davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Newport weekly independent., 1903-01-16

Sunday there arrived in Ft Smith, says the Times of that city, two young men named John Evans of Georgia and John Minton of Dardanelle, this state, who were on their way to their respective homes from Alaska. They said that they had spent year in Eagle City mining and while they did not leave with a fortune they had arizadeva nice little stake and were go
 ing home to enjoy themselves. They brought with them fine selection of photographs taken when the ther
 mometer was 70 degrees below zero They said that the gold in that section was found in nuggets ranging in value from $1O to $200. Whisky is 50 cents a drink, beer the same and board by the week is $16, and meals, composed of ham and eggs, $1.25. Cattle could be killed and buried ill the earth and allowed to remain for year and then dug up and be found fresh. MT. Min ton said that Alaska was the best cold storage country in the world The young men brought with them sam pies of the fur caps and gloves worn by the residents and also curios in the shape of bead work made by the In- dians of that section. Wages were $5 a day and board, and no one need be out of employment. Mir. Minton said that he had staked out two claims and intended to return in the summer. There was talk of building railroad from Valdeese to Eagle City, a dis tance of 510 miles, and in that event there would be an exodus of fortune seekers to Alaska which probably is the richest territory in the world. Eagle city contains about 400 inhabi- tants, almost the entire population being engaged in gold seeking, and some of them becoming quite rich. Messrs. Minton and Evans left that night for their respective homes.
Newport weekly independent., 1903-01-16
AUDREY'S AUTHORS
 PERSONALITY.

Word comes from Richmond that Miss Mary Johnston, author of "Aud- rey," and other captivating romances of Virginia colonial days, and who was for some years resident of Birmingham, Ala, where her father, Maj. J. w. Johnston, was prominent in business circles, has established a comfortable home in the capital of the Old Dominion, her native state. Her father and two sisters constitute the household they have formed on East Grace street. One of the sisters, who had been trained as nurse, has abandoned that vocation to complete the family circle. Mai Johnston, who was a gallant officer of artillery in the Army of Northern Virginia, has been an exceedingly active man since the war, and it seems not like him to settle down to rest anywhere.
 Miss Johnston is reputed the head of the house. She "gives out" and "takes in,' as the darkeys say.
 Her drawing rooms have the air of "liveableness," which is alluring. Flowers, books, work boxes and other articles fashioned for feminine fingers characterize the home of the author of "Audrey." Writing of her, cu- rious observer says:
 "What would one who did not know fancy the author of Audrey" to be-? Tall? Dashing? Gushing? Not at all. Petite, retiring, very quiet, with large eyes and frail appearance. She is earnest, candid and seemingly not the least elated by success. She drives about town in stylish brougham or her low victoria, and people do not call the little lady in her velvet and furs either proud or condescending, but rather anxious to obscure her. self"
Newport weekly independent., 1903-01-16
J. C. NICHOLAS DEAD.

Joseph c. Nicholas, general bag gage agent, Missouri Pacific system, died at his residence, 4133 McPherson avenue in St. Louis on Friday night at 12 o'clock, Of heart failure. MT. Nicholas had been connected with the general passenger department Of the Missouri Pacific system under General Passenger and Ticket Agent H. c. Townsend in various capacities for over twenty years, and was one of the most efficient officers in the ser vice. His official and personal rec ords were of the highest standing. The funeral took place Sunday after noon at o'clock from the family residence.
 The deceased was one of the prom inent railroad officials in attendance at the depoG celebration banquet and made many warm friends and admir- CTS, who learn with sorrow of his de- mise.
Newport weekly independent., 1903-01-16
POST OFFICE SERVICE RESUMED.

The burning of the post office build ing and nearly all the fixtures seri- ously disarranged service Monday, but the patrons of the office were con- siderate of the misfortune of the post master and bore with patience the delay and inconvenience resulting therefrom.
 Col. L. Minor volunteered Mir Empie the use of his office building on Walnut street, where all appli- cants are receiving mail at the gener- al delivery. No distribution of mail is made except by alphabetical lines. Only first class matter has been re- ceiving attention and stacks of papers are accumulating upon the hands of the force.
Newport weekly independent., 1903-01-16
ROGERS WILL BE TRIED.
Jonesporo Officers Will Take Him Back to Scene of Frisco Robbery For Trial-Seems to Have N
 Unsavory Record.

