davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-17
SOUTH AFRICAN WAR
THIRD STAGE OF THE GREAT
CONFLICT BEGINS.
Lord Roberts Army Now Advancing
Toward PretOria-BOers Fight Stub
bOrnIy, but Are Gradually Forced
Back-President Steyn in the Field.

The third great stage Of the South At
rican wal began when Lord Roberts be-
gan his advance from Bloemfontein to
Pretoria. The first stage may be said
to extend from the beginning of the war
last October to the arrival of Lord Rob
erts in South Africa. The second in
cludes the relief of Kimberley, the cap
ture of Cronje and the occupation Of
BlOemfontein. And now after a long
rest at the Free State capital Lord Rob
erts has entered upOn his third stage,
which has as its goal the capture of Pre-
toria, the capital of the Transvaal.
Before the present British advance the
Beers are falling back in good order to
some point where the nature of the
ground will enable them to oppose their
forces to greater advantage to the army
Of Gen. Roberts. Just where the Beers
have elected to make their stand is I'M
known, but it is practically certain that
from that point on to Pretoria they will
dispute every inch of the way with Lord
Roberts. Meantime there is no news
from Natal. Gen. Butler might as well
be in India or England so far as active
operations are concerned, but doubtless
he is passive by Lord Roberts wish and
will wage an aggressive campaign when
the proper time comes. The situation at
Mafeking is unchanged apparently. The
Beers are still besieging it, while the
plucky garrison still holds out
The crossing Of the Zand river by the
British appears to have been effected
sooner than even the most saAguine Y
pected. Lord Roberts advance force,
consisting of from 10000 to 10000
mounted men, besides infantry, artillery
and the naval contingent, appears to be
sufficiently powerful to oYerwhelm any
opposition the burghers can offer.
London finds pleasant reading in the
details of the forcing of the Zand and the
chase of the Beers in the direction of
KroOnstad. The series of turning move
ments devised by Lord Roberts seemed
to strike CONSERVATION into the hearts
of the %burghers as wing after wing OF,
their army was shattered by the charges
of the British cavalry and mounted in
fantry. The Boer line was flung twenty
miles across the country, but the best
defensive execution was done by the ar
tillery section of six guns. The East
Lancashire and Sussex regiments. under
Gen. Tucker. made a dash on the Boer
artillerists, and in the face of a raking
Ere from the battery compelled the burgh-
ers to retire. This charge completed the
rout of the Beers. Their main trench
was captured and all their positions on
the ridges commanding the advance fell
into the hands of Lord Roberts men.
1t is said that Steyn's division is at
Mequatling's mex. This army has been
raised by drawing men from the north
eastern part of the state and from Har-
rismth. He is also reported to have got
men from the Ladybrand district. The
Beers evidently consider it important to
check the advance of the British into
Senekal, Ficksburg and Bethlehem dis
trictS.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-17
Nehraska short Notes.

An Odd Fellows lodge has been organ
lied at Chambers.
The acreage of flax in Dixon County
will be largely increased this year.
The new Methodist Church at Murdoch
has been dedicated free Of debt.
The April rainfall in the western part
of the state has been the heaviest ever
known.
Anunusually large number OF cattle are
being driven into tile sandhiil country this
spring for summer paSturage.
4 15-year-old boy named Johnson o.
Sawyer got his arm fast in the shafting of
an elevator and it was almost torn from
the socket.
Jesse Reaves, a 15-year-old Madison
boy, was sitting on the creek bank fishing
when some unknown person shot him in
the leg, intlicting a flesh wound.
The difficulty between the senior class of
the Fremont high school and the superin-
tendent has been adjusted.
The new curfew bell, which will be used
by the town authorities of Shelton has ar
rived and small boys hereafter will be
warned off the streets promptly at 9
o'clock.
In a row over a line fence at Stockham
Henry Ross struck a boy named Chaffee
with a hammer. 1t was feared the victim
would die, but he recovered consciousness
in a few hours.
Frank Gerlaw of Nemaha County can
not understand what affinity lightning
should have for his property. During "a
recent storm his house and barn were both
struck and Slightly damaged.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-17
POSTAL FRAUDS IN CUBA.
Former Treasurer Is Held on Embez-
element Charge.

