davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-05-09

power, at least with reference to the
east. Only forty years ago in China
began the march of the missionaries
and since great has been the growth
of American interests. The trade we
now have is but beginning. Ever
growing are the means of commune
cation. A new line of steamers now
plies from Hong Kong to San Fran
cisco, stopping at Manila, and another
has been established between Hong
Kong and Australia,
1t is proper that the intelligent cit
liens of this great republic should
begin to feel an increased concern
about the orient. The future will
doubtless prove that the siege of Pc
king was the turning point. Out of
those dreadful days good is likely to
come. AT present our trade with the
east has been lessened, but it is only
temporary staying.
1 wish l had time to tell you thu
story of the siege. But doubtless you
know all l do and perhaps a grea!
deal more. Naughter.) But i will.
stop long enough to say that the at.
tacks on the legation were made by
imperial troops, led by Chinese
princes under the Chinese flag. We
were in no danger from the Boxers.
Every cannon pointed against us was
an imperial cannon. The whole re.
sponsibility rests upon the Chinese
| government. / know reports have
gone out to the world that the i'm.
perial government found it impossible
! to suppress formidable insured
ton and was not guilty beyond SUI
| pineness. This is not true. The fault
was with the recognized Chinese off,
Gals. am glad to add, however, that
those responsible for the attacks have
been punished or are on the way TIC
punishment. am persuaded that the
more progressive Chinese in southern
China are glad that there has been
punishment. The imperial govern.
ment itself is glad, and there will
never be repetition of such scenes
The lesson has been taught and will
never be forgotten. / prophesy good
for the future. The saddest thing is
that we cannot bring back the de.
voted and heroic missionaries who
| persisted to the number of 200, but
they will be satisfied with the know.
ledge that out of the seed of Their
martyrdom has come advancement
and progress.
Mr.. Conger closed his speech by
telling of a message sent by his secre
tary and his wife, Mr.. and Mrs. w. Il
cambridge, to their old friends il
Council Bluffs. Mr.. Conger sat down
amid prolonged handclapping.
John N. Baldwin reviewed briefly
the career of Mr.. Conger and paid
!, him glowing eulogy.
c. G. Saunders spoke of the policy
of the United States in the east
and Senator Dolliver on the service
Iowa has rendered the nation.
A. B. Cummins eloquently responded
to the toast, Westward the Star Of
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-05-09
POINTS OUT SAGE C0URl
Gage Says America Has Little
Fear From European Powers.

Washington, May An Important
and highly significant interview was'
given the RecordHerald by Secre-
tary of the Treasury Gage, who is
now, in the absence of the presi-
dent, virtually at the head of the
American government.
The secretary replles to those
European statesmen who have sug-
gested an international combination
against the United States and tells
them such combination is impos-
sible. He intimates that we are,
as q nation, so strong in our re-
sources of men, money and war ma
terial that the world would not dare
attack us, even if there was any
thing to be gained by doing so.
At the same time he warns Amer
leans that although they have made
rapid strides to the front and have
assumed leadership of the world in
all the elements of national power,
they must not permit themselves to
become intoxicated with success.
American foreign policy, the secre-
tary cautiously points out, must be
prudent and equitable, in order to-
avoid giving justification for the sus-
picions which are now so rife in the,
old world.
More important than all. perhaps,
the secretary of the treasury sug-
gests that we can keep up our great
export trade only by adoptinn of
the principle of give and take
through reciprocity arrangements
that if we expect to sell to others
we must buy from themand that
therefore our tariff walls must be
intelligently scaled.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-05-09
JACKSONVILLE STRICKEN
Fire Covers Over One Hundred and
Thirty Blocks.