That George Rogers, one of the al legged train robbers captured by the Memphis police last Tuesday afternoon on Main street, will be forced to stand trial upon the charge of being impli cated in the hOldup of the Frisco passenger train near Bonneville, Ark. on May g last year, is now practically assured. The police are thoroughly convinced that he was one of the rob- bers.
 Parties were expected in Memphis Saturday from Jonesboro who believe that they will be able to identify Rogers as one of the robbers. It is positively known that the robbers spent several days in Jonesboro prior to the time of the hold-up.
 While practically nothing was known of Rogers when he was arrested by the police, and it was even hinted that he was novice at the business, cer- tain developments have been brought to light since that time which have put a different phase on Rogers identity
 Rogers and Clark, according to the police, came South after a career in the East. Clark was known as "Butch." He was at one time a news boy on train and from that honorable position he took a postgraduate course in the art of train robbery.
 The police received information about Rogers which they refused to give out. However, it was intimated that he has operated in the South for nearly two years, and that he had fig ured in both the Frisco and the Cotton Belt train robberies, which occurred within a few months of each other.
Newport weekly independent., 1903-01-16
-Ss $----sHsrs q esz'~---s SS------- CIRCUIT COURT CONFINES.

The Jackson county circuit court convened in open session Monday morning, Judge r. D. Fulkerson pre- siding. The grand jury was charged and returned to the usual room, set aside for it's deliberations. That body is composed of J. w. Wallace, foreman, T. J. Watson, Henry Allen, G. w. Hodges, R. 0. Rains, A. Me- Donald, James Graham, Alcorn Fer guson, H. A. Buford, Joseph Hanesy; J. E. Wilmans, c. B. Best, J. T. Hen derson, A. A. Keedy, Jesse Shuford and Newton Massey.
 The following prisoners were pro- duced in court, who will answer trial at this term of criminal court: Rufus Johnson, J. F. Ingram, Walter Horton, Tom Lothlin, Ed Wilson and Will Jones.
Newport weekly independent., 1903-01-16
PETIT JURY EMPANELED.

Tuesday morning, circuit court was occupied in the empanelling of petit jury. The first case, in which jury sat, was the replevin suit of L. Minor to secure certain abstract books in the possession of o. R. Hite, which at- tracted considerable interest.
 The petit jury is composed as fol- lows: E. Cagle, B. F. Hartwick, Robt. E. Jones, J. F. Sneed, Tom Biggers, Wm. Bowen, P. c. Brownfield, w. A. Lester, L. H. Conditt, Clay Roberts, Jr., Wm. Magoffin, Jr., Percy Martin, J. J. Grant, o. E. Bryant, J. R. Holden, L. P. Huey, Larkin Gamble, Geo. L. Damron. The following petit jury men were excused from service: J. M. Kettle, J. H. Camp, A. Poer, D. L. Williams, J. M. Glass, F. H. Humph- reys and w. A. Jones.
Newport weekly independent., 1903-01-16
WHIST CLUB ENTERTAINED.

The Fortnightly Whist club were very pleasantly entertained Friday afternoon by Mrs. w. w. McMinn, the affair being in compliment to Mrs. Lon Bevans of Gainesville, Texas.
 The playing was spirited and the number of players made up five tables Refreshments of sandwiches, coffee and cheesestraws were enjoyed.
 The invited guests present were Mesdames T. D. Kinman, Jr., E. P. Tetwiler, G. A. Hillhouse, L. 0. Bev- ans of Gainesville, Texas, w. P. Hamlhersmith of Galveston, Texas, Miss Rena Fraley of Batesville; the club members, Misses Mary Laird and Lula Empie, Mesdames B. B. Wilmans, T. E. Morrison, L. Minor, J. P. Ber- man, B. M. Crow, R. M. Johnson, O. D. Watson, J. L. Sells, R. T. Rob- ertson, Gus Martin, c. R. lite.
Newport weekly independent., 1903-01-16
NEWS NOTES FROM ISLAND.

MT. Sam Anthony visited his broth CT in Missouri during Christmas holi- days.
 Mrs. John Kittrell of Augusta was visiting on the Island during Christi mas.
 MT. G. w. Hamons of Augusta has moved on the Island and will make it his future home.
 Miss Annie Shannon returned from a four weeks visit to Eight Mile and Riverside last Wednesday.
 A grand birthday dinner was given on the 18th of December last at the home of J. H. Shannon. The old man passed his 49th mile-post. The dinner was enjoyed by most of the Island people. ;, A house on the Heard place was burned to the ground on Sunday night, January 4. All the effects of the family were lost, including about one bale of cotton in the seed. The fire, no doubt, was caused by care lessness.
 A shooting scrape was indulged in on last Sunday by son and daughter of Ham. The daughter was at the breech of the double barrel shotgun and executed the music while the son did time at $40 gait across Bro Couch's cotton patch, and Bro. Couch acted as spectator and did the laugh ing. (No damage done.)
Newport weekly independent., 1903-01-16
KRATA SAVED FROM FIRE.
Cotton Belonging To V. Y. Cook Thrown Overheard To Save Steamer On White River Above Jacksonport But
 Rescued Later In Dam-
 aged Condition.
Special to INDEPENDENT.

