davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Van Buren press., 1899-06-24
BRAVE AMERICAN SOLDIERS
Reports of Onicers Commanding Bat.
taIlons In Recent engagements
In the Philippines.

Washington, June 21.-Maj. John IL
Frame, with the North Dakota volua-
teers, in a report upon the operations
of the Second battalion of the regi-
ment which he commanded during the
engagement of February t and ).
speaks in the highest terms OF
the officers and men of his command.
saying the officers were cool. brave and
vigilant and the men steady and de-
termined, executing all orders with
promptness and perfect order.
Capt. Frank f. Eastman. command.
ing the Third battalion of the Four
teenth infantry, reporting upon the
operations of his troops during the en-
gagement of February ), commends
officers and men highly for their bl av.
cry and GOODNESS in action.
The Van Buren press., 1899-06-24
AN EYE OPENER FOR CUBANS.
ari,on uethods of Administering
the Finances Entirely oniihe
Those of Spain.

Havana. June 21.-The adminisfra'
tion economical, which is charged WITH
tbe disbursement of the finances OF
the provisional government of Havana
and the province. publishes a state
ment showing that from January TO
NAV. inclusive. the receipts were Sf65'
1914. and the expenses S17s,22s, the
balance being cash on hand. Tins
causes general astonishment among
the Cubans and is unprecedented IN
the history of Havana. Never before
have the figures been published open
", The officials, formerly, merely
made semi-offieial statements, which
were not itemized. No two years OF
the Spanish regime have yielded as
much us the past five months.
The English La Lueha, in an edl'
torial based on this fact, says the eu'
bans and Americans are watching the
results of military rule, recognizing
the immense influence which VIII DC
exerted in the future political strng-
gle by the present campaign and adds;
-"The greatest praise is due to the
Americans here at this evidence OF
their intent to maintain methods OF
the strictest honesty
The Van Buren press., 1899-06-24
COUGHLIN AND ARMSTR0NC
Master and Man Indicted on Ugly hart
with Heavy Fines and Imprison-
ment Pending.

Chicago, June 21.-Last night th
grand jury voted indictments agains
Danied Coughlan and William Arm.
strong. Coughlan was indicted on th,
charge of offering bribe to juror
John +. Taylor. He was also indicted
with William Armstrong, his barter
der, on charge of conspiracy to do an
act prejudicial to the administrator
of public justice. The punishment pre-
scribed by law upon conviction OF Of.
fering Il bribe is fine not exceeding
$1,000. The punishment which may Be
inflicted upon conviction of conspls
cy as embodied in the pending case d
a term not to exceed ten years in the
penitentiary or a fine not to exceed
81, 900, or both.
Coughlan, it is stated, was posituI
identified yesterday by Juror Taylor,
Mrs. Taylor and "A boy he had sent
with messages to Taylor's house, and
$3.50 in marked bills, which it is claimed
he paid to Taylor as hush money after
he learned that the juror had spoken
to Judge Tuthill of the matter wal
also produced in evidence
The Van Buren press., 1899-06-24
RUssIA,s MERCHANT MARINE.
To Encourage Tranic will Pay Canal Tolls
of Merchant Marine Vessels Tor
Some Years to Come.

Washington. June 21.-The Russian
government, from information received
by the bureau of navigation, is pre-
pairing measures for the early develop
ment of its merchant marine. Al
though there are only "a Russian
steamships of over 1000 tons and d
them only four are over IA knots, the
Russian government during 1898 en-
pended over $1,000, 900 on its sea-going
steamships.
TO increase its navigation on the Pa
cifie, the Russian government, for the
next ten years. will pay Suez canal
dues, as the Austrian government has
done for some time on national mer-
chant steamships.
The restriction of the coasting trade
of the empire, whether the ports are
on the Baltic or Black sea, or the Pa
cific. to Russian vessels will not af-
feet appreciably American navigation,
as for the last two years no American
vessels have entered this country for
or cleared from Russia and last year
only four American sailing vessels en-
tered from and cleared for Russian
ports on the Pacific.
The Van Buren press., 1899-06-24
Little Rock VIII Celebrate.

