davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1899-12-17
PREJUDICE MADE PROFITABLE,
Superstition Against the Opal Was Mere

ly Jewellers Fiction.
 It is only within few years that the fashionable women of Chicago could be induced to wear opals, although they are among the rarest and most beauti- full of gems. But now the opal, long tabooed because of it's supposed un- lucky qualities, is reported by dealers in gems to be once more selling well. With this information comes what purports to be the true story of how so beautiful stone came by it's bad name.
 It seems, according to the story, that Belgian jeweler, finding a great de- mand for opals in Brussels, sent one of his salesmen to London to purchase supply. On arriving there this emissary found to his chagrin that the object Of his quest was the most popu- lar gem in the English capital, and that its price was approximately large. Forthwith 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 were selling in London for one third of the price previously asked for them, and the astute Belgian prompt ly bought up all there were offered for sale; in fact, all the opals that were to be had. Before the superstition he had started had time to reach the con- tinent of Europe, he had delivered the jewels to his chief. and the firm had placed them upon the market and reaped a mammoth profit on the trans action.
 The belief in the ill-starred fortune of an epal's owner grew greatly and brought fruit a hundredfold For twenty-five years past the stone has been almost unsalabie, in spite Of it's beauty. Now someone has unearthed, or more probably invented the story of the Belgian speculator and the pendu- lum of popular sentiment has begun to swing in the opposite direction.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1899-12-17
 ELECTRIC NIAGARA.
Great Falls to He Transformed Into
 Flood of Fire.

Great Falls to lie Transformed Into . Flood of Fire.
 Buffalo's big eXposition-and if only one-half the promises of the manage ment are realized 1t will be in every respect a big affair-will be the occa- sion of what will doubtless be a most brilliant and startling electrical illu- imitation. Niagara Falls will be trans | formed into flood of fire Tie seeth- ing, roaring torrent will be ablaze with all the hues of the spectrum. The superlative natural grandeur of the scene will be so enhanced that the projectors of the strikingly novel en- terprise contend that it's success will make the exposition an event in his tory. The idea is to erect a series of tall towers on both the American and Canadian sides of the river. On the top of these loftly spires huge electric searchlights will be placed, in such manner that they may be played on any part of the falls. The imagination may picture the dazzling effect that will be produced when a score of those powerful instruments of illumination are brought to bear upon the rushing waters as they tumble irresistibly over the rocky ledge into the depths be- meath. A constant change of colors will be used in the manipulation of the searchlights. so that now the falls will be like molten silver again a flood of crimson, again as green as old ocean itself, and so on through the whole gamut of the painters palette. The astonishing effect will be still fur ther heightened by the use of electric are lights in the Cave of the Winds, which will give to the water as it falls in front of it a weird, phosphorescent glow The power for this record making illumination will be all within easy reach, as Niagara will itself be made to do all the necessary work
 This is expected to be largely a spec tacular arrangement, but scientists hope to discover something new about the effect of light on water, and make careful study of the chemistry of color. This has been done to some extent with electric fountains, but Niagara will offer an entirely new field.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1899-12-17
RUSSIA ABREAST OF THE TIMES
Frauds in the Construction of the si-
 barfon

berian Railway.
 It is not known that those in charge of the construction of the Siberian railway were ever under the tutelage of the members of the American Credit Mobilier, but, judging by reports that come from that region, they would have been apt pupils. They certainly have a trick or two that would put their American compatriots to the blush. It appears that the different works have been executed in man. her that shows very little conscience. Every thing, or nearly everything, will have to be done over again before the authorities can think of throwing open this gigantic line to regular working. In very many places the road gives way on the passage of train little heavier than usual or travelling at a speed Of more than twenty miles an hour, and accidents more or less grave are continually happening. More than usual courage is demanded of any one undertaking a journey on this rail- way. This construction a la Russo has already swallowed upshundreds of mil
 
