davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Savannah morning news., 1903-12-31

Chicago, Dec. 3o.-About $50 people
were killed in ten minutes this after
noon during a fire in the 1roquois
Theater, the newest, the largest and,
as far as human power could make
it, the safest theater in Chicago.
Estimates of the dead and injured
vary. The police account of the dead
is $50. The estimate of the newspa-
pers is 562.
Besides this there are fifty-five peo-
pie missing at midnight, the majority
of whom are probably among the dead
in the morgue and various undertake
ing establishments.
Eighty-six of the dead have been
positively identified, and ninety-two
others are known to be injured.
these. people We're burned
to death by fire, many were suffocated
by gas, and scores were trampled to
death in the panic that followed the
mad plunge of the frightened audience
for the exits.
1t will be many hours before the
number of dead is accurately known
and many days before all of them
will be identified. There are bodies ly-
ing by the dozens tonight in the un-
dertaking rooms, in the police stations
and in the hospitals, from which near
~ everything that could reveal their
identity to those who knew them best
is gone. Their clothing is torn to
rags or burned to- cinders, and their
faces have been crushed into an unrec-
ognizable pulp by the heels of the
crowd that trampled them down as
they fled for safety.
How the Fire Broke Out.
The fire broke out during the Sec
ond act of the play 'Mr. Bluebeard,"
which was the first dramatic produc-
ton presented in the theater since its
erection. The company, which was
very large, escaped to the streets in
safety, nearly all of them, however,
being compelled to flee into the snowy
streets with no clothing but their stage
costumes. A few members of the
company sustained minor injuries, but
none were seriously hurt.
The crowds around Roldston's and
.Jordan's are so large that it is impos-
sible to get the excited people into
line 70 view the dead Therefore the
crowd was notified that no one would
he admitted tonight if they could not
identify their relatives or friends.
Onlv one body was identified at the
county morgue.
The accounts of the origin of the fire
80 conAicting and none of them GER
tain. but the best reason given is that
electric wire near the lower part
80 niece of drop scenery suddenly
,,uo,,a and was grounded. The fire
snread rapidly toward the front of the
..oo causing the members of the cho-
wbo were then engaged in the per-
,...,arce TO fee to the wings with
screams Of terror.
THE fire in itself up to this time was
-. serious. and possibly could have
heen checked had not the asbestos cur
tain failed to work.
The Great Curtain stuck.
A. soon as the fire was discovered,
Eddie Foy, the chief comedian Of the
oo,,nanv. shouted to lower the curtain.
and this was Immediately done. It
d.scended about half way and then
stuck The nre thus was given praeti-
esuv A aue. through which a strong
a,sft was setting, aided by the doors
which had been thrown open in front
OF the thsstsr.
with a roar snd bound, the flames
shot through the opening over tho
beads Of ths psoRls 81 ihs nFst door
The Savannah morning news., 1903-12-31

and reaching those in the first balcony,
caught them and burned them to death
where they sat.
Immediately following this rush of
flames, there came an explosion, which
lifted the entire roof of the theater
from it's walls. shattering the great
skylight into fragments.
AS soon as the flames first appeared
beyond the curtain a man in the rear
of the hall shouted "Fire, FIRE." and
the entire audience rose as one per-
son and made for the doors.
1t is believed that the explosion was
caused by the flames coming into con-
tact with the gas reservoirs of the the
alter, causing them to burst.
Will ]. Davis, manager of the thea
ter, said after the catastrophe that if
the peop. had remained in their seats
and had not been excited by the cry
of fire, not a single life would have
been lost
This is, however, contradicted by the
statements of the ffremen, who found
numbers of people sitting in their
seats, their faces directed toward the
stage as if the porfrmance was still
going on. It was the opinion of the
firemen that these people had been
suffocated at once by the flow of gas
which came from behind the asbestos
curtain.
Rush for Life Began.
AS near as can be estimated at the
present time about 1900 people were in
the theater. Three hundred of these
were on the first floor, the balance be-
ing in the two upper balconies and in
the Railways back of them.
The theater is modelled after the
Opera Comique in Paris, and from the
rear of each balcony there are three
doors leading out to passageways to-
ward the front of the theater. Two of
these doorways are at the end of the
balcony and one in the center. The
audience, in it's rush for the outer
air, seems to have, for the greater
part, chosen to flee to the left en-
trance and to attempt to make. its
way down the eastern stairway lead
ing into the lobby of the theater.
Outside of the people burned and
suffocated by gas, it was in these two
doorways on the first and second bal
comics that the greatest loss of life
occurred. When the firemen entered
the building the dead were found
stretched in a pile reaching from the
head of the stairway at least eight
feet from the door back to a point
about five feet in the rear of the door.
This mass of dead bodies in the CEN
ter doorway reached to within two
feet of the top of the passageway. All
of the corpses at this point were wom-
en- and children.
Horrible. Fight for Their Lives.
The fight for life, which must have
taken. place at these two points, is
something that is simple beyond hui
man power adequately to describe.
only a faint idea of its horror could
be derived from the aspect of the bodies
as they lay. Women on top of these
masses of dead had been overtaken by
death, as they were crawling on hands
and knees over the bodies Of those who
had died before. Others lay with arms
stretched out IN the direction toward
which lay life and safety; holding In
their arms fragments OF garments not
their own. They were evidently torn
from others. whom they had sndeav-
ored 70 pull down ana trampie under
foot AZ they fought for their own
lives.
~ the police ana nremsn removed
layer after layer Of dead Ia These door
The Savannah morning news., 1903-12-31


