davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-06-20
GUESTS FLEE
IN A PANIC
FROM WEST .BADEN's BIG BURN
ING HOTEL.
NO LIVES ARE SACRIFICED
But Many Thrilling Experiences Occur
NO Time to Dress or Save Wear
ing AppareI-Large Quantities of
JeweIry Destroyed-Quarter Mil.
lion Loss.

West Baden, Ind, June 15.-The
Mineral Springs hotel, one Of the best
known hostelries in the state, was
totally destroyed by Ere early yester-
day, 1tailing a loss estimate at :.
quarter million dollars with insurance
aggregating only $4,000. In addition
to this the loss in diamonds, jewelry
and clothing belonging to guests will,
it is estimated, reach $4,000. 1t is be-
lieved that all of the 26S persons in
the building when the flames were dis,
covered escaped safely, though there
were thrilling experiences, the guests
being obliged to grope their way
through binding smoke to the exits
leaving their personal effects and
clothing behind. 1t is said that only
twelve guests managed to save their
wearing apparel. The conflagration
originated about l o'clock in the
kitchen on the ground floor immedi
ately under the rows of sleeping
rooms, all of which were occupied
The fire was discovered by the night
Waterman who attempted to eXtin
guish the blaze with hand grenades
but, failing in this, he rushed to the
Office and notified the night clerk
Together they ran through the halls
kicking open the doors and rousing
the inmates. The electric light circuit
was soon burned out and the building
was left in darkness. In 80 minutes
the entire building was mass of ruins
Women dressed in night robes and
mems Overcoats and hats and shoes
mingled in the crowd and congratulated
each other on their narrow escape
The proprietor Of the little country
store did a thriving business, those
who were fortunate enough to save
any money in the mad rush for safety
cleaning out his entire stock of weai.
| ing apparel regardless of it's character
Amy Leslie, a theatrical critic of the
Chicago News, who had been at the
hotel two weeks, escaped with nothing
! but her night robes. Her travelins
wardrobe later consisted of a night
| dress, a gentleman's shirt which she
purchased at the village store and !
bath robe.
There were many narrow escapes
from serious injury One gentleman
from st. Paul is said to have locked
his door and lost the key. He wa,
nearly suffocated when the door wa:
broken in. The building was provided
with fireescapes and on the front o.
the building, extending from tn;
| ground to the roof. was an escape
built in a spiral form. Down this many
i guests reached the ground. During
the rush for safety four ladies became
wedged in the spiral escape While
in this position some one on the up
per floors started a small trunk doWr
the inner shoot. The ladies were al
bruised. Nearly all the guests left
for homes later in the day, the rail
roads furnishing transportation to al
who were in need.
West Baden mineral springs is one
| Of the most famous resorts in the west
| The hotel was erected some twelve
years ago by J. M. Persise of Salem
Ind, Later L. w. Sinclair and E. B
| Rhodes of West Baden became associ
ated with him.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-06-20
NEWS OF THE WORLD.
Suanish-American Islands.

Secretary Root ordered a large
number of officers to relinQuish easy
posts and join their regiments in
the Philippines.
The CUBAN constitutional conven-
ton is to enact an electoral law which
will be followed by the election OF
president and a congress.
British stockholders in Philippine
railway, whose claim for S2,384,0O
damages due to the war has not been
adjusted, are complaining that Uncle
Sam is losing his reputation for
prompt business action.
The adoption by Cuban constitu-
tional convention Of the conditions
imposed by congress leaves nothing
in the way of establishing a settled
government in the island. This will
be dole in a short time.
1t is expected that the Porto Rican
legislature will meet in extra session
next month to take steps toward the
establishment of free trade.
The Cuban constitutional conven-
zion finally accepted the Platt amend
mCHL III Inc L6ILIo ItqulI GU w tI1C
United States The fear of annexa,
ton acted as a spur.
Governor Allen of Porto Rico has
given the free trade problem earnest
consideration. Treasurer HollandeI
has presented to him report showing
that when the law shall have gone
into full force, July l, the islands
revenues will be sufficient for the isl
and's maintenance without the Gus
toms duties on trade between Porto
Rico and the United States.
In the trials of the officers of the
43d regiment on the charge of bribery
and permitting trade with the closed
ports of the southern part Of the Isl
and of Leyte, Surgeon Dudley Welcf
confessed and made damaging state
ments against Captain Michael Spell
man and Lieutenant Delbert Jones
WEIGH refunded 1000 pesos, his share
of the spoils. The president of Maasar
Ueyte) has been arrested, charged
with being implicated in the transac
tions.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-06-20

