davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-09-01
THE opAI4.s bad REpurArIoN.


Now and then there arc signs that SUI
perstition is on the wane. The opal.
long taboocd because OF it's supposed
unlucky qualities, is reported by deal
ers In gems to be once more selling we'll
With this Information comes what pur-
ports to be the true story how so beau
tifu. stone came by Its bad name
II seems, according tn this story, that
a Belgian jewelcr finding il great de-
mand for opals in Brussels, sent one OF
his statesmen TO London to purchase Il
supply. On arriving there this ennis
snry found to his chaGrin that the OBJ
iect of his quest was the most popular
gem i'll the English capita1. and that its
price was proportionately large. Forth
with he conceived the story that opals
bring bad luck. He circulated this story
diligently, with the surprising result
that the much sought Stones came to
be sedulously avoided. and that their
price rapidly declined. In The course Of
two months OpalS We're selling in Lon
don for one-third of the price previous
~ asked for them. and the astute Bel
CLAN promptly bought up all there were
offered for sale; in fact, all the opals
that were to be had. Before the super
stition he had started had time to reach
the continent OF Europe. ne had de-
livered the Jewels to his chief, and The
firm had placed them upon the market
and reaped a mammoth profit on the
transaction.
The belief in the ill-starred fortune of
an opal's owner grew greatly and
brought forth fruit hundred fold. For
% years paSt the stone has been almost
unstable, in spite Of It's beauty. Now
Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-09-01
4 LIEuTENANT ELEcTED

The Portsmouth Rifle Company held
a meeting last night To elect Second
Lieutenant. There was lively interest
manifested rs it was expected there
would be 80 candidates. but only one
name was placed in nomina ton, that of
Richard Parrish. who was unanimously
elected.
me boys have been invited to attend
the centennial In Alexandria in Octo-
bcr and it is highly probable they Will
accept. New members are being enlist
cd every meeting night. The company
already has full quota of men, bu,
Capt Owens wants to get as large a
company rs is possible THURSDAY
night is their regular meeting night.
Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-09-01
stnr poInrer's Grcnt Milo,
(By Telegraph to virEInian-Pilot.)

(By Telegraph to VirEInian-Pilot0
Hartford. Conn, August S1.-The fca-
ture of the day at Charter Oak Park
was Star Pointers great mile, which
was in two minutes fiat, without q slide
or break. Dave McClary drove Poin-
ter, and he was aided by two running
horses. one going to the half ami both
coming down the stretch either side
OF the PAGER. The time by quarters
was; 30 100. 1904, 200. The re-
suits OF the races were:
2:17-class, trotting; purse s1,50O-Le-
tabs. won; Dollade Wilkerson. second .
Pilot Evans, third. Time, 2:12M, 2:13,
2:11H. 2:l5A, 2:15M. 2:17ss.
2:30-class, pacing: purses. s3,150-
Billy Andres, won; Cohey, second; To-
boggan, third. Time. 2:O6la. 2:o7A 2:10.
2:16-class, trotting; purse, $1,000
Rubber, won; Precision. second; Sena-
tor L.. third. Time, 2:11A. 2:12M, 2:l0.
Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-09-01
WHAT THEY THINK OF OUR FIRE
LADDIES

The York (Pa.) Daily has the fol-
lowing TO say about the Chambers
visit on Monday next:
THE LAUREL'S GUESTS.
"a communication addressed to Mr.
Jacob Hose. foreman of the Laurel
Fire Company, brings good and pleas
ing news to the company from tho
Chambers Fire Company, of Ports
mouth, Va, to the effect that in all
probability they VIII bring with til o.
their handsome hose carriage, which IS
used alone for parade purposes, and Is
kept In glass case, the most part OF
IT being nickel plated ~ figure of Il
large hound dog stands In front, in the
act of leaping over the carriage, and
those who saw 1t say tits Il beauty. 1t
Is hoped that the centennial parade
Will be honored by having il In line.
The Chambers boys are completing
their arrangements for The visit, ana
Will leave Portsmouth, Va, Monday
evening, September 18th, arriving in
York Tuesday morning at 1927. and
will be accompanied by the ceiebra ted
United states Naval band, of twenty
pieces. The band Is attached to the
United States navy-yard at Ports
mouth; uniformed same as the marine
band of Washington, ID. c. The
Chambers boys will be quartered Mt the
Central Hotel and Will be we'll taken
care of by Mine Host Beck. who has
established n reputation for his hotel"
Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-09-01
walscr ,yeIsnt championship.
(By Telegraph to virglninn-Pilot.)

