davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-21
A FORMAL INVITATION.
A Delegation Asks the President TO
visit san Francisco.

The President yesterday received a
committee of the Chamber of Commerce
of San Francisco, consisting of George A.
Newhall, President; Andrew Caragan, and
George W. McNear. They called in COM
pany with Senator Hanna, and upon be-
half of the Chamber of Commerce and
commercial interests of San Francisco
extended the President cordial welcome
TO the city. They talked informally over
matters pertaining to the entertainment
arranged for the President during his stay
in that city the programme for which
has already been announced
The committee also conferred with the
President regarding the transport system
from San Francisco to Manila.
NJ. II. De Young. Of San Francisco, also
called upon the President Yesterday.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-21
FOR A PALACE OF JUSTICE.
Attorney General Knox to Consider
Plans for New Building.

Attorney General Knox has decided to
take up the question of the proposed new
building for the Department of Justice,
and has requested George b. Post, the
New York architect. to come here next
"Wednesday for a conference.
Mr.. Griggs, when he was Attorney Cen
eral, considered the matter up to year
ago. when proceedings We're brought to
a standstilI because the Congressional ap-
preparation was Inadequate for the pur-
pose. The Sl.O0000 appropriated is still
available. less some expenditure for rented
buildings occupied by the department
since the old building was torn down.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-21
Counterfeit Presentment..


(From the Philadelphia Ledger.)
When the Department Of Agriculture was first
authorized by Congress to make free distribution
OF seeds the intention TO disseminate only
rare and uncommon sorts for honest experimental
purposes. This laudable purpose long ago
departed FROM and annually tons OF cheap and
worthless seeds are sent broadcast over the
country TO constituents Of Congressman. Efforts
to put n stop to this evil and return TO the
original praseworthy purpose have invariably
k.ar abnr
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-21
McI.nurir,-s Mistake.

(From the Philadelphia Record)
The attempt TO win the Southern Democracy
over to the advocacy OF protection could not
have been undertaken at a more unpromisng
time The drift Of the Republican party itself
is away from protection The iron. cotton. and
oil-produoing South needs the open rather than
the shut door. Senator MeIaurin has surely
carried his high tariff eggs to the wrong market !;
his fop Is a foretiooinei failure
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-21
A Hint to the War Office.

(From the Kansas City Starr
regiment Of cavalry makes a magnificent
spectacle The people OF Kansas City never saw
such i sight and may not in a generation.
Indeed. entire regiment Of cavalry is something
not seen in an American city since the civil
war. The contest with Spain did not include the
horse reviews attending former wars. The war
came and ended without the people seeing their
army save volunteer infantry regiments upon their
return 10 place OF enlistment. When the Presi-
dent comes to Kansas City it will be 4 proper
occasion for such Il display.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-21
Treasure for California University.


From the san Francisco Chroniele)
portrait painted in Egypt eighteen or
nineteen centuries ago has been purchased
for the University OF California from the
famou, Theodore GraI eollest.sa of an
tiquities- The paipffhg,s' N1hsN--,Srskc Necuted
on wood. is likeness OF a youlx girl.
1t is supposed 10 have been Scne lg
Greek artist resident in Egypt. -S1S Or more
copies of other portraits in TIE, Graf eoHcttion
are TO be made for th-- SirrSsrsity. 0ne. which
has been completed. is a portrait OF little girl
crowned with wreath OF gold The copies fol-
low the exact technique of the old Greek paint
ers. Other copies are being made from the
Flinders-Petrie Graeco-Roman paintings from
the Fayoum, which are in the National Gal
lery in London. Prof Alfred Emerson. who is
Mrs. Hearst's agent for the formation OF
museum OF classical art for the university. is
having large number of statuettes in bronze
made in Paris after famous antiquities of the
same material.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-21

(trom the Hartford tourlnt-)
Six years in the pententiary. That's the
tcncc passed by the United States circuit court
at Charleston. : &. George F. McClay, PEN
sion shark. There were four counts against him
and he pleaded guilty every of them 1t
would be great thing for the country, the treas
ury, the old soldiers and the honest pension at
torncys If all the raScals Of MeClays stripe were
in the pcnitentiary. We haven't a doubt that Nc
CLAY highly dsapproyes of Commissioner Evans
administration OF the Pension Bureau
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-21

(From the Cincinnati Commercial Tribune)
We welcome German immigrants TO the United
States. We need them. Germany could. for
some years send us half a million Of its sons and
daughters without seriously depicting its
population. They may expect the glad hand OF
fellowship in every section Of this Republic.
Wherever they go they will the seeds OF
those domestic and civic virtues which adorn
true citizenship and strengthen free institutions.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-21
The weakness of Torpedo Boats.


