davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-12

quart 80: ~" i'~ey' per 75c
sali PSpP jugs " eaeh . IN nai- $3.50
Bottles bot 9ia rom. rom oin. ... in quart $I.OO
'f tIes . Wni'key . in quart bot $I.OO
DuHS Malt "hisfey' per quart $50
rl qHart b .a'.ai.'o Brandy per zoe
' per qud Rtn ... Imported sherry soc
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-12
BUSINESS WANTS.
.D.O'SULLIVAN'S.
Eighteenth and rlain SITS.

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
FINEST CULPEPER CREAMERY
BUTTER.
yirgnla's finest product. Always the
same. Nothing in this town can equal II
for purity flavor. and quality. Its de-
licious flavor IL not equalled by any But
ter at twice the cost. Order pound for
sample.
I5c. per povnd-in amy quantity.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-12
wANTI,n-

A FfRST-cLAsS COOK. APPLY AT
No. 1VS west Grace street. Ia u-2t
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-12
BY J. y. Elan e. Co.
Real Estate AuctIOneers.
COURT SALE OF KINGS MILL

ROCKETS MILL AND "RICHMOND
CITY MILLS"
THE ENTIRE PLANT, LAND, BUILD.
INGS, MACHINERY, AND FIX
TURES,
AND OTHER CONTIGUOUS PROPER.
TIES
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-12
WANTED.
WANTED.

THREE LADIES TO PAINT OK FA-
bric. China. and Glassware. Good wages
paid w. J. BONERD q Co, 30S north
Twelfth street ia Pile
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-12
WANDEn


AN EXPERIENCED COOK. APPLY
with references, AZ No. S2Sk west Grace
street, city. ia pie
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-12

YOUNG MAN, MARRIED. DESTROYS
l'of settling IN Richmond, would like Posi-
1 ton with responsible business house.
IL l2-lts
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-12

AT ONCE. A RELIABLE AND CAPA-
bic Housegirl. Apply TO l05 east Cary
street. ia 12-lt
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-12
WANTED.

4 SMALL. SUNNY. FURNISHED FLAT
or Suite OF Rooms. Furnace or steam
heated preferred. Address. giving de-
scriptIon and terms. NJ. r.. care Dispatch
ia Pile
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-12

UP-TO-DATE, HUSTLING MAN. To
Appoint Agents Tor our Publications.
s,tion' AdSress Win references r. II
MOODWARD HaltlmOre. IN l2llt
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-12
WANTED,
WANTED.

TO RENT A CUSTOM FIGURING
Mil. Roller or Burr. now or by the LIST
Of May, or will run n good mill either on
shares or salary. Best references given.
Address MILLER, Dispatch office.
IN PHI
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-12

/ hereby certify that the bond REQUIRED
by r. NJ Pitcher, trustee and special com.
missioner. by the above decree, end ns
decree OF November 4. 1898. has been l.g
given. CHARLES o. SAVIITF
Ia l2-td Clcrr
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1899-10-20
OFF FOR TARLAC
Lawton and Young, Who Have
Been Making Extensive
Preparations,
Start on An Important Expedi'
tion.-San IsidrO to Be Made
a Base.
AguinaldO Publishes a Book Con.
tanning Alleged Official Cor
respondence.

MANILA. Oct. 2O.-4:3O p. m.-Gen-
eral Lawton is supposed ohave reached
San Isidro.
No communication has been received
from him since he left Ayayat, during
the morning.
MANILA, Oct. 2O.-lO:12 a. m.-Gen.
eral Lawton and General Young are at
Arayat with force of nearly 5000
men. The gunboats Florida and Oeste
are preparing to move along the river
to San Isidro, which will be held as a
base for operations to the north.
Extensive preparations have been IN
progress for several days and the expe.
dition, whose objective is Tarlac, is ex
pected to start during the day. The
supplies will be taken on cascoes.
General Lawton's force consists ol
eight companies of the Twenty-fourtf
infantry under Colonel Keller; eigh'
companies of the Twenty.second infan
try under Major Baldwin; nine troops
of the Fourth cavalry, mounted, undel
Colonel Hayes. and a mixed regiment
consisting of one company OF the Thir
ty-seventh infantry, six guns, com
nanded by Captain Scott, and one com
pany of cavalry, and Captain Batson'
Macabebe scouts. The Third cavalr.
is equipping at San Fernando to Joi'
the expedition.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1899-10-20
Another Cup to Sail For.