 lions of rubles, or, to speak more truthfully, the constructors and not the construction have absorbed the millions. People are beginning to ask how it will finish. There is still more. Several Siberian journals. which are, moreover, closely controlled by the local censors, publish the following statements: For several months the navvy contractors have not been paid contracts. The engineers in charge, who represent the government, de- clared that they had no more money and the contractors must be satisfied with bonds, which the Siberian and Chinese banks have for some time discounted at S1a per cent. Frequently these bonds were not paid on falling due, and in consequence the banks re- fuse to act any longer as intermedia- ries between the government engineers and the contractors. It was only when one of these engineers, Prince A, who had made a fortune, undertook to be personally responsible to the banks that they resumed the functions of discount brokers. But the princes guaranty is somewhat costly, seeing that he claims a little fee of 15 per cent. The contractors are furious, but they find themselves helpless, owing 10 the clause inserted in all the con- tracts to the effect that disputes be- sween the engineers and the contract DTS of the line have to be settled in St. Petersburg. To lodge complaint COCO miles from the spot where the circumstances have occurred Is at least inconvenient and would entail years. delay. The position of the unfortu- nate navvies themselves can be imag- ined from the treatment of the con- tractors. Their wages are paid very irregularly and always with deduc- tions. Badly fed and badly lodged, it is not surprising if they give only half heart to the work"
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1899-12-17
WHERE rr1rrr Anr no rA~E
Inhabitants of Loud's Island on the
 Maine Coast Pay None.


 Loud's island, on the coast of Maine, near historic Pemaquid, in the Lincoln
 county town of Bristol, is one of the
 very few places on earth where there are no taxes This island, otherwise i known as Muscongus, was overlooked when Maine became a state, and was
 put into no town or county. It is said that during the war the people cast
 their votes for time in the town of
 Bristol until some election officer dis covered the illegality of the vote. The island was first settled by John Loud q deserter from a British man-of-war, { and his grandchildren are now prominent inhabitants By voluntary contributions school is maintained, the
 parents paying s4 for each eliild. The
 school term averages eight months in each year, and there is all average
 attendance of eighteen scholars. Catch- ing bait for tise fishermen of Boston,
 Gloucester ans Per is the most
 profitable business of. the people, Dut when bait is slack in running they turn their attention to lobstering,
 mackerel fishing and catching porgies for, the big oil and feTtilizing factory opposite the island in Bristol. After a successful haul of bait large wlits flag is hoisted on the high ground in the center of the island. With 2 glass it may be discovered far out at sea, whence come the Grand Bankers and others like. szzards attracted by the r5<f strr.1-
 ss'ss''|iI ssss'asIss'I E, 2: s:''': s:s;s'' ss'i
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1899-12-17

in minutes M ~ " Healing DO Cent Bottle contains 400 Dos Two Weeks Treatment for Cl
 sLoO THREE EoT7xEs
The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-06-07
JEFFRlEs DOES LIGHT WORK.
CALIFORNIA; Youth in the Pink Of
Condition.

James Jeffries, the California Hercules,
who has come to the East to wrest the
championship heavyweight title from Bob
F-Itzsimnons, eased UP in his work yes
terday after paying the strietest atten-
ton to his training for the last few
weeks. The regular routine work fnclud-
ed boxing with his brother or DAILY for
several rounds, but these men were let
off with three rounds each yesterday, and
the big fellow paid attention to the bag
for about forty-five minutes. The per-
SEPARATION fairly strearned from Jeffries,
massive body, and the steel-like muscles
showed vfvidly the great strength this
young man possesses. There can
be no doubt that Jeffries is now In
the pink of condition. A man could not
be better trained DAILY said to a News"
reporter.-'If the big fellow loses it will
not be because of his condition. When
you saw Jeffries, in Jersey City, some
time ago, at the Bon Ton Theatre, you
saw an entirely different man. He now
weighs thirty pounds less han he did
then, and has since become possessed Of
remarkable speed and strength. He is
the strongest man / ever saw and will
whip Fitzsimmons, / believe
Jeffries added:-Yes, / will whip him
surely"
The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-06-07
-~----
State Assessors File Their
First Schedule Of Copper
alton Assessments.
NEARLY A MILLION RECEIVED
There Are 5000 Companies
Yet to Hear From-Pru-
Dental Insurance the
Largest.
Especial to .'The Jersey city News."1

