davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-03-12
NEW BATTLESHIP ILLINOIS IN TRIAL TEST
ONE OF MOST POWERFUL SEA FIGHTERS AFLOAT.

name take the water. Miss Mamie
Letter formally christened the vessel.
More than 10000 persons were pres
ent to cheer when the great ship slid
down the ways into the water. A
banquet at the Cham berIain hotel
Old Point Comfort, took place in the
evening, the shipbuilders being the
hosts.
The general dimensions and fea-
lures of the Illinois are as follows:
Length on load water line. SOS feet.
Length over all. 373 feet 9 inches.
Beam, nodded. ~ feet.
Beam, extreme. 70 feet 2 3 inches.
Freeboard, forward, 20 feet.
Freeboard, aft, 13 feet inches.
Freeboard, amidships, 10 feet 10
inches.
Main draught, with 500 tons of
coal, two-thirds stores, two-thirds
ammunition, % feet inches.
Corresponding displacement, H.
$50 tons.
Speed per hour. 10 knots.
Indicated horse power, 10000.
Normal coal supply, 800 tons.
Bunker capacity, coal untrimmed,
l, ,2l0 tons.
Wetted surface. 35, 800 square feet.
Rudder area, 225 square feet.
Maximum helm angle. starboard
and port, 35 degrees each side.
Mean draught, with all stores, pro-
visions and ammunition and 1,2i0
tons coal on board, u feet 3 inches
Corresponding displacement, II l40
tons.
BATTERIES.
Main-Four 13-inch breech loading
rifles, II 6-inch rapid fire breech load
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-03-12
ROGERS SAFE FOR AWHILE
Man a Terre Haute Mob Might Have.
KiIIed-His Brutal Crime.


Indianapolis. March 12.-Charles
Rogers, of Terre Haute, who shot and
fatally wounded his wife and step
father, Milburn Batey, Sunday night.
was brought here for safe keeping, as
there was fear that a mob would form
and lynch him. The officers explained
that there was a jury out considering
the evidence of n murder case in that
city, and the fact that twenty-four
hours had already elapsed since the
trial concluded had caused a feeling
that there would be no verdict In
snch a case, they said. the feeling
that the law was not doing its duty
would increase and encourage the law
less element in favor of lynching.
Rogers crime was peculiarly afro
c10Us. The wife had left her husband
on account of lack of support, and was
at her stepfather'S home. Rogers
went to the house and fired without
warning. The wife had a baby in her
arms at the time. Rogers says he
went to the house with the intention
of committing suicide: that he had his
revolver in his hand when his wife
tried to take ii from him, and in the
struggle for ITS possession 1t was dis
cbarOe6
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-03-12

Newport News, Va, March 12.-
The battleship Illinois began her two
days. test today. While there is a
possibility that the vessel will remain
out over night, it is not at all proba-
BILE. Practically all of the tests will
be made between here and the capes.
The speed squirt will take her 80 miles
out beyond Cape Henry.
The hull has been painted white,
while the turrets and superstructure
up to the fighting tops are of maroon
color. The guns are all in position,
and the ship went to sea this
morning as she will go into battle,
excepting ammunition. Practically
all of the naval attaches at the yard
were on board, while all of the Off
GERS who have arrived to take COM
mands on the Illinois go on her.
The battleship Alabama, a sister ship
of the Illinois. sailed from Pensacola,
Fla, yesterday on her final speed test.
The vessel will be subjected to rigid
trial continuing for 4S hours. While
the Alabama is much like the Illinois
in her lines, her armament is some
what different, that of the Illinois be-
ing CT a more improved character.
The Illinois, sister battleship of
the Wisconsin and the Ala abama, and
one Of the most powerful sea fighters
ahoat, was built by the NewporS News
Ship Building and Dry Dock company,
and was launched Oct. IA, 1898. The
launching ceremony was a notable
one. Gov. Tanner and his staff, as
we'll as n large and brilliant party of
representative Illinoisans, journeyed
to the seaside TO see the great war
ship that was to bear the state s
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-03-12