were elected to be members of the Elk
ecutive Committee: 7. F. Ryan, r. J.
Coolidge, Jr., ]. A. Blair j. S. Will
liams, J. B. Denis, B. F. Yoakum and
S. d. Warfield.
other officers were elected as fol-
lows: N. S. Meldrim, vice president
and treasurer; d. c. Porteous, secre-
tary, and t. w. Roby, controller.
Mr.. Bars succession to the presi
dency was expected some months ago,
in spite of repeated denials from Of
fetal quarters. His selection was
urged by the interests which more re-
Gently became dominant in the Sea-
board system.
The election of Mr.. J. NJ. Barr as the
head of the Seaboard Air Line has
caused no surprise in Savannah. 1t
has been expected that it would take
place, and the only surprise is that it
did not come sooner as it was general
ly understood and so printed in the
Morning News at the time. that one
of the stiDulations of the Blair Ryan
syndicate. when it entered the system
was that Mr.. Barr should become
president of it.
The new president is a man of wide
experience in the management of rail-
road properties. in fact is considered
one of the best railroad men in the
country. 1t was in recognition of his
ability that he was selected by the
Seaboard Air Line. at a much larger
salary than it had formerly paid, in
1901 to become vice president and gen
eral manager. His strong points are
economy of management, and the keep
ing of roadway and equipment in the
best possible condition.
That his management of the Seaboard
Air Line has been most successful is
shown by the fact that the physical
condition of the system is better now
than it has ever been before, and that
since his coming to the road the earn
ings have uniformly increased from
year to year. Mr.. Barr first came
prominently before the railroad world
while connected with the Norfolk and
Western. He came to the Seaboard Ali
Line from the Santa Fe.
The Savannah morning news., 1903-12-31
CONVENTION Toa ATLANTA.
Believed That city VIII BE selected
by the Republicans

Atlanta. Dec. 3O.--At the meeting OF
the Republican State Central Commit
tee In this city Tomorrow iadientlons
point 70 an agreement by wAich tile
state convention will be held IN A.
lanta. some time during the month OF
March. W. A, Pledger. chairman Of
the committee, is al the point Of death.
and the COMMITTEES viii be callad 20
order by Walter ". johnson, The Re
publican leader la the stata.
The Savannah morning news., 1903-12-31
Minister Was Concerned.

Washington, Dec. 3O.-The Japanese
minister called at the State Depart
ment to-day and reported that the sit
u'ation in the Far East is one that
gives general concern and that Japan
is making preparations for the worst.
1t is hoped, however that Russia will
reconsider her first answer to Japan's
request
The Savannah morning news., 1903-12-31
Traders YeIIs Heard for Blocks.