Former Treasurer Is Held on Embez-
element Charge.
Charles F. Medley, formerly treasurer
of the Postofice Department in Cuba and
now in custody in New York. is alleged to
have embezzled $4,000 of Government
funds. During the last four months. it
is charged, the shortage in the aggregate
has never fallen below that sum. and
that prior to the beginning of the year
the average was much higher.
1t is also charged on authority believed
to be trustworthy that since July of last
year the Government has been defrauded
of nearly 100000 on stamped paper
alone. The culprit or culprits are believ-
ed to have received monthly $4,000 and
to have accounted for only $4,000.
The news of the arrest of Medley in
Rochester, y. Y. was the first intimation
to the Havana public that alleged frauds
had been discovered. Officials. however,
had been investigating for some time
through the agency of Col. Burton. the
inspector general. The colonel found
affairs so seriously involved that he de-
cided to go to Washington at once and
make a personal report to the Govern
ment. 1t IS believed the alleged frauds
will involve other officials in Havana, and
more arrests may follow. Auditors
Reeves and Reynolds have been Temporal
riIy suspended.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-17
WINTER CROPS LOOK WELL.
Wheat Acreage Three anda Half Mill
lions Less than in 1899

Wheat Acreage Three and Half Mil
lions Less than in 1899
Returns to the statistician of the De
partment of Agriculture made up 10 May
1 show the area under winter wheat in
cultivation on that date to have been
about 26,5S5,0 600 acres, or 1861 600
acres, or lis per cent, less than the area
estimated to have been sOwH last fall.
The reduction in acreage in the principal
States, owing to winter killing and the
ravages of the Hessidn fly, is as follows:
Indiana, 1,60S,0 600; Ohio, 100000; Mich
igan, 317,GOO; Pennsylvania, $4,000 and
Illinois, $4,000 acres. For the area re-
naming under cultivation the average
condition on May l was $50.
The high averages of condition report
ed last month for Kansas, Missouri, Tex
as and other more or less important
wheat-producing States that have escap-
ed the ravages Of the fly have been fully
maintained, and on May 1 nearly one
half of the entire winter wheat acreage
remaining under cultivation reported a
full normal or still higher condition.
The average condition of winter rye on
May 1 was $50, as compared with S5.2
on May /, 1899; 94.5 on May 1, 1898, and
S9.7, the mean of the May averages for
the last ten years. The average cOndi-
ton of meadow moving lands ON May 1
was 90.S, against $40 on May 1, 1899;
92.9 on May 1. 1893, and 91.3 the mean
of the May averages Of the last ten years.
The average condition Of spring pasture
was 91.3, against S3.5 on May 1, 1899;
91.2 on May /. 1898, and 900 the mean
of the May averages Of the last ten years.
Spring blowing is more or less late in
almost every State in which its condition
is a matter of any especial significance.
The only notable exceptions are Pennsyl-
vania, Kentucky, Illinois, Kansas, Mis-
souri, and Arkansas. In South Carolina,
Alabama, Mississippi and Texas the work
is later than in any year for which rec
OrdS are available.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-17
MAY RESULT.
Hot Chase After Two Alleged Bank
Robbers in Kansas.

@AoN VIZ
Robbers in Kansas.
Emporia, Kan: Hundreds of men on
foot, on horseback and in all kinds of We
hicles secured the Neosho valley Sunday
night for two alleged bank robbers, James
Murphy and L. +. EStell, who Saturday
night added murder to their crime by kill
ing Deputy Marshal Edward Roberts of
Dunlap.
On May 9 Murphy and EStell, it is al
legged, robbed a bank at Marysville, Kan,
and since then a posse of deputies have
pursued the robbers, travelling a distance
of over $50 miles. About midnight Satur-
day night the robbers were run into acct
dentally in the dark by Roberts and a COM
panion, who had become separated from
the pursuing party. Before they recog-
nized the robbers one of the latter had
emptied both barrels of his shot gun into
Roberts, killin- him instantly.
The robbers again fled. Later, they stole
eX-NIayov Sargent's horse and baggy and
started south. About 8 o'clock Sunday
evening the robbers had been traced to
within three miles of Emporia. Lynching
will surely follow their capture.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-17
Glucose Plant VIII Close.

