davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Wilmington daily Republican., 1902-01-07
Prisoner and PET Cat Dead.

Dover, Del, Jan. 6.-Walter Pat
ton, an ex-prisoner who came back to
the Kent County Jail, asked to be al
lowed to die i'm his old cell, and sue
cumbed to pneumonia there on Satur-
day, night.
Warden John NJ. Ward ha pet
cat, Topsy, which was q years and
10 months old, and was unquestion-
ably the Oldest cat on the peninsula.
Mrs Ward had brought this cat home
while she and her husband lived in
Philadelphia,
Patton formed a great liking for
T0psy, and when, after Pattons time
was out and Sheriff Reedy employed
him as hostler, the two were almost
inseparable. When Patton went out
to seek other employment he said to
Mrs. Ward: Il never expect to see
old Topsy again, for another New
Years Day will find him a corpse. 1"
To this Mrs. Ward replied that Topsy
might ye outlive Patton. Strangely
enough, the old catdled an hour after
Patton breathed his last in his old
prison cell.
The Wilmington daily Republican., 1902-01-07
Sian Burne.l to Death,

John Peterson. colored, Of Milton.
was burned to deaih at his home last
night. While in his house last ulc hJ
the lamp exploded and in moment
the mans clothing was ahame made
desperate by the sight of his blazing
clothing he ran from his house to tn.
road. This only forced the flames
further The cries OF the terrorized
man brought some Of his neighbors
to his assistance but 1t was too late,
Writhing in Ipaln The rolled on the
ground and BY the time they reached
him his body was in a crisp. lie was
carried into his home and DR.. l..
Heisler Ball was summoned. BY the
time he arrived Peterson was dead.
DR.. Ball notified Deputy Coroner
Chandler and he told the parties con.
cerned that they Could tske charge Of
the body and an inquest will be
held,
The Wilmington daily Republican., 1902-01-07
Milford Election.

Milford, Del, Jan. G.-The larg-
est vote polled in three years was
cast at the city election to-day. The
regular ticket was elected, Mayor
j. W. Hallet carrying almost every
vote in his district. His senerosities
to the poor have made him one Of
the most popular men in this Sec
ton.
G. L. Crier and Theodore Town
send were elected to the Council
for two years. George H. Baynum
and Harry W. Satterfeld were
elected for the one-year term. W.
A. Trultt was elected Alderman
and G. W. Joseph collector and
trpaSlrpr.
The Wilmington daily Republican., 1902-01-07
Withdrawing Troops From Cuba.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7.-Acting In
accordance with recommendation
made by General Wood. military GOV
ernor of Cuba. Secretary Root has d.
rected that the third squadron of the
Eighth cavalry, comprising the entire
garrison at Puerto Principe, be brought
to the United States at the first favor
able opportunity. 1t Is admitted that
this is practically the beginning of the
general withdrawal of United States
troops in Cuba preparatory to the
transfer Of the control of affairs to the
civil government to be installed dur
ing the coming summer. SO far as
known there will be no further with
drawals of troops. however, until final
arrangements are made for the formal
transfer of the government to the
newly elected officials Of Cuba.
The Wilmington daily Republican., 1902-01-07
A Fifth Assistant Needed,

WASHINGTON, Jan. THE crea.
tion of another assistant postmaster
generalship, to have charge Of the free
city and rural delivery service, is con-
templated in bill shortly to be intro
duced in the house by Representative
Watson of Indiana. The proposed leg
islation Is the result of the vast growth
Of the rural free delivery service
throughout the country, which, with
the free delivery service in the cities,
will involve an aggregate cost Of over
$50, 100000 during the next fiscal year.
The free delivery service, which COM
priscs both the city and rural delivery,
now has about 315 employees. distrlb-
uted among number Of divisions.
The Wilmington daily Republican., 1902-01-07
LIVES WITH
BROKEN NECK,

