davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-08
By A. LAURIE.

ion by vigorously humping the table
with his fist.
1T would be idiotic,' he repeated.
As said just now. the only thing that
was wanting to our success was TO i'm
press the Imagination of the public. Do
that and YOU have not one. but ten or
twenty thousand shareholders. Nov
listen. have a scheme in my head that
would make a fine sensation"
Let US hear it," exclaimed Vogei and
Gryphins simultaneously.
Costerus Wagncr's was d strange his
tory He was an example of the fate
that may overtake the highest genius
when unaceompanied by good principle
and practical common sense.
He had been one Of the most bril-
liant scholars at a famous German uni
vcrsfty. At the age CT twenty he was a
doctor Of philosophy. already of note
among t5e most distinguished young
l.--s Sltidli@ tl L-tiDpt- Al tnt age VI
twenty-five he was known 20 the world
OF science as The author of a remarkable
worE, on stellar radiation.
Unfortunately, his character did not
correspond with the strength of his IN
derstandfng. He struggled to live by
teaching as a private professor, but his
vices followed him everywhere, and
could not but lead TO the one inevitable
result of failure. Falling lower and low
or until he had reached the deepest
depth of misery and degradation. he
emfgrated TO Melbourne as last
chance.
Here his still vigorous understanding
stood him in good stead: he conceived
/ the idea Of utilizing in a practical man
ner the recent discoveries concerning
the transfereuce of mechanical forces
/ by means of electricity Meeting by
! chance with VogeI, compatriot, and
Peter Gryphins. an American, who had
amassed a little money with foreign
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-08

in this. for these most skeDucal of the
realization OF the project were gratited
by the fact that the idea emanated {. on
Australia The scheme was soon known
all over the country. Would-be share
holders besiaged the Office in queen
street. And before very long Gryphins,
Wagner. VogeI & Co. sole agents. were
under the delightful necessity Of open
ing a deposit al a bank
The strangest fact about the project
was that Costerus Wagner had not even
taken the trouble to explain by what
means he intended to carry it out. He
was probably well advised in this, for
opponents had nothing but conjecture to
tall back upon. Costerus declared hat
he would keep his secret safe until the
company was thoroughly established.
Such reticence was highly applauded ~
the creduIous. who were more eager than
ever to embark their money in a com
pany so judiciously managed.
The only plan in reality that the pro
moters of the company had was to get
two million pounds.
But . meeting had to be called, and
some sort OF explanation given. It wos
attended by stockholders, merchants,
shfpowners. brokers, and crowds Of com
mercfaI men generally. On the platform
sat Lord Randolph CIetheTow. a young
English Dobleman, on a visit to Aus
traIia
The, preHminarfes over. and Lord Pan
dolph unanimously voted to the chair,
Costerus Wagner stood forth to develop
his program.
The time. said he. has arrived
when the continents Of earth are divided
among its various races a new field
mus be sought for British enterprise.
quite close TO the earth, few thou
sands of leagues away in space. is an
other world as yet unexpIored. ready
and waiting TO yield her riches up to the
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-08

dorstandiug word here and there, not
wflhstandfng the elementary character
Of their first lesson in astronomy.
Welt" resumed Wagner, getting up
and strfding about the room. given this
propinquity of the earth and the moon.
does it not seem strange that no one
has tried to go from one globe to the
other?"
But I thought that the attempt had
been made in America. by means of a
cannon" rejoined Gryphins.
ut is true that a Frenehman did make
the attempt. and even succeeded in his
enterprise. which is most valuable from
cur present point of view. But this
venture was unique Of its kind. precisely
because the means he employed were
moss exceptional and difficult to pro
duce The plan that propose you
should submit to the public or rather
that you should carry out. will be cf
commercial Importance. We have TO get
hold Of the moon, and open a decided and
direct communication with her. so as TO
come and go at our wiII-to annex her
in a word. TO our own world. and have
full command over all her riches and
resources known or unknown
can that be possibIe?'' asked Vog7I.
Il really think so But let me point
out that it matters little to US whether it
be feasible or not, All We have to do is
to form a company for the conquest Of
the moon. The question is not whether
this be really possible. but whether it can
be made to appear so. Now will answer
for that"
But what practical interest can the
matter be to the world at large"
THAT is sufficiently evident of itself
Suppose that a new and unexplored world
were offered you, full of mineral riches
gold, silver, platinum, precious stones.
coal, and the rest. Would you not find it
tempting"
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-08

