davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-03
Railroad Notes and Personals.
HURRICANE DAVIDSON, TERROR
Activities of the Missouri Desperate
who Loved TO Plan and
Carry out Raids.

Jim Mckinney, the outlaw who was shot
to death In a Chinese sosshouse at Bakers
field, Cal, the other day, belonged to a
family OF terrors on both sides. Twenty
years before the civil war there was
kinsman on his mothers side who was
known in the country where be lived as 81
Davidson.
The present generation in Cass county,
Missouri, probably never heard OF him, yet
he was the hrst terror Of a region which
produced the Younger boys, and in strip
Of the state over which Quantrell and his
guerrillas rode by day and night when no
mans life was safe.
So far as was known, 81 Davidson meyer
killed his man. In the time In which he
lived the man who killed another had TO
show that his own life was in danger before
he killed his assailant, If he wanted to
continue his residence In the county.
One OF the early instructions OF one OF
the first judges Of that part Of the state
was, according 10 the memory OF his grand
! son. also a judge. as follows:
IF the jury believes that the deceased
! was a dead shot, as the court understands
! he was. and that he fred at the defendant
! first, and was drawing the bead on him tbs
second time. the court instructs the jury
to aequit the defendant on the spot"
That was the law on the Big Blue river
| There we're those who used 20 say, when.
ever there was a murder or other crims
committed In the county. about which there
was any mystery. 1T would have been lk'
81 Davidson II nobody else had a-done IL
But 81 was never indicted for murder.
It was his principal delight TO stop bust
ness at the county seat Harrisonyille, o.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-03

OF the anxious homeseeker. The new rail-
way that was never constructed; the new
city that had no existence, hatched kids
by the hundred. abounded with churches,
schools. libraries and all manner OF mod
ern public improvements. especially. it had
the best grain market in the state;' the
brawny hands Of toll that could guide the
pillow, welded the wizards wand which
caused groves, orchards, vineyards, gar
dens and fields to flourish like the mush-
room; and the copious showers and heavy
dews Of more favored sections we're made
10 do duty on the gently undulating prairie
which affords excellent drainage were
among the subjects treated with no little
tact by the editor. Such a cheap and
ridiculous display of sentiment appeared
harmless enough, but yet II paid the
fiddler enormously. Many people in the
eastern states fell an easy prey to the
Erafters Circulars and the local newspa-
pers were addressed 20 so many post
ONCE boxes (the names of persons were
not deemed essentiaD each week. which
usually brought in a large number OF let
ters seeking information about the new
country. 1t would be almost an endless
task TO enumerate the schemes in store
for the capture OF the interested CORE
spondent; let It sufice. it was difhcult for
him 10 get away
Early Connections with the Railroads
'Erastus A. Benson doomed Cove and
1 Sheridan counties with might and main.
/ He had options on lands aggregating some
| leO, 600 acres, which he partially disposed
OF by large sales, as in the case of 10000
acres to Mr.. Perkins Of the Burlington
road and others He subsequently bought
! 1900 acres from the Verdon company
and his interests here remain quite con-
siderable, chiefly. Il is believed, on ac-
| count OF the collapse in land values result
ing from the boom, which was at its height
| in 1887. Cove county was organized II
1856. Mr.. Benson took a hand in tht
county seat tight and succeeded IN naming
Cove City as the local seat OF government
II has no connection with other towns b.
railway. telegraph or even telephone. Cit!
lots which have brought $500 each coult
not be disposed Of al any price today
The total assessed valuation OF lots in th'
town was $7497 last year. The popula
tion in 1900 was 1s2. The population o
Cove county in 1880 was 1891 and 2.4i
in le0O-signifying a loss OF $50 in III
ten years. Hon F. d. Coburn, seeretar,
OF the Kansas State Board OF Agriculture
credits the yields OF the following name
crops as follows Spring wheat. bushel
per acre; winter wheat, bushels; corn
i2 bushels: oats. 10 bushels; rye, bushels
barley. i2 bushels; Irish potatoes. so bush
II els. Since these figures are for 1902 IL
interesting 10 note how cheap land va
during the boom The Settlers Guide
a weekly publication Issued at ouintel
. in this county, March. 1857. contains n
Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-03
BURMAH'S ODD SHRINES
Caves Beneath n Fortress and q Tenn
pie on Top of n DaIRnc-
ing Rock.