To obtain the enormous speed with wl.ich they
credited, every factor OF safety has to he cut
down to the last limit. In some Of the modern
torpedo boats built in this country, intended to
give a speed Of thirty knots, the engine power
Is estimated a, twenty horsepower for each
ton Of displacement. a ratio almost Ten times as
great as that Of our fastest cruiser. the Minnea-
polls When il comes to making OF these
rorfcdo destroyers in real service il is quite
j question whether they will not be found more
otter in the repair shop than in condition
iof actiye duty
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-21
Guba's Destiny.
Trom the St. Louis cIobe-Demo.

(From the 81. Louis Cobe-Democrat)
Cuba, at best can be but a miniature nation.
Its population /. tot much larger than that OF
Philadelphia. What form Cuban sentiment will
take in dealing with the present situation can
not be foreseen, but ii calm sanity agd unerring
judgment prevail II will ask for sdniittance TO
the United States Territory. and therein will
lind its freest we'll most prosperous estate.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-21

Mr. Loomis, our Minister to Venezuela.
has been four days in New York, and
yesterday the State Department people
were wondering why he had not reported
promptly when the Administration had
placed guuboat at his disposal to expe-
dite his arrival. We do not ourselves
know the explanation of his delay 1t
could not possibly be that the headquar-
tiers OF the Asphalt Trust are in New York
ard not in Washington!
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-21
A Pointed Que.tien.

CFrom the indianapolis News.)
Industrial combinations may reduce expenses,
but if the saving is to go to the promoters,
where is the general goodf
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-21

People in Washington should not be too
hard on the Weather Bureau. On yes
terday, with terrific snowstorms roaring
all over Kentucky. Ohio, and New York
the District was free from everything IN
pleasant save one of those gentle raini
which spring brings with its 'diphtherial
miidness." IT was just such a downfall
as farmers like and early vegetables ap-
prove. Let us be thankful that the beau
tiful snow has not been minded to waste
its charms upon US at this stage of the
season.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-21
they will &c

Press dispatches from Manila assert
that no matter how much the Administra-
ton may denounce reports of widespread
rGscality in the service as exaggerated.
no doubt is entertained on the ground
that the commissary frauds will be found
enormous. If anything like Il fair and
thorough investigation shall be had. The
public was duly warned year ago of the
prevalence Of corruption and loot, as well
as smU: Cling and trade with the insur-
gents, in the Philippines. Nothing could
surprise it from that quarter.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-08-13

Here arises the first great query of
the opponents of Admiral Schley as to
the wisdom of his course after the re
ceipt of this dispatch. He was in bad
shape for coal. his squadron was not
in the best of condition. His oppon-
ents say he should have obeyed orders
even if he lost every vessel he had.
He contends that the safety of his
squadron was his first consideration,
and that a commander at sea must
necessarily know better what he ought
to do than bureau chief on dry land
at Washington.
Schley's Defense.
However this may be. he sent this
message to Washington:
"Merrimac engines disabled; sea is
heavy: am obliged to have towed to
Key West. Have been absolutely un-
able to coal the Texas, Marblehead.
Vixen. Brooklyn from collier, all ow-
ing to very rough sea- Bad weather
since leaving Key West. The Brook
Ign alone has more than sufficient coal
to proceed to Key West. Cannot re-
main off Santiago present state squad
ran coal account. Impossible to coal
leeward Cape Cruz in the summer, all
owing to southwesterly winds. Much
to be regretted cannot obey orders of
department. Have striven earnestly;
forced to proceed for coal to Key West
by way of Yucatan passage. Cannot
ascertain anything respecting enemy
positive. Very difficult to tow collier,
to get cable to hold
.,...,
ga" WV 0o'''eo op'
Schley steamed westward that day
toward Key West until a calm sea be-
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-08-13
TIM E EXTENDED.
Options Secured by Milwaukee Extend
ed for One Month.