New Orleans, Dec. 30.-The ring at
the Cotton Exchange was surrounded
by a mass of struggling brokers all
day long. The opening was wild, but
the confusion grew even greater as
the day advanced. The bulls fought
desperately, but the heaviest support
they could give the market could not
keep prices up against the irresistible
tide of liquidation by weak longs.
The leading bulls bought heavily dur
ing the middle of the day, but the pur-
chases of 5000 bales at a time did not
hold the market
Soon after noon a war runner spread
among the traders at the ring, and the
confusion became indescribable. The
stout oaken ring, about which trading
in contracts is carried on. fairly trem-
bled as brokers hurled themselves
against 1t or Were forced against il by
the mass of brokers that crowded
around IL ten deep. The fierce eager
ness to sell at any price caused values
to tumble points at a time. Outside
the exchange q curious crowd of peo-
pie thronged Gravier street and other
vantage points, and the frantic yells
of the traders could be heard for
blocks.
The Savannah morning news., 1903-12-31
GARTH NOT HIDING
Authorities are Convinced That lie
Leaned Overheard.

Galveston, Tex, Dec. SO.-There APP
pears to be no ground for the telegram
sent TO New York that Mr.. Garth
the missing New York bank president
was seen here Saturday night. Capt.
r-,,o,s ~ the steamer Denver and
~ ~ a a,,s,,s Lawson. who were most IN
,,n innate with Mr. Garth while on the
steamer. are both OF the opinion that
he Jumped overheard. After r,. hearing z
the story OF these men "alFs aeea,, :
chief Of police II satiShsu 70 "SS'P'
There is no reason 20 discredlt the
.,stsrnent Of Capt Evans. Eugene =
Zones 81 Memphis, uncle 70 Mf, yasth,
STsiveS here today He - saushsa
"a has offered reverb o. tsev
80. me recover Of oarth's boay,
tSinking q may be picked W ~ some
DasalnG Eesssis
The Savannah morning news., 1903-12-31
HENDERSON A BANKRUPT.
Prominent Tobacco Man of Dam
willie Owes S1O4,OO

Danville, Va, Dec. 3O.-James A.
henderson, a prominent tobacco deal
er and exporter of this city filed vol
utary petition in bankruptcy this aft
ernoon in the federal court here. The
liabilities are scheduled at 100000,
while the assets are stated at about
5000.
The Commercial Bank of Danville is
the largest creditor. the amuont due
It being $4,000. The Peoples Savings
Bank of Danville is named as creditor
to the amount Of s12,500 and the First
National Bank of Baltimore, Md, &c.
800.
The Savannah morning news., 1903-12-31

hh9ANills' Tenn. Dec. s0.-Dennis
lam, ior several years q player IN
ne virginia League and a. one time q
member OF the Cincinnati team. was
silgt ana killed here to-day BY Frank
stAkan' Aagen N'as arrested.
The Savannah morning news., 1903-12-31

London, Dec. 30.-Japan this evening
completed the purchase of the Argen-
tine warships Moreno and Rividavia,
building at Genoa, Italy, for which
Russia also was negotiating.
The Savannah morning news., 1903-12-31
In Fearful Stampede Men, Women and Chill
dren Give Up Their Lives.
Flames, Gas and Press of Tenor-StHcken TFlrong
Cause The Disaster.
Calamity Occurs in the hoquos Theater While the Play,
"Mr Buebeard," Is Being Presented.

Estimates of the Dead Newspapers
Six of the Dead Positively Identified two Injured in the
Disaster-Wll Be Long Before the List Can Be Completed
Identification Impossible in Some Cases-Thllins
Stories the Calamity
The Savannah morning news., 1903-12-31
RIVERS AND HARBORS
TO RECEIVE SOME NOTICE FROM
THE GOVERNMENT.
LIMITED BILL TO BE PRESSED.
1T is TO BE PRESENTED DURING
THIS SESSION OF CONGRESS.