NEW YORK, Oct. 2O.-The Evening
world announces that, In conjunction
with The Daily Mail OF London It
offers a cup to be sailed tor oy tne
Shamrock and the Columbia in an extra
race on a day to be agreed upon be-
tween Mr.. Iselin aud Sir Thomas LIP.
ton The Evening World suggests taa'
= change Of crews be made. in order e
settle the question as to whether the
crew Of the Columbia is better 'nai
.hat of the Shamrock, or vice versa
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1899-10-20

NovAl aAxmo eowpeR co.. Nev voe,,,

to Durham nor Capetown, both of which
are already overcrowded with refugees
but to Port Elizabeth, Port Alfred and
East London. from which points rail-
roads converge directly upon the Free
State border, where concentration will
be effected somewhere in the neigh.
borhood of Norvalspont The advance
Will then begin towards Pretoria,
straight through the Free State.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1899-10-20
Of the Day From South
fr;ca Not of An Excit-
ing Nature.
Blow Up Bridges Both
birth and South of Kim
berley.
h Troops Repulse a Boer
o;d Near GlencOe--Other
War News

.rowx. Oct. 20.-The Beers have
m the bridges at Fourteen
: and the Modder river, the
north and the latter south OF
rley.
,cor CAMP, Oct. l9.-::35 p. m.-
a in transmission. l-The British
here have been under fire. A
Boer patrol was encountered
miles from the camp and was re-
the British force suffering no
t!es.
y,ylTH. Oct. 2O.-The British
came into contact with the en-
in the neighborhood OF Acton
s and Testers Station, about ~
out. The firing began about ~
/ and was still in progress at 5p.
! number of casualties have been
ed.
EpoN oct. 20. The Daily Tele-
Is correspondent at Ladys'nith
ha, no newspaper representatives
kllowed to proceed from there
10 Besters Station or Acton
es. and adds that General Jou'
forces are moving against Glen
nd Bes,ers Station. on the darri'
.Lynch line.
blP GLENCOE, Natal, Oct. 2O.-Boe'
have been sighted ut Batting
i, seven miles from the British
and an engagement is imminent
Beers are working around bott
with the idea Of entering south O
smith and attacking in force will
(o.operation Of Commsndant Gen
Joubert. The British patrol Gov
a wide area in order preven
hnkins and were subject to no
n persistent skirmishing. Genera
aeorge Stewart White is quite pre-
d 10 offer battle and the camp !
ked at the prospect OF striking
1i,e blow.
seral commanders who were I'd
fins with the main body from New
le on Dundee are marching to Joi
Fge force stationed at Dornbore
Langmans drift. IL miles east {
|iec.
pSDoN. Oct. 20. The Ladysmit
Camp Glencoe dispatches refer
different Boer forces. the Cam
lcoe ad"ices referring to the boe'
are invading from Laings Mex an
laGyssnith dispatches to the Fre
( forces advancing through Va
lals lass to Beslars Station and Il
sla'ers invading over the Tintw
10 Acton Homes.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1899-10-20
A Lima n ans Testimony.

a Lima u ans Testimony.
I have obtained excellent results from
the use Of Foley's Kidney Cure. 1t re-
lieved my back. ache and severe pain
over the hips. 1t toned up my system
and gave me new vim and energy. l re.
gard it as an honest and reliable remedy
for all Kidney diseases. 1t makes nc
false claims but does what it Gays when
given fair trial. / certainly recon
mend it. VIM. Finn, 447 Elida Road
Lima, Ohio.
CHRIS SCHUTZ.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1899-10-20

On. Man Killed and Nine Others Injured
at seymour. Ia.

One Man Killed and Nino OtncEs A"S
At Seymour. Ia.
SEYMOUR. Ia. Oct. 2o.-An acciaent
occurred here at 7:4S p. IN. IN whlch
one person was killed and nine Others
;r;nrea several of them perhaps fa-
tailv. A crowd of young men had
started to the country to charivari q
newly married couple, and as they
drove across the Rock Island track IN
the east limits of the city they were
struck by the eastbound meat tram tran,
and Knocked from the track. Miil
Cupples was killed outright and ms
body was found upon the pilot OF the the
engine. The other members OF the
party were thrown promiscuously
along the track and the wagon was M
completely demolished. One OF tne
horses was injured but the other es'
caped
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1899-10-20
COMMISSIONERS ARRIVE.

worcestsr and DENLY Reach Vancouver
From the Philippines.
VANCOUVER. B. c.. Oct 2O.-Profes-
sor D. c. Worcester and Colonel DENLY,
Philippine commissioners, have arrived
here on the steamer Empress of Japan
and left at once for Washington where
they will make their report to the pres
ident. Until the report is made public
neither gen,le-Aan will make state
ment of any kind for publication.
Among the passengers on the steamer
was Editor Letmour, proprietor of the
Manila American. His mission to
America is to urge the removal of Gen.
eral Otis from the command of the
United States forces in the Philippines
and the promotion Of General Lawton
| to the command.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1899-10-20
TOLD BY FILIPINOS.
Alleged Correspondence With American
Omcials Published at Manila.

