davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-19
A SIGNIFICANT INCIDENT.
Straw Showing Looseness I'm Cuban
Postal Service.

Straw Showing LoOseness I'm Cuban
Postal Service.
New Orleans Times-Democrat.
ST was not the least surprised by the
scandalous developments in the Cuban
postal service" said an ex-officer of vol
unteers, who was stationed on the island
some time after the close Of hostilities
"In fact" he continued. 1--WE been look
ing for something of the kind for over a
year. What led me to do so was a little
incident which happened to come under my
observation In one Of the offices outside the
Havana district-I don't care to locate 1t
too definitely, for / might get some good
friends in trouble. One day, while was on
garrison duty at the place, a lot of post
age stamps arrived, and ii was found that
about $1,000 worth were hopelessly stuck
together. Through some oversight the
oiled paper usually placed over the
gummed sides had been omitted, and the
Cuban weather reduced the entire lot to
a solid mass. The postmaster was at a
loss TO know what to do, as nothing in
the rules and regulations provided for such
a contingency. While be was worrying
over the matter an inspector came along.
and, after learning the story, told the
postmaster in the most off-hand fashion
imaginable to throw the things away. 1t
will be all right, he said, I'll have some
new ones sent to you as soon as get back
TO Havana He was as good as his word,
and the stamps came to hand in a few
days. but the incident made deep i'm
preston on my mind. OF course there was
no fraud about IL, because the spoiled
stamps were Immediately destroyed, but
II savored of a looseness of method and
a generally haphazard way of conducting
business that was very suggestive. L made
up my mind then and there that the Cuban
postal service undoubtedly offered an ex-
cellent opportunity for any individual dis
posed to be crooked. and that Ii would be
only matter of time when an ugly scandal
would develop In that quarter. The Nicely
case was merely fulfillment Of my mental
prophecy"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-19

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
NOBLESVILLE, Ind, May 1S.-The
twenty-ffth annual commencement of the
Noblesville High School occurred in the
Wild Opera House last night. There were
forty-three graduates, twenty-five boys
and twenty-one girls. 1t was the largest
graduating class in the history of the
schools. Following is a list of the gradu-
ates: Walter III. Adkins, Gus Baker, Grace
Chew, Mae Belle Cash. Fife Clark. Mary
Cottingham, Jessie Carey, Walton Chris
tian Frank S. Campbell. Lizzie E. Deck,
Mayo III. De Hart, Leland r. Du Bots. Carl
E. Du Bots. Lou A. Davis, Edgar Eek. In
dia Eller, Margaret Edwards, Edward For
syth, Gertrude George. Will G.. Griffin,
Eleanor Hare, David Jump, Edith Keiser,
Myrl ]. Klotz. Carl Kelly, Edith Longley,
Bertha Montgomery, George NJ. McCole,
Fred Michaels. Hortense Helen Perry,
Walter l.. Sturdivant, Fred r. Shumack,
Oliver Shoemaker. Carrie Sumner, l.. Eu-
gene Stanford, Will Jerome Teter. Caroline
Wheeler. Susie Wheeler, Bertha b. Will
liams, Lucretia White, Orville A. Wilkin-
SON. Jesse Whisman and Parker Zeis. The
diplomas were delivered by VIII III. Craig.
president of the School Board Tonight
the alumni banquet and reception took
place at the X of p. armory.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-19
FIVE ACRES OF FLAMES
LARGE STRAWBOARD MILL BURNED
AT HARTFORD CITY.
Wreck on the Big Four, Two Men
Hurt - Fatal Sawmill Accident
High School Commandments.
Special to the Indianapolis journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
HARTFORD CITY, Ind, May B-The
big strawboard box factory of the Utility
Paper Company. covering five acres of
land, was almost entirely destroyed by fire
tonight. AT o'clock this evening the 150-
horse power gas engine exploded. and the
flames soon spread through the plant The
efforts of the local fire department to COM
bat the flames were futile, because the
plant, being located outside the corporate
limits, was a great distance from the fire
hydrants.
The loss of the company is estimated to
be 100000 on the buildings and contents.
One of the large machines alone cost $780,
600. The loss is believed to be fully covered
by insurance. but the companies cannot be
learned tonight.