Porto Rico three taxes levied ana col
lected for the same purpose. from the
impoverished pockets of the people,
the new excise taxes under the Hol-
lander law. the old insular and munich
pal taxes and the customs duties IN
der the Porto Rican civil government
act.
Any of these. it is held, is sufficient
tn cover the budget Under the bill
$500 600 or more Will be collected semi
annually. in advance, thereby, the pro-
test says. lessening the money in cir
Culation (of which there is less than
go 600. .000l and producing a state OF
impoverishment and business stagna-
ton. as the taxes are collected by sum-
Hary process. n
The president gave the committee
nearly an hour and listened with in
terest TO their statements. He said
that he did not feel like exercising
his authority for calling an extra ses-
sion of the house of delegates, but
would recommend that the executive
council use the utmost leniency in en-
forcing the provisions of the tax law
The members of the commission hope
to see the president again in the near
future
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-03-12

Fond du Lac, Wis. March 12.-As-
semblyman Katz. of this city. has dis
covered in an innOcent-appearing bill
introduced in the legislature from Mil
waukee matter that somewhat deep
ly concerns Fond du Lac, and in time
TO probably block its passage. The
bill affects the title of 220-foot front
age on Main street. just south of
Athletic park, and provides for the
sale of the land to Kate ii. Pier, of
Milwaukee. for 5000. The property.
it is alleged. is worth many times that
sum, and KatZ will endeavor to have
its sale made by public auction to the
highest bidder
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-03-12

"WeH, about FRIDAY afternoon the
ice field broke away from shore and
began to drift. The steward and sew
eral of the crew were on shore at the
time and had to get a tug to land them
on the ice field so they could join us.
We lost sight of Grand Haven light
about 8 O'colck Friday night. and that
was the last we saw of any light I'M
til this morning when I saw the Mil
waukee light. When the ice field be-
gan to drift I got the men out and
we began to cut the boat adrift. 1t
took us day and a half to cut her
loose. I was a bit scared at one time,
when I saw the field break in two. 1t
would have gone hard with us if we
got caught between the drifts. but
luckily we lay snug until yesterday.
"Then the rain came on and it rOtted
the ice. but a second field came blow
ing in from the northwest and lay be-
tween us and the open. like a big
breakwater. so it took long time be-
fore the ice began to break 1t took
us about three hours to work clear of
the drift. When we struck the open
the wind wasn't so bad. but in a couple
of hours It was blowing great guns.
It was one of the worst seas l have
experienced and it would have been
pretty tough for US if we hadn't got
safely away from the ice field. BY
that time I was pretty well under the
lea of the west shore, but it must have
been awful out close to the ice field.
1t began to snow at the same time.
81 never saw a more furious gale.
The Nyack got out of IT easier than
we did. She broke loose about Z
o'clock last night and worked into
Grand Haven about 8 O'Clock. 1t was
$50 o'clock when we got away. It's
going to he dangerous navigating for
some time. Yes The went on. respond
ing to an interroSatoryl We'll leave to-
ght, but | don't intend to put out
until about midnight. as l don't want
to strike the ice field until daylight.
1t would be dangerous TO strike that
field at night. I don't think we will
have much trouble working around 1t
so as to get into Grand Haven. but it
Will be slow work. that's ALL"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-03-12
Great Britain Does Not Con-
slider Hay Pauncefote In
cident Closed.
LOOKS FOR A REoPENING
With Initiative Taken at the
Capital of the United
States.

London, March 12.-The foreign
Office officials are nettled at the state
ment cabled here that no opening is
left for further action in the case
of Great Britain's reply stating the re-
lection of the senate's amendments to
the Hay-Pauncefote treaty. 1t is
pointed out that Great Britain's reply
invites further proposals from the
United States, and moreover that the
foreign office understands something
of this sort is already contemplated
in Washington.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-03-12
REAR END COLLISION
ON c. & NJ. w. ROAD

Chicago, March IA rear end
collision between freight and stock
train on the Chicago & Northwestern
road at Arlington Heights early to-
day killed q stockman, name un-
known, fatally hurt Ed Smith, a
stockman, of Palatine. and injured
five others. The stockmen were
asleep in the caboose at the time of
the collision. The wreck caught fire,
and three cars and the caboose were
burned, and a large lot of stock
killed.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-03-12
Worat Storm Years.

Milwaukee, March II. - The most
disastrous sleet storm in years visited
Wisconsin Sunday cutting the city off
from communication with the outside
world. Telegraphic or telephone COM
municatiOn even with Chicago does not
exist. The fall of every telegraph wire
by which railways are operated be-
tween Milwaukee and Chicago. as well
as toward the north, has caused a
wholesale decentralization of traffic. \
veStige of mail service remains. but the
delay of trains has even impaired that
communication. Railway men of wide
experience say that such Il situation
has never before presented itself to
them
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-03-12
Death of Gilbert wilkes.