Burmah doubtless can olrer the oldest
places OF worship TO be found anywhere
in the world. Some miles out OF Maulmein.
In the middle OF a great plain. stands a
lone rock so peculiar in form as never 20
be forgotten when once seen. Ages ago
the caves which honeycomb this fortress
were transformed from the hAbitats Of bats
and wild animals into places for devotlons.
Thousands Of images OF Buddha are carved
upon the walls and in every chamber
bronze, stone or wooden gods are standing.
sitting or reclining in endless silence.
writes Jessie Ackermann in the May House
keeper. No one can compute how many
millions Of feet have pressed the earthen
floors OF these sacred cayerns. Almost as
remarkable is a Burmese shrine built by a
rich man as an offering to his favorits
god, This was erected on the very apex
OF a balancing rock" so formidable in
appearance as to strike terror TO the heart
before one can carry out the resolution TO
/ make the dificult ascent. The material
was transported TO the rock on the backs
| OF men and pulled to the top with
hand power by means Of a rope. To reach
/ the top requires stout limbs and steady
nerves. Tiny steps have been cut in an
almost perpendicular wall and a slip means
a fall to certain injury and perhaps death.
The difficulties Of erecting a place OF
worship have given no end OF anxiety 20
the well intentioned who have the interests
OF a community at heart. Sometimes Il "a
as difhcult TO obtain the material as II is
TO raise the money with which TO pay for
II. In North Queensland the problem Is:
| What will Withstand the rayages OF the
| white ant pest? Every kind OF wood has
been tried in vain. Again and again have
the little white ants destroyed ine churches,
razing them TO the ground. As a last
resort the good people decided TO use cor
| rugated iron. This material has proved
satisfactory 80 far as resisting the attacks
Of the insects is concerned. but Il has one
decided disadvantage in that land where
Old Sol pours his burning rays down so
pitilessly. The iron draws the heat and
on hot summers day the temperature in
side o. one Of these veFitable furnaces
viii often rise 10 as high as 100 degrees.
reminding the congregation most forcibly
OF certain orthodox theories regarding the
hereafter Of the wicked.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-03

cause the stage coach and the mail carrier
to take the brush and cut across fields. 81
was six feet two, lank and nearly as dark
as an Indian. When he was mounted on q
little white pony, as he always was. his
feet nearly touched the ground. When he
crossed a creek he doubled his legs under
him.
There was a sort Of fairness in his ma
ture. For example, when he planned a
hurricane" as he called his raids on the
county seats. he sent word ahead that a
certain day would be 81 Davidsons day in
town, and mothers and old mammies gath
cred their broods from the yards, play
grounds and streets, locked their doors and
remained prisoners until Isl Davidson was
| through"
While the hurricane" was on 81 David
son was riding his gray pony into the court
house, galloping the little beast through
from one door to the other. making a target
OF the ceiling as he galloped and following
| II up with a ride through the streets.
Woe TO the man whom he met. That man
was compelled to dance while 81 Davidson's &
shots kicked up the dust in the immediate
vicinity OF his feet. Another diversion was
TO put a bullet through the citizens hat
always warning the citizen TO stand still II
he didn't want to get hurt.
| Ihe snerin OF the county, VINO was the
only ofhcer authorized 10 make an arrest
was never in town wher .; was 81 David
sons day. Besides, 81 Davidson controlled
all the votes in his part OF the county OF
election day.
One Of 81 Davidson's exploits was on th'
occasion Of the laying of the cornerstone o.
a school house by the Masons. 81 did no
send word he would be there as was hii
custom. but he arrived during the cere
monies, and while the stone was being
lowered he came whOoping up the street oI
his gray pony, firing down, right. left, up
initiating the old music teacher just befor,
he strikes the air. 1t is said that he sho
all around the stone and there was a storl
for a long time that he made the lodg
open the box sfterward, but, OF course, h
didn't
But that was his last hurricane" On hi
return 10 his farm that night he encoun
tered a bigger hurricane than any he ha
ever managed.
The food gates opened. The big cree
which he had to cross went out Of it's bank
and 81 Davidson's body was found when tn
waters receded, lodged in the top OF a tree
} His funeral was rather remarkable, con
7 sidering his record. The people felt that
burden had been lifted from them-that
. curse had been remOyed-and they attende
his burial. each 70 satisfy him or hersel
? that 81 Davidson was dead.
: The women whom he had made prisoner
E we're there and the children we're show
the dead 50 that they might understan
that there would be DO more terror-n
2 more Davidson hBrrieanes." The littl
: white poay he rode in life Was hitehed b
Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-03
BENSON'S CAREER IN KANSAS
Dead Town Marks Spot Whers rs BeCam:
Proficient in Booming.
SOME SAMPLES OF HIS PECULIAR METHODS
What the Boomer Candidate for
Mayor of Omaha Accomplished
Before He Migrated
80 This City.

