davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Washington telegraph., 1900-09-07

1
dred time. Now there is nDlaIua
remarkable in thia fete toe a pre-
desuan Of sound lln45 to aec6Hu.
lish under favorable condition bu5
thereby hangs tale, It's the novel
ist would pnt ii, and WHICH Is CIV
en- below, leaving the akoghoa
reader to draw CONCLUSION ia aos
cordance with logical reas6alaz.
Many years since found no on
night vending my way ho@eward
At the crossing place Of. StraY
! Branch met little dried mp ol,5
man with heavy pack on his
back. The smoon was at - ful.
50 could not but other wise save
abscrved the strange IN bls
peculiar garb and eeceutrle nan-
ners.
"dood evening sir" be saT5, soc
must excuse Ne but [ was lust
looking the ground whore ! bad
such an awful experience aout
fifty years 40, but [ g4es8 hey
aren't here Tonight, to much
moonshine for 'em to be ont
! confess | was at first little
/ nervous, but ON bold franf / de-
manded him to go on with his
narI ative, which he readily dc
after dcposiilng the heavy peck on
the ground he continued,
| 'Yon See." he went on, hlt was
u long time ago, bout "A, believe
| ] remember there was mar
hung IN town that day; as be md
dlcated by pontin5 up he 'aaes
And as hit seems 10 me now
.hat every badly got drunk afta1
the hanging. I concluded = g
OF. aiiss--sn Ag5ns s,as to Hiaa l
River by day break, Ief towr
i with my pack, on my bacF and
had got as far rs this little, brancf
when l ha d the most thrilling adj
venture of my life"
d Becoming interesting al tins
: point, | requested him to go or
e with the 'tnrllIlng" part OF his
, story. wheD he compiled anl
: related his wonderful experience
r of that oventfui night
"WeII as I said, he went on
Jast as | got t. this place, b,1
eXplosion-hke q bomb Shell weng
off just IN front of me. The shock
nearly knocked me down and len
. thousand Demons, llttle and big
surrounded me on all 81 Dos. T
} guess they must have been go5Iins
like my grandmother used 60 tell
r mo about anyhow, they swarmed
about me like bees, | hit rIghs
ana left with all the torce at ms
command, [ tHei to cry Tor help
, but l could not utter a sound in
t G,spair | sank to my knees implor-
S ing my tormentors by jes lures to
: deslst but to no avail"
I Now see here, Old nam, aren
you stretching the blanket a Ils,le.
we asked of him doubtlngly,
mot so he replied" but listen fe
L nae; They drcvc me to thal hiA
, with the pines over there ,(Folnt
t ing to the South East) and when
G we reached the top, the sobiJrs
: began to prepare to hold feast J.
: thought then my time had come as
: J perceived they were making pre-
n perallons to eat me. ! tried To
r. pray but couldn't utter d word.
: was prolrate with fear and tremJL-
ing awaiting my doom, mhea
s terrible explosion shook the 81.
e hill to its foundation. l went ur
n like rocket and buried throuc-
: spacs with frightful velocity"
d And where did you finally larg
d at. | asked CT him.
In Red River bottom sir" IT,
4 2 'swerdd, 'and am just gett-s
over my night and thought
would come back and invcstl II.
u the matter, good night, sir"
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-01-21
SEA WAYS BLOCkED ny roc.
Hindercd Fleet Comes Up at Last From
the IIOnk.