Especial to s'The Jersey City News."l
TRENTON. June Z, 1S99.-Secretary Ma
guire of the State Board of Assessors YES
terday filed with the State Comptroller
the first schedule of assessments against
miscellaneous corporations for the current
year. The schedule includes 2.Ss5 COM
panies. among the number being the
cream of the New Jersey corporations of
this class. Thu aggregate tax levied
against these companies is 1901, PISA. In
This schedule all the companies which
have up to this time made returns to the
State Board and the delinquent COM
panies will be assessed later. Outside of
the railroad and canal companies the list
filed yesterday includes the cream of New
Jersey corporations. The tax on these
corporations is levied on the capital stock
issued, the companies officers being re-
CURED to furnish a sworn statement. The
rate of tax for the first three millions
of dollars of capital stock is one-tenth of
one per cent. on all sums between So, 000,-
900 to $1,000, 600 one-twentieth of one per
cent. and on all sums over $4,000. 900 at
the rate of $50 per million. Corporations
having fifty per cent. of their issued cap
ital stock invested in New Jersey do not
pay any franchise tax, and it is safe to
say that the franchise tax to be assessed
against additional miscellaneous corpora
lions will not go over s2O0, 900. Non of
the corporations formed this year will be
assessed until next June, the assessments
TO date from January / next. 1t is estf-
mated that the fees for filing certificates
of Incorporation this year will alone ag-
gregate more than the total amount OF
tax levied against miscellaneous Ncorpor-
atoms for the year..
1t is only rarely that any of the big
corporations issue the full amount of
their authorized capital stock. For ex-
ample, the Federal Steel Company. with
a capitalization of 5000, 0o0, 900, in it's re-
turn to the State Board, AYERS hat its
issued capital stock is SOC, S91, 800. The
company with, the largest issued capital
stock, according to the returns, is the
United States Leather Company. The
company paying the largest tax is the
Prudential Insurance Company of New
ark, which pays a tax of sos, 7S1 So. The
taxes range from this amount down to
ten cents. Under the schedule just sub
mitted the companies having an issued
capital stock of 50, 0O0, 900 and over, with
the amount of taxes each will pay, is as
follows
The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-06-07
SIX DAY RACE.
Many Stars Entered for the Madison
Square Garden Event.

The entry list for the six day go-as-
you-please contest thai begins at
Madison Square Garden on midnight.
June II, now numbers twenty-eight, with
about ten more contestants to hear
from. The men entered up toNdate are
as .fol1ows:-
Peter Hegelman, German; Evets Nollaf.
Irish; Victor MeldeE German: James A..
Graham. American: Cowboy VIII A.
Smith. American: Frank H. Hart. color
ed; George Stokes. American; Jack
Smith, America; John Craig Irish; James
Dean, colored; Alfred Elson, American;
Frank Wa1dsauer, German; John
Hughes, Irish; Frank Annable, Ameri-
can; George s. Connors, English; John
A.. Click. American; Sam Day, English;
Mat Conaugh, Irish; Charles Demming,
American; George D. Normac, Scotch;
Guerrero. Mexican; George Tracey,
Irish; M. Koran. Irish; Paddy Ego, Irish;
Peter Golden, American; Captain Mel
Vile c.. Boynton, American; John
Lawrence, American: c. L. Adams
ndian
They will be drawn by lots and divided
into tow relays, one half walking while
theother half is at rest. This is lone
to comply with the State law, ana at the
same time it affords all the fun and eX-
element of a continuous SIX day race.
The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-06-07
CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT
A. A. q. Ali Around Meet to Be
Held In Bayonne.

The alT-round Championship of the A.
A.. U. will be held on July 4, under the
auspices of the Kniekerbocker A. c., on
their grounds at Bayonne. Ten events
will be contested for the championships
100 yard run, putting 16-pound shot, run
ming high jump, $50 yard walk, throwing
is pound hammer, pole vault, 12O yard
hurdle, throwing Sc pound weight, rum
ming broad jump, and one mile run. Be
sides the all-round championship events.
there will be cycling, one mile novice and
two mile handicap, swimming, 100 yard
novice, $50 yard handicap. and athletic
events. one mile run, handicap; 440 yard
run. novice; $50 yard run, handicap; 100
yard run, handicap Handsome gold,
silver and bronze medals will be given in
these events. The entries will close on
Tuesday, June "a, with J. E. Sullivan. Nos
16 and Is Park place, New York.
The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-06-07
CORPORATION NOTICE.

