davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-02-16
Ralph De Sofa aud the Cuban War.

Sunday star.
"Now York, Feb. 10, 1s99.-To whom
it may concern: This is to certify that
Mr.. Raphael De Soto personally re
quested me several times, during the
late war with Spain, to send HIM to
Cuba in order that he might join the
Cuban Army of Liberation, as he be-
lieved it his duty to do so. 1 did not
acquiesce with his request, considering
his presence in Wilmington more valu-
able to the cause of Cuban liberty ON
account of the important services he was
rendering to the same there. ! there
fore, continued him as agent of this
Delegation at Wilmington, DEL. where
he devoted himself with signal success
to serve our cause until the end of the
war.
(Seal) Il, Estrada Palma.
Another gentleman, whose intimate
knowledge of Mr.. De Soto's career
makes him an authority upon the sub
ject second to none, sends me letter
from which l quote:
ut sounds very strange to all of us
who know De Soto that it should ever
enter the mind of any one to class him
as a coward. He bears upon his person
today, in testimony Of his indisputable
bravery, many honorable scars, received
by bullet ard machette in the desperate
campaigning of the 10 years war in
which he served at the sacrifice of all
his meansl and almost of his life. No
one could make the Cubans believe
that Raphael DE Soto is coward.
The whole trouble is that the gentle
men who criticise him do not know
him. lie would have been in Cuba at
the first fight, if he had been permitted
to go, but he was under orders from
the Junta his superiors in otlice-and
he had to stay in America. 70
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-02-16
THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
The Intent of the Constitution is That &c
Shall Continue on Ray Only go Days After

The Intent of the Constitution is That &c
Shalt Continue on Ray Only 80 Days After
the Opening Dry, sundays Inciuaed.
The intent of the new Constitution,
concerning the General Assembly, is
construed by good authority to be that
it shall be in session on pay not more
than 60 days after the opening day,
which was the first Tuesday in Janu-
airy. A member of the Constitutional
Convention, who was spoken to about
the matter, said that was the general
understanding, he believed. when the
following section of the Constitution
was adopted:
"The members of the General As
sembly, except the presiding officers,
Of the respective houses, shall receive
as compensation for, their services a
per diem allowance Of five dollars, and
the presiding officers per diem allow
ance of six dollars for each day of the
session, not exceeding 60 days; and
should they remain longer in session
they shall serve without compensation.
In case special or extra session of the
General Assembly BIO called the mem
bers and presiding officers shall receive
like compensation for a period not ex-
ceeding 80 days"
lue ueunlJlOn OF tne WORD SESSION,
in Bouvier's Law Dictionary, was cited
in the convention at the time, and all
of the members Of the convention had
an opportunity to fully comprehend the
meaning of the word. 1t is as follows:
Session time during which a
legislative body, a court or other as
sembly, sits for the transaction of bust
ness; as, n session OF Congress, which
commences on the day appointed by
the Constitution and ends when Con-
gress finally adjourns before the COM
mencement of the next session; the
session Of court, which commences at
the day appointed by law and ends
when the court finally arises. A term. !"
According to the accepted constitute
tion of the constitutional provision,
based upon the definition given above,
the 60 days includes Sundays and holt
| days, and the present session should
terminate on Friday, March Sd. 1t is
held that If the Legislature is in ses-
sion after that time the members will
be expected to serve without compen-
sation.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-02-16
srR4Y LETTERS.
Peculiar Gases brought TO the Attention
of the Postal Authorities.