The families Of army officers who live on the
bleak and barren tongue Of sand called the
Hook didn't get much sleep on Friday night or
the night before. In their wet bach yard was
a great fleet Of liners from overseas and coast
wise places. VIII ch for fOrty.eiyht hours kept
up a muGled shrieking and ringing with
whistles and bells. The hoarse and dreary
fog siren at the Hook helped TO swell the
riot.
The fog drifted in from the sea in large and
small sections. and choked the channels like a
dam OF heaped-up snow, once In a while yes
terday the wind shiftel-sometimes to the
north and again TO the south or southwest. and
blaw a Gear space in the yapor. Some Of the
smaller craft got IN anchor and came in, But
1t was not until after noon that the fleet began
10 venture IN.
The oil tank Ocean was among the frSt TO
get under way Her plot reported a fleet OF
twenty steamships outside. Thy anne up
later. Among them was tine MhIte star twin
screw treighter C-vic. from Liverpool, which
anchored Just after midnight on. FRIDAY
morning the Mallory liner Alamo, which got
t. the bar on Thursday evening and spent
nearly two fun days in the observation the
transport Mcclellan, from Cuba, which arrived
at thu bar on Friday morning, ana the British
Empire. from Antwerp. which was reported on
THURSDAY afternoon.
Outgo,hs craft scheduled to sail Friday
morning. aud yesterday didn't get away until
last night The North German Lloyd. liner
Ems. which was TO have sailed at lpA VI for
naples. stayed In dock until late last evening.
The Hamhurg-imericau liner Pennsylvania,
which was ndvertisedt to sail at 80 A M.phssed
out Of the no6~ twelve hours later. She is not
usually a mail-caTrier, but because no fast
British liner sailed yesterday. she had n lnrge
quantity Ut British mail, which she will land at
plymouth.
The Washington and the local forecasters
say there will Ice clearing weather this morn
ing The wind shifted from southeast 70
southwest last night and was blowing the
mists northeast at a 2O-mile rate.
The Sound had - shar" Of hllndman's-buh
navigation. A rumOr that some steamboats,
had grounded IT Wholesome turned out nm
true. II was doubtless due to several boats
coming to anchor there. The tal River Line
boat Pilgrim anchored early in the morning and
last night was still OF Whitestone. At the pier
of the company It was said that IL was not
knoSn when she would be able to reach the
city. Several Of the freight boats OF the Proyi-
dence Line were also held w. The Chester W.
Chapin Of the New Haven Line was held up
three hours.
The Compania and the New York were
.ighted of Fire Island after midnight.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-01-21

Two batteries start From Halifax for Ser.
vice in south Africa.

HALIFAX. y. s.. Jan. 20.-The first portion OF
Canada's second contingent for South Africa
set sail from this port at 5 O'Clock this after
noon. The transport Laurentian would have
sailed two holrs earlier had it not been for a
dense fog. 1t momentarily lifted at ; O'Clock
and Capt. Nunan took the chance 10 slip out OF
the harbor.
Though the rain fell heavily. the streets were
crowded along tho line Of march from the
armories to the dock yard by thousands. who
chccred the departing troops. At the ships
idle a strong guard was formed. and through
mi, Batieric. ID and T. Of the artillery division
nf this Canadian Volunteer Battalion passed TO
tn tranpDrt. Their guns ard stores Of ammu-
milton had been placed on board.
and a violent rainstOrm IL sweeping along this
,nabOard. The laurrntian, after proceeding
n coupe OF miles, anchored for the night near
tho mouth Of the harbor, She will proceed
az daylight.
Capr Town without stop in twenty-five days.
on Wednesday next the second transport will
snil with 800 more men, and on Feb. ~ IL IL
expected that the steamer Milwaukee will
irnyn with 800 mounted infantry.
The Canadian Minister OF Militia snys he has
been directed by Lord Strathcona imlnedl-
utely 10 the work OF recruiting 40U
sharpshooters and rough riders for ,Strath-
cnnn's Horse. who are TO be raised exclusively
in the Northwest.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-01-21

The widow Of the Late Henry Ruprecht OF
This Guy Attempts suicide.

BATAVIA. n. Y. Jan. 20.-Mrs. Bertha u.
Ruprecht Of New York. widow OF Henry Ru-
precht. o stock broker In that city and q former
resident OF Batavia, who died on Dec. % last.
made an attempt at suicide with a revolver at
~ 80 o'clock this morning In her room NJ the
Genesee House. where she had been stopping
since her arrival in town on Wednesday. Her
aim was not good. tho ball striking her three
quarters OF an inch below the heart and max
Ing a wound which. although dangerous. Is not
considered mortal.
Il want to die and go 70 him" she exclaimed,
as she pnssionately pressed to her lips q photo
graph Of her dead husband atter she had shot
herself. Il can't live without him"
Mrs. Rupre"ht recovered sufficiently 10 say
10 THE Sun reporter: Yes. | am Henry Ru-
precht's widow. We were married by the Rev.
DR.. Vail. pastor OF the Presbyterian Church IN
stamford. Conn.,. on July %. 1899. That
statement ! an prepared 10 prove. both by my
marriage certificate and by witnesses. We
lived together at 2l0 East Tenth street. New
York"
When questioned by the doctors aud coroner.
who were summond. she said she was tired OF
HE and wished to Join her husband that he
had left his large estate in such II manner that
Of living. She later SAID that she must have
been crazy to take such a painful way OF end
INK ntT ne, ana tnht sue al ways 'tTrltu 'nc
revolver with her. az she did not think it sale
TO go about the country without one.
Mr.. Ruprecht's, relatives IN Batavla are
his mother. a brother, C.. n. Ruprecht, the Ba-
tavia banker, and one sister, all OF whom are
prominent Batavia people. On a table was a
paper addressed to her brother. Mr.. Ielgler.
iS Clif street, New York city, asking that In
case Of her death she should ho buried by the
side Of her husband in Batavia.
In the afternoon Charles ii. Rupracht was
asked about tho woman and the marriage. III
my brother was married. he said. had no
hnowiedge q, the fact and mono OF his other
relatives did"
Further than that he was inclined 10 say
little. but he acknowledged that there was d
woman IN town who claimed to la his broth
er's widow. He finally stated that when he
was called 10 New York because Of his broth
er's fatal illness he found this same woman
caring for his brother. but she did NOT say or
even intimate that she was his wife.
Mrs. Ruprecht. WHO by her marriage certlN-
cate and other documents in her possession
seems TO have clearly established the fact that
she is the legitimate wife ot Henry Ruprerht,
says she has a young daughter IN termAny by
a former husband, and a brother, Isaac Il"gler,
who is a tanner. and whose business address
is Nos. Ni and ~ tliif street. New York. The
woman condition ia critical.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-01-21
TELKGRAPHE RS WIN me .IRMY.
Volunteers Who Are Inspired by the Ex-
ample of American Operators.