Jacksonville, Fla, May 1.-THE most
disastrous fire in the history OF the
city began yesterday shortly after
noon in small factory from de-
fective wire, according to the best
belief, and burned for nearly ten
hours. In that time property dam
age in the city estimated at from $780,
100000 to $l5,0oO,Oo0 occurred.
According to the city map 1870
blocks We're burned, many of them
i'll the heart of the business and resi-
dence sections of the city. The esti-
hence 1900 of them went up in smoke.
buildings were destroyed, including
dences.
The casualties cannot be accurately
estimated. That there were several
seems to be we'll authenticated.
Among them was the fire chief who
sustained bad fall. The mayor or
dered all the saloon closed and has
impressed help to clear the wreckage.
The mayor at late hour said that
he estimated the loss at $15,OO0,O00
and that 10000 to $4,000 people were
homeless. At a. m. the situation is
one approaching desolation in large
section of the city.
The burned district reaches from
Burbridge street on the north to the
St. Johns river ON the south, dis
lance of not quite two miles. The
width of not quite two miles. The
blocks. Within this space practically
everything is blackened ruins. On
Bay street, the principal mart of
trade, the Western Union Telegraph
company's building is the first build
ing standing gong west. Everything
east of Laura bay is gone. At 1915
o'clock p. m. the fire was under con-
troll, having burned itself out. The
suburban settlements in the direction
of La Villa are intact. The railroad
depots have been turned into tempo
rary lodging houses and hospitals.
Jacksonville, Fla, May 6.-Jackson-
ville's great fire has burned itself out
One hundred and forty-eight blocks
of a beautiful city have been laid
waste. The loss will not be known
even approximately for a week, but
it is believed will amount to $1O,OOO,.
O00
There are many rumors afoat OF
loss of life, but as every undertaken
in the city was burned out it is i'm.
| possible to obtain an official report
One story which is persistently re.
iterated is to the effect that party
of men and women driven to The
docks by the fire We're compelled tc
jump into the water and that several
| of them We're drowned. Mrs. Hogan
negro woman, was burned in he,
house and her charred remains were
buried by friends.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-05-09
THROWN INTO THE DITCH
Awful Collision on the Burlington
at Thayer.

Ottumwa, May T.-While rounding
curve at high rate of speed and
on the down grade in the town of
Thayer. Engineer S. ID. Brown, OF
Burlington passenger train No. B.,
saw, few hundred feet ahead of him,
an engine attached to freight train
making frantic endeavors to back on
to siding to get clear of the incom-
ing train. Engineer Brown applied
the air. threw on the sand and stolid-
ly awaited the crash. 1t came, and
with it went out the brave engineers
life, while at least thirty passengers
We're injured. The injured were hur-
ried to Creston on a special, after
their injuries were attended to. 1t
wrecks the Burlington has had the
misfortune to have in years.
The little town of Thayer is situat-
ed in deep ravine. The grade on
each side is very steep. A heavy
train, in going down one hill is COM
PEELED to put on steam in order to
reach the top of the other. This is
what Burlington passenger train No.
was doing when the accident oc-
Cured.
Owing to the fact that both tracks
for great distance are heavily
curved, neither engineer could see
the other train until within 200 feet
of each other. The engineer of the
freight train heard the passenger
train coming, and made frantic eff
forts to back his heavy train onto
the side track. He succeeded in get
ting all but the engine to place of
safety. The passenger, which was
running seventy miles an hour, crash
ed into the freight train with terri
tic force. The impact of the locomo-
tives, together with the rending tim
bers of the cars behind, was frightful.
The passenger engine was hurled
down a twenty-foot embankment,
followed by the baggage, express, day
coach and three chair cars. The
chair cars and day coach were filled
with passengers, and the confusion
which followed was understandable.
The crew of the freight engine
made desperate efforts to avoid the
impending catastrophe, and stayed at
their posts until the last moment,
when they were compelled to jump
in order to save their lives.
Engineer Brown, who saw the dan
ger when 200 feet from the freight
engine, threw the air brake to the
emergency notch, applied the sand
and stuck to his engine in grim en-
dcavor to save the lives of those be-
hind him.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-05-09
CONGERS ARE AT HOME
THEY RECEIVE A HEARTY VEL
COME AT ALL POINTS.
Banauetted at Council Bluffs and
Cheered All Along the Route.

