davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-11

Erwin alleges that the Postal Device &
Improvement company Of San Francisco,
formerly the Montague Indicator & Letter
Box company, was composed almost en-
tirely Of western postal employees; that
in 1889 it set aside 1000 shares Of stock
for forwarding it's interests" and that
armed with this authority, its president
Daniel s. Richardson, and Inspector Err
win came to Washington, saw Beavers,
Machen, Heath and others and got an or
der for equipping 2,OS9 letters boxes with
their device.
The indictment says the company was
systenat ically relieved Of its obligations
in the way of paying freight, Grating,
painting and printing cards for the de-
vices 1t was furnishing. The indictment
charges that Beavers and Machen owned
stock under assumed names. Most Of
the thousand shares of stock set aside,
the indictment says, went to different
postoffice officials and again President
Richardson came to Washington and
following an increase in the contract
price he got for the company, dividends
were paid on the stock.
Machen Got 80 Cents Each.
Mcclellan Is charged with agreeing to
pay Machen SO cents for each $1.26 paid
on the package box contract by the gov
eminent. Specific payments to Machen
compensation, and under the package box
contract ostensibly for attaching a diff
ferent support to the boxes.
Schebel became interested in the firm
Of which Mayor Maybury Of Detroit,
Mich, is member, and which furnished
letter boxes to the government and
Schebel and Machen in a joint indictment,
are alleged to have schemed to defraud
the government by the supply of excessive
quantities Of boxes. The indictment says
that Maybury & Ellis paid Schebel to the
extent of the latter's interest in the COM
pany and that l1e in turn, paid large sums
to Machen. In seventeen counts the in
Machen by Schebel The other indict-
menJs involve practically similar trans
actions.
Montague, whose name figures in the
Montague Indicator and Letter Box COM
pany, is postmaster of San Francisco.
Names Of Men Indicted.
United States District Attorney Beach
| to-day announced that the six persons
named In the seven indictments returned
by the grand jury last Tuesday are George
| w. Beavers, former chief Of the division
of salaries and allowances, postoffice de.
partment; August w. Machen, former
general superintendent of the free deliy-
cry; James W. Erwin, former postoffice
| inspector with headquarters in San Fran.
cisco; George III. Huntington and Isaac
S. Mcclellan of New York, owners OF the
] Columbia Supply company of this city
/ and Eugene D. schebel of Toledo. Ohio
| a dentist interested in the firm of May
bury & Ellis of. Detroit, Mich, letter DO,
/ manufacturers.
Beavers, Machen and Erwin are narnet
i Jointly in one Indictment for conspirac,
to defraud the United States. Another in
dfctment is against Mcclellan, Huntington
and Machen for conspiracy to defraud tn
United States, and still another is agains
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-11
TWO SMALL RoBBERIEs

Special to The Journal.
Sioux Falls, s. D., Sept. 11.-Thieves
last night entered the station Of the Rock
Island Railroad company in his city. The
safe was easily opened and was ran
sacked, but all the robbers secured was
a collection of old paper money. All the
cash taken in since the closing of the
banks yesterday afternoon was in a sack,
which was placed in pigeon hole. This
was overlooked by the robbers. who left
no c1ew.
The postoffice at Ramona was also
raided by thieves, who secured about s25
worth Of stamps but no money.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-11
STARTED THE ALARM
Special to The Journal.

Special to The Journal
Redwood Falls, Mimi. Sept. IL
Burglars attempted to crack the vault and
safe of the Cold tabeck bank at Wabas-
SO last night, but after breaking off a
piece Of one door the burglar alarm was
started and the burglars escaped from the
town with a team stolen from Leo Alter
mates barn. The bank had about SIS, 900
| in currency.
The team was found this morning at
Lamberton, but the men seem to have es-
capped The burglar alarm kept ringing
until o'clock this morning, but the at
tempted robbery was not known until the
owner Of the stolen horses discovered his
loss.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-11
To Guard the Frontier,

