davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-11-02
MONEY in Gas.

Few people on the outside realize or
even dream OF the enormous profits
Of the gas monopoly. Once In q while
some Of the facts come out and the
public obtains feeting glimpses OF
the astonishing truth. A few years.
ago daylight was let in on the gas
monopoly Of Washington and the.
country was started by che, disclosures.
There have been like revelations from
time to time In Chicago and New
York and elsewhere and nov we are,
treated to an exhibit Of gas profits int
Springfield, Mass, a city OF some So
900 population, which will rank with
the most striking. OF record.
From the books OF the Springfield
Gaslight Company, as shown In q re-
port Of its own, the profits Of the
business are and have been phenome-,
nal. In 1851 the concern had 925, 900
Invested in a plant. This is substan-
TALLY all the money which has been
invested in the enterprise. since that
time the company has paid 81, 6S2, 473
in dividends; and it now has a capt.
tai stock of $500, 900, and paid out OF
these dividends. Whenever an issue
OF stock was made a corresponding
dividend was declared to Offset 1t.
Consequently for every dollar put into
the plant originally, it has yielded 367
to Its fortunate holders. 1t is now
paying $4,000 a year, or 100 per cent
on what was originally paid in.
This enormous profit Is the result OF
an exclusive ownership Of the streets.
As there seems to be no practicable
way Of. securing competition In gas
service. on account Of cost Of laying
mains. the remedy for the extortion.
is public ownership Of gas works.
which would cut down the price OF
gas to one-half or one-third Of pres
emit price and still pay a profit on the
money invested.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-11-02
LABoR.s GREATEST ENEMY.

The New York Central Labor Union
has received letters from over one
hundred representatives Of labor or
CARNATIONS in Porto Rico, stating that
they are imprisoned in San Juan by
military authority, the chiefs OF the
American army suppressing all labor
organizations which they can discover.
These victims of McKinley's despot-
ism include the presidents and secre-
taries and members of arbitration
committees of nearly every labor union
on the island. And yet the president.
in his letter of acceptance. with char
acteristic hypocrisy, claims that Con
gress has given to this island q gov
eminent in which the Inhabitants par
ticipate, elect their own local legisla-
ture. enact their own local laws" etc,
every word Of which is false. as the
legislature which congress provided
for electing has not been elected and
has only been granted advisory power.
Thus the administration antagonizes
labor wherever it can, from the frozen
Occur d'Alene to the tropics, by pal
pably unconstitutional means. Rus
STA excels it only in barbarity, but not
In despotism. Let Americans realize
before it is too late that administra-
ton rule in these localities is but the
prelude and warning of what may soon
be reproduced all over the country II
Mckinley should be reelected.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-11-02

IF Senator BeveridgsFis not aware
that the i~ll--feeling Of Cubans against
Americans Is growing more tense
every day, he ought to be-" says the
New York Evening Post. "The native
press is Tor and, more outspoken.
Returned army officers privately admit
that the Cubans hate us worse than.
they ave did the spaniards. Some
who know the island we'll even pre-
dict an armed revolution. There
doubtless would be one II the thing
were not SO hopeless. But there can
be no doubt that public opinion In
Cuba is infiamed and exasperated to
a high degree. And this is the time
a rising young statesman chooses to
trumpet forth our intention. first to
lie to the Cubans, and then to seize
their land! More in anger than In
sorrow, we say to Senator Beveridge
that he is playing the part Of an in
cendiary In Cuba. alta time when pol
icy, to say nothing of honor, calls for
every possible act and word OF con-
citation"
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-11-02

Abraham Lincoln hated wal and its
horrors. although his presidency was
one long war. When a general OBJ
jected to the pardoning Of twenty-four
deserters, all Of whom had been SEN
fenced to be shot. Lincoln answered:
"Mr. General, there are already far too
many weeping widows in the United
States. For Gods sake, do not ask me
to add to the number. for I won't do
It," What would Lincoln have said to
the Anglo Republican policy Of imper-
-ialism which would fill the land with
mothers and widows weeping for sons
and husbands. not killed in defending
the nations life. but In expeditions to
distant lands in war upon those who
have done us no injury?-Eastern
State Journal.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-11-02

