davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-07-18
SWEPT BY FLAMES.
Grants Pass Visited by $50. 900 Fre-Oris.
mated in Defective FIue.

Grants Pass, Oregon, July ia fire
which is believed to have had its origin
in defective f1ue in hotel yesterday
afternoon destroyed $50, 900 worth Of
property here. A southwest wind
that was blowing gale scattered the
| flying embers over all parts of the city
and made it practically impossible for
| the fremen to keep the flames under
control. The fire was most remark
able one in that it did not sweep every
thing as it went, but skipped here and
there, making the situation all the more
difficult for the firemen and the citi-
zens, who fought heroically to quell the
destructive flames. Nearly all of the
residences and buildings burned were
insured Tor one-half or two-thirds of
their value.
The fire originated in the old City
hotel, on Front street. Flames were
discovered breaking through the kitchen
roof about 1 O'Clock in the afternoon,
and probably caused by defective fue.
Famed by the fierce wind, the flames
had completely enveloped the City hotel
and the adjoining buildings before the
fire department could reach the scene,
Notwithstanding their prompt response.
The Grants Pass brewery was next in
the path of the flames, and in few
minutes was reduced to ashes. The
blaze then leaped across the street to
the railroad yards of the Southern
Pacific, where are located the round
house, machine shops and wood yard.
These were soon mass of flames.
Across the street were three residences,
and these were next to 60. By this
time the whole city was in great alarm.
The widest excitement prevailed, for
the solid business portion of the town
on Front street and all of the residences
of the city, comprising half of Grants
Pass, seemed doomed, as they were di-
rectly in the path of the flames. Every
available team, dray and truck in the
city were brought into use in getting
the contents of stores and residences to
places of safety.
The mayor telephoned to Ashland for
assistance and the fire department of
that city was loaded onto a special
train and hurried to the scene of the
conaagration, where good service was
rendered in saving the remainder of
the town.
Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-07-18
Will Not Uet Full Reward.

Salem, Or, July 17.-Superintend-
ent ]. D. Lee, of the Oregon peniten-
tiary, today received message asking
whether the reward will be paid to the
person who found the body of Merrill.
Superintendent Lee replied that the re-
ward would be paid according 10 the
language of the offer, which was for
the "capture and return of the con-
victs, dead or alive, but that in any
event he would pay literally for the re-
turn of the body, even though not cap
tured as specified in the offer.
Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-07-18
NEWS OF THE STATE
ITEMS OF INTEREST FROM ALL
PARTS OF OREGON.
Commercial and Financial Happenings of I'm.
portance-A Brief Review Of the Growth
and improvements of the Many industries
Throughout Our Thriving Commonwealth
Latest Market Report.

A large box and basket factory is t,
be established at Eugene.
Salem hop buyers are closing con
tracts for the 1902 crops at 20 cents Pc
pound.
Two Oregon postoffices were discon
tinued July 15-Irma, Curry county
and Waldron, Wheeler conuty.
A blaze at Sheep Rock mine, fou1
miles from Sanger, Eastern Oregon, de-
stroyed the stamp mill, hoist and othel
buildings.
Citizens ef Crook county are consid-
ering numerous plans of Kidding the
county of rabbits, which are the worst
pest in Eastern Oregon.
Mountain climbers have started on
their annual pilgrimage to the top OF
Hood. One party has already made
the ascent. They report much snow
and ice still On the side of the peak.
The county bridge over Hubbard
creek, at Millwood, Douglas county,
collapsed while a team with load OF
lumber was crossing. The driver was
fatally injured and both horses killed.
Citizens of Hillsboro held a meeting
and committee was appointed to Sc
cure right of way for the electric rail-
way to the Multnomah county line,
the company having secured the right
of way from there into Portland.
The proposed railroad into Malheur
and Harvey counties has caused timber
lands in that section-to be taken up
rapidly. It is estimated that along the
line of the proposed road 20, 900 to 25,-
900 acres of land we'll covered by timber
have been located since March 1.
Oregon counties, for the past year,
have been paying out nearly $4,000 a
month for scalps of wild animals, prin-
cipally coyotes. The county stands
one-third of this amount and the state
two-thirds. The $4,000 approp1ia
tion made by the legislature of 1901
is exhausted and $4,000 in claims are
on file. The counties are relying on
the next legislature for reimbursement.
Lane county, however, has made an
order that no more scalps will be ac-
cepted.
Hop buyers around Salem are offering
1S cents for the 1902 crop.
A sawmill with capacity of 100, 900
feet per day is to be built at Astoria
at once.
Hop growers in Lane county antici-
pate more trouble this year than usual
with lice.
The prospects are good for a heavy
crop of both fall and spring wheat in
Linn county.
The recent rains have frightened the
prospects for the grain and hay crops
around Prineville.
Cold storage men at Astoria are now
paying cents per pound for large fish,
an advance of cent.
Several cars of Willamette valley
1902 prunes have been contracted for
at 5 q cents in 25-pound boxes.
A. J. Webster has been appointed
deputy fish warden at Astoria, to sue
ceed Henry Bultman, resigned.
Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-07-18
LIGHTNING STRIKES OIL.
Large Part of the Jennings Field in Louisi.
destroyed by Fire.

