davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
Under the Prison Floor

One of the hitherto unwritten
stories of the civil war is that of the
military prison on the Dry Tortugas.
near Florida. 1t was used to confine
soldiers sentenced by court martial,
and was guarded toward the close of
the war by detachment under Capt.
w. K. Prentice, who relates in Nc
Clure's Magazine some of his expert
ences at his lonely post
One day twenty-four uniforms
were stolen by one of the prisoners
from the quartermaster's storeroom.
1t was understood what such a theft
meant-that twenty-four of the most
desperate characters among the pris-
oners, disguised as soldiers, expected
to pass the guard some dark night.
seize a schooner and escape.
The plan looked very feasible. For
days a quiet but careful search was
carried on. No clue could be obtain
ed. The guard at the postern was
doubled. At last l took into my con-
fidence a prisoner whose term had
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
Mexican War veterans.

The heroes of Texas of over half a
century ago are gathered in Fort
Worth in their annual reunion. They
are the veterans of the Mexican war
and there are but few of them with
the elastic step and the straight, erect
form. The greater number are bent
with age, and the heads of the MAORI
ty are as white as snow. There are
about sixty of them. The youngest is
~ years of age (several being this
age), and the oldest has passed the
eighty-fifth milepost. 1t is a grand
and glorious little band of patriotic
men, who were the fighters for Texas
independence in the 40s, and who bv
their gallantry and bravery enabled
Texas to throw off the yoke of tyran.
ny and become. as they feel, one Of
the greatest, indeed, if not the great.
est state in all Amelica.--Dallls News
Nav -
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
Fought on Oil Field

Operations will shortly begin in a
new field of the Kentucky oil belt.
Capt. S. d. Bottom, who owns the
noted Perryville battlefield, ten miles
west of Danville, has contracted with
a New York syndicate for the boring
of wells on the field, which is claim
ed to be rich in surface indications.
Here in 1868, we'll was drilled to-
the depth of 500 feet by New York
parties, who leased many thousand
acres in West Boyle for development
purposes. On the morning preceding
the bloody conflict between the forces
of Buel and Bragg, the expert drill
ers, who were boarding with Col.
Samuel Bottom, father of Capt. s. D.
Bottom, as usual went to their work.
During the day the soldiery of the
north and south met, and by 4
o'clock in the afternoon the soil
around the prospective well was soak.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
Lincoln in War Times
Why the Great President Was
So Often at War Departnnont

Surprise is often expressed by intel
tgent people that so large a propo--
ton of President Lincoln's most i'm
portant kilograms and some of his
letters are dated from the war depart
ment instead of the executive man
sion, and none of them from the navy,
treasury or other administrative bu-
reaus. This is generally deemed
very singular fact, and from it writ
ers have plausibly drawn the concln-
sion that Lincoln personally liked the
secretary of war better than any of
the cabinet officers.
While this indeed appears to have
been true, It does not necessarily so
follow. He certainly held Mr.. Seward
In high regard, yet he seldom went 20
the state department.
In the circumstances it was not at
all singular. The explanation is easy.
War was the business of that time.
and Lincoln's eyes were always bent
to the army, especially when great
military events were impending. He
haunted the adjacent war
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02

department and army headquarters,
where abode Gen. Halleck, his military
adviser, for news and views. Head
and heart were strenuously concen-
trated on the fight, wherever it might
be. His fertile brain saw, too, the
critical points in the game oftentimes
far more clearly than some of his
so-called 'ablest generals"
He not only wished to know what
was going on in the fight, but PEI
formed his own part nobly. In the
heat of action or at crucial moments
his orders, suggestions and inquiries
were fired off spontaneously from
wherever he might be at the moment,
and at such periods he was generally
"over at the war department" with
Mr.. Stanton.
That is the chief reason, says Les
lie j. Perry in Lippincott's, why SO
many of his dispatches are dated at
that department, and not because he
perhaps held Stanton in higher es-
TEEN than the SECRETARY of the navy, or
state, or treasury.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
For seashore or Yachting.

