davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-02-26
4 CHURCH DESTROYED.
First Congregational ofLeicester, Mass.
 Fire Caused by Lightning.


 Fire Caused by Lightning. Leicester, Mass, Feb. 25.-At an early hour this morning lightning struck the copper-sheathed steeple of the First Congregational church. causing a fire which completely destroyed the build- ing. At one time the fire threatened to consume the large factory of the Amer ican Card Cotton company, but the fire men managed to prevent the flames from spreading. The local engine com pany were unable to summon aid from surrounding towns for long time be- cause the electric storm had rendered useless all the wires. After much de- lay an engine and hose company was procured from Spencer. The total loss to the church is estimated at $3O,000, to the card company $350. The church was one of the largest edifices of its kind in the state. It was built in 1865 and was the first contract ever undertaken by thefirm of Norcross Bros Five thousand dollars was spent in repairing last summer. The building is covered by insurance to the extent of $20 000.
The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-02-26
Gatacre's Troops Repulscd.

SteIkstroom, Sunday, Feb. 25.-A re connaissance yesterday in force under General Gatacre with eight guns found the Boers occupying ridge three miles beyond Molteno in the Stormberg direc- ton. Montmorency's scouts charged the Boers who crept round the scouts flank, pouring in a deadly fire. The scouts were finally compelled to retire, having lost heavily. Fourteen are miss ing. Captain Montmorency was killed.
 The reconnaissance was valuable and would have been most satisfactory had it not been for the unfortunate dis aster to the scouts, with whom Lieuten- ant Colonel Hoskier happened to be. Their loss was four killed and many wounded and missing.
The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-02-26
CRONJE HAS GOOD COVER.
Also Plenty of mmunition
 Said to be short.

London, Feb. 26.-The Times publishes the following from Paardeberg dated Wednesday, February 21: General Cronje's force have good cover from the British artillery fire and have consid- erable stores of provisions.
 A despatch to the Morning Post from Kimberly, dated Friday, says; General Cronje is reported to have plenty of provisions, but to be running short of ammunition. MT. Rhodes is extremely hopeful that the war has reached it's concluding stage"
 The Lorenzo Marquez correspondent of the Times says: "The feeling in or ficial circles at Pretoria borders on consternation. General Lunis Botha and President Steyn are both urging President Kruger to sue for peace. At Bloemfontein General Cronje's position is regarded as hopeless"
The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-02-26
FAIL TO REACH AGREEMENT
REPUB LIC1NS STILL DITIDED ON
 PORTO RICO BILL.
Prolonged Conferences Yesterday Leave the Matter Far from ScttIement-Op- pOnenfs Suggest Placing the Whole Matter in the Ha ds of the President- This Obj jcctcd To.

] THIS pOD cctcu
 | Washington, Feb. 25.-The effort tc
 unite the republicans of the house on a
 Porto Rico bill have failed and at mid night, after prolonged conferences, it
 was stated that matters were substan-
 tially where they were yesterday. Oth- CT efforts at harmony may be made to- morrow A long conference was held
 tonight at the residence of Represen-
 titive Mccall of Massachusetts, be-
 tween the committee appointed at the
 republican conference last night rep
 resenting the publicans in favor of the
 pending Puerto Rico tariff bill and a committee agreed upon to-day by these republicans who are opposed to the measure. The latter committee was made up of Messrs. Powers of Vermont,
 Crumpacker of Indiana, Lorimer of H. linois, Mccall of Massachusetts and Littlefield of Maine.
 It was suggested by opponents of the pending bill that the whole matter be left in the hands of the president with the understanding that Puerto Rico should have free trade with the United States, but this was objected to and nothing came of it. The financial com mittee bill suggested that the original bill introduced by Mr. Hayne providing for free trade be substituted on the floor of the house for the committee bill, but this likewise failed to receive fa- vorable consideration by the advocates of the pending measure. Considerable talk was indulged in over the proposi- tion made by the committee bill advo- cates to fix a time limit during which the tariff of 25 per cent. against the inn ports of Puerto Rico shall remain effec- tive the time varying from two years to an indefinite period, but the opposi- tion indicated their opposition to any its imposition may be. MT. Bowers of Vermont, one of the opponents of the bill as it stands, however, was favorable to its passage with a time limit but his associates would not concur in this. With a view to meeting some of the ob- jections to the bill it's advocates sug- gested a change in it's title, which would indicate that 1t was intended as an ex- igency measure for the purpose of rais- ing revenue, but this also found no fa- vor with the opposition who reiterated their hostility to the bill on principle.
The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-02-26
MRS. SA RIORIS BETTER. Operation Shows No Evidence That Cancer Has Ever Existed.

