davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-05
rA1R. EARrHQUAKE PROPHET.
Death of the Man Whose Predictions
Alarmed Athens and Santiago, Chile.

From the New York SUM-
Prof. Rudolf Falb Of Vienna Is dead. he
hod remarkable career. He earned an
enviable reputation in the scientinc "orio
90 q meteorological. He wrote on this SUD-
loft with learning, care and authority. III
h,s later years. however. he was largely
d,scredited among scientific men because
ba became possessed Of the idea that ne
Gould foreteu the occurrence OF earth-
ouakes Some Of his guesses hit the marx;
which only added to the sunerlnK ne causeo
by erroneous predictions
In 1898 he predicted that inc is.ahu -, %
Zante off the west coast OF Greece. was
about to be shaken by a severe earthQuake.
The prediction came true. and so oio ms
prophecy of an earthquake on the mainiahu
of Greece early In 1884. II was hatuii;
be terribly shaken on the approaching May
& the people of that city should De thrown
into CONSERVATION. The Sun told long ago
how thousands of them fed from the CITY
MANY taking refuge on ships In the Plraeus
Nobody slept in Athens the night before
the predicted earthquake. and thousands
spent the hours Of darkntess In open places
around the city. May was beautiful DAY.
and there was nothing to mar IT except the
distress and discomfort caused by the earth
Quake prophet In the following year Falb
predicted an earthquake for certain Gay
in Chile and the people OF Santiago were
thrown into great excitement Every rail-
road car that could be mustered into service
was busy for a day or two carrying rer-
Ogees away from the city.
There was no earthquake. but the misery
and loss inflicted by Falb's prediction were
considerable Very little has been heard OF
Falb since that time. This seems to have
been a case Of a scientific man gone wrong.
After the fever OF earthquake prophecy
seized him he never added anything to the
work that had given him a respectable
standing,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-05
VALUED CHIEFS DEATH
THOMAS A. CUSHING OF THE
TREASURY PASSES AWAY.
Had Been ThirtyNine Years in the
DETERMINATIONS From Subordi-
nate to Leading Position.

Thomas A. Gushing, who had been in
the Treasury Department thirty nine years,
died this morning at his home, 1888 street
northwest after short illness, leaving a
widow and one daughter MIR. Gushing
stood so well in the Treasury Department
that Commissioner Yerkes. his superior Of
ficer. sent the following letter to Secretary
Shaw relative to the death:
1T Is with deep regret that I have to an
nounce the death of Mr.. Thomas A. Cush-
Ing, head Of the division OF distilled spirits.
who died on the morning of this date.
Mr.. Cushing's services in this bureau,
from 1854 to the present date, cover a pc
Rod of thirtynine years. during which time
he has been most faithful and efficient
officer. rising by merit from subordinate
positions up to that of head Of one of the
most important divisions in this office.
His death Is a substantial loss to this
bureau, and Is felt deeply by myself, for
had fullest confidence in his capacity, broad
accurate acquaintance with internal rev.
enue matters, and advised with him freely
and frequently"
Mr.. Gushing was sixty-eight years old
and was from New Hampshire. He was a
graduate OF Dartmouth College.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-05
A DANGEROUS VOYAGE,
Hazards Of a Rowboat Ride In the
Vicinity of the Three Sisters.

