davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-03-12
Bad FIRE CAUSED BY WRECK
VICTIMS BURNED BEYOND REC
IGNITION BY FLOODS or
EXPLODING OIL.
Holocaust Follows Collision e Tank
cars-speetators Attracted by the
Flames Meet an Awful Fate Near
clean, N. Y.

oleau, N. Y: twenty-five people
were killed and q large number were
injured by an explosion Of oil near here
Monday night A freight train on the
Erie, made up principally OF oil tank
cars filled with oil, broke in two near
this city at about O'Clock. The two
sections OF the train came together
with a crash and one of the oil tanks
was demolished. Fire brolOe out al
most instantly and the sky was lighted
up for miles. A large crowd Of people
left this city for the scene Of the FIRE.
While they we're lined up along the
tracks a terrific explosion occurred.
The flames communicated quickly with
the other tank and second and third
explosion followed each other in rapid
succession. Sheets Of flame shot out
in all directions. Scores of persons
were caught within the zone of the
fire and enVeloped in flames. Men and
boys ran screaming down the tracks
with their clothing ablaze. Others fell
where they stood, overcome by the
awful heat Just how many we're killed
is not known, as many Of the bodies
were incinerated.
A report from the scene of the acct
dent at o'clock Tuesday morning says
twenty-five bodies have been taken
from the wreokage. Some of them are
burned beyond recognition, only the
trunks and skulls remaining.
The number of dead is known to be
at least eighteen, and some estimates
place 1t as high as twenty-five. More
than two score were more or less seri-
ously burned. Some of them will die.
It is out of the question to identify
any of the bodies recovered. The fol-
lowing were treated at the city hos
pital:
James Mcdonald, condition serious:
Richard Mcdonald, condition serious;
James McCready, legs and face badly
burned; Walter Jackson, head, back
and arms burned; inhaled flames; will
die.
It will be difficult to ascertain the
names of great many of the dead, as
their bodies were burned to ashes in
the intense heat. A canvass is being
made in the city as rapidly as possible
to find out the names of those missing.
There is great excitement in the city
and the streets are thronged with peo-
| pie.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-03-12
Cleveland is out of politics.

New York: Former President
Grover Cleveland denied Monday that
he had come to New York city for any
political purpose, as was rumored. He
said:
Il came solely for the purpose Of
attending the Beecher memorial meet
ing in Brooklyn last night The re
ports that had a political talk with
Edward NJ. Shepard, William C. Whit
ney and others are untrue.
II am not in politics. am out for
good. l only saw Mr.. Shepard last
night for two minutes, and politics did
not figure in our conversation. Poll
tics is furthest from my thoughts at
present, although l am always ready to
act in an advisory capacity if it is so
desired. AS for taking an active part
in politics, that is not to be con-
sidered."
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-03-12
RuooLpA ANo Lgwa lDgNTIEIEo
Former Stanton Frleds Designate Rob-
bers Among Score Of Prisoners.

Hartford, Conn: William Rudolph,
alias Missouri Kid and George Col
Inns, alias Fred Lewis, alias "Black
Frank" we're Friday night positively
identified from a score of prisoners at
the Hartford County Jail by Joseph
Schumacke, the saloon and hotel keep
err and by Arthur Campbell, the youth
who accompanied the murdered detec-
tive, Charles J. Schumacher, to the
Rudolph home in Stanton. "II fix you
for this all right" said Rudolph when
Campbell had identified Bill Rudolph.
Later in the evening Cashier A. w.
Hoffman of the Union bank identified
the recovered funds as the bank prop
erty from the reorganization of the de-
nominations,
Sheriff Bruch and party, including
Assistant Superintendent Dougherty of
the New York flnkerton ONCE, A. w.
Hoffman, William NJ. Myerslck, Arthur
Campbell and Detective Sergeant Car
rett, ]. Farrell of the Hartford depart
ment with the two prisoners left for
st. Louis Saturday morning. Sheriff
Bruch presented the Missouri papers to
Governor Chamberlain early Friday
morning. but they were not signed I'M
til Friday afternoon. that the the Mis-
souri, law might be looked up. The in
struments were found fiawless. While
in New York Sheriff Bruch purchased
a quantity of new leg irons, and with
the pullicans brought from the West
both men were strongly bound.
Detective Dougherty had his most
satisfactory talk with Rudolph Friday,
though he refused to state the result
OF his conversation. 1t is believed,
however that the prisoner made i'm
portant admissions. Sheriff Bruch In
terviewed Rudolph Friday night, but
the prisoner did not recognize him nor
did he know the prisoner Sheriff
Bruch said that the men would not be
taken to Union at first, as the feeling
there was too strong against them.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-03-12
AIeA wArER cAusEs ANxIsTY.
Mississippi Continues to Rise, Menae-
ing the Lives Of Thousands.

