davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-17

Nebraska City, Neb., Dec. 12.-Ihe
situation here caused by the town be-
ing cut off from a water supply owing
to the Missouri river changing its
channel, is becoming serious. The
electric light plant has been forced to
close down and every manufacturing
establishment in the city will have to
close tomorrow unless relief is secured.
The packing houses are not affected,
having water systems of their own.
A large force of men is at work run
ming pipes to the new channel.
Alden, Arabia, Dec. ia rumor
has reached here of the assassination OF
the Mad Muliah, in Somaliland. The
report was brought to the coast by a
native runner from Garrero, via Ber-
bera. The Mullah is said to have been
killed by spear thrust in the stomach
while he was praying.
Newberfy, December 12.-The board
of directors of the Mollohon Manufac-
turing Company have decided to IN
crease the capital stock of the Mollo-
hon Cotton Mill from 5000, 0oO to
$500, 900. TIE building will be en-
larged to twice the present size and
the number of spindles will be In
creased to %, 600.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-17
POLICIES RAVE VALUE.
Can Be Realized Upon for The
Paid Up Value.

Bowling Green, Ky, Dec. II. n q
impertan nscase was decided by J. a.
Mckenzie as Special Judge in the
Circuit Court. E. Porter had a
life insurance policy in the Equitable
for $50, 90 and one in the New York
Life for the same amount. He paid
on each policy for FIVE years and then
let them lapse and five years after they
had Iapsed and had been laid aside
as worthless, James D. Hines, as
frsutee in bankruptcy of Mr.. Porter,
Brought suit aaginst the companies for
the paid-up vaIue IN each case. The
matter has been decided in his favor,
and he recovered a judgment as trustee
sn-aso anu for
S7g5 against the New York Life.
This decision will be Of interest to a
great many people, and there viii be
a general hunting up of policies which
have lapsed and which have heretofore
been considered worthless.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-17
say it was not.

Since his return to Europe the
Grand Duke Boris has come nobly to
the defense Of bis fair American enter
tainers. In Paris interview, Figaro
quotes him thus: !" American girls are
the most graceful dancers in the world.
At Newport accepted all invitations
in the order in which they came.
I have read Mr.. Watterson's criticisms.
He is too severe on the American
society women. They love to dance
and sing and be merry, but their
morals are higher than those of the
women of any European country" !"
Boris is a white man, you bet! Cou-
rier-Journal.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-17
DOCKING The COAL MINERS.
Interesting Testimony Before the
Anthracite Coal Commissions.

Sranton, Pa, December 12.-The
greater part of today's session OF the
anthracite coal strike commission was
taken up in presenting cumulative
testimony on matters that have al
ready been heard by the commission.
This testimony tended to show that
there has been excessive docking, that
many men were Disseminated against
because they went on strike rather
than do the work of strikers; that
they are paid one price for mine cars
Of all sizes; that they do not get paid
for all the coal mined; that they should
have the eight-hour day because the
mines are unhealthy and dangerous,
and that they ought to receive nigh
er wages.
Late in the day President Mitchell
was called to witness and presented
comparative figures which showed that
the men paid by the day receive from
40 to so per cent higher wgaes In the
bituminous regions than they do In
the anthracite fields. His figures of
the anthracite fields were gathered by
his own officers and hurried com
parison with the figures handed to the
commission by the Delaware and
Hudson Company, he said, showed
that his were generally higher. The
Delaware and Hndson's statistics are
the only ones officially before the COM
mission.
Chairman Gray asked Mr.. Mitchell
what was done by the miners to ad-
Just grievances during the interval be-
teeWn the two great strikes, and Mr..
Mitchell replied that he did not know
of any company refusing to hold con-
ference with their men, but he DID
know that in most cases the attempt
to adjust grievances proved failure.
In some instances, notably in the up
per fields. company officers have refus-
ed to see district officers of the union.
At this point James Torrey, counsel
for the Delaware and Hudson Com
pany, and Mr.. Mitchell entered into
a colloquy as to the Interpretation OF
the letters sent by the coal road presi-
dents early last spring in reply to the
unino's Invitation that the operators
meet the miners in conference for the
purpose of forming a wage scale.
Mr.. Mitchell stated that the opera
tors had refused the proposition for
collective bargaining or collective
agreemenls, but tha tChairman Thom-
as, of the Erie Company, early in
1901, agreed to treat with lis en-
ployees throughta committee or repre-
Sentative. The men have the same
right, he concluded, to employ a
representative to speak for them as
the company has to engage you or an
other lawyer to speak for them. -
That's all very pretty and bright, -
retorted Mr.. Torrey, but it does not
fit in this, case. =
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-17
Consumption sanitarium Recon-.
mendsd.