1898. And still. In December. 1898,
Mckinley had the audacity to assert
American sovereignty over the Phil
ippines and call upon the Inhabitants
to submit or be shot. II they ask You.
who fred the first shot tell them 1t
was William Mckinley. His infamous
proclamation was a declaration of war.
II patriotism in our congress could
have risen above ~partisanship William
Mckinley would have been impeached
for this unprecedented arrogation Of
power.-Sigmund Zeisler.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-11-02

THE coal miners OF Pennsyivania
and incidentally the laboring men
everywhere" the Atlanta Constitution
says, might do well to let their i'm
aginations picture. the treatment the
strikers would receive at the hands Of
federal authorities and federal troops
were Roosevelt In the presidential
chair. The hoodlum campaign beine
waged through the west by this
mouthful advocate Of the strenuous
life is q fair example OF his methods.
Yet the prospect Of a Rooseyeltian
president is n Of the awful posi-
bilities involved In Republican victory
this year"
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-11-02

As John D. Rockefeller. the Stand
ard OIL magnate. has given several
professors their walking ticket from.
the Baptist University for thinking for
themselves and teaching the students
to do likewise by allowing them to
study socialistic questions. and as he
recently forced his minister In New
York tosresign for being too outspoken.
. writer in the Chicago Public has sug-
gested that he use the doxology In q
revised form. as follows:
Praise John from whom oil blessings
low.
Praise him oil creatures here below,
Praise him above. the heavenly host,
Praise Bill and John. but John the
most"
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-11-02
DISPOSAL or o
Society Cannot shirk Its Responsibility
for Criminals,

Society Cannot shirk Its Responsibility
for Criminals.
Now, OF course 1t Is the easiest
thing in the world to pick out indi-
vidual cases where this highly effect
i've and economical plan would seem
justifable, but the obstacle which
must eyerlastingly keep all such OBJ
stacles out in the realm Of purely vis-
ionary' and impossible propositions is
b fact that no man. or group Of .men
no. nor that of angels, probably
could ever be trusted to decide that
such and such q person could not be
reformed, but must die. There is the
crux Of the whole matter. That little
word very, which IL supposed to de-
scribe: the kind Of vicious and crimi-
nal persons who are to be gently and
painlessly' assisted out Of this world.
contains the whole range Of subtle.
unknown and unfathomable qualities
Of character upon whose possibilities
no human wisdom is competentsto pass
the hnal word. With DR.. McKim de-
claring, for example, that John Jones.
aged thirty, whom he has carefully
examined, ID incorrigible and should
be executed. and John Jones, mother.
who, presumably, also knows some-
thing about him. declaring that there
II that within the boy which. bad AZ
he Ii. can and may reclaim him to.
useful manhood-where IL the Judge or
@.AA ~
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-11-02

The new plant erected less than a
year ~ at %Coshocton. Ohio, by the
Coshocton Rolling Mil company. and
recently sold to the American Sheet
Steel company %(trust), is shut down
and will be dismantled. The town
gave a bonus Of 100000 to secure the
mill, but was far-sighted enough to
stipalate for Its return II the works
should close. and the trust will refund
the: money rather than continue the
factory. Mills are also being disman-
tied at Leetonia. Haselton and War
rem. Ohio.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-11-02
TREATMENT OF PORTO RICO.