Inc Potomac river Is very deep and II
Is also dangerous in the neighborhood of
that trio OF rocks known as the Three Sis
ters.' said an old citizen, who has been for
many years an employe in the government
printing Office II don't know how many
fathoms deep 1t is, but know there are
some strong currents and treacherous ed
dies at various places in the river both
above and below the Chain bridge" he said.
Il had little experience on the Potomac
not so very long ago that was attended by
some hazard. at least enough to Danish any
disposition that might come to me to repeat
it. and 1t was this:
ION the occasion I refer to two friends
of mine, both Of whom were we'll known
business men of this city. were entertaining
a gentleman from northern New York. He
was a stranger In Washington, and during
his stay we decided to give him little
tramp over the Virginia hills. So one Sun
day afternoon. and 1 suppose we ought to
have been ashamed Of ourselves for select
ing the Sabbath for a pleasure excursion
we went over to Georgetown. and from one
of the boatkeepers on the other side of the
Aqueduct bridge we hired little dinky
row boat. into which the four Of US crowd
ed. We had some picnic provender with
us, including goodly supply of a we'll
known antidote for snake bites (also useful
to prevent them); got safely on the other
u
over those majestic old hills, and at about
8 o'clock started on the return voyage in
our little craft
1.-The two business men were at the oars
I sat in the bow and our guest occupied the
stern seat. When we got into the middle
of the stream, where the water may be
twenty fathoms or hundred fathoms deep
for all know. put my hand over the side
and was shocked by the discovery that
the rails Of the boat were almost level with
the water. called attention to the fact,
and I tell you the rowers were very careful,
but we got home safe. and a man who came
on the float to meet us, with a lantern to
guide us expressed great surprise at the
depth Of the little boat in the water. So
1 don't travel any more in little boats I'M
less it Is on a pond where there is only
about foot Of ocean between the surface
and the bottom
IT might as well add he concluded, that
as we were landing on the float /, in step
ping aside to allow our 'honored guest to
precede me- went overheard in about twelve
feet of water. had a thick overcoat on,
and even with the aid of my companions
and the man with the lantern had some
difficulty in crawling on the float
1--WE had not expended all the snake pois-
on antidote, however, and a strong inward
application Of the medicine resuscitated me
and we got home without further danger
or Inconvenience"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-05
HIS LIFE IN PERIL
EDWIN IA MfNasrRoM OVER
CONE ~ FUMES OF GAS.
Physicians at Hospital Unable to Re-
IT
store Conscfousness-Not Regard
ed as Suicide.

Edwin A. Mengsttom. musician OF the
Lew Dockstader Minstrel Company, was
found unconscious at 10 o'clock this morn
Ing in his room. at the Vatoldt Hotel. SUI
fering from the effects Of inhaling tllumi-
mating gas. He was removed to the
Emergency Hospital. where he now lies In
q critical condition.
+ Mengstrom arrived In Washington about
noon yesterday from Baltimore Md. Be-
fore leaving Baltimore he met Mr. Austin
N. Beattie OF the ..Winsome Winnie Com
pany. OF whom he inquired as to board
ing place while In Washington. Mr.. Beat
tie, who also came to Washington yester-
day afternoon. told Mengstrom that he In
tended to stop at the Vatoldi, and that he
would meet him at that place. Accordingly
MengstrOm and Mr.. Beattie dtned together
yesterday afternoon about O'Clock at the
Vatoldi. g.
At that time Mengstrom was in the best
of spirits and 1t was agreed that they
should eat supper together at Z O'Clock.
Leaving the hotel shortly after supper, Mr..
Beattie and Mengstrom went to the Co
lumbia Theater, where the former had a
business engagement. The two men re-
turned to the hotel in an hour or so. Both
decided to retire early and Mengstrom, &C
cordingly. went to his room, No. IL, on the
third floor of the building.
AS Mrs. Grace Morris, chambermaid.
passed MengStrom's room about 10 O'Clock
this morning she detected the odor OF gas,
and investigation showed that 1t came from
Mengstrom's room. The transom over the
door was open. and the fumes were issuing
through the opening in great volume. By
standing on chair the chamberma1d be-
held the unconscious form of Mengstrom
lying on the bed. Mr.. T. H. Ward, the pro-
prietor Of the hotel. was Immediately &C
quainted with the circumstances. and he
summoned Mounted Policeman Lynn.
The policeman summoned the ambulance
Of the Emergency Hospital and then forced
open the door Of Mengstrom's room. The
window was closed tight. The gas Jet has
a stove attachment. This was turned on
full, but the Jet itself was closed The I'M
conscious man was hurriedly conveyed to
the hospital. where the surgeons have been
working on him ever since. Up to a late
hour this afternoon they had not succeeded
in reviving him.
In view Of the fact that the room was in
its ordinary condition and that the tran
som was open, IL is not thought that in
turning of the gas Jet he accidentally turn
ed on the stove gas and retired without
knowing of his danger. No notes or letters
Of any kind tending to show that the man
contemplated suicide were found by the
police. :
Mr.. Beattie stated this afternoon that he
had known Mengstrom for about a year,
and that he lived in Philadelphia, Pa. He
further stated that. although of a very quiet
and retiring nature, Mengstrom was In the
best of spirits last evening. Mr. Beattle be-
1ieves the turning on of the gas was purely
accidental.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-05
Oldest Inhabitants Incorporated.