Mississippi Continues to Rise, Menae-
ing the Lives Of Thousands.
St. Louis; Reports from the Lower
Mississippi are far from encouraging
to those who have hoped that there
would be no serious flood at this time.
Heavy two days rains in the Ohio
Valley and along the hesdwaters of
the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers
have sent all those stream up again,
and an enormous volume Of water Is
pouring into the already swollen Faith
err of Waters.
The situation at Cairo gives a fair
understanding of the general outlook.
The river gauge there Sunday night
read 45.S, with the expectation that a
stage of so feet will be reached. After
the last previous great flood the levees
were rebuilt, and It IL hoped that they
will stand unimpaired even IL the water
goes to IS feet, but this is far from
certain.
The KaskaslVia River. in Central IL
linois, has spread all over the lowland
country, compelling many squatteTs to
move to higher ground. The rise has
been gradual, and there is no danger OF
loss of life. The Wabash, which has
been in state Of flood for almost
month, is up again, swollen by the new
rains. The St. Francis River, in Mis-
souri, and Arkansas, is bank-full and
rising.
Floods in Arkansas have greatly inn
peded ali traffic, and all the rivers of
that State are rising. Two of the coun-
ties in the st. Francis levee district
have already been flooded by the over
flow from the Mississippi, and until
the river Tecedes, will stay flooded.
Everywhere, where it is possible to
take precautions against disaster, work
is being pushed day and night on the
protecting embankments and levees.
The river at Memphis is still rising,
and at all the points further down the
river the stage Of the water is consid-
erably greater than is usual at this sea-
son. This makes all the more acute
the danger from the vast quantities of
water still to come.
Government boats are stationed at
intervals all along the Mississippi Riv-
er to go at once to do repair work on
the leVees.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-03-12
TsIsphone an eets pamaaes.

Kansas City. Mo-: A jury in the
Circuit Court here Wednesday award
cd Miss Eva Cook, telephone Oper-
ator, 312,5OO damages against the Mis-
souri, and Kansas Telephone Company
for injuries inflicted by Herschell
Graves, a manager in the central"
ONCE. Miss Cook testified that while
she was seated, on high stool at work,
Manager Graves, angered because she
had not carried out some trivial order,
roughly whirled her about, causing her
to strike and injure her shoulder and
knee. Judge Slower, In instrueting the
Jury, said that "it might be wen to let
employers Of corporations understand
that they must treat their employees
with consideration.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-03-12
81. louis Limited Wrecked.

Pueblo, Colo: The St. Louis limit
ed train on the Missouri Pacific road,
which left Pueblo at 1 80 p. m, was
wrecked at Boone station, 20 miles
east of here, at 2 o'clock Friday, by
running into string of stock cars
on the siding. The engine was wreck
ed and a number Of stock cars were
splintered. The injured are: Thomas
Lasater, Pueblo; j. T. Vernon, chef on
dining car; G. ]. Ruhaport, news
agent; w. C. Knight, passenger, of St.
Louis, hip bruised and finger cut.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-03-12
INSANE PAT!ENTS CIT AWAY
IRON WRIST BANDS CUT FROM
TEN PRISONERS BY DEEPER
ATE CONVICT.
Fierce Fight With ouards-Four In.
mates Succeeded in Escaping, but
Six Were overpowered-su Supervisor
Steer Injured in Struggle.