Elaborate preparations are being
celebration of the Fourth of July. The
board of trade is taking an active part
in the matter and will cooperate with
the citizens and various trades and
commercial organizations in contrib
utipg to the occasion degree of com
pleteness and marvellous brillancy such
as is but seldom equaled in commemo-
rating the birth of American independ-
ence. The work of thoroughly
arranging every detail in fitting up
an extensive program is being rapidly
prosecuted, and no amount of labor
and expense will be spared IN making
the event one of great eclat and un-
rivaled enthusiasm. The special
features characterizing the days
galaxy of interesting attractions are
far too numerous for mention. One Of
them, which may be cited as being Of
individual Importance to all citizens OF
the state, is that of breaking ground
upon the site of the new capitol build
ing. Another noteworthy feature, and
one that is certain to prove genuine
treat to all, will be the gorgeous trades
display, which will no doubt surpass
anything Of the kind ever witnessed in
the south. There will also be plenty
of excellent music, ball games, athletic
sports, bicycle races, balloon ascen-
sions, ETC., to be followed at night by a
beautiful display of fireworks.
The Van Buren press., 1899-06-24
NJ. r.. Conferences.

The presiding elders of the various
Methodist districts of the state an.
nounce the following dates and places
of conferences: Fort Smith district, at
Charleston June Goth; Monticello dis
trict, at Wilmar July 5th; Fayette Vile
district, at Prairie Grove July 5th to
9TH Hot Springs district, at Mena July
9th to 9th; Newport district, at Pow
hatan July 11th; Morrilton district, at
Springdale July 11th; Jonesboro dis
trict, at North Jonesboro July 18th;
Camden district, at Buckner July 18th
to 18th; Batesvile district, at Alder
brook July 10th; Helena district, at
Wynne July 25th; Pine Bluff district,
at Sheridan July 27th to SOth.
The Van Buren press., 1899-06-24
ARBITRATION ONLY IN NAME.
The Attitude of Germany Only = Little In
Advance of that of Some of the
Other Powers.

Washington, June 21.-Private ad-
vices received here from high author
ity are to the effect that the confer
ence at The Hague probably will be
redeemed nominally from failure
through an agreement on an arbitra-
ton project that Will satisfy the APP
parently general demand on that
point, but which at the same time, by
carefully framed safeguards, will so
narrow the field of matters that may
or must go before the arbitration tri-
bunal as to make it little more than
arbitration in name.
The attitude of Germanyis said to be
only little in advance of that of some
of the other powers. after all, in pp-
position to the plans submitted and
the dsaffection is more general than
appears OH the surface. AS for the
other projects that were especially de-
sired by the Americans, such as pro-
lection of individual property from
seizure ut sea, they have all been ira
deemably lost, according to this re-
port.
The Van Buren press., 1899-06-24
BarroM Convicted.

George Barrow, for the part he took
in the kidnapping of little Marion Clarke
from the home of her parents in New
York City, was sentenced to IA years
and 10 months in the penitentiary.
Barrow is son OF Judge j. c, Barrow
and brother of Hon. John Barrow,
of Little Rock. On account of the
high standing of the convicted mans
relatives. who are known and honored
throughout the state. much interest
was taken in the outcome of his trial.
Georges mother never failed to receive
a weekly letter from him until his ar
rest six weeks ago, since which time no
member of his family has heard word
direct from him.
The Van Buren press., 1899-06-24
EXPLOSION AT FORT PIcKENS.
Ono Man Killed and Four Badly In
Jured by the Blowing Up of
the Small MaRa.ine.

Pensacola, Fla, June 21.-The small
er magazine at Fort Pickens took fire
and blew up, and was completely
wrecked. One corner of the old fort
store house and several buildings used
as quarters by the laborers while at
work on the new Notifications, were
destroyed. Private Wells, of Battery
II. was killed, and four men badly in
jured, one having his arm and leg
broken. The larger magazine, in
which was stored u great quantity of
dynamite and other explosives, and
the forts were saved by brave work OF
Capt. Nieumann, and the marines from
the navy yard. The loss will reach
$4,000.
1t is said that cement barrels were
being burned and the grass becoming
ignited, spread to the magazine.
The Van Buren press., 1899-06-24
FOR THE MEMORIAL BRIDGE.
The War Department VIII Invite Pro-
posals from Fifteen Prominent
bridge Builders.

Washington, June 21.--Acting Secre-
tnry Meiklejohn and Gen. Wilson. chief
of engineers, have decided to invite
proposals from at least Is of the prom
inent bridge builders of the country
for the Memorial bridge over the Po-
tomac river connecting the observa-
tory grounds with Arlington.
Congress appropriated $4,000 for the
procurement of suitable plans, and it
is the intention to purchase the three
designs and specifications deemed
S1,s00 for the second $1,000, and for
the third S. 900, leaving $1,000 to de-
fray incidental expenses. The other
competitors will be allowed to with
draw their plans.
The Van Buren press., 1899-06-24
BRIEF MENTION.