Salonicki, Sept. 1.-THE palace au-
thorities, acting upon Information from
the Turkish minister at Belgrade, have
telegraphed to the vail of Kostovo In
structing him to guard the Servian from
tier more carefully. The servian revolu-
tionary committee Is holding meetings at
many places, organizing bands distribut-
ing bombs and explaining the method Of
using them.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-11

bribery Schebel and Machen are indicted
Jointly for conspiracy against the United
States and again for conspiracy to COM
nit bribery Another Indictment is
against Mcclellan and Huntington for
bribery, and the last is against Machen,
singly for accepting brides.
The complaint also charges the three
officials with being stockholders in the
Postal Device & improvement company
at the time the devices were purchased.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-11
MAcHEN Is ARRAIaNED
Pleads Not Guilty and he Released Under
$1,000 RaiI.

$1,000 Bali.
New York. Sept. 11.--George w Beav-
salaries and allowances In the postoffice
department., was arraigned before United
States Commissioner Hitchcock, In the
federal building to-day, on a bench war
rant issued in Washington charging him
with conspiracy to defraud the govern
ment.
Beavers furnished a bond Of $4,000 for
his appearance on Sept. IS. Beavers was
recently arraigned on the indictment re-
turned by the federal grand Jury in Brook
Syn.
Neither Mr.. Beavers nor his counsel
would discuss the nature Of the charges,
but gave notice that they would on Sept.
20 insist upon the government producing
it's complete evidence against the defend
ant. Assistant United States Attorney
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-11
LOST BOY RETURNS HOME.

Portland, Oregon, Sept. 11.-After wanderins
around the globe for fifteen years. forgettin9
even his birthplace and the names of his parents,
from whom he had been Kidnapped, Marcue
Hechtman, now % years of age, walked into the
store Of his father yesterday to look at watch
and was recognized by the aged man. The
young man was stolen by wandering troupe OF
variety actors when years old
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-11
FRANCE WILL SEND
SHIPS TO TURKEY
Commander of the Mediterranean Squadron at
Toulon Is Ordered to Hold Himself
in Readiness to Go.
Consannp Aroused by Published Reports OF Bull
garan Ouage Threaten to Attack the Christian population
The Situation at Beirut Is Improved

them to enter the town and beg for goods.
Many cruelties perpetrated on Christians
are attributed to Greek spies headed by
a Greek bishop, who, with the Greek con-
suls, it is said, are paid by the porte for
their services.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-11
CONSPIRACY
And BRIBERY
These Are the Charges Made Against
Indicted Postoffice Depart
ment Grafters.
List Of Names Made Public Includes
Bnavers, Machen, Erwin, Rich
ardson and Others.
Sensational Features Of the Case.
Against These Men Not Knewn
Heretofore.

Washington, Sept. II. = United
States District Attorney Beach to-
day announced that the six persons
boxes and package boxes and devices
Some sensational charges are made. The
indictment against Beavers, Machen and
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-11

Butter color made from coal tar prod
ucts must not be used in Minnesota after
Jan. 1.
w. w. p. Mcconnell, state dairy and
food commissioner, has made a ruling to
that effect, and will send it out in a
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-11
JUDGE ELL TORRANCE
FOR VICE PRESIDENT
Old Soldiers of the Nation Will Offer Past Com
mander for That Office

Department Commander Of Kansas g. A. Judge
Receive the Backing Of the Old Soldiers the
Was Canvaed San Judge Regarded
the Available Candidate
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-11

The controller OF the currency to-day issued
a call for the condition Of national banks AZ fhe
close Of business Wednesday, Sept ..
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-11
WASHINGTON Is PLEASED
Minister Lelshman Tells the Porte So
Claims to Be Pushed.