The capacity of the concern recently had
been doubled. This is the second big fire
within six months. 1t Is believed the plant
will be rebuilt Immediately. All the build
ings were of brick and stone. with slate
roofs.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-19
View. of Federal Omcer..

Little credence is given to the sensa-
tional story concerning the printing of
counterfeit stamps in Muncie by the local
federal officers. All of them characterize
the story as extremely improbable. Post
office Inspector Fletcher, who returned
from Muncie yesterday. said that he had
never heard of J. c. Orr. the alleged gov
eminent official nor had he heard of any
Indianapolis people who are to be arrested
Another of the officials said yesterday that
IL there was such man as j. c. Orr the
chances were that he was an impostor
as no government official ever made such a
fool of himself. at least not more than
once. United States Marshal Kercheval
said that he had no knowledge of any ar
rests that were TO be made and thought
IL probable that the reports from Muncie
were for the greater part without founda-
ton.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-19
WRECK ON THE BIG FOUR.
indianapolis Trafnmen Injured and
Much Property Destroyed.

indianapolis Trainmen Injured and
Much Property Destroyed.
THORNTOwN. Ind, May 1S.-By a head
end collision here on the Big Four Rail-
road, at 4:30 O'Clock this morning, two en-
gines were badly damaged, eight cars
wrecked and much merchandise destroyed.
and III. A. Sherlock and F. NJ. Johnson,
both of Indianapolis, were badly injured
Other members of the train crews were
somewhat bruised. The enginemen and
head brakemen jumped and rolled down
an embankment thirty or forty feet high
engines, one a twelve-wheeler and the
other a ten-wheeler, kept the track, but
the tenders and cars piled UP and rolled
down the embankment.
Conductor George Smith, Of west-bound
freight No. 81, admits that he had orders
to meet the second section of east-bound
freight No. co. and sidetracked mere, wait
ing for two hours. During that time three
sections of east-bound freight No. 80 passed
and Smith supposed there were only two
Of No. 80 and one of No. co. not obserb-
ing the signals of No. 60 properly. He
pulled out and met the second section OF
No. 60. Smith Is an old and trusted con-
ductor and takes his mistake much to heart.
Conductor A. Welk, OF No. co. was on his
first trip and thinks he struck bad luck
early.
Most of the train-service men in the
Thorntown wreck on the Big Four yester-
day morning were residents of this city.
Only two were badly injured. Brakeman H.
w. Sherlock, living at 1011 Elm street, had
his left leg broken in two places below the
knee. He was taken to his home.
F. M. Johnson, of 1115 Laurel street, the
rear brakeman, was just climbing to the
top of the way car when the crash came.
He suffered violent bruises and it was
thought several broken ribs. He was taken
home on the arrival here. Both were at
tended by the Big Four's surgeon, DR..
Ford. Several other trainmen were bruised.
but no others required medical attention.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-19

officials OF the secret service of the Treas
ury Department According to a statement
prepared at the department the total value
OF stamps. stamped envelopes and postal
cards supplied Nicely was slightly less than
sl.ooo.ooo. The last shipment of stamped
paper sent to Havana. so far as the depart
ment is aware. was made Aug. 10 1899.
The postmaster general to-day received
confirmation Of the report that the inspec-
tors at Havana have recovered $500 from
Auditor Reeves. Director Rathbone con-
tirues 10 act in conjunction with General
Wood in conducting the postal affairs at
Havana and is In communication with the
department here. The postmaster general
declines TO discuss the subject of Director
Rathbones future but 1t is understood that
II Will be determined by the facts brought
to light by General Bristow. who will ar.
rive I'm Havana tomorrow.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-19
MAFEKING IS RELIEVED.
CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAGEl

CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAGE.)
ment which the nation would not hail as
a fair reward for the brilliant capacity
cheerfulness and iron courage of the hero
Of the empire
The Daily News. which compared Ma
feking to Lucknow, says: "'B. p may
stand for Baden-Powell or British pluck
Splendidly have these resources responded
to the need of Mafeking. They have real
ICED the full ideal of British settlement
in a far of land"
The Standard says: 'As final blow to
the hopes Of the enemy comes the news
from Washington that the United States
Cabinet met to consider a Pretoria dis
patch asking Intervention, and that Pres
ident Mckinley and his colleagues de-
cided that they can take no steps what
ever. If the Beers want peace they must
sue for 1t from the imperial government"
The Bloemfontein correspondent Of the
Daily Telegraph gives an interview with
Mr.. Burnham, the American scout, who
discusses the characteristics of Colonel
Baden-Powell, with whom Burnham
served in Matabele land. The scout said:
while my chief would naturally stick
up for him, apart from this, / have the
highest regard for him. 1 hold him to be
the true type of the soldier Of the future.
one of those who should and must COM
mand armies If victries are to be won.
AS a soldier his tact, readiness and re-
source are remarkable. These could not
come by accident: they are the result Of
a careful garnering and accumulation of
minute details to advantage. Where peo-
pie have imagined him reckless. Colonel
Baden-Powell has really been cautious.
You know he was criticized for wearing
rubber shoes and for prowling about the
rocks at night instead of leaving the task
to others. We nick-named him old Rub
Der Shoes but he was right, despite all
the poking of fun. He gathered in single
night possibly more than his critics could
have learned In lifetime. He is a wonder
fully able scout and quick at sketches.
I do not know another who could have
done the work at Mafeking II the same
conditions had been imposed. All the bits
of knowledge he studiously gathered in
twenty days have been utilized in saving
that community"
The Times says: THE demonstration last
evening in London has had no parallel in
recent times. Nor was this surprising.
There has been nothing like the defense
of Mafeking in modern history. Kars and
Lucknow were fine examples of valor and
endurance and resourcefulness, but the
means of defense In those cases were in
finitely greater than was at the disposition
of Col Baden-Powell and his valiant COM
rades. 1t should not be forgotten that Col.
Baden-Powells most energetic and most
capable helper was Lord Cecil, son of the
premier. whose mother died while he was
doing duty far from home and cut of from
communication with his family"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-19
MIR. sPILKER INDIGNANT.
He Has Done Nothing to Fear Arrest,
~ Stated by Cowan.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
MUNCIE, Ind, May 1S.-Carl A. Spilker
president Of the Union National Bank, and
his friends greatly deplore that his name
has been connected with the alleged Cuban
frauds Mr.. Spilker stated positively to-day
that any statement that he was to be ar
rested, made by detective or any other
person, was false, and that he had not the
least particle of information of any crook
edness on the part of Nicely, IL there was
sny. Che statement was made that Spilker
would be implicated on the charge of re-
ceiving and secreting Neelys money in his
bank. and that there was evidence that he
was aware that Nicely was perpetrating
fraud. Friends of Mr.. Spilker declare that
1t has not yet been proved that Nicely per-
petrated fraud, OF at least he has not been
convicted. and, Furthermore, there was no
reason to believe that Mr.. spilker would
know OF It. He did know that Mr.. Nicely
was interested In several big enterprises in
Cuba, and that there should have been no
surprise at his deposits, though IL now de-
velOps that Nicely had but $4,000 to his
credit In the bank and since the SO 900 bond
money has been drawn out he has a bal
ance Of only s3,O09. This is the story here,
and 1t seems to be well founded, but. of
course, the bank officials refuse to give fig
ures.
Mr.. Spilxer is a young man, having been
born In Muncie, and is the son of the late
George w. Spilker, one Of the founders Of
the city's first bank. and until his death a
year ago had been continuously engaged in
the business. His son was schooled in the
banking business by his father, and his rise
TO the presidency Of Muncie' leading bank
is regarded as evidence of his ability. He
stands exceedingly high in the community.
He was the sole heir TO his fathers for
tune, and is a rich man. Therefore IL is i'm
~~~k~r - -
lent scheme or be knowingly associated
with persons engaged in a questionable
business. His friendship with Nicely has
always been very marked. Mr. Spilker
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-19

publication of his name in connection with
the case.
Ross Cowan. who made the statement
last night before leaving the city that he
had reasons to suspect that he, Spilker and
Harry Richey would be arrested. returned
from Cincinnati tonight and state that the
remark was made in a joking manner while
discussing the way the detectives are
bounding his place. He states that he
might have made the remark at more than
one place, as he did, but that, of course,
he had no knowledge that he was to be ar
rested. Cowan states that two detectives
followed him TO Cincinnati and he believes
they Swallowed him every place he went.
