davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-24
TRIED TO comMlr SUICIDE.
A. II. Gluedy, OF Burlington, Cut His
Wrist in Omaha.

Omaha, May 1s.-Under the impress
sion that he had mortally wounded
himself, a. r. Gleudy, of Burlington,
a would-be suicide, lay down in a patch
Of woods on the prairie near this city,
dipped stem of joint grass in the
blood that gushed from his wrist and
wrote the following in a small pocket
account books
II sm sick and out of work. / was q
X. of l.. man at Burlington, Iowa, and
a stranger here. Notify Henry Andre,
of Burlington. He is a boot and shoe
man and will have my remains shipped
there"
Then the writer rolled over upon his
stomach, pillowed his forehead upon
his arms and resigned himself to lie.
1t was lying thus, dazed and weak
from loss of blood that the police
found him few minutes later. He
was lifted tenderly into the ambulance.
With a hoarse cry he thrust hand
down his throat III desperate attempt
to shut off his breath. From this point
on until the ambulance stopped at the
Presbyterian hospital, where doctor
gave him sedative, three strong men
had all they ccould do to restrain mis-
mad efforts ito destroy himself.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-24
POISON IN CANDY.
Peculiar Case Comes to Light In Town
of BOOne.

Boone, May 1s.-Mrs. John Sellhorn,
of this city, had narrow escape from
death this week by eating poisoned
candy sent thru the mails. On Tues
day morning she received small box
OF tempting chocolate creams. They
We're loosely wrapped in one of Per-
rines candy boxes, and Mrs. Sellhorn
thinking they were from a friend at
once ate piece. This tasted very
well,,,so she took a second and after
eating 1T detected peculiar favor.
In a few minutes she was taken i'll.
DIR. Rowe was summoned and said Mrs.
Sellhorn had been poisoned and upon
examination of the candy found
enough deadly matter in it to have
killed sei-ral women. Inquiries at the
rostoffice developed that the parcel
had been mailed in city post box
and brought in by the carrier. Fur
Their inquiry revealed the fact that the
federal authorities have no jurisdiction
over mail after it has been delivered,
SO the government can take no hand in
the matter. Local authorities, how
ever, are working on the case and are
said to have clues rs to the sender of
the poisoned candy.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-24
DANGEROUS coUNrERFErr.
Said TO be One Dollar Hill RaiAed e
Five Dollars

A dangerous counterfeit or doctored
SIS bill is said to have made its appear
ance in western cities, but Ottumwa
bankers have not run across any of
them as yet. 1t is said that a 81 bill
has been SO treated with acids and
crayons that it has the appearance of
Il IS note, and number of banks have
been taken in, so skillful is the coun-
terfeit. No printing is used, but with
marvellous skill the parties have made
the big figure 81 on the bill read IS, :"
and the numerous zones" on the back
have been altered to show five by
taking off the left hand perpendicular
line on the IN" removing the 20 and
placing an sf'' and 81 in their places
where it is conspicuous. Experts in
the handling and detection of coun-
terfeits have been taken in by the
fraud. 1t would seem that the work
would require 81 worth of time in it's
accomplishment, but gentleman now
in the city, who saw a sample counter
felt in Chicago on Saturday, states
that the city is flooded with them and
he knows of Instances where banks
have entered them up on behalf OF de-
positors without ever throwing them
out.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-24
QUEER FATALITY AMONG HORSES.
Jasper County Farmer Loses Stock by
Wholesale.

