davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-24
earlier DAYS OF RAILROAD CONSTRUCTION IVVIRGINIA

, distance, nearly 1000 tons, and of an
equal weight in ties, was effected by the
Charles Ellet. Jr.." ono of the ordinary
freight engines Of 14x26 inches cylinder
with tank fitted on her boiler similar
to the mountain engines. After the
"Ellet' did most Of the work she worsi
out. and the Joseph r. Anderson, = q
regular mountain engine, took her place,
and finished her work, The greatest
load drawn by the "Ellet", exclusive OF
her own weight was a bout $1,000 pounds
The roadmaster submits that 1t gives
him great pleasure to report the reading
in good condition, and that he has gradu-
ally improved Its general condition by
putting In new white oak ties to replace
those of white pine. which are less dur-
able than oak" He advises that there
are 142 slaves employed upon the repair
of the road, averaging s122.25 (seep) each.
fourteen of whom are engaged upon the
train used for supplying tho stations with
wood and hauling wood to the University
and charlottesville, and hauling mater
ials for repairs, ETC.; leaving 123 hands
actually engaged upon repairs of 16a
miles of road. not counting the nouns
tain track. There were sixteen sectinn-
masters at $3.50. per annurn. The company
furnished them houses to live in. but the
system of allowing them rntiona had
been discontinued.
In conclusion. the board Of public
works has something to say about the
speed of the trains. After q careful
perusal of tho railroad Journals and
a discussion with other railroad man
they find that the increase Of speed on
passenger trains without increase Of the
price OF tickets cuts down the net profits
OF tho road too much, and therefore rec-8
ommend that tho regular rate of speed
be kept at twenty miles an hour, tn-
stead of being Increased to more than
thirty. which they deem excessive ana
dangerous!
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-24

While looking over old papers in the
files OF the general passenger Offices OF
the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Com
pany In washington. Mr.. George w.
COMBS, confidential clerk to Mr.. II. w.
Fuller. the general passenger agent
found few days ago an annual report
OF the old Virginia Central Railroad
Company for the year ending September
30, 1867. and forwarded 1t to friends In
Richmond for inspection. Viewed from
the standpoint OF present railroad de-
velopment this old report speaks volumes
for what has been done in the less than
fifty years since 1t was written.
In the year 1s47 tho road was In OPP
ration between Hanover Junction and
1ordonsville. a distance OF forty-nine
miles, and the gross receipts for that
year were s47,G52, being less than $1,000
per mile. During 1856 tracks were laid
from Hanover Junction into Richmond.
which move on the part OF the Virginia
Central gave rise to much expensive It'll
ratIon with the rival road, the Richmond.
Fredericksburg and Potomac. which, In
those days was the graf artery between
Tho North and the South, having rail
line from Richmond and AcquIa Creek,
which there met with n line of steam
Yrs to Washington. where a connection
vas made with the Baltimore and Ohio
oad.
HAD MUCH LITIGATION.
DESTROYS OF holding such a control of
traffic from North to South and vice
versa, the Richmond, fredericksburg and
Potomac, some time after the Virginia
central had begun work on the line be-
tween Hanover Junction and Richmond,
filed suit In the Virginia courts asking
Tor an Injunction to arrest the work OF
its rival on the ground that the Legls-
)ature had granted tho Older road ex-a
Elusive privileges for the carrying of
passengers between Richmond and Han
pver. and that 1t was unlawful for the
Virginia Central to parallel Its tracks
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-24

| no way to prove such thing, the case
| was dropped. Thus the ancestor OF the
Chesapeake and Ohio. the old Virginia
Central. first got into Washington.
HAD SMALL BEGINNING.
In discussing the revenues Of the road
for the years 1866 and 1857, the president
and directors Of the Virginia Central
have this to say in their annual report
mentioned above:
THE receipts for the year ending S0th
of September, 1851 were not 30 large as
the estimate made in the report last
year. This can be very naturally ac-
counted for by lessened amount Of trav-
el between Richmond and Washington
last winter and the failure OF the crops
usually carried to market over this road.
The wheat crop was barely an average
che; the tobacco. below the average and
the corn crop the shortest which has
been grown for many years" The de-
cline In the price OF wheat and the hold
Ing of it tack for future delivery is also
mentioned as causing a falling off In
the amount OF freight. Going into fig
ures we have the following sums, which
are startling as compared with railroad
receipts of the present day:
Last year the gross receipts were
$50s Abb: this year. $40. o3o.sO; being an
addition OF ss1., 61765. realized from the
use of twenty miles Of road almost ex-
cluslvely for passengers for two months
and twenty days. The whole expense
account for the general administration
of the business of the company amounts
to $3l9,701.S2. It Is proper to remark
that tho cost of transporting nearly all
the materials Tor finishing about TWEEN
ty miles of road at the western terminus
and five miles OF the Blue Ridge Road Is
Included In this sum, while no estimate
Is made of the value of the same in tho
receipts OF the rond."
Then the report discussing generally
the immense benefits that are to be de-
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-24