Denver. March 12.-Gilbert Wilkes,
3S years old, president of Gilbert
Wilkes & Co. electrical and mechanical
engineers and contractors. died at his
home i'm this city Sunday night of
hemorrhage of the lungs. He will be
buried in Detroit. Wilkes was former
ly in the United States navy He was
commander of the Detroit naval re-
serves and lieutenant commander of
he Yosemite during the Spanish Amer
lean war Wilkes leaves widow
and two sons. His widow is the
daughter of Colonel Charles DENLY.
formerly United States minister to
China
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-03-12
BANK IS ALL RIGHT,
Cashier Goes Insane Over the Strain of the
Run, but Is Honest.

Run, but Is Honest.
Niles. Mich. March l.. - w. w.
Stevens the son-in-law of Bank Presi-
dent w. X. Lacy, who is Il director ana
one of the heaviest stock holders in
the suspended First National bank,
says that Charles \. Johnson, the
missing cashier of the First National
bank here, is in Chicago. i'll the care
of one of his brothers. and that he is
deranged. Johnson went to Chicago
directly after the bank closed to Sc
cure funds, but broke down under the
strain. On Friday, just as the bank
closed. $125,000 arrived from Chica-
go and was delivered at the bank by
the American Express company.
The directors of the bank through
Stevens declare that the banks af-
fairs are in perfect condition. They
say that when Johnson left for Chi
CagO he took with him securities on
which TO raise sufficient money to re-
sumo business. These securities are
safe. Evidence is coming to light
which points to Il scheme of enemies
to close the First National.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-03-12
PAPER FOR THE LUNATICs.
Published by Man Who Says Lunacy Is
No Disgrace.

No Disgrace.
OwanecO. Ills, March 12.-General
A. Il. Leeper, of this place. who is liv-
ing up to his declaration that lit is no
disgrace to have gone crazy" is get
ing ready to publish weekly paper
to be known as The 'Lunatic Herald"
He intends publishing this unique pro-
ductiOn in Jacksonville. 1t is to he
devoted to the interests of the inmates
of hospitals for the insane in this
country and in Canada.
1t also is to be used to educate peo-
pie up to General Leeper's ideas OF
reforms i'll the care and treatment of
the insane and of the lunacy laws. The
Lunatic Herald is to he a two column
thirty-twO-page paper. and according
TO General Leeper it will have on its
staff many of the smarteSt lunaticS in
the country. General Leeper, who is
well-known in Grand Army circles.
claims to have fired the last shot in
the battle of Chickamauga
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-03-12
TELLS THE DANGER OF TIE SEA.
Captain HaseIbarth's Story of His Eight
Days Fight with Ice.

Days Fight with Ice.
This is Captain Haselbrath's story
of his eight days fight with the ice as
he related It. seated comfortably in his
cabin yesterday while the Naomi, ap-
parently not the least bit affacted by
her experience. lay at the KrauS ele-
vator discharging her cargo of grain.
We steamed out of Grand Haven
about 1920 o'clock Sunday afternoon
one week ago yesterday. We got
out through the ice about $50 o'clock.
when it began to blow. 1t blew a
living gale with such force that we
were unable to make any headway.
turned the steamer around and ran
back, but we got stuck in the ice about
two miles from Grand Haven piers.
The ice was piled up about fifteen
feet. reckoning the slush. although in
many places it wouldn't go over eight
feet, but there we lay until morning.
when we sighted the Nyack further out
and stuck about the same as we were.
From that time until last Friday we
didn't move. Of course We could go
ashore-that is, the men and mate
could. but it wouldn't do for captain
to leave his boat in such a place The
men also visited the Nyack They
brought off the newspapers from the
shore. We were comfortable as far
as that goes. but l tell you it was
mighty tedious.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-03-12
HELD IN AN ICY PRISON
Two Stes mers Which Take More
Than a Week Apiece to
Cross the Lake.
ONE EIGHT, THE OTHER NINE, DAYS
Covering the Distance Between mil
waukee and Grand Haven
Naomi's Captains Story.