labor law, prohibiting owners Of manu-
stores and shops, from working female
employees for more than sixty hours
week, is constitutional.
Miss Bessie Jackson, adopted daugh-
ter of R. G. Flower, a dairyman at
Poplar Springs, suburb Of Atlanta,
Ga, was found murdered near her
home. She had been missing since
Thursday. A negro boy has been
arrested on suspicion.
George H. Phillips, the Chicago
corn operator, was given banquet by
National Grain Growers association
at st. Paul. In speech he advocates
the establishment at Chicago of i'm
mense government granarieS and 4
S50,000,000 farmers bank.
Charles Sexton James, father Of
Rev. ]. S. James, of Altoona, is dead
at Cascade, Mont From 1851 to 1877
he was professor of mathematics and
natural philosophy at Bucknen college
| and was later president OF
MonOngahela college, near Pittsburg.
Mother Amedus, mother general OF
the Sisters of Charity of the diocese
| Of Cleveland, died at the convent in
Lakewood, O., aged so years. She had
| been in the convent for forty years
| In secular life she was Katherine
| O'Neill, and had sisters living in Chi
cago.
James H. Littlefield, formerly 2
banker in Houston, Texas, was founc
| dead in bed at his residence in New
York city. Death was caused BY
heart disease. He was 6S years old
and had resided in Houston until las
August, when he went to New Yorl
after retiring from business.
The government June crop repor
suggests a wheat yield of GIT ,000,0
bushels and an oats yield of GOT 900,
900 bushels. The wheat figures, while
very large, are much less than private
crop statisticians have been assuming
The oats percentages suggest 100000,
geo bushels less than last year.
Captain Frederick D. KountZ, son o
/ General J. S. Kountz, eX-commander
in-chief Of the G. A. R., died suddenl!
of acute pneumonia at Toledo. H
was a captain of volunteers in tn
:, Spanish war and served on the staff o
i General Frederick D. Grant He wa
awaiting an appointment to the regu
lar army
The board of regents of the Uni
versity of Iowa elected Dr. L. w. Deal
OF Iowa City state physician to tn
school of the blind at Vinton, to tn
chair of GEOLOGY, rhinology AM
laryngology in the college of medicin
Of the University of Iowa, vice Dr.
Robertson, resigned to accept a pos
ton in Chicago medical school.
Some significant changes were mad
in the board of directors of the Amer
can Linseed company when the follow
ing members were elected: John L
Rockefeller, Jr.; E. Prentiss, hi
brother-in-law; F. F. Gates, George E
Murray, L. H. Bowers, J. A. Mclean
John D. Rodgers, E. M. Gary, F. J
Lovatt and w A. Jones. 1t is genera
: ly believed that the linseed compan,
has completed arrangements to cor
solidate with the Union Lead and Oh
. company
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-06-20
OLD APOTHECARY ART,
Curious Customs of Heaters in Ancient
Times.

In the old days the Magi ordained
i that the Pyrethrum parthenium (the
fever-feW) should be gathered with
the left hand" says the Humanitarian,
that the fevered patients name must
be spoken forth, and that the herbalist
must not look behind him"
Later we hear that ''gout was
treated with henbanes only when the
moon was in Aquarius or Pisces-i e..
three times year, before sunset. It
must be dug up with the thumb and
third fingey of the left hand, when one
must say: I declare, l declare, holy
wort to thee! l invite thee tomorrow
to the house of Fileas to stop the
rheum of the feet of NJ or N. and say,
invite thee, the great name, Jehovah,
SABBATH the God, who steadied the
earth and staid the sea, the filler of
flowing rivers, who dried up Lots
wife and made her pillar of salt,
take the breath of thy mother earth
and her power and dry the rheum of
the feet and hands Of NJ. Or NJ"
Henry VIII, who studied medicine
and took great interest in inventing
new mixtures and remedies, devised
many quaint 'cramp" rings to be worn
for the cure Of rheumatism and curl
1us liniments and cataplasms, for the
'ull benefit of which large amount
IF faith was necessary.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-06-20