Jennings, La, July 17.-Daring a
heavy electrical storm that passed over
the Jennings oil field today bolt of
lightning struck the field storage tanks
of the Jennings oil company, setting
them afire. The flames spread to the
derricks of the company adjoining,
and in short time the derricks and
tanks were DESTROYED. Burning streams
of oil from the tanks ran in the direc-
ton of Coulee. All workmen in the
field Immediately stopped work and set
about throwing up levees so as to PIE
vent as far as possible the spreading of
the fire. In short time, however,
another tank had broken loose, and the
wind had driven the flames into the
tanks of the Southern, Northern and
Crescent oil companies, but they in
some manner escaped destruction.
Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-07-18
Great Northern Strike Settled.

st. Paul, July 15.-Four hundred
boiler makers and helpers on the Great
Northern railway system, who went on
strike for higher wages some six weeks
ago, returned to work yesterday morn
ing. The strike was settled at con-
ference between committee of strikers
and officials of the company. There
were concessions on both sides. Under
the new schedule, the men will receive
an advance of 25 cents per day over
the seale in effect before the strike.
Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-07-18
Tornado in North Dakota.

St. Paul, July 17.-Tremendous dam
age, and, it is thought, great loss OF
life, were caused by terrible wind
storm which early tonight swept in a
southwesterly direction from the inter-
national boundary across the north
eastern portion of North Dakota.
Three towns, according to the meager
reports which are obtainable, were
totally wiped out. Telegraph lines are
wrecked and there is no communica tion
with the section where the most serious
devastation is thought to have been
worked by the tornado.
Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-07-18
Waters Are Falling.

Topeka, Kan, July 16.-The food
situation is beginning to show some
improvement. The Kansas river has
fallen nearly four inches since 10
O'Clock this morning, and the prospects
are that the fall will be steady now
until the water has reached its usual
level. Railroad traffic on the Santa Fe
and Union Pacific is entirely shut off
between here and Kansas City on ac-
count of washouts near Lawrence. 1t is
thought that the damage will be re-
paired sometime tomorrow.
Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-07-18
Mine Magazine ExplodeS

Salt Lake July IA telephone
message just received from Park City,
Utah, says that the magazine on the
l200-foot level of the Daily West mine
exploded shortly after l O'Clock this
morning. There were $50 men at work
in the mine at the time the explosion
occurred. Eighteen dead bodies have
already been removed, and it is thought
that the number of dead will reach 100.
Gases issuing from the mouth of the
mine prevents any one entering.
Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-07-18
Portland and Jsanie Are Sale.