Forrest City has new ice plant.
The new depot at Paris has been COM
pleted.
The entire road-bed OF the Pee Gee
is to be overhauled.
Fort Smiths new electric street rail
way is now in operation.
Six new brick buildings are under
construction at Hamburg.
DIR. John l. Buchanan was reelected
president OF the State University.
Andrew Wylie, q timer, was fatally
stabbed by negress at Texarkana.
The choctaw is now running regular
trains from Howe, |. T., to Mansfield.
Ninety one teachers attended the
White Woodruff county normal, held
at Searcy.
The Racket store at Fort Smith was
destroyed by fire. Loss, $4,000, par
tally insured.
The Keo Shingle Company, of Eng
land, has been Incorporated with a cap
ital stock of $4,000.
The Union Assurance Society, of Lit
tie Rock, has been incorporated under
the laws of the state.
1t is claimed Conway has more miles
Of graded streets than any other city of
the same size in the state.
The directory of the Bank of Newport
declared dividend of 10 per cent and
added $1,000 to the surplus.
f. b. Steckler, of Helena, was chosen
supreme sentinel of the Knights of
Honor at the Detroit meeting.
A gang of tramps held up number
of berry pickers waiting for a train at
Monet Station, securing about $3.50.
NJ. b. Lane, convicted in Pulaski cir
cult court of the murder of his wife,
has been sentenced to hang August 4th.
At msss-meeting held in Fort Smith
resolutions were adopted protesting
against the importation of eolored
miners.
Officials of the miners union have
instructed all union miners in Illinois
and other states to load no more coal
billed to points in Arkansas.
II is claimed the differences existing
between operators and miners in this
state could be adjusted if it were not
for few Of the strike leaders.
J. A. Edison has rendered his resigna-
ton as viee-president and superinten-
dent of the Cotton Belt Railroad and
will be succeeded by f. IL. Britton.
The weeks program of the closing
exercises Of the State University was
completed June 18th. There were nine
graduates, and the degrees were con-
ferred by Gov. Jones.
Revenue officers destroyed two Illicit
distilleries near Dewitt and arrested
JEFF Davis, John LaCotts, Sr., on whose
premises the stills were located, and a
negro named Edmondson.
The Van Buren press., 1899-06-24
WHEN THE FIRST COMES HOME.
Nebraska VIII Give Her Returning Sol
diers n Rousing Receptiou-Memo-
rial to tho Dead.

Omaha, Neb., June 21.-At n meet
ing of 20 representative citizens OF
Nebraska, held in Omaha yesterday
it was decided to give the First Ne
braska volunteers rousing reception
on their return from the Philippines
The regiment will be mustered out
at San Francisco and the state will
furnish a special train to bring the
soldiers from that city to Omaha
where reception will take place.
A committee of 80 was appointed tc
have the matter in charge. The Sec
ond and Third regiments, the former
of which spent its time at Chicka'
mauga and the latter of which did
garrison duty in Cuba, will cooperate
in entertaining the First. 1t was aIsc
decided to erect in the Omaha city hall
a memorial tablet to the soldiers who
met death in the Philippines.
The Van Buren press., 1899-06-24
CONDITIONS IN TIE SOUTH.
j. Polk Brown, of Georgia. iei'' '"'
trial Commission About tho De-
presrion In the South.

Washington. June 2t.-The INDUS
ytriaI commission continued lts lhVes
tlgation of the agricultural condilohi
of the south. Mr.. Polk Brown, pres
ident of the Agricultural society u
Georgia, was the first witness. h'
aoreed with Mr. Barrett, who testlheI
Monday, that the condition OF agil
culture in the south was more he
nressed than it had ever been. MOI
people were blowing barefooted ahe
- ,oclxed than aver before. IL.
agreed with the late Henry GradJ
that the fault was not with the so'
or the climate, nor, as many ma
claimed. was it entirely with th'
tariff. One of the most prolific eause'
ef the trouble was in the fact that coz
ton was practically the only crop. An
ether cause, he asserted, was that TIN
education was not sufficiently prac
tlcal. 1t should teach people to &c
manual labor. So far as the eolore'
race was concerned, there was NJ
onenine for them in the trades or IN
I
professions.
Mr.. Brown dwelt on the presen J
of the negro as the special cause o
the want of development of the soutV
lie regarded him as retarding the ID
dustrious, moral, religious, social an
| agricultural development of the sec
ton, and he felt that If the
were absent a better elias
| of labor would take their place. III,
more the negro was paid the less ef
| fieient he was as a laborer. Mr.. Brow
wanted the race separated from IN
| whites, and eolonized either in thi
| country or elsewhere, in the interes
OF the southern staes. But the rae
is non-progressiye. and indisposed I
adopt new methods and new devices
l he great obstacle in the way of th
development of the manufacturing III
tersts was the want of money.
Mr.. Brown advocated diversified
crops, recommending that each cor
nunity should raise sufficient of every
thing to meet its own demands.
The Van Buren press., 1899-06-24
Tho Herbert Estate In Killarney.