publishers, and the system is sueh that
the publishers SO represented come into
direct contact with the buyers all over
Germany. and by the Leipsig agency
throw their books into something Ike
10000 atores. About the only provision
is that all books must be delivered In
Leipsig free of freight charges. the book
dealers expecting to pay the charge from
Leipsg to their respective stores.
Some OF the Afnrican firms have such
agencies. and 1t would pay ali Of our
publishers to appoint such representa-
tives have gone through the took
clearing house. 1t is beautiful building
thoroughly equipped for the purpose
have also visited some OF the chief pm
fishing establishments. including the ia
nous one OF Breitkopf and Haertel. They
all do good work, but In modern convent
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-24

and Austria Hungary Is 1 Id cents
word, while that to Belgium. Denmark.
Holland and Switzerland is only Pm
cents. You can send a dispatch to Eng
land. Norway or Italy for less than 4
cents per word. and to almost any place
in Europe for less than cents.
A Book Metropolis.
have spent some time here with
Brainard II. Warner. Jr.. one OF the
youngest and brightest mon In our con-
s,ilar service. He has been making an
investigation of the book trade. and
through him 1 am able to tell you some
thing OF the book metropolis. of Eu-
rope.
Leipsig does more book handling than
any other city In the world in proportion
to It's size. It has 500 bookstores and
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-24

& . u
ences are far behind similar establish
ments in the United States.
Leipsic's S2o,ooo.ooo Railroad Station.
Every one here says Germany is hav-
ing hard times. It may be SO, but that
is not delaying public improvements The
city OF sLeipsls is planning railroad sta
ton which will cost twenty million doll
lars. or FIVE times as much as the new
union station at Washington. There are
at present about half dozen depois.
These Will be done away with. and this
structure will be built in their place.
Dresden recently built up railroad de-
pot costing millions; have already de-
scribed the station ut Frankfort. which
cost eight and one-half millions. Berlin
has number Of fine depots. Cologne has
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-24

fourth-class. where most Of the passen-
gers stand up. The rates Of the first-class
are about the same as ours. second-class
a little cheaper and third and fourth
classes very low.
The Ubiquitous Slot Boy s
Speaking of slot boxes. they arc to be
found everywhere here and OF every
kind. In some OF the cities you can buy
tiA:ets on the Elevated railroads by
dropping German nickel. which means
two and one-half cents. in the slot. There
are slot boxes which sell postal cards
and slot restaurants. whore you can get
anything from a thlmbleful of benedic-
tine or chartreuse to n glass of cham
pagne or schooner of beer, from cAoc-
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-24

s temperance advocates. we
base our position on the truth
that VIC read In tho Bible that
"wine Is a mocker," and the
truth that "strong drink is
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-24
Housekeeping Schools.

housekeeping SCHOOLS.
There are many schools here for train
Ing servant girls. Berlin has an organi-
cation known as the Housewives Union
which devotes itself to such things. It
gives prizes for good servants, reward
ing every girl who stays five years at
one place with little gold pin and a
memorial; and after ten years a second
The Washington times., 1903-11-01
THE AURORA B0REALIS
SEEN BY NEW WORKERS
Strange Phenomenon Paralyzes Tele-
graph Service and Provides Bril-
liant Spectacle.

NF1W YORK. Oct 31.-A dazzling dis
play of the aurors boreaIis, or Northern
lights. that strange phenomenon that
comes from the icy regions, occurred in
this section between and 4 o'clock this
morning.
For several hours It paralyzed teie-
graph service, and when communication
was partially restored. it was found
that the electrical display had occurred
along the northern section Of the United
States to Chicago. and beyond that
point. Today the aurora is still in the
air. as its effects are plainly felt on all
northern telegraph circuits. The first
faint streaks of the northern lights were
fTst seen about midnight Two hours
later they had attained prominence
enough TO attract the general attention
OF persons in the streets
Wondering groups gathered on street
corners, and watched the white lights
give way to a more brilliant and beau
tiful display. Gray, green, red, and pur-
pie were blended in a splendid bow
which stretched far across the heavens
and from this the luminous rays shot
upward II was the first display Of the
aurora seen in New York for ten years,
and it made fine show.
While at its height at O'Clock, every
telegraph wire leading out of New York
was affected, and for time the SER
vice was absolutely at a standstilL
The Washington times., 1903-11-01
TREE LABELS RE-FIEED
I IN CAPITOL GROUNDS
Error in Designating One Specimen Cor
Tected Quickly When Official Atten-
tiou Was Called to It.