human race IApplause.I This world is
the fnseparabIe companion Of our earth.
It is so near that telescopes have de
teTmined The form of its continents. the
height Of its mountains. and the con
fguration Of its seas; so closely assoc
ciated to it with our life that from ages
immemortaI time has been measured
BY the lunar changes It is high time
that the moon should be brought into
direct communication with her mother
country, her sovereign protector. the
earth. IRenewed appIause.l
7 viii not insult my audience by re-
peatins what ali the world knows con-
corning the moon, Everyone knows that
the moon is a globe. 2.I53 miles in di-
ameter, and that her surface Is equal
TO a thirteenth part Of the earth. and is
four times the size of Europe. As 10
her distance from the earth 1 only men
ton it to draw attention to it's insig-
nidcance. She is scarcely 100000 miles
''"''' '''''' % ~ 7''' 'I' twenty tunes
the distance between Melbourne and
l--n,''''
~ Ven L--''LL '''iH Di'S'' aS d count
in the actual progress Of science. the
- " '''' 90 '-'1 ~" PC
u "Oou il0p7 ~ '-l1 'ee'S OIL the line
OF PeTIcIes,
But we do net yet know if the moon
is inhabited If she is peoDIed nv q,
civilized a,d -,,r,o-or,. - -
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-08

circus. the chief attraction of which
had been remarkable dwarf, h en-
tered into partnership with them, and
set up the gorgeous Offices on Queen
Street.
Have you any notion of astronomy? ?"
he began. addressing his two partners
40 matter if you have not. You viii
better resemble the public whom we
have to catch. Know then. that his
earth on which We live is one Of the
planets that revolves around the sun.
There are other planets, both larger
and smaller. than the earth that IRE
also suspended in space at different lis
tances from the sun.
What is the power. you may ask,
that holds them thus suspended? will
just briefly answer that they keep their
places by their own movement. and by
their mutual attraction for each other
Among these planets are some so near
to us that we can already foresee the
time when earthly beings will be able
to enter into relations with them, either
by way Of optical teIegraphy or other
wise. Perhaps We may succeed some
day in travelling from one globe 20 an
other, just as We now go from London
10 Paris. or from Melbourne to San
Francisco. but we have not got to that
point yet
Among those worlds that are nearest,
and are beginning 10 be known to US
with great exactness of detail through
the recent researches Of astronomy.
there Is one that belongs to our own
system. and is indeed dependent on
the earth. It is her satellite. the moon.
She revolves round our globe, while at
the same time she moves with US round
the sun The distance that separates
her from Us is 50 small that it is looked
upon by astronomers as almost nothing
"A telegram would reach the moon
IN a second and a half. Tourists and
Alpine guides have undoubtedly ira
versed on foot quite as great distance
as that between the earth and the
moon It would not exceed, indeed,
twenty times the distance between Lon
don or Paris and Melbourne. Clearly.
then. the moon can with all strictness.
be considered just suburb of the
earth"
Evidently" said Gryphins and
Vogels opening their eyes in the en-
deavor to take It all in, but only IN
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-08
CHAPTER II.
Originating the Scheme.

My advice. said GryDhtns. when there
was a slight pause in the business Of
eating. is that we should at once share
the dividend among US and wind up the
company We have found our ideal share
holder. true. but he is evidently the only
one OF the species. We had better seize
this opportunity; we are not likely to
have another"
Agreed" cried Ignaz VogeI- IF We
give six pounds to Muller for his wages
we shall be entitled to two hundred and
eighteen pounds each. IT is a nice little
sum. which would not do much good to
our creditors, but we shall find it very
useful TO ourselves
Much good it would do US to have
Two hundred pounds each" cried Wag-
ner disdainfuIIy. ARE we to leave this
splendid Office in one Of the great streets
Of Melbourne, and six hundred pounds
in cash, with the experience Of the first
attempt to boot, and not turn it all 10
better advantage than that? It would De
idiotic"'
So saying. Wagner expressed his opin-
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-08
CHAPTER ".
Fatal Figures.