Grinnell, May 10. = Especially -
A strange and curious fatality was
that which afflicted the horses of John
Kreigel, of Bear Creek township, and
as result eight horses are dead
Thursday the son took team to the
field and soon discovered that one Of
the horses was afflicted with some dis
ease, and in few minutes the horse
dropped to the ground and was dead
in a short time. Nothing had been
the matter with any of me horses up
to this time. Friday morning as they
were starting for the field another
horse dropped dead. Saturday morn
ing three were found unable to get
up; one was dead by noon, another
soon after noon and third by even
ing. Two died Sunday in the same
manner, and another Monday. On Mon
day another was taken rs the others
had been and died the same day. \
veterinary, was called who pronounced
the cause to be poison of some kind,
but he was unable to determine what
kind of poison. j. @. Gibson, state
veterinary, was sent for, who pro-
nounced the trouble to be blood poison.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-24

Young. for it is the only one I ever
secured without fight. l don't just
feel certain about it; Fun afraid to step
on it for fear it'll fly up and hit me IN
the face. slt
Il had not expecte.No be called on
at a time like this, w we nave the
REPRESENTATIVES, at Washington among
u.s. We have sbme fine oratorical trav-
elers among us, here in Iowa. There
are the good, steady going roadstsrs
like George Perkins and the rest Of
them; and then there is our fine coach
team, of 5DeHiver and Cousins. And we
need therAr a@8 The party can we'll be
mates popular sentiment today. This
republic, in the last four years, has
been making history by ages. The
first armv that ever sailed away from
our shores. on June IL, 1898, changed
the map of the world in twelve days
after it had landed: 1t liberated one
of the first islands that Columbus
sighted on his trip of discovery. You
are to be congratulated on the history
of the last two years. There isn't in
American in the world now who
doesn't feel six feet taller than he dix!
before 1898. There is not one who
does not receive. wherever he may 10
beyond the bounds of his own country,
the full measure of recognition OF an
American citizen. There are no more
American pigs. We are no longer
great, gorinandizing commercial na-
ton. Uncle Sam now sits at the coun-
Gil board of the nations and is con-
suited when the great affairs of the
world are under consideration. All
this accomplished in two years. We
need only the courage of a full concepz
ton OF TINT splendid accomplishment
outlined by Mr.. Cousins to us this
morning, to assure the fulfillment of
our DESTINY. The Creator looked over
the map of the world in the spring OF
'9S, and said there is the smartest,
the best, the most active people I've
got; they've been going on for 300
wears, lodging the responsibilities of
their positions in the world. I'll just
turn over about 2O.OOO,0oO black people
for them to care for, to lift up to lib
erty and enlightenments.' And He did
lit. 1t remains to be known whether
we will bear the burden thus put upon
us by the hand of the Almighty. Ii
we are worthy OF our past, we will
bear it as BELTS us as people?"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-24
Arthur Lawson, a Cousin Of w. j.
Hicks, Writes From South Africa.
AT KIMBERLEY, AND WARRENION.
Refers TO the Large Number of Foreisn-
ers in tho Boer Ranks-Says They
Arc Saucy Lot-A Young Man
ssung in the Service.

W. j. Hicks, of this city, is in receipt
OF number of recent communications
from his cousin, Arthur Lawson, a
musician in the First battalion, North
CUMBERLAND Fusileers, commonly
known as 1.-THE Fighting Fifth.,' in the
English army, now in South Africa.
Mr.. Lawson's father was band mas
ter j nthe Thirty eighth regiment in
the English army. and the former. tho
only % years old, has already been
eight years in the service. His regi-
ment has been in South Africa since
Sept. is, 1899. Mr.. Lawson, Jr., was
with Lord Kitchener in Egypt, going
thru khartoum. From there he went
to Crete to quell the insurrecton
against the Christians making total
of four years in the field out of the
eight years service. Mr.. Lawson's
letters were all written in March. The
first was written at Kimberley; the
second ut Dronfeld, and the third at
Warrenton. Thru the kindness of
Mr.. Hicks the Courier is permitted to
publish them.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-24
Law Makes It Obligatory In Dis
trict Schools.
NEW WRINKLE, THAT HASIISDANGERS
Said to Have the Appearance ofa Book
Concerh Denl-Directors Warned 70
be Carerul-state hoard Is Pros
@eeding with Caution