Edward Stevenson, co|ored, is
lying at the Delaware II ospital with
q broken neck. He was brought
to the hospital on Thursday last
and although it was fret thought
he could not live, gained strength
and if he continues 10 improve his
chances OF recovery will be very
good.
Stevenson is 50 years old. aud
has been employed as miner Of
kaolin in the quarries near Hoo
kessin. He received his serious
injuries while working last Thurs.
day Afternoon, and that he waa
not killed is as miraculous as the
way he has borne up since that
time.
He was standing directly be-
meath heavy iron bucket used in
hosting kaolin from the pit, when
the bucket slipped from the cable
attached to it. The bucket weighs
300 pounds. and struck Stevenson a
glancing blow on top Of his head,
tearing loose his scalp. and almost
ripping it clednly from his skull.
The falling bucket must have
struct him on the neck back the yer
zebra, for it is at that point that
the bones Of the neck are fractur.
ed. So great was the force Of the
blow that the neck was dislocated
and the oones were broken at the
same time.
When Stevenson was taken to the
hospital. he developed signs of
spinal meningitis. but the injury
had not been inflicted long enough
to warrant these symptoms, and a
careful examin alton revealed the
dislocation and fracture of the neck.
! 1t is necessary that Stevenson
shall be kept immovable, in one po.
sition, all the time as there is
danger Of the spinal cord being al
fected by coming in contact with
the vertebra. which would cause
paralysis.
TO minimize the dangerof this and
to facilitate the mcnding of the brok-
EN- bones, steel brace has been secur-
ed. Into this Stevenson head and
the upper part Of his body have been
harnesSed, 50 that he is unable to
move them.
He is resting on acot and cypercn-
ces no trouble in breathing, although
he undergocs much suffering from
the wound on hiSheadand his fracture
ed neck. He brcathes without troubl.
and takes sfood without Inconvenience
Stevenson is still in a serious conl
dition, but there has baena mlteria
improvement since the day he was
placed under treatment, The hospi.
tai surgeons who are observing the
case with much interest, are gratified
at the improvement shown bySteven-
son and are hoping that he will re.
cover.
The Wilmington daily Republican., 1902-01-07
New Jerseys New Treasurer.

TRENTON, y. j.. Jan. FIX Mayor
Frank o. Briggs has returned from the
west and has filed with the governor
his bond for S3OO.NO as state treas
urer The bond was signed by Ferdi-
nand W. Rocbling and Charles c..
Roebling and was approved by the
governor Mr.. Briggs took the oath Of
office yesterday afternoon and at once
assumed charge of the office.
The Wilmington daily Republican., 1902-01-07
ATTEMPT TO
WRECK TRAIN,

| Westernport, Md, Jan. 6.-Satur-
day night five men assaulted Matthew
sarsileId. Piedmont youth, who is
employed as telegraph operator at
Swanton, Garrett county, Md, on the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad S famous
II mile grade. and left him lying un.
conscious.
They changed sthe switch for the
purpose of wrecking passenger train
b No. I, due there about 2 O'Clock Sun
day morning. The train ran over on
the third track and broke the de-
rail SWITCH but was not thrown from
the rails.
sarsteld was gathered up and sent
10 his home oman engine, the back OF
MS head being seriously injured. The
live men escaped, three Of whom Sars-
field thinks hecould identify Railroad
detectives are investigating the mat
ter. Some people seem to think the
men were trampS. Be it as it may
the place selected is a very poor one
for a successful wreck or robbery.
A dispatch to The Sun from Cum
berland, Nd, says: The train was
the Chicago express, which leaves
Cumberland at 10. 80 o'clock nightly,
and is due topasS Swanton after mid
night. Matthew J. Sarstield, the po-
orator at that point is isolated in the
Allegheny Mountains, where the snow
is deep and the thermometer hovers
about zero. The position of night
operator is lonesome one. SarStield
states that shortly before O'Clock in
the morning five men entered the lit.
tie Office with hats drawn down and
collars turned up. They invited him
to eat some candy. They were rough
appearing, and he, fearing candy
might be drugged, refused. Simu-
taneousiy with his refusal he was
dealt Stunning blos over the head
with a club and felled to the aaor,
where he lay unconscious. The ruff
fans then turned the switch throw
ing the main track into the derailing
and showing the red light.
Train No. ! came laundering up
the grade and ran on the switch, but
the engineer had scented danger and
was able to stop his train before it
could be ditched at the end of tho
track, which was the evident intent
Of the robbers.
In the meantime Sarstield lay un-
in the telegraph office. The
trainmen, expressmen and the guards
travelling on the express cars were ON
the alert. The tramps, frustrated in
their plans to make the train helpless
took to their heels, disappearing in
1ense under growth in the mountain.
revived after some moments
md the train proceeded Railroad
'llicials discredit the story somewhat.
they claim that the train running of
N the dcrailing switch was due to
he operator going to sleep. Sarsteld
ays he was put to sleep by the intru-
lers, who had the robbery of the
rain in view, but were frustrated be-
ause it was not ditched.
Later information regarding ,he al
eyed hold up is that the rutiians not
nly fixed the switch leading into the
iding, but also threw open the derail-
ne switch on the siding. They were
0 have given the train a signal to go
head by showing the white light. but
Violently became confused aud did
ot do so. the fixed switch causing the
rain to stop before it could be ditch
The Wilmington daily Republican., 1902-01-07
viii Sell Rain Or Shine

Ellis T. Banks viii! positively sell
at public sale his stock Of horses and
wagons OH Thursday January 9th.
He will engage in other business
which Is the reason for disposins Of
his stock. The horses OF the best
for driving and draft purpose and
will weigh from 100 to l45o pounds.
The Newport trolley cars run past
his door, Sale rain or shine.
The Wilmington daily Republican., 1902-01-07
BlOWn to Pieces.