dren of American globe-trotters lack
capacity for culture.
The Russian submarine boat, which
is being constructed in the most
secret manner at a French port, will
be ready for trial in August 1t is
claimed that the boat will be able to
cross the Atlantic in two days and I.
half.
The International Machinists' as
ISOLATION almost unanimously voted
down a resolution pledging the as.
! ISOLATION to socialism 1t was also de
| cided that a certificate of death from
be recognized in a claim for death
| benefits.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-06-20
WELL-DRESSED sEGGARS.
increasing Swarm That 8otehrs {
BROOKLYN Woman

Never before in the twenty years
have lived here were we so pestere6
by beggars as of ate'' said a Brooklyn
woman. "Yet their numbers do not
surprise me SO much as their appear
ance
They used to be a ragged and hun
| CRY looking lot that passed from door
70 door. It is different nowadays
viii but few exceptions they are now
well washed well fed, we'll spoken
especially, well dressed. Three such
supplicants came to my door yester-
day within few minutes of one an
other Had you met the three in my
parlor you would not have thought
them out of place
The first was a strapping young
fellow, quite good looking, who wore a
neat business suit of blue serge. His
linen was scrupulously clean.
"T don't want anything of any
kind | said, when l opened the door
and caught sight of him, for I made
up my mind quickly that he must be
some kind of agent
but do he replied, coolly. 4
am in serious distress and the small
est help would be welcome
There was something in his voice
that made me slam the door without
waiting to hear more. Some ten
minutes later there came a woman of
about 40 years, wearing a large hat
full Of artificial flowers, a close-itting.
tailor-made jacket and a black silk
skirt don't think l have a finer
skirt myself.
Whom do you want, madame?' II
asked, thinking that she had rung the
bell Of the wrong house.
Could you possibly let a poor,
desolate woman with three fatherless
children have quarter?' she began.
Or a dime would do, if you cannot
afford to give more
That was enough of her. She was
hardly out of sight when the bell |
called me to the door again. Out
side stood an old man with white |
lair and the 1oveliest Burnside !
Fh1skers white as pure snow. On his
lead he had a silk hat that shone like
mirror. The rest of his dress was
n keeping with his hat-an oyercoat
Il modern cut, gray creased trousers,
lraD-colored CATERS and patent leather
noes. | caught glimpse of bright
lecktle with a scarfpin between the
White, spotless collar and the coat.
For moment l suspected him of
eing our landlord, whom l had never
cen. Deem Of my surprise when he
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-06-20
Foreign.