All the costumes intended for sea.
side and yachting wear bear some dis
tinctiyely nautical device, from the
conventional sailor dress and REFER,
with "buzzard" on sleeve and anchors
on collar and shield, to the more elab-
crate frocks which follow the fancy
tailormade models. In the accompany
ing illustration is shown 4 very pretty
type of these frocks, not too severe.
nor over ornamented. The material
is dark blue mohair, of a very coarse
grain. The gored skirt is very close
fitting from belt to knee, and from
there to the edge very fiaring. an
teams being finished with several rows
of stitching done with Corticelli silk
In self color. The border is of striped
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
Daring Attempt at Escape
Fooled In Nick of Tim,

expired He only asked if a certain
cell had been examined. 1t had not
In it six well known desperadoes were
confined.
| went to the cell. There were four
bare stone walls, some iron cots and
a chair-no other furniture. All the
cells were floored with heavy flag
stones laid in cement, but this one
had also a good board floor above the
flags. While l talked with the pris-
oners on various subjects, examined
that floor. 1t seemed solid, and all
the cracks were filed with dust. But
there was one short piece. Hitching
my chair nearer to it, l inserted my
knife-blade under that piece. 1t came
up. The search was over.
In an excavation made in the flag
ging were the uniforms, and much
more-cold chisels, hammers and
saws, stolen from the masons, and
plenty of dirks made from chisels and
case-knives. In case of failure to
pass the guard the prisoners intended
to overpower it.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
Dust Saved Washington City.

did | ever tell you how clouds of
dust once saved Washington City from
what many people believe would have
been certain capture at the hands of
the Confederates?" asked a member
of the old Veterans Reserve Corps,
which was on duty at Fort Stevens
during the war, to a crowd of compan-
ions in a downtown hotel the other
day. No one in the assemblage had
heard the story, and so the veteran
continued:
ut was when the army of Northern
Virginia was just outside the capital
city. You may remember that Gen.
Early, who was in command of this
particular division of the Confederate
forces, in writing to refute statements
published in Northern papers to the
effect that he could easily have
marched into Washington, said: 4
knew the defenses were weak when
arrived, but my troops were so ex-
hausted from the enforced march that
halt was absolutely necessary, and
the next morning | knew by clouds of
dust that reinforcements had arrived
That dust, gentlemen, was raised
by few men, not exceeding one hun
bred, of the Veteran Reserve Corps.
The temporary commander of this
company, a stout man of medium
height whose rame or rank l did not
learn, because he wore no blouse or
insignia, placed the men in line Of the
rear of and between Fort Stevens and
Fort Slocum. After making a short
speech, in which he urged every man
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
IN FASHIONS REALM
MODES OF THE DAY DICTATED aY
SOCIETY LEADERS.
Pretty Blouse of Liberty Satin. with
Medium SIeeves-Early Autumn
Goats Are Made Longer Than Those
OF Last Year-House Decorations.
Early Autumn Goats.

The coats of all the costumes de-
signed for early autumn are made long
enough to come more than half way
down the skirt, and the short Jacket
OF last year and the year before is
quite out of date. And yet, to show
how capricious is fashion, an i'm
mensely smart little coat is on the old
Fashioned REFER style, double-breast-
ed, and curved in at the sides. After
all, the fashion which remains as
many styles come and go, is to pay
more and more attention to the ques-
ton of which style is becoming to the
especial individual who is to wear it;
and from all present indications the
autumn and winter will not show any
more definitely marked lines than did
last year.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02

to do his best, he directed us to
march down some distance on the
grass past Fort Stevens. Once there.
he told us to break ranks and right
about, returning in the middle of the
main road and kicking up all the dust
we possibly could. We doubled on the
line, marching down on the grass and
coming back in the dusty road. 1t was
a dry season, and we all had on broad
soled shoes. We made the dust fly, l
tell you, and it is no wonder Gen. Ear
ly thought reinforcements by the thou
sands had come to the relief of the
handful on duty at the forts" Wash
ington Star.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
Bloody Civil War Battle
RACED Around the DarrtoI

ed in human blood, and more than
1000 men who had been cut down in
the bloody fight lay in heaps around
the hole in the ground. Six hundred
OF the bodies were buried on the spot,
and nearly 500 were brought to Dan
vile and inferred in Bellevue GENE.
terry.
From that day to this nothing
whatever has been heard of the drill
ers or the head promoters, and it is
supposed they joined the army or
were killed in the conflict. Repeated
letters addressed to their former
place in New York were returned to
Col. Bottom by the postal authorities.
Portions of the old machinery are
still on the ground. The well showed
a small vein of oil, which has been
utilized by the farmers for some
years for the fabrication of their
machinery Cincinnati Enquirer.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
House Decorations.