Improperly labelling a beech tree in
the southeast portion of the Capitol
grounds recently caused Architect Wood
and his gardeners slight embarrass-
ment. Mr.. Wood has adopted a new
system of labelling the trees, and dis
claims responsibility of Intentional mis-
doings- The manufacturers of the signs
ordered for the trees are held TO blame
Prior tc this fall the trees in the
Capitol grounds. of which there are
many kinds, were marked with tin
or sheet iron signs with the name Of
the trees painted on them. These did
not stand the wind, rain and other eIe-
ments as well as Mr. Wood wished, and
recently he adopted the plan Of having
small plates OF iron about three by six
inches enameled blue and the names OF
the trees painted on in white. The
labels were then tackled on the trees.
The names of each of the little trees
and shrubs in the grounds were written
on paper hurriedly by one Of Mr. Wood 3
assistants, and in writing the name
cut Leafed Beech" the assistant did
not make a perfect u" The employees
of Caesar Bros. sign makers in New
York city, read the first name of
the tree as Cat and within & short
time the sign Cat Leafed Beech was
tackled on a tree planted near the LII
brary OF Congress.
Everything would have gone well and
no one would have known that
there was no such tree listed by our
eminent American botany writer's, but
for the fact that a woman, living in
Washington and who enjoys the more
or less enviable reputation of being
most scrutinizing botany student.
CHANGED to saunter through the
grounds She espied the sign. rubbed
her eyes. adjusted her glasses. and
looked twice to see if it really was an
"a or whether she was suffering from
failing eyesight.
Satisfying herself that what she saw
was what was on the tree. she imme-
diately HE'D herself home, and after
reading up on trees and looking in
every botany book in her possession.
she raised a protest against such
mistakes on the part of the Capitol
gardeners who stuck up any kind Of
a sign they wished to, believing that
the public would not be any wiser"
The first thing the Capitol authori-
ties knew of it was when they were
shown the newspaper stories in regard
to it. The sign was then found to be
Incorrect, yanked down forthwith. and
sent to Caesar Bros, with a firm re-
quest for correction. AT present the
Cut-Leafed Beech tree has no label.
but it is contended that none at all is
better than an Incorrect one.
The day the Capitol gardeners were
informed of the mistake on the beech
tree they began to look around, and
found several other trees from Japan
Improperly labeled. and made the neces-
sary corrections before Miss Botanical
Student visited the grounds again.
The Washington times., 1903-11-01
PLAT set EN- UP"
FOR EXPRESS BOYS
Gave Them a $4,000 Good Time" in
Honor of His Recent
Wedding.

CHICAGO. Oct. 31.-The marriage of
Senator Thomas c. Platt has made him
so happy that he wants the many thou
sand employees of the United States Ex-
press Company to be happy with him.
One thousand Of them in Chicago
were given "a good Tina" and the men
understood that it was the wish and at
the expense OF the Senator.
The entertainment began with a vau-
deville performance, followed by a dance
and a dinner.
Employees in other cities are said to
have been Toasted and danced in a SINH
lar manner.
I'VE were told to go ahead and get
up an entertainment to cost about
$780," said one OF the employees, and
the company would settle. We did, and
IL was a big success. We learned 1t
was Senator Platts way of having US
celebrate his marriage"
The Washington times., 1903-11-01
WIDOW GIVES FAMOUS HALL
FOR HOME OF OLD SOLDIER
Pennsylvania G. A. r. Post ReceUes Horticultural Build
mo-Scene of Stormy Ante Betlnna Meetings.