W~aukegan, H.: News that the big
glucose plant Of the United States Sugar
Refining Company will close down is con-
firmed. Manager Paul Morton states that
the shut down is but temporary, to admit
of enlargement and repairs, but the plant
is practically new, and has been running
but a few months. soft would hardly need
extensive repairs. Corn is high, and
other glucose plants are closing, so it is
feared the shut down may be more serious,
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-17
NEWS FROM ALL PARTS OF
THE WORLD.
WRECK IN A TUNNEL
BAD COLLISION DUE TO OPERA
TORS NEGLIGENCE.
Falls Asleep at His Post and Allows
Two Freight Trains to Come Too
gether-Seven Believed to Have
Been Killed, and a Score Hurt.

n P. EE.
Philadelphia: Frank Iante1, a tower
operator in the employ Of the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad Company, stationed at
the entrance TO the tunnel under Twenty
fifth Street, Just outside of Paramount
Park, slept at his post. AS the result a dis
astrous rear end freight collision occurred
early Sunday morning in the tunnel, caus-
ing the death of Engineer George Loeb
and Fireman George Hinchman, and it is
believed five tramps who stole a ride. Fire
followed the wreck and a dozen or more
iiremen were injured while fighting the
flames.
Operator Lantel has disappeared. An
express freight train of thirty-eight cars
reached the tunnel on time and slowed
down so that some of the cars could be
shifted. The second section of the same
train. comprising thirty-nine cars, was due
about ten minutes later. 1t was Tower
man LanteIs duty to signal the second
section that the first had stopped in the
tunnel. This Lantel did not do, having
fallen asleep. The second section APP
preached the tunnel at a rapid rate of
speed and crashed with full force into the
first section. Engineer Loeb and Fireman
Hinchman of the second section, were i'm
mediately crushed to death, and the cars
piled in an indiscriminate heap began to
burn.
-Four oil ears exploded, adding to the
horror Of the situation and feeding the
flames. The loss to the company is esti-
mated at $40, 900.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-17
STATE -ENcAMPMENT.
Nebraska G. A. r. Elects New ON.
GERS for Ensuing Year.

GERS for Ensuing Year.
The following officers were elected by
the q. A. Il. at the annual encampment at
Beatrice last week:
John Reese, department commander,
Broken Bow; r. S. Wilcox, senior vice
commander, Omaha; c. +. Steele, junior
vice commander, Fairbury; DR.. Ferdinand
Brothers, medical director, Beatrice; Har-
mon BrosS, chaplain, Lincoln; council of
administration, Jack Horton, Stanton;
Porter Hedges, Lincoln; Smith Caldwell,
Edgar; S. ID. Davis, WILDER; a. W. Pierce,
Waverly.
Delegates to the national encampment:
=. r. Ball, Omaha; Joseph Rewey, Wis
her; Patrick Rudy, North Platte; j. W.
Hughes, Hebron; John Skirving, O'Neill;
w. E. Majors, Peru; j. II. Ager, Ord; J.
Rock Williams, Humboldt.
Alternates-James Stephenson, l.. d.
Pine, Jesse Chappell, W. d. Pruitt, Adam
Rafferty,, John Driesback, w. H. Smith,
A. D. Pierce.
Delegate at Large-Jacob Drew, Te-
cumseh. Alternate-Lee Estelle OF
Omaha.
The next encampment will be held at
Plattsmouth. Hastings was chosen as the
location for holding the state reunion for
1901, 1902 and 1908.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-17
Couldn't Find Porter.

A summons was issued by District Judge
Frost at Lincoln citing Secretary of State
Porter to appear and defend himself
against a charge of contempt of court.
Secretary Porter could not be found and it
was learned that he had gone to Sioux
Falls. The contention consists of his al
legged refusal to indOrSe and approve GER
tain vouchers of the state payable to Mrs.
A. NJ. Davis, president of the society of
the Home of the FriendlesS, as ordered by
the court. The case grows out of the con-
trOVerSy for the control Of this institution.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-17
ROCKEFELLER BEFORE JUSTICE
Dodge County Embezzler Pleads
Not GUILTY.,

Henry HoetfeIker was arraigned before
Justice of the Peace Dame at Fremont on
the charge of ENLIGHTENMENT of 81, $50 from
Dodge County in his capacity as treasurer
of Webster Township. He pleaded not
guilty, waived examination, and in default
of bail was committed to the county Jail
for trial at the next term of the district
court.
Hoetfelker had recovered his usual good
humor and entered the court room in a
nonchalant manner and listened to the
reading of the complaint as though very
much bored by the proceeding. No COM
plants have yet been filed against him for
embezzling the money of the school des-
trict of Dodge or Webster township. The
total amount of his defalcatiOns. it is re-
ported, will amount to about s., ZOO.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-17
Left in a Hurry.