Fulton. Mo-: Ten criminal insane
patients at the Hospital for the Insane
made a desperate attempt to escape
from their keepers while going TO
breakfast Thursday morning.
Benjamin Richardson, who was adj
mitted TO the institution from the State
Penitentiary February 20, 1908, and
served sentence Of four years for
grand larceny, and who had been, In
the meantime, sentenced to the Peni-
Tertiary for 80 years for killing a Dep
uty Sheriff in Ozark County, cut the
iron wristbands Of the ten patients and
they tried to overpower their keepers.
Richardson used a shoeknife similar
to those used at the State Peniten-
tiary, but how he came in possession
of it is a mystery.
In the struggle, after the men were
liberated by Richardson, Supervisor
Thomas Steer made a brave fight and
was considerably injured.
Other employees came to his assist
ance and six men were prevented from
getting away.
In addition to Richardson, the fol-
lowing men escaped: G. e. Morlidge,
admitted from Jackson County, Mis-
souri,, who was convicted there of
grand larceny in 1902 and sentenced
TO seven years in the Penitentiary;
w. S. Wilson, from Jackson County,
admitted December 5, 1902. and SEN
fenced to four years in the Peniten-
tiary for grand larceny in 1901, and
Harry Edwards, from Platte County,
admitted December 5, 1902, and SEN
fenced to the Penitentiary for ten
years on a charge of burglary.
AS soon as the liberated patients
who had not escaped were restrained,
a posse was sent in pursuit of the
missing men.
Richardson is considered danger
GUS man.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-03-12
M. S. U. contestants chosen.

Columbia. Mo-: At the preliminary
contest to decide the representatives
of Missouri University in the Illinois
Missouri oratorical contest, the con-
testants debated the question: RE
solved, That Congress should possess
and exercise the exclusive right and
power Of regulating those industrial
corporations which, by their relative
magnitude, are enabled so largely to
control the price and conditions under
which their commodities are placed on
the market" This is the question that
viii be used in the intercollegiate de-
bate. The winners were E. A. Green
Of De Soto, Fred Kelsey OF Farming
ton, Ia, and Nelson Scar of Deer
Ridge.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-03-12
LincoIn's birthplace to Be Sold.

Hodgenyille, KY; The old Lincoln
homestead, near here, the birthplace
of President Lincoln, will probably be
sold under the hammer" at master
commissioners sale within the next
few weeks. A petition has been filed
in the Larue Circuit Court by A. w.
Linforth, as trustee in bankruptcy of
Alfred w. Dennette. plaintiff, against
Davis Crear and Alfred w. Dennette,
defendants. The suit is for the pur-
pose of setting aside a former sale of
the farm to David Crear by Alfred w.
Dennette. Several years ago the old
log cabin which stood on the place,
and the one in which Lincoln was
born, was torn down and taken to the
Buffalo exposition, and was later re-
moved to New York city. The only
thing that marks the spot where Lin
coin was born is large fiagpole that
was erected there shortly after the re-
moVal of the cabin.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-03-12
BURDIck CASE BATTLES POLICE.
Still Believe the Murder Was Com
mitted by a Woman for REVENGE.

Still Believe the Murder Was Com
nitted by Woman for Revenge.
Buffalo, NJ Y: The police cling to
the theory that a woman, and one from
outside the house that night, killed
Burdick. Search for a woman in a
desperate condition, apt TO make her
vengeful, is being pushed thoroughly.
So is the search for a weapon. The
police are working to ascertain all that
actually occurred in the house both
before and after the murder that night.
They have two and even three state
ments from Maggie Murray and the
other domestic.
Maggie Murray was the last known
person to see Burdick alive, about
1880 o'clock that night Mrs. Hull
and Maggie Murray were the first to
locate him as probably dead in his
den the next day.
The police are baffed, but feel they
are entitled to time to try and solve the
mystery.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-03-12
RequIaItIon for Fake Promoter.