New York, Feb. 25.-The following statement relative to the condition of Mrs. Nellie Grant Startoris, daughter of General Grant, was given out to-day by the attending physicians: Mrs. Nellie Grant Sartoris is now convalescing from an operation and will be about in few days. On account of public statements that her malady was cancer we state that after the operation an examination proved that there is no evidence that cancer has ever existed. (Signed)
 "E. l.. Reyes,
 "W Gill Wylie."
The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-02-26
PROGRESS OF THE FIG GHIING.
Closing in On the BOers--French Has
 Taken AGO Prisoners i'm All.


 Paardeberg, Thursday, Feb. 22.-Ar- tillery shelling continued during the ear ly part of last night. As soon as the last gun was fired the Shropshires, who had been occupying the river bed since Sunday, rushed forward seized an ad- ditional two hundred yards of their ground and entrenched fresh position before daybreak. At dawn General Cronje found himself docked that amount of space. The Shropshires had done excellent work under a galling fire since Sunday until they were relieved by the Gordons to-day.
 Goraons Replace shropshires.
 The exchange of positions had it's amusing features in spite of the dan- ger. The Gordons crawled on their stomachs to the trenches and the Shrop- shires crept out of these, by reaching over the Gordons. The scene of the last five days fighting is one of the prettiest spots in South Africa. The river at the point where General Cronje is ensconced and fighting for life resembles some parts of the Hudson river, the ground all around sloping toward the stream. All the highlands are covered by Brit ish artillery. Cronje is faced in the front and rear from both banks by the British, while General French's Horse is far away on the Hanks. During the ar tillery firing last evening the mules of the Eighty-second battery, which had remained hitched to the carriages, sud denly stampeded and galloped off en masse, but to-day the wagons, with one eyceDtiOn were recovered.
 French Takes pr,soncrF.
 General French has sent in seventy five prisoners. A British patrol, eight miles to the west, discovered thirty Boers wandering away and corralled them. Altogether this force has already captured 460 of the enemy, while many dead Boers have been seen. The Boer prisoners are all depressed at the pres ent course of the war and they comment bitterly upon General Cronje's persist ence, which they call murder" To- day German ambulance attached to the Boer forces was allowed to traverse the British lines in front of Jacobsdal. Quantities of cattle, sheep and trek oxen have been captured while wander ing from the Boer laager.
The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-02-26
Great Pigeon shot Dend.

New York, Feb. 25.-George Work. club man, pigeon shot and man of the world, died to-day at Davos-Platz, Switzerland, from consumption. His two sisters, Mrs. Burke-Roche and Mrs. Cooper-Hewitt, were with him when he died. MT. Work held the ana- teur record, having killed ninety-eight out of one hundred birds in a match against Brewer, a professional.
The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-02-26
Professor Phelps still Improving.

A report was about last night that Hon. E. J. Phelps had suffered re- lapse and was again in most critical condition. At 1:5O this morning, how ever, Professor Phelps attending phy- sician, Dr. Samuel D. Gilbert, said that the report was untrue and that Profess sor Phelps had not suffered relapse. He continues to improve slowly.
The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-02-26
BRANDT DROPS.

Their Sale to Waterbury School Chil-
 dren Causes n Stir.
 Waterbury, Feb 25.-The agitation which has been conducted here for sev- eral days against the sale of so-called brandy drops to school children, has been so marked that the board of health at it's regular meeting tomorrow will discuss the question of their sale. Prosecuting Agent Pierce has given his opinion that the sale cannot be affected by the enforcement of the statutes re- lating to the sale of intoxicating liquors without a license. It is surmised that the board will consider the article un. der the food adulteration law and pos- sibly prevent the sale by that means.
The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-02-26
Coal Barges Ashore.