WEST CHESTER, Pa, Oct. s1.-On
behalf of Mrs. L. A. Painter. OF West
End. N j., widow of Uriah Hunt Paint
er. Major /. C. McCauiey tonight pre-
scented the famous old Horticultural Hall
here to George A. Mccall Post, No. 81,
G. A. r. as a permanent home for the
organization.
The post accepted the gift, appointed
Mr.. McCauley trustee grantee of the
hall. and elected Mrs. Painter as an hoE-
orary member.
IN her letter OF presentation Mrs.
Painter said she wished the building TO
stand as a memorial to her husband and
his lifelong devotion 10 West Chester,
his native town.
The hall, which stands on North High
Street, Is one of this city's most his
toric buildings. It was erected in ls4s
by the Horticultural Society. ar organi-
cation famous in its day. Every COVER
nor Of Pennsylvania, from Curtin to
The Washington times., 1903-11-01

Stone. has spoken in the hall. and all the
old anti-slavery leaders have thrilled the
people of West Chester with their elo-
Quence from its stage. These Included
William Lloyd Garrison, Henry Ward
Beecher,- Wendell Phillips Henry VIII
son, LucTetia Mott, Bayard Taylor. and
others. besides every Congressman who
has represented this district during the
last fifty years.
When the old Horticultural Society
passed out OF existence the hall became
the property OF Uria.h Painter. who con-
verted it Into an opera house. Here for
many years the Republicans and Demo
Gratis made their Examinations, and for
quarter Of a century Il was the only
public place OF amusement here For the
last three years its doors have been
closed.
1t is a fine old property. valued at
SIS. 900. and it's doorway is one OF the few
examples OF fine old Norman archltec-
ture in thu country.
The Washington times., 1903-11-01
FLORIDA LAND SOUGHT
BY HEIRS OF SETTLERS
Claim Dates Prior to Ces-
sion by Spain.
RAIDED BY BILLY B0WLEGS"
Claimants in Suit Declare Intention
to Fight the Case Through
Supreme Court.
RAIDED BY BILLY BOWLEGS"

Department Of Justice officials are Civ
ing close attention to an action begun in
the United States District Court of the
Southern district Of Florida, in which
the Government has been sued for the
recovery of the equivalent of 1000, 900
acres of land in western Florida.
The plaintiffs are the heirs of John
Forbes and John J. Innerarity. business
partners. who made up the concern of
John Forbes & Co. This company was
a noted one in Florida in the days OF
Spanish possession, and was the sue
cessor TO Panton. Leslie & Co.. COM
pany that in its day was stim mere
prominent than Forbes & Co.
Claim Grant From King.
Forbes & Co. had number Of trading
houses in Florida and elsewhere The
claim Of the heirs is that before the
cession of Florida to this country, in
1919. by Spain, the King of Spain,
through the captain general Of Florida,
granted the lani to Forbes & Co.
II is alleged this grant was made to
Forbes & Co. in return for services
Forbes and his partner had rendered TO
Spain in the troubles with the Seminole
Indians. and in repayment for losses sus-
tanned by the two men at the hands Of
the red men. In raids on the property Of
Forbes & Co. the Indians. led by Will
lam Augustus Bowles. the noted Semi
mole leader. generally known as "Bill
Bowles," or billy Bowlegs," were said
to have done much damage.
Held Invalid by Courts.
The further claim is made by the heirs
that the grant made by the Spanish
King was confirmed in the treaty with
Spair by which Florida was coded to
the United States. IN 1881 the claims OF
Forbes & Co. were brought before one
OF the old Territorial courts in Florida.
and were held invalid. This decision is
one Of the principal defenses of the Gov
eminent at this time.
The tract OF land claimed is valuable.
and np~ises the larger part of
washington and Calhoun counties. 1t
begins On the Appalachicola River at a
point opposite the mouth of Sweet
Water Creek. and extends west 10 the
ChoctawhatchIe River. and follows the
seacoast back to the Appalachicola. 1t
is now fairly we'll settled. and contains
a number Of scSvns. Much of the land
has been sold by the Government, and
patents granted to private parties. The
heirs who are suing the Government
expect to recover land scrip for such
part OF the land as has passed from
the title Of the Government. This scrip
would enable them to purchase Govern
ment lands elsewhere.
Able attorneys have been retained by
the heirs. and there IS little question
the csase will be fought through the
United States Supreme Court. The
heirs number about fifty. and are scat
tered about the country. most OF them
living in Florida and Louisiana
The Washington times., 1903-11-01
HOW CONSUMPTION DEVELOPS
AND HOW TO PREVENT AND CURE 1T.