Special cate DeSpdth to THE SUS.
LONDON. Jar. 2O.-The British Government
POST Telegraph departments have already con-
tributed 10 the army In South Africa nearly
800 men. OF whom more than 200 were skilled
telegraph operators. who could be i'll spared
from the already undcrnanned service. Re-
ports to the War Office state that the
telegraphers are rendering splendid SER
vice. IL is said that the use Of the
Wheatstone automatic system on the field OF
battle is the first IN the history OF warfare.
Moreover, it was wofked dupleyed. which at
the outset was prophesiel to be impossible
under The rough circum stances Of campaigG-
ing.
At the Modder River the t"IeGraphers were
under fire for a whole day. Then they worked
through the night on official and press mes.
sages. Later. despite the rules limiting the
number Of corrcsp ondents and the length of a
message each man can send, the operators
sent 100000 words. The total after the
Magersfontein battle was much greater. but
the operators got it through without a hitch al
the high average speed Of about 200 words per
minute.
Under the Wheatstone system the copy has
to be prepared by 'punchers" in advance.
Then il can be teleGraphed at a high rate OF
speed, but II is recorded ut the other end on
tape and has to be transcribed. The delays
here are evident. On THE SUS's wires. under
the American Morse system. no PREPARATION or
transcription IS necessary. AMI the operators
average ffty words per minute
Delays invariably occurred after the de-
spatches reached the coast,
AmaIority Of the telegraphers are volunteers
members OF the Tweuty-fourth Mildlcsex
Post Onlce Rifles When 10 was known that
the Twenty fourth would bo wanted to supply
considerable number o. telegraphers as Sig
nal Corps men. the Telegraph ChroHicie. the
organ Of the operators. made il stirring appeal
to the men and described in glowing terms the
galIantry Of American telegraphcrs in Cuba.
Puerto Rico and the Philippines. aud told how
at tn conclusion Of the spanish American
War an army order was issued thanking them
for their work.
1T is our mems ambition" said the s%uperin.
tendent OF Telegraphs to-day. TO do as good
work as the American lelegrapherS did for
their country. The TeipJropL chronicle gave
US our idea and We will try to work up to it,
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-01-21
FEDERAL OFFICIALS MUST PAR.
Mint Assayer ut san Francisco Dismissed
because Of an Unpaid Debt to a servant.

Mint Assayer ut san Francisco Dismissed
because Of an Unpaid Debt to a servant.
SAN Francisco. Jan. 20.-That Uncle Sam Is
bound to see that his servants pay their Just
debts has been proved here by the summary
dismissal Of Edward Elias. assnyer Of the San
Francisco Mint. because he failed TO paw a
female house servant So. 80 that he had owed
her for six months service. Elias employed
Jane II. Malone during the summer. while his
family was living In a house boat at Belvcderr.
across the bav. Her wages we're Si5 a month
and when she left he owed her Si2.5O. She
tried to collect IL and was met with ~refusals.
Elias drew a salary OF $3.50 a month. Finally
she sued and got judgment.
Then Eiias began to pay in driblets. The
amounts were 50 small that the woman be-
came disguised and appealed 10 the Treasury
Department, calling attention to the rule that
q Government official VINO fails 10 ray for the
neces-aries of life is liable 10 dismissal. The
Secretary OF the Treasury failed TO act on tho
first letter. but when a second anne from the
wOman's attorney he dismissed Elias and the
President nominated his successor. The dis
niissal was a. great surprise 10 Elias. He had
had no hlht oil the womnn's action.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-01-21

