed and paid
it. This new method in the case in point
required only three hours.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-09-24
QUAINT FEATURES OF LIFE.

An old soldier in a Michigan town, who
had a leg amputated ten years ago, had II
buried in a coffin in the cemetery and
funeral services held over 1t, at which he
wept profusely. Ever since then, all
through the summer months he has placed
flowers each week upon the grave.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-09-24

A young man in Buffalo, from som i'm
pulsive freak, took 1t into his head to save
all his cents. He wearied after two years
| when he got 1900 of them and tried to sell
them, but nobody would buy even at 80
cents on the dollar. Some s%hopkeepers in
timated that he might have been robbing
poor boxes. and the agony Of the young
man is not to be measured by a cigar box
full of cents.
Omaha daily bee., 1899-09-24

Farmers in Androscoggin county. Maine,
complain bitterly Of the injury done to
their crops by the protected and rapidly
increasing deer. why" says one. 'if there
was any owner of them / could complain
and make him take them OFF, or pay for
damage. At this rate 1t will not be long
before we must keep a man with a club
In every cornfeld in the state"
Omaha daily bee., 1899-09-24

Almon West and son, Ernest West, of
Hartford, Conn, who are experts in lining
bees, made a rich and peculiar find re-
Gently. They were over Marlborough way,
in pursuit OF honey, and had released the
bees several ines from the lining box
when they saw to their amazement the
last one released enter an old lager beer
keg which lay on its side. Coming nearer
they discovered the keg to be full Of bees
and honey. The little workers had entered
the keg through the bunghole and built
their comb around the inside of the keg,
Mr.. West captured the bees, honey and
peculiar hive. all at once, and took them
home.
The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1899-12-19

at auction delinquent stocks of Kihei
and Olaa companies. A full list show
ing names of original owners num-
bers of certificates and number of
shares appears elsewhere in this is
sue.
E. r. Hendry, of Pensacola street
was severely burned about the face
on Sunday, while using some patent
shoe cleaning mixture. The stuff was
hard and he lit match to melt it,
when it exploded and his whole face
was burned. Luckily his eyes were not
injured.
The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1899-12-19

Ha~aiiaI1 CuriOS
KAPPA, Calabashes, Leis, Native Hats,
Hula Skirts, Niihau Mats, Fans,
Shells, Seeds, etc. Homemade Poi
constantly on hand. Mending done
neatly and Cut Flowers furnished by
THE WOMAN'S EXCHANGE
Cor Hotel and Union Streets, Honolulu
Telephone $50.
The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1899-12-19
WORSE VET

WORSE YET.
do you think Congressman Roberts
is guilty of bigamy, Aunt Melissa"
"Bigamy? He's guilty of trigonome-
try"
The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1899-12-19
NEW ENGLAND BAKERY
AND CANDY COMPANY

Is making the most Delicious PIES.
Same as your mothers used to make,
and fresh every day after 10 a. m.
LEMON,
CUSTARD,
CRANBERRY,
PEACH,
APPLE,
MINCE, and
BERRY.
Only ten cents each and fit for the
President of the United States.
Everybody praises our DOUGH-
NUTS. Have you tried them?
Our BREAD is par excellence; the
best in Honolulu; clean and whole
some. Why, buy poor bread when you
can get the best for the same money?
We make a full line of CAKES, fresh
every day. Sherbets, Ices and Ice
Cream. We cater for and take full
charge OF Banquets and Entertain
ments.
Our Candies are made by experienced
workmen and are strictly pure and
fresh, packed in fancy boxes from Csc.
upwards.
The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1899-12-19
FOR SALE.

$4,000 House and Lot at Punahou
consisting OF Bed Rooms, Parlor
Dining Room, Kitchen, Etc.
Size of Lot 75X125. A bargain.
$1,000 Lot at Kalihi, SOx15O.
$3.50 Lot at Kalihi, 75X150.
$500 Lots at Kalihi, 5OX10O each.
Apply to
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-06-16
JAIL BABY GOES FREE.


Chicago, June 16.-"Little Billy"
Waters. the county Jail baby, toddled
out of the big stone building yesterday
after bidding good-by TO the matrons
and many of the guards. Little Billy"
was five months old when he entered
the Jail, Aug. 16 last. During his ten
months stay behind the bars he learned
to walk and talk and became a favor
ite with the 500 men. women and boys
confined in the big building.
Little Billy's' mother Mrs. Helen
Waters, was arrested last August on
charge OF passing fictitious checks, and
the prospects for a penitentiary SEN
tence for the woman seemed good. Then
the Judge heard about Little Billy"
The boy was brounght into court and
smiled at His Honor and shook his
chubby fists at him. The prosecutors
grew sympathetic. and the court was
disposed to be lenient. Ii was arranged
that Mrs. Waters should plead guilty
to minor charge and be sent to Jail for
six months. She had been in jail four
months before her case was called. The
woman completed the service of her
sentence today. She was saved from the
penitentiary by Little Billy"
The members OF the March grand
Jury encountered the "tail baby" while
they were inspecting the jail. and they
made him present of 500 Other visit
ors TO the Jail gave Little Billy" dimes
and nickels. ana when he bade Jailer
whitman good by the jailer handed -
Youngest prisoner the Jail ever had s35
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-06-16
A DANGEROUS MAN.
TeIla Sentenced to 18 Months at The
State Prison.
Failed 10 Keep Promise and Was Brought
In on Old Indictment