A travelling man by the name of W. c.
Henry, who has been representing a st.
Louis buggy house, left Hastings in a
hurry recently. 1t is alleged that he has
been doing some crooked work and the
company became acquainted with the mat
ter and sent a man to investigate. Henry,
it is said, got wind of it and few the coop
after having borrowed the last 81 in his
wife's possession, leaving her absolutely
DennileSS.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-17
STOCK GROWERS MEET.
Several Hundred Gather at Alliance
in Annual Convention.

in Annual Convention.
The sixth annual meeting of the West
ern Nebraska Stock Growers Association
was held at Alliance, several hundred cat
tIemen and visitors, representing all parts
OF the west, being in attendance. Secre-
tary Van BOSkirk'S report was an array of
figures of which the organization may well
feel proud. Under the head of resolutions
Gov. Poynter was censured for %pardoning
thieves convicted by the association, as
were also all courts and attorneys who
seek to defend such despoilerS of the
range; demanding the passage of senate
file 1439 relative to the interstate commerce
commission; appointment of a competent
state veterinarian; faVOring the Tawney
oleo bill; that the time is not ripe to agi-
tate state land leases. Question of inter-
est in all cattle affairs were discussed pro-
fuSely. Officers for the ensuing year were
elected.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-17

since 1880 has been a trustee of that in
stitutiOn. In 1869 he entered the bank
ing firm of Barker Bros. & Co. of Phil
adelphia, which was carried down by the
failure Of Barring Bros. of London, Since
1890 Mr.. Barker has devoted most of his
energies toward building up his Peoples
party weekly paper, the American. His
residence is at Wyncote, twelve miles
from Philadelphia. Alexander II. of Rus
STA decorated him in 1873 with the Order
of Stanislaus.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-17

sity of Michigan. In 1891 he was givea
the Republican congressional nomination
for the Duluth district, and was elected
by an overwhelming majority. In the
early summer of 1896 he declared him
self in favor of free silver. In the fall
he was nominated by the Democrats and
POpulists as their candidate for Congress,
but was defeated. In the fall of 1898 he
was again nominated by the fusionists,
and was again defeated. In the summer
OF 1898 he was chosen as national chair
man Of the silver Republicans.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-17
STATE OF NEBRASKA
NEWS OF THE WEEK IN A CON-
DENSEp FORM.
Burlington Car Inspector at Lincoln
Struck and Killed by Lightning
Body Found on a Freight Car at
Pacific junction.

Paul Koyalt, IS years of age, a car in
spector for the Burlington at Lincoln. was
found dead on a freight car at Pacific
Junction, Iowa. The car had been set out
from what is known as the "CalifOrnia
Orange Train" which left Lincoln about
9:20 p. m. 1t is supposed that he was
struck by lightning and instantly killed
while on the car at Lincoln, where his hat
was found. The small steel bar was i'll
one hand and his lantern by his side,
partially covered by his rubber coat. His
rubber boots were non-conductOrs and his
feet were literally roasted. He resided in
Lincoln with his mother. His brother,
Matthew Kovalt, came down from Schuy-
Ter and identified the body.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-17
Seek DO Capture Reunions.

The Union Commercial Club of Lincoln
has plans laid for securing the location of
the Grand Army reunion for the neXt five
years. The annual encampment of the
Nebraska department viii be held in
Beatrice in June, and at that meeting a
location for the reunion will be decided
HpOn. AS all Grand Army reunions have
best held in Lincoln for the last five years
there is a disposition to favor some other
town, either Omaha, Nebraska City or
Beatrice.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-17
lightning Kills Cattle.

During a recent storm James A. Wilson,
4 wealthy farmer living seven miles north
east of Aurora had three cattle killed by
lightning. The same evening the large
barn of Daniel Krabiel, who lives south
west of Aurora, was struck by lightning
and burned. Mr.. Krabiel lost fourteen
head of horses out of the eighteen which
were in the Darn at the time it was struck.
He also lost, besides harness and farm ma
chinery, 1000 bushels of wheat. His en-
tire loss is estimated to be about $500.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-17
A Postoffice Burglarized.

The postofice at Bancroft was robbed
May 8. The safe door was blown across
the room and almost through the opposite
wall. The money order books and one
registered letter were stolen. There were
also about 800 in stamps and money taken.
An entrance was made by breaking the
locks on the rear door.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-17
McNIulIen Stabbed by Tramp.