fnds the positions too strong Tor him he will
fght on as far as possible, while White will cut
his way through from Ladysmith. bringing
at whatever sacrifice the remnant OF his force
to Buffers camp.
At home the situation Is distinctly quieter.
Tho fierce attacks on tho Government have
subsidized. Tho Cabinet let II be known plainly
that It did not contemplate offering any single
member as a sacrifice. Therefore the oppose
tlon. even II able. would not press an adverse
vote entalling the immediate resignation OF
tho Cabinet and an appeal TO the country.
Herbert Gladstone. who a. chief whip and
otherwise. can speak with authority equal TO
any member OF the Liberia party. declared last
night that "A change OF Government. even II
possible. Is not desirable Mt the present time"
adding that the Government Is responsible
for what has happened. Their bitterest enemy
does not wish TO change places with them"
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-01-21
IOhD CrRZON'S POPULaRITr.
Already Hailed az "The Most Autocratis
and Most Popular of Niceroys."
Sp,cidl Cibis Despatch to TIE srs,

Sp,ciIi Cibie Despatch 10 THE srS.
LONDON. Jan. 20 1t Is Just II year since Lord
Curzon was appointed Viceroy OF India. and
this week has brought him a general pPan Of
praise from all quarters. He is already ac-
claimed as the most autocratic and most pop
ular yiceroy." and this despite tho fact that
the difficulties Of the year have been numer-
Gus. including the plague. the famine, the fin
ance and frontier issues. and the question Of
furnishing be.p TO the Empire in South Africa
At the present moment 3,l7S,00O persons are
On the relief lists In the distressed districts.
remarkable feature OF the situation is the
almost unanimous praise OF the native press.
The only criticism seems to be that Lord Curzon
i, too autocratic. while h. and Lady Curzon are
too lavish in expenditure ard insist on too
much ceremony. The charge OF being too au-
~tpcrltic does not matter much in a country es-
s~entiaily needing IA strong man at the helm.
Lord Curzon has not offended tho proudest ma
tive nobility. who are enthusiastic IN his praise.
The socia. charge has been absurily exaggera-
ted in England and America, a well-informed
correspondent writes. but there Is a grain OF
fact in the statement that the unusually elab-
orata ceremony and punctiliousness have
rather Gdmpeaed the ardor of Angio-Indian
society,""
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-01-21
MEMO DIDy'T JTNP me BRIDGF r.
Arrested After a Quarrel With His Cabman
Before lie Got There.

The Bridge police got wind early yesterday
afternoon to look out for a bridge Jumper This
word came from Inspector Adam A. Cross.
who said he had heard from the captain Of the
R%ockawny Beach Life Saving Station that
Charles Memo. one OF the life savers. was
going to try the Jump. Extra men were strung
along the Bridge and a sharp lookout was
ordered.
Memo did not get az far as the Bridge road
way. He hired a cab from Il stable in West
Thirty seventh street and started for the
Bridge. At the entrance to tho driveway going
to Brooklyn he got into a hot dispute with the
driver. John II. Kelly. of'l Cherry street over
sl.5O for the lare. and finally got so
obstrcperouS that Kelly called a policeman and
had him arrested. Then his identity as the
would. he bridge luinrrr was disclosed, lie
was still In his litc-saving uniform, and had
taken no precautions for making The Iump. He
lives at 2Bi First avenue. Is ~ years Old and
unmarried. He was locked up at the Oak street
station.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-01-21
WIRELESs TEL EORiPHY PROGRESS.
Young Italian FINDS Means of Using Mar
coni'- system at Great Distances.

NJ'Cili 'dhts bsU1fh 70 lHt Sun.
IONDoN. Jan. 20 The Secretary ofthe Wire-
less Tclegraphy Company says that Inventor
Narconi will make extensive tests in England
in 1900 in behalf Of tho United States Govern
ment. with which negotiations are merely in
allowance. Marconi thinks that the present
Limit Of eiShty-siS miles In communicable will
.hortly be raised to 100 miles. He has no
belief in Nicola Tesla's promise to commune
cate across the Atlantic He believes that
science, Will" gradually progressing. will DO
unable to obtain such grea- results before the
preliminary difficulties have been surmounted.
Personally. he does not expect. yet. 10 girile
the Atlantic.
Meanwhile, the Daily Ne,rs reports that En-
lion Guarini. a native Of Puglia. Italy. who is
little moro than 20 years OF age. has dis
covered a means Of utilizing Marconi's inven-
ton at the greatest distances. He accom-
plishc9 this by means Of his own invention.
which il called a repeater and which he says
receives the electric waves and Is capable OF
transmitting them to other reporters for con-
tlnuous repetition. He says he needs a re-
peatcr only at every fve-hundredth mile. He
says his invention will enable polar expeditions
10 keep ~ constant communication with civil
iyatiDu
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-01-21
CHICAGOS REMiRh iBLE cor.
big steve" Rowan. Twenty-sevrn Years on
n Bad Beat without Making an Arrest.