AS a boomer. Erastus A. Benson had had
experience before he came 70 Omaha and
the ruins OF q town In Kansas stand wit
ness TO the boom methods engaged in there
by him aud his associates. A representa-
tive OF The Bee who was sent TO visit the
two Kansas counties In which Mr.. Benson
operated reports the situation there as
follows:
Benson left Davenport, Ia, for Cove
and Sheridan counties In Kansas, not 70
make home there. but to win a fortune
In land speculation. He was well equipped
70 ply his art in the new country without
unfriendly competition. He acquired
options on large tracts of railroad lana
along the Kansas Pacific road, cultivated
close relations with the Union Pacific ana
B, q NJ. railway companies. aud made free
use of printers ink to advertise his game.
AS MT Benson stiil has large holdings An
this section the community Of interest
between him and the railways Is far from
being thing of the past.
How the RuaeO Game worked.
The story OF the Kansas boom has been
often told. Being able 20 command the
necessary means 10 make fun payment OF
secure an option on a large body OF land
from the railroad companies. the boomer
was allowed certain benefits in the way
Of free advertising and cheap excursion
rates for prospective land buyers. Options
we're granted on the payment Of 10 per cent
OF the purchase price. which amounted L
SiS for every quarter section. When tbs
quarter section was sold on long tim,
and easy payments 10 an immigrant. th'
boomer deducted the S4S advanced so
the option and the amount Of his proh
above the original price ts3 per acrel
and transferred his contract with the com
pany 70 the purchaser. after which he hat
no equity In ~ claim. AS 'elincher' I,
a sale. the buyer was often given fire.
transportation TO his home. While the ad
vertising departments OF the roads rendere,
yeomans service TO the cause, the loca
newspaper. under a general name. va
deemed an indispensable auxiliary.
vouohed for everything seen. unseen and {
bs desired, which might crafty the hear
Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-03
POINTED REMARKS

Necessity keeps a man from getting rusty.
He who never seeks his opportunity will
never hnd Il.
In order to be sure you are right you
must go ahead and hnd out.
Men love to hear OF their power. but dis
like to be reminded of their duty.
In after years 1t makes a man feel sad
when be thinks how fresh he used to be.
Paradoxical though il may seem. every
time a gun goes on it stays right there.
When a woman nudges you with her ell
bow Il is equivalent 10 saying Il told
you so"
There seems 10 be a shOddy lining be-
tween some people and the bright side o,
life.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-03

eraI agent at st. Louis; Phil Auer' district
passenger agent at Plttsburg, Kan, to be
general agent at Denver; James Powers
district passenger agent at Buffalo. Ill., TO
be transferred. with same title, TO Pitts
burg, Kan; W. F. Crawford, travelling
passenger agent, with headquarters at Chi
cago, to be district passenger agent at
Buffalo. Ill; Warren Cowle' city passenger
agent at st. Joseph, TO be city passenger
agent at Peoria.
Railroad Notes and Personals.
President Burt of the Union Pacific goes
to Chicago Sunday night
Chief Engineer Berry of the Union Pacihc
left for st. Paul Saturday evening.
c. b. Horton, superintendent or the
Western Union Telegraph company, left for
Denver Friday night.
c. c. Hughes and J. w. Mum OF the
Nebraska and Wyoming division OF the
Chicago & Northwestern go 10 Chicago
Sunday night
Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-03
city MissIonary Arrives.

Rev. Fred Grimes OF Charlottesville. Ind,
has arrived in the city 10 take up the work
OF city missionary OF the Christian church.
This work was planned several months ago
by the Monday club a society composed Of
members OF the Christian church, and has
been held in abeyance for some time. Mr.
Grimes will hold services I'm parts OF the
city far removed from the present churches.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-03

hind the wagon which contained his CONN.
A short time after the members Of the
family left the county and went to Cali
fornia. To this day no one in Cass county
can tell where 81 Davidson was buried
New York Sun.
Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-03
CUTS DOWN RUNNING TINE
Northwestern Line shortsns Schedules fol
Trains Running Into Chicago
LEAVING TIME MADE LATER AT OMAHA
Present Cut il Supposed to he Move In
Gradual Reduction Designed TO
Produce Fastest Trains
to Chicago.