In passing the school library law re-
Gently the Legislature enacted a. meas
ure that will affect every school dis
trict in Wapello county. 1t is made
mandatory, it is said, upon country
school districts to set aside annually
from five to fifteen cents for each child
of school age in the district for the
purchase OF books for a library. The
library is to be kept in the school
house when school is in session, but
during vacation ii is to be in the hands
of the secretary or some other person
whom the board may select. This
would indicate that the library is to
fbe circulating library, and provision
is made that the books may be so
used. This being the case, the books
TO be selected will not necessarily be
exclusively for school use, but will be
such as will appeal to the people of
the district. During vacation the IL
brary might be kept in the postof1ice
or in a country store, where it would
be handy for the people to. get the
books
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-24
DECISION FOR ROADS.
Important Decision Relative TO Fires
on Right OF Way.

DeS MONIES. May 1.-The supreme
court in an opinion filed Tuesday holds
that burning grass and weeds from a
right Of waysis not part OF the opera
ton of railroad" within the meaning
Of the statute. "Such work." says the
court, IS undoubtedly necessary IN the
business of operating a railroad, but
not in any way connected Herewith.
Therefore the court concludes and
holds that in damage cases for the
snreading of these fires to adjacent
fields recovery can only be had from
the railroad on an affirmative showing
Of negligence, Section $50 of the, code
would not govern and the railroads IAN
not be required to show the exercise of
care on the part of the employees, for
the court holds, as stated, that the fire
on the right OF way is not 'set out or
caused by operating the railroad"
when it is for the purpose of burn
ing weeds and grass and is not caused
by the movement of trains. Justice
Ladd wrote the opinion and there was
no dissent.
Never heretofore have damage cases
been decided in which the application
Of. the statute has gone beyond fire
set out or caused by an engine on the
track. The court holds that a railway
is constructed for the sole purpose Of
the movement of trains. \ railway
cannot be operated in any other way
han by the movement of trains. In no
other proper sense is railroad used
or operated This has been held in
personal damage cases brought by en-
p.oyes, but has never been applied to
eases IN WHICH damages were Gained
from FIRE originated except by the op-
Grated engine.
The court now goes to the extent of
holding that an employee who keeps Il
railroad track in repair for the opera
ton of the trains, while he may be eN-
posed to the hazard, is not engaged in
"the business of operating 4 railroad
The court says "a railroad is only opel
ated within the meaning of the law by
moving trains, cars, engines or machin-
cry on the track. The same definition
is peculiarly applicable to the clause
operating any such railroad" con
tanned in the statute relating to fires.
TO obviate the most unsurmountaiie
difficulty Of injured parties adducing
affirmative proof OF the company S
negligence Gin case of fire set by pass
ing engines) this statute was enacted.
1t is limited to the operation" OF the
railroad; otherwise it might be class
legislation.
THE evidence is quite as available IN
the case OF fire set out by the section
men on the right OF way as when set
by neighboring farmer or other per.
son. The court erred in directing the
jury that if, damages were caused by
fire set out by defendants section men
in the right of way the plaintiffs had
made a prima facie case and the bur-
den was on the railroad to show its
freedom from negligence"
The case was that of John Connors
against the Northwestern and was APP
pealed from Judge r. H. Helseil's
court in Kossuth county.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-24
Iowa Dog. Must be Good .

Sioux City, May 21.-ln case or
iginatin in Sioux county, first de-
cided by Judge Wakefield of the dis
trict court, the supreme court of Iowa
has held that dogs of this state can
not lawfully bite unless they do it at
time when the person bitten is en-
gagged in violating the law.
CANNES have no right, according to
the decision, to brood over wrongs and
bite in revenge for accumulated in
iuries done them. The lower court
held that sticks and stones thrown by
a child was conduct contributing to
injury and that damages for suffering
which might ensue must be paid by
the owner of the dog. This decision
is reversed and dogs first bite con-
dennis it as habitually vicious dog.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-24
Demand Cheaper Copyr,ah, :.