Council Bluffs, May 2.-Maior and
Mrs. Edwin IL. Conger, Miss Laura
Conger and Miss Mary Pierce step
ped upon Iowa soil at 9:O5 yester-
day morning. Long before that time
surging, cheering crowd had block
ed the platform ut the new station
and for halt an hour there had been
cries of Here they come" as strain
ed eyes saw a speck of smoke in the
distance. While the band was play
ing The Star Spangled Banner" the
party from Picking stepped from the
car to be literally devoured by their
friends.
gotten by those who witnessed it..
In the intense excitement for a mo-
ment formal arrangements were
forgotten and every one rushed upon
the Congers.
Major Conger was visibly affected
as strong men rushed up and threw
their arms about him.
You'll never, never know what
this Homecoming means to u.s." said
Mrs. Conger in cnoking voice as
she stepped into the carriage. All
along the way from the North
western to the Grand hotel it was a
march triumphant. In front of the
--otel an immense crowd had gath
cred and there was general hand
shaking before the party started for
the drive about the city.
A fifth member of the party and
the marvellous admiration of Council
Bluffs is strange little black and
white dog which Laura Conger
brought from Picking. 1t was found
in the private bedroom of the en-
press dowager of China. To party
of friends in the lobby of the Grand
hotel this morning Major Conger
said:
81 want to return to China, and I
know no reason why l cannot. [
have received letter from Secre-
tary Hay saying there is nothing in
the stories of unpleasant feeling of
the administration toward me; that
everything is entirely satisfactory. .
Mrs. Conger says she is thankful
they did not return to America inn
mediately after the siege. cit would
be much more terrible to remember
If we had" she said, Gas it is the
memory of the past winter, which
was delightful one, has softened
All four members of the party APP
pear in excellent health and jubilant
spirits.
The Des Moines delegation to the
Conger reception did not arrive in
Council Bluffs until 1906, the train
being one hour late.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-05-09
TOM JOHNSON SCORES a pom
Cleveland Mayor With Presidential
Captures Stare Machine.

Cleveland, May T.-Mayor I'D
Johnson has won the first sllirmis
in his expected raid upon the presi
dency by capturing the democratid
state machine. AT secret meetin
of the state committee at Columbus.
with fourteen O. the twenty-one
members present, it was decided to
hold the state convention to nom
mate governor and legislators in
Cleveland The committee meeting
was managed with consummate skill,
only those friendly to Mr.. Johnson
kltowing of it. John r. Mclean is
said by Johnsonites to be no longer
an Ohio power.
The convention will be held in July,
the day to be decided upon later.
Mr.. johnson will be nominated to.
head the ticket, and will select the
Legislative nominees. Democrats say
that the mayor will decline the
gubernatorial nomination, so that his
bid for the presidency or seaatorship
will be stronger. They say, tooS that
the democrat who can carry Ohio
can have the presidential neh1
fiOr u
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-05-09

One hundred and fifty plates were
laid for the banquet, which was
served from 1 to 4 p. IN. The
speeches given were all characterized
by sincerity in their welcome of
Minister Conger and family.
Mayor Jennings eloquently well
coined Minister Conger and his family
to Council Bluffs.
Governor Shaw then, in eloquent
words, presented Major Conger, who
responded to the toast, Our Guest"
Major Conger was visibility affected by
the warmth of his reception, and
when he first commenced to speak
his voice was broken with emotion.
Toward the close it became stronger,
especially when he spoke of the re-
sponsibility of the imperial govern
ment of China for the seige of the le-
cations. Major Conger in substance
said:
l shall find it impossible to give ex-
pressions to the feelings which your
when l looked out of the car window
this morning and saw the sun shin
ing on the green hills of Iowa. No
language is strong enough to tell of
the deep gratitude of myself and fam
lily to be home again. l can only say
thank you with all my heart, in be-
half of myself and those who have
shared perils with me. From their
hearts and mine shall forever gush
out stream of gratitude immeasur-
able and unmeasured. But great as
your demonstration is, do not con-
slider it my own. 1t shows rather the
interest you have felt in an extraor-
binary situation. History does not
record parallel to the events of last
summer. To you we were dead. To
us 1T seemed resurrection when we
came up out of the valley of the shad-
ow of death, and now that we stand
on the summit of real life once again
it is good to be alive.
] am glad to be citizen Of a state
which at the ballot box supports our
present splendid national administra-
ton and sends to congress SO magnifi-
cent delegation. it IL three years
since ] left Iowa. We were then
somewhat in the dumps. The clouds
Of depression still lowered. How
great has been the revival of trade
and industry, aided by the intelG-
gence of the president and his adj
viser's! Three years ago a wave of
feeling w'as beginning to go over the
land, demanding the relief of Cuba.
The work Of the delivery, how grand
~ WIS 1T accomplished But not only
WIS Cuba freed, but The war started
.his country on d new PATHWAY. The
Hhwaii, Porto Rico, hs@
low ours. Ne hive become d world /
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-05-09
PRESIDENT ON A JOURNEY

