davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-03-24
ZIDMAIR'S STORY OF THE CRIME

dered by the enraged man, drew his
gun and fired, killing him instantly.
This is the true version of the muir
der, so Zidmair contends, and that at
all times he acted in self-defense. I'M
mediately after the shooting, he as
serts, he started for this city for the
purpose of giving himself up to the
authorities, but that en- route he met
Weidenbauer, the complaining wit
ness, to whom he related the Killing
of Reider and stated that he was GO
ing to Livingston to give himself up,
but Weidenbauer, he alleges, convinc-
ed him that it was not the best move
to make, but advised him to go and
bury the body of Reider and say moth
ing about it. Together, he says, they
went back and buried the body, both
agreeing to keep it a secret. Zidmair
now contends that his supposed friend
for two years following the killing,
and in fact up to the time he betrayed
him to the Park county authorities.
bullied him and abused him in numer-
Il ways, always holding the knowl-
edge of Zidmair's murder over his
head as a club.
: Attorney John T. Smith has been
retained as Zidmair's attorney and it
is believed he will put up a strong
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-03-24
STOLEN FROM EXPRESS CON-
' PANY IN TRANSIT.
DETECTIVES ARE WORKING
Bullion Valued at Over Twenty Thou
sand Dollars MysteriousIy
Disappears.

Detroit, March ia bar of gold
said to be valued at $4,000 to $23, 600
disappeared from the express car of
Wabash train No. 4, which arrived at
the Union station from the west at 8
o'clock and left for Buffalo at mid
night.
The property was in charge of the
Pacific Express company and was con-
signed to Buffalo. Just as soon as the
messenger missed the gold he mott
fed the local express agent of the COM
pany, who in turn asked the police to
assist in the search for the missing
treasure.
Every available detective of the
staff of Chief of Detectives Mcdonnell
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-03-24
FAST EXPRESS TRAIN CAUGHT FIRE
FLAMES DROVE ENGINEER AND FIREMAN FROM THEIR POST
OF DUTY BUT TRAIN SPED ON.

roaring furnace and the men fled to
the tender, but were pursued by the
fire TO the coal box. They retreated
to the platform of the first car.
Lyons fought his way back to the
engine, which was running at terrific
speed and managed to start the whis-
tie cord. The blazing engine then
rushed on to the Railway yards. The
shrieking of the whistle alarmed the
passengers. One of them, Sherman
Lewis of Brunswick. grabbed the
emergency brake and stopped the
train.
The passengers had been stampeded.
With a rush they made for the door,
but were stopped by prompt work OF
the crew. Another engine was hook
ed on and the train reached Jersey
City one hour late.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-03-24
HELD TO DISTRICT COURT.
Two Madison County Ranchers charg.
ed With Dynamiting Fish.

Butte, March 20.-Henry Aware,
deputy state game warden, returned
last evening from a trip into Madison
county, where he went to investigate
a report of violations of the game law.
He arrested William and Noah Evans,
well-to-do ranchers. on the charge of
dynamiting fish on Odell creek, a
tributary of the Madison river. The
accused had a hearing before Justice
". w. Green. at Ennis and were
bound over to the district court under
a bond Of $1,000 each. The case is
said to be an aggravated one An eye
witness testified that the men, about
the first of the month, set off dynamite
al three differen places in Odell creek
and killed hundreds of fish. They
first whipped the rifles of the creek
and drove the fish into deep holes,
and then exploded the dynamite. The
witness heard the blasts and arrived
on the scene in time to see the men
pick up the dead fish. Deputy Aware
had heard of the violations, but it
took him some time to find the evil
dence against the suspects The pen
atty, on conviction, is a fine of 5000
to $500 or Imprisonment in the peni-
tertiary for one to three years, or both
fine and Imprisonment.
Odell creek, where the alleged Of
tense was committed, is said to be one
of the best trout streams in the north
west, and the stream never freezes
ever.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-03-24

New York, March 20.-With cab and
tender ablaze and engineer and fire.
man huddled on the platform of a car
behind with the flames sweeping to-
ward them, the Washington express
e the Pennsylvania raced towards
Jersey City last night for 80 miles with
the engines throttle wide open.
The express arrived at New Bruins
wick &c minutes late and Conductor
}. NJ. Moody ordered the engineer to
make up the time. Fireman Searles'
side of the cab caught fire from the
back draught of the fire box after leav-
ing M%etuchin.
In response to his shouts. Engineer
Lyons went to his aid, but before the
engineer could regain hold of the lever
to shut of the power, the cab was a
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-03-24
HIS MAJESTY CONCERNED.