of the Postal Authorities.
During the past few days several
letters containing money have been sent
To the postofiice in this city from the
dead letter Office ut Washington, but,
Notwithstanding the fact that the
letters were mailed here from one to
two months ago, no complaint had been
made about any of them. the persons
interested probably thinking they had
been lost. In each case the persons to
whom the letters were addressed could
not be found and the names Of the
writers were not learned until the
letters were opened at the dead letter
office, which is the last resort. The
letters would have been returned to the
sendcrs much sooner il they had con
tanned their names and addresses on
the envelopes. Such request has been
made of all letter writer's by the govern
ment, and every person sending q letter
should see that his or her name and
address is on the envelope in such a
position that it will not interfere with
the name and address of the person to
whom tho letter is sent. The upper
left-hand corner is the proper place.
A peculiar case in the matter of a
letter which was supposed to be lost
was brought to the attention of As
sistant Postmaster Billany few days
ago Recently representative of one
of the most important manufacturing
concerns in the city reported the loss
OF business letter which had been
mailed to another person in tho city.
Every effort was made to locate the
letter, but without avail, until a few
days ago, when member of the firm
informed MIR. Blllany that the letter
had been returned. An examination
of the envelope revealed the fact that
it had been properly addressed, the
word city" appearing after the name
and street number of the person for
whom it was intended, and an in.
vestigation leads to the belief that it
was taken to Philadelphia and mailed
instead of being mailed here. Conse-
quently, as the word "city" appeared
as part of the address, an effort was
made to deliver the letter in Philadel-
phia, and when it was found that the
person to whom it was addressed did
not live in that city it was returned to
the sender. If the word wilmington"
had been written on the envelope, ip-
stead of '.city," the letter might have
been mailed anywhere and it would
have been delivered properly. 1t would
be we'll, therefore, for persons writing
letters to other persons in the same
city to use the name of the city every
time.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-02-16
TROOPS FOUGHT BRAHELY.
The Capture Of Caioocan Erected In tho
niost Daring and Gallant Manner.

niost Daring and Gallant Manner.
Manila, Feb. IL. 11.55 a. m. Tho
following additional particulars regard
ing the capture of Caloocan have been
obtained:
The insurgents had been concen-
trating their forces for days at Caloocan
and Major General Elwell S. Otis, the
American commander here, determined
TIC attack them. He instructed his
commanders accordingly and requested
the assistance of the naval forces under
the command Of Rear Admiral Dewey.
Major- General Macarthur reported
that all was ready and at o'clock he
received the following message
"The commanding general orders
you to go ahead with the programme.
barry
The attack began Immediately. The
monitor Monadnock and the cruiser
Charleston shelled Caloocan and the
country north of it for half an hour.
Gen. MacArthur's artillery also did
effective work from hill in the rear.
NEVER MINDED THE BULLETS.
Brigadier- General Harrison Gray
Otis, with his brigade, consisting Of
the Kansas regiment, the Montana regi-
ment and the Third Artillery, Re9u-
lars, acting as infantry, advanced hand
somely, pushing forward in the face of
the Filipino bullets as cheerfully as if
they had been snowballs. The enemy
was utterly routed and fled to the
mountains. aE-
At 6 o'clock "cease firing" and SIRE.
call'' were sounded. The troops were
then well through Caloocan and north
of it, III.
Gen. Macarthur established his left
at Caloocan and strengthened his lines
for the night.
By the capture of Caloocan the con-
troll Of much of the rolling stock of the
Manila Dagupan railroad was obtained.
The city is now quieter and business
is better than at any time since the
outbreak of hostilities. 49,.
OUR LOSSES SLIGHT.
The American losses yesterday wcre
three men killed and 80 wounded.
Among the latter are gallant Lieu
tenant Colonel Bruce Wallace of the
Montana regiment, and lieutenant of
the Second Cavalry, who was, shot
through the lung while leading charge
across the open ground.
The enemy lost heavily. So
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-02-16
ADVANCING sTEADILY.
Brilliant Work ny the American Troops
with Heavy Losses TO the Enemy.


With Heavy Losses TO the Enemy.
Los Angeles, Cal. Feb. 10. A special
cablegram to the Times from Manila,
says;
Brigadier- General II. G. Otis holds
the extreme left of the American limo
from the bay near Caloocan. Regiments
on the line and in support are
The Twentieth Kansas, Col. Funs-
ton, IL companies; First Montana, Col.
Kerster, companies; Third Artillery,
Major Kobbe, companies, and the
Tenth Pennsylvania, Col. Hawkins,
companies.
Two companies of the Tenth Pennsyl-
vania are behind the walls of tho DE Ia
Iona Church yard. Across the ravine
from the Montana regiment is Capt.
Jensen's company, holding the stone
fort supporting Grants Battery of four
Utah guns. A fifth gun is to the left
and on the railroad, supporting tho
Kansas troops.
To reach its present position the
brigade has advanced four times since
Saturday in q series of brilliant com
bats on different parts of tho line of
action especially SO on the 4th, 9th and
7th. The last advance was the most
sanguinary, the American loss boing
l killed and wounded, while the Fill
pinos suffered loss OF "A killed and
were utterly routed. The brigade has
lost to date q killed and 55 wounded.
Tho Filipinos lost 1870. All the dead
were buried.
Several bayonet charges were made
on the It'll, during the advance of the
right and center. The taking of the
Chinese cemetery, on the 9TH, by the
Montana and Pennsylvania regiments,
was n superb piece of work. A brill
liantly executed advance up the slope
in the open made battle picture that
would delight any veteran. &c.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-02-16
SUSSEX TAX COLLECTORS.
A fractional Fight over the Selection for
Northwest Fork Hundred.