Notice is hereby given that on the 18th day
of April, 1899, application was made to
the Board OF street and Water Commissioners
by Frederick Dietz and others for the
IMPROVEMENT OF VAN WAGEMEN AVE
NUE.,
between st. Paul's avenue and lands of Long
Dock r. r.. a distance of s29 feet.
Said improvement to be made confornably to
the provisions of Chapter 217 of the Laws of 1885
and in the following manner, including all In
To have the street for the full width thereof
graded to the established grade by excavating
or filling the same to the established grade.
To have new 20-inch curb set on each side
thereof.
To have the present curb reset and new
20-ineh curb set where necessary.
To have the cutters on each side paved
with stone paving to a width I'll a Of s. i inch Zoe.
wide laid on each sidewalk.
To have the present tagging relaid and new
Tagging laid where necessary.
To have the present bridge stone crosSwalks
relaid and new bridge stone laid where neees-
sary.
sary to provide for the flow of the surface
water, and to complete the Improvement in a
good and substantial manner.
Notice is also given that on the 18th day OF
May, 1899, the Commissioners Of Assessment
filed in the office of the Clerk of the Board
of Street and Water Commissioners their pre-
liminary map for said Improvement, showing
the probable total cost of the contemplated
improvement and the probable amount to be
assessed on property specially benefited there
BY, and the same is now open to public in-
.~spection in the office of the Clerk of said
Board.
And notice is also given that the following
streets or avenues or particular sections there
OF are included in said assessment, namely
VAN AVENUE,
from st. Paurs avenue to a point about S2s
feet northeast thereof.
ST. PAULsS AVENUE,
on the eSt side from Van Wagenen avenue TO
points about Is feet north and % feet south
thereof.
And that in accordance with the provisions
of the Act above cited, the 13th day of June.
1899. at 3 o'clock P. NJ, and the Assembly
Chamber of the City Hall, are hereby fixed
az the time and place when and where the
Board of Street and Water Commissioners will
meet to hear all parties interested in said
application and all circumstances against the
said proposed Improvement that may be pre-
Bv order Of the Board Of Street and Water
GEO. t. BoUToN,
Clerk.
Dated Jersey city, June 3, 1899.
The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-06-07

The schedule is made up as follows
81 gas and electric companies paying a
total tax of $3S. 907: 4 life insurance conn
panies paying a total tax of s199. 965; ~
insurance companies, other than life. ay-
ing a total tax of S7,325; 8 surety COM
panies paying a total tax OF 1851; 4 oil or
pipe line companies paying a total tax of
$40, 75S; 1 palace car company, 81. 220; 26
telegraph. telephone, cable and express
companies paying a total tax Of SIT, ITO,
and 2,T24 companies taxed upon their is
sued capital stock paying a tax of 1884, OIL,
making the total of 1901 .2I7.
The total issued capital stock of the
corporations included in this schedule is
81, 454, ASH 600.
The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-06-07
SPORTS AND
SPORTSMEN.
Alma Athletic Club Defeats
The Guards In the Ninth
Inning Yesterday.
CRICKET LEAGUE RECORDS
Skat Tournament Champion
ship Events-Jeffries Does
Light Work.

The Guards were defeated in the ninth
inning by the Alma Athletic Club yes
terday. 1t was a most exciting game
and was watched by a very large crowd.
The Guards mad five hits more than
the Almas did, but their fielding was
wretched and this was the cause of their
defeat. The Almas had made seven
runs up to the fifth inning and after that
they were unable to score until the
ninth. In the ninth inning the Guards
were up first and they tied the score at
seven runs by making one in the last
inning. The Almas went in to win out
and things certainly looked bad for them
as they mad two out and no run scored
when Close got up and drove a pretty
one to deep centre on which Steinberg
scored the winning run. h score:-
The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-06-07
dated Jersey city. June g Isss. =
TO MAseNs AND coNTRAeroRs.