The illustration herewith shows at
glance the intimate and close relations
between the various air tubes and the
lungs. ard how easy IL Is for neglected
bronchial and catarrhal troubles to ex-
tend down into and fasten themselves
upon the breathing apparatus.
That consumption Is the most terrible
and deadly Of all diseases IS proven BY
the fact shat the deaths each year from
TINS awful scourge are greater than from
al other Contagious diseases combined.
At the first sign or indication OF trOu-
bic the sufferer should Immediately seek
the best medical advice he can find, in
stead OF wasting precious time with
stomach nostrums. which never cured
single case Of genuine consumption. but
which weaken the patients constitution
"a the very time when he most needs all
h.a bodily functions in their best work
ing order.
The only sure way ever discovered 10
eradicate the consumption poison Is by
the inhalation OF the healing oily vaDors
OF the Koch ''TuDerculine' nedicated
with germicldNl and curative oils. These
wonderful vapors penetrate to the very
seat Of the disease. killing the germs
and permanently curing consumption.
asthma and all lung diseases Hundreds
OF people all over the land have been
cured by the Koch treatment, and are
today living monuments Of its success.
The Washington ONCE OF the Koch
Lung Cure Is at LBS New York Avenue
where consultation. examina ton and
trial treatment are given absolutely free
Home Treatment. Il desired, without ad-
ditional cost.
The Washington times., 1903-11-01
OPERA HOUSE BLOCK
IN J0HNST0WN BURNED

JOHNSTOWN. Pa, Oct. 81. The
Opera House Block was totally de-
stroyed by IRE this morning. and one
of the city's handsomest buildings is in
ruins. There were several Offices and
stores in the building. including the
Adams Express Company, Hammer s
music store, aud severat o.ners.
The loss Will be about Si00, 900 on the
building and a larger sum on the con-
tents There was no insurance on the
Opera House. but most of the occupants
were insured.
The Washington times., 1903-11-01
PRESIDENT COMPUTES
SENTENCE OF CAPT. FRENCH

President Roosevelt has commuted
the sentence Of Capt. George e. French.
Sixteenth Infantry, from dismissal to
reduction TO the foot of the list Of cap
tains, where he is to remain for FIVE
years.
Captain French loses go numbers in
rank by this action. He was convicted
OF drunkenness while on duty at Sea
Grit, n. J. President Roosevelt modi-
fed the sentence OF the court-martiaI
on account OF Captain French's excellent
record.
The Washington times., 1903-11-01

A slight cold, neglected. often settles
IN the head or throat, causing chronic
cafarrh. In the case OF persons with
weak lungs or who are IN any way pre-
disposed TO bronchial or asthmatic trou-
bles. this neglected cold Is very apt TO
gradually extend down through the air
tubes and into the lungs themselves
causing consumption.
The Washington times., 1903-11-01
PUMP BIDS OPENED.

Bids were opened in the Office OF the
Commissioners yesterday for the $500 600
gallon pump for the Trumbull Street
pumping station. -Four leading manu-
facturers were represented, the lowest
bid being submitted by the Holly Manu-
featuring Company, Of Buffalo. Y. z.
S1s,950. Other bids were as follows: The
Camden Iron Works. S#128: the AlIis
Chalmers Company. S2S, 500. and the Kill
by Manufacturing Company, SO. 80
The Washington times., 1903-11-01
BISHOP P0TTER'S NEPHEW
BECOMES A CONSUL

Julian Potter. Of New York, a nephew
of Bishop Potter. has been appointed
United States consul at Nassau, New
Providence, Bahamas, to succeed
Thomas J. McLain. who died short
time ago.
The Washington times., 1903-11-01
POLISH SUSPECTS AWAIT
EXTRACTION PAPERS

LONDON, Oct. 31.-Tepane and Koer-
Der. tie two men arrested at Southgmp-
ton n fortnight ago, on a charge Of
being the men wanted for the murder
OF Contractor Ferguson, at Macdonald,
Pa. have been remanded for a week to
await eXtradition papers from America.
The Washington times., 1903-11-01

EVERY WOMAN a''s' . saes.. sss ''s sSa
happy life lies in preserving the charms she
already has. OF in restoring those she has lost
She may have the sTeete5t disposition in the
world but unless nature has bestowed upon her
clear complexion, rounded features, veil
turned neck, and beauriful bust, she Is Sc
riously handicapped. Men are attracted and
held BY these charms, and she Is a wise woman
who viii strive by every means 70 preserve %
restore thesa hlessincs-
The Washington times., 1903-11-01
BOND REFUNDING STATEMENT

The bond statement given out at the
close Of business at the Treasury yes
terday showed TIE total 3 pei. cent and
per cent bonds refunded into 2 PEI.
cents amounted 10 SS.23S. 800. The total
OF per cent bonds redeemed amounts
to 50, 31o, 900