S-cretary OF War Is Opposed to
General River and HarbOr BILL
hut the Pressure in Favor of
Certain New Projects Is So strong
ms to Force the Presentation of n
Mensure-This May BE Killed Inv
Too Many Amendments.
BY r. M. Larner.
Washington, Dec. 30.-At the War
Department to-day the statement was
made from an authoritative source that
a limited river and harbor bin will
be pressed for consideration during the
present Congress. This will be gratify-
ing information to may localities in
terested in river and harbor improve
ment.
1t is well known that the Secretary
of War is opposed to a general river
and harbor bill during this session.
but the pressure in favor of certain
new projects has become SO strong
that 1t is proposed to have bill con-
tanning provision only for work de-
clared urgent.
"A board of engineer officers is holding
DAILY session for the consideration of
projects to be provided for In the bill
Inc board has already placed its STAMP
u approval on several new projects
While many other petitions for river
ana harbor improvements have been
turned down by the board
There is feeling of apprehension on
the part of the War Department Off
cials that an effort may be made To
load the bill down with amendments
IN the House and Senate, which NAV
swamp the measure.
Roosevelt HASN'T offered II.
There have been so many conflicting
publications concerning the Chairman
snip or the Republican National Com
inlttee that a statement on the subject
mas been authorized from the White
Rouse. 1t is announced that President
Roosevelt has offered the chairmanshin
10 no one, for the good reason that II
Is not his to offer. He has assured
senator Hanna that he would be pleas
ed TO see him continue at the head Of
the committee, but Senator Hanna has
not yet said what he will do. Especial
emphasis is given to the denial thar the
place has been offered to Secretary of
war Root or ex-Gov. Crane of Massa-
chusetts.
The Savannah morning news., 1903-12-31

(continaed on Fifth Pags.)
Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-10-26

experience and from
often at loss what to photo
their they neglect entirely The main
the blind beauty which lies all
artistic
of beauty
think their city brother
living the dssahs
fed straight and live
Many also think beauty lies In nov
them full
photographers and their city brothers
world would
and Dark Room
be rapid bromide paper ana
negative positive a
heads and classes of figure studies even In small
the bromd holds possibilities
a bromide pleasure
action.
but good light Of 1h
orev a quite practical
Its freedom halaton and
false lights
oiceable n their prints
which obvious to need special mention
Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-10-26
NYE'S FIRST ENGAGEMENT.
How the Humorist Introduced Him
self TO Mr.. Pond.

The late Major Pond managed Bill
Nye for several lecture seasons, but
their first NEE ting was rather informal.
Nye was one day walking down Fourth
avenue with friend, when he spcd
the Majors modest sign in the win
dow of the Everett House.
Here's the man that incites the lee
turcrs," said Nye; lets 20 in and see
If we can't induce him to lead bet
ter life"
Entering, Nye removed his hat and
ran his hand over the hairless eXpanse
of his head and after staring about
for a moment said:
This is Major Pond, I believer"
"Yes, sir. What can l do for your
answered the Major.
Il want to get job on the plat
form" returned Nye.
"Ah-yes." said the Major, slowly
"Have you had experienced"
"Well. I've been before the public
for Il couple of years."
Eyes? May | ask in what capacity?'
eve been with Barnum. Sat CON
cealed in the bottom of a cabinet and
exhibited my head as the largest ostrich
egg in captivity. "-Saturday Evening
| Post
Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-10-26
THE ROSE BUSH.

A child sleeps under the rose bush fair;
The buds swell out in the soft May air;
Sweetly it rests and on dream wings
flies
To play with the angels in paradise.
And the years glide by.
A maiden stands by the rose bush fair;
The dcwy blossoms perfume the air;
She presses her hand to her throbbing
breast,
With loves first wonderful rapture best
And the years glide by.
A mother kneels by the rose bush fair;
Soft Sigh the leaves in the autumn air;
Sorrowful thoughts of the past arise.
And tears Of anguish bedim her eyes.
And the years glide by.
Naked and lone stands the rose bush
fair;
Whirled are its leaves on the wintry AR;
Withered and dead they fall to the
ground,
And silently cover a new-made mound.
And the years glide by.
From the German.
Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-10-26