He was uncomfortable as a result though
he had no reason to fear anything.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-19
CoNGREGATIoNALIsrs ADJOURN.



Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind, May 1s--Before
the adjournment of the forty-second an
nual convention of the Indiana Association
of the Congregational Church it was de-
cided that the committee to which had
been referred the question of providing bet
ter support for the church college at Ridge
vile. in this State, should visit the college
at the time Of the commencement exer-
cises, and later the convention gave the
committee power to act for the associa-
ton.
The report on Sunday schools for the
year showed forty-five schools, 1S9 officers.
500 teachers and an enrolment of 1863. with
an average attendance of 1904.
The Home Missionary Society elected the
following officers: President. Mrs. Mary L.
Paine, Elkhart; vice president, Mrs. l.. j.
Weinstein, Terre Haute; secretary, Mrs.
w. A Waterman; treasurer, Mrs. Anna d.
Davis, Indianapolis. The vice presidents
for the different branches are: Mrs. Miriam
Clark. Elkhart, for the Michigan City
branch; Miss Jessie McCallister, Fort
Wayne, Fort Wayne branch; Mrs. G. w.
Choate, Kokomo, Kokomo branch; Mrs. Z.
l.. Atkinson, Indianapolis, central branch.
The Foreign Missionary Society elected
the following: President. Mrs. G. j. Buch-
anan, Indianapolis; secretary, Miss Z. b.
Warren, Terre Haute; treasurer, Miss
Mary Z. Perry, Indianapolis.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-19

Foreman of Nicely Printing Company
i'm the Sweat Box.

Special TO the Indianapolis Journal.
MUNCIE, Ind, May 1s-Early this morn
ing government detectives called at the
Braun House and engaged Chris Havens.
foreman of the Nicely Printing Company,
for two or more hours, giving the man a
severe test in the sweat box" The ques-
tions propounded were on the theory that
Cuban stamps were printed by the Nicely
company to be fraudulently used by Nicely.
Havens and every other employee. including
several women, deny that they have ever
seen evidences of anything of the kind
about the office. and all substantiate the
statement of Mr.. Cowan, the president of
the company. that no Cuban postage or
revenue stamps have ever been printed in
the Office. They also state that the only
work done for the government in Cuba con-
sisted of blanks to be used in the postal
department, but 1t is known the name of
Nicely was always carefully erased from
the boxes used in shipping the stationery
to Cuba. Boxes that had been shipped to
the company bearing the name of the COM
pany were never permitted to be used, as
is the usual custom. 1t would seem that
there was some reason for not letting 1t
become generally known that this company
was doing the work.
There was much speculation here to-day
on the statement made yesterday to local
newspaper Dy DelectlNe j. -. UT tndI
bogus stamps have been printed here in the
Nicely office. The question is asked, If so,
why would the officer give out the informa-
ton before there was evidence to warrant
arrests. 1t Is believed the idea of the Of
ficer was to create some interest that would
lead to developments which the officers
have not yet been able to make; that they
have utterly failed to unearth any evil
dences that the stamps were made in Mum
Gle. but suspect that Cowan knows where
they were made, and that the publication
might cause him to go to the right place
and thereby give the officers a clew. Cow
ans departure from the city a few hours
after the publication was doubtless noted
by the detectives and most likely he was
followed.
According to reports here the theory of
secret-service officers in Washington is that
the whole Cuban fraud was conducted with
bogus stamps, and that most likely they
were issued at several different points In
the United States. being made from the
crude Spanish dies, a counterfeit of these
being an easy task.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-19

Document which Vested Supreme Au-
fhority fn Director Rathbone.


