davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1899-09-16

the Commissioner Of Public Works
should be severally instructed to re.
port forthwith to the Council. In what.
IL any, respect any Of the gas compan.
les granted ordinances and franchises
by this Council have violated said or.
dinances and have hereby become liz.
bic to forfeiture Of their franchise
rights and privileges back to the city.
o. The Corporation Counsel should be
directed to communicate with the At.
tOrney General Of the State and to re.
quest his cooperation and support In
the inauguration on behalf Of the city
Of Chicago Of proceedings In QUO
WARRANTO, for the purpose of dis.
covering the present condition and sys.
TEN Of operation and responsibility I'm.
der their ordinances and franchises Of
the various gas companies and the con.
sOlidation Of these companies known as
the GAS TRUST, which are operating
under the provisional ordinances and
franchises granted them by the Coun.
ell, with the view Of determining In n
court Of last resort whether the said
companies, or the said GAS TRUST
are legally fulfilling their duties and
obligations to the city and its citizens.
The principal reason, of course, for
the tendency among mOnarchs to work
In favor Of peace Ii the growing infiu.
ence Of the people over public affairs.
Even In absOlutist Russia public Opin.
Ion Ii now able to make itself felt. The
desire Of the people OF every nation Is
for the maintenance OF peace, and mon.
archs In these days are compelled to
defer to the popular will In all their
undertakings. 1t Is no longer possible
for a crown wcarer to consult his own
prejudIces and ambitions solely. The
people, who fight the battles as well as
pay for them, have a strong incentive
to avert wars aud their wishes are
coming to have more and more de.
cisive influence MS the years pass. No
monarch, not even the Car Of absO.
lutist Russia, Ii the state In this day In
the sense that older Bourbon, Tudor or
HOhenxOllern kings were. Thus peace.
full tendencies pervade the great ma.
lions to a degree never before shown
In the worlds history. william H.. In
holding out the olive branch to France.
and Nicholas H., In throwing open the
ports OF his new territory on the same
terms to all tho world as to Russia.
merely voice the spirit Of equality and
fraternity which the rising tide Of de.
mOcracy sends surging around the
world.
Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1899-09-16

the beginning to the close Of the ses-
sion. As candidate for Attorney Gen.
eral Of Illinois, Hon. George Bass
would command the SURFACES Of the
very best voters throughout this entire
state.
Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1899-09-16

Commodore Alex. Jones Is opposed to
"hold-ups," but the Chicago Record
asserts 1t was Jones who insisted that
the Drainage Board purchase the now
famous canal boat Juliet. A bill for
$S,145 has been rendered the Board for
repairs ON the boat Juliet, which
originally cost only $4,000. The en-
glneer Of the Juliet Ia not sure that
there Is $4,000 worth of repairs on
the boat, but he is certain that with
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-18

Hotel, the old state house, quite a number of
discoveries have been made. Several secret
passageways were brought to light They
had been walled up and papered over but
"heh or FOR what purpose constructed and
why closed, tradition does not give the
slightest suggestion. Still more interesting
was the discovery of n black archway UNI
DER the hotel, the entrance to which was
choked with rubbish. When the rubbish
was cleared away a straight gallery was
disclosed, extending between walls of
enormous thickness, to a pair of ponderous
doors. These led into a low-ceiled room or
cavern, perfectly dark and thirty feet
square. The room shows evidence of hay-
ing been divided by partitions into twelve
or hfteen little cells, in which were con-
flned, tradition says, the slaves brought
here for speculation when the ST. Louis
auction mart was the main slave market in
New Orleans. Adjoining the wall ard lust
outside the ponderous doors is a curious
little vault, said to have been originally an
underground passage leading to TIE old
Improvement Bank in Toulouse street
Here, according to legend, was the dungeon
for refractory slaves, as forbdding a place
as the dungeon of the Latleurie mansion
where the slaves were confined to which
their wailing gave the name of the haunted
house
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-18