unteers in Cuba He knew his physi-
cal defects; he felt that he was wear
ing out in the climate. Sun was al
ways hard on him, ever since his sun
stroke in the lava beds. If he was
forced out of service his half pay
would not maintain his family-all
girls. TO become maj or before he was
mustered out, that would be salvation.
He stopped by a figure that squatted
That's right" said the man. Il
wanted to speak with you"
The big American looked down at
the shriveled Cuban. You followed
on your own risk, you know"
Il know" The little mans face
glowed. Il risk. At last l am to
strike for my country. There will be
shooting soon. Oh, how l feel! And
you Americans--I honor YOU"
THAT'S all right" said the captain.
"Don't bother about u.s.
'See, you, captain" said the Cuban.
He drew a wallet from his breast and
opened it carefully.
"Put it up. man." he said.
"But look said the Cuban. "Tbey
are American money-thousand dollar
bills. Ten. Do you see? My whole
fortune. Spain has taken the rest"
Il see" said the captain, astonished
"You spoke of risk" said the Cuban
"But you risk your lives for us. | risl,
mine, too, If l die you take this
money. See?'
Yes" said the captain.
The money is for the poor of San
tiago, my city, which we will beslege
1t is to reconstruction understand
A legacy from me. The money, yor
take it if die. You see that it is prop
crly used. No one else knows. I'm
derstandt"
Il understand"
"You are an American. l don't ash
you to promise All, look OUT
\ dry cracking began in the thicket:
under the trees across the clearing
One would have said that men wer,
breaking branches for fuel. But look
ing closely, flashes were visible in tn,
shadow. Bullets began to cut til,
leaves about the captains head.
The Cuban twitched his trousers
'Lie down." he said. Foolish t.
stand. Lie down"
The captain shook his head. TIL
men We're looking at him; he coul,
not afford to betray nervousness. Tn
lieutenants came for orders. "Shal
we fire." "Not yet" The captain
studied the woods in front, and search
ed them with his glasses. His worrie
vanished as he called into play hi
military faculties. He noted the in
creasng fire, as from a gathering il
regular force. Then his orders cam
Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-10-26
HELPS BOYS TO START RIGHT.
The Morning Gathering In Front of
the House of T.. J. Wendell.

The front area of house in one Of
the Thirties near Fifth avenue is filed
every morning with motley collec-
ton of boys. They are usually very
detected looking, all of them seem
very poor, and they are of type that
rarely finds its way to the modish
quarter Of the city.
They begin to gather In front of the
house as early as o'clock and by 10
o'clock some of them are still there.
at the season, when most OF the
houses in that part Of the city are
closed, they supply unusual animation
to the street.
These youths come to seek the aid
Of +. J. Wendell, who has for several
years devoted much time and money
to helping boys who have got into
trouble through misfortune rather than
from any fault. He became interested
in philanthropic work some years ago
and soon realized that boys as poor as
those be is seeking to aid have very
little chance in life once they are start
ed on the wrong track.
His interests in this direction have
so increased that he now employs q
Secretary to help him. He is fire.
quently called to the police courts to
befriend boys and secure bail for many
youths who might lose their liberty
but for him.
The crowd that gathers in front of
his door every morning is usually made
up of lads who have come to him with
some petition. His hours for receiv
| ing these visitors are from 8 to 10
| o'clock, and in the course of the two
hours fifty applicants are frequently
heard and their cases marked for in
| veStigatiOn.
Mr.. Wendell first saw the wretched-
| ness in the lives of these youthful I'M
| fortunates when he went down on the
East Side to give theatrical perform
ances at some of the clubs there. He
also saw that little or nothing was
done to help the boys, while there were
many organizations to help girls, so he
trouble.
Many deserving boys have been aided
by him and helped to make a living for
themselves. No boy is helped until
his case has been investigated, and it
has been found that few apply who
have any cause to be ashamed of their
| plight.
Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-10-26

rule as to which foot to try first. 1t
is true nevertheless that in major
ity Of cases if you succeed in fitting
the left foot you will have no trouble
with the right. My practice is to try
both feet before l pronounce a pair of
shoes perfect fit. Then l am sure
Of avoiding any mistake growing out
Of peculiar1ties of foot formation.
mo two people have feet formed ex.
actly alike, and the shoe salesman who
thinks so and Is governed accordingly
will meet with many complaints. For
some time l pondered over the problem
of fitting shoes to feet and especially
as to why the left foot should be con-
sidered the standard by which to be
governed. The only rational theory l
have ever been able to evolve is a very
simple one when you come to consider
it. Nine out of ten people you meet
are right-handed, as we say. About
one person in ten, or perhaps the per
cent is even less than that, uses his
left hand. If you will observe a per-
son who uses the right and when he
or she is standing and talking they
invariably rest their weight OH the left
foot. And vice versa, left-handed
person will rest his or her weight on
the right foot. The result is that with
right-handed people the left foot Is
probably a fraction larger than the
right foot, and the shoe clerk must
inevitably find this to be fact soon.
er or later. That, in my opinion, is
the explanation of the common belief /
that the left foot is the standard tot
go by in the fitting of Shoes But, as III
have already said, there is no ruleE
that is absolutely safe to follow, and
my plan is always to fit both feet be-
fore l let customer leave the house."
New Orleans Times-Democrat.