Victoria, B. c., July 1.-Two pas
sengers from Nome, landed here by the
collier Melville Dollar on her way to
Ladysmith, report the safe arrival at
Nome of both the Portland and the
Jeanie. The steamers, they say, ar
rived at the same time, the Portland
towing the Jeanie, which was disabled
part of the way. No hardships were
suffered by the passenger and crews, the
two steamers being within halling dis
tance of each other. The Portland
getting free first, assisted the Jeanie to
get out.
Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-07-18
MERRILL IS DEAD
TRACY KILLED HIS PAL, JUST
AS HE SAID.
Body Found at Napavine, Near ChehaIis-
Brother of the Outlaw Identifies the Re.
mains-Discovsry Was Made by Woman
and Her Son While Out Picking Berries
will Not Get Full Reward.

Chehalis, July I6. - All doubt oil
Convict Harry Tracy's story that he
had slain his pal, David Merrill, has
been removed by the news that Mer-
rlll's dead body had been found, four
miles southeast of here, partially con-
cealed by two logs, between which the
murderer had thrown it. Although
partially decomposed, two bullet
wounds were plainly discernible in the
body, one in the wrist and another in
the back, and it is believed that a
third bullet found lodg,nent in.the neck
of the victim of a fellow criminal s
treahcery. The discovery was made by
Mrs. Mary Wagner, of Napavine, and
her 12-year-old son George, who were
picking blackbelries in the woods near
the Northern Pacific railroad track,
aid were attracted to the body by the
odor. Thinking at once of the story of
Tracy, which, with the many tales of
his adventures, is known to everyone
in this vicinity, they at once made an
investigation.
The body was lying between two logs,
face down. and with the legs and one
hand up. The spot where it lay is
about 200 feet from the Northern Pacific
track, oman unfrequented road, and so
distant from any dwelling that the
crack of Tracy's murderous rife might
have sounded without attracting any at
tention. The surroundings and the 10.
cation of the bullet holes indicate that
the story Tracy told to the cerw of the
launch which carried him down Puget
sound from near Olympia, July 2, may
be true, although there is reason to
believe that the convict, fearing that
Merrill would reveal the whereabou
of the fugitives by his clumsiness
killed him in cold blood.
Three 3O-30 shells, found little dis
tance from the spot where the body was
found, destroyed whatever doubts re-
mained in the minds of those who
answered Mrs. Wagner summons,
and subsequent developments have
demonstrated conclusively that Tracy
not only is the slayer of six men who
we're obstacles i'll his path to liberty,
but also shot down his own companion
and fellow fugetive. The face was un-
recognizable, and the body in bad
state, but comparison of the descrip-
tion of scars on Merrill's hands, his
foot and knee, and the color of his hair,
Tailed with those on the body. War
den J. T. James, of the Salem peniten-
tiary, did not swear that the body was
that of Merrill, but expressed an opin-
ion to this effect. J. W. Studebaker,
of Castle Rock, who had known Merrill
many years, said the body was that of
the outlaw. Ben Merrill, his brother,
who has been working in a Chehalis
livery stable the past two weeks, ex-
pressed the same opinoin.
Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-07-18
Says Boer Peace viii Be Short.

Colorado Springs, Colo, July 16.-
Fl. c. De Roo, an adjutant in the Boer
army under Delarey, is in the city on a
visit. He says in his opinion peace
will not last two years in the Trans
vaal. The arms turned in to the Brit.
ish are worthless, and the good ones
have been buried in secret places. He
says England is trying. to make Eng
lishmen of the Beers, and when they
put on the screws too hard the latter
will rebel.
Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-07-18
Precautions Against Cholera

Toxic, June %, via San Francisco,
July 16.-Owing to the prevalence OF
cholera in certain districts of Japan,
the United States sanitary authorities
will allow no one to go to Hawaii or
America from the infected places with
out undergoing five days disinfection
at Yokohama This order also applies
to any person coming by way of Toxic,
as the disease has made its appearance
in the capital.
Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-07-18
TO BE BIG POST.
Department Proposes to Make Vancouver One
of the Largest in Country.