the Mississippi. In 1717 the river did not
mood New Orleans, even without "a levee,
the site being selected by Bienville for the
capital because ii was above inuudation
and one of the few safe points on the Mis-
sissippi Today, although the city level is
ten or fifteen feet higher. it is ten feet be-
low the Hood level of the Mississippi, and is
protected from inundation only by its
levees.
As the dredges moved along ST. Louis
street and struck Pampart they ran across
the old city walls of French New Orleans
and found them in perfect state of pres
ervation, although buried deep in the
ground 1t was known, of course, that the
city had wall and the very name of the
street Rampant fRue des Remparts), re-
called that fact, but it was generally sup
posed that they were mainly mud walls or
fortfcations. The excavations proved
them 10 be stoCkades. twenty feet high.
built of substantial cypress logs and
blocks
The next discovery was that made on
Claiborne street, where an ancient ceme-
terry was unearthed. Next the dredges
struck some ancient Waterworks the very
tradition of which had been lost. Some of
the old records speak of man named La
trooe who obtained the privilege of estab-
Ilshlng WaterWorks, but beyond the official
records there was not the slightest evidence
on the subject The whole Latrobe water
works system was brought to light. 1t was
of the most primitive kind. The water
mains consisted of cypress logs with the
bark stiil on them, pierced through the CEN
ter with a 4l2-inch bore. The water was
obtained from the Mississippi pumped into
large tank by hand pump, undoubtedly
operated by negro slave labor.
The only treasure trove was a pot of COP
per coins, debased currency coined especial
ly for the payment OF the French colonial
troops in Louisiana. The diverse of the
coins shows a crown and two crossed LIS
ana the words 'Benedictum Sit Nomen Do
mini, while on the reverse is Colonies
FRANCHISES, 1922 H." History relates that
Fouquet sent TO Louisiana in the French
of these coins tor the use of the inhabit.
ants. They We're never popular and the
coins dug up indicate by their appearance
that they were never in circulation: y
Similarly in dismantling the St. Louis
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-18
UNDERGROUND NEW ORLEANS.
some Curious and Interesting Things
Just brought to hight


From the New York SIN
The work now under way in New Orleans
for the drainage and sewerage Of the city
has resulted in many discoveries that have
surprised and puzzled the oldest inhabitant
There has been very little excavation done
here for sixty years. The old creoles be-
Hcyed that the soil was poisonous. and
would not disturb II under any condition
even to the extent Of digging foundations
for their houses. They built their houses
on top Of the ground. not on foundations
sunk IN Il, and this fact explains why their
dwellings were often only one story high
snd rarely more than two. The digging of
the new canal By Simon Cameron, who
came down from Pennsylvania for the
Work, Is said to have cost thousands of
lives, and 10 have been responsible for all
Of the worst yellow fever epidemCS in New
Orleans These views at least were solemn
y cnuucidted by the commission of uhy-
siCians and experts appointed to investigate
the epidemic of 1913 From that time the
Louisiana board of health has refused 10
allow any excavations during the summer
without special permits. even in ease of
buildings erected, and these permits are
given most grudgtngly-
In the last few years the old belief has
been largely abandoned and there has
been such digging as New Orleans never
knew before. The dredge and the shovel
have brought up many archaeological
relics, confirmed many traditions and Shed
light on many uncertain points of early his
tory. The first thing the dredge did was to
bring to light the old coast line of the
Gulf of Mexico, which ran along what is
row Broad street Back of this the dredge
struck a forest of expresses. The eXcava-
tons showed further that the level of the
city was very considerably higher than In
its earlier days, and that, too, in spite of
the evidence that the land is sinking. This
elevation IL partly the aCcretiOu that goes
on with time. but mainly filling TO protect
the streets from overflow. And this gives a
striking illustration of the higher level of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-18
Legally Dead.
from the Chicago Chronicle

In Mexico when a man is condemned to
death he is executed by being shot by a file
of soldiers and the body is left where it
falls, to be taken away by the mans
friends, If he has any. Not long ago a
worthless fellow was thus executed and
left In the open country outside q small
village. But after the officer in charge had
inspected him, pronounced him dead and
tho soldiers had left, the man got up,
walked to the City of Mexico, thirty miles
istant, and entered hospital. He had a
wound In his shoulder and two more on his
skull, but soon recovered. The authorities
now wanted to shoot him again, but the
governor Of the province decided that the
man was legally dead, the lieutenant hay
Ing said so, and the Mexican was released.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-18

If you have carpet that looks dingy and you wish
to restore to its original freshness, make stiff aher
OF Ivory Soap and warm water and scrub it, width by
width, with the lather Wipe with clean damp sponge.
Do not apply more water than necessary.
The vegetable oils purtv fit it for
special for which other and unsatisfactory
BY rpocrsR .e.ssteo CINCINNATI
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-18