Boston, Feb. 25.-Barges Keystone and Otto of the Philadelphia & Read ing company's line while inward bound from Philadelphia for Boston with coal, in tow of tug Gettysburg, ran ashore on Brewster Rock, Boston light, this morn- ing, and the Keystone will probably be a total loss with her cargo of 1,500 tons of coal. The Otto can probably be saved
The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-02-26
Neri,len tInn Dies Suddenly

Meriden, Conn.,, Feb. 25.-Henry L. Puffer. a we'll known religious worker and for a short time secretary of the local Ys M. c. A., died suddenly at his home on North Second street tonight upon his return from church. He was forty-tWo years of age and married.
The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-02-26
Derby BaiI-pIayer Dead.

Derby, Feb. 25.-Thomas O'Dell, aged twenty-eight, member of the Derby baseball team up to last year, died at his home on Hawkins street to-day af- ter brief illness. He was also a well known fireman, being foreman of Storm Engine company No. 2. He leaves a widow and one child.
The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-02-26
Barge Founders Five Drowned.

Providence, Feb. 25.-A tragedy hap- pened off Narragansett Pier shortly af- ter l o'clock this morning when the barge General Wiley foundered during a southeast gale. Captain Harold and four little children were drowned in spite of all attempts to save them.
The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-02-26
Very NeNrtO Ladvsmtth h .

London Feb. 26.-The Times publish es the following dispatch from Colenso dated Saturday: "The British are now within two miles of being in touch with Ladysmith, but the ground still to be covered is the hardest part and very severe fighting must be expected"
The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-02-26
Hartford Woman Dies i'm Church

Hartford, Feb. 25.-Eliza W. Robert son, who was quite prominent in Hart ford's colored circle, died suddenly while attending services at the Talcott Street Congregational church. She was talk ing with a fainting spell and died soon after being brought into the chapel.
The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-02-26
Father of Capt. Cook Dead.

Northampton, Mass, Feb. 25.-Gen- eral B. E. Cook, father of Captain Cook who commanded the Brooklyn during the Cuban blockade, in the late war died at his home here to-day. He was one of Northamptons best known and oldest citizens.
The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-02-26
COL. MON1I ORENCY KILLED.
c mmander of ,ne Famous Body of
 scouts of Hts Name.

Sterkstrom, Feb 25.--General Gatacre has issued a divisional order announc- ing the killing at Schoemen's Farm yes terday of Captain Montmorency, com manding Montmorency's Scouts, and Lieutenant Colonel F. H. Hosker of the Third Middlesex Volunteer infantry.
The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-02-26
FOUND DEAD TN NEW7OWN.
Michael KOugh Misses Hts Way and
 Expires on tho Road.

Newtown, Feb 25.-Michael Hough, aged thirty-one and unmarried, son of the late Michael Hough, who was a prominent citizen of Newtown, was found dead this morning near the resi- dence of Mrs. Patrick Scanlon, Walnut Tree hill It is supposed that he was returning home from a visit to Sandy Hook, missed his way and fell where he was found dead. Local Medical Ex- aminer Dr. E, M. Smith, who was call- ed, pronounced death due from expos ure
The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-02-26
BOERS NORTH OF KIMBERLEY.
In Strength Rt Fourteen Streams-Dc-
 stroY Vani River Bridge.

Kimberley, Friday, Feb. 23.-It is re- ported that the Boers were in strength at Fourteen Streams, to the north, on Wednesday, having two guns and many wagons They had destroyed the bridge over the Vaal river.
The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-02-26
LONDON RETIEW OF SITUATION
Belief That Roberts Has Good Reason
 for Not Mentioning Cronte.

London, Feb. 26-435 a. m.-Perhaps never before in the course of the present campaign had such crowds visited the war office as went there yesterday, As the Times remarks to-day: "The dearth
The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-02-26
United states canal Com mission.

San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua, via Galveston, Tex, Feb. 25.-The United States canal commission. after having conferred for several days with Presi- dent Zelaya left to-day for Panama, via Corinto. All the members are we'll
The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-02-26