Strike Leader Charged With Delaying
the Mails.
Victoria, B. c., March 2O.-President
Estes was summoned by the city po-
lice last night to appear in the police
court today to answer to the charge
of conspiracy to delay his majesty's
mails.
This action is taken as a result of
the strike on the Canadian Pacific
Navigation company's steamers, which
was declared on Monday in sympathy
with the strike along the Canadian
Pacific railway. The strike leader
has retained counsel and will fight the
case.
The Canadian Pacific Navigation
company has been able to fill all their
steamers with non-union crews. Eff
forts are being made to have the long
shoremen go on a strike in sympathy.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-03-24

"The Allen strengthening Machine
company" of Chicago has opened an
office at Billings and will be pleased
to furnish any information to wool
growers through their agent, in ROOF
3 Belknap block. A machine will be
shown in the office, in operation. A
depot where all supplies will be kept
constantly on hand will be establish
ed. Call upon or write for terms and
particulars to A. C. Logan, local
agent. d-1-sw-tf
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-03-24

Livingston, March 19.-It is learned
here today that Zidmair, who IS con-
fined in the county Jail charged with
the killing of George Reider more
than two years ago, has admitted the
killing, but contends that the act was
done in self-defense. To justify the
killing Zidmair tells a story of alleg-
ed abuses heaped upon himself and
family by the murdered man that is
of a most startling nature and if one
half the allegations made by the ac-
cused man are true, the defense will
be able to put up a strong case. The
state claims that they will be able to
show that the murder was unpro-
voked and of a most cold-blooded char
acter: that the accused man waited
for his victim behind a clump OF
brush and from this vantage shot
Reider as he was passing through a
field.
1t will be claimed by the state that
the quarrels between the men that &C.
Cured previous to the shooting were
provoked by Zidmair, who was the
aggressor on all occasions.
In his confession of the murder lid
MAR claims that he and his family
- n>fI>~
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-03-24

New London, March 21.-In the fog
which descended upon the waters OF
Long Island sound last night, the big
Fall river passenger steamer Ply.
mouth, from New York for Fall River,
with. 500 passengers and a crew OF
200 men, was run down while passing
through the Race by the freight steam.
err City Of Taunton Of the same line,
bound for New York.
A full hundred feet of the star
board side of the vessel was smashed
in as if it had been paper, the state
rooms Of the second cabin were en-
tirely cut away, while down the hold
many Of the crew, who we're asleep in
the steerage, were drowned by the
torrent that poured through the great
gap made by the bow of the freighter.
Although greatly terrified, those on
board the stricken ship showed great
self control and there was no panic.
The collision occurred after the YES
sci had slowly made her way over the
sound through the fog until she reach
ed a point east of Gull island. The
City of Taunton drove up out of the
fog and when she was sighted by the
Plymouth she was too close to avoid
the collision. a..
Crash Is Terrific.
There was a quick exchange of sig
nails and then the crash. The bow of
the City of Taunton penetrated ten
feet into the hull of the Plymouth and
as she backed away she raked the
upper works of the approaching YES
sci tearing out the second cabin and
ripping the staterooms to pieces.
Water poured into the hold and drown
ed the men in their hunks.
The Plymouth was Immediately
headed for this city. It was thought at
one time that the ships company
would have to take to the boats, but
the closing of the collision bulkheads
prevented the water from gaining and
the vessel made the harbor and wharf
unassisted. w..
Death Total Not Known.
There was no way of telling imme-
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-03-24
DAN CUNNINGHAM WAR,
The U. S. Grand Jury Returns Over
$50 Indictments,