Following is the text of Section 1 of the
Cuban postal code. promulgated at Havana,
July q, 1899 defining the duties Of the d.
rector general of ports:
THE director general of posts Of the Is
land OF Cuba, appointed by the postmaster
general of the United States and subject to
his authority, shall have control and man
agement of the Department Of Posts:
1T shall be his duty TO establish such
general offices and bureaus and service In
connection Herewith as in his judgment
may be necessary TO the proper conduct or
the business OF said department., and 10
appoint persons to perform the duties APP
pertaining thereto and to fix their compen-
PATTON; and he is hereby invested with the
power to remove such persons when. In his
judgment, the good Of said service re-
auires IT,,
ITO establish postofices and discontinue
the same when necessary, and appoint and
remove postmasters and such other persons
whose services may be connected with post
Offices as may be necessary TO properly
conduct the business thereof;
To appoint all other persons employed III
the transportation, collection and delivery
CT the mails. and for the performance of
any other duty which, In his Judgment, may
be required; to fix the compensation of
each: and to remove such persons when.
in his judgment, such action may be neces-
sary;
ITO establish and promulgate rules and
regulations not inconsistent with the rules
and instructions promulgated by the Secre-
tary OF War under date of May IL, 1899, to
carry into effect the executive orders re-
1ating to the military government by the
United States in the Island of Cuba, or such
amendatory or supplementary orders as
may be hereafter issued for said purpose,
for the collection and disbursement of the
revenues arising In the Department of
Posts of Cuba. and TO keep or cause to be
kept proper accounts of all such receipts
and expenditures;
"To enter into contracts or agreements
for the transportation of the malls over
post roads in said island, and to prescribe
such rules and regulations as may. in his
Judgment, be necessary to the enforce
Eent Of such contracts or agreements;
ITO enter into all such other contracts
and agreements as, in his Judgment, may
be necessary to the proper conduct of the
service Of said department in all its
branches. and to establish and promulgate
rules and regulations therefor; and
ITO prescribe all rules and regulations
not inconsistent with existing laws I'm said
Island or such laws as may be hereafter
enacted or promulgated, as. in his judy
ment, may be necessary for the manage
ment and conduct OF the business of said
department, and to do all things that may
be necessary to give full force and effect to
the powers hereby vested in him: and the
rules and regulations heretofore adopted
and promulgated by him are hereby rati-
fed and continued"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-19
The Tones viii Construed.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
RUSHvILLE, Ind, May 1s-Judge Stan
ford, In his construction of the will Of the
late Joseph Tones. in his day a wealthy
farmer of Walker township. ruled that Mrs
Lavanche Barnum, wife of DR.. Barnum. OF
Manila, had no interest in the estate. Mrs
Barnum claimed a one-sixth interest in the
estate based on the will of John Tones, a
son of Joseph Tones, who died a year after
his father. John Tones willed his interest
in the estate to Mrs. Barnum. The court
rules that the interest of John Tones, un-
der his fathers will, passed to his brothers
and sisters at his death.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-19
KICKED OUT OF TOWN.
j. c. Orr, Alleged Bogus Detective,
Roughly Handled mt Daleville.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
MUNCIE. Ind. May 1s.-Word comes
from Daleville tonight that the mysterious
government detective who gave the name
of ]. c. Orr and who caused the sensation
al publication that s2,OO0.OOO worth of post
age stamps had been printed. possibly. at
the Nicely Printing Companys Office in
this city. was to-day run out of that town.
The man interfered in the trouble at that
place caused by the strike at the stove
works and rendered his services to Consta-
bic Streeter. of Muncie. last night. His &C.
ton there to-day In the absence of Street.
er, almost caused a riot, and the striking
iron workers made him confess as to his
identity-that he was nothing more than
a section man in the employ of the Big
Four-and that he trumpet up the postage
stamp story himself just TO get a little
notoriety- The iron workers administered
a few kicks and sent the man down the
railroad Andersonward before securing his
place of residence. Constable Streeter
brought the news from Daleville tonight.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-19
Company Will Rebuild at Once.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
MARION. Ind, May 1S.-The Fowler Con-
fectionery Company, whose factory was
destroyed by fire Wednesday night, has Sc
cured temporary quarters in the new Steele
block until building can be completed for
the resumption of It's manufacturing bust
ness. The firm will continue its travelling
men on the road, and will supply its trade
through a Chicago firm. Work has been
begun on the reconstruction of the building.
which was Quilted by the flames, and Ii will
be completed within thirty days. Machinery
for the factory will be ordered Immediately.