New Orleans, La, December r.
The American Public Health Associa-
ton today concurred in a resolution
recommended by the Executive Com
mittee in favor Of a National Con-
sumption Sanitarium.
The resolution asking for the aboli-
tion of quarantine was reported back
by the Legislature Committee with a
recommendation that it was not e1-
pedient to adopt it at this time. The
recommendation was approved.
The association refused to approve
the resolution asking the Federal Gov
ernment to employ sanitarian ply
sicians in the building of the Isthmian
canal, so that the health of those en-
gagged in the work of the construction
wouid be preserved.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-17
Hester's Cotton Statement.

New Orleans, Dec. 12.-Secretary
Hester weekly cotton statement issued
today shows for the - days of Decem-
Der decrease under last year Of 79, 600
and decraese under the same period
year before last of I20.
For the 1G3 days Of the season that
have elapsed the agTgegate IS ahead CT
the same days last year ia, 600 and
ahead of the same days years before
last Of IS, 600.
The amount brought into sight dur
ing the past week has been 346, l56
against 425, 45S for the same seven
days last year and 459, 632 year before
last.
The movement since Sept. 1 shows
receipts at all United States ports to
be A1T0, 1913 against 8, 81, 800 last year: !:
overland across the Mississippi, Ohio
and Potomac rivers to northern mills
and Canada 443, 1853 against 495, ,9S7 last
year: interior stocks in excess OF those
held at the close Of the commercial
year 469, 205 against 500, 794 last year;
southern mills takings 696, 500 against
627, 1853 last year. The total movement
since Sept is 5, 779, 2e1 against 900,
100 last year ano o,oio,Z55 year Detore
last.
Foreign exports for the week have
been 2S0, ,4s3 against 220, 493 last year,
making the total thus far for the sea-
son 2,SS5, lit against 2,92S,o19 last
year.
The total takings of American mills
north and south and Canada thus far
for the season have been 1850, liz
against ], 400, SIG last year.
Stocks, at the seaboard and the %
leading southern interior centres have
decreased during the week 1854 bales
against an increase during the cor
responding period last season of 81, lS2.
Including stocks left over at ports
and interior towns from the last crop
and the number of bales brought into
sight thus far for the new crop tho
supply to date is 1884, 335 against
5, 964, 445 for the same period last year.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-17
Horses and Mules for Beers.

Memphis, Tenn, Dec. 12.-Major
E. F. Eckersly, of the British army,
was in Memphis tonight on the way to
Lathrop, Mo-, whore the horse and
mule detention farm of the British
government is situated. He said that
more than 100, ,000 horses and mules
had been purchased and assembled at
theifarm for shipment to South Afri-
ca.
The animals are for restocking the
farms in the Transvaal in accordance
with the treaty with the Beers. The
movement to South Africa will begin
Jan. 49,, Another 100, GOO animals is
ito be purchased in the near future.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-17