(By Telegraph to VIrglninn-Pilot.)
dubuque, a., Aug. 31.-For the weller
weight championship. Tommy Ryan
was given the decision over Jack Mor-
fatt at the end OF u 20-round bout here
tonight. Ryan had his opponent GO
Ing In the thirteenth round, and could
have easily put him out The six thou
sand spectators were Disguised because
Ryan did not extend himself.
Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-09-01
YEsTDRDAY,s SHOOT.

The Portsmouth Gun Club held theil
regular weekly shoot yesterday at Co.
iumbia Park for the w. n. White silver
cup. Tho following is The score:
Gallagher. &c: Bilisoiy, 30; Butts, %
Pierce. 81: Mules, "a; Stewart, 25: Redd
Schroeder, ~.
MIR. Cliff Schroeder won the cup.
Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-09-01
pnI.IfrE Rnpnpr

The chief OF police has made the for.
lowing report for the month of Au-
gust arrests: Di;orderly conduct. 20;
drunk and disorderly. Z: drunkenness.
80; assaults, 10; larceny, 16; felony, 5;
viola ton city ordinance, 10; vagrancy,
l. peace warrants, Il; concealed
weapons, 3; trespassing, 8; interfering
with an officer, 1; cruelty to animals. i.
Total, ZIG. Electric lights reported, 1sa.
Stores found open, /.
Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-09-01
WANT THE DAY OBSERVED
PROpER1 y

The school regulations of the city
which provides for commencing the
public schools on next Monday is being
found fault With by members of the
labor unions, as that day is Labor Day,
and therefore legal holiday. and they
claim IL should be observed as such by
all public institutions, and the School
Board will be asked to change the date
to the following day.
Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-09-01
ROBBERY.

Some time during Wednesday night
some one entered the store of Mr.. J. It.
Pace, corner of Chestnut and High
streets, and robbed 1t of cigars, whis-
key, etc. They opened the money reg
lister and secured about 81 in money and
AIR. VIM. Stewart's (thc bar-tender)
closed uD
Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-09-01
HiiIInrd Play CIR Ivca Dead.

ICY Telegraph to virginian-Pllot.)
Grand Rapids, Mich. August 31.-A
telegram received by DR.. J. D. Peters,
father-in-law of Frank Ives, the cham
pion billiard player, announces the lat
ter's death. which occurred Mt Pro-
gress, Mex. Consumption was the
cause OF his death.
Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-09-01
ATLANTIC CITY, IL; DING BATS, 3

:.x a CITY, s12i DING BATS, q.
The crowd which went out to the
ball game at the park yesterday even
ms WAS not as largo as usual. in fact, 1t
seemed to be an Off day, all around
The game was between the Atlantic
tielded poorly The DIngs were OFF in
their hittlng; only four hits was Sc
cured on Montagues delivery. On the
other hand, Russ was hit freely and
retired in favor of Hutchins.
= The Dings had the bases crowded
twice, put good headwork In the box
prevented the scoring either. time. The
following tells how 1t happened. IT'S
good to add, however, that the umpire
had q nice evening and went home
happy:
ATLANTIC, cry
Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-09-01
MoRTuARY REPORT.