Des Moines, May 21.-Iowa pho
tographers want stringent laws against
infringement of copyright. They say
that magazines, newspapers, cTayon
err yiolators of the present laws, are
making m Shsh out Of printing e
no credit. They want the laws changed
so that the poorest in purse may SCI
cure copyright as we'll as the wealth
lest Of artist. The association in con-,
vention Wednesday refused to adopt
the resolution requested by Pennsyl-
vania men, that calls for a special sex-s
animation before engaging in hlsi-
ness, of all professional photographers.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-24
THE OTTUMWA COURIER: THURSDAY. MAY "a 1900

over ten wears OF age who are employ
ed in any gainful occupation. General
answers as to what persons occupa-
ton is will not be accepted. If a per-
son is laborer he should tel the
enumerator whether he works on the
streets. if farm laborer or if he
works in factory or manufacturing
establishment he should specify the
kind OF work he does as laborer. If
4 person is a .'finisher," 'molder' or
'polisher" he should tell the enumera-
tor whether or not he is brass nm
isher," an iron molder" or steel
polisher.'. If he be a machanic gen.
eral answer to that effect will not do.
He must specifically state what kind
of business he is engaged in, such as
''carpenter,,' mason" ''house painter"
"machinist' or plumber" He will al
SO be required to state how many
months in the year embraced between
June ]. 1899. and May 81, 1900, he was
not employed in gainful occupation
In regard to education the enuin-
orator has, spaces on bis blanks which
require answers as to whether or not
4 person attends school Gf he be OF
school age), and how many months
during the year. He will be asked if
he can read, write and can speak Eng
lish.
A person will be required to state
whether or not he owns his home and
il he does whether or not it is free
from incumbrance. together with the
number of the house and the street on
which tits situated.
Mortality.
The enumerator is also required to
enter on his book data concerning the
death of persons occurring in the
family during the year from June 1,
1899, to May 81, 1900. He will require
the name, color, race or sex. age. place
of birth OF the deceased person, OF his
father and ofsthe mother, his occupa-
ton, trade or profession. the date OF
death, the disease or cause of death,
the name Of the attending physician.
This matter is very important as he
mortality tables are made up from,
data secured and persons should be
very careful in answering all questions
asked by the enumerator.
These are the things Uncle Sam
wants to know about, and the enum-
orator has instructions I'D report any
person who refuses to answer them.
just what would happen in a case OF
that kind is not known, but as the
undertaking is for the good of the
whole people but little trouble is an
ticipated in this direction among intel
ligent Iowa people.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-24
Warrenton. March 90. 1900

Dear Cousin-You will notice by the
heading of this letter that we have
moved again. We are Just south of the
Naal river, and there is one battery of
artillery in my regiment here. We
would like to cross the river, but the
enemy is in force up in the kopjes.
We expect to see General French with
his cavalry moving around their flank.
You never know when he is going to
turn up, as he seems to be all over the
place.
Yesterday as we were getting up
the Beers dropped four shells in
quick succession near our camp. We
cleared out and they started to BON.
bard our artillery. 1t was fine to see
the way the gunners kept to their
guns. They kept it up all day and
the casualties were two men wounded
and two horses killed. The casualties
seem the same as the Beers publish.
They never lose over twenty all told,
OF at least they say SO.
We are very short of officers, n
great many OF them having gone 10
England to, form our new battalion.
This is fine country up here, much
better than south Of the Modder river.
In the next papers | receive from you
expect to see the American opinion
Of the relief of Kimberley. The latest
paper l have received is dated Febru-
airy II.
I have referred to the Beers she'll
ing us and how we cleared out of
camp, but l did not tell you about the
fellows running out without their
coats, some without shirts. others
without hamlets. but every body had
his rifle and ammunition, so if the
Beers did pluck up courage and attack
us, we would have done our best
against them. l don't mean to say
the Beers are towards, anything out
that; but they don't like to attack us.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-24
The Thornton Launched.