SlalfnS 10 Do TuStco'
Washington, Sept. 1.-THE state de-
partment has authentic advises that Gov
ernor General Nazim Pasha Of Damascus,
who has been appointed acting governor
Of Beirut, Is a trustworthy and broad
minded man, and Minister Leishman has
been instructed to advise the Sublime
porte that the washington government Is
greatly pleased at the immediate grant
ing Of it's request for the removal Of the
governor Of Beirut and the appointment
in his stead Of a reasonable official and
one favorable to foreigners. ~
A long cablegram has been received at
the state department from Minister Leish-
man on the general Turkish situation,
which has not yet been made public. The
prestige Of Mr.. Leishman at Constanti-
nople has greatly increased since the ap-
pearance Of the European squadron off
Beirut and the scope Of his representa-
tons to the porte have also increased in
the last few days. 1t is understood that
our government will push to an early con-
clusion all its pending claims against
Turkey.
Says Beirut Is Peaceful.
Chekib Bey, the Turkish minister, was
an early caller at the state department to-
day, bringing further reassuring advices
that a "Conditim Of absolute peace has
been esta blished at Beirut
The minister received over night ca
blegram from his foreign office confirming
the news of disturbances at Beirut, stat
ing that eight were killed and about ff-
teen wounded. Of the killed, four, it Is
said, were Christians. The cablegram
stated that the disturbance had no other
bad results and that condition Of per-
| feet calm has been established. -.t .....
| The cablegram further stated that the
reports sent out by some Of the foreign
! consuls at Beirut who got their informa-
ton, froo, tod Lo1 In1
ly exaggerated.
II know the governor general of Da-
mascus," said Chelsib Bey to AN Asso-
! ciated Press representative, land I am
sure he will prove q power for good at
Bsirut. He Is an admirable worker with
foreigners, and will handle the situation
at Beirut with firm hand. He is re-
spected thruout Turkey" E...
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-11
Cholera Is RaqInq,

Constantinople Sept. 11.-Cholera IS re.
ported to be raging fercely at Bierejik
Syria.
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-12-06

, his eye caught sight of black and
gilt sign. On it were the words:
Brick Presbyterian Church" His
brain moved rapidly. by George"
he muttered breathlessly, 1.-The very
thing" He crept to the back of the
could be forced, he looked in. He
saw a small and unoccupied room.
Thrown across the back of a chair
was a mysterious conglomeration of
red and white; of cloth and hair and
cotton. 1t was nothing less and moth
ing more than the Santa Claus COS
tune to be worn by Mr.. Biddle.
The two police officers followed
closely on his heels. They were quite
sure from his persistency in eluding
them, that he had been up to trick
or two The trail, however, stopped
short at Brick Church. The officer at
one end of the block had seen him
pass without knowing him, of couse)
the officer at the other end had not
seen him; nor had anybody else. The
two men ranSacked the neighborhood.
Then they entered the church. The
entertainment was in full blast. A
Santa Claus was on hand who was
making things hum. He kept the
children in a roar of laughter.
George Biddle is outdoing himself
tonight" remarked the adults in the
room. He was, more than they knew.
For this was Mr.. Smiths first attend
ance at such an entertainment. He
enjoyed it, He was Santa Claus in
carnate, for wherever he saw small
youngster whose shoes were old, or
whose jacket and trousers did not
quite meet in the waist line, he sur
reptitiously doled out to him 81 of
the $50 which ne had tucked away.
Poor little chaps" he said to him
self. When he finished his $50 was
all gone. Suddenly he became aware
of the presence of the two plain
clothes men. So he raised his hand to
command silence. Now, little XII
children" he exclaimed, you'll have
the greatest treat of all. Wait till
Santa Claus comes back" He cross
ed to his dressing room, closed the
door and disrobed.
He never came back. The plain
clothes men spent some little time in
the church trying to spot Strong-Arm
Smith. Finally they gave it up. When
they had done so, Strong-Arm Smith
was far away. But there was some
thing the matter with him; something
he didn't understand. His recent ex-
perience among the youngsters had
made him sentimental: the Christmas
spirit was upon HIM.
Hang it," said Strong-Arm Smith
to himself, as he sped toward New
York by rail. 81 hadn't oughter took
the stuff often that duck. Maybe it
was all he had. hadn't oughter done
it,"
Again he reviewed the contents of
the purse. Forty minutes later Strong
Arm Smith was standing at the coun-
ter OF a New Yorw department store.
II got a whole lot of bang-up things,
he said to the girl. that l got to get
Just pick me out the very best you We
cot in that line will your He men
toned the first thing on the list which
Mr.. Biddle had made out. lie bought
IL and paid for IT,
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-12-06