ALLEGED pondence with American
Ofncials pubitshsd at Manila.
MANILA. Oct. 2O.--The consuls in Ma
nila have received from Tarlac, where
it is believed Aguinaldo remains. a
book containing the correspondence be-
tween himself and the American COM
manders and consuls. in which. as he
conteuded in his recent appeal for rec
ognition, the Filipinos find the basis
for their assertion that the American
government recognized their sover-
eighty and promised them independ-
| ence.
The book is addressed to the members
of the United States congress and cou'
tains long argument by Senior Beun'
canamo of the so-called cabinet OF Ag'
uinaldo and alleged letters written by
Mr.. Wildman, United States consul al
Hong Kong, to Aguinaldo, in June and
July of last year. 1t has made senss
ton among the Spaniards here.
| Suggestions by wildmsn.
Replying to Aguinaldo's request thai
the Americans would arrange for send
ing the Spanish prisoners to Hong
Kong, relieving the Filipinos OF the ex
pense of caring for them. Mr.. Wildmai
wrote:
| "Never mind feeding them. A mea
a day Of rice and water would b
enough. They have been living to-
high. If the Spaniards want NOR
blood shed in the Philippines l trus
YOU will let them have taste of rea
war. Do not be so tender with them
, Handle them as they would treat you.
I Mr.. Wildman's letters dealt largel
,;,h tha shipnent of arms. The Who'll
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1899-10-20
Neabitt aud Sovau WoundeA.

LONDON, Oct. 2O.-According to pri.
vate information received here from
Bloemfontein, capital Of the Orange
Free State, President Kruger tele.
graphed an account to President Steyn,
OF the affair at Kraaipan, where the
Beers derailed and bombarded the
British armored train. carrying Captain
Nesbitt's party. Mr.. Kruger said that
Eesbitt and seven men were seriously
wounded; that no one was killed, and
that all the prisoners were we'll.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1899-10-20
Change. Of No Consequences.

LoNpoS. Oct. 2O.-The British foreign
Office asserts that the verbal changes
IN the terms of the Alaskan modus
vlvendi are of no practical importance
and have been readily agreed to. and
that it is assumed the United States
secretary of state. Colonel John Hay.
and the British charge d'affaires in
Washington. will sign at once.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1899-10-20
INSIST UPON IT.

..a' t" tho Cape Argus Resesratss
"eavy Loss Of Boers at Msfektng.
APE Town. Oct. 2O.-A dispatch from
,,,oerley. dated Oct. II. says:
n Is well here. Colonel Hore en-
ed the Beers at Mafeking with great
cess Mafeking was still safe on
10
special dispatch to the Cape Argus
crates the statement that in the
I0As at Mafeking Colonel Hore re.
~ the Beers, inAicting loss OF SOo
ne ne Cape Times publishes tho follow
u,lspatch from Kimberley:
seliable information from Mafeking
mat an armored train. while recon
'enng north Of the town last Satur.
y, =, engaged 900 Beers, who suffered
Dvlohel Fitz Clarence's regiment foiled
noers, infiicting severe loss. Tn.
Asa casualties were two killed and
!" Wounded, two severely.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1899-10-20
The Thomas to Sail Soon.

PHILADELPHIA. Oct. 2O.-The United
States transport Thomas. the finest
troopship ahoat. sailed from Cramps
shipyard for New York. where she will
20 into dry dock to be painted. The
Thomas is to go to the Philippines early
in November. and will carry over 1900
persons. including soldiers, officers,
nurses and crew.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1899-10-20

correspondence. however, contains nc
mention Of independence.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1899-10-20

Joseph Stockford, Hodgdon, Me-,
healed sore running for seventeen
years and cured his piles Of long stand
ing by using DeWitt's Witch Hazel
Salve. It cures all skin diseases.
Cook 4 ODEE
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1899-10-20

""rch Through Orange Free state
"'NhoN. Oct. 2O.--The Associated
En- - learns that the transports which
.r, convey the army corps about to
C..1 Ior South Africa. will 90 neither
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1899-10-20

III you scour the world you will Fever
find q remedy equal to One Minute
Cough Cure" says Editor Fockl r, OF the
Micynopy. Fla, "Hustler." 1t CURED his
family Of LaGrippe and saves thousands
from pneumonia, bronchitis. Group and
and ali throat and lung troubles.
Cook & ODEE.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1899-10-20
Plenty OF App,:canta

