davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1899-09-24
BY Captain George 1. Kilmer

n Boston, the 18th of September.
4 the pioneer operators of America
met to swap stories over the juven-
- lie days Of the most wonderful dis
\ covery of the century, the electric
telegraph. Said one Of the Old Guard of
CIVIL War operators still doing duty at
Western Union headquarters:
1T was a notable gathering at Boston,
and hope I shall not be taken in a spirit
of rivalry nor boastfulness when I say
that the men of the original Military Tel
egraph Corps were the lions of the occa-
sion. Why shouldn't they be? Army
heroes are having their innings once more
and let me tell you that the first man
saw killed at the front, and | got there
musket in hand, about as soon as the
next one, was an operator doing a piece
or rush work out of purely voluntary en-
thusiasm. The affair took place at York
town, the 4th of May, 1862 When the
Confederates J evacuated Yorktown a
bright Ohio boy named D. B. Lathrop and
his comrade of the corps, II. L. Smith,
followed the Federal skirmish line into
the works and dashed for the Confeder-
ate telegraph office to test the wires
toward Richmond. The wires had been
cut and were dangling from the pole
Lathrop gave a leap, landed at the base
or the pole and came down with full
force upon percussion shell lying half
hidden by some light rubbish. The she'll
exploded and was fatal.
Yes, the. war operators were the real
pioneers Of the hustling methods that
put dot and lash on the skirmish line
OF American progress. The principle
or telegraphy was in its infancy when
the war broke out forty years ago Com
merce was conservative and not at all
given given to 18th the rapid a9 pace Of modern
with its fearful draft upon public pa
thence, popular interest and universal
sympathy. Added TO these, wars i'm
perative demand for lightning COM
develop this wonderful system of ruling
the worlds destinies as the genii rule
fairyland, by the mysterious might of
The ancients made use of swift run
ners or OF men with phenomenal voices
TO carry battle news and orders, while
Napoleon initiating Caesar, brought to
MS ald carrier pigeons. The very first
method in our war 10 come 10 my notice
was premature indeed-simply a line of
men stretched across the ffeld-passing
messages and orders by word of mouth.
The theory of the inventor of this sys-
tenn doubtless was that the line could
find shelter in a raVine or under low
ridge, but II turned out in this case
that our men were hemmed in upon
& broad open plain and the telegraphers
made better targets than did the armed
bravely.
shortly after this skirmtsh, which was
near Yorktown. May :. 1862, all enlisted
men who could handle the key l my
self being of that number. We're put to
work upon field telegraph and wires
strung upon hayonets or pointed saplings
set in the earth, came into use on every
battlefield Every risk was taken in
order to get a line working as quickly as
possible. The getting at wires and estab-
fishing a circuit was the first thought of
an operator when the army advanced
The bra Y of young Lathrop, at York
town, was only one of the many instances
The San Francisco call., 1899-09-24
s In the Literary World. s.

used to make the work easy Of consulta-
ton.
1.-The Moral Order Of the World" which
has been delayed over a year owing to
the'illness Of the late Rev Dr.. Alexander
Balmain Bruce, was completed by him
Messrs. Charles Scribner's Sons in Oc-
tober. This work is a critical study Of
the topic of the moral order of the uni
verse in it's reality and essential nature.
as taught by representative thinkers in
India, Persia and Greece. Chapters are
devoted devoted also s to a study Of Hebrew
providence of the Divine Father and to
modern optimism and dualism.
"One of Those Condolences" the story
to be published by Funk & Wagnalls
Company, is romance by Julian Haw-
thorne. The leading characters are
volunteer in the war for Cuban inde-
pendence and nurse in one of the army
hospitals. Mr.. Hawthorne says there is
more fact than fancy in the narrative.
Carlyle. Contributions by other we'll
known writer's of short stories are bound
in the volume The book will be a 12mo.
bound in cloth, with tasteful cover de-
sign. 1t will sell for 81.
Music lovers will welcome a new book
treating of the great operas and the most
nota BILE opera singers, which is to be pub
lished by Funk & WagnalIs Company
about the middle of October. The volume
is entitled STARS of the Opera" and its
author is Mabel Wagnalls, whose mis-
erere'' has proved SO delightful story
dedicates her book ito the many who
love music but have. no opportunity to
familiarize themselves with grand opera,
and to those who think they do not appre-
ciate it, Descriptive sketches are given OF
the plot and the music of "Semiramtde,"
Faust 'fWerther" Carmen" "Lohen-
grin, Aida, The Ell IHugueen6.ot5si 5i The
The leading opera prlma donnas, Mar
celia Sembrich, Emma Eames, Emma
Calve, Lillian Nordica Lilli Lehman and
Nellie Melba, are introduced to the read
ers by series of graphic personal con-
versations.
Mr.. James c. Derby, in a recent article
in the New York Times on Successful
Publishers, says: Julian Hawthorne is
himself the authority for the statement
that Archibald Malmaison, one of the
best-selling products of his pen, was re-
fishers of Boston and New York" And
yet the book has been so successful that
Mr. Hawthorne has received many ap-
plications from dramatlStS VINO wish to
ton, illustrated with pen and ink and
half-tones, is to be issued about October
s. 1t will retail for 81 90
The ]. S. Ogilvie Publishing Company
have in press new religious novel of rare
power and interest, entitled When Shi-
low Came" by Ambrose Lester jackson,
a new but none the less powerful and in
teresting writer. Not only is he a gifted
author, but he is also an artist of ex-
traordinary merit. Six Illustrations from
his original designs will appear in the
forthcoming work
The San Francisco call., 1899-09-24