After consultation with his partners.
Wagner seemed to have made up his
mind. Returning 4 third time TO the
platform. he said:
Gentlemen, I should certainly have
preferred absolute secrecy, and I stin
, think it would have been the wisest
course on every ground; but I quite IN
/ derstand your very natural curiosity;
and, after all, as our company is now IL
!reyocabIy formed, there will be no harm
in letting you know the great outlines of
my project" L"Hear, Hear."I It's
/ leading principle is this: The distance Of
! the moon from the earth is scarcely 240.-
/ 00o miles. as I said just now. What is
100000 miles2 About twenty seven times
the diameter Of our globe, and not even
/ the length of the railroad lines that cover
/ its surface, supposing these to be laid
end TO end Is this TO stand in the way
/ Of the generation that has penetrated the
/ Alps and the Rocky Mountains and made
the suez Canal? think not, indeed.
/ In my opinion it is simply a CUES
! ton Of constructing an aerial tubular
tunnel of sufficient length. having its
foundation on the earth and directed
vertically toward the moon. It will be
made of segments Of cast iron laid end
to end. One segment firmly fixed. the
/ rest viii be merely a question Of mum
/ bers. 1t may seem a bold undertaking.
/ but it is quite practicable. All due pro-
/ portions observed, it is only as if a ca
pillary tube of forty-four inches N
! length we're fixed on an orange two and
/ one-third inches in diameter. You have
merely 10 substitute the globe for the
! orange, and in place of the capillary
tube. one that shall be of sufficient
/ length and breadth. The problem is She
same.
This is my main idea. must OF
/ course. be reticent concerning the re-
quisfte ways and means to carry it into
+ practice. for your common sense Will
( tell you that it would be dangerous to
/ speak Of it here in detail Suffice it that
the plans have been long and carefully
studied and matured. and they are now
ready. They are not in the least chi
merical, and will appear quite simple
when We come to carry them out
Some little applause followed. but il
was slight and Of hesitating nature.
The audience were evidently disappoint-
/ ed with the explanation All eyes turn
ed to Norbert Mauny, who had, for MS
part. listened with i'll concealed scorn.
a mighty question. indeed" he said.
How do YOU mean TO climb your chin
ney2 Perhaps by means of a roper"
The problem is capable of many So
Iuttons, retorted Wagner, and we cun
make our choice between them when
we are building the tunnel"
You Will certainly have plenty of
time" replied the French astronomer
Not so much as you seem to think"
/ exclaimed Costerus. Il guarantee to I'm
ish it within five years."
In five years." said Norbert. taking
out his notebook. IF I understand
rightly, you contemplate the erection of
kind of tower of Babel? An enormous
q! lighthouse, in fact, on the widest ana
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-08
CosteruS Magnets StupendouS Plan.
E1fracf From Chapfez III.

etms"sa he 0 hare
sought fu British enterprise
clos o g il 5 a h oda yet uneFbre deay
derrchsu huu GApIaa world ith
is near h form o its o the lei of mountains
the ognatOno Hs seas s. 0 our e Ia from mmmi
measure by INA g e b bg mt direct nuncaduu
rndhe c h
o insult m b nt h moon Eveyon kngr
hat Il emon 28 i a is euao thirteenth rat ofte
bfo1i Il size of h nj mention toduwa fsinIg
mfau is I u distance between Habr nau
# is u
the Cape Good Hop t nee 0 he tim of Pedde
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-08
CHAPTER III.
An Director.

Costerus Wagner was right when he
said that the surest way to make a com
pany success is TO appeal to the
imagination of mankind. and work upon
their cTedulity.
His scheme succeeded entirely on ac-
count Of its extravagant pretensfons.
which were everywhere discussed. The
took it up, and although
they would not have devoted ten lines
Eratuitously TO an ordinary company.
they gave up several columns to discuss
the prospectus of this one.
Colonial vanity had doubtless a share
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-08

'IE all that in the NOON"
Not only that, but much more. In the
last fifty years astronomy has placed the
matter beyond the shadow of a doubt,
and it is mentioned in all the manuals.
The moon IS almost as well known as il
the foot Of man had already gone there.
We have the map; we know it's seas and
continents; we have measured the height
of its mountains; we have named them,
photographed them, and discovered their
chemical constituents. In fine, there is
nothing remaining but to take possession
of a world already known to US with
more minuteness Of detail than either
Central Africa. New Guinea, or the Polar
regions Of the EARTH"
Let Us 90 there at once" said Cry
phins. I want my ticket now"
The ticket viii be rather expensive"
replied Costerus Wagner significantly.
And for that reason, friends, in order
20 defray our expenses, We must apply TO
a source having more money than the
RothschIds themseIves-to all the
world, in fact"
Wagner. you are our very dearest
friend" exclaimed Vogel. If your pros
pectus is as clear as your explanation,
cur fortune is made; we shall roll In
mounds to the tune OF thousands"
sitting down at his desk, and taking
Il large sheet Of paper he wrote:
THE LUNAR COMPANY,
LIMITED, :
For the Conquest and Exploration {.
Of the Mineral Riches OF
the Moon.
n
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-08