The Chicago Northwestern has made .
general revision OF its schedules and as a
result the through trains on all Of its hnes
will make faster time than previously.
While the change in most cases is slight
more than half of the trains are affected.
The leaving time in most cases is made
later, while the train arrives at its des-
tination at the old scheduled time.
In February the schedules on the Chi
cago-Omaha trains were reduced some
what and this additional change makes it
more apparent that the company is grad
ually working toward a point where It can
handle the fastest trains between the two
points.
The slightest change is in the overland
limited which leaves Omaha at sis p. m,
OF only fye minutes later than formerly.
No. leaves at 11:SO a. m. instead of 1855
and arrives in Chicago at the same time
the next morning. The night express to
Sioux City has been changed so that It
leaves fifteen minutes later and arrives
in Sioux City at the same time.
Trains westbound have not had their
schedules changed as yet. but local ofheials
anticipate that a like change will be made
in that direction within a few days.
Rock Island shifts.
| The freight and passenger agencies OF
| the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific at
| Minneapolis and Portland have been sep
farated and the men in charge at the two
points given entire charge Of the freight
side, while new ohhees and ofieers have
been ordered for the passenger duties. T.
D. Lyon. formerly district passenger agent
at Detroit. has been advanced TO the duties
OF Northwestern passenger agent at Min
neapolis and George W. Dainter. district
| agent at Peoria. has been transferred 70
Portland with the same title.
The change Of these men caused q con-
siderable change among other Ofacers
many being raised several grades in the
service. The principal changes resulting
are: Frank Gllmer, travelling passenger
agent. with headquarters az Chicago. TO bs
district passenger agent Al Detroit; II. s
Ray, general egent al Denver. 70 be gen
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1903-05-27
Recent Real Estate Transfers.


There is unusual activity In Ellsworth
real estate this spring. Besides the pur-
chase of the Tisdale block by the Masons,
and the purchase Of the Crippen store by
9. @. Burrill, previously reported, other
sales have taken place during the past
week.
George R. Lowell has bought the forty
acre farm on the old Bangor road, OF the
estate OF the late George W. Perkins. Mr..
Lowell will carry on the farm, but will
continue to live in town.
Mrs. John Davis has sold her house on
Hancock street to George W. bennett,
sailmaker.
M. J. Drummey has purchased the
house on Main street near the fair
grounds of Mrs. Charles H. Drummey.
The long pending negotiations for the
sale Of the Bluehill mineral spring prop
erty are likely to be completed within a
few days. Ellsworth parties are inter-
ested in the sale. J. Prescott Gage, OF
Boston, is the purchaser. The delay III
consummating this deal is understood to
be difference of views between the par
ties as to the disposition Of the stock Of
the corporation. This, 1t is said, has now
been satisfactorily arranged, and the
transfer will soon take place. Mr.. Gags
is expected in town in few days.
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1903-05-27
A MAINE MUSICIAN.

I. F. Monaghan, Born in Ellsworths
now of Gardiner.
Last Saturdays Lewiston Journal con-
tanned the following interesting sketch,
accompanied by an excellent picture, OF
an old Ellsworth boy:
T. F. Monaghan is one of Gardeners best-
known musicians. Born IN Ellsworth, In 1864,
he commenced the study of music at twenty
years of age. The violin was his chosen instru.
ment, and he began it's study with the late J. II.
Butler, Of Hancock, who was one of the pronai-
nent violinists of eastern Maine. at that time.
In connection with his studies under Mr.. But
Ter. MIR. Monaghan commenced the study of the
cornet under the instruction of H. L. Moor, Of
Ellsworth, and later under the guidance Of the
late lamented John G. Mullaly, father Of the
accomplished and now famous "Mnilaly toysn,
SO widely known for their instrumental and Or
chestral attachments throughout New England
twas only few years after this that Mr..
Monaghan organized and led the celebrated
Emerald band, of Ellsworth. This band, Ii
will be remembered, won many laurels for its
street playing in the principal cities Of eastern
Maine. during the latter '70s.
By way Of supplementing his musical studies,
Mr.. Monaghan began the study of dancing and
Boston. This study he continued under Russ
Walker Melville Gilbert, formerly OF Portland.
M. Fl. Andrews, of Bangor, and others of SINH
lar high standing in this line of work. AS dane
ing master, Mr.. Monaghan has regular classes
in Gardiner, Augusta and all the surrounding
towns Of that vicinity.
Mr.. Monaghan went to Gardiner to make u
permanent res idence there in 1888, and during
that year he organized Monaghan's orchestra Of
| ten pieces. This orchestra is to-day one Of the
delig ghtful features of Mr.. Monaghan's classes
| in dancing, not to mention numerous and vari.
GUS social functions up and down the Kennebec.
| During most recent years, MIR. Monaghan has
continued his study of the violin under Bert
hold W. Theme. conductor of the Togus band
| and orchestra of the Soldiers Home, II. L.
Bates, of Gardiner, and Francis j. WEIGH, OF
| Portland.
| Mr.. Monaghan, by the way, is a brother or
Miss Mabel Monaghan, Ellsworth's talented
young singer, now of Boston. He is also
| brother of c. E. Monaghan, of Monaghan's
band and orchestra.
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1903-05-27