Milwaukee, March 12-After bat
Ting for eight days with the ice ill
Lake Michigan, the steamer Naomi, of
the Crosby Transportation company,
Captain r. Haselbarth commanding,
steamed into Milwaukee harbor short
ly after 3 a. III. yesterday. Sixteen
years ago the Naomi emerged from Il
similar contest with her hull crushed
and minus part of her cargo, while
her twin sister, the Michigan, lay at
the bottom of Lake Michigan, where
her hull still lies. The Naomi left
Grand Haven one week ago Sunday,
bound for Milwaukee. 1t was the
longest trip she ever made. A short
distance out of Grand Haven the Ma
omi ran into the ice field and the wind
began to blow so that Captain Hasel-
bartE turned and headed for Grand
Haven. but he was unable to reach
port, although he came very near it.
Five Days i'm Sight of Port.
Within two miles of Grand Haven
the Naomi lay until last Friday, while
two miles away the steamer Nyack
of the same line lay fast, also in a cra
die of ice. The Nyack steamed away
from Milwaukee one week ago Satur
didn't make the port until about 8 p.
m. Sunday. Altogether it was the
worst experience the two steamers
have had since the disaster of March
%, 1885 when the Michigan went
down. 1t is a peculiar coincidence
that these two steamers of the same
line should have lain for so long in rel
atively the same positions as the Ma
omi and her twin. the Michigan. did
sixteen years ago.
Looks for Floating Ice Till April.
1t behOoves mariners on Lake Mich
igan 10 keep their weather eyes open
and have care against navigating
in the night. according TO the opinion
of Captain Haselbarth. L is his opin-
ion that it will be dangerous navigat-
ing as long as the fee is afloat, and he
believes it will not disappear until the
end of the month.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-03-12

ing rifles.
Secondary-Seventeen 6.pounders,
rapid fire; six 1-pounders, rapid fire.
Total-Forty-one guns.
The Illinois class of battleships is
an improvement in design on all ships
in the navy of the United States. The
Illinois is even an improvement on
the Alabama and the Wisconsin in
that she differs in some material
points from her sister ships. These
battleships are the last to carry the
old 13-inch guns, as the builders have
demonstrated that it is possible to
build 1S-knot battleships and to arm
them with modern 12-inch rifles that
are in every way as effective as the
13-inch guns.
There are larger battle-ships on the
ocean than the Illinois. There are
even larger armored cruisers in the
British navy, such as the splendid
cruisers Powerful and Terrible. Yet
it is doubtful whether any prudent
naval commander, even leaving out
of his calculations the great factor
represented by the superb lighting
qualities of the American sailor, would
care to venture a hostile meeting
with one of the these steel bulldogs of
the sea, for the latest American battle
ship EN- bodies in its design and con-
struction the highest development in
offensive and defensive naval warfare.
A notable feature of the equipment
of the Illinois will be beautiful en-
graved silver service, a popular gift
fr0m the citiZana of the state. The
contract price for the vessel was $2,-
$4,000. The first keel plate was laid
Feb. 10, 1897.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-03-12
ENGLAND AWAITS
BO1HA'S SURRENDER

London, March 12.-Report is cur
rent this afternoon that the govern
ment anticipates speedy announce
ment of the surrender of the Boer
commander chief, Botha.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-03-12
PORTO RICANs ARE IN TROUBLE.
Desire the Repeal OF a Law Passed by the
IPgiSIntuTe

Washington. March 12.-The prcSi-
dent yesterday granted special audi
ence to MesSrs. Wednesday Borda. .Tr..
and Vincente Balbas, members Of the
Porto Rican commission which was
appointed at n mass meeting of the
citizens of the island held at San
Juan Feb. 2, TO protest against the law
enacted by the legislature known as
the Hollander bill. This measure pro-
v;des for the raising of revenue by
property and excise taxes. Borda and
Balbas were accompanied by Freeman
HalStead. the secretary of the COM
mission, Pedro SalaZar. the third COM
missioner. being detained in New York.
The commissioners presented a for
nal protest which enumerated series
of eighteen objections to the law. 1t
is contended that there exist today. in
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-03-12
Ex-Gov. Tanner at HON e.

Springfield. Ills. March 12.-Gov-
ernor Tanner returned TO Springfield
Sunday. accompanied by Mrs. Tanner,
from New York. The ex-governor is
looking well and says he has spent
his time pleasantly. He stated that
he had not determined where he would
make his home or what he would do.
He insisted that he had paid no atten-
tion to politics since leaving the state.
that he knew nothing about the pro-
posed apportiOnment or of the appoint
ments that Governor Yates is expected
to make I'm the near future
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-03-12
RACINE IN A Law FIGHT
Over the Question of Awarding Contracts
for Public Work.