Washington, December l4-Aside
from the dispatches from Minister
Bowen, there were no important
Developments in the Venezuelan situa-
tion so far as the State department. is
concerned. The officials are watching
events with keen interest so as to
be able to act promptly should such a
step become necessary, but nothing was
done today except to make some re-
presentations to the German and
English Governments in the matter Of
the peaceful blockade now being en-
forced by those Governments in Fene-
zuelan waters.
Secretary Hay has instructed our
ambassadors at Berlin and London to
represent to those Governments that
the United States must not be under
stood as giving its consent to any exs
tension of the international right OF
peaceful blockade. This instruction
was made simpy as ca, Jnary mea-
sure and gives the attitude of this
Government should any development
arise making its position a matter OF
importance.
It was confidently hoped that before
this time some answer would have
been received from the German and
British Governments to President
Castro's request that the claims OF
those Governments be submitted to
arbitration. This request was trans
mitted from Caracas by Minister
Bowen during the latter days of last
week, and in turn was handed to the
embassies of Germany and Great
Britain at this capital. Secretary
Hay, up to this time, has not received
any reply. It is regretted that the
commanders Of the German and British
vessels at Puerto Cabello should have
found it necessary to resort to bonn
bardment of the city for an act, for
which satisfaction might have been
obtained in a more peaceful manner.
The greatest fear is, that such acts
will result in inhaming the Vene-
zuelans, and that retaliation may fol-
low by assaults on foreign residents in
Venezuela, and that these may lead
to far more serious consequences and
the shedding of blood.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-17
STOPS THE BULL Fight.
The SIloWnlen 0bdHrafe, But the
Sheriff Gains His Point by Cali
ing Upon The cataWba Rifles
for Aid.

Rock Hill, December l2.-The active
interference of the sshrif was needed
to stop the exhibition Of fighting OF
bulls, dogs and chickens advertised to
be given at Thomassoa's farm at L
O'Clock today.
IL accordance with the instructions
OF the Governor Sheriff Logan went
( to the proposed arena before the hour
fixed for the beginning Of the perform
ance. He informed Messrs. Ihon-
ason and Tillman, the owners OF the
bulls, Of his instructions and of his IN
tention TO carry them into effect.
The reply was that they, too, had
taken legal advice and that the Cover
nor has made mistake IN choosing
his mode af procedure; that ne
should have applied to the Courts for
ea1 mjunction.
The sheriff vas not disposed 10 split
hairs abon5 the matter and. as ire
projectors Of the programme seemed
In earnest II their determination 30
force the fight if there were any
spectators, be decided TO call for help.
MESSAGE to Capt. Dunlap and the
Ca5aWba Rifles was all that was neces-
sary, and In short tiIae this company
was on the spot, ready to sappor5 the
authorities.
Thisspnt an entirely different view
OF the matter before the bull fighters.
The Sheriff and his own constable were
good men and true, but they might
not bs able to stop the fight if the
crowdE came. But the sheriff in earnest
and backed by company always
ready 90 obey orders might WIN in any
appeaI to force. Thereupon Messrs.
Thomson and Tilfnan decided to cali
OF the main features ef the program
and 10 amuse those who had come
with a drag race. This was done.
The promp6 and firm action Of the
sheriff and the military company put
an end to all expectations.
There is not much grief over this,
but thereis some apprehension lest the
attention tins centred on that neigh
berhood should culmilate IN a in
Eestigation Of the runor regarding
chicken fighting.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-17

government to take steps to obtain
satisfaction. ss
The ultimatum presented BY the
German minister says:
In spite of the sincerity of the desf
sire which animates the imperial GOV
ernment to maintain existing good re-
lations with Venezuela and although
far from desiring not to respect the
sovereignty Of the republic or to inter
meddle in its interior Institutions, 1t
can only see in the preceding EN-
ployed by the Venezuelan government
an intention to deny to the German
claims the settlement due them In con-
fornity with international law. It
therefore believes itself obliged to con
tribute in definite manner to their
immediate satisfaction
After mentioning the German de-
mands in detail the ultimatum pro-
ceeds:
by order of the impreisl govegn
ment have to ask the Venezualan
government to make "a declaration
Immediately that it recognizes in
principle, the correctness Of these de-
mands apd is wiling to accept the
decision Of mixed commission NJ th
the object of having them determiaed
and assured in all their details. The
imperial government hopes the goF
eminent of the republic will satisfy
the just demands Of Germany and not
oblige the imperial government itself
to enforce their satisfaction. At the
same time the imperial governments
thinks it should not omit to mention
that it has been Informed By Ghe
British government of its cIaimsl
against Venezuela. The two goverd
ments have agreed to proceed iointly y
to obtain satisfaction ofsalI demands.
PRESIDENT CASFRos' REPLY.
Berlin, Dec. 13.-President Castro's
reply to the German ultimatum IS a.
refusal to yield on any point.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-17
Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant Dead.