An idea which has gained much
favor among exclusive decorators is
to oil pine floors, instead of painting
them, then allow them to darken with
time. Built-out seats continue to be
one of the most popular of house dec
orative features. The latest have lit
tie railing arms, one of which is often
arranged with pocket to hold a hook
or magazine or fancy work and top
shelf on which a cup of tea may be
served.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
stylish Wraps and Gowns.

Cloth trimming upon wraps and
gowns of natural color pongee is rich
and effective. One Ct the stylish new
three-quarter coa,s seen the other day
is finished with marrow bands of bis.
cuit-colored cloth, a double row of it
outlining the seams. Then, on the
sleeves, is more of the cloth, two
bands being put on in deep points just
below the shoulder.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
Mrs. Noah up to Date.

Noah, finding his wife weeping on
the quarterback, inquired what was
the matter.
I'm afraid people will say our
fashions came out of the ark" she
sobbed.
Never mind" he returned, 1--WE can
have the apes to dine with us to-
night"
treasured by being thoroughly up.
to date, she dried her tears and went
down to swipe some plumes off the
ostrich.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
Why she peteated II.

Again" complains the devoted
wife, Il am told that you have been
flirting with that odious Miss Mashem
on the piazza"
BAIL" retorts the gay husband,
thinking to ridicule the suspicious of
MS wife. "Eah!" he repeats.
1T isn't SO bad" asserts the wife,
FOR man to be guilty, but what
detest is when he acts so sheepish
about it."
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02

allowed to escape at the elbow, form
Ing puff which is gathered into a
small close cuff The blouse is made
o. Liberty satin, laid in tucks and
stitched with Corticelli silk In such
way as to produce the effect OF puffs.
These are mounted upon yoke OF
plain material which is defined by
straps. embroidered in Corticelli flo
silk to initiate the gay Bulgarian en-
broidery now so fashionable.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
worked with white Corticeli embroid.
erS silk.
Pretty Blouse Of Libertv satln-

There is greater latitude in the cut
OF sleeves than that of any other por-
ton of the feminine costume. They
range in style from the perfectly plain
coat sleeve, made somewhat larger
than formerly and usually furnished
VIVA cuff, to the immense flowing
sleeve, comparatively small at the
shoulders, and increasing in size as
IL descends, nearly or quite covering
the hand. The latter type is found
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02

Or. Jalap-Well, you may thank
yJaf flne constitution for pulling ySy
through: nothing else could have
saved you.
The Convalescent-But | cannot see
that you have made any reduction in
your bill for my fine constitutions
share in the cure
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
Pleasantly Situated

Poor mani" said the lady visitor.
addressing one Of the inmates of the
insane asylum, don't you often feel
very sad to be shut up here?"
"Oh, no" the patient answered.
THE lunatics who come to look at us
are generally very amusing"
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
bal 1an5 A

Mrs. Uptodate Ito maid)-Mar,e
you need not set out the cons,', ie'
tor Mr. uptodate's dinner. have re-.
eeived marconigram that he will nor
be home until 10 o'clock, as his San
tos-Dumontobile has had breakdown
Judge. Ii
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
A Great Boomer.

TITS really astonishing-the bust.
ness success that young Calliper has
attained, and he's not much more than
a little lad now"
well, when you come to think of it,
there's nothing better to boom bust.
ness"
Better than -what?"
"a little adj"
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02

Il suppose" said Mr.. Odds. eff I
were to start smoking again it would
set the children bad example"
ut would, indeed" replied his
wife. It's thoughtful and unselfsb
of you to consider that"
Eyes, so I've decided to send the
children right off to boarding school
where they won't see me-"
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
An Effective Turban.