Nehemiah, compare the adjective cold"
said schoolmaster to his head boy
positive cold, comparative cough super
lative coffin triumphantly responded
Observation-Disclosures.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-18
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICES OF EDWIN NJ.
STANTON. BY George c. Gorham. In Two
Volumes. With Portraits Maps and Facsimiles
Of Important Letters. Boston: Houghton,
Mitiin x Company. Washington: William Bal
lantyne x Sons
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-18

OLD GLORY SERIES-FIGHTING IN CUBAN
WATERS; Under Schiey on the BROOKLYN
BY Edward Stratemeyer, author Of Under
Dewey at Manila "A Young Volunteer in
Cuba, etc. Illustrated. Boston: Lee a. Sbep-
ard. Washington: William Ballantyne 4 sons.
TRIPLE ENHANCEMENT. BY Mrs Burton
Harrison author of The Anglomanacs.' a
Bachelor Maid" Sweet Bells Out of Tune, /"
Good Americans" etc. Illustrated PhiIa,
delphia J. b. Lippincott Company. washngs
ton: William Ballantyne d Sons. :
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-18
Increase in Claims Allowed.


With reference to the work of the bureau
during the fiscal year ended June 80, 1898,
81, GAS original claims were allowed as
against so, 1O1 in 1897; 40,374 in 1895; Sc, 1856
In 1895 and 39OS5 in 1894
In 1898 the pensioners on the rolls num-
bered 993, ia, a net increase over 1897 Of
17,700, and involved a gross expenditure
during the year of $144 651. $40 So as against
$40 $40, 717.35 for the year 1897.
On June 80 1885, there were in the SER
vice 4.G63 medical examiners. There is
much complaint among pensioners by rea-
son of the lack of uniformity of ratings for
the same or like disabilities In cases of
different claimants. This complaint has
always existed and always will with the
present system and established practice
and it cannot be remedied without radical
change of system.
During President Grants first term from
1869 to 1872, there were allowed In all IL
462 claims Of the war of the rebellion
During his second term, from 1873 to 1876,
there were allowed 1880 claims, and dur
The times., 1899-05-05
THE NEEDS OF NINTH STREET.
Appropriations Only Intended for
Paving Public ThOrouEhfares.

Capt A. II. Mccormick, Commandant of
the Washington Navy Yard. has called the
attention of the District Commissioners to
the need of paving Ninth Street from NJ
Street south TO the navy yard gate. This
street is largely used for the delivery of
heavy freight TO the navy yard, and In
wet weather becomes impossible. The
general public does not use the thorough
fare to any great extent. 1t is estimated
by the District Engineer Department that
the COS, of paving the street with sheet
asphalt would amount TO SS,52S. The ac-
ton OF the Commissioners is expressed
in the following letter, which will be sent
to the commandant:
In reply TO your letter concerning the condi-
tion of Ninth Street the Commissioners would
state that the estimated cost of paving this street
is 50. 900 The paving, if laid would not connect
with any other modern pavement at either end.
II has been the policy OF Congress for several
years past to make payements continuous. As lar
as the general public is concerned it is believed
that the money could be more advantagcousiy
applied upon other streets in the District The
improvements would no doubt be a benefit TO
the navy yard but could hardly be called so
to the general public OF the District. On this ac-
count the Commissioners do not feel justified IN
recommending the paving Of the street at this
time, but if the Navy Department should en-
deavor to secure a specific appropriation from
Congress for doing the work the Commissioners
wonld be glad to cooperate and assist to the ex-
lent of their mower
The times., 1899-05-05
THE MOUNT PLEASANT LOOP.
District Commissioners VIII Give
More Hearings I'm the Matter.

Three opinions have been handed to
the District Commissioners by their attor-
ney, S. s. Thomas advising them that un-
der the act of Congress of 1862, incorpo-
rating the Washington and Georgetown
Railroad Company, they have authority
TO grant permission to the Capital Trac-
tion Company to construct loops at the ter
mini of the railroad at Fourteenth Street
and Howard Avenue, at the foot Of Sew
enth Street. and at the navy yard.
The Traction officials stated when they
filed their applications that they thought
the Commissioners were vested with au-
tbority sufficient to grant the necessary
permits, and the ruling Of Attorney Thorn
as upholds their contention.
The Commissioners have already ap-
proved two of the opinions of the attorney,
namely, those which deal with the navy
yard and arsenal terminals, but have not
yet approved the one which refers to the
Fourteenth Street loop. Considerable op-
position was aroused when it was an
nounced that the Traction Company de-
sired to lay tracks in Kenyon Street and
Whitney Avenue in building the Four
teenth Street loop, and for this reason the
Commissioners have decided to give the
matter more consideration before approx
ing the last mentioned opinion.
The times., 1899-05-05
TRIAL OF MICHAEL ]. RUSSELL.
The Defendant Takes the Stand in
His Own Behalf.