Memphis, Tenn, May The presi-
DENTAL train passed through the
heart of Dixie yesterday and at 4:3c
In the afternoon reached Memphis,
on the banks of the Mississippi. This
was the first resting place of the tour.
After descending the mountains Mon.
day night, the train SKINNED along
through northern Alabama and the
valley of the Tennessee river and
touched at Corinth, Miss, where
Grant worsted Forrest in his cam
palgn to cut the Confederacy in two.
The fresh green Southland, with
Its infinite variety of wild flowers
in the fields and forest, was great
change from the backward spring
which the party had left behind at
Washington. The heat was rather
oppressive, but the weather was not
so warm as the presidents welcome.
The hearty greetings extended to him
along the route testified how com
Pietely he had captured the hearts
OF the people of Dixie Confederate
veterans at all the stopping places
We're among the presidents most en-
thusiastic auditors, and that he was
impressed with their marks of love
and esteem was evidenced by the
tone of his speeches at the different
stopping places.
Austin, Tex, May 4.-out of Dixie
the presidential party yesterday trav-
eled into the heart of the great south
west. After leaving New Orleans
beautiful Bayou Treche, the home of
the Acadians and the waving rice
fields of western Louisiana were
passed during the night, and the new
Oil fields of Texas whirled by just at
the peep of day, too early to be seen
by the president.
When the party arose yesterday
morning the train was already flying
over the plains of Texas. which
stretched away to the horizon in
every direction, level as a board. The
train passed in succession through
the cotton belt of Texas, the rich
agricultural region beyond the Bra
EOS river, known as the black prairie,
much wooded country and fine graz
ing land. The president had his first
glimpse of long horned Texas cattle
and picturesque cowboys on western
range horses. The presidents recep-
ton in the Lone Star state was a con-
tinuation of the ovation he has re-
ceived throughout the South. Every
honor was shown him and his party
and there was much enthusiasm.
Twenty thousand people welcomed
the party to Austin. Mr.. and Mrs.
Mckinley, with the ladies of the cabi-
net, dined informally at the governors
mansion, and at 1920 last night left
for San Antonio, famous for it's Ala
mo and it's Spanish missions.
San Antonio, Tex. May 5.-The
president and his party spent yester-
day forenoon viewing the sights of
the quaint old city of San Antonio,
with its thrilling memories of the
war for Texas independence. and then
started on the long stretch across
the Texas desert for El Paso, on the
Mexican border.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-05-09

The track team of Drake univer-
sity in dual field meet with the Uni
versity defeated the Iowa athletes
by most decisive score. Drake won
65 points to Iowa's SO.
At the fourth convention of the
Iowa Federated Women's Clubs Mrs.
Alice A. c. Baily of Des Moines was
unanimously chosen president. The
balance of the ticket was as follows:
Vice president, Mrs. A. j. Barley Of
Boone; recording secretary, Mrs. Hal
lam of Sioux City; corresponding Sec
rotary, Mrs. Cooke of Algona; treas
urer, Mrs. John p. Davis of Council
Bluffs; auditor, Mrs. Foy Of Jefferson.
The following delegates, twelve in
number, were elected to represent the
Iowa Federation at the General Fed
er>tion of Women's Clubs, to occur in
Los Angeles next March: Mrs. Baily
will go by virtue of her office, Mrs.
Mabel Hutchison of Ottumwa, Mrs. IL
lick of Burlington. Mrs. Clara i. Garst
of Coon Rapids, Mrs. Purdy-Peck of
Davenport, Mrs. HI. w. Towner of
Corning, Mrs. Henry Wallace of Des
Moines, Mrs. Allan Dawson of Des
Moines, Mrs. C. S. Brown of Iowa City,
Mrs. Horace Everett of Council Bluffs,
Mrs. Lawton of Cedar Rapids. Mrs. A.
r. Mills of Jefferson, Mrs. John A.
Nash of Audubon.
At the district conference of Con-
gregational churches at Baxter the
preliminary step toward ousting Prof.
George ID. Heron from the First
Congregational church at Grinnell
was taken. The Grinnell Association
of Congregational churches adopted
a resolution requesting the Grinnell
Congregational church to call coun-
ell to conduct Herron's trial. In eff
feet the action taken amounts to
Herron's expulsion. The council will
be made up of Congregational
churches. 1t will try Heron on the
charge Of conduct unworthy of the
ministerial office. but no attention
mill be paid TO alleged heresies.
The town of Keasett, seven miles
south of Northwood, was completely
DESTROYED by fire u few days ago.
Following are the losses: Kensetf
livery barn, Fuller d Sons ice house,
Ed. Fdwardson's restaurant, Knu1-
sons blacksmith shop, Johnson's pool
room, Lund's lodgI3g house, A. C.
Tavlor's dwelling, Peter antierson's 4
barn. Gaardar & GfllicRson's nachine
sheds. Eckert sSYvilliams' big eieva.
tor. Farmers Mutual Loan Stock rs
sociasion's eieY tor, barn. corn cribs
md much gr6in. the kensest News,
restaurant and Roe. L
h,,sf3ft..p
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-05-09
Italy WIN Reorganize Its Fleet.