EA~I.fraL4-n ME'LFaN FAE
In his letter of acceptance President
Mckinley referred to Porto Rico ~
follows:
Congress has given to this island q
government in which the Inhabitants
participate. elect their own legislature.
enact their W local laws, provide
their own system Of taxation.
The generous treatment OF the Porto
Ricans accords with the most liberal
thought. Of our own country, and en-
courages the best aspirations Of the
people of the island.r
These statements are OF the Kind OF
half-truths which are worse than
whole lies. Correct es far a. they 60.
they yet convey an impression, as the
president intends. far different from
the actual state OF affairs. For exam
Pile, while the inhabitants elect their
own legislature, Mr.. Mckinley omits to
state that every act Of the legislature
can be vetoed by the governor general.
who Is appointed by the president, and
removable at his pleasure. Nor does
he add that the governors veto can,
only be overridden by . two-thirds
vote OF the executive council, whose
members are also appointed by tho
president. In view OF these facts. the
presidents partial statement Of ths,
truth becomes q wilful misrepresenta-
ton which OF itself would be enough
TO stamp his whole letter as unreliabls
even where 1t purports to quote facts.
Justice.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-11-02
Graphing tn. I.nd-ar.bbsrs.

-HHHELLE4- EEE1ZA
In 1896 the New Zealand parliament
empowered the government to take
possession of any large estate at the
assessed price even though the owner
refused to sell. and divide 1t into small
farms to be let out IN perpetual lease.
This IL what the large land owners
kick about. They raise a big hue and
cry about the government having NO.
right to set aside the "vested rights
Of q private citizen or corporation.
The kick did NO good and the people
are talking-through the government
estate after estate where the original
land-grabbers had established minia-
ture monarchies among their tenants
and laborers.-People's Paper.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-11-02
IT is UP TO M'KINLEY.
PERTINENT INTERROGATION ON
TYRANNY OF GOLD.
A Question for President-Do Vie
Tins of . Trust Deserve Less Sympathy
than Victims Of . Flood.-Thousands
Threatened with Hunger.

Mr.. McKinley's response to suffering
in Texas wal prompt and admirable.
The war department was ordered to
relieve distress as far as possible and
to spend money freely to that end.
Mr.. McKinley's action in the Klon-
dixie and at Cape Nome, when Ameri-
can cities by thousands were threat
ened with starvation, vas equally com
mendable. Government steamers were
dispatched to bring back to civilization
unfortunates stranded because Of fool
ish, thoughtless impulsiveness. With
the steamers went provisions to feed
the needy.
We heartily lndorse the action Of the
president In the distress in Texas and
in the delusiye gold fields.
Thousands Of citizens being threat
ened with great danger, the president
justly decided that he could brave the
bogy Of ..:paternalism" and send relief
at the expense Of the nation.
We now ask MI. Mckinley a very
serious question In regard to another
large body of citizens threatened with
starvation, oppressed with a danger,
permanent and therefore more formid-
able than storm OF cold.
In the coal fields OF Pennsylvania
half a million human beings, victims
OF a law-defying trust, are threatened
with starvation as winter come on.
The trust has no single sympathizer,
no single ally in all creation. except
hunger, but 1t wants and needs no
other or better ally.
On HUNGER the trust relies to win
its victory over half a million men,
women and children.
MI. Mckinley, what are you going
to do when hunger drives those hun
dreds of thousands of citizens to des-
peration?
Will you allow the Coal Trust to
make good Its boast. and with hun
gers help to subdue and enslave those
citizens whom you are sworn to pro-
tect from injustice?
Will you permit the trusts, which
have defed the laws that you are
sworn to enforce, to override the
promptings of humanity?
Breakers of the law are depressing
half a million people.
They rely on poverty, on starvation
and, Mr.. Mckinley. on your SLUG.
GIsHNESs for success in their attack
on human rights.
Are you going to realize the hopes
Of law breakers?
Are you going to watch hundreds o.
thousands hopelessly fighting agains
unlimited money and vilIainy-or viii
you send to victims of the trust. a,
you sent to victims of the storm, hell
that shall carry them through theil
troubles?
These men and women now suffel
because you have permitted the trusts
to grow strong and defiant during tn,
past four years.
You can diminish their sufferings, L
you will, and bring the trust to terms
II you will.
VIII you send supplies to the relic
Of the Pennsylvania miners, as 20,
did the victims of the Texas storm
and the northern gold fields?
Are you more interested In HALF A
MILLION POOR MEN or in HALF A
DOZEN very RICH men?
We believe that your reply to. thi.
question may have a certain bearing
on your future career.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-11-02