"I'll tell you, young woman" he
went on, Il wish you'd just write me a
card to go with that" The girl nod
ded. What shall I put on it?" she
inquired. Smith consulted his list.
Just write on that" he answered,
without a culver of an eyelid, MANI
ma, from George"
The girl dissolved in exuberant
laughter. But Strong-Arm Smith kept
on. Steadily he worked his way down
the list. He ordered everything sent
out to Biddle's house. threatening dire
punishment if it did not reach there
just on time. He even secured the the
alter tickets noted by Biddle on the list,
and sent them out by mail-he had
Biddle's address. of course, from Bid
dies cards. While he had ransacked
the wallet he had come upon two let
ters signed by the name of Peggy.
They were letters of an unmistakable
kind.
at isn't on the list" said Smith,
but, by George, I'll do it," He visit
ed a Fifth avenue jewelry store and
picked out a handsome solitaire. Just
put a card in that will you" he said,
land say, just mark it, Sweet Peggy,
if you got time. 1 don't know her,
but l bet she's sweets all right, all
right.
And now, by George!" he finally
remarked, I'm through-through,
and just about cleaned out. But it's
all right. all right. And now for
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-12-06

good as another to Mr. Smith. He
heard the footballs of Mr.. Biddle. He
peered out.
This duck" remarked Mr.. Smith
to himself, don't look like a great
deal, but he may have the stuff. I
suppose I'll have to do a half a dozen
of 'em before get what I'm looking
I for
George Washington Biddle reached a
point just opposite Mr.. Smith, and
| stopped short. He made no effort to
go farther. For at the psychological
! moment the good right arm of Strong
Arm Smith shot forth and caught
young Mr.. Biddle just behind the ear.
Mr.. Biddle Immediately lost all inter-
est in everything in general, and most
things in particular.
Five minutes later Mr.. Smith
emerged from the alley. Mr.. Biddle
did not. He lay well within the shadow
] After number of hours, he revived
and went home-heavy and disconsolate
with disappointment. He was glad
now that he had said nothing about
the secret. He said to himself that
before the next Christmas he might
save UP a little more, take another lit
tie flyer and then-have the Christmas
he was after.
Strong Arm Smith stopped under a
! convenient lamp post and examined
! the wallet he had filched. 1t contain
ed several of the private papers of Mr..
I Biddle, among them his brokers' let
ter, his list of proposed purchases and
more than all-his $500.
Mr.. Smith whistled. That duck
didn't look as though he had 500 cents.
He didn't now, and that's a fact. But
! what the DEVILS this
1t was nothing but printed pro-
! gramme of a Christmas entertainment
to be held that evening in a brick
! church. Scrubbed across it in a wom-
ans hand were these words: "Mr Bid
! die, we rely upon you to be our Santa
Claus as usual Don't fail us, will
you?"
! Mr.. Smiths investigation had been
too protracted. AS he finished it, he
| heard a noise, and, looking up, saw
two plain clothes men bearing down
upon him. They had recognized him,
and it was their purpose to arrest him
on general principles.
He took to his heels. They follow
ed him. Smith was slick article, but
so were they. But Smith knew that
the longer the chase kept up the worse
for him; for there are such things as
| telephones; and they could head him
off by sending word out to the whole
force. He was well night spent, when
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-12-06