Philadelphia, Jan. 7.--Blasting
powder stored in a shanty beside
the tracks of the Pennsylvania
Railroad at 31st Street and Man
tua Ave, exploded at $50 o'clock
this morning, killing one man and
shattering window glass for squares
around. Fences and rear porches
of the row of houses on tbs high
bank beside tina tracks were blown
down. The residents were thrown
in the widest sort of panic.
The Wilmington daily Republican., 1902-01-07
DOTS.

Another session of the Board Of
Assessment, Revision and Appeals
held another meeting last evening.
Thomas Wcolsey, an artilleryman,
Nhos deserted from Fort dupont, has
surrendered himself tc the police of
Wheeling. W. Va. He was in i'll
health and in need of money, and
asked that the police share with him
the $50 reward offered for his capture.
The police have decided to give Wool
sey the entire reward. as they think
he is in need of it.
A number of old engines are being
/ I'm asunder al the p. w. & B. Ma.
chine shops.
Routine business was transacted
yesterday at the meeting of the Nat
ural History Society.
The Wilmington daily Republican., 1902-01-07
SchIcy Sees the President,

WASHINGTON. Jan. Rear Ad'
miral Schley called at the White
House yesterday by appointment and
spent nearly an hour In conference
with the president. The admiral re-
fused to discuss the conversation. say
ing that it was of personal charac.
ter. The president also declined to In.
timate the nature of the conference.
The Wilmington daily Republican., 1902-01-07
OMMlTTEE
OF FIFTY.

| The Citizens Association held a
largely attended meeting in the
Board OF Trade room last night.
Several members who spoke
thought that the reason for form.
ing the association had been just-
fed, in healthier public sentmen n
with regard to the administration
OF public affairs that has been ere.
ated.
Reports Of the evarious committees s
revealed wonderful amount of
work accomplished. 1t was re-
ported that the farmers and grapg-
ers throughout the county had ma
terIally aided the committee in its
investigation with most valuable
information, and complete net
work had beeo esta blished through
out the county.
Discussing the practical results
accomplished, several members
pointed out tha. the agitation tor
Improved government in the county
started by the association, had
actually saved so far tor the county
about 10000. and the countys f.
nances were easier than they had
been tor some time. Investig ations
of the association have also reveal
ed that, according to careful esti-
mates. about 40 per cent of the
county money Is expended waste
fully. The association believes
that if the good work is kept up by
the next year there will be a lower.
ing Of the county tax rates,
The association proposes to be a
permanent body and will be contin-
ually on the alert for leaks in the
county finances and expenditures.
This watchiulness alone, It is
thought, will save the comfy con-
siderable money. Certain bills or
gratis which used to come in reg
ularly are being held out and it is
believed this sort of charge will be
stopped by the Levy Court.
The affiliated membership was
reported to tie steadily growing,
but the committee hoped that more
would Join. The only re-
lulrement is that the slgner OF the
paper shall express sympathy wit h
a nd be in accord with the movement.
It was decided to appoint a commit
lee to act under the auspices OF The
executive committee, and arrange J
or meetings of citizens IN any of
he wards where the people may
tesire to CLEAN information about |
and county AFFAIRS.
The committee also would be
.lad to receive funds to be devoted |
o the cause. The members teel
hat, as the work being done by
he association cannot but be nefit
II al Financial way every property
lolder in the county. the owners OF
property and responsible citizens
,eneral'y in the county, as well as
he CITY should lend all assistance
md tinaucial aid possible. The
expenses of the work have been
considerable and will continue to
e large owing to the great mass
I work to be accomplished.
Just before the committee ad.
burned, a motion was carried un-
nimously. approving the course
Mayor Fisher in refusing to sign
he contracts between the Street
nd Sewer Department and the
Wilmington City Electric Light
cmpany and the Welsbach Street
ighting Company for lighting the
lreetS.
The Wilmington daily Republican., 1902-01-07
AshlS Close Call.

John Ash of Sycamore Street,
had a close call from death this
morning, while at work at the pulp
works he missed his foot and one
leg went into Il vat of boiling lye.
He was taken to his home and Il
doctor summoned.
The Wilmington daily Republican., 1902-01-07
AS SEEN eY A GERMAN
Report Of q Naval Constructor n
rardinR American ShinhuildinR.