Jacksonport, Jan. 9.-The steamer Krata of the Inman Decker line of boats, narrowly escaped burning Thursday two miles above the mouth of Black river on WLite, com polling the crew to throw overheard fifty three bales of cotton, belonging to v. Y. Cook of Elmo and being con- veyed from that point to Newport.
 Capt. Charles Miller W 5 in charge of the boat, when the cotton caught afre from sparks from the smokestack. The crew at first tried to save the cargo, bst this was found to be impossible and at the risk of the boats safety.
 After the cotton was tossed over board, the Krata ran down to Jack sonport and with Capt. E. G. Riddell as pilot, the work of picking up the floating bales as they came past the old town was begun. Numbers of skiffs were also pressed into service and many responded to the call for help, these boats towing the bales to the bank where they could be picked up later.
 The cotton was badly burned and Capt. F. I. Inman of Black Rock was telegraphed to meet the boat at New port Friday morning so that the dam age may be computed. Whether the cotton was insured is not known.
 DAMAGED COTTON ARRIVES.
 The steamer Krata arrived Friday noon with the barge containing dam aged cotton. The loss is not as heavy as expected and will probably not ex- ceed $50.
 Colonel V. Y. Cook and Capt. Fred l. Inman were also here Friday look ing after the rescued property, which had been purchased by B. M. Grow, prior to shipment. Colonel Cook in- formed the INDEPENDENT reporter that this represented the last of his crop.
Newport weekly independent., 1903-01-16
AUGUSTA CHRONICLES.

Augusta, Ark, Jan. 9.-A MT. Ma jor, who came here with his wife and three children from Mayfeld, Ky, last spring and engaged in the "pearl craze hunt" died Sunday and was taken by his family back to Mayfield for burial. The pearl excitement brought many refined and intelligent people to White river, many of whom have suffered from the effects of ex- posture and malaria.
 The large brick building of E. H. Conner Medical Company is now re- ceiving it's finishing touches and they will move into it about the 2Oth inst, and K. Jacobs & Go. will occupy the oldC onner building. The Wilks brick is nearing completion and he expects to occupy it by the first of February.
 The foundation of the Judge Ed s. Carl Lee residence was commenced today, and the Horpale and Dr. Vest brooks residences have just been completed.
Newport weekly independent., 1903-01-16
HEARING SET FOR FRIDAY
LATE COTTON CROP MAY BELOST

Pine Bluff, Jan. 8.-J. M. Hudson Jefferson county best informed crop statistician, says the weather eXperi enced during the past forty days in this section is the worst for thirty years. Relative to it's effect he says: 'During that time it has rained on nineteen days; not hard beating rains, that flood the streams and pack the soil, but the gentle, consistent rain that saturates the soil thoroughly and m akes impossible roads. During all this time the cotton unpicked has been wasting. We cannot count on more than 60 per cent of the cotton that was in the fields when the bad weather set in ever being gathered. The estimated loss to the farmers in this county is four thousand bales, worth $150, ,000, and at least $50, ,000 loss i'll the decreased price of the remain ing cotton. Notwithstanding all these disasters the crop of 1902 enables the farmer to commence the crop of 1903 in better condition than one year ago. An abundance of cereals and forage have been raised to support the farm ing community. The corn crib is no longer in Kansas and Nebraska, but at the home of each farmer"
Newport weekly independent., 1903-01-16
TALLER THAN JOHN KEEL.