0CtINc ullItAIy seIVlCe anu tue new
force II 5000 mounted infantry, which
the imperial government has sane.
toned, will be quickly raised The
premier, Mr.. Schreiner. continues to
issue circulars to the Dutch residents
advising them to maintain strict loyalty
to the imperial government. The best
authorities here now agree that the
danger Of general revolt is very slight.
FIVE ARE KILLED.
Oementsd Mirnesota Farmer Wipes His
Entire Family Out Of Existence.
REDWOOD FALLS. Mimi, Oct. 90. =
Frank E. Babcock, n farmer residing
one a half miles west of Redwood
Falls, killed his wife and three sons
and then blew ont his own brains.
The murders were committed on the
farm and there was no one present al
the time excepting the victims, Bah
cocks relatives. residing in an adjoin
Ing house, having all gone to Redwood
Falls TO do some afternoon marketing
Babcock. who has been partly dementee
for a long time past. took down nj!
breech- loading shot gun and went a rot
south Of his house. where his two sons
not over years old. were playing. III
| evidently shot them in the head a
close range as both were fearfully mu
tilated.
Took y Breathing spell.
Babcock. it appears, then went int
the house and penned note to HI
brother-in-law. who was in town. to tn
effect that he went out to kill rooste
and instead shot Theodore and that h
could not face the crime.
After completing his note Babcocl
followed his wife. who had escaped t
the barn, and fired charge OF sho
through her head. He then proceede'
nearly a mile south of the farmhouse t
where his oldest son. a lad of Is. was
work and killed him. Removing tn
empty shells the murderer reloaded tn
gun and blew out his own brains. In
shots were heard by neighbors som
distance away. but it was not un1,
the return of Frank Mason, Babcock
brother.in.law, that the horrible crim
became known. The coroner ana shel
iff have left for the place AMI an II
ouest will be held.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1899-10-20
IOWA PEOPLE ALARMED.

Intimations Of Possible Disaster to the
Fifty.arst Cause Anxiety.
DEs MONIES, Oct. 2O.-The Associated
Press dispatches indicating fears that
the transport Senator, now on the Pa
cific with the Fifty-first Iowa regiment,
may have suffered heavy weather is
causing great concern. The under
standing here is that the Senator was
not q first class vessel and relatives and
friends Of the |. 200 Iowans on board are
greatly excited over the intimations Of
possible disaster. Governor Shaw has
announced the cancellation of his
speaking dates and will leave at once
for San Francisco. which he had not
intended to do. to meet the regiment
aud assure proper care for the troops in
case they have suffered severely.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1899-03-16
MAULING MALAYS DEVELOPING INTO A CON- TINOUS PERFORMANCE
 BY WHEATON.
HE STILL CROWDS THEM.
He Defeated 2,00O Insurgents Yes terday Afternoon at Pasig, Talk
 ing 350 Prisoners.

Manila, March 16.-Gen. Lloyd Wheaton, commanding the United States flying column, attacked and defeated force of 2,000 Filipinos at Paslg yesterday afternoon, in ficting heavy loss upo1 them. The American loss was slight. Many bodies of rebels killed in the engage ment are floating down the river. The Americans captured $50 Filifi- nos.
 Private Fornoff, of Company L, Twentieth regtment, was killed Wounded: Private Newman, Com pany 2, Twentieth regiment; Priv yates Carroll, Company A; Mar shall, Company B; B;Coombs, Compa- ny c, and Rogers, Company L, al. of the Twenty-second regiment.
 About 350 Filipinos surrendered at the town of Faguig to the Wash ington regiment. and 175 Fihpinos were captured at Pasig by the Twentieth regiment.
 Our troops found 1of dead Flipi- nos and 100 new graves near Pasig.
 The prisoners were unarmed and therefore it is presumed they exc cuted their threat of throwing their arms into the river.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1899-03-16
STORM M-SWEPT, PART OF THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM DE-
 STROYED. SEVERAL PEOPLE INJURED
Railroads Considerably Damaged By Washouts in That Part
 of the Country.