HIS OWn BehaIf.
The trial of Michael ]. Russell. a mid
dle-aged white man who claims New York
city as his home, and who is charged with
the larceny of several pieces OF valuable
Jeweiry from Salvador Desio on March 20
last, was begun yesterday in Criminal
Court No. before Justice Clabaugh and
jury. At the hour of adjournment argu-
ment by counsel on either side was con-
cluded, and the jury will be instructed this
morning by the court as to the law gov
erning the case. The Government is rep
resented by Assistant District Attorney
Joseph Shillington, and the accused by At
torney Campbell Darlington.
The testimony offered by the Govern
ment tended to show that on the date
mentioned Russell and another man en-
tered Desio's jewelry store in Street
about 4:3O p. m. and the former purchased
one or two small articles of jewelry
Shortly after Russell and his companion
left the store it was discovered that val
liable diamond horseshoe scarf pin and a
brooch had disappeared. Suspicion at
tached to Russell and his friend, and at
$780, two hours after the alleged robbery,
Russell was arrested in Ninth Street by
Detective Parham. He was taken to Po-
OF the stolen jewelry was found upon his
person. He was, however, held and in
dicted for larceny by the grand jury.
1t was shown in evidence that on the
same day Desio's store was robbed. A.
b. Saddler's jewelry store in Baltimore was
also robbed, and that Russell and his
friend were in that store during the early
part of the day.
Russell took the witness stand to testi-
fy in his own defence. He proved very
talkative witness, and was willing at any
time during his cross-examination by Mr..
Shiillngton to argue any point OF difference
that arose between them and to theories
as to why he did thus and so, or why he did
not. He, however, admitted that he was
in Baltimore on the day it was stated that
Saddler's store was robbed, and that man
by the name of Rodgers was with him. He
went to Saddler's, he said, to get a dia-
mond pin which his friend desired to pre-
sent to him as a memento. While there
he said he also purchased pair OF eye
glasses for Sc.
Russell stated that he conducts a liquor
business in New York city, and that he was
on his way to Washington to visit his rela-
tives in this city and incidentally to attend
the race meet at Benning, when he met his
friend Rodgers at Baltimore. When aues-
toned by Mr.. Shillington, Russell denied
that his companion was known by him as
"Rothady," and that he was well known
as crook. He admitted that he himself
was twice arrested in New York, but de-
MED that he had ever been convicted OF
crime.
Russell said that his relatives in this city
are named Green, and live in Thirty-sec-
ond near NJ Street. The trial will be re-
sumed this morning
The times., 1899-05-05
A BRUCE SCHOOL PLAYGROUND
The Commissioners Purchase Prop
erty Adjoining the building.

A site has been purchased by the Dis
trict Commissioners for a playground to
adjoin the new Bruce School Building, in
Marshall Street. Mount Pleasant. In MAX
ing this purchase the city authorities have
inaugurated a policy in favor of public
Fairgrounds for school children. In the
future they will endeavor to build fewer
school buildings of small dimensions, and
erect large schools on sites large enough
for Fairgrounds adjoining.
The ground for the Bruce playground
was purchased from Thomas j. Fisher d
Co., at the price of "a cents per SQUARE
foot 1t is known as lot 21, of block . IN
Mount Pleasant, and will be paid for OUT
of the available balance left from the ap-
preparation for the site and building iol
the Bruce School. The Commissioners are
heartily in favor Of the public playground
idea and many communications urging
them to purchase property to be devoted
to that use have been received from par
| ents and property owners during the past
year.
The times., 1899-05-05
THE RIGHT OF sEwER-WAY.
The District Surveyor Asks the Com
missioncrs for n Legal Opinion.