Richmond, Va, May Is. The torpedo
boat Thornton was launched at the
Trigg ship yard today. Miss Mary
Thornton Davis, of Worcester, Mass,
acted as sponsor. She is grand-niece
of Capt. James S. Thornton, who was
executive officer of the Kearsarge in
her victory over the Confederate cruis-
er Alabama off Cherbourg, France, and
for whom the Thornton was named.
The relatives of Admiral Thornton, Of
Boston, were present.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-24
ola Mani. Cri,,,e.

Shenandoah, May 21.-Isaac White,
a prominent farmer residing in Fisher
township, Fremont county, eight
miles southwest of this place, has been
arrested by the sheriff of Montgom-
cry county in Red Oak, charged with
attempted rape on the person of his
neighbours daughter, Miss Olive Per-s
llins, aged 10 years. Constable ~ M
Gudgel went to Red Oak and brought
White to Farragut where he waived
examination until next Tuesday and in
the meantime has been placed under q
bond of 1000.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-24
FLAvIN is DEAD.
NeIs Potter Loses Valuable Horse-
Known All Over the Country,

Wapello county horsenen will learn
with regret of the death of Flavin,
the stallion owned by Nels Potter,
which occurred this morning, caused
by spinal meningitis. Flavin was by
Charleston and was a very valueble am
imal. Horsemen all over this part of
the country were acquainted with che
animal and say that he had a great
future before him had he lived.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-24
lBal1ot seals Broken

Sioux City. May 10. The contest ov-
er the Office of city assessor developed
a sensation yesterday. 1t was discover
It'd that the ballot seals had been bro
ken and the ballots tempered wirh.
a recount of these ballots gives o. r..
Hutchinson, who is making the con-
test, majority over c. G. Wales, who
holds the Office. a bitter legal fights is
in prospect.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-24

before we left on the march next day,
We marched to Klokfontein and were
told we could have a long sleep the
next morning, as we We're not going
to march. But about $3.50 o'clock we
We're awakened and told to get ready.
We went few miles and were told
to open out. We had not gone far
when the enemy, whom we could not
see, opened a terrible fire. A lot of
men were hit and the stretcher-be
ers had a pretty busy time. The
troops pushed forward and when an
opportunity offered itself they got I'M
der cover. At times there would be I.
lull in the firing. but shortly after it
would start again fiercer than before.
The artillery was Smelling all day
lone and must have done splendid
work. was thoroiy done up, but l
do not know how the men on the fir
ing line felt. They could not get a
drink of water and had nothing to
eat all day, besides being in the
scorching SUM- The battle lasted thir-
teen hours. Our regiment again lost
pretty severely, but when it was over
got plenty OF bread. bully beef and a
drink OF rum, which put fresh life into
the troops
Up to now we had done pretty
well, but shortly after we were rein
forced by brigade of Highlanders.
Then came the battle of Afagersfon-
TEN. / cannot tell you anything
about this battle, because our regiment
took only a minor part in it, but I
know Kimberley had to wait longer
for its relief and our column got a
rude shock. told you in my last let
ter that we had arrived in Kimberley.
We only stayed two days and l did not
get chance to go out in town. but |
spoke to some people and they wanted
to know why they We're not relieved
sooner. They have lot to say about
the way they kept the Beers out Of
the town, and try to make themselves
heroes. / think the " c. Victoria
Crosse would not be enough For them.
Even when Lord Roberts ente;S d
Bioemfontein they did not put up a
flag or do anything like other towns
in South Africa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-24
Kentucky PLACED in Com mission.

Newport News, Va, May 15.-The
bartleship Kentucky, sister ship of the
peerless Kearsarge, which has demon
strated her right to be classed rs the
fastest and> most powerful battleship
in the United States navy, was placed
in commission at the shipyard here
today. Prominent naval officials were
present.