Rev. David Kerr will preach at Surry
next Sunday afternoon.
The Woman's Alliance meets this after
noon at 8 with Mrs. 8. w. Sutton.
Gideon s. Cook and wife will observe
their golden wedding on June 10.
Rev. David Kerr is attending the River
view local union held at Lamoine to-day.
John E. c ak, and Senator E. 8. Clark,
of Bar Harbor, we're In the city yesterday.
Mrs. John Davis has sold her house on
Hancock street to Geo. W. bennett, sail.
maker.
DR.. Lewis Hodgkins leaves tonight
for Boston, where be will remain for a
few days.
Charles P. Dorr, register OF probate, Is
visiting his daughter, Mrs. W. G. Lowell,
at Mansfield, Mass.
Miss Helen M. Smith, editor Of the Bar
Harbor Record, is in town, the guest Of
Mrs. B. j. Thompson.
The Epworth league will have a supper
Wednesday evening, June 3. from to
Z, at the Methodist vestry.
Mrs. ]. E. Emery, of Winchester, Mass,
is visiting her parents, W. B. Campbell
and wife, for few days.
Evangelist Williams breaches at South
Hancock next Sunday morning, and at
Hancock in the afternoon. n
Miss Bessie M. Joy, who has spent the
past four months among relatives and
friends In Masssc chusetts, is home.
The story that whale was seen the
OF her day ff Shady Mock seems to be a
rather fiImsy one OF the sea-serpent
variety.
The ladies' circle OF the Methodist
church will meet with Mrs. Charles Fl.
Grindal, Water street, o-morrow after
noon.
There will lie special meeting of
Esoteric lodge this evening to work the
third degree. A full attendance is de-
sired.
Rev. F. L. Hayward, of Baeksport,
preached at the Methodist vestry last
Tuesday evening, and held quarterly
conference.
Mrs. Helen G. Hathaway, OF Bangor,
who was for some years music teacher
here, sails for Germany tomorrow from
New York.
Among the guests at the Hancock house
during the past week have been: R. I'd.
Young, Hancock; e. B. Mears, A. L..
Stafford, L. B. Deasy, Bar Harbor.
About thirty members of Nokomis
lodge of Rebekahs went to Bangor last
Friday. and we're royalty entertained by
Excelsior lodge, OF that city.
The ladies OF the Park street improve
ment society will hold another sale OF
cooked food at Manning block next
Saturday. opening at 80, instead OF at 2,
the usual hour.
The hauling off for repairs OF the tug
"Little Round Top" makes 1t bad just
now for Ellsworth shipping. The "Julia
frances, the "Henrietta A. Whitney"
and the Lulu W. Eppes" all arrived in
the bay last Saturday, where they had to
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1903-05-27

paratory to boxing 1t up and shipping
1t back to the wholesaler; that he had no
intention of selling this beer in the hall
or elsewh here. The court ruled that
satisfactory evidence had not been pro-
duced that defendant intended to sell
this particular beer, and discharged him.
The veteran hardwood man, Charles W.
Pierce, who is running the spool wood
factory at the Falls, was unfortunate
enough to break his leg below the knee
one day last week. He was assisting In
moving heavy piece OF machinery at the
mill on a truck-team. The machine
canted, and in falling caught Mr.. Pierce,
breaking both bones. He was taken to
the home Of his brother, Henry A. Pierce,
on the Trenton road. He is doing as we'll
as can be expected. MIR. Pierce is in his
seventy-ninth year.
A yearling colt arrived by express In
Ellsworth last Saturday from Danforth &
Sons, OF Washington, ILL.,, consigned to E.
II. Greedy, the welln-known horseman.
O'Dell; he is to be kept in Maine for stock
purposes, and great things are expected
Of him. He is one Of the finest bred ami
mails that ever came into the State. His
sire was Sphinx, by EIectioneer out Of
Sprite, whose sire was Belmont and whose
dam was Waterwitch. The colts dam was
Natalie, out Of Beatrice by Nutwood, he
by Belmont out OF Miss Russell, the dam OF
the famous Maud 8. Natalie's dam was
Beatrice, out Of Mary Mambrino by Cuy-
Ter. Thus 1t will be seen by those famil-
lar with this formidable string, that Dam
lei must be pretty we'll bred. He will be
kept in Ellsworth this summer, and
broken to harness by Mr.. Greedy himself.