pf news is somewhat trying at a time when considerable success was gener- ally regarded as imminent" No dini-
 mutton of confidence in Lord Roberts is felt, however, and the public is ready to believe that he has good reasons for not mentioning General Cronje in the official dispatches. Probably he is in no hurry to end situation which is daily bringing small parties of Boers in a vain endeavor to reinforce General Cronje. These he can deal with in de- tail
 Lord Roberts has already captured over five hundred Boers, and at this rate he will soon have quite respectn- ble array of prisoners to hold as host ages for the three thousand British al ready in Pretoria. General Cronjes re- fusal to accept the offer of Lord Roberts regarding the women and children indi- cates either that the position is less des- perate than has been supposed or that he has been able to dig an absolutely safe place for them.
 Everything goes to show that General Buffers advance is most stubbornly contested and most cautiously carried out. It ie hoped that he will soon be in position where General White will be able to assist him materially.
 The campaign is now approaching most interesting phase. In about fortnight the congress of the Afrkander bund will meet and it Is rumored that MT. Hofmeyer will then propose peace terms on the basis of the republics re- taining absolute independence, but off, fering to disarm. If these terms are rejected, it is understood that mani festo will be boldly issued to the Dutch throughout South Africa, calling upon them to throw off their allegiance to Great Britain. Probably these rumors are exaggerated but there is no doubt that the greatest anxiety prevails in Cape Town regarding coming events.
 Germany, through the semi-official Berliner Post reiterates that all reports of German intervention are quite with out foundation. Captain Raymond Harvey de Montmorency, who was killed in General Gatacre's reconnais- sance Saturday, was the heir of Wis., count Frankfort de Montmorency and was the fourth heir to peerage who has fallen in the course of the cam- paign.
 f,DCyTp 1TTDN OE R PKyV VEST
The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-02-26
B0ERS ARE DRIVEN OFF Forces From Natal Make Disastrous Attack on
 Roberts 0utposts.
THEY SUFFER HEAVY LOSSES
MANY KILLED AND WOUNDED AND
 100 PRISONERS TAKEN.

SIX British Hit With Explosive Bullets
 Sixty Found on One of the Boers-
 Butler Fighting Hard Toward Lady
 smith-Two Miles Within Touch of
 General White-Part of Gen. Gatncre' s
 Force RepuIsed With Considerable
 Loss.
 London, Feb. 25-3:15 p. m.-The war office publishes the following dispatch from Lord Roberts:
 'Paardeberg, Feb. 24-12:20 p. m.- Parties of Boers recently arrived from Natal attacked our outposts in force again yesterday. They lost good many killed and wounded and nearly one hum dred prisoners, including commandant and three field comets. Our casualties were. four officers wounded, nine men killed, twenty-three men wounded and two men missing. On the Fist and 22d one officer and thirteen men were wounded. Six men were wounded to- day by hollow -nosed Mauser bullets. The nickel case is slit with four slits, making the projectile of the most ex- pansive and explosive nature possible. A wounded Boer brought to our hospi- tai yesterday had sixty of these bullets in his pockets During the advance to and at Kimberley the casualties were: Officers, two kiNed and thirteen wound ed; men, four killed and seventy-eight wounded.'
 Paardeberg, Orange Free state, Fri day, Feb. 23.-The British are gradually closing in upon General Cronje from all sides and making his position more im- possible than ever During the course of last night the British artillery poured in several rounds. There was terrible rain and thunder storm early in the evening. The Canadians were heavily engaged in Sundays fight, behaving most gallantly.
 General Cronje's position is more hopeless than ever. Our guns dominate the sloping aseents from the river on all sides, and by the rush of the Shrop- shires on Wednesday night up the river bank the Boere lost two hundred yards space in their cover. Deserters say the bTlllSn IlTe IdS DGen very ueduly, anu affirm that General Cronje himself is willing to surrender, but is overborne by the young Boers from the Transvaal.
 There are women and children with the Boer force. General Roberts pro- posed to let them pass the line of dan ger, but this suggestion, as well as the proffer of medical aid, has been reject ed. The kopje captured by the British last Wednesday, when fifty prisoners were taken is most important strat- egical position. Its possession should enable us to repulse any Boer reinforce ments from the eastward. Paardeberg, Orange Free State, Sat urday, Feb. 24.-The British took eighty prisoners as the result of yesterdays en- gagement. A balloon ,ascended and dis covered several new works, which the British guns shelled to-day.
The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-02-26
OCCUPATION OF BARKLY WEST
Reported by R0berts-The Country
 Gradually settiing Down.