Report Of q Naval Constructor Re.
sardins American Shipbuildins.
BERLIN, Jan. lizard Schwarts, 4
German naval constructor who wal
recently sent to the United States by
the marine general staff to investigate
shipbuilding there, has submitted his
reports.
Herr Schwartz says that all the prin.
cipal shipyards in the United States
facilitated his Investigations in every
+ ..-.. lis descriptions are accompa.
MED by masses Of photographs and
drawings of new machines and espe.
cially Of pneumatic cOntrivances used
in shipbuilding. The investigator says
that materials for the construction OF
steel ships are lower in price In the
United States than In any other coun
try and that the only thing to be com
planned Of is the fuctuation in prices
which makes competition with foreign
shipbuilders difficult
Herr Schwartz in this connection
says that within four months the
prices of shipbuilding materials in the
United States have fuctuated 200 per
cent from lack of stability Of the
market and that this is the principal
reason why some American shipbuild-
ers are combining with the steel pro-
ducers.
The German Investigator refers to
the splendid body Of American work.
men earning wages from 30 to SO per
cent higher than those paid in Great
Britain and 100 per cent higher than
the wages paid on the continent and
says that wage bills in the United
States are counterbalanced by econom-
ical processes Of machinery which are
not found in European yards.
Herr Schwartz reports that notwith-
standing the wages paid freighters are
being built on the great lakes as cheap
lE as tramp steamers are built In Great
Britain
He says that the most striking diff
ference between German and Ameri-
can shipvards is found in the use in !
the United States Of pneumatic boring. !
hammering and riveting machines and
pneumatic cranes. The investigator
saw seventy five pneumatic machines
working at once in the yards Of an
American shipbuilding company in
Chicago although only two ships were
on the stocks. He says that British
shpbui!ders are arranging TO obtain
these pneumatic machines from the
United States.
The Wilmington daily Republican., 1902-01-07
llIustr ated Lecture.

Tie Young Friends Association, in
place Of their regular meeting will
have an illustrated lecture ON the
"George Junior Republic, by DR.,
Hull Of Swarthmore College on the
evening Of January 10. The public
are cordially invited to attend, espec-
tally those interested in philanthropic
work. The lecture will be held at
Friends School, Fourth and West
streets.
The Wilmington daily Republican., 1902-01-07
An Interesting PAPER.

John A. Jordan. read an interest
ing paper on "The Catholic Soldier
and Sailor in the Wars of the United
States" at the meeting Of the I,cnev.
oIent Pioneer Literary Association
last night.
The Wilmington daily Republican., 1902-01-07
may HAVE BEEN
q y ACCIDENTAL.

II CneSCef, Ia., Jan. b.-Ihe
theory that Samuel Venable, the
Philadelphia sportsman, was mur-
dered is not entertained by old
river, men and gunners at Els sing
ton. They declare that the man
must have committed suicide. An
autopsy is being held, and this
may decide whether the load of
shot entering the mans head was
sent there by his own gun, with
the muzzle pressed to the skin, Or
whether it was fired from ten or
fifteen feet away. This decision
will show whether the man was
murdered for valuable papers in
his pockets or was merely IL suicide.
Venable's widow, who lives at
No 1880 Ludlow street; Philadel-
phia, called at Coroner Fry's office
to-day and identified the body. She
said that they had separated some
months ago and she has been
working for her living. Mrs. F. J.
Chapman, of No. 2O46 Oxford
street, Philadelphia, Venable's
sister, also called to see the body.
The advanced no information to
show that any motive existed in
any quarter that would lead to the
murder Of the man.
TINE OF HIS DEATH UNCERTAIN
F No one has come forward who
saw Venable alive after December
q, and there is nothing to indicate
ut what time the man met his death
Detective Berry worked on the
case to-day, and he stated tonight
that he did not propose to base
his investigation upon theory Of
murder He has not seen the body,
but critically examined the ground
where it was found and also inter-
viewed old gunners at Essington.
When Venable fell he still retained
his grip on both his gun and stick
The theory that the grass was fired
by the murderer to conceal the
evidences of the crime is secuted
by sportsmen. The field is burned
in scores Of places, and this has
been done by gunners to start rab-
bits out Of the tall grass and also
to clear the paths. The grass is
waist high. One man said to-day
that the grass near where
Venable lay was set on fire last
Friday, as he has occasion to know
having passed in that vicinity on
that day and pointed to fresh ashes
1onnd there. The fire passed up
and around Venable's dead body
and one side of his face was scor-
ched.
- Coroner Fry has had an inter-
view with W. +. Presser, whose
card was in Venable's pocket, and
the latter stated that he had gone
cunning with Venable on Decem-
ber 4 last and became separated
from him. Aside from this he can
throw no light on the mistery.
The Wilmington daily Republican., 1902-01-07
PERSONAL
MENTION,
ENJOYABLE SURPRISE.