Some time ago the Chicago. Milwau-
kee & ST. Paul railway secured options
on property in this city along the pro-
posed route of the new cutoff just
north of the c., R. /. & P. tracks. At
that time the options were to expire
on the first day of August. Since
there has been a delay in the work, it
was necessary to extend the time of
the options secured in the city. This
work has been completed by FL. A.
Sutherland and Attorney H. NJ Eicher.
The time was extended until the first
of September. Mr.. Sutherland, the
right-ofway man, was called to OF
tumwa last week to secure some right
of-way for the new track to be built
along the company's Kansas City line.
He has returned and hos gotten down
to solid work in this county again.
The options secured in the country ex-
tend until the first week in Septem Der,
Washington Journal
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-08-13
WAS A FABRICATION.
Story of Experiences of Iowa Ladies in
Europe Was Untrue.

Apparently the story which went
the rounds of the newspapers a short
time ago relative to the trip of num-
Der of Iowa ladies' through Europe,
and of which party Mrs. S. l.. McGavic
of this city is member has caused
trouble. Concerning the matter Des
Moines paper says:
Aletter received from one ola party
of dozen Des Moines girls who are
touring Europe together indicates that
they have been subjected to an entire
ly unjustifiaDie ipdignity at the hands
of man named Gessner. who is Unit
ed States consul or vice consul at &
small town in Switzerland, and that a
complaint is likely to be filed with the
state department against him on be.
half OF the young women. Their
friends declare they will insist on his
removal from his post.
His offense consisted of writing for
Chicago evening newspaper lurid
account of the alleged experiences OF
the party of Des Moines girls in Eu.
rope. The story told of their various
exploits, represented them as having
visited the resorts of Paris and as hav
ing INDUCED in midnight lunches in
questionable restaurants. The article
asserted that 1t was represented to the
Europeans that the girls were heiress
es and as a consequence many of them
had received proposals of marriage
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-08-13

n, 4, ~, ~
lore remain on that port. me wasp
was was seht On lhe .tth 70 ocnles anu
lloia sampson auvlslhs MN tnat dalls
ooiihoeii,iai lepofts stated lnaI Sei'
VERA nau peeh w osu'iaso from May
10 ~ Nay 20. ne was oiuelea " pro
cega " .hat port at once.
neioie och,ey eouiu leply 10 .hese
oluels IVY ui7p ,a run nlin y
sampson ua'eu May 20, Wele .eeeIveo
ny lhe lallei. oGllies slaleu III 'nese
nc, ia, eoaliits oii '. o"ins "
satisfied CerveraI was not there and
that he would at once go eastward,
but that on account of short coal sup
ply in his ships he could not blockade
the Spanish squadron if it was at
Santiago. but would proceed to the
vicinity of the Mole ST Nicholas, on
the western coast of Hayti, from which
point he would communicate. !,
Schlsy's ORDERS.
. -, ..,,;. >,,+ :, "a
70, WEI for COL bi,esa1f b,+ heforn
a.; !, 49, -, ~ col,1o,,
~ .oias 81 ~ ~ i,is ,pn CT;
900 % al hoz.,ds oss,,rainr ira +hn
Snon;s,, roesals no 81 tbs+ no,t ;,
Sp,rnsn, a,,i,,od 81 1Se, Wet IN Ma,,
90 a pI +han nsh,aa Snhiar ~ asnartain
aofnita,r r. Ca,.,ara ,,-ar at Son+ieao
In Az r,aontina soh1ar tef, Sienfne
10y +hn a,,a,,;no ~ ~ os+h ana ~,
tha oe+h was witb;n went mi,as of
,Sa,,+jaan whara tha somedron sto,,ned
for i1 ,anoi,s - tha Marrir,ao pba+ :
niah+ ha sian.Iad tha soradran.
En- ..nas si Ka~ u 'a ui. south
s;da 80 rnha anS yro 49, o .,. gu" ss
s snon as cn,,ie " &c r a Snaad i've a
800, 'p' iA'A'1
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-08-13