It was about midday, and three men
sat together on the ground floor
L of a house in Queen Street, Mel
bourne They were doing nothing but
Iaziy reading the morning papers. Tae
room was separated from The corridor
by panes of ground glass. and a -ron.
Of the same material divided it from
the street. and bore the inscription.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-08
CHAPTER Y.
A Stupendous Idea.

First Of all. began Norbert, az
dressing the assembly. who seemed
spelIbouHd under the charm OF his clear.
musical voice. what IS it that we wish
to do? To 90 to the moon out Of seien-
tihc curiosity, and collect notes and OBJ
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-08

Continued On Eighth PaSe,l
The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1903-12-16
DOLE GIVES A
HEAVY SENTENCE
PUNISHMENT OF KURIHARA
SPREADS ALARM AMONG THE
JAPANESE DEFENDANTS.

Judge Dole this morning sentenced
Kunihara, who was convicted of inn
porting a Japanese woman for i'm
moral purposes, to two years imprison-
ment. The judge remarked in passing
sentence that he had taken into con-
sideration evidence showing that Ku-
nihara was merely a tool of another
man
In view of the judges remarks the
sentence is regarded as quite a severe
one, and it created some alarm among
the numerous defendants who are to
follow him. The co-defendant with
Kunihara was one Tereyama, who was
acquitted, but stated by the jury to be
equally guilty with Kunihara, who was
found guilty. Tereyama's acquittal
was on the instructions of the court
on legal points. He is still held on
another charge and is said to have
been the employer of Kunihara in the
enterprise for which --unInara mas
been sentenced.
The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1903-12-16
Out OF The
SEA CAME
The Ships

Massive and big and strong there
came out of the western sea today the
greatest aggregation of warships that
it has even been Honolulu's fortune to
see. After a long 3400 mile cruise all
the way from the Orient, one of Uncle
Sans most powerful collection of sea
fighters sighted the island of Oahu
before day break this morning and by
$3.50 o'clock this morning lay at an
Choir off the harbor. 1t was a beauti-
full and inspiring sight to those ashore
it was a welcome view of land to those
on the fleet. They came together in
most impressive formation with the
flagship Kentucky in the lead, then
the battleship Wisconsin, then the
bulldog of the Navy the battleship Ore
gon, then the cruisers New Orleans,
and Cincinnati and Raleigh and AL
bany.
The news of the coming of the fleet
was known two hours before Diamond
Head Charlie picked them up off Bar
ber's Point. 1t was the people at Ma
kaha who first reported the advent OF
the fleet. The vessel passed within
three miles of the shore at $50 O'Clock
this morning. Chris Holt saw them
and he realized that an event in the
history of Honolulu was approaching
He telephoned the news long before
o'clock to Honolulu that the vessels
were coming "Seven of them" he ex-
claimed.
The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1903-12-16
VIEW FROM
THE HEIGHTS

The American fleet which arrived off
Honolulu this morning is the biggest
fleet of war vessels ever seen here. The
battleships and cruisers anchored in a
long line reaching from the channel en-
trance far out to sea towards BARRIERS s
Point. They were a very imposing
sight and attracted the attention of the
whole town. The Kentucky, flying the
flag of Admiral Bob" Evans, anchor
ed nearest to the channel. On her Wal
kiki side the Wisconsin dropped her
hook and the Oregon lay on the other
side. The line of cruisers was headed
by. the New Orleans, bearing the Junior
Admirals flag, with Admiral Cooper OIL
board Soon after the arrivals it was
decided that the Oregon should stay
outside, for the present at least, while
the other two battleships prepared to
enter the harbor. The New Or
leans Raleigh Albany and Gin
cinnati made up the rest of the
fleet. The collier Pompey was left be-
hind after the cruisers left Midway.
The coming of the fleet was watched
from the roofs OF scores OF buildings all
over Honolulu. The towers of the Cap
itol and judiciary buildings had many
people on them, also the roofs of the
Alexander Young Hotel. From the
time when the vessels appeared only as
bits of smoke on the horizon until they
lined UP and dropped anchors off th6
harbor, they We're watched by hun
dreds
The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1903-12-16