Through the courtesy of Mr. Megin-
ley, clerk for the Health officer we Give
below the number of deaths for the
month of August
Whitc--Malcs, S; females, s.
CARBOHYDRATES. S; females, s. Total,
"a Comparative statement for 1898,
August, '9S. %; AUGUST. 90. 81
Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-09-01
DING BATS.

Summary: Earned transatlantic
CITY, o. Bases on balls-On Russ, L;
off Montague, 2. Struck out-By Russ,
b; by Montague. 5. Sacrince Hits-Ed-
wards. Blake, Hulchlns, Owens Two
base Hits-Hart, Is. Montague. r. Mon
tague. Tlfree-ba Hit = burlington.
Stolen Bases = MCGUIRE, Hutchins,
Owens.
Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-09-01
REMOVAL OF NIGHT SOIL,
ofMcc oil thc Cltv clerL

Office OF the City Clerk,
Portsmouth. Va, Aug g. isa9.
ID ROPOSALS FOR THE REMOVAL,
i. OF NIGHT SOIL from the city of
Portsmouth, Va. will be received ut the
September !. 1899 at 6 +. NJ.
y Specifications for. same Gun be seen al
the Council Chamber. Bond with sccur-
ity in tho sum of $500 must accompany All
proposals. Tho right is reserved TO reject
any or all Of the bids All proposals 10 be
addressed to the Undersigned.
at29-td l.. THOMPSON. Jr., C. C.
Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-09-01
CAKE wAI.E

give their second and last performonce
OIL the season Tonight at Columbia
Park. The entertainment Will wind up
Win grand cake walk between cake
walkers from the two cities "
Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-09-01
FUNERAL OF An INE.>,r,

MIR. and Mrs. ]. II. Flvthe lost bv
death "Wednesday night their little g.
year-old son. Haley The funeral took
place Yesterday afternoon at the grave.
in Oak Grove Cemetery, Rev. q. S.
Farland officiating.
Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-09-01

some one has unearthed, or more prob-
ably invented. the story OF the belgian
SPECTATOR. and the pendulum or popu-
lar sentiment has begun to swing In
the opposite direction. VI
Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-09-01

We keep every shape OF collars. LIE,
us sell YOU your collars Chas. r. We'll
Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-09-01

III OR RENT-A NEW HOUSE. 800
II Iciligham street, near London; S
largo rooms. bath, sewerage and all con-
veniences. Possession September 1st
Apply at 81 Dillingham; street. se1-ai
Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-09-01

Dough is The latest adulterant OF cof-
fee, nodded in the shape OF coffee beans.
Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-09-01

The York PAD Daily has The fol-
lowing TO say about the Chambers
visit on Monday next:
The record-union., 1899-01-01
MRS. CoRDELIA BoTKIN.
She Has Hopes Of Escaping the Life
Penalty.

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 81. = Mrs.
Cordelia Botkin, convicted of the muir
der of Mrs. John P. Dunning and her
sister, Mrs. Deane of Dover, Del, is
now an inmate of the branch County
Jail. She became very hysterical
shortly after her arrival there last
night, and was Gained with difficulty,
but she recovered her usual sang froid
to-day, and has taken hope from the
promises of her attorneys. who have
stated that they will stand by their
client to the end.
The attorney for the defense took a
number of exceptions during the trial,
and hopes to make capital out Of these
when it makes its attempts to secure
a reversal of the decision. The real
fight for Mrs. Botkin's liberty, how
ever, will be made upon the question
of jurisdiction.
The prosecution was conducted under
the provisions of Section q of the
Penal Code, providing for the punish
ment of crimes committed in whole or
in part in this State. The defense con-
tends it took place in Delaware: that
Mrs. Botkin was only hable,te the law
of that State. However it is believed
that this question has never been pre-
sented to the appellate court in this
country.
Their next move in the case will
probably be an appeal to the Supreme
Court, as it is certain that Judge Car
roll Cook will deny their petition for
a new trial. thus casting the case into
the higher courts for settlement.
Judge Cook has fixed next Saturday
as the day for imposing sentence.
The record-union., 1899-01-01