Bridgeville, Feb. 3-The Sussex
county Levy Court has elected the
following tax collectors
Indian River hundred W. III. Downs !;
Dagsboro, W. II. Pussy; BroadkiIn,
John r.. Black; Lewes and Rehoboth,
John Nj. Futcher; Gumboro, Ira ].
Collins. Georgetown. Leander #.
Joseph; Cedar Greek, Elias &. Elliott /;
Broad Creek, William o. johnson.
The court could not agree on collectors
for Seaford and Northwest Fork hun
dreds and these will be named this
week. Thomas AXE. Union Republi-
eau, b. NJ. Adams, Jr., Regular, and
r. f. Ledenham, Regular Republican,
are the applicants for Northwest Fork.
There is considerable trouble over
the appointment of the collector for
this hundred. Horace Sudler, the Levy
Court member, is u Regular Republic
can and the only one of that faction in
the body. He claims the right to name
the collector, but as the Union Repub-
licans have majority over all they
may ignore his claim and name AXE,
tho Union Republican applicant.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-02-16
CLAIMS OF THE FILIPINO JURTA.
The Americans Accused of Trsachery and
of Commencing Fatalities.

of Commencing Hnstiiities.
Hongkong, China, Feb. 1.-THE
Filipino Junta here have issued the
following statement:
"a Manila steamer has arrived here
with the censored version of the fight
ing which is utterly false. The Ameri-
cans commenced hostilities, by the
treachery of Gen. Otis, simultaneously
by land an sea. Aguinaldo possesses a
signed guarantee from the American
commissioners that there would be no
hostility on their part. Hence the
Filipino troops were resting and many
of the Filipino officers were at the
theatre on Saturday night and were
arrested shortly before the outbreak.
1.-THE bombardment Of the defenceless
towns of Malate. Pace, Santa Ana, and
Malabon caused frightful slaughter
among the women and children. 1t is
estimated that 1000 of them were
killed.
1.-THE conduct of the Americans in
the suburbs was outrageous They
compelled the inhabitants to leave their
houses and then shot them down, re-
gardless of sex.
''There is reign of terror at Manila.
Civilians are shot in the streets with
out being challenged.
1.-THE Iloilo commissioners arrived at
Manila at the invitation of tho Ameri-
cans and when they were starting to
return the American soldiers were loot
ing and pillaging.
"Aguinaldo sent commissioners to
inquire of Gen. Otis the reason for the
hostilities, Offering summary punish
ment il the Filipinos were found to be
at fault. He received no satisfaction.
"The Americans are apparently de-
termined in war of determination,
similar to their doipgs in Carolina in
November, violating the rights of man.
kind and of civilized warfare and COM
mitting monstrous outrage on civih-
zation.''
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-02-16
REBELS AGAIN OPEN FIRE
But it Was at Long Range, and, Con.
Sequently, Ineffective.
AMERICAN TROOPS DID NOT REPLY
Death of Private Meisick of the
Montana Regiment.
WEATHER is COOLER At NIGHTS NOW

Manila, Feb. 13.-10. 30 a. m.-Pur-
suing their customary tactics, the
rebels on the extreme left of the line
opened fire at long range on the Ameri-
can troops, last night, maintaining
their fire for few minutes before
settling down.
None of their shots took effect, how
ever, and the Americans did not reply.
All was quiet along the rest of the line.
The Concord is now lying off Para
naque.
The weather at night is now cooler
and showers are frequent.
Private Meisick of the Montana regi-
ment, who was shot in the lungs in
the fighting between February 4th and
9th, died in the hospital yesterday.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-02-16
MOVED LIKE CLOCKWORK.