certificate Of Incorporation of the AS
ISOLATION of oldest Inhabitants of the Dis
trict of Columbia was recorded today. The
stated objects of the association are to &C.
ment and strengthen the interest and asso-
Citations arising out of a common residence
for a long period IN the same locality; to
keep alive the "reminiscences of the past
and the social and paternal communion Of
the present and the future, and, as consti-
tuting the oldest residents of the District.
to cherish the greatest solicitude for its
prosperity, and the maintenance Of good
order, right government, social intercourse.
hospitality, courtesy and respect for all
public functionaItes and authorities.
The incorporates are S. Thomas, Brown,
president; Benjamin w. Russ, recording
secretary; Rudolph Eichhorn. Andrew II.
Raglan, Jonathan D. Cathell, Allison J..
Nailor. jr.. James A. Wineberger. Matthew
Goddard, H. NJ. Dellnger, VIM. w. Birth.
Walter G. Johnson, John r. Major, limo
thy w. Murphy, William Wallace Kirby,
Max Lansburgh, William Boron, William D..
Champion. Joseph Geier, James johnson.
Joseph #. Howard. NJ. D., corresponding
secretary; Timothy v. Noonan, John T..
Sullivan and Nicholas Watkins.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-05
MEMORY.
Why We Remember Some Things and
Forget Others.

From Notes and Queries
This is a subject regarding which a good
deal Of nonsense Is habitually talked. We
often hear people say that they have a
good memory for certain things, but bad
one for other things This believe to be a
delus1on. A mans memory may be good or
1t may be bad, but 1t cannot well be good
for one thing and bad for another thing. 1t
might as well be said that bottle was
good for holding brandy. but bad for hold
Ing whisky. In the case of feeble intellect
all its faculties VIII be feeble-memory,
judgment and all the rest-but they will not
be feeble for one purpose and vigorous for
another purpose. The fact is that our
memory is in itself equally powerful or
feeble for all purposes, but we remember
best those things which interest US most,
such things; while we forget those things
which do not interest us, and we say, ac-
cordfngly, that we have bad memories for
those things.
Horace Walpole used to say that his
memory was all-retentive as to the names
OF persons and Of places, but that it was
absolutely impotent in regard to dates. 1t
mas been said of him-by Macaulay, I think
grandaunt of King Ethelwald, but that he
could not tell you whether she lived in the
year 800 or in the year 1900. The truth was
that he took an interest in names and gene
introduction to Anne of Geierstein.' Scott
aptly says:
Il have through life been entitled to adopt
Old Beattie of Meikledale's answer to his
parish minister when the latter was ell
logging him with respect to the same fac
ulty: NO. DOCTOR SAID the honest border
!airo, nave no command of my memory:
II retains only what happens to hit my
1ancy; and like enough, sir, If yo,1 were to
preach to me for a couple Of hours on end
might be unable at the close Of tie dis
course TO remember one word of it, Per-
maps there are few men whose memory
serves them with equal fidelity as to many
olHerent classes of subjects, but am sorry
10 say that while mine has rarely failed me
as to any snatch of verse or trait of char
acter that had once interested nv fancy
it has generally been a fraiI SUPPORT NOT
only as to names and dates and other mi
mute techncalities of history but as to
many more important things"
NO, 1t is pretty certain that we have not
got good memories for this and bad memo
ries for that. in any other sense than that
we remember that which interests US and
forget that which interests US not
l will not insult readers of an & O." by
reproducing here the god old chestnut as to
Dugald Stewards contribution to the con-
comparing notes as to their earliest recol-
lections. But 1t may be lawful to recall
Fred Lockers capital verse rendering Of It:
I recollect a nurse callen Ann
VINO carried me about the grass:
And one fine day a fine young man
Came up and kissed the pretty lass
she did not make the least objection:
Thinks ], "Aha!
When can talk I'll tell mamma
And that's my earliest recollection
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-05
The Pumpkin Season.