kingdom, stood his ground courageously
and watched with expeotant curiosity two
sleek and shining objects swimming rap
idly toward him from the mainland.
The sleek and shining objects were the
wet heads of two large panthers which
for some unknown reason had elected to
leave their usual haunts and enter into
battle with such of the denizens of the
rookery as should have courage to stand
before them. 1t could not have been hun
ing, for they seemed both in the very pink
of condition. 1t seemed rather the mani
festation of a certain wild and fierce
Spaf end eI l some 10 ispPe i5rg ana nd
strong enough to be worthy of the effort
They were the aggressors from the first,
for the moment they felt the solid edge
of the reef under them they rushed with
one accord straight at the quiet but
warily observant champion who was wait
ing to defend his invaded domain and
The San Francisco call., 1899-09-24

~ HERE has Just taken place upon
the shore of one of the small ISL
lands Of our California coast
combat so novel in it's inception, so
strangely matched as to its partici-
pants, and so ferocious in its action, as to
surpass any Of the spectacles ever de-
signed to amuse and interest the turbu-
lent and discontented populace Of ancient
Rome.
It is q strange commentary upon human
mower that this fight, which a Nero or
a Caligula would have given a fortune to
witness, took place where only the amaz-
ed and almost unbelieving eyes of two
plain. steady-going residents of Marin
County could behold 1t.
The entire magnificent exhibition of
brute agility and cunning pitted against
brute size and strengthen land beasts
concentrating their lesser physical but
greater mental forces against q most for
The San Francisco call., 1899-09-24

He received them with q roar and
heaving lurch which sent one Of them
tumbling down toward the water again
and made the other give a rasping yell
of mingled pain and anger as the f1ipper
of his intended prey hit him square across
his blazing eyes. Even a sealion's tough
covering Is not proof against the teeth
and claws of two thoroughly in earnest
panthers, however, and streaks of blood
had not been wholly Intellectual Again
they approached their quarry, but this
time more cautiously and from different
sides.
The lion was prepared for their COM
ing however, and stroke of his powerful
tail knocked one Of them ten feet away,
The San Francisco call., 1899-09-24

himself upon his enemy, and SELLING him
by the throat dragged him straight over
the reef and into the foam crested
waves
Vair. now was the defense or attack of
feline claws Plow and tear as they
might through the giving flesh of the sea-
ster knew that a little suffering more or
less mattered nothing now. If he could
but hold his teeth together long enough
the water would conquer where he him.
self had failed. But death came too
soon. The iron jaws relaxed In sudden
convulsive shudder that marked the still
Ing of his brave heart, and the panther
choked, blinded and half dead, swan
feebly to shore.
The San Francisco call., 1899-09-24

Spain there is a record of s400 spent for
ice cream. Presumably, ,this was tran
script of petty thievery inartistically
audited The drama is truly problem
play" more difficult of solution than any
Pinero has put upon the boards.
"Searchlight Letters by Robert Grant.
(CharleS Scribners Sons, 81 50)
The San Francisco call., 1899-09-24
Literory Notes.