Rome, May AFTER prolonged
debate and much opposition on the
part of the socialists, the chamber
decided to reorganize the Italian
fleet. On the motion of Signor Som
nino, centrist leader, it was agreed
to consolidate the naval estimates
for six years into yearly expendi-
ture of l23,ooo,ooo lire ($23, 73o, Ooo).
Politeness is cheap enough for
everybody to have some.
The ring of the boilermaker's ham,.
mer indicates that he is on his metal.
The finished performance of an ac-
tor is often Il great relief to the
audience.
There was lively time in Ellen
wood, Kan, when mad bull dashed
through the town. The men fled to
halls and Stairways, leaving the wo-
men on the streets exposed to peril.
On the following day jack rabbiS
scampered over the same course, and
the male population bravely chased it
for four miles, while the women fed
in terror.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-05-09

Empire Takes Its Way"
q. M. Harl spoke of the work done
by the women of the Conger party,
and Judge Given on what the re-
turn of the Congers meant to Iowa.
Des Moines, May 2.-The speeches
at the Council Bluffs banquet were
over at 4:4o o'clock, and the Des
Moines contingent, accompanied by
Major Conger and family, fastened to
the Rock Island train to take the
"Conger special" Before the train
started, Governor Shaw called the
group on the platform together and
introduced Judge Given, who delivered
an address of welcome in behalf of
Dcs Moines. Mr.. Conger replied brief
ly, after which the train started for
Des Moines. The trip to Des Moines
was grand ovation. People all along
the route We're out to welcome the
returning minister, and at Atlantic,
Stuart and Dexter the major was com
PEELED to make short addresses. An
immense crowd met the train at Des
Moines. Amid the cheers of the great
crowd the party was driven to theiJ
home on Fifth street.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-05-09
CHINA APOLOGIES TO FRANCOIS.
Consul Warmly Greeted Upon His Return
to the China q Post

Consul Warmly Greeted Upon His Return
to the Chine Post.
Paris, May 1.-The foreign office has
received dispatch from Meng Tee
announcing the arrival there of NJ.
Francois, the French consul, on his
return to his post. M. Francois says
that, according to the demands of
the French government, he was met
by Chinese troops ten kilometers
from Meng Tee, who rendered him
honors and high mandarins proffered
the official apologies of the govern
ment for the events of last June.
The French consular party, under
NJ. Francois, consul at Yum Nan Flu,
was attacked June 10 on leaving Yum
Nan Flu and was forced to return to
the town. All the baggage was rifled
and the missions and railroad build
ings were burned. M. Francois gath
cred his countrymcn at his residence
and defended the. place with rifles
The Francois party was allowed to
start for Tonquin June "a under the
protection of the yiceroy of Yum Nan
Flu.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-05-09
Heron win Not answer charges.

New York, May PROT George D.
Heron stated that he would not go
to Grinnell, Iowa, to answer the
church charges brought against him
by the Copgrcgationalists nor would
he answer the letter notifying him
that church council was to be held
to investigate the charges written
by the committee appointed some
time oro
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-05-09

Some of the scales for weighing
diamonds are so accurately adjust ed
that speck of dust o, an eyelasb
will affect the balsnce.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-05-09
Greenfeil Attached Beers.

London, May ga dispatch from
Lord Kitchener, dated from Pretoria,
says: Greenfield attacked the Beers
at Rergplantz, near Halversberg,
where the last Long Tom opened fire
at 10000 yards. Kitchener's scouts
advanced to within 5000 yards, when
the gun was blown up and the Beers
fled. Ten of them were taken prison
ers. The other column reported ten
Beers killed, six wounded and six
made prisoners, and sixty surrendered
and 10000 rounds of ammunition cap.
tured. The British had four killed
and seven wounded.
Men were gay deceivers ever
Shakespeare.
The papers are quoting this import
ant fact regarding the new king of
England: king Edward VII, in spite
of most of his pictures, is but five
feet four inches in height, and weighs
257 pounds
The career of Mr.. Calling, of gun
fame, covers more than seventy
years. for it began when he was
twelve. 1t is singular that while his
first boyish invention was 4 machine
for sowing seed, the latest product
of his brain is an, automobile pillow
which, which. is to do tht work Of lozen