A stunning black turban in rough
braid showed an arrangement of vel.
vet ribbon filing up the space in front
between crown and brlm. At the
sides were two sets of wings. the
forward ones being white spotted with
black. while those further toward the
back were entirely black.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
There Wasn't

Redd-He took several good.sized
sticks and beat his wife.
Green-l cannot believe he could ba
guilty of such cruelty. W W
Redd-Cruelty! There wasn't anv
cruelty about it. They were playing
golf together.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
Extravaoant Wish.

"Have you selected play for next
season."
mo" answered the sensational &C.
tress; that is matter of some diff.
ficulty | would give a great deal IL
could find a playwright whose imag.
ination is as fertile as that of my
press agent"
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
Honesty Vaccine.

Doctor" said the wild-eyed young
man, my wife is kleptomaniac. Do
you think you can do anything for
herr"
well, we might try vaccination"
replied the young doctor. "You know
that keeps people from taking things"
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
At Home All oav.

why weepest thou, woman?"
My lord will be buried this day."
My wife was buried yesterday To.
morrow must get me another"
Whereupon the widow shook the
ashes from her shining hair, dried
her eyes, and, looking into the face
of the widower, smiled.
I will be at home tomorrow all
day." she said.-Smart Set.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
An InfaIIible Presentation.

Patient-Doctor, tell me something
to make the time pass more quickly.
Just now it drags so that have moth.
ing to think of except myself.
Doctor-Indorse a note falling due
in three months for bit more than
your present income affords.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
A Gentle Hint.

1t was 1880.
Eyes" she said, although the re.
mark seemed a little abrupt, 81 al
ways sleep we'll" Then she paused
and plaintively added in a hopeless
murmur, when | get a chance"
Whercupon the youth, who had
been overstaying himself took his
hat and softly stole away.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
Wouldn't Post Rills

Dear, dear" sighed Mrs. Nuliwed;
Il suppose I'll have 10 take this re-
ceipted bill down to the milliner my
self"
You can mail it, can't you?" asked
her husband.
mo, indeed. I've seen those large
signs stuck UP all over the city which
read Post no bills"
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
Fitted for the chnir

Pastor-Your daughter is very hand.
some, Mr.. Smith.
Father-Yes, she is. I'm thinking
OF having her join your choir.
Pastor-That's good. Is she a fine
vocalist?
Father-No, but she's got devil of
q temper.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
Recognized the Sound.

1t wa her first ride in an autemo.
bile and she was deeply interested in
the horn that was used to notify PEG.
pie to clear the way.
Papa" she said
'Well?" he returned. YJl
MAKE it snore some more"
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
Still in the Family.

Il deeply regret it, sir, but honor
and my altered circumstances compel
me to release your daughter from
her engagement. l cannot enter your
family beggar. In a recent deal in
stocks lost my entire fortune.
mot another word, my boy-not an.
other word. | got it."
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
No Wonder

Church-What makes your neigh.
Dor so naughty to-day?
Gotham-Why, didn't Won not,oa
he was carrying home his own beef
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02

Il tell you what" grumbled the
pessimistic waiter, people amt Civ
ing tips like they used to in the old
days"
That's right" replied the good-na-
tured waiter, facetiously, there was
Esau, for instance, who gave his
birthright for mess of pottage."
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02

Friend-Don't look so blue. You
have good case.
Jimsoa-No use. I'll lose. / know
III lose. Every man on that Jury
either rented or bought house of me-
when was in the real estate bust.
ness.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02

are black velvet strapped on whits
taffeta like the stock. Large hat OF
shaggy felt, trimmed with leather
pompons.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
THE SPICE OF LIFE
MERRY JEsTs THAT WILL DRIVE
AWAY DULL CARE.

Husband Knew What to Expect When
he Was Called "Darling"-Good
Scheme to Make Time Pass Away
Quickly.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02

A woman likes to have her bus!
oand treat her considerably, but NOT
so CONSIDERABLY that people will taSa
her for his second wife.-Puck
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
Il Would Cool rhen a.