Birmingham, Ala, March 16.-At five o'clock Wednesday morning wind storm passed near the eastern limits of Birmingham and swept through the suburban towns of Ay- ondale and Woodlawn, doing sev- eral thousand dollars damage. It was veritaole tornado and gained force as it went. The roof of the Sloss furnace cast house was blown off The laundry of the Avondale mills was destroyed and dozen cottages at that place were Ieveled to the ground. Between Avondale and Woodlawn the storm passed up the Fifth avenue road and moved every house It struck from it's foun- dation.
 At Woodlawn Woods machine sbop, two neg~o churches and fifteen or twenty cottages were destroyed. In most instances the occupants es- capped uninjufed. A few, however, were slightly hurt, the most serious being Mrs. Annie Johnson, who oc- eupied an old store on the Fifth avenue road. She was buried un- der falling timbers, but was quickly rescued by neigbbors. She is not fatally hurt. There were many narrow escapes.
 The damage, as far as known, ] will amount to about $2O, 900 Most of the houses destroyed were cot tages.
 Heavy rams fell west of here fuesday.night, and all trains on the Southern railway between Birming- ham and Greenville, Miss, are an nulled because of washouts.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1899-03-16
Another Robbery.

# Upon returning to their home on N est Second avenue from visit to seighbors Wednesday afteanoon, Nesdames c. G. Newman and B. w.. Freeman found a room in a disord' sfed condition. Papers were strewn bout the floor, articles of wear aere pitched into one heap and aany drawers from the bureau were
 Ferturned upon the floor. The adies investigated the cause and Ietermined that daylight intruder aad entered the house during their
 xepce. A top drawer of the sureau belonging 70 Mrs. Freeman Tas broken open and $5 in money Ind gold watch taken. The police zere notified and Chief Craig, to- xether with Constable Stewart, who lhd his bloodhounds with him, went so the place. The dogs would not IFace the track outside of the yard lnd the officers immediately ous- 3ected Joe Daniels, negro man eho had been working in the yard or several days, and also on the dtern oon of the robbery. He was srrested, and committed to jail by |nsHce Vance. He will be given a Barring today. Daniels denies the Barge.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1899-03-16
HAS HE SKIPPED ]?
Ex Policeman Chas. Roarity Not
 Heard From for Two Weeks.

Former Policeman Charles Roari- ty left this city Monday night week ago and has not been heard from since.
 His whereabouts are unknown. He leaves a wife at No. POS Georgia street, and she has not heard word from him since his departure. His friends fear that he has desertea her. It is said that he quarreled with his wife the night before he left and threatened to leave her. They have been mar ried fourteen years and have no children.
 Charley Roarity is we'll known and liked in this city. He served on the police force for a number of years and was brave and efficient officer. Recently he was employed as a night-watchman in the business part of the city. To his friends and acquaintances he was quiet and in- offensive. and his conduct is sur prise to the community. He was about 55 years old and gray headed
 It has been reported that Roarity stated before he left here that he intended to joln the arm, but he is over the age of enlistment.
 In the mean time his wife and friends are anxious to learn his whereabouts.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1899-03-16
Tuesday Nights Engagement.

Washington, March 16.-The fol. lowing dispatch from Gen. Otis has received:
 Manila, March 15-Adiutant Gen. eral, Washington: Three thousand insurgents moved down Tuesday night to the towns of Pasig and Pateros, on the shore of Laguana bay, front Wheatou's troops on the Pasig river line. By heavy fighting Wheaton has disiodged and driven them back, taking foar hundred prisoners and inflicting heavy loss in killed and wounded. He reports his loss as very moderate. He now occupies these towns with sufficient force to hold them. Ous.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1899-03-16
 HAD LEGION.

A colored N oman created quite a lively scene on Main street Wednes- day afternoon. She said she had 'lglon and was dey oted member of the Holy Ghost church, She raved frantically when Chief Craig took her to the police office, where upon being questioned she said her name was Sister Jenny Yaney, and was a firm believer in her teacher, Dr. Test. Chief Craig sun moned pr. Noel, the county physician. He said the wo- man was not crazy, but it would be best to send her home and Chief Craig lid so.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1899-03-16
Now For AguinaIdo.

London, March 16.-The Evening News yesterday afternoon publishes the following dispatch from Manila:
 "Gen. Wheaton has completely routed the Filipinos and has oecu- pied Pasig, Taguig and Pateros. Several hundreds of the enemy were killed and as many were captured. Gen. Otis says this is the greatest victory since February 5. The Americars will now press toward Aguinaldo's headquarters.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1899-03-16
WOULD NOT TALK.
Mr. W. H Langford Keeps Mum
 On a Certain Rumor.

It was rumored upon our streets this morning that Mr. w. H Lang ford, who was Wednesday appointed an Election Commissioner for Jeffer- son county. vice A. B. Grace, resigned, had notified Gov. Jones that he would not accept the posi- tion owing to the interference there by in more important business.
 When approached by Graphic reporter this afternoon and asked if there was any truth in the rumor, Mir. Langford said 1T have noth- ing to say at present"