A notable figure in the legislature that will convene next week will be Hon. J. s. Rowland of Valley Springs, "the gentleman from Boone." He will without doubt says the Gazette be the tallest man in the general as- sembly, towering to the height of six feet, eight inches. Mir. Rowland is full of dry humor, and takes jokes on his extreme height with ease, managing to get back at the joker with as good as he gives. He is 6 teacher by pro- fession. When asked his height MT. Rowland says. "Five feet twenty inches" MT. Rowland carries his height well. Yesterday in the upstairs corridors of the Capital he was sur rounded by pretty young ladies, who are candidates for positions in the house. One of these was somewhat below the average height, and the representative had to bend almost double to get on level with her face. "A dime talking to dollar," said one of his friends. "He is one man who at least will gain the attention of the speal&er," said another. "Yes," chimed still another, i've are going to pass up, not down, all the bills to MT. Rowland that we are anxious to be passed" He takes everybody's eye. MT. Rowland is possessed of a rich, deep voice in addition to his height, and makes a noticeable figure as he stands head and shoulders above his fellows.
 Mr. Rowland has bill to introduce whose scope will be entirely local, so far as he is concerned, but which may develop into first class sensation for county officials over the state. He made his campaign issue for the house on putting the county officers on a salary basis, instead of fees.
 The coincidence is rather remark able that this towering statesman from Boone, should resemble strik- ingly in height our Jackson County representative and have been elected upon the same issue.
Newport weekly independent., 1903-01-16
CONTEST FOR LICENSE.
Battle Begins Between Attorneys for And Against License Before Coun ty Judge, Dr. ]. M. Jones' Prohis Introduce Techni-
 calities.

The contest in the courts, which had been promised by the preparations of prohis and the advocates of saloons opened Monday morning before Dr. J. M. Jones, sitting as county judge. Petitions had been filed from the adults of the Newport and Jackson port three mile districts, asking the asVoc tion of the court order of two years ago and the reinstatement of saloons.
 The attorneys for the prohis de- nlGHred to the jurisdiction of Judge Jones' court and asked the striking off of 67 names found upon the petition Of the "Wets" from the Jacksonport district, alleging the same to be un- qualified.
 Court took a recess until afternoon, when Judge Stuckey for the license advocates asked of the court the re- vocation If the order of 1901, refusing license. At this point, S. D. Campbell for the prohis, objected to the con- sideration of this petition, first upon the ground that the license petition was addressed to Dr. J. M. Jones, judge, as distinguished from the county judge and thus no petition could be prayed of the court.
 Secondly, objection was made on the technicality that court had ad journed on January 5, without 5peci- flying an adjourned session and conse quently the January term had Iapsed. In support of this second objection, Clerk E. L. Boyce and Sheriff R. ". Randy were called as witnesses and testified that to their knowledge court had not adjourned to any speci- fled date.
 Their attorneys are Stuckey x Stuckey, Stayton & Stayton and Gus tave Jones, while Phillips and Camp bell, c. A. Hillhouse and J. M. Bell, represent the opponents of license.
 HEARING SET FOR FRIDAY.
 Later-At 3:30 p. m., in response to request of attorneys for prohis, the court adjourned to Friday morning, when the petition for revocation of the olo court order will be heard and a decision rendered.
Newport weekly independent., 1903-01-16
LEGISLATURE ORGANIZES.
Joseph L. Short Elected President of Senate by Acclamation-Moore Has Walkover for Speaker
 Of House in Final Test.

Little Rock, Ark, Jan. 12.-Or- ganization was effected by the Thirty fourth General Assembly of Arkansas to-day and it is thus assured that on Tuesday, January 20, balloting will take place for United States Senator for the term beginning March 1, next. Former Governor James P. Clarke has a majority of instructed votes over Senator James K. Jones, and his cleo tion is considered certain.
 In the Senate to day, Joseph l.. Short of Fulton County was elected President without opposition, and other officers were chosen as follows: Secretary, J. Fletcher Hurley of Little Rock; assistant secretary, J. J. Lewis of Randolph county; journal clerk, C.. c. Price of Stuttgart; expressing clerk, Miss May Craig of Eldorado; enroll ing clerk, Miss Ida Wright of Little Rock; sergeant at arms, former Sena- tor c. M, Rains of Jonesboro; chaplain, the Reverend R. L. Carson of Atkln; pages, Ross Morgan, Will Calder and Joseph Dean; chief janitor, Julian Smith; assistant janitor, c. F. Wiley
 In the House, on the first ballot, John I. Moore of Phillips county, was elected Speaker, receiving "A votes to 26 votes for Ii. K. Toney of Jefferson county. A. s. Hays of Atkins was re- elected chief clerk and H. A. Bonds of Logan county, sergeant -at-arms.
 The House proceeded no further with ballotting on minor employees and adjourned until 9 a. m. tomorrow when the task of completing selections will be taken up.
 Governor Jefferson Davis will de- liver his message to the Legislature Wednesday and take the oath of office for his second term. The inaugural ceremonies will be simple. There will be no military display and no inau- gural ball. A joint session will precede the inauguration for the purpose of canvassing the vote on the consti- tutional officers in the State election last September. The result will be declared and the inaugural ceremonies then will proceed.
Newport weekly independent., 1903-01-16
BUSINESS HOUSES EURT.
Fire Originating, ill Rear of Post Office Burns Four Store Buildings-Sev-
 eral Severe Losses Sustained.