Steps have been taken by Henry B. Look
er, the District Surveyor to determine what
documents in the books of his Offices are
invalid, and has informed the Commission
ers that there has been considerable laxity
in the matters of papers of dedication,
which has resulted in lack OF knowledge of
their existence by the Surveyors Office.
He has accordingly urged that such papers
be prepared in only the Surveyors and the
Street Extension Offices. In his endeavors
to straighten out the records of some OF
these dedications the Surveyor has asked
the Commissioners to obtain an opinion
from their attorney regarding the action TO
be taken by him in regard to the right
of way for sewer under certain property
decided TO the District by James II. Meri-
weather and wife. This property is located
In square 235, between Thirteenth and
Fourteenth Streets and V and w Streets
northwest
The Surveyor stated that in 1894 Meri-
weather and his wife decided to the Dis
trict right of way for sewer under cer-
tain property in the square in question.
On the same plat was shown a proposed
public alley, five feet wide, covering other
land in the same square adjacent to that
covered by the sewer right, and dedicated
for the purpose by Meriweather. The doc
ument is recorded in the Office of the Re
corder OF Deeds, but the books of the As
SCISSOR are said not TO show the existence of
any such alley.
The Surveyor found the original deed
on file in his office, and in order to de-
termine its validity well as his legal au-
thority for disregarding the alley in the fu-
ture applied TO the Commissioners for an
opinion on the matter from their attorney.
The Surveyor thought that il the recording
of the deed was considered ipso facto ac-
ceptance by the District of the sewer right
such act of recording might be construed
as accepting the dedication. But II the deed
was not accepted by the District he though,
the property owner would have the right
| TO demand the removal of the sewer
\ Again, if the dedication of the alley were
considered accepted. Meriweather might
doubtless demand the return of taxes paid
on the alley since 1894.
In taking action On the request of the
| Surveyor the Commissioners recommended
that the alley be regarded as private al
ley. as 1t is not desired by them as a public
alley. 1t is stated by them to be contrary
to their policy to accept alleys less thar
ten feet in width.
L. T.
The times., 1899-05-05
TWO MORE MURDER TRIALS.
The Cases of seweII and Horton
Soon to he Taken Uu

Arrangements for the trial of two of the
prisoners in Jail, charged with murder,
have been made by the District Attorney.
The first is that of George Grant Sewell.
colored, who is under Indictment for the
murder OF Susie Mahoney, also colored,
on October 27 last, which will be called
in Criminal Court No. l on Monday next.
Sewell. it will be remembered, shot ard
killed the woman at her home, 80
Twenty-seventh Street northwest, on the
date mentioned. He had been on terrsi of
intimacy with the woman, it is said. and
the act is attributed to jealousy. On the
evening that the shooting took place it
was testified at the coroner's inquest,
Sewell called at the house OF Susie Mahoney
and tney parted apparently the pest Of
friends. few minutes after he lett the
house, however, it is stated Sewell re-
turned, and, partly opening the door of
the room in which the deceased and several
of her friends were. fired directly at the
Mahoney woman and killed her.
An effort is being made by the District
| Attorney to have the trial of George w.
| Horton, who is charged with the murder Of
Mrs. Jane Nicholson, begin on May II.
The times., 1899-05-05
Testimony in the Holton Case.

The taking OF testimony in the case OF
Mr.. Hoyt A. Holton and his wife, Melvie
NJ. Holton, against the District for s25, 600
was begun yesterday in Criminal Court
No. !, before Chief Justice Bingham and
jury. The plaintiff alleges that on the
night of March s, 1897, about II o'clock
she was walking along H Street between
Eleventh and Twelfth Streets northeast
and stumbling against pile of brick, fell
and was permanently injured. The OBJ
struction in the street was made by the
agents of the District in the course of the
construction of sewer along H Street.
The plaintiffs are represented by S. B.
Hallam and the defence by Messrs. Thomas
& Duvall attorneys for the District.
The times., 1899-05-05
Escnnea From 81. ElIzaheth.

The police are in receipt of information
from Kansas City to the effect that George
B. Howard, alias ]. w Clawson, was ar
rested there several days ago. The man is
a fugitive from justice, having escaped
from St Elizabeth's Insane Asylum sew
eral years ago. He had been incarcerated
at the institution since 1891, having been
sent there about nine months after being
sentenced to the penitentiary for five years
for pension frauds. II was said that he
feigned insanity. Since his escape from
the asylum Howard has been engaged in
the practice Of medicine in the West as
an eye specialist. He is now confined in
the Federal Jail at Wichita, Kan.