~
Charleston, w. Va, March 20.-The
United States grand jury adjourned to-
day after finding over $50 indictments
against miners and those who partic-.
ipated in the hold-up of Deputy
Marshal Dan Cunningham at Atkins
vile. Raleigh county, and in the Stan
afford battle between miners and dep
uty marshals. Capiases have been is
sued for their arrest. The indictments
charge resistance to federal authority
in some instances and conspiracy in
others. Cunningham will organize a
posse to arrest the indicted parties
and it is feared he will meet with
trouble when he again visits that re-
gion. Nc. indictments were returned
against the deputy marshal or his
wmarda ~
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-03-24

He asserts that together he
and Reider came to this country from
Bavaria, where they had long been
friends. They settled on adjoining
ranches on Trail creek, where the
friendship continued until it is claim
ed by Zidmair, Reider seduced his, lid
mair's daughter. Then the trouble
began which finally ended in the kill
ing of Reider.
Zidmair says he came to Livingston
to secure Reider's arrest, but finally
agreed to let the matter drop. AS a
result of this trouble the two men
continually quarreled and it is claimed
by Zidmair that his daughters shame
caused his wife to commit suicide.
After his wife's death, which Zidmair
asserts was due entirely to the trou-
BILE that Reider had brought upon the
family. Reider, he alleys, continued
to heap abuses upon the family, cut
ting his wire fences, stealing his farm
implements and beating his children
whenever they CHANGED to come with
in reach of him.
Finally, the accused man claims
Reider stole a chain, and on meeting
him in the field where the tragedy
occurred, accused him of it, when
Reider came to him with an ak and
HZ4l--f- l~1s>-S- Z-@4-
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-03-24
REPUBLICANS LOOKING FOR
AVAILABLE CANDIDATE,
MUST COME FROM WEST
Yates and La Toilette Mentioned, but
Not Favored by the
Leaders.

Chicago, March 20.-A Washington
special to the Tribune says: During
the intervals between executive ses
sions many senators have been busy
ing themselves talking about candi-
dates in the next presidential election.
welt for the first place on the republi-
can ticket is conceded even by men
who are not personally any too fond
of the president. They say his per-
sonal popularity is so great as to pre-
vent the nomination of n one else,
because the president could be turn,
ed down only after a hard fight, if at
all, and the party would go before
the people handicapped at the outset
by the declaration that the present re-
publican administration had not been
successful. M
The shrewdest political leaders in
the senate declare that the nomina-
ton of Roosevelt is a necessity and
that if any other man is selected by
the republican convention he will GER
tainly be defeated at the polls. For
this reason all the talk about the
ticket in 1904 is concerned with the
question of second place.
Geographical considerations have al
ways had weight in this regard and
it is therefore, assumed that the vice
presidential candidate on the republi-
car ticket will come from west of the
Allegheny mountains. If there ever
was any chance of securing a state in
the solid south that possibility has
been %dissipated by the presidents ac-
ton on the negro question, so that the
usual pressure of vice presidential
candidates from states like Mary
land, West Virginia, Kentucky and
Tennessee is not expected to mater
ialize next year.
In the opinion of most of the polit-
ical prophets, therefore. the vice pres
idential candidate on the republican
ticket will in all probability be select
ed from Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, I'LL
nois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Ne
braska or Kansas. Suggestions as
to the Pacific coast have never been
warmly received in party councils, and
as yet the western slope of the Rocky
mountains has not developed people
who have acquired a national repu-
tation. There are two other governors
II. the vicinity of Chicago-Yates, of
Illinois, and La Toilette, of Wiscon-
sin-who are frequently mentioned,
but seldom with approval of practical
politicians. Each one in his own
state represents a mere faction and
nothing more, and it is said by those
in a position to know that the nami-
nation Of either of these chief execu-
tives would almost certainly mean the
loss of his own state.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-03-24
EXPLOSION in COAL MINE.
Fan Shaft Broke and Allowed Gas to
Accumulate,