Shortly after three o'clock Monday morning, Jae Washington, porter for the Hazel Hotel, thinking that he de- tected the odor of burning tar, made an inspection tour around the hotel building, but seeiAg neither smoke nor fire, concluded a5- his fears were not well grounded. An hour later however, he noticed smoke issuing from the front brick wall of the pest office. Upon breaking open the door, the smoke burst forth, removing al! doubts as to the reality and scene of the fire.
 The alarm was turned in at 4:1O a. m. followed by quick response upon the part of the company, but the flames had gained such headway that owing to the peculiar construction of the building, the work of trying to confne the flames to one building proved futile. The first adjacent building on the south and the two on the north are are all owned by H. L. Remmel and owing to defective roof ing, the fire walls of each were torn away few years ago and a second roof had been put down over the first. Patching had continued until there were four roofs upon these buildings and the fire after once getting in between these layers of roofing, baf- fled. the work of the company.
 Though the weather was the coldest of the winter, the fire laddies worked faithfully throuE hCut the morning, though their clothing was stiff with ice. The contents of Bracy's restau rant and confectionery were partially saved, but the mail and postoffice fix lures are almost a total loss. The total loss probably aggregates between $12, 900 and $15,000 which is partially covered by S10, 300 insurance.
 INDIVIDUAL LOSSES
 The four single story brick store buildings are valued at $6, ,0O0 to $8, ,OG0 and insured for the former amount by the owner, H. L. Remmel of Little Rock. E. D. Bracy X Go. estimate their loss at 84,O0O to s5,Oo0, which is par tially covered by the following insur- ance: Fixtures, Sl,000; contents, $500; soda fountain, $500.
 W. B. Empie, with S400 insurance on post office fixtures, claims loss of Si,000. To reporter for the INDIE PENDENT he stated that the post office would be reopened for service as soon as possible, probably in Col L. Minors office.
 Wm. Knoles carried insurance on his stock to the sum of 31, 100
Newport weekly independent., 1903-01-16
SEARCY JAIL DELIVERY. Four Prisoners Escape From White County Jail at Searcy Thursday
 Night-Posses in Pursuit.

Searcy, Jan. 9.-Four prisoners es- capped from the county jail of White county at this place last night and are still at large. Posses are securing the country, but as yet no trace of the flu gltlVes has been discovered. The crimes of the escaped prisoners were penal offenses. There were four other prisoners in jail who refused to leave, though one was charged with criminal assault, and the charges against the remainder were more serious than those against the escaped prisoners.
 The escape was discovered this morning about 6 o'clock by Deputy Sheriff Walter, when he started to give the eight prisoners their break fast. He found the bolts of the door of the steel cell filed and broken and but half the number of prisoners he had left there the afternoon before at o'clock. The room in which the prisoners were confined was in the second story and tell-tale hole in the brick wall, a foot and half thick, showed the means of escape. A string of prison blankets, tied end on end, had been the means of reaching the ground, thirty feet or more from the hole. The other prisoners were walk ing around the runabout, the space between the steel cage and the wall, waiting for some one to come and lock them in their cells again, though free dom was but few feet away, with no obstacle before them. They informed the deputy that one of the escaped prisoners had kept file in his sock for six weeks, and gradually worked through the bolts until last night little more than push was needed to give them entrance to the runabout. They soon removed enough bricks from the side wall for mans body to pass through.
Newport weekly independent., 1903-01-16
OLD FASHIONED
 SPELLING MATCH.

Mrs. D. w. Anderson entertained in novel and original yet delightful manner Saturday afternoon a num- Der of friends at an old fashioned spelling match, the affair being in compliment te- her sister Mrs. M. A.. Hines of Butler, Indiana, who has been her guest for several weeks.
 Refreshments of sandwiches, salad and coffee were served during the afternoon.
 Those present were Mesdames I. D.. Price, Jno. w.. Wallace, Ellen Tyler, Carrie Daugherty, J. w. Smith, T. S.. Stephens, L. H. Richardson, s. M Beattie and s. w. Richardson of Cleveland, Ohio.