tered upon active duty until after the
declaration of war, nor in reality until
after May l, when Deweys victory far
east was known.
Preliminaries.
On May 2 the Key West squadron
sailed for Cuba under command of
Rear Admiral Sampson. Following
this was the naval fighting at Carda-
mas, the bombardment of San Juan by
Sampson. On May Is the navy de-
partment received word that the Span
ish squadron of Admiral Cervera was
west of Martinique, the Windward Is
lands. Later Sampson was advised
that it was off Curacao. He was or
dered to proceed to Key West at once,
to which point Schleys flying squad
ron had also been ordered. Both
squadrons reached Key West, coaled,
and awaited orders. ga" s = 81.
Schley Leaves hey West.
The flying squadron under Schley.
was the first to be ordered out. Com
posed of the Brooklyn, Texas, Massa-
| chusetts and Scorpion. it was directed
to proceed to Cienfuegos, Cuban port
near Havana, and to blockade the
same. The Spanish squadron was
supposed to be headed for that port,
and Schley was clearly intended to in
tercept it. So confident was Washing
ton that he would find Cervera at Glen
fuegos that the Iowa, Castine and the
collier Merrimac were sent to join him
there after he had set his battle ships
| on their course.
Locating Cervera.
But after he had left Key West the
| navy department was informed that
| Cervera was at Santiago, and advised
| Sampson to so instruct Schley. The
Marblehead was sent to Schley advis,
| ing him that the Spanish squadron
| was probably at Santiago, and direct
| ing him, if he were satisfied that it
was not at Cienfuegos, to proceed with
all dispatch to Santiago, and upon ar.
| rival there to establish communica-
| lions with some of the Inhabitants and
ascertain definitely whether the ships
| were in port or not. Schley received
| these dispatches May %.
! According to the official records at
! Washington on May 20 Sampson re.
| ceived advices from Key West that
| Cervera was at Santiago on May 81
Sampson, therefore, on May 20 left
off his Havana blockade and sailed
| for St Nicholas Channel, intending to
| occupy that in such manner as to
prevent the approach of the Spanish
squadron in that direction. There he
received information on the oath that
Cervera was still at Santiago.
Orders and Answers.
On May 26 he heard from Schley to
| the effect that the latter was not sat
| isfied that Cervera was not in Cienfue
COS harbor, and that he would there
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-08-13

the position that the advancement of
peril to the country was a recognition
of the "tactician" class of officers. Of
tense was taken by the sea dos" class,
of which Captain Schley was typical
member The sinking of the Maine
and the failure Of this nation to in
stantly attack Havana from the sea
had more Or less angered the men OF
the navy who believed less in diplom-
acy and more in fighting, who felt that
Washington, with it's cabals, turmoil
and politics, could not appreciate sit
uation one-half as well as command
er on a quarter deck at sea and flying
the Stars and Stripes.
Politics Considered.
The "sea dog men of the navy took
the selection of Captain Sampson for
their superior as a direct political slap
at themselves; an intimation that no
matter how many years man remain
ed at sea, nor how many battles he
fought, he could be deprived of his
honors at any time by a landsman
who had political influence Of course
the ''tacticians'' resented this sort of
talk, but long before Cervera sailed
for Cuba wide breach had opened in
the national navy-a nasty breach,
broadened every day by gossip, recrim-
nations, petty jealousies and all the
other bad things that go with human
nature. 1t should be written in justice
to both Captains Sampson and Schley
that at this time neither of them per-
sonally appear to have engaged in the
squabble.
Schley Southerner.
Captain Schley was of southern
BIRTH of gentle blood and fighting
stock He was favorite son of Mary
land. an impulsive, generous man and
born commander By nature lie is
dominant, even at times to brutality.
He is fierce opponent of sham, hy-
pocrisy and false pretensions. He is a
fighter ana not a student; much
stronger believer in national dignity
than the average congressman, and a
poor politician.
1t was physical impossibility for
Captains Simpsons and Schley to ever
be personal friends. Discreet and wise
superiors would never have brought
them into as close conjunction as they
were in the spring and summer of
1898. There was another source of
trouble.
Each Had Squadron.
The declaration of war with Spain
did not come until April %. but prior
to that time the navy department as
sembled two squadrons for active ma,
val duty-one called then the Key
West squadron, having for its purpose
the blockading of Havana, and the
other flying squadron. The first was
commanded by Sampson and the sec
ond by Schley. Neither squadron EN-,
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-08-13
LoNGcoR LOCATED.
Solution of the Mysterious Disappear.
ance of West End Man.
IFrom Fridays Daily.l