Baron Rothschild of Paris is serious
ly ill.
British exports and imports for May
show a decrease.
A gold dollar in Colombia is now
worth 80 paper dollars.
The French senate began the debate
on the law of associations.
Sultan Ibrahim of Wadai, in the
, Soudan, has been assassinated.
The duke and duchess of Cornwall
and York has arrived at Auckland
N. q.
Sir Walter Besant and Robert
Buchanan, noted authors, died in Eng.
land.
Jesse F. Carpenter, inventor of the
Carpenter brake, died at Nauheim
Germany.
Sarah Bernhard arranged in Lon
don to play Romeo in America to
Maude Adams Juliet.
Half of the s26,5O0 won by Foxhall
Keene's horse in the English Oaks
was given to a London hospital.
j. T. Morgan is reported in London
to be planning an Anglo-American
bank with a billion dollars capital.
An embassy from the sultan of
Morocco arrived in London to con
graduate King Edward on his Access
sion.
The Halifax Chronicle advises
Canada to develop an army in prepare
ton for possible war with the United
States.
The cruiser New Orleans has been
sent to Korea, where American com
mercial interests are said to be
threatened.
Premier Sagasta announces that the
Spanish government will issue a loan
for territorial defense and reorganiza-
ton of the navy.
Austria, still smarting under the
Whipping given Spain by the United
States, is strongly urging European
tariff war against America.
A receiver was placed in charge of
the Figaro while the Paris courts
settle the question who is entitled
to the management of the paper.
Admiral Sir Edward H. Seymour, in
a speech at Shanghai said that Great
Britain would have to reckon some
day with Germany's naval power.
Herr Mauthner, president of the
Vienna chamber of commerce, declar-
ed IN a speech that the chief danger to
Austrian trade was from America.
Sir John Tenniel, the aged car
toonist of Punch, was given a COM |
dinner by distinguished
men of letters, artists, and political |
leaders of London.
The plan for a coup d'etat in France
vas foiled by the death of Colonel
V1llebois-Mareuil in the Transvaal,
who was to have been the leader in
he uprising to restore the royalists.
MaXReg1s, the notorious Jew batter of
who was recently wounded in
duel with NJ. Labordesque, fought
duel with Gerault Richard, Paris
newspaper editor, and was again
wounded.
At San Geronimo, Mex, Sonora
madly jealous of a
spanish priest named Marcio, on &C
cunt OF another woman, entered the
'rlests church during the hour of conf
ession and shot him dead.
Speaking Of DR.. Harper's plan to
establish branches Of the University !
t Chicago in Europe, Dr.. Walker of
It. PauPs, London, says the idea is $
impractical, and adds that the chill !
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-06-20
Just Like Him.

Fogg-''Bass tells me that there is
nothing like equestrian exercise. He
says he is positively delighted with
it."
Fenderson-'H'm! Just like Bass.
It's all talk. I see him almost every
day out horseback riding, SO he can't
possibly have any time for this
equestrian exercise he raves about
Boston Transcript.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-06-20
Farsighted.

Farsighted-''So your rich uncle is
farsighted?'
McSwitters-@tYes, he's so far
sighted that he can't bring his near
relations into his range of vision
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-06-20

sarah Bernhard visited the british
house of commons the other day and
was treated with the Difference Eng
Hshmen pay a queen.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1901-03-21
The smothering Scene.

AS to stage appointments, there
were no plush or velvet curtains or
couches draped with satin in early
days. The furniture was as unpreten-
tious as the costumes. Indeed on one
occasion when lady was playing Des-
demona to her husbands Othello q dis
astrous and Mt the same time ludcrous
effect, though of course unrehearsed,
had been imminent through the lack of
even a nail or two to make an old stool
steady.
1t was the smothering scene, and the
couch was made up of two chairs and a
rickety stool covered. of course, with
the simplest draperies-a red merino
curtain trimmed with yellow worsted
fringe. Imagine Desdemona endeav-
oring to recline gracefully, all the while
feeling portions of her couch sliding
from under her. This is how the scene
was played out:
Desdemona-Kul me tomorrow let me live to-
night. Qm falling, dearD
0thello-Nay. if you strive (Keep quite still. }
Desdemona-But half an hour. (Oh hold me y
othello-Being done. there is no pause. Q'll
push the stool under)
Desdemona-But while say prayer. (Do be
quick. Robert, il is slippingD
othello-It is too latel
Which. indeed. il was. for the bed col
lapsed. and Desdemonas body lay up
on the floor, her head upon the sole
chair, which stuck to its post faithful
ly.-Gentleman's Magazine.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1901-03-21
Obeyed OrtIern.