Fan Shaft Broke and Allowed Gas to
Accumulate.
Sydney, N. S., March 2O.-As a re-
suit of an explosion, followed by fire,
in Dominion No. / colliery at Glace
Bay, Cape Breton, the day foreman
is missing, 78 horses were %suffocated
by firedamp and property estimated
at half a million dollars was destroy
ed. The fan shaft in the mine broke
last night and a large number of men
left the mine, while others, who did
not anticipate any danger, remained
at work. A great quantity of bad
gases soon accumulated, and today,
when a shot was fired, an explosion
occurred, and in an instant that part
was between shifts, only a few men
were in the mine at the time. They
all made a wild rush for the mouth
of the pit and succeeded in reaching
1t before the deadly f1redamp overlook
them. On the way some of them seiz-
ed the horses near at hand and gal
Hoped full. speed to the opening, warn
ing others of the danger as they pro-
ceeded. A strong effort was made to
get the horses out, but only IL were re-
moved alive. Four Observation-Disclosures
still remain to be accounted for. The
men succeeded late in the day in shut
ting off the north end of the pit, and
in this way the fire was confined.
There is great fear, however, that the
fire has not been completely extin-
guished and private information here
tonight seemed to indicate that it is
still raging. $685." M-
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-03-24
v BY PRISONERS.

Sheriff and His Wife Rescued from
Drowning.
Walnut Ridge, Ark, March 90
Sheriff James E. Mccall, in company
with his wife and baby, and having in
charge two prisoners, while attempt
ing to cross the swollen Black river
was thrown into the water by the over
turning OF the skin. The baby was
downed, but the sheriff and his wife
were saved through the aid Of the
prisoners, who afterward went unat-
attended to the county Jail and knocked
for admittance.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-03-24
Nothing Known at Buffalo.

Nothing Known at Buffalo.
Buffalo, March 19.-At the office of
the express company all knowledge
Of the disappearance Of a bar Of gold
is denied. They say further that bull
lion is never shipped to Buffalo.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-03-24

employed by the company saw it and
examined it. When the truck was UNI
loaded after the arrival of the train,
the bar was found to be missing.
Three Are Suspected.
Captain Mcdonnell says he has
found that at least three persons not
connected with the Pacific Express
company were in the office and ex-
amined the bar and discussed it. The
value of the bar as given to the police
is $23,5OO. The promised statement
from Superintendent Newhall has not
yet been issued.
No Trace of Treasure.
There were four bars of gold in
the shipment. The incoming messen-
ger is positive that he unloaded all
four of them and wheeled the truck
into the company's office here. When
the midnight train on which express
matter is SEN east vas ready, only
three bars were found on the truck.
Although the messenger was sure
he had unloaded four, the hope that
possibly he might have overlooked
one and left it in the car, which went
to Buffalo, was entertained until word
came from Buffalo that there was no
gold in the ear.
Several men who were in the office
while the gold was awaiting transfer
tc the midnight train were taken into
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-03-24

custody and examined, but later re-
leased after convincing the officers
that they knew nothing of the missing
bar.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-03-24

bow stove in and her pumps working.
Her bulkhead saved her from sinking.
An officer of the Plymouth said
this afternoon that all of the 558 pas
sengers on the boat have been &C.
counted for, and only n passenger
was killed. The body Of the latter
while not fully identified, is now
thought to be that of ]. H. Marston Of
New York.
Captain Davis of the Plymouth, said
he was in the pilot house and was
particularly alert, owing to the dense
fog.
"As the vessels neared each other"
he said, Il quickly rang for full speed
astern and l heard the bell of the City
of Taunton give the same signal. The
City of Taunton was heard to sound
the distress signal. Our forward bulk
head saved us, but l thought the only
and safest course was to make for the
nearest port"
la opRCdldllCC vi DOIA VOS0Clo
shows with what immense force they
came together. Torn and twisted iron
and the bow torn out is the sight pre-
sented by the City of Taunton, while
on the Plymouth a state of chaotic
confusion of mattresses, bedding, gar
ments, furiture and p%anelings, togeth-
er with twisted bars of iron, gave way.
Neither n responded to the machin-
cry much before they came together.
The stories of narrow escapes from
death or serious injury were told by
passengers on the Plymouth.
Boston, Mass, March 2O.-The spe-
cial train from New London, having
the majority of the Plymouth's pas
sengers, arrived here this afternoon.
Among them were many Italian i'm
migrants. One of them, PasQuel
Metes, says he is sure a number of
immigrants in the steerage kill
ed in the collision, while others jump
ed overheard.
He said: II saw five dead and l am
satisfied that l saw at least ten more
jump overheard"
Another Italian says he saw seven
OF his countrymen jump overheard
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-07
A Tip on Tips.