The workingman who a be infiu-
enced 70 vote for Mckinley by threats
Of starvation may be driven to the
polls IN 1904 at the point OF the bayo-
net t. vote for Hanna. II would b..
the 1ostcas conclusion Of present meth,
:ods.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-11-02

1 think the only real question before
the American people In this campaign
is the question of the right Of self
government. President Mckinley and
his supporters, seek to set aside the
doctrine of self-government and to
establish in it's stead the ancient here
sy OF the right Of government by
brute force. For me, no other In
depreciation Of attitude toward
the F%ilipinos is possible.
The only difference between a re-
public and an empire is this: In a re-
public OF sovereign equals all of the
people participate In the government
on equal terms; in an empire subject
and dependent colonies are ruled by
the home government without their
consent or participation. Which prin-
ciple shall we adopt? l believe that
we will be true to the democracy Of
the golden rule rather than to the
autocracy Of the rule of gold.
It has been said that our govern
ment was conceived In liberty
and dedicated to the. PROPOSE
ton that all men are cre-
ated equal. This does not mean. ali
Americans; 1t means all Of the people
Of the round globe; and let me tell
you, workingmen Of America, that
only by standing in solid phalanx for
equal rights for the little brown men
Of the Philippine Islands can you
make your own liberty permanent and
secure.-Mayor Jones Of Toledo.
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-11-02
CHAPTER TX.

MOll1e, 1t Is SO bad again!"
SIS 1t, my pet? What can I do fol
you?" said a sleepy voice, as Mollie
reused herself from the sIumber into
which she had fallen by the side Of
the bed. "Kittie, 1t is striking u by
the hall clock; l had no idea 1t was so
late! I will go down to the drawing
o and get the cloves; We left them
there. and they may ease the pain =
little."r
Kate sat up in bed, looking as mis-
cradle as a child with teeth ache can
look, and Mollie slipped OH for the
cloves, closing the door softly behind
her.
It was Easter eve once more: not
balmy and soft like last time, but colo
and frosty, with a cruel east wind
bowling round the house. like the
night two years ago when Leonard
Barlowe had SO mysteriously met his
death.
The months that had passed had
been full of trouble and anxiety to
Mollfe L'Estrange, and she looked
paler and thinner; but the gray eyes
were as fearless and sweeter than ever,
for the trials had been bravely borne,
and II she could not quite love her
enemies, she had at least endeavored
to follow that splendid precept and re-
turn good for evil,
Henri had been away for some weeks
now; at first much to her relief. but
latterly she had almost wished him
back, for his mothers sake. Ever since
his departure she had seemed con-
sumed with restlessness. growing daily
Q morose and gloomy, and break
ing Into fits of passion for the *merest
trife, while she watched Mollie with
Suspicious eyes. never allowing her to
see the 3Anstruthers, through whom
alone she could hear from Reggie. for
both knew that the ordinary post
would not be safe.
Stealing quietly down the dark
stairs, Molfie gained the sdrawingroom,
and. possessing herself of the bottle
Of cloves. was returning. when as she
got to the door she saw a faint lieht
at the top of the stairs.
Who was abroad in the house this
night of all others, when no servant
would stir alone, when they vowed that
the ghost Of Mr.. Barlowe walked In
his haunts.and q light had been seen
in, his study?
Drawing back against the heavy
plush curtains in the hall, she watched
with beating heart as It came glimmer-
ing nearer, not exactly frightened, but
with a curious awe and dread. q feel
Ing that something was going to hap
pen. "A moment later. and madame
lamp In her hand, q strange. dased
glitter IN her great black eyes-swept
noiselessly past her and went straight
to the study.
The girls frst thought was to steal.
up stairs again, her next to creep
across the dark hall after madame, and
look IL at the h~alf-open door, and 20.
unthinkingly, she witnessed : sight
that froxe the blood In her veins d
that she never forgot. For had she.
followed her arst impulse and gone
upstairs. neither she o Kate would.
have been alive when daylight dawned
that Easter day. On such slight thinss,
A. this do great events han9i
Madame put the lamp on : table
close By, and then stole with cat-like
step TO tho back OF the chair before
the writing table. whore the detectives
said that M. BarloNe must have been
The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-11-02