Robert McMullen, employed in IL of
McShane's grading camps got into an
alteration with an unknown tramp at the
Union Pacific stock yards in Sidney and
the latter stabbed McMulien in the right
lung. County Attorney Capen has taken
ali antimOrtem statement and the descrip-
ton TALES with a fellow who had been
about town several days and the authori-
ties think he is the same man responsible
for some of the recent hOldups. a search
has been instituted, but no arrests have
yet been made.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-17
Liebtninc Iniuries Women,

While standing on the porch at her home
three miles south of 0vertown, Mrs. Lee
Holstein was struck by lightning. Her
daughter, who was standing with her, was
also injured. A large hole was made in
the end of the house which caught fire, but
the blaze was ex~tinguished before much
damage was done.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-17
Armour Paws Bic Fees.

Armour & Co. enriched the state treas
ury by paying a fee of So, 002 for filing arti-
cles of incorporation with the secretary of
state last week. The capital stock of the
company is $50, 600, 900. The chief Office is
in Chicago, a branch office being located
at Omaha. The incorpOratOrs were j..
Ogden Armour, p. Anderson Armour and
Louis C.. KrauthOff.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-17
State Fair Arrangements.

The State Board of Agriculture met in
Lincoln to formulate plans for the annual
state fair. 1t was estimated that it would
cost Sc, 900 to put the old fair grounds and
buildings in shape. Half of this expense
will be borne by the city. The board ar
ranged to have the work begun as soon as
possible.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-17
Before the Supreme Court.

The attorneys for the Standard Oil Com
pany have filed a brief in the supreme
court in the case brought by the attorney
general to debar the company from doing
business in this state. In opening the
brief pleads that the company is a victim
of popular clamOr against trusts, and says
it has been forced into court as a result of
the agitation.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-17
WHARTON BARKER.

Wharton Barker. named for President
by the Cincinnati Populist convention,
was born at Philadelphia, Pa, May 1,
1916. He is the grandson OF Jacob Bar
ker, who was a relative Of Benjamin
Franklin. He was graduated from the
University of Pennsylvania in 1866, and
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-17
CHARGED with Attempted Poisoning

Charles Sampeck, a Pole, was bound
over to the district court OF a charge Of at
tempting TO poison some children. The
evidence disclosed that he threw a piece of
cooked meat into the yard, which the
physicians testified contained arsenic
enough to kill a dozen adults. Sampeck is
about 90 years old. He furnished bond
for appearance at the district court, where
the matter will be thoroughly investigated.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-17
Ribs Broken in a Fight.

Nicholas Berger and his son Frank en-
gagged in a dispute with Charles and Ziba
Doane over some land matters, seven
miles northeast of Beatrice. A fight en-
sued in which clubs. fists and feet were
freely used, resulting in three broken ribs
for Nicholas Berger and a badly fractured
arm for Charles Doane. All three were
badly beaten up. All the parties are prom
inent~ residents of the county and wealthy
forpprc
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-17
SmaIIpox Among Graders.

William O'Brien, a Union Pacific
grader, camped near Richland, taken sick
several days ago, was found by Dr.. l.. c.
Yoss of Columbus, to have a well devel-
oped ease of smallpox. Quarantine has
been established, including men sleeping
in the same lent with O'Brien. A number
of other graders have left in alarm.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-17
CHARLES A. TOWNE.

Charles A. Towne, nominated by the
Populists at Sioux Falls for Vice-Presi-
dent on the ticket with w. ]. Bryan, was
born in Ingham COUNT, Michigan, near
the city Of Lansing, forty-one years ago
last October. He graduated in both the
academic and law courses at the Univer-
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-17
Fire Loss by lightning.

struck the Darn OF Eli Shotwell, three
miles northwest of David City, setting fire
to some hay and straw. Mr.. ShOtwell,
with the assistance of his n~eighbOrS, sue
ceeded in e~XtinguiShing the fire before any
great damage was done.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-17
LoIiet strike Fails.

Joliet, H.: The building trades strike
in this city, ~inauguarated April 1, is Off
cialIy ended in victory for the master
contractors. The strike affected between
600 and 500 men and tied up all buildings
in Joliet for several weeks.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-17
child Drinks Ammonia.

The little 4-year-old son of D.. H.
Blakeney, a livery man of Humboldt, got
hold of a bottle of ammonia and drank
quite an amount, but prompt medical aid
prevented serious results.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-17
Michigan Bank Fails.

Grand Rapids, Mich: Frank l.. Fuller
of the private Bank of Rockford, filed a
trust mortgage for $4,000, running to the
Michigan Trust Company. Hundreds of
farmers and citizens are affected.