From London Truth
have just made a discovery, knowledge
of which may be of considerable value to
travellers and tourists. 1t Is that there ex-
lists among hotel porters on the continent
system Of wireless telegraphy, by which
the characteristics of a visitor in the mat
ter Of tips are communicated from one
hotel to another. The medium Of commu-
nication Is the hotel label pasted on WIS.,
itors' luggage. and the code is formed by
varying the angle at which the label is
placed. In one position the label means
that the guest is worth cultivating and
may be relied on for liberal acknowledge
ment Of services received: in another that
special attention bestowed upon him will
be entirely wasted.
How far this system prevails I cannot
say, but am satisfied that it exists. Trav-
elers. therefore, who find themselves treat
ed with studied Indifference by the serv-
ants in the hotels they visit should lose no
time in cleaning the labels off their trunks
am making further inquiries into the
subject and hope in course of time to be
able to give information which will enable
my readers to insure the maximum Of at
tention at the minimum Of expense by ad-
justing the labels on their trunks for
themselves.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-07
Education.

From the New York Sum-.
We sometimes wonder if lack of educa-
ton is not the best policy. There is con-
tinual babbling among the teachers, pro-
fessors and superintendents as to what
should be learned and what omitted In
school and college courses. One set of dons
swears by electives" Another set regards
the student brought up on electives as
victim of superficial and lazy methods. an
Intellectual smatterer. The gods of the
schools of one city are the devils of the
schools of another city You can depend
upon DR.. Charles William Eliot of Cam
bridge to smash at least once a month
every educational fetish that Is not In his
own collection and poke all other educators
In the ribs. The parents complain that
their children don't learn anything. The
children complain that they have to study
everything. Occasionally some of the pu-
pills go on strike. The teachers must often
want to strike. No doubt a tremendous
amount Of energy Is disengaeed by all this
heat and friction. But sensitive souls must
always have doubts as to the merits and
soundness Of their own efforts to pick up
an education. Every Idol that they wor-
SHIPPED is thrown out by their wiser sue
cessors. Everything that they learned has
to be unlearned IL they would avoid the
scorn Of their wiser children.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-07
Poison in Fish.
From Nature.


In consequence of frequent cases of sick
ness and death caused by poisonous SUBJ
stances in sailed raw fish used for food the
committee of the Caspian fishery and seal
industries several years ago offered a prize
for the investigation of the nature of the
fish poison, for indications Of the methods
of preventing fish from becoming poison
Gus, and for the healing of persons pois-
oned by. fish. The accumulated interest
and capital now amount to 800 rubles
(about f1,O50). The Imperial Academy of
Sciences, st. Petersburg, acting with the
ministry of agriculture and crown domains,
has now issued particulars of a new COM
petition on the nature Of fish poison and
the antidotes. The persons competing for
the award offered in the interest of public
health will be expected to offer solutions
of the following problems: /. By careful
son contained in fish. 2. To investigate the
action of the poison of the Independent
organs of animal bodies, the central nerv-
Gus system, the heart, the circulation of
blood and the digestive organs. 3. To pre-
sent an accurate Illustration Of the patho-
logical reactions in the various parts of
animal and human bodies caused by such
poisoning. 4. To present description of
the signs serving to distinguish fish con-
tanning poison from normal fish. 5. To
indicate methods for the prevention of de-
velopment of poison in fish. 6. To indicate
antidotes and general provision against
poisoning by fish.