ctsion. She not only could not sane
ton the engagement, but Miss
L'Estrange must be considered quite
free.
"I-don't wish to be free" said Mollie
bodily. over his shoulder. II have given.
MI. Anstruther my word, and will not
break it."
MY sweet child, you are young, you
do not know your own mind. Mr.. An
struther has taken advantage Of find
Ing you alone in my absence"
Il naturally wished TO find Miss
L'Estrange alone" answered Reggie,
haughtily.
"oh, yes!" sneered Herr, who had
been standing biting his nails gloom-
lily. in direful dismay. ut is well to
pay court to the heiress. but she has
protection. Il"
He paused %uneasily, yet Reggie had
only stopped to pick up the riding
whip which he had dropped. and then
looked at him. But it was enough
he said no more, while madame, 60
Ing a shade paler as she watched the
two young men. nastened to close the
interview.
When Reggie left things were only
what he had expected. Madame alb
solutely refused her consent, and de-
clined ito see him at ,Chalfont again,
SO far losing her temper as to utter
innuendoes and insults. which she
could say with impunity, as a woman,
but which would certainly have
brought Reggie's whip across the
shoulders Of her adored son.
Reggie, for his part, courteously re-
peated that the engagement was a fact,
and would be known all over Rever-
ton; he was sorry for her decision, but
1t would alter nothing, only cause a
little delay. Then, after a few words
with Mollie. he reluctantly tore him
self away, and she heard the gate clang
behind him and watched him down
the road until she was blinded by her
tears.
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-05-31
Shooting Emus.

The Australian emu is described as
a yellowish brown bird, seven feet in
height, WITH wings so rudimentary
that it makes no use of them for fight.
1t is so swift of foot, however, that
only the very feetest horse can over
take it, Like the ostrich, the emu
feeds upon whatever comes under its
beak. Wood, pebbles, scraps of iron,
or anything else that it can swallow,
will answer its purpose, although it
shows a marked preference for bread
ard cooked meat A French explorer
describes his experience in shooting
one of these birds. He was accom-.
panied by white companion, and by
a native who acted as guide.
81 am going to bring them mp, " said
our savage companion. "You will
have to shoot while they are on the
run, but take your time and aim well.
They won't get off this time"
So saying he began to whistle as if
he were calling dog.
The emus lifted their heads, listened
for an instant, then started to run. 1t
is strange that this was not to get
away, but rather to circle about us
without stopping, all the time narrow
ing the circle so as gradually to ap-
proach MS.
When they were not more than forty
yards distant, still running with in
credible swiftness, we brought them
into line and fred. One fell with a
bullet in his heart. The others fled,
all the time in single file, and present
ly they disappeared
In reply to question, our guide
told us that the emus always acted in
this way whenever they heard whist.
ling, and that one can call them by
this means from far away.
"I think. he added, "it is because
they believe their little ones are call.
ing them"
AS the little emus do not whistle,
this explanation does not seem to me
conclusive. But who will suggest q
better one?
The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-05-31

1t is contrived especially to reveal the
wide guimpe or yoke ofthc bodice be-
meath, and is avowcdly more ornG.
mental than useful
The same craze has manifested it.
self in evening wraps. A full length,
somewhat box-shapod coat, narrow at
the top and widened decidedly at tbe
bottom, is made low-nccked in front
in accordance with this now caprice.
The material employed is amber col
ored brocadc, and it is liAed with pale
yellow liberty satin. About the
shoulders is wide, round marine
collar Of Venice lace, slopod down
quite low. The sleeves, which bang
in bell-shape from the shoulders, are
heavily incruste9 with Venice lace
about the lower part, both on the out.
side and on the inside. Down the
full length OF the front the wrap lacks
four inches of coming together. Both
edges are trimmed with long folded
piece OF pale yellow satin, held at reg,
ular intervals with square pear
buckles. 4 fichu or u silk scarf ol