Hewitt tell you, it's too hot to go
to the theater. " 80
Jewett-oh, come along; the NAV
will be frost. anyway. '
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
How to Judns.

Finnicus-You can't Judge man by
the clothes he wears.
Cynnicus-But you can by those his
wife wears.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02

The odd bolero is of folded black
and white striped silk. with large
rosette at one side of the front. The
gown edges are piped with this silk.
The large sleeves have two under
ruffies of plated black silk muslin,
with ruched edges. The under-cuffs
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02

1t doesn't take dynamite bomb to
blast our hopes.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02

taffeta, china blue and white, cut on
the bias, and finished with three rows
and one through the middle. The
same trimming borders the collarless
Elton, finishing the bloused front and
being prolonged to form little tabs be-
low the belt in a vest effect, and at
the shoulders to give the required
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
Insult to Iniurv

He (reproachfully)- vo,
forget what happened yesterday. I
was cut by my dearest acquaintance
the one | love best in all the world !,
in fact d
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
Touchinq.

slopay-Don't you wish you were
Midas?
Borroughs-Who was he?
Slopay-Everything he touched
turned to gold.
Borroughs-Huh! Everybody I
touch turns me down.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02

Il make it point never to talk
more than ten minutes with any one
person."
so as not to tell all you know, l
suppose"
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02

She (coolly)-The idea! Do Won
really shave yourself?
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-12-02
nuch?

Loving Wife-Darlingl
Suspicious Husband-Well, how
much?
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-08-08
WELCOME TO EMPEROR.
German Ruler Arrived in Cars Do.
main Today.

Reval, Aug. 6.-Emperor William of
Germany arrived in the roadstead to-
day. The shipping in the harbor was
brilliantly decorated with bunting and
garlands and spacious reception
hall, layishly furnished had been
erected on a quay. The czar on the
imperial yacht STANDARD sailed early
to meet the Hohenzollern and the Ger
man emperor was transferred to the
STANDARD, which returned to port with
the two emporers aboard, followed
by the Hohenzollern and the German
cruisers Prinz Heinrich and Nymphe
The STANDARD passed down a line Of
Russian warships, which fred salutes
and manned sides.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-08-08
ASSAULTED SURVEYOR.
Farmer Offered Armed Resistance to
Survey of New Road,

Fort Benton, Aug. 6.-Complaint has
been filed against Fred Hartig for as
,ault on County Surveyor Merrifield
n the eastern end of the county a
lew days ago. Hartig objected siren
uously TO Mr.. Merrifield's carrying
out official instructions to survey a
public road from Coburg to the Ca
madam road.
When Mr.. Merrifield went to Co
burg he was met by Hartig, who has
land through which the proposed road
would have to pass, and was told that
if he attempted to cross the land he
would "get something that would turn
him around"
Mr.. Merrifield paid no attention to
the threat, if he understood it as
such, and went to the Hartig place
and found the latter lying in wait for
him with rifle, six-shooter and club.
The count surveyor did turn around"
and went to the nearest justice, at
Harlem, and swore out a warrant
for Hartig's arrest.
The accused was taken into Gus
tody by the constable at Harlem and
will, no doubt, be brought to- Fort Ben
ton within few hours.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-08-08
AN INQUEST is BEING HELD.
Body Positively ldt ntified as That Of
Harry Tracy.

Spokane, Aug. GA special to the
Chronicle from Davenport says:
An inquest is being held over the
body of Harry Tracy. 1t is learned on
good authority that the body will be
held at Davenport. 1t has been posi-
lively Identified by some of the prison
officials from Salem, Ore, who nave
been notified. This identification is
a formality, there being no doubt as
to the body being that Of Tracy
There are seven of us who should
come in for the reward" said Sheriff
Gardner in conversation over tne
long distance telephone. 3"The party
of five who went out from Creston
are entitled to large share of the
credit and money. My son, NJ C..
Gardner, and myself, were also in at
the killing, and make up the seven
who have a just claim on the money!