From the Chicago Post:
In tho last Jew years the fashionables.
instead of hurrying 'cityward when the first
cold breath comes out of the north. have
stayed in the fields until the last days of
fall. The tribe Of, unfashionables put the
change Of custom down as another fad, but
SO far from being j bit Of foolishness the
fashionables have shown that they are still
in touch with nature. When the pumpkin
hangs out its yellow sign and the touch OF
Jack Frost sets the corn leaves cracking,
then is the time thoroughly to enjoy the
freedom of the fields The city dweller who
just now is begging the janitor to turn on
missing great sight, This is the season
when the pumpkin and the goldfinch change
coats. You have read about this in the
books of your childhood. but you may not
have believed the story. Go out after the
proof. Today the goldfinch wears yellow
clothes and the pumpkin wears green. To-
and the goldfinch In green. The change Is
made quickly. and to catch these two field
dwellers in the act OF whipping or and slip
ping on Is triumph OF keen eyesight.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-05
A Trade Error.
From the New York Tribune.

From the New York Tribune.
AS our commerce with Cuba dwlndles and
the folly of our failure to accept the trade
concessions offered US by the Cuban repub-
lie becomes more glazing, there seems to be
a disposition in some quarters to throw the
blame for our neglected opportunities on
the shoulders Of a republican administra-
ton and a republican Congress. We have
not hesitated to denounce the blindness and
narrowness OF the factionalism at whose
door must be laid the failure of Cuban reel
procity legislation in the fifty-seventh Con-
gress The groundless fears and obstinate
objections of certain republican leaders In
the two houses did contribute materially to
hold our ports closed against Cuban prod
ucts But an equal share of responsibility
for the defeat of the administration reel
procity- project must fall on democratic
shoulders. 1t was the democratic minority
in both House and Senate which by votes
and counsel made effective the protest Of
the republican insurgents" The full demo-
cratic strength in both branches was exert
ed to nullify the moral pledges Of McKin-
lew and to defeat a reciprocal trade agree
ment of any sort with Cuba.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-05
The Nutting Season.
From the New York Mail and Express.

From the New York Mail and Express.
The purple haze that has come into the
air with these meek autumnal mornings 10
nowerfully suggestive of number of good
things. It is suggestive Of apples, red and
green, heaped up in shining piles on the
ground. with now and then an ungathered
apple up on a topmost branch to ripen de-
nciously for the watching and waiting
small boy. 1t is suggestive of something
more delicious still-the frost-ripened. FROST
sweetened wild grape. its tang turned to
nectar. It is suggestive OF long morning
tramps through the stubble fields with the
fight of the wary grouse slanting across
the near horizon as motive for the walk
But chiefly to the man who once was just
an average American small boy, the haze is
suggestive Of either the chestnut or the
hickory nut: for In those unhappy states
where the chestnut does not grow the hick-
DRY nut generally does. Ours Is a great
country. and If It is neither hickory nuts
nor chestnuts that one goes arter II Is eitner
good.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-05
News Briefs.

Chicago's city council is preparing to at
tack the validity Of the act creating Chi
Cages 10000 100 drainage canal A threat
ened depletion of the city's water fund.
with q possible deficit, Is the moving force
behind the aldermen
A new Servian cabinet has been formed.
with the following as its leading members:
Premier, Gen. Gruics; foreign minister, An
dra Nikolics: interior minister. StOjan Pro-
tics, and war minister, Col. Andrejevics.
Gen. Frederick Funston has approved the
findings of the court-martia1 which tried
MAI. J. Goe. 10Th Infantry, on q charge Of
drunkenness. Maj. Coo pleaded guilty to
the charge, and the court sentenced him to
be confined to the limits Of his post for
eight months and to forfeit so q month Of
his pay during the period
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-05
Two Elliotts in Minneapolis.
GUILTY OF HIGHWAY ROBBERY.
Arthur T. Johnson and His Young
Wife Make Confession.