The Century Company has made a
great success of it's Thumb Nail series
of books Last years "Poor Richards
Almanack" had a very large sale. This
season RIP Van Wrinkle and the Legend
of Sleepy Hollow" with an introduction
by Joseph Jefferson, and the "Medita-
tions of Marcus Aurelius," newly trans
lated by Mr.. Benjamin E. Smith, will ap-
pear in the little stamped leather bind
ings which have made the series famous.
Mrs Sara Yorke Stevenson is the au-
thor of the book on "Maximilian in
Mexico which the Century Company
will issue in few weeks. Mrs. Steven
son spent several years in contact with
the imperial court in Mexico, from 1862
to 1867, when Napoleon III was trying the
disastrous experiment of establishing
European government on American SOIL
The Funk & Wagnalls Company an
nounce 1.-THE Funk & Wagnalls Standard
Encyclopedia, which will be companion
work to 1.-The Funk & Wagnalls Standard
Dictionary" The same general principles
that have made THE Standard Diction-
ary" so satisfactory will be followed in
the making of this encyclopedia. Each
class of subjects will be in charge of
recognized expert specialist-in all over
200 expert scholars will be engaged In the
preparation of the work-all treatment of
terms will be condensed to the last degree
consistent with completeness and clear
ness and every available device Will be
The San Francisco call., 1899-09-24
SWIMMING TO SEA-GIRT ROCK AND
WAGING WAR ON SEALS.

midable water beast-was viewed by
Lewis Johnson, a fisherman and poultry
raiser who lives alone upon Hog Island,
the scene Of this unprecedented battle,
and Samuel Short of Tomales, who Was
temporarily visiting him.
The San Francisco call., 1899-09-24
New Books Received.

christian Science" by Rev. William
Short, MA Thomas Whittier, New York.
Paper. Price 25c
my Scottish Sweetheart" by Charles
Reel1ie. F. Tennyson Neely. New York
and London.
The San Francisco call., 1899-09-24
The Department Clerk.

1.-THE Department Clerk" aims to show
how civil service reform, good thing in
its right application. may lose its potency
and become an abuse. 1t is a warning to
keep out of departmental life, for it shows
how it units man for other occupations,
and is death to ambition. Some good char
acter drawing of the Heterogeneous who
people the Washington boarding house is
done, and a heart story Of even interest is
told.
'"The Department Clerk, by Ivan Johns
son. Of. Tennyson Neely, New York and
ChicagO.)
The San Francisco call., 1899-10-07
A SONG OF WILLOW TIT-WlLLOW

= ROM the day when il passed under control OF
the present management it has been the custom
OF the Examiner to follow every noted event OF
vide popular interest with prolonged over the
excellence OF its service. The habit has by this
time become so strong that it even tried yesterday to
crow over its bulletins OF the yacht race.
It is to be noted however, that it did not crow as
OF old Il did not mount IT'S rooster on the first page
and sound forth in big black letters OF circus
size and nenagerie pretensions On the contrary the
boast was weak, piping little thing in almost in
visible blurred nonpariel type, hidden away under
picture at the loot OF a column in OF the most
commonly ignored OF its pages. Indeed, it did not
look ike an effort OF one who feels boastful but OF
one who tries to appear still in the ring" and it
sounded less like a crow than song OF Willow
tit-wilow tit-willow."
There are good reasons for the sickly feeling Of the
yellow. Never has there been such triumph
OF newsgathering in the history OF the world
as has been accomplished by The Call through the
Marconi system OF wireless telegraphy In compari-
with what attained by that service the wor,
OF the Associated Press OF which the Examiner makes
its boast was simply worthless. The Call had the
Associated Press dispatches equally with the other
morning papers, but did not them. AS matter
OF fact they we're not news. They were not only un-
reliable but were out OF date
Consider the facts as made public by the bulletins
The Examiner put forth dispatch: "II a. m.-Co-
lumbia leads Wind twelve knots an hour" Then
another: TOO p, m.-Wind freshening to five miles
an hour" A little later it bulletined: "2:25 p m
Boats are on the home run; Columbia one mile
ahead" After a time it put forth the announcement:
s. P m-Columbia leads by one length only" Al
terward this '3:I3 p. m.-The two racers are about
SIX miles from the finish. Shamrock seems to have
gained little"
1t is useless to quote The bulletins show
that the Examiner knew nothing whatever about the
race. It did not even have the record OF the wind
right. On the other hand The Call received its dis
patches from steamer out sea following the yachts
they driited Every incident OF the contest was at
once flashed through the air. and instantly reported
across the continent that the news was buetined in
front Of The Call office within three minutes after
the incident had taken place at sea miles away from
land.
After such work as wireless teegraphy has done in
this is foolish to boast any further OF the news
gathering facilities triumphs OF the old system
The Associated Press must adopt the new method
Boosting will do no good. 1t takes money and
energy to keep up with the science. and papers that
are afraid to spend the or lack the other will
drop out Of the and be counted back numbers
The San Francisco call., 1899-10-07
AROUND THE
CORRIDORS