luck. Christmas was approaching.
Mr. Biddle had always yearned to
celebrate Christmas after most lux
uriant fashion. Here was his oppor-
tunity. He would secrete this $500
until Christmas time; then he would
lavish on his family and friends a
host of presents which would be the
real thing and no mistake. And he
would blow the whole crowd off to a
dinner in New York. and the theater
on top of that. Then he might tell
them about his little flyer-they would
forgive him then.
This Christmas" remarked Mr..
George Washington Biddle to him
self, will be a Christmas that is
Christmas and no mistake"
Mr.. Biddle was only one atom
among the aggregation of people who
contemplated Christmas. Some of
them contemplated it with full hearts
and empty purses; some with full
purses and empty hearts.
One of the many men who contem-
plated it was a gentleman OF the
name of Strong-Arm Smith. Strong
Arm Smith, however, albeit usually
in funds, found himself possessed OF
barely $50 with which to spend the
holidays.
And what's $780," muttered Strong
Arm Smith, ito a man of means ike
me? 1 need $500 if 1 need a cent. To
work to work, my boy. For Christ
mas is coming and merry We'll De.
Strong-Arm Smith is a man who is
we'll known in New York and vicinity
Several gentlemen are constantly on
the lookout for him. Even in winter,
the climate of each place was over
warm for Mr.. Smith. When one place
became too hot, he strolled on toward
the next. 1t was only few DAYS
before the holidays that his indlVid-
ual fortune had dwindled to the
aforementioned sum of $50. And 1t
was only a few days before Christmas
that he happened upon the suburban
city in which resided Mr.. George
Washington Biddle. Mr.. Biddle's
town was quite a town. 1t had It's
own department store, and was well
equipped in every way.
From the time that Mr.. Biddle re-
ceived his check from his broker, to
Just two days before Christmas, ne
occupied his mind continually with
the allotment, the quantity ana quar-
ity and price of presents. He care
fully prepared a list, changing it ma
terially several times day, put
finally getting it arranged to his sat
isfaction. Then he got his check
cashed On Dec. % he reached home
early, took an early supper ana SAL
led out at an early hour. win MIN,
IN his pocketbook, was his SoOO' ana
his list of purchases which 1t was MS
purpose to make.
Another man with Christmas plans
afoot also sailed forth. 1t was
Strong-Arm Smith. But he went
about them in a queer manner
While all the town was crowding the
stores. Mr.. Smith lurked In the
shadow OF a very dark alleyway.
Mr.. die had never seen Mr.. Smith
has Ter seen him to this day. Mr.
smlt 4 never seen Mr. Biddle. But
Rh"i odds-one man was just as
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-12-06
BY VIM. HAMILTON OSBORNE.
Copyright, 1903, by VIM. H. Osborne.

Mr.. George Washington Biddle was
a conscientious young man. He had
had great ambitions, but these were
lost sight if in the fact that he sup
ported his sister, his widowed mother
and his maiden aunt, and at intervals
other members of a family which had
ever been, and ever would be, gen.
teelly poverty-stricken. So young Mr..
Biddle pegged away at his job in the
metropolis.
But locked in his bosom was a ire
mendous secret. He had taken a lit
tie flyer down upon the street. lie
had put up just so much margin, saved
by a judicious avoidance Of lunch
counters for several months, and had
placed the small amount in the care
of a discretionary broker. Mr.. Biddle
was not the only individual who was
taking a flyer on Wall street just at
that time. The rush was for Con-
solidated AS usual, the crash oc-
Cured just at the unexpected time
Consolidated went down as though it
would never stop. Young Mr.. Bidlle
sighed deeply. This should be his first
and last experience. He had lost and
it had served him right.
At this juncture he received a letter
from his broker. 1t requested him
TO call. He called assuming that it
was a demand for more margin, or,
what was worse, a demand for "a loss
"a loss that he could never pay. The
broker saw him as he entered, stepped
over to a clerk, and came toward Mr..
Biddle, waving a narrow strip of pa
per in his hand as he came.
You are one of the lucky few, Bid
die" he remarked, as he passed the
paper over. 1t was a check to the
order of George Washington Biddle for
just $500. Biddle nearly tainted.
But 1 thought" he gasped, that
YOU bought Consolidated. You-you
told me you would" The broker
grinned. II did-first," he answered.
Later 1 was fortunate enough to sell
And there you are Come in again. -
Mr. George Washington Biddle
thought in his heart of hearts, that it
was Just possible that he might come
in again. But not just now. He
would wait awhile.
All this happened about the first
part of December. Mr.. George Wash
ington Biddle made up his mind that
it would not do to tell his mother or
his sister or his aunt of this strike OF