PORTLAND. Ore, October 5.-Arthur T.
Johnson has confessed to having committed
two highway robberies which occurred here
September IA. Johnson's seventeen-year-
old bride. TO whom he has been married
only five months. has confessed to being
implicated in the hold-ups. but the authori-
ties have not decided to begin proceedings
against her. as 1t Is believed it was through
her husbands influence she was induced to
take part in the crimes. Johnson is the son
of the late A. H. Johnson, a pioneer Of
Portland. and for years known throughout
the northwest as the head of a large meat
packing and butcher1ng concern.
Mrs. Johnson though but seventeen years
old, was widow with three-year-old
ba be when Johnson married her last May.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-05
MIR. BISSELL VERY ILL.
Former Postmaster General May Not
Survive the Dav

BUFFALO, N. Y, October 5.-Former
Postmaster General Wilson S. Bissell Is
said to be dying. DR.. Dewitt Sherman, who
has been attending Mr.. Bissell, said, after
an all-night vigil at the bedside of his pa
tent:
Mr.. Bissell Is In very critical condition.
He may live through the day, but cannot
undertake to say whether he will live any
longer. His condition is desperate
He lost steadily last week, and yester-
day morning his condition fell to an alarm
ing degree.
HE rallied slightly this morning. but 1
can't say whether he will live till tomor-
row."
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-05
The Proper Fund Desienated.

Controller Traceweli Of the treasury has
forwarded to the District Commissioners
an opinion that bills for advertising notices
to nonresident owners to connect lots with
sewers and waAermains are payable from
the 81. 500 emergency fund appropriated for
the health department to carry out the
provisions OF the act providing for the
drainage OF the lots In question.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-05
Seven Hurt In Mine Explosion.

WILKESBARRE, Pa, October b.-An ex-
plosion of gas occurred in No. IL mine of
the Plymouth Coal Company at Plymouth
today in which seven men were badly
burned. All the victims are foreigners.
Two laborers, Anthony Valinski and Vim
cent Lambo. were the most seriously in
jured 1t is not known as yet what caused
the explosion.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-05
Grain, Provisions and Cotton Markets.
Baltimore Markets.
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.

BALTIMORE, October 5.-FLOUR-Steady, un-
changed; tepts, q OH barrels.
WHEAT-Dull and lower; spot contract. s0as0N /;
November. s1asaS14s; December, s2ssaS2M; steamer
No. 2 red, 72a72Ai receipts. 1852 bushels; south
ern by sample, 6SaS1; do. on grade. 74aS1.
CORN-Dun and easy spot. 5OAabO3s October,
b0Aa5Oss; November. old or new. 491s asked: year,
5ses bushels southern Wsfe
yellow corn. 5Oa54
OATS-Steady; No. white, 42h sales; No. 2
mixed 4O1a sales; receipts, 49, 632 bushels.
RYE-Firm; No. 2, 5Sa5S1s: No. western, sea
59h; receipts, 1850 bushels.
HAY-Dull and easier: No. l timothy, $15 bid
No. 1 clover mixed, $13a$13.5O.
GRAIN FREIGHTS-Fir steam to Liverpool,
per bushel 1$d October; Cork for orders, per quar-
ter Is. Cd. October.
BUTTER-Unchanged.
EGGS-Unchanged.
CHEESE-Unchanged.
SUGAR-Unchanged.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-05
Testimonials From Grand Jurors.

The grand jurors who will conclude their
term of service late this afternoon celebrat-
ed their last day on duty by presenting their
foreman and former foreman each with a
Morris chair. their secretary and assistant
secretary with articles Of jewelry Assistant
United States Attorney Taggart with a
large bunch of roses, and Deputy Marshals
Kraft, Stutler and Turner each with foun-
tain pen.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-05
Simply Not in It.

From the Chicago Tribune.
"Your town is a hundred years old, ID itr
said the breezy westerner.
YES" replied the Chicago man. It's a
hundred wears since the first actual settle
ment Of the town.. -,
"H;mph! That's an increase OF only per
cent a year, isn't It? Why. man. Seattle
has got you skinned to deathF
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-05
Suffering From Pistol Wound.

Charles Thomas, colored. thirty-eight
years old. who said that his home was at
Savannah. Ca, arrived at the Pennsylvania
depot about II o'clock this morning from
Nokesville. Va. He told Policeman Co.'S
tello that he was suffering from a pistol
wound in his abdomen and wanted to go to
a hospital for treatment The ambulance
from the Emergency Hospital was sum-
moned and the man was conveyed to that
institution, where his wound was dressed.
His condition Is not regarded as serious.
He told the physicians that he had some
trouble with another colored man at Nokes-
VILE yesterday, and that the man shot him.