Further Reports OF the Splendid Work Of
The American Soidiers-Ihe Advance to
be Observation-Disclosures Statements.
London, Eng, Feb. 11.--A dispatch
to Reuters Telegram Co. from Manila,
describing the capture of Caloocan,
dwells upon the excellence of the
Americans plans and the precision with
which they were carried out. The dis
patch adds:
At 4 p. m. the American ships ceased
firing. Then the army fired three guns
at an interval of 10 seconds, signalling
the advance of the whole line, the
Kansas regiment leading through the
Jungle. The rebels left wing was di-
verified by Major Bell and 100 men. 1t
was like clockwork. There was no hitch
anywhere.
The rebels, estimated to have num-
bered 10, 900 men, were demoralized by
the shells. The Americans advanced
in open order. AT 800 yards there was
q halt and then a charge, and the rebels
stampeded from their trenches, which
were admirably constructed. The
Americans RETAINED from wasting am
munitIon, but rushed on without firing
and used their bayonets and the butts
of their rifles. There was heavy
slaughter.
The railroad is practically uniniured.
STATEMENTS BY FILIPINO AGENTS.
Dispatches to the Globe from Hong
kong say tho Filipino Junta there has
received, the steamer from Manila, fur
ther news of the recent fighting.
The Filipino agents say tho Ameri-
cans placed vessels along the shores of
the bay and commenced hostilities
unexpectedly at midnight on Satur-
day, simultaneously bombarding the
defenceless towns of Fondo, Malak and
Malabon. :"
The agents of the rebels also say i:
'.The slaughter of women and children
was frightful, the Americans burning
and devasting all before them, conduct
ing war of determination and shoot
ing every Filipino. /"
The agents of the Filipinos declare
their intention of appealing to Chris
tendon" and say their Indignation
against the Americans is intense.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-02-16
QUIET Ar MANILA.
So General Otis Cabied on Nlonday-Also
q List of Deaths.

SO General Otts CaDlbu on uohuny-Aiso
q List of Deaths.
Washington, Feb. 13.-The follow,
ing cablegram was received from Gen.
Otis by the War Department, this
morning:
manila, Feb. ID. -Adiutant- General,
Washington: Everything quiet this
morning. Business in the city is re-
Stunning its former activity. Otis.
Gen. Otis also cabled the following
deaths since last report, not including
those killed in action: Victor E.
Schofeld, private, 1, First South Da-
kota, variola. February 6th-Michael
P. Crowley, private, d, Second
Oregon, dysentery John Marion,
private, X, Third Artillery, suppura-
tive tonsilitis; James Carney, private,
A, First Tennessee, variola. February
sth, Daniel Kyger, private, I. First
Washington, typhoid fever. February
10th, Charles Lille, private, |, First
Colorado, acute diarrhoea.
From gunshot wounds in action:
February Sth-Joy Sheldon, sergeant,
I, Twentieth Kansas; W. Chopwood,
private, Co. D, First Washington
February 11th-J. I. Howard, private
Co. B, Twentieth Kansas.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-02-16

Muscogee, I. t., Feb. IA courier
arrived here from Morse in the western
part of the Creek Nation bringing news
that smallpox is raging in that section
and that 30 persons had died of it in
the last few weeks. The victims were
negroes and Indians. All of Western
Oklahoma has been quarantined against
tho infected districts and the Muscogee
Board of Health and City Council will
take steps tonight to establish quar-
antine in this section. t
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-02-16
BADLY BURNED.
Mrs. npesiine Blitcheii's Clothing Caught
Fire Wine She Was Thawing Frozen

Mrs. npes,,ne Siitcheii's Clothing Caught
Fire Whine She Was Thawing Frozen
Pipes In tho Cellar at Her Residence.
Mrs. Angelina Mitchell, wife of Will
liam B. Mitchell, was seriously and
WAS seriously burned on Friday
at her residence, No. 2209 Market
street, while she was endeavoring to
thaw frozen pipes in the cellar.
She was burning paper and her cloth
ing took fire. She was soon envnloped
in flames and her son, who was in the
second story of the house, heard her
screams and ran to her assistance
After bard battle he succeeded in OK
tInguishing the flames, but not until
his mother had been badly burned.
Drs. Siiortlidge and Worthington
were suratloned, and after temporary
attention Hrs, Mitchell was sent to the
Delaware Hospital.
She died at LIS O'Clock Monday af-
ternoun.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-02-16
Thousand. Of horse. starving 10 Death.

Long Creek, Ore, Feb. Ia. +Thous-
ands of range horses are said to be
starving to death in EASTERN Oregon.
Cattle and sheep buyers who have re-
Gently visited this city, and who have
also boon in the counties of Crook,
Gillian, Morrow, Baker, Wallowa,
Union, Umatllla, Harvey and Nal
heGr, say that in every section they
have visited with very few exceptions
tho owners of both horses and cattle
have despaired of saving more than u
small percentage Of their stock.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-02-16
surname nlsalenl Examiner.