the southwestern part of France, not
far from the Spanish frontier. Vacher
crept up behind him, felled him with a
heavy stick and then cut his throat.
The murderer carried off the coat of
the Marquis and his pocketbook, con-
tanning some bank notes. He then
sought refuge in Spain.
The boasting of the murderer led to
the detection of a number of his crimes
after his arrest. For instance he killed
a boy, 16 years Of age, named Bully,
near Lyons, in June, 1897. The crime
would not have been discovered but for
the boastings of Vacher, as the lad was
a notorious poacher and chicken thief.
and his disappearance created no stir
at all
In January of the present year,
Vacher made furious assault on a
warden of the prison at Lyons, where
he was confined, and almost beat him
to death before the prison guards
could overpower him.
On October Both of the present year
Vacher was sentenced to death, since
which time he has continued feigning
inSanitV
The record-union., 1899-01-01

walks unaided during his daily consti-
tutional in the Vatican grounds. The
newspapers Of Rome announce that q
rich American lady has had q gold
snuffbox Interested with, diamonds made
by one of the best jewelers. Of Rome as
New Years Offering to the Pope, who,
it is added, will find a check for $4,000
inside the snuffbox.
The Pope recently refused to allow
the electric light to be introduced into
his apartments, remarking: There is
something superfuous about that
light
The Car has returned to St. Peters
burg, after long holiday in the
Crimea Incidentally his majesty has
taken up the fad Of papering and dec
Grating his rooms with black and white
sketches. He has had his study pa
pered entirely with caricatures of him
self, which he has collected from for
eign papers.
The chief eunuch Of the Sultan of
Turkey has just died with q sudden
ness characteristic of the Golden Horn.
He left jewels and plate worth $160,O0O
besides 100000 in money, all of which
passed, under an old law, into the Sui
tan's treasure box. Poison and the
bowstring are limited at.
The destinations of the thirty odd
pantomiines at the various London the
aters are responsible for the light at
tendance at most of the other plays
this week
A new light opera by Clifford Page of
New York, the composer Of the inciden-
tai music of THE Cat and the Cherub, -
and Chester Fernald Of San Francisco.
author Of the same, will soon be pro-
duced in London. Fernald is wintering
in this city, and Page is on his way
here from America to assist in the pro-
duction of the opera.
The partnership between Forbes Rob
ertson and Mrs. Patrick Campbell is
terminated. Mrs. Campbell will organ
ize a company of her own in the spring
and will start with an Irish political
play by Mrs p O'Connor, which is said
to deal with the career Of the late
Charles Stewart Pariell, though the
leading role is for a woman.
Dispatches from Paris record the
successful debut at the new Opera
Comique of Miss Fanchon Thompson OF
Chicago as Carmen. The newspapers
of the French capital are unanimous
in praising the debutante.
Emil Sauer the pianist, sailed for the
United States on Wednesday, being q
passenger on board the White Star
liner. NJ p
The record-union., 1899-01-01
The PARIS EXPOSITION.
AMERICA WILL BE KNOWN AT
THE BIG FAIR.
Will be Second in Size and Com.
p1eteness Among the Countries
Outside Of France.