Springfield, H.: The sensational de.
velopment in the fake" foot race
cases, which nave been continued from
day to day for nearly week in the
Circuit Court, was the issuing OF a
requisitlon by Governor Yates We'd
nesday night on the governor of Flor
ida for the extradition of William
Leahy, who lives in Michigan and who
is wanted here on the charge of fleec-
ing Matthew Shea of Michigan out Of
S4100 in this city by fake" foot race.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-03-12
Cashier Terry lie Arrested.

Hope. Ark: d. P. Terry, former
cashier Of the Howard County Bank.
was arrested Monday afternoon at
Nashville. charged with receiving de.
posits during the insolvency Of the
bank. The arrest was made at the In
stance Of A. J. Forgy and A. w Reeoe.
HIS bond was fixed al $1,000. Reeeiv-
er James skillern filed statement
recently showing liability Of a14a, 6a1. As
and assets Of sli7 ,sS0,ss. part Of he
latter being Terry's notes and Ovor-
drawn drafts due he bank
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-03-12
Iudne Hope VIM Ese Gao.

Edwardsville, ILL.,; In the injunction
proceeding Of Valentine Wolf vs. Judge
A. W. Hope Of the Alton City Court,
restraining the City Council from pay
ing the latter the extra allowance for
services provided for by the act OF the
Legislature of 1901, Judge McWilliams
of the Circuit Court Friday found in
favor OF Judge Hope, holding that the
act Of 1901 supersedes the act of 1874
In relation to city courts; that city
courts are created by the Legislature,
and that there is nothing in the consti-
tuition prohibiting an increase in the
salary of the City Judge during his
term of office, and that City Judges are
not municipal officers within the mean
ing of the constitution.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-03-12
YATge ISSUE REORGANIZATION.
Urges Public TO Relieve Famine In
Sweden and Finland

Springfield, H.: In compliance with
the Joint resolution passed by the AS
sembly Governor Yates issued pro
clamation Thursday calling upon the
public to aid the suffering in the fam
inc districts Of Sweden and Finland.
He. publicly announced his approval
Of the bill passed appropriating $4,000
for the benefit of the hunger-strlcken.
Senator Carl Lunborg and and Rep
resentatives Erickson and samuelson
were constituted commission to re-
ceive the money from the Treasury
and turn 1t over to committee Of cit
liens, which is also named in the pro-
clamation.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-03-12
VIM Voc on School La.

Carthage, Mo-: It was decided at a
meeting of the Board of Education of
this city Monday night that the issu-
ance of bonds to the amount of $4,000
for the erection of a new High School
building in Carthage be submitted to
vote at the annual school election,
which viii be held early in April. The
present High School buildings, two in
number, are declared inadequate, un-
sanitary and unsafe.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-03-12
crum's Name Is Again Sent in.

Washington: The President Thurs
day sent the following nominations to
the Senate: William D. Crum, collec-
tor of customs, district of Charleston,
s. c.; Page Morris, United States, dis
trict judge of Minnesota; VIM. Byrne,
United States Attorney, district of
Delaware; William A. Day, District of
Columbia, and Milton D. Purdy, Min
nesota, Assistant Attorney General;
Samuel ], Wilson, postmaster at Ma
con Mo
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-03-12
Beet sugar Bounty for idaho.

Boise, Idaho: The Senate Wednes-
day, by vote of 10 to 8, passed the
House beet-sugar-bounty bill. The bill
provides a bounty of cent pound
for all beet sugar manufactured in the
State of Idaho during the year 1903,
and IL cent pound for sugar manu-
featured in 1904. All sugar on which a
bounty is paid must be put up in orig
inal packages and stamped under State
supervision.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-03-12
Ended Ter lie in 4 Creek.