CHICAGO. Jan. 2O-"Big Steve" Rowan. tho
heaviest man on the Chicago police force and
having a record OF having served twenty.seven
years on one Of the worst night beats in the
city without an nrrert 10 his credit. has received
an offer OF 500 "A week from a local vaudeville
theatre. T. go on the stage. Nearly all of the
theatres gambling houses and all.night saloons
and restaurants and all Of the morning news.
paper offices OF Chicago we're on "Steve's'
beat. and he probably has a speaking
acquaintance with. and Is known by more
Chicagoans than any other man In town. His
extraordinary bulk would attract attention
anywhere. and his brogue once heard Is never
forgotten. A minutes talk from HIM would
break up the noi-iest mob that ever impeied
traffic and his persuasive tongue never failed
TO Jolly quarrelsome drunks into good nature
that would last at least until they had got of
the beat. II Steve" concludes To crown his
years with histrionic honors the stage will be
set to represent Madison street between State
and Clark. and n crowd OF supers will he made
up to represent "a lot Of the FOUNDERS the big
policeman has had to deal with during his
twenty seven years service.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-01-21
NO GREAT railroad POOL.
Chicago and Alton OnRcials Describe Re
cent Reports "a "NOnsense.'

CHIcAGo. Jan. 2O.-An official OF the Alton
Railroad said to-day in rcferenceto the recent
visit OF President Il. II. Hartman OF the Chica.
go and Alton Railroad 10 Chicago;
This talk about raj way combinations and
pools is all nonsense. No such thing Is In con.
temptation. and no officer OF the Chicago and
Alton Is chairman Of any committee. or con.
nectei In any capacity with any committee
having that object in view. As a result Of suR.
Icstions made from time TO time by the Inter.
state Commerce Commission. in tho interest Of
putting a stop to discriminating rates.
The executive officers OF the trunk
lines at the Central Traffic Association,
and the Southern lines recently agreed
to abolish the payment Of ticket commissions
The executive officers 81 Western lines wers
asked to take similar action, aui Il meeting Of
executive officers of Western Ines was held In
New York on Jan. q. when an agreement was
had between the lines represented that all
Western lines cojpe rating would agree 10
abolish ticket commissions.
"Fiuallv, and absolutely, there has been no
talk of conference between executive or other
officer, Of railway lines on the subject Of form-
ing POOLS or combinations contrary 10 law and
avnIust hubble interests. No such subject was
ever preached or thought about at any meet.
ing, and there IL no CON mltt"e at the present
time. either ri executive officers or other OF.
ticrrs. which has any such subject under con-
hIlpr ltlDu.'
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-01-21
FFRRYBOiTS COLLIDE.
The New Jersey and Annex Boat No. I
Bump Together-NO One Hurt.

The Pennsylvania Railroad ferryboat New
Jersey and the Brooklyn Annex ferryboat No.
4 collidcd in the fog about go A.. NJ. yesterday
of Liberty street. There was no one injured.
but the collision caused intense excitement on
the New Jersey. which was crowded with pas
sengers. A rush was made for the life pre-.
servers and the women passengers were In a
state Of terror for a few minutes. The excite
ment quickly subsidized. however. when IL was
ascertained that there was no danger OF tho
boat sinking.
The New Jersey was within about two
hundred yards Of her slip when tho Annex boat
doomed up In the fog directly ahead o! her.
The captains OF both boats signalled to back
water, but II was too late to avoid the collision.
The New Jersey crashed int the forward cabin
OF the Anncy boat on the women's side. SIN ash.
ing the windows and carrying away some Of
the woodwork. The ruddrr OF the New Jersey
was broken. As there were but few passen gers
on the Annex boat there was hut little excite
ment. Both boats resumed their trip after
they had driftrd away from each other. Tho
New Jersey reTaincd in tho slip after tina
Inssengers had Iandcd. The Annex boat was
laid NJ for repairs after reaching Jersey City.