NEW YORK, Dec. 31.-s'At the Paris
Exposition of 1900 the United States
will be second in size and complete
ness among the countries outside of
France said Major Bracket, Secre-
tary of the United States Commission
to the Paris Exposition. to-day.
Russia he said, will have a little
more space, but the United States has
a. larger allotment than either England
or Germany. However, the French
Commissioners will try to give equal
favors to the four great countries, the
United States, England, Russia and
Germany. So far as these nations are
concerned, the French will show no
favoritism
Germany is making great efforts to
excel all other nations at the EXPOSE
ton, and the United States will find
Germany its keenest competitor. The
German Government has made gener-
Gus appropriations for their exhibits,
the amount appropriated being twice
the sum. which has been provided for
our commission. The Germans are 60
ing to make a great fight at the Paris
Exposition in 1900 for the. trade of the
world. Japan will also make fine
| display. Commissioner General Peck
has secured an additional space,
amounting to about 80 per cent. over
the original allotment. The space now
given this country is about 217 900
square feet. AS the applications from
intending exhibitors even now ask for
over 100000 square feet, of course
somebody will be disappointed.
This is to be an exposition of Sc
lection. Commissioner General Peck
will eliminate all displays that would
be other than creditable to America.
The demand for space in the machin-
cry and electrical departments alone
now amount to over 100000 square
feet, or say $1,000 feet more than the
entire allotment to this country.
There is no GOODNESS or Indifference
on the part of the people of this coun-
try toward the 1900 exposition. Tourist
companies are offering such induce
ments that even now, with the fair
almost a year and a half away, thou
sands are arranging to see Paris in
| 1900
LAS to the allotment of space to ex-
hibitors, that will be done at the earli-
est practical moment by Commissioner
General Peck and his directors of de-
partments. The Commissioner Gener al
! is completing plans and organization
as rapidly as possible.
| LAS to the rumors that the exposition
would be postponed until 1901, there
| is no truth in them. The strike in
Paris probably did not seriously affect
/ the work. Paris has enjoyed unusu-
ally fine weather this winter, so work
on the palaces and buildings has pro-
| crossed steadily.
1.-THE French Commissioners say that
! everything will be completed on the
J opening day, April IS. 1900"
The record-union., 1899-01-01
Premier sagasta Convalescent.

MADRID, Dec. 31.-Senors Sagasta
and CASTELAR, are now convalescent.
The former will be able to leave his
room to-day. Fourteen steamers are
now on their way to Havana to re-
patriate the Spanish troops remaining
in Cuba. The report of the meeting of
a dozen Spanish Generals, the purpose
of which has not been divulged, has
been confirmed by member of the
Cabinet, who does not deny the impor-
lance of the occurrence.
The record-union., 1899-01-01
Six Men Instantly killed.

DETROIT, Dec. 31.-A special from
Ishpeming, Mich, says: This morning
at & O'Clock, while nine Finnish tram
mers, whose names are unknown, were
coming to the surface in one OF the
shafts of the Lake Superior Iron Com
pany, the cage met some obstruction
in the shaft that inclined the floor SO
as to let six men slide off, and they fell
500 feet to the bottom, being instantly
killed. The three who chung to the cage
were slightly injured.
The record-union., 1899-01-01
Serious Fire In Ohio.

RED KEY Qnd.), Dec. 31.-An ex-
plosion of gas, followed by fire at the
Ohio and Indiana Pipe Line Company's
COMPRISING station near here caused a
loss estimated at 100000. Engineer
w. E. Robinson was badly burned.
Thirty or more towns are deprived of
natural gas by the destruction Of the
station.
The record-union., 1899-01-01
Kansas Declares Against Roberts

TOPEKA, Dec. 31.-The Senate to-
day adopted by unanimous vote reso-
luton requesting the Kansas represen-
tatiyes in Congress to use their utmost
endeayors to prevent the seating of B.
H. Roberts, the polygamist of Utah. as
a member of the next House of Repre-
sentatives. similar resolution was
introduced in the House yesterday aft
ernoon, but went over under the rules.
The record-union., 1899-01-01

MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 31-Marcus p.
Hayden, President of the Minneapolis
Baseball Association, and prominent
lawyer, was found dead in his rooms
at the Minneapolis Club to-day. The
cause was locomotor-ataxia, culminat-
ing in paralysis.
The record-union., 1899-01-01

section, and largely interested in man
ufacturing enterprises in this vicinity,
committed suicide at his residence last
night. 1t is supposed that hard work
and anxiety was the cause. 1t is
semi officially stated that the bank will
not be affected by his death.
The record-union., 1899-01-01
Shooting ARRAY ON a Steamer.