(From Fridays Daily.l
Milburn Longcor the man who dis
appeared Tuesday evening from his
home at 719 West Mechanic street,
and who it was thought had commit
ted suicide by drowning himself in the
water company's race near his home,
was found last evening by a searching
party composed of some of his neigh
bors.
Longcor was in a little log house in
a field short distance west of the
city, and had apparently been there
since Tuesday evening without any,
thing to eat He was nearly starved
when found. 1t is thought that he is
somewhat demented. He is an old sol
der and has. it is said, had consider
able trouble with his family, and it
may be that he has been temporarily
unbalanced on that account. He was
taken back home after being found.
He offers no explanation for his
strange conduct.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-08-13
GIRLS HOPES BLASTED.
Ell Reno First Prize Man is Avaricious
Takes Choice Land

Lawton, Ok. T., Aug. 7-When Miss
Matte Beals, who drew No. . in the
great Indian land lottery, stepped up
to the booth where the government Of
ficials were ready to record her choice
of land, she met with the btterest dis
appointment of her life.
In front of her stood James r. Wood,
the luckiest of all the homeseekers,
the man who had drawn No. |, and
who had first choice. Yesterday
great crowds thronged about the booth
ready to choose when their names
were called. Miss Beals had relied
with the utmost confidence upon
Woods choosing one OF the two quar-
ter sections adjoining the town site OF
Lawton. All about Lawton, with the
exception of the two quarter sections,
are government reservations, made for
various purposes, leaving the two
quarters the only land adjoining the
town site upon which settlers are per
mitted to file.
It was generally understood that
Wood would take his choice of these
two quarters, leaving the second one
for Miss Beals. but there was shock
in store for the girl.
Wood Takes Both Quarters
Wood, who was accompanied by his
attorney, claimed 100 acres of land
running the entire length of the town
site. His LAWYER asserted that, under
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-08-13

accountable; that his leaving Santa
go after once arriving there was
strange. and that his failure to turn
back until he got ready to was practi-
cal disobedience of orders.
More Criticism.
His critics were busy at Washing
ton and elsewhere while he remained
off Santiago. They found fresh mate
rial for attack when on May 81. with
the Massachusetts. Iowa and New Or
leans. he engaged the Colon in the en-.
trance to the harbor and the shore
batteries The engagement lasted
about an hour. with the loss of eight
men on the Reina Mercedes and no
damage to the American vessels
Schley asserted that this was but a
reconnaissance. but Washington asked
why the Colon was not destroyed.
Admiral Schley was very much in
disfavor at Washington all during the
month of June and throughout the
blockading of Cervera at Santiago. Ad-
miral Sampson was in charge of the
blockade, and devised al! the plans
for it. and gave the orders Indicating
how the vessels should act in the
event of Cervera's coming out.
Irony of Fate.
1t was perhaps the irony of fate or
something else equally unexplainahe
that on the morning of July 8. 1898.
Admiral Schley should have been the
ranking officer of the fleet at the mo,
ment when the first Spanish vessel
| poked her nose out of Santiago har-
| Dor and started on the dash for free
| dom.
Location of Ships.
When the Spanish fleet came out
! the flagship New York. having Admir-
! al Sampson on board was four miles
| east of her blockading station and sew
| en- miles from the harbor entrance.
/ The New York was steaming rapidly
! for Sibony, where Admiral Sampson
was TO have Il conference with Gen
eral Shafter The Indiana was at heI
| blockading station, to the east of the
harbor and Il mile and half from
land. The Oregon. Iowa, Texas ant
| Brooklyn were two miles from shore
and west of the harbor. The Glouces
i ter was just east of the harbor en-
| trance.
The Battle Starts.
The Spanish vessels came out at q
speed ranging from eight to ten knots
an hour. the Maria Teresa leading
They began firing the instant they
sighted the American vessels. As
their course. was directed they were
most directly headed for where the
Brooklyn, with Admiral Schley or
board lay, and as Admiral Cervera af
terward stated. they intended to sinl
the Brooklyn if possible
The Brooklyn and the Iowa were the
first two American vessels to discove!
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-08-13

from unknown dukes and titled men.
A letter from Miss Margaret Jones,
one of the party, states that there was
no foundation for the article, but that
Gessner met them and they had few
minutes conversation with him and
he made the story out of his magma
tion and sold it to the Chicago paper.
The party is being chaperoned by
Mrs. Macomber who has had expert
ence in travelling in Europe, and at the
time the article appeared the relatives
of the girls were much concerned
about it.