The novel spectacle of putting a
question to four witnesses at once is
the latest feature of the Jones murder
trial. By consent of Attorney Cen
eral Andrews for the prosecution and
Robertson and Dunno for the defense
it was agreed before Judge Gear this
morning that the long hypothetical
question, involving Jones' mental con-
diton, be put to Doctors Miner, Hod-
gins, Wayson and Sinclair all at once.
They were all sworn at once and the
prosecution was ready will the ques-
ton, which takes nearly an hour to
read, when an argument interviewed
over the matter of qualifications.
According to the procedure agreed
upon the four sworn medical witnesses
are to listen to the question all at once.
Then three of them are to retire from
the court room and the other one is
to give his answer and is to be cross
examined, the rest remaining out of
hearing. The other three are to be
called in turn for answer and cross
examination. Owing to the length
fthe question to be put which is sub
The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1903-12-16
1 TRIO OF ADM|RALS

hauled down and a red flag with the
white stars was substituted. Admiral
Cooper the commander of the cruiser
division was showing a red flag when
the New Orleans arrived off the port
but awhen the change with the Admit
rars flag at the Naval Station occurred
Admiral Cooper hauled down his red
flag and hoisted a white one. This
change of signals while not possessing
perticular significance to the landsmen
is obligatory by Naval regulation. AS
the ranking officer of the fleet in port
Admiral Evans displayed the blue flag,
as the second officer, Admiral Terry
showed the red flag while Admiral
Cooper as the third in rank of ad-
mirals, showed the white flag.
By bringing his entire fleet to port
together, Admiral Evans surprised
nearly every body. Few people had
had any idea that the battleship divi-
sion would pick up the cruisers The
cruisers had been steaming very slow
ly W to the time they arrived off Mid
way last Saturday The supposition
was until this morning. that the bat
tleships would do the same thing. Ad-
miral Evans caught up with the ad-
vance squadron however some where
between Midway and Honolulu. When
he caught them they all crowded on
steam and hurried to this port in fast
time. The collier Pompey old not ar
rive with the fleet but was left far
behind.
The work of. coaling the fleet VIII
now be much bigger proposition than
the local officers of the Naval station
had expected. If Admiral Evans does
not intend to hurry the coaling how
ever the task will not be very difficult.
The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1903-12-16
LOST
MAN OVERHEARD
JOSEPH FENNEL DISAPPEARED
MONDAY AND THOUGHT TO
HAVE JUMPED OVERHEARD.

The S. S. Ventura arrived today
shortly after l o'clock, about five hours
tehind time from San Francisco. The
vessel was delayed sailing. She en-
countered good weather during the
trip. Joseph Fennel, a cook, disap-
peared from the vessel Monday night
He is supposed to have fallen or else
thrown himself overheard while under
the influence of liquor, He was 81 years
of age and a native of England
The vessel left San Francisco Decem-
ber 10, so brought weeks mail Sh..
had a big crowd of passengers for Ho-
nolulu, there being SO people in all de-
partments including 81 in the cabin.
The vessel is scheduled to depart at
a. m. tomorrow for Pago Pago, Auck-
land and Sydney.
The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1903-12-16

staptially that which is published in
full in today's Star, much time is
saved by asking all at once.
Dr. Miner was on the stand when
court adjourned at noon, and the at
torneys were arguing as to qualifca-
tions. The Doctors testimony show
ed his status as a physician all right,
but contentious We're advanced by the
defense that to testify as to sanity a
witness must qualify as a specialist on
mental diseases. Arguments as to
whether DR.. Wayson had done so were
made in the absence of the jury
The other witnesses were called I'm
rebuttal this morning, in addition to
the doctors. Jack Lucas testified that
he had worked with the defendant
Jones and considered him sane. Jones
had been in his employ on the Kapio-
lani estate building, and he didn't be-
lieve from associations with the de-
fendant then that the latter was in
sane. Makaena, a conductor on the
Rapid Transit, was produced to testify
that Jones was not drunk when he
rode on a car during the evening of
August %, but his testimony was ruled
out as not being rebuttal.