SOUTHAMPTON, Dec. 31.-A shoot
ing ARRAY occurred on board the Ameri-
can Line steamer ST. Paul, Captain
Jamison, which left New York on De-
cember 23d for this port, and which ar
rived here yesterday. The origin of the
disturbance is not known, but five
members of the crew were shot and one
stabbed. They are now in the hospital
on board the ship. Their injuries are
not serious. One arrest has been made.
The record-union., 1899-01-01
Cold Weather in Colorado.

DENVER, Dec. 31.-Sixteen degrees
below zero was the minimum tempera-
ture recorded last night at the weather
station in this city. The coolest place
on the eastern slope of the continental
divide was Calgary, where the thermo-
meter registered 30 degrees below.
The record-union., 1899-01-01
CALAMITY IN CHINA.
Ten thousand People Meet Death
by Drowning.


VICTORIA (B. CO, Dec. 81. = The
steamers Victoria and Yamaguchi
Maru have arrived with news from
the Orient to December 10Th.
Another serious calamity, writes the
Hankow correspondent of the North
China Daily News" has befallen the
town of Hankow. About 10000 of the
inhabitants have met death by drown
ing.
About noon on December Sd half a
street of business houses extending
along the edge of the River Han sud-
denly broke away and tumbled into
the water on the top of all the boats.
The houses and boats, with all the
people in them disappeared in a mo-
ment About hundred buildings and
the same number of boats are gone.
News comes of more murders Of mis-
sionaries The Japan Herald" says
an English missionary has been muir
dered by the natives and soldiers at
the Sing Ping Mission. A French mis-
sionary has been burned to death at
Swatow, and a German missionary has
also been MORALLY wounded in Shan
Tux The murder Of an American
missionary, Mrs. Butterfield, in Central
China, is reported
The record-union., 1899-01-01
Fatal Rail Accident.

TUSCOLA Qll.), Dec. GA gravel
train on the Illinois Central Railroad
collided with Chicago and Eastern
Illinois engine hauling some empty
pass anger coaches at the crossing here
to-day. Fireman G. Thomas of the
Illinois Central was killed. Fireman ].
E. Morton of the Chicago and Eastern
Illinois was badly injured, and En-
gineer Hart of the Illinois Central was
slightly injured
The record-union., 1899-01-01

BARSTOW, Dec. 31.-A negro named
Brown, about 50 years of age. lied Lass
night at a camp of hobos in the brush
near town from an overdose of NOR
phine. It is thought he administered
the dose himself with suicidal intent.
The record-union., 1899-01-01
Fire at San Jose.

SAN JOSH. Eec. 31.-A fire early
this morning destroyed four cottages
on the western edge of the city The
loss is placed at $500 fully insured.
Origin not known
The record-union., 1899-01-01

Roosevelt Takes the Oath Of Office.
ALBANY, Dec. Ex-Governor elect
Roosevelt took his oath of office at
1910 o'clock to-day
The record-union., 1899-01-01
Mrs. Mabel Lowell Burnett Dead.

CAMBRIDGE Cdass.), Dec. ?1.-Mrs.
Mabel Lowell Burnett, only child of the
poet James Russell Lowell, died yester-
day at her home at Elmwood, where she
was born f1ftyone years ago, and where
she had passed nearly all her life.
The record-union., 1899-01-01

The number of medical periodicals.
published in the United States = 2s6
The record-union., 1899-01-01
Surety Companies as Bondsmen.

LOS ANGELES, Dec. H.-The ques-
ton has been raised here as to whether
surety companies incorporated in other
States can act as bondsmen of public
officials in California. Nearly al! the
county officials recently elected have
filed bonds given by surety companies.
These bonds have not yet been approx
ed. Section of the County Govern
ment- Act declares that bondsmen for
county officials shall be residents and
freeholders or householders of the
State. 1t is stated at the Courthouse
to-day that there are persons who
mean to bring the matter to an issue.