Washington, Dec. 14.-Mrs. U. S.
Grant, wife of President Grant, died
at her residence in this city at ILL
O'Clock tonight. Death was due to
heart failure, Mrs. Grant having suf-
fered for some years from valvula1
disease of the heart, which was aggra-
vated by severe attack of bronchitis.
Her age prevented her rallying from
the attacks. Her daughter, Nellie
Grant Sartoris, was the only one of hel
children with her at the time of hel
death, her three sons, who had been
summoned here, all being out of the
city.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-17
Improving the Service.

The soGth Carolina Telephone com
pany is overhanling its line to Tim
nonsviile, making it copper circuit.
The line to Bennettsvilie is also being
oyerhauled and made metallic return
circuit. This company row has good
connection with Augusta and the
towns between Columbia and there.
It's lines are branching out in every
direction and everything possible is
being done to improve the service
Florence Times.
The divorce of ten couples in Savan
nah this week, in the superior court,
IS thought to be an item notable
enough for circulation in the State
newspapers. In Augusta the divorce
of ten couples would be a trihing rec
ord. From thirty to fifty couples in a
single day is the usual court record
here. But then Augusta is the di-
Torce mill for the State of South Car
oIina, where no divorces are allowed.
Augusta Chronicle.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-17
Bishop 4. Coke Smith.
The Southport, N. c., Standard

The Southport, N. c., Standard
says:
{. It is Learned that Bishop A. Coke
Smith, who held conference in Will
mington last week, is descendant of
the family of which Governor Ben
jamin Smith was member. A writer
In tie Advocate recently made him a
g descendant of Thomas Smith, who
came TO North Carolina from Smith
field, and founded the little city by
the sea, which so long ago bore the
name ef Smithville, now known as
Southport. - SThe writer is doubtless
in error in the statement of the found
er of the town. That honor is to Gov
ernor BENJAMIN Smith
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-17
NO ORDERS TO SINK THEM.

Berlin, December 12.-As the result
of fresh inquiries made regarding
the reported sinking of Venezuelan
vessels of La Guayra the correspondent
of the Associated Press is informed
that the orders given to the German
and British commanders were to cap
ture the vessels before beginning the
blockade. No orders we're given to
sink them. If, however, any vessel
has been sunk this was military mea-
sure necessary in carrying out the
foregoing orders.
The foreign Office here refuses to be-
lieve the vessels we're sunk, or will not
credit the report until confrmatory
news is received officially from the
German representatives on the spot.
At any rate, it is added, if the vessels
were sunk it was the result of joint
action of both squadrons and in conse-
quence of resistance.
POWERS WILL NOT INTERME-
DIATE.
Paris, December IA foreign Office
official made the following statement
today to the correspondent Of the As
sociated Press:
"No exchange of views has occurred
between the European Powers con-
cerning the Venezuelan situation and
no such exchange is intended, as it is
definitely held that the affair is one
in which the United States should be
left free to take the initiative in medi-
alton.
GERMANY WAS RESPONSIBLE.
London, December l2.-The foreign
Office informs the Associated Press
that the British Government disclaims
responsibility for the sinking of tt 9
Venezuelan vessels off La Guayre,
which it entirely attributes to the Ger
man forces.
TOO LATE FOR ARBITRATION.
The foreign Office officials also say
they had not received information to
the effect that Venezuela had requested
Minister Bowen to act as arbitrator
They think it is not likely that the
proposition has been made, but if such
is the case they do not consider that ar
bitration at this stage would be ac-
ceptable to Great Britain.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-17
MAY lombard PUERTO CABEL
To

London, December 13.-A dispatch
to the Daily Mail from Willemstad,
Curacao, dated Decebmler II, says
that the foreign residents of Puerto
Cabello are taking refuge on board the
German cruiser Vineta and the Brit
ish crisuer Ariadne, and that these
vessels are threatening to lombard the
port.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-17
war ON VENEZUELA.
Fort and Custom House at Puerto
CabeI!o Bombarded.