London, Feb. 25.-Lord Roberts has sent the following aditional advices to the war office:
 "Paardeberg, Saturday afternoon, Feb. 24.-Methuen reports that Barkly West was occupied by our troops on February 22. The loyal inhabitants dis played great enthusiasm. The country west of the railway from Cape Town to Kimberley is gradually settling down. A detachment has started from De Aar for Bristown; and Douglass and Prieska will shortly be visited by our troops Methuen's account eof the ad- mirable manner in which the Kimberley hospital is managed made one desire to send some of our sick and wounded there.''
The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-02-26

Paardeberg,, Orange Free State, Sat- urday, Feb 24-The British took eighty prisoners as the result of yesterdays en- gagement A balloon .ascended and dis covered several new works which the British guns sheled to-day.
The Wilmington daily Republican., 1900-02-02
Hunting for New Writers

Eight thousand manuscripts were
received by The Ladies Home
Journal during the year just closed.
Each was given a careful reading
but out Of the entire number only
eighty were found worthy of publ
cation. The Manuscript Bureau Of
The Ladies' Home Journal is opcr-
atcd at a large expense. but the
hope OF discovering new writers or
some aspirants with undcvcloped
talent warrants the outlay. 1t can
be seen that the articles secured by
such careful winnowing process
brings the cost of each up to and
above the remuneration paid our
best writer's.
These facts bring refutation to
the olt-rcpeated but none the less
erroneous assertion that only we'll
known writer's of established liter
airy reputation are able to find a
place for their work in the mara-
zines. The Ladies' Home Journal
through the manuscripts considered,
has discovered three or four writer's
OF excellent merit and great prom
Use, and this find its editor re-
CARDS asfully warranting the large
outlay of maintaining an expensive
bureau for reading all the manu-
scripts submitted.
The Wilmington daily Republican., 1900-02-02
FOR
MCCAUSLAND.
The Superintendent of the
W. & N. R Has Charge
Over Three Divisions.

The Wilmington and Northern
Railroad wentinto the control of the
Reading Railroad Company yes.
terday and Superintendent Nc
Causland received promotion.
First Vice President Voorhees, says:
1.-THE lines Of railway lately oper-
ed by the Wilmington and Northern
Railroad Company, together with
the Schuykill and Lehigh Railroad
and the Reading and Columbia
Railroad, will be designed as the
Wilmington and Columbia division.
The East Pennsylvania Railroad
Calasaqua and Foselsville Rail-
road, Allentown Railroad, the
Lebanon Valley Branch, Middle
town and Hummelstown Railroad,
and Philadelphia, Harrisburg and
Pittsburg Railroad will be desig-
mated as the Lebanon division.
The superntendent's Office for
the Reading and Columbia division
is hereby abolished.
General Superintendent Sweigard
made this announcement:
A. G. McCausland is appointed
superintendent of the Wilmington
and Columbia division.
A, M. Wilson is appointed SUPER
intendent OF the Lebanon division.
President Harris stated that c.
e. Henderson is appointed second
vice president of the Atlantic City
Railroad in charge OF freight traffic.
Mr.. McCausland expects to re-
tain his Office in this city for some
time. He will eventually remove to
Reading and several charges are
likely to occur at the local office in
this city.
Mr.. McCausland has been super
intendent oil the Wilmington and
Northern Railroad for sixteen
wears.
The Wilmington daily Republican., 1900-02-02
Charters Granted.

Dover, Del, Feb. 1.-During January
over fifty charters. wers fled here who's
aggregate capital stock amounted TO
SEQ 000, 900
The following companies were ireor-
porated to-day.
The Company, Of New York city; 70
grow and raise tobacco and purchase lands
upon which TO cultivate the same. Oapt-
tal, $300O, 900.
The Nome Slnook Company, Of Alaska;
to acquire mines and mining rights in
Alaska, Capital, $4,000 900. The incor-
and Alaska.
The washington Furniture Company,
OF Washington, .. C.; to manufacturs
1!e boxe'. Office and store furniture.
Capital, $1,000
The Wilmington daily Republican., 1900-02-02
Edwards and the New York Sun,

Very humorous on the face Of 1t, hut
not SO funny for William NJ. Lafflu, Is be
announcement that Charles William Ed
wards, the Delaware man whom bo en-
ployed to reoraanise tho New York Sun
composing room, has sued the Sun for
damages for breach OF con tract.
Edwards alleges that be was first hired,
then fred.
Laflin adtnits that he was hired but
says that he was Of no earthly use. any
how.
A story is floating around Park Row,
by the way, tha: certain stock holders OF
the Sun, dissatisfied with Mr.. Laffiu's
management Of the paper ars trying 10
oust him from bis position with view Of
having the Sun admitted to membership
in the Associated Press. Fourth Estate.