DIR. John Palmer, Jr., of this city
has been appointed Supreme Medical
Examiner Of the Knights of the Golden
Eagle 70 fill the TaeapGy caused d y tho
more. The appointment was recon-
mended by Supreme Chief s. @.
Hunter to the executive board of the
death benefit fund and approved by it,
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-02-16

wilkesbarre, Pa. Feb. Ia. Very Rev.
John Finnen, pastor of st. Johns
Catholic Church, Pittston and vicar
general of the Scranton diocese, died
this morning of diabetes, aged II years.
He was educated in st. Charles Bor-
romeo College, Philadelphia, and came
to Pittston in 1859. He built up a
great church property in this parish.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-02-16
p,a,h Of Mrs. Glizabs.n shields.

Mrs. Elizabeth Shields, widow of
the late James Bayard Shields of this
city died suddenly on Saturday evening
al her home, No. 903 Van Buren, street
of acute diabetes. Deceased was well
Known and was a prominent member
of the West Presbyterian Church and
the mother of the late Harry Shields,
a tourist agent of tho Pennsylvania
railroad,
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-02-16
A rAkING W.AF,

So trim she was. from head to feet,
With cap of white and apron neat;
With spotless gown and all complete,
She had taking way.
"Our maids prize" we used to say
With pride, for then as still today,
She had a taking way.
Naught came our judgment TO imppgn,
For when she went, one afternoon,
We found she hadn't left SPOON
She had a taking way.
Washington Post.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-02-16
A storm Floods Part Of Havana.

Havana, CUBA, Feb. II. "A severe
norther has been blowing since Sunday
night, and the sea has invaded part
of Elyedado, flooding the streets and
houses. The United States troops,
aided by army wagons, are helping the
residents of the locality to save their
Droperty
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-02-16

Jefferson City, Mo-, Feb. 14.-The
Missouri Senate has passed the House
resolution asking Congress to provide
for the election of United States Soma
tors by the direct vote of the people.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-02-16
DETAILS OF THE CAPTURE


The American forces at 3.05 this
afternoon made a combined attack upon
Caloocan and reduced it in short order.
AT a signal from the tower of the De la
Lone Church. the double turreted
monitor Monadnock opened fire from
the bay, with the big guns of her
forward turret, on the earthworks with
great effect.
Soon afterwards the Utah Battery
bombarded the place from the land
side.
The rebels reserved their fire until
the bombardmont ceased, when they
fired volleys of musketry as the Mon
taua regiment advanced on the jungle.
The Kansas regiment, on the extreme
left, with the Third Artillery deploying
to the right. charged across the open
and carried the earthworks, cheering
under heavy fire. Supported by the
artillery at the church, the troops
further advanced, driving the enemy,
fighting every. foot, right into the town
line and penetrated to the Presidential
and lowered the Filipino flag at $50
p. m.
The enemy sNsharp- shooters in the
jungle on the right fred at long range
on the Pennsylvania regiment, but the
rebels were soon silenced by shrapnel
shells and the Pennsylvanians remained
in the trenches.
As the Americans advanced they
burned the native huts.
The rebels were moved down like
grass but the American loss was slight.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-02-16

Diamondville, Wyo., Feb. 13.-John
7. Russell and Z. T. Wright were
killed last night by black damp in the
Diamondville mine. Ten others were
overcome, but were rescued in time to
save their lives.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-02-16
Theatre burned in Pueblo, Col

Pueblo. COL, Feb. ID. The Deremer
Theatre building has been destroyed
by fire. Loss $4,000. Frozen water
pipes interfered with the work of the
fire department. 1t was % below zero
when the fire was burning.
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-02-16
MORE FIGHTING SATURDAY.

Shells Dropped Into the Rebel Camp and
Shnrpshooters Driven From n Jungle-A
Correspondent Wounded.
Manila, Feb. u--230 p. m.--Early
Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-02-16
BILL ILLEGALLY PASSED
he Majority Requirement Was
Discovered In Time.
NEW PRIMARY ELECTIONS BILL
Ton of Coal Burned in One
Day at the State House.

lao, Forty-eieht Dollars Worth of Gas
consumed Last Month = Thus Far ITO
Bills Have Been Introduced = Detailed
legislative Proceedings.