Puerto Cabello, Saturday, Decem-
Der 13.-Tne British cruiser Charybdis
and the German cruiser Vineta bonn
barded the fortress here at 5 o'clock
this afternoon and quickly silenced it.
The bombardment lasted for forty
FIVE minutes. The fortress is composed
of Fort Solano and the Castle Liberia
dor. After the firing ceased the
Charybdis sent marines to occupy the
castle. The fortress was almost COM
pletely demolished. It is probable
that only a few persons were injured
by the shelling. The commander of
Castle Libertador has been taken
prisoner. The cruisers are still here.
At Z o'clock this morning the
Charybdis and Vineta arrived here
searching for Venezuelan gunboats.
The two cruisers sent their boats into
the inner port, but, finding no gun
boats the boats returned. The captain
of the British merchant steamer
Topaz, which was seized by the mob
here last Wednesday, then visited
the British commodore on board the
Charybdis and lodged a protest against
the violation of his ship. The British
captain returned an hour later with
detachment of fifty marines, who
took charge of the Topaz. The popu-
lace was greatly excited at this incl
dent, and raised the cry To arms -
but there was no disorder.
The British commodore then sent a
message to the authorities st Puerto
Cabello, demanding immediate salts
faction for the action of the mob in
having hauled down the British flag
from the Topaz, saying that if this
satisfaction was not forthcoming in
two hours, at 5 O'Clock the fortress
and the custom house would be bonn
barded. On RECEIPT of this demand,
the authorities sent message to
President Castro asking for instruc-
tions.
A committee of the merchants Of
Puerto Cabello then approached the
American consul here, petitioning him
to intervene. The consul accepted this
mission and visited the cruisers, but
he could obtain no alteration in the
decision Of the allies.
At a quarter before reply was re-
ceived from President Castro, who
authorized the chief official mere to
give the British commodore ample
satisfaction. Before this answer could
be communicated to the American con-
sui the hour stipulated for its receipt
had arrived, and the cruisers i'm
mediately opened FIRE on the fortresses.
The fire was returned from Fort Solano
and Castle Libertador, but the Vene-
zuzelan guns were soon silenced.
While the firing continued there was
intense excitement in this port Every
house in town was closed.
The people of Puerto Cabello cannot
account for this precipitate action on
the part of the allies, which they con
slider to be proof that Great Britain
and Germany intend forcing war upon
Venezuela.
The British marines purpose to
make use of the cannon in Castle
Libertador.s No damage was done to
the town. The excitement of the
people is subsiding.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-17

Florence, December 12.-This after
noon, in Darlington street, this city,
Press and Sam Robertson, two ne
groes of the same name, but no rela-
tion, had dispute over woman. The
result was that Press shot Sam with a
pistol in the abdomen, and Sam will
likely be dead before tomorrow. Press
claims it was accidental, while others
say it was not.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-17
THE VENEZUELAN EMBR0GLI0.
England Has Arbitration Propo osaIs.
Under Consideration.

London, Dec. 15.-0rders will or
have been sent to the British comman-
der in Venezuelan waters to take no
further aggressive action at present,
pending decision being arrived at on
the proposal for arbitration. THIS
came in the form of a proposal through
the United States government to sub
nit the claims of British and German
subjects to arbitration which Lord
LansdoWne announced later IN the day
in the house Of lords: now under
consideration by the British govern
ment. ss
Lord Lansdowne added We are
greatly indebted to the good Offices of:
the United States minister at
Caracas.
In Ambassador Choatess absence
Charge D'Afaires White is making
evrey effort to arrange some pacific
method of settlement Of the dis2lte
between Great Britain and Ve1s-
zuela. He IS in constant communicts-
ticn with the state department. at
Washington. Nothing definite has yet
been arranged, but there is some hope
for further hestilties being ayerted.
The negotiations are handicapped by
the absence from London seyeral of.
the cabinet ministers, answer
esss be 50 s25aat
have to meet. No decision is expected
before Wednesday.