London, June 21.-Replying TO >
question on the subject in the hous'
of commons yesterday, Gerald D'F
four, chief secretary for Ireland au'
mitted that the county council OF hs',
ry had petitioned the government !"
purchase the Herbert estate in h"-
larney. But, he added, there was Nv
evidence of general demand on 'n'
part of the public to purchase inc 90
tate, as the place, he explained NSs
removed from the population eeu'',
and was of no value to tourists durniS
many months of the year.
The Van Buren press., 1899-06-24
The rnird Nepr.sk. Anxious for Service

Lincoln, Neb.. June 21.--Col Victor
Nifquain. of the recently-mustered OUT
Third Nebraska, is hopeful that the
regiment, whose services he has twice
rendered to the president, may be
called upon TO go to the Philippines
In answer TO his last tender to the
president, Col. Nifquain received let
ter from Adjt-Gen. Corbin, which says
that under certain conditions his
proffer may be accepted. Col. Nifquain
saws his offer was made adyisedly with
the consent of officers and men OF the
Third
The Van Buren press., 1899-06-24
fatal Duel between Nude Ho,s

Pulaski, Va, June 21.-A uniuue
duel between nude boys of 10, resulting
in the death of both, took place at
Nygal's bridge, west of this place, on
the Norfolk q Western road. John
Raines and Madison Pratt were bath
ing Monday evening with party when
Raines accidentally kicked Pratt An
gry words followed and both left the
water, ran to their clothing, secured
revolvers and began firing. Pratt died
almost instantly. but Raines. who was
shot in the abdomen, fingered until
morning.
The Van Buren press., 1899-06-24
THE RESULT OF HEAVY RAINS.
Rivers In Ohio Sent Out of TheiI
Banks and Cities FloOded-He-
ported Loss of Life.

Shelby, O., June 21.-The citizens OF
this place We're aroused from thelf
beds at ? "A. m. by an alarm sounded
on the fire and church bells and found
the city under water, the heavy rains
of Monday night having raised the lit.
tie stream of Black Fork to a raging
torrent. The flood came suddenly and
people were removed from their houses
ON horseback. The principal streets
are running streams and business is al
a standstill. Wires are down and
traffic is demoralized. 1t is reported
that several lives have been lost.
The Van Buren press., 1899-06-24
Postomce Chsnges:

The increased business of presiden-
tial postoffices in this state the past
year is shown by the follow increases
Of salaries of postmasters: Camden,
from 81, 700 to 81, 900; Mammoth Spring,
H,1OO to $1,000; Newport, tl,7OO to
81, 300; Springdale, 81, 200 to 81 800; Dsr-
danelle, 81, 800 to 81 400; Mariana, sl,-
500 to 81, 400; Paragould, 81 500 to $1,000;
Texarkana, $4,000 to $1,000; Fordyce,
81, 100 to 81, 500; Mena, $500 to 81, 500;
Prescott. $1,000 10 81 400. Decreases
Pine Bluff. 81 600 to g., 500; Clarendon.
81, 200 to 100.
The Van Buren press., 1899-06-24
A CounterfeIter.. Ontnt.

San Rafael. Cal. June 2i.-Two dies
and several bottles of acid, poruons
of counterfeiter's outfit, have pecn
unearthed by a wood chopper in the
outskirts of this place. One die was
for coming 1Sos dollars, the other be-
ing for IS pieces of 1897. Both are
well executed. There is much counter
felt coin Of these dates in Circulation
About a year ago Charles Irwin. who
operated in this vicinity, was sent to
San Quentin for making bogus money.
The dies just discovered. bowev,y
bear evidence Of recent make.
The Van Buren press., 1899-06-24
The Brussels Conference snbcommltt..

The Hague, June 21.-The Brussels
conference Subcommittee of the In
ternational Peace conference con-
vened yesterday, Prof. DE Mertens.
of the Russian delegation, presiding
The drafting committees report was
amended in regard to award of the
greater protection to neutral states,
defining the rights of civil population
To organize for resistance and the
rights oi armies as toward armed ci-
villains. Ten clauses of the report
were adopted
The Van Buren press., 1899-06-24
Slain In Hia Own Hama.