A very enjoyable surprise wasgiver
last evening to Mrs. Katherine Zim-
mermann, Of No. 1926 w. 5th. street
by the Ladies' society Of Zion Luth'
eran Church, it being the anniversary
Of her 10th, birthday.
After mrtaklng of bountiiul sup.
ply Of refreshments, and having a
good time in general, the guests de-
parted wishing Mrs. Zimmerman
many more happy birthdays.
Among other guests present were:
Rev. Paul lsenschmidt, Mrs. Louis
knecht and sons, of Philadelphia,
Miss Allies Queck, Of Elkton, Mrs.
George Zimmerman, Master George
Zimmerman, Mrs. A, Balling, Joseph
Zimmerman and Miss Frierlyof Will
mington, Del.
The Wilmington daily Republican., 1902-01-07
EEEN.PETERS

Rev. II. S. Dulaney last evening
at Asbury NJ. E. Church, narriec
George Keen and Miss Jessie Peters
both Of this city.
The Wilmington daily Republican., 1902-01-07

SimM's Comp. Pennyroyni Pulls tho ex
ira oruiDary ladies remedy, Tho original
and absolutely the only genuine 6O6 King
atIc Ut. Price IT, w. Sent by mail.
The Wilmington daily Republican., 1902-01-07

Taylor aud Fuiiseton's Worm Syrup
will expe! worms from children. Slfo
and reliable. ". &. Taylor. 3Os King
Street.
The Wilmington daily Republican., 1902-01-07
KINGS DAUGHTERS MEETING.

The United Circles of Kings
Daughters, will hold meeting at
No. 100 West Eighth Street to.mor-
row afternoon at 3 O'Clock. All Kings
Daughters are invited to be present.
Arrangements are being made by the
United Circles for an entertainment
to be given in the near future at the
New Century Club for the benefit Of
the Home for IncurablcS.
The Wilmington daily Republican., 1902-01-07

Constable In Tickets Office

Patrons of the Wilmington
Theatre last evening were surpris-
ed to see Constable Lamuel J..
Mari in the box office. When
spoken to this morning the Con-
stable stated that the employees of
the theatre wanted their pay and
arrangement was made with the
manager of the company playing
Grimes Cellar Door, so that the
performance could be given in
order that the claims could be
paid. The Company is playing
for 80 per cent and after the per-
formance tonight the play house
is expected to close. A number
of the people who went to the
theatre on Saturday night and were
denied enjoying performance des-
pite the fact that they paid their
money propose to institute crimi-
nal proceedings.
They went on the understanding
that they would see performance
when they paid their money.
The Wilmington daily Republican., 1902-01-07
Policeman Shot

|
Although seliousld wounded by
a bullet fired by an alleged thief
Policeman Richard Doyle, of the
Twelfth district, in Philadelphia
yesterday afternoon dragged him.
self to the nearest patrol box, Il
square away and telephoned Lieu
tenant Coon as follows:
-,"I have to report my failure to
capture Georgh Watson, wanted at
the front for robberies committed
in Delaware County. He got me
with his cannon" Send the pa
troll wagon to Fawn street and Co.
lumbia avenue, but don't tell my
WIFE
The shooting occurred at 2
o'clock, on Columbia avenue, near
Camac street, and was the sensa-
tional sequel of an effort by the po-
lice to clear up a series OF Rob
berits in Delaware County, which
eliminated last Friday night in
three thieves deserving a wagon
loaded with 1900 feet of stolen
trolley wire, near Chester. Resi-
dents of the ncighborhood, who
witnessed the shooting Of Police
man Doyle, followed his assailant
over Il crooked course, to the home
of Joseph Conway, on Eleventh
street, above Berks, where the al
legged thief had taken refuge.
The house was surrounded and
the man captured anb taken to the
City Hall, where he was last night
Unidentified by Policeman Harry
Clayton as William Montague, who
lived III the vicinity of Twenty
sixth and Callowhill streets. Mon
tagne claimed that he had never
bee II arrested before.
The Wilmington daily Republican., 1902-01-07

The annual meeting Of the stock
holders of the Christiana Rivcl
Improvement Company will be
held at the Office of the Security
Trust And Safe Deposit Company
on Monday, January, 18th.