Michael Tella was brought into Judge
Wilbur's court this forenoon by Dcpu-
ty Sheriff Thayer and sentenced under
an old Indictment charging him with
an assault with ~edangcrous weapon Ia
IS months at hard labor in states pris-
ON. The next grand jury will also con-
slider case I'm which Tella is inter.
ested 70 he had been boundo over in
the Sixth district court at an early
hour on charge 0f an assault with a
dangerous weapon. When the man was
brought before Judge Wilbur today the
attorney general was not present ana
at the request Of the court Walter f.
Angel who was engaged i'm another
ease, acted for the states prosecuting
office.
The indictment under which Tella
was sentenced charged him with using
a knife 20 cut his sUn-in-law under the
eye. Tclla at the request OF the man
he assaulted was let go during good
behavior on pleading nolo contenderc
Tella or his counsel signed an agree
ment that he should behave himself
and the provisions OF the agreement
having been broken Mr. Angel asked
the court to pass sentence.
capt. MarstOn told Judge Wilbur
Tella was a bad and dangerous char
acter and had killed "a man in Isly.
The charge on which Tella was bound
over today was that OF an attempt to
clean out a barroom with an axe and
striking one man in the back with the
axe
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-06-16
BULLS AND BEARS.
The OulIest Day the Street Has Seen
for Weeks.
Federal Steel Declared Dividends but the
Market Sold OH al The Close.

wall street. June 10-fhis was the
dullest day the street has known for
weeks Transactions AT the high fig
ures could hardly been more than ESQ.,
600 shares.
According to the general feeling the
street was waiting for the action of the
Federal Steel directors IN the matter Of
the expected dividend. Anson II. Flow
er announced that the directors would
undoubtedly declare ia per cent.
dividend or the common stock Of Fed
eral Steel and li5 on the preferred. lie
further stated THAT the profits already
made i'm the trust enabled the directors
TO lay aside two more dividends for the
preferred and good surplus besides.
The directors met at O'Clock and at
haif-past two the dividends were an
nounced as MIR. Flower had anticipated.
The announcements OF the dividend,
however, created no activity, either In
Steel stocks or anywhere else In the
list. Federal Steel, which was up at 66
on Monday and has bepl hanging
around 64, actually declined a fracti1l.
The coal stocks which Wer strong about
noon time. also quit, and the market
gave evidence of running into decline
Some OF the traders were much inter-
ested i'm a part OF the testimony OF the
Sugar Trust magnate before the trust
investigation commission yesterday.
The part re.erred TO was Mr.. Have
meyers reference TO teh speculation in
Il gar stock AS related to the actual
Business OF the trust. Mr.. Havemeyer
defended the course Of the American
Sugar Refining Company in not maxi
ing it's earnings public. so as to protect
purchasers of it's stock. Let the buy
er beware" said he. "We can't wet
nurse the people. Let the people go in
and get stuck If they want to, then let
them go in and get stuck again. q
man buys sugar stock al l6O on a pure
gamble and IL goes down 10 no. he gets
down on his knees TO his state and says,
Mother, dear, pay me back what | have
lost, or stop the trust.
Now the traders are wondering II Mr..
Havemeyer designed this as prophetic
tip on sugar. especially the follsw that
bought Il Monday. up around l6o.
Sugar. which opened above lo3 ana
sold lp 10 155, went off sharply In the
last half hour and the whole list sagged
perceptibly.
Wheat went up strong in the early
hours. but then sold off closely half
point or so before yesterdays last fig
urpg
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-06-16
JAMES HOWARD SHOT.
Report Of Another Death in The feud al Man.
ohosieT. kv.

London. KY. June 16.-It is reported
here that James Howard was shot yes
terday afternoon while standing in front
of the. court house at Manchester, Clay
county. James Howard killed George
w Baker, the county attorney, and
father OF Dee Baker, on April Z. 1895.
Communication with Manchester is
very limited, and details of the shoot
ing have no atrrived.
Before adjourning court at Manches-
ter yesterday Judge A. King Cook adj
mtted Frank Fisher. charged with the
murder of Jim Philpot, to bail. This ac-
ton has enraged the Philpots, who are
allied with the Bakers against the
Whites and Howards II is said the
Philpots are a dangerous set of men
when aroused. but the fact that Fisher
was not a member of the White Haw-
ard faction held them in check until
now and they place the blame for the
of justice TO the officials. l.
is almost impossible to get any one to
leave the town and there are few
strangers who dare enter il. The livery
stable men at London will not send a
team there for any purpose without
first insuring their horses.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-06-16
DEPUTY ROWE'S FUNERAL.
0bssquies Largely Attended and
Were Impressive.
Remains Were Taken 10 Morrill,, Me.
Where They viii Be Inferred.

The funeral OF Deputy Warden Rowe
was held at Howard yesterday. Rev.
NJ. II. Bixby ofiiciated. During the
service all the prison shops were shut
down and the prisoners were locked in
their cells. This gave the Office of the
state institutions. the shop officers and
the instructors an opportunity TO at
tend the funeral. There were also pres
ent Secretary Peckham OF the board of
state charities and corrections, super
intendent Eastman OF the state farm.
superintendent Keene of the state hos
pital for the insane and Deputy Super
intendent Butterworth OF the Socka-
nosset school.
The floral offerings were many and
beautiful. great burdens of roses and
pinks and banks filling the parlor.
DR. Bixby READ passages of Scripture
and then made eulogistic remarks.
During the service a quartet sang
"LeaJ, Kindly Light" "Homeward, one
by one" and The Christian Hope"
DR. Nutting. the prison chaplain, made
prayer and DIR. BiXby pronounced the
benediction. The remains were taken
to Morrill,. Me-, for interment today.