Washington, July 15.-The action o.
the war department in allotting $l42,.
600 for immediate expenditure in en-.
larging the present quarters at Van.
couver Barracks indicates that this post
is not only to be retained as department
headquarters, but is to be gradually
developed as one of the largest perma-
nent army stations. The money now
made available will be expended under
the direction of the department and
constructing quartermasters in enlarg-
ing and fitting up the 10 barracks
buildings now standing, making them
sufficiently large to accommodate full
regiment OF infantry. New quarters
will also be erected for the accommoGa.
tion of two large companies of field
artillery of 120 men each. Such zaddi-
tional officers quarters will be erected
as are necessary to accommodate the
complement of officers in command of
the troops provided for. A large build
ing for the bachelors mess'' will also
be erected, together with several smaller
buildings not yet arranged for.
The apportionment of funds made
does not provide for sewer, water and
heating systems, for which additional
funds will be allotted later. In the
construction of all buildings, local tim
Der will be used, as experience has
taught that on the Pacific coast frame
buildings are great deal cheaper and
equally as satisfactory as brick. Plans
for this new work are now being COM
pleted, and will be advertised at an
early date, ss most of the work will be
done by contract.
At Fort Lawton, $105, 500 has been
apportioned for erecting new quarters
for two additional companies of infantry
in addition to the two companies now
quartered there, while headquarters for
a regiment will also be built, making
this the most important post ON Puget
sound. These buildings will be frame.
At Fort Wright the $27 200 allotted
will be expended in erecting officers
quarters of brick, to replace the quar-
tiers now provided. Work at the late
posts will be done by contract,
under supervision CT the constructing
quartermasters now at these stations.
Plans for the work will be completed as
rapidly as possible.
Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-07-18
EVENTS OF THE DAY
FROM THE FOUR QUARTERS OF
THE WORLD.
A Comprehensive Review of the Important
Happenings Of the Past Week, Presented
In q Condensed Form. Which Is Most
Likely to Prove Of Interest to Our Many
Readers

The war department has ordered the
Marietta, now at Kingston, Jamaica, to
La Guayra, Venezuela.
King Edward has so far recovered
that he has been able to go aboard his
yacht for a short cruise.
Tracy's last exploit was near Enum-
claw, where he made boy shave him
while three men looked on.
One hundred and eight Beers have
just arrived at New York from Ber-
muda, where they were confined as
prisoners of war.
Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-07-18
Collide in Malacca.

Singapore, June 9, via San Francisco,
July 16.-A collision took place the
night of June in the Straits of Malac-
ca, between the local steamer Teutonia
and Chinese junk. Both vessels sank
almost Immediately, and only 6s per-
sons were saved out of 1O6 on board.
Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-07-18

The insurance of the lives of children
is forbidden in Montreal.
William McGovern made the eighth
suicide in Meriden, Conn, in two
months. A suicide club is believed to
exist.
The congregation of the First Church
of Christ, Scientist, in Boston. unani-
mously adopted pledge to contribute
any part of $4,000, 900 that may be
necessary to build an immense auditor
ium at Boston.
Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-07-18
Cholera Spreading in the Islands.

Manila, July 16.-Cholera is spread
ing somewhat in the islands. The
ratio for Manila is maintained. The
rains now falling have not checked the
disease materially.
Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-07-18