Fred Dodd. the Fresno hotel man, is a
guest at the Lick.
p. A. Buell.. wealthy lumber dealer of
Stockton. is at the Grand.
T. c. Law, a prominent attorney of Mer-
ced, is a guest at the Lick
Charles G. Griffith, Spokane mining
expert, is guest at the Palace.
L. F. Moulton, one of the largest land
owners Of Colusa. is at the Lick
II. ]. Pfuger, an extensive raisin grower
of Fresno. is registered at the Grand.
Henry Brown, ex-Sheriff Of Napa Coun-
ty, is at the Grand on a flying trip to this
city.
S. F. Gel, an attorney of Salinas, is
among the recent arrivals at the Oc-
cidental
DR.. and Mrs. G. ]. Bradley have come
down from Mare Island and are registered
at the Palace.
F. H. Hopkins. well-known broker of
Portland. Or, is at the Palace, accom-
panied by his wife.
United States Attorney Coombs left yes
terday for a two-day vacation, which he
will spend in Napa.
A. Wideman, wealthy and popular
merchant of Gonzales, is registered for a
short stay at the Russ
Colonel John T. Harrington, connected
with the Home for Feeble Minded at
Colusa, is at the Lick.
]. E. Hoyle, an enterprising young mer-
The San Francisco call., 1899-10-07
AN INVITATION TO DEWEY.

HEPORTS from Washington are to the effect
~ that Admiral Dewey has about made I'D his
mind to make extensive tour through the
country in response to the numerous invitations that
have been given him It is assured he will visit Chi
cago and General Anderson OF that city is authority
for the statement that the Admiral contemplates
Western trip. Moreover, Senator Proctor is quoted
having said he believes the trip may be extended
as far as the Pacific Coast.
On that showing ii will be we'll for San Francisco
to at once extend the Admiral an invitation similar
to that given by other large cities of the Union 1t
will be remembered that when it was known that he
was to return home he was earnestly requested 70
come to this port and proceed to Washington over
land That programme the Admiral was unable to
carry out but it is fairly certain that when he enters
upon the tour which is to give him an opportunity to
the full extent OF the republic he will be inclined
to come to this coast before turning back
According to the reports the tour OF the Admiral
will begin early in November and will continue for
some weeks. Our invitation, it will be seen. should
be forwarded promptly as to be in his hands when
he makes his programme for the trip 1t is not mat
ter which requires much time for consideration as
is certain the people will be prompt to provide what
ever money may be required to make his welcoms
worthy OF his visit There is, therefore, no reason
why the city authorities together with the Chamber
OF anu OllSl representative bodies should
without delay and send the invitation iinme
diately
There ample grounds for supposing the Ad
miral has genuine desire to visit this part Of the
Union 1t was on the Pacific Ocean he won the great
victory that has made him the hero OF his country
men of this generation and secured for him an i'm,
mortality OF fame and it is but natural he should de-
sire visit the chief city of that vast section Of ;
country that looks out upon that ocean Whether
he not, however, it will be we'll to give
him the invitation. Let show him that much evil
dence OF admiration for his service and II he come
TO us we will give him a welcome that will be
memorable
The San Francisco call., 1899-10-07

Of Marconi. everything you see aooQr
yourselves everything that tends 70 d
firm the theory that man Is ths L-ds.e. .sI-
piece Of creation. all there Is OF tIIS ms me-
marvellous Is due in great part 70 tHe y &
satility Of Italian genius. -.
genius Of Flayie Gioia; physical scleicTa
owe 10 TOrTiceili the Invention o. me
barometer To Volta and GalNam the us
Coyery Of electricity , -,
Poor humanity owes 70 C9iuIli5Us 9i5 -, =
discovery Of this blessed land. ana ali, OF
US that gI0rify in American ciIlzeISIlp
remember that IL is 10 AmerISo NespuCCt
and CristoforO Colombo that we owe th7
name OF our country!
In every field Of human activity ana De
ve!Opment of Gods gift. genius, Italy
stands first ard foremost.
To Italy we owe the invention OF m1slcdL
notes: 10 Italy the greatest ac1IeN eIneilIS
Of physical science-medIcine- / ne great
est discoveries of the age tending 10 re,
neve suffering humanity-the germs ana
cure of yellow fever and OF most OF the
scourges-all we owe TO italian genius.
Shakespeare. Byron and Lyttont great
on the shores OF Italy the necessary n
spirations for their great WorkS-
These poets never ceased to love ana
sing the praise of Italy. and many OF their
works are songs TO the glory OF lnal
country.
II is indeed a very poor and melancholy
Bit of wit that the Examiner has lndulgSd
in. perhaps 10 cheer it UP in view OF tne
proverblal defeat in news-gettlnS enter
pTlSes.
we resent in the name Of the million of
Itali9ns living in this glorious land OF
Washington and Lincoln, and beg 70 ad-
wise the Examiner TO bow most pro
fOunGly 10 the name Of MarcOni and Italy,
land Of the twelve demi-gOds and thou
sands OF benefactors Of humanity
L'Ltalia.
The San Francisco call., 1899-10-07