Racine, Wis, March 12-Injunction
papers may be served on the members
of the board of public works restrain
bids for which were opened last Sat
urday. Galloway * Stayke, of this
city, bid on the macadam work of
Washington and Milwaukee avenues.
but il was decided that their bids
were informal aud were thrown out.
1t was found that the bids were the
lowest and the contractors claim that
they presented bids in accordance with
the rules of the advertisements, with
the exception that one clause which
requested the cost of combined gutter
and curbing. Galloway IL Starke gave
the cost of the two, but did not give Il
total and on this it WAS claimed the
bids were Informal.
Attorneys will be retained and they
will appear before the board and claim
that the bids were formal and that
the contracts must be awarded to Gal
lOway * Starke. 1t will be impossible
for the board TO decide who the low
est bidders are until Saturday, when n
meeting will be held. On account of
the different plans and specifications it
is necessary that each bid be figured
several times in order to find who is
papers be served it will be impossible
to begin the work of paving streets
which are now almost impossible and
it is the desire of all taxpayers that
work be started as soon as possible.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-03-12
ANOTHER EXPLOSION
CAUSES LOSS OE LEE

McKeesport, Pa, March 1.-Two
men were killed and building COM
pletely wrecked by an explosion at
Cooker" the McKeesport brewery,
this morning. The cause is unknown.
The loss is 100000.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-03-12
About That Hawaiiaa Incident.

Washington, March 2,-Secretary
Hitchcock has called on the governor
of Hawaii for report on the recent
election OF the territorial secretary
from the floor of the legislature. The
record the proceedings there. as he
contended his duties required of him.
and resolution was passed which for
bade his entry on the floor on the
ground that it was contrary to the
principle Of independence of the legis-
lative and executive branches of the
government
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-03-12
BRUTAL nIurder ora woman.

Vernon. o., March 12.-Mrs. Sarah
Jane Hess. n widow. was murdered
Sunday night in her home at Bladens-
burg. this county Her body was
found yesterday morning. There was
evidence of terrible struggle, during
which her head was beaten in with a
stick of stovewood Robbery is sup
posed to have been the motive for the
crime
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-03-12
BROKERAGE FIRM
FAILS AT ST. LOUIS

St. Louis, March IL. - Gaylord.
Blessing & Co., brokers, have as
signed. The liabilities reached will
exceed the assets by $4,000.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-03-12
STARCH FACTORY
DESTROYED BY FIRE

Kankakee, H., March II. - The
Archer Starch company's factory
burned last night. The loss is $685.
600. One employe was badly burned.
The fire resulted from an explosion of
wet starch.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-03-12
SALOON is RURoLARIzeo.
Place OF Ed Kautz on Twentieth Street. |
Touched for S25.

TIACe
Touched for 625.
The police are working on a rather
mysterious robbery case, the crime
having been committed sometime dur
ing Sunday night. Ed Kauiz. who
runs a saloon on the corner of
Third avenue and Twentieth street,
locked up his saloon late Sunday eight.
Before time to open up Monday morn
ing some one secured keys to the
house aud cash drawer and abstracted d
$25. No violence was committed and
the mystery lies in the manner in
which the keys were secured.
Ferdinand Bein reported to the
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-03-12

police this mo ming that various at
tachments belonging to a pleasure
launch have recently been stolen from
his premises en- Forty-third street.
The assault cases against Philip
Stombs and Gordon Davis were aired
before Magistrate Stafford tnis morn
ing and both were dismissed.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-03-12
PENNSYLVANIA
STOCK INCREASED.

Philadelphia, March II AT the an
nual meeting OF the stockholders of
the Pennsylvania Railway company
today resolution was adopted author
izing an increase of 500, 600. 600 in
the capital stock of the company,
making the total issue $251. 600, coo.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-03-12
IOWA APPOINTEE
DECLINES PLACE.

Des Moines, Iowa, March 12.-Con-
gressman Fuller, of West Union,
recently appointed by the president
for the position of United States as
sistant attorney general with view
of attending to the legal business of
the Spanish claims commission, teie
graphed the president today his
declination.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-03-12
New star Is OIsappearIng.

New Haven. Conn, March 12.-At
the Yale observatory it is reported
that the new star recently discovered
in the constellation Perseus has dimin-
isbed in briIliancy to the third mag
nitude. One observer thinks the star
is slightly redder in color than here
tofore.