Marconi las received wireless signals
at a distance of l 400 miles. Com
plete messages were received at a dis
tance of $50 miles.
The United States transport Rosen-
Grams has been sold for $50, 900, little
more than third of its cost to the
government in 1899.
Four Chicago railroads have made
individual agreements with the strik
ing freighthandlers. This may cause a
general break in the strike.
The body of Lord Pauncefote, late
ambassador Of Great Britain at Wash
ington, has been laid to rest in the
family tomb, near Newark-on- trent,
England.
Two hundred miners at Leavenworth,
Kan, have gone on strike.
The Peary relief ship has started on
her trip to the Arctic regions.
The president has appointed Director
Merriam as permanent director of the
census.
The emperor of Corea has accepted
an invitation for that country to parti-
cipate in the st. Louis exposition.
Blanks for Indian war veterans have
been issued and applications will soon
be going in to the pension department
at Washington.
The posse in pursuit of Tracy has re-
turned to Seattle for rest. The force
will be reorganized and more deter
mined campaign inaugurated.
General Chaffee has been relieved of
command in the Philippines and will
be assigned to duty in the United
States. He will be succeeded by Gen.
eral Davis.
Masked men held up Denver & Rio
Grande passenger train in Colorado.
It is not known how much they Sc
cured, but the train usually carries
large amount of money.
BY the finding of MerrilI's body, the
story told by Tracy has proven to be
true. The body has been found few
miles from Chehalis, at the place Tracy
declared he fought with his partner.
A boy passing through the canyon dis
overed it lying in the brush.
Fixing of coronation date has upset
London.society's plans.
The flood situation at Topeka. Kan,
is becoming more serious.
A number of violent earthquake
shocks have been reported from Vene-
Zuela.
The Vatican is anxious to establish
diplomatic relations with the United
States.
A French doctor inoculated himself
with consumptive cow matter In order
to disprove Prof. Koch's theory,
Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-07-18

A French doctor inoculated himself
with consumptive cow matter in order
to disprove Prof. Koch's theory
John D. Rockefeller offered Smith
college, Northampton, Mass, 500 600
on condition that like sum be sub
scribed.
Col. II. II. Williams, of Springfield,
o., former posteffice inspector in Cuba,
predicts that Cuba will soon apply for
annexation, as such action is desired by
o majority of the people.
Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-05-10
TORTURE BY THE "WATER CURE In THE PHILIPPINE ISLAND

| torture being 10 extort confessions as
90 where arms were concealed by the
insurgents. This is about the way Il
would happen; We would catch a FL
lipino out In the mountains somewhere,
and II he would not confess where his
arms were concealed we would give him
the cure Ordinarily four men would
seize the iusurrecto, one for each arm
and one for each leg throw him fiat
upon his back and put a gun barrel
crosswlse In his mouth After that one
Of the men would pour water from a big
earthen jug into the fellows mouth.
When he began to roll his eyes and look
wild, we would stand him up and tell
him TO 'habla. or talk. Sometimes one
jugful was enough, and he'd tell where
the rifles and ammunition were hidden,
but most of the time II would take three
jugs, and l have seen as many as five
used"
Two sergeants gave corroboratiye tes-
tlmony under oath to the senate COM
mittee that the presldente OF Igbaras,
suspected Of being traitor to the
American cause, was cruelty subjected
to the cure and yet was out and
about the next day as though nothing
had happened The natives looked on
unsympathetically and seemed to re-
gard the proceeding somewhat as
matter Of course.
1.-THE presdentes mouth was held
open and water was allowed to run
into 1t from small tank for from five
to ten minutes, When he was so full
of water that his body was swollen, ne
was rolled violently on the ground, and
the water gushed from his mouth. He
squealed, his eyes became bloodshot.
and he struggled like a crazy man. 1t
took several soldiers to hold him"
Another witness who had been first
lieutenant in the army said that he had
seen as many as twenty applications OF
the cure and had never seen any
one die as the result OF II, though he
Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-05-10
THE BARBER AGAIN

BARRIERS have been renowned for nj,
time for loquacity, and one member q,
the profession who practices in the cilv
OF London is no exception TO the rule. /,
the customers opinion Of the weather 10
unproductiye, he will suggest the war
vaccination and pingpong In regular ro.
tation.
Tn other day a particularly grumnv
customer who had suffered much ana
who knew the programme by heart DE-
termined to make bold bid for shave
in silence. As he entered he said:
mo | don't think it's mild for tho
time of year; Of course | shall be GLAD
when it's over like everybody else. Yea
yacclnated in four places, and all Of en
taken. Haven't seen the pIngpope
tournament, but play at home some
times"
The knight Of the scissors was star.
gered for n moment, but, recovering
himself, inquired.
"And do you like these ere wooden
pingpong bats bettern the vellum, sr?,