The Examiner Of yesterday has found
occasion TO throw an abominable insult
TO some one, and this time the object Of
its wrath and detestation IS Guglielmo
Marconi, illustrious son of Italy, the
greatest genius OF this eve of the twen-
tieth century.
To satisfy a most wretched professional
rivalry, this paper attempts 70 ridicule
the name Of the great inventor by twist
ing Marconi into "Macaroni'
To make the slur more complete, the
Examiner should have added. by the way,
the title OF '-Dago"-that gentle epithet
so common among the denizens Of Sums
and vile taverns.
We. as Italians first. and secondly as
representatives and interpreters Of thou
The San Francisco call., 1899-10-07

usal and accepted the arbitration which has resulted
in affirming the most OF her claim and in giving
Venezuela what she really sought protect the con-
troll OF the Orinoco. The incident caused great
outbreak OF friendship and gratitude to the United
States from the Rio Grande the Straits OF Magel
Ian. II gave the hegemony OF this hemisphere, and
England surrendered point which would have been
regarded as worth to the price OF long and
hausting war.
Since then there is singular and sinister change in
the position OF all the parties to that great diplomatic
incident We have surrendered the position it gave
in the Western Hemisphere and are feared and
hated by Central and South America because We have
begun war for humanity and have turned it into
bloody butchery for conquest. Fear OF absorption
has changed the heart OF the Central and South Amer
ican countries, and have exchanged their friend
ship for that OF England
The arbitration itself, projected before we changed
our national policy, reminder OF what
recently and OF what might have been as perna-
nent policy.
The San Francisco call., 1899-10-07
BOER TO BRITON.
A Reply to Rudyord Kip
Iino's Latest Poem.

Crush the "sullen" people, such the law
Of fate;
God be with the victors-magnify the
If appeals for mercy through the oceans
ring
Send mighty army-annihilate the King.
What care We for justice-what care we
for "breed?"
Swell our mighty empire-let them call it
greed.
Should rhe world oppose US. while we
pray and sing.
God Of battles Ger us-death be to the
King.
Though he tracked the forests, though he
builded new.
Breathed the air of freedom with each
wind that blew,
Though "A people with him, all on earth
they bring,
Yet for mother country we must crush
this King.
His the reign of treason, ours the march
of might;
Theirs to live by suff rance. ours to rule
by right;
Matters little what the cause, right or
wrong they bring;
British lust dwells uppermost-"Suffer not
this King
All they have of freedom, all they use or
know.
This their fathers bought for them log
and long ago:
Theirs the mountain, wood and stream
every living thing
Theirs the right of liberty. Of kindred ID
of King.
Cruel in the shadow. crafty in the sun, :"
Say to Briton, Hold, enough, ere thy
race be run!'
"Au the right they promise. all the wrong
they bring"
Greed is stamped upon the brow and their
gold is King.
God of nations, hear a prayer; Danish
back those hosts;
Save a people from misrule; quicken not
vain boasts:
Shield with thy protection these Afric's
sons, I sing:
Grant their arms the victory and their
homes their King.
A B. MCNEIL,
San Jose, Cal.
The San Francisco call., 1899-10-07

chant of Keswick, Shasta County, is max
ing a short stay in this city.
DR.. f. H. Mattner, the well known sur
geon, leaves this morning for a ten days
hunting trip in Mendocino County.
E. P. Dunn, proprietor Of the Airing
ton at Santa Barbara. is at the Palace
on short business trip to this city.
a. 3. c. Dowden and John Thormann,
two wealthy wine men of SE Helena. are
staying at the Grand, where they arrived
yesterday.
Charles S. Fogg, one of the leading at
torneys of Tacoma, and \. P. Ashton, an
influential lawyer and politician OF the
same place. are at the Palace awaiting
the arrival of the Washington troops.
The condition of James PerciyaI. the
English millionaire, who was poisoned by
eating striped bass. has so improved that
he is now out Of all danger and resting
easily in his apartments at the Palace.