Sealed proposals win be received by the
Board of Street and Water Commissioners on
Tuesday, June Is. IS9a, at 2 o'clock P. NJ, in
the Assembly Chamber Of the City Hall. for
such
POINTING UP OF MASONRY WORK.
AND CHIMNEY
WITH CEMENT IND SLATE ROOFING
FOR TIRE HIGH SERVICE
STATION OF THE WATER WORKS.
situate on Summit avenue, as is eomprehended
and N accordance with Specifications now on
ale in the office of the Clerk OF said Board.
Blank forms Of bid and agreement of sureties
must be obtained at the office of the Chief
Engineer. City Fail, Jersey City. ". r.
Time allowed for the completion of the work.
40 working days.
The Board reserves the right to reject any
or all proposals it it is deemed for the best
interests OF the city so to do.
The bonds required to be furnished on pro-
pesafs fand a possible subsequent euntractf
are those of some surety company authorised
to do business in the State of New Jersey. and
to. the amount OF two hundred and fifty ($250)
dollars, or In lieu thereof, a certified check to
that amount.
Proposals must be enclosed in sealed en-
at High Service directed to Mr.. Ferdinand
Heintze. Chairman of the Committe on Pump
ing and Reservoirs" and handed TO the Clerk
OF the Board in open meeting when called for
in the order OF business relating to sealed pro-
posals.
The attention OF bidders is especially called
to Section Z, Chapter 1874 OF the Laws of 1891.
under the terms whereof no contract shall be
operative. until the bonds offered by the con-
tractor have been approved as to sufficiency
by this Board and as to form by the Corpora
tion, Counsel. the President of tbs Soard
having the power to examine proposed
bondsmen under oath.
BY order of the Board of Street and Water
GEO. II. BouroN.
The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-06-07
RARMoHy CLUES PICNIC
The Weather Did Not Prevent the
Dancers From Enjoying Themselves

The Harmony Social Club held a sue
cessful picnic last night at GreenviiIe
Schuetzen Park. Fully two hundred cou-
pies took part in the dancing which was
the main enjoyment of the event. The
grand march took place about twelve
O'Clock and was led by James Mccormack
and Miss Annie Waters.
Those in charge were@W. Gould, Floor
Manager; H.. Waters, Assistant Floor
Manager; Floor Committee, Patrick
Burns. J.. Mccormack, P. Tumulty. James
Tulnufty and John Burns. Reception Conn
naittee. Frank Letor, Hugh Meehan, VIII
lam Conroy. Thomas Dolan, r. Corri-
gan and j. Mccormack
The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-06-07
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS

t nav
Regular meeting of the Board of Fire
Commissioners. held at Department Head
quarters, Wednesday evening, May "a,
1889.
The roll was called at SIS O'Clock.
Reconsideration Erickson, Commits
sioners Hennessey and Mills.
On motion the reading of minutes of
regular meeting, May 8 and adjourned
regular meeting, May II, 1892 was dis
pensed with and they were approved as
PRESERVATION OF APPLICATIONS
The following persons presented appli-
cations for appointment to the depart
nent:-Wm. c.. Murray. Alfred Steel,
Martin PeIlinger, Frank Craig, John
Received and referred to the Committee
on Applications and Appointments.
From Harry M. Hinteman, appiyfnS lor
an Insurance badge.
Received and referred to the Committee
III R sTs OF coMMUNIcATIoNs.
From Board of Finance, transmitting
o Of resolution, passed by that Board,
May is, 1889, and approved by the Mayor,
Resolved That the various Boards of
this city, be and are hereby requested to
furnish to this board, a statement OF al
real estate unusued by the Board, having
the sarae under its control.
Received and the clerk was directed 10
furnish the information requested.
From the Twelfth Ward Public Improve
mpnt Association relative TO site IOf Inc
proposed new engine house In TWelfth
ward.
Received and filed.
FERMENTATION OF CLAIMS. !.
Claims, were presented, received ana
disposed Of as oloWs:-
Thomas C. Hunter, $lS.13.
Referred to Commute on Horses and
II u Car Spring & Rubber Co., $40.
Referred to Committee on Supplies.
ri. a., Dugan, $02.33; Edw. ODonnel.
s65.6s; G. e. A. Woeckner, $685. w. z.
Cnamplfn. $685..
Referred to Committee on Feed.
OFFICERS' REPORTS AND COMMUNE
CATIONS.
The weekly reports Of the Chief
Engineer and Superintendent of Tele--
graph, were presented, received and
The reuort of the Chief Engineer for
he month Of April, 1899, was presented,
received and ordered spread IN full upon
Report Of fires, alarms, ETC., for the
month ending April 80, 1S9s:-
April i, I1.21 A. NJ, Box 20; owner, jarvis
& CO.: occupant Jarvis & Co., corner Pro-
yost and Twelfth streets; frame building;
loss. light; cause, o~verheated stove.
April 4 11:5z A. NJ, Box s.; owner.
Joseph Leyey; unoccupied; u Oxford av-
lenue: frame stable; loss, slight; cause,
children with matches.
April s. 12:32.P. NJ, Box IS; owner, Pat
rick MeGovern; occupant, Jas. SANFORD; "a
Erie Street; brick building; loss, none;
cause, fat on stove. !.
April s, sis F. NJ sill; owner. Richard