John Maledon, Fort Smith merch-
ant, was shot and killed at his home by
young man named Ewell. Maledon
went home under the influence Of liquor
and began quarrel with his wife when
Ewell. who boarded with the family,
demonstrated with him Maledon re-
sented Ewell's interference, and drew
3 pistol, threatening to fix him. Before
Maledon could fire Ewell shot him
twice, once through the body and once
through the head.
The Van Buren press., 1899-06-24
SuIta Diamiaaed.

The antitrust suits brought by the
attorney general in Pulaski circuit
court against the American Tobacco
Company and the Continental Tobacco
Company have been dismissed. Assist
ant Attorney General Jacobson says
the suits were dismissed because it
would be an impossibility for the state
to prove that the defendants partici-
pated in a combination for the purpose
of fixing rates or prices in this state,
and that all the other antitrust suits
will be dismissed.
The Van Buren press., 1899-06-24
TEST SATISFACTORILY MET.
The Armor Plate for tho BsttleshIp Wis.
eonsin VIII be Hard to
Pierce.

Washington, June 21.-There was a
test at Indian Head yesterday, of ar
NOR plate intended for the battleship
Wisconsin. the lot aggregating 700
tons. The test plate tapered from
1864 inches to 91s inches in thickness.
The first shot, Carpenter armor-
piercer with a velocity of 1870 feet,
penetrated the plate ga inches. The
second, a Holtzer armor-piercer, with
velocity of 1,sO0 feet, penetrated nine
inches. The plate was not cracked
and the test was satisfactorily met.
The Van Buren press., 1899-06-24
FARMING IN THE PHILIPPINES.
Some of the Difficulties TO De hs' Ans
Overcome by American Pluck
and Genius.

Washington, June 21.-The agri
cultural department has received al
interesting report from Lieut.. \.
Hayne, California heavy artillery, Oh
agriculture in the Philippines, datee
at Manila. Lieut.. Hayne had been aoi'
to make no personal observations DE
yond the American lines, but he trans
mits the translation of an article pre-
pared for him by Senior Manuel de
Busto, chief of the agricultural expert
ment station in Manila.
The Most Remarkable Feature
The most remarkable feature of thu
report is the almost hopeless picture
painted of the conditions in the island
The great fertility of the soil is point
ed out and it is said that only in few
restricted areas, where three crops
year have been gathered without IN
terruption for several centuries Ii
there apparent need of fertilizers.
Attempts at Colonization Fall.
In spite of this all attempts at colon
ization have failed, either through th'
poor class of immigrants secured, tn
financial instability of theyarious com
panies or the corruption and oppres
sion of the governors and government
agents. The result is that the middle
and lower classes in the islands are al
most of the worst possible type.
Other Difficulties Encountered.
In addition TO this primary difficult
ty in securing reliable labor the agrt
culturist is confronted at the starr
with the necessity for an immense
amount of work in clearing new land
When this is accomplished and a lux
uriant crop is raised, it is at the mercy
of the first typhoon. Besides the ~
phoon there is to be feared in certain
provinces the "dagudo' or dry liant
wind, which dries up vegetation. Dis
eases, so far hardly known to Euro
pean doctors, result from the turning
up of this virgin soil. According te
competent medical authorities many
of these strangerd erdisorders cause deatf
within few hours, while from Others
even if the patient RECEIVERS he is con.
demned to a wretched and lingering
existence.
Lack OF Roads andShip ping Points.
Another one of the great difficulties
in the way of the agricultural develop
ment is the utter lack of roads ane
shipping points. The native Filipino
is unable to do any large amount Of
work, and cares to do less. He is in.
dolent and given 10 gambling. AL
these vices have to be taken into ac.
count in any undertaking where labor
is employed.
Another Serious Handicap.
The lack of credit is another serious
handicap to enterprise. The minimum
cost of money in the Philippines, re-
gardless of security, is ~ per cent
At present the Philippines are cursed
by well-organized body of the worst
sort of usurists.
The price of nearly all crops is stead.
lily falling, as the production retro
grades in quantity and quality.
Should Quarantine Against Parasites.
Lieut.. Hayne, in transmitting this
interesting document states that he
would strongly recommend special
quarantine measures against Philip.
pine plants, as there exist an immense
number of very injurious parasites in
the island and many private parties
are already preparing to import botan-
ical specimens.