One OF the officials of the road had
invited a party of gentlemen to take a
little pleasure excursion over a part of
the line on his private car. Before the
appointed day he was taken sick and
called in his chef and commissary.
"Eph." he said, Il have asked these
friends and can neither go with them
nor disappoint them. | want you TO
Five them the best there is i'm the larder
and see that it is served as well as it
would be at the best hotel in the
world"
Eph scratched his head and looked
troubled, but simply said, yes. sab"
On the return several of the gentle
men congratulated the official upon
having such a man." and one or two
intimated that if Eph ever wanted an
other position he would have no trou-
bic in securing it.
Finally Eph reported. 1T wa a great
outin. sab" he assured his employer.
"Yas, sab: OATS right. sab; a stupen-
dificious outln, sab. De gem'men all
done me proud. and | tells 'em it wa
you, sab"
Then Eph showed the bill, and it was
a sumner for length and amount. He
stood hat in hand until the official said
Pretty steep Eph; pretty steep. Moth
ing left out and nothing but the best"
Oats right, sab. | was fusticated
mos to deaf, sab, but ! jes' says to my
self. sab, dat dey was no greater epicac
in de Ian dan you is, and | bought and
cooked and served, sab. jes' like it wa
you."-Detroit Free Press.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1901-03-21
A Dreadful Moment.

A conductor on the Park line had an
experience the other day that is quite
certain to cause him many uncomforta.
bic minutes I'm the future. His car
stopped at Spruce street TO let middle
aged lady on. and as she took her seat
the conductor gave the motormal two
bells. and the car shot ahead When
the conductor entered the car. the wo-
man In question was looking out Of the
window and did not see his outstretch.
ed hand.
Fare, please" remarked the con-
ductor.
The woman evidently did not hear
him. for she did not turn her head.
Neither did she hold out the necessary
coin.
"Fare. please" said the conductor in
louder tone.
But the woman paid no heed. Then
the conductor touched her on the shout
der and In tone Of voice that rang
through the car exclaimed:
your fare please, LADY,
Then the woman turned hastily
around and looked az the conductor.
The knight OF the bellcord gave one
gasp and fed TO the back platform.
The woman was his mother-in-law.-
Omaha World Herald
Peptorene Tablets cure Constipation.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1901-03-21
J. e. FERGUSON

was called upon to discuss ''Sociability,
a need OF our Republican clubs. He
first asked that all would rise and join
in singing "America" which they did
with vim and energy. He then pro-
ceeded to consider his subject saying
that it was his belief that permanent
headquarters should be maintained
where all could be welcomed at all
times aud where regular and frequent
gatherir gs could be held, discussions
had upon topics of interest, questions
asked and answered aad everyone
made to feel at home and that friend
" interest was taken in them.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1901-03-21

The Republican party 10 responsible
for our sound monetary system which
Is the foundation OF all our commercial
success. Our party will undertake in
"a statesman like and business like man
ner To extend our commerce TO all for
eign countries, thereby enlarging and
stimulating our industries, utilizing
our capital and giving employment to
our labor.
w. ID. BALLOU
Was the last speaker, his subject be-
ing "The Trusts" He told several
funny stories, creating much merri-
ment, then settled down TO a more
serious consideration OF his subject.
He said the general spirit and tendency
OF the majority were to condemn them
as being entirely bad and without any
redeeming features. He wished TO
take another standpoint. He thought
they were good deal like most every
thing else, there were good ones and
there were bad ones. When by COM
bined strength they were able TO sell
the American people some article
cheaper than it had been before, yet pay
their help as much, and leaving them
a fair profit, they were good and bene-
fetal. But when using their strength
TO extract abnormal profits they were
bad. The great and wonderful growth
In our foreign trade relations which
had several times been cited he thought
largely made possible by these same
strong combinations and would have
been almost impossible without them.
We should not allow our prejudices to
blind us to the fact that there is very
apt to be two sides to question and
consider both fairly.
After giving three hearty cheers for
Mckinley and Roosevelt the gathering
broke up, each one firmly convinced
that such banquet ought to be held
annually in Beldlng hereafter.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1901-03-21
Night Was Her Terror,

81 would cough nearly all mig ht long "
writes Mrs. Chas. Apologize, OF Alex
andria, Ind, ''and could hardly get any
sleep. had consumption so bad that
il | walked block | would cough
frightfully and spit blood, but when
all other medicines failed. three 81 .OO
bottles OF DR.. Kings New Discovery
wholly cured me and / gained So
pounds" Its absolutely guaranteed Ia
cure Coughs, Colds, LaGrippe. Bron.
chitis and allThroat and LungTroubles
Price soc and 81 90. Trial bottles free
at Cornell Bros drug store.