Evansville, Ind: Mrs Jacob Bless
niger, aged 40 years, prominent wo-
man of Jasper, Ind, committed suicide
Thursday by leaping into a creek near
her home. Recently the Commission
ers of her county ordered ditch open
ed through her farm, and Mrs. Bless
niger brooded over the fact that the
expense of the ditch was more than
she could Bear. She was of the wealth.
lest land owners of Southern Indiana.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-03-12
win Be Married in Auoust.

Brussels: The friends of Angre
Giron. the tutor who eloped with the
Crown Princess of Saxony, deny the
report that all relations between the
pair have been broken off. On the
contrary, it is asserted that they will
be married in August. Moreover, it is
said the former Crown Princess will
not surrender her coming child to the
Crown Prince in exchange for permits
sion to see her other children.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-03-12
Col. C. F. r. Henderson Dead.

London: Col. George F. r. Hender-
son, director of military intelligence.
in South Africa, died at Assouan,
Egypt, Friday. Colonel Henderson.
who wrote a Life of StonewaI Jack
son." was engaged at the time of his
death in writing the official history of
the South African war. This work is
unfinished. Colonel Henderson con
templated writing a life of General
Robert E. Lee and another of Wash
ington.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-03-12
Thousanda of cattIa Die.

Topeka, Kan: Reports received
here by the State Live Stock Board in
dictate that the weather of the past
week has been the most severe on cat.
tie known here for several years
Thousands of cattle persisted on the
Western plains during the first of the
week. The snow is so deep as to put
grazing beyond the reach of the ami
mails, and more have starved to death
than have frozen.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-03-12
B. c. Milford sues Tor plvoroe.

Jerseyville, ILL.,; B. c. Milford, a
well-known resident of otterville, Fri
day filed a suit for divorce from Julia
F. Milford, rhe couple have been mar
ried AZ years and have nine grown
children. Both are well known in Jer-
sey county. The husband alleges in
his petition that his wife refuses to
live with him, and also refuses to per-
init him to live at home. The husband
also alleged extreme cruelty.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-03-12
Kentucky Receives s1,32s, geo.

Frankfort, KY: Governor Beckham
Friday received and deposited for col.
lection checks aggregating s1,323,99O,
paid by the United States Government
as interest on Kentucky's war claim
He has called the State Sinking Fund
Commission to meet Monday next,
when a proposition will be made to
purchase all the outstanding bonds Of
the State, amounting to S1,OOO,OOO
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-03-12
Wreck Near Cedar Gap.

A fast banana train on the Frisco
was wrecked at o'clock Monday
morning at Cedar Gap Mo. When the
train left the track it was running at
a rapid rate of speed and the bananas
were scattered along the track for a
great distance. Seven cars were de-
stroyed and the track was not clear
at s O'Clock at night. The continued
rains have softened the road bed and
the derailment is attributed to that
cause.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-03-12
pevId 8. Mercer selected.

Washington: William r. Merriam,
the Director of the Census, is soon to
resign, and the President has decided
to appoint David H. Mercer, who has
for several terms represented the Sec
ond District of Nebraska in the House.
Mr.. Mercer is one Of the popular men
in the House, and members on both
sides of the chamber indorse his selec-
ton as the head OF the Census Bureau.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-03-12
Frisco Limited Train Wrecked.

Springfield, Mo-: Frisco Southeast
ern limited, north bound. was wrecked
at Bots dare at 5 o'clock Monday
morning, all of the coaches except
the sleepers leaving the track. The
derailment was caused by the chatting
iron dropping down between the en-
CINE and the tank. The engine did not
leave the rails. The passengers were
not injured, but five postal clerks and
an express messenger were badly
hurt
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-03-12
No More Liquor in Capital.

Washington: Acting under instruc-
tions from Alexander Mcdowell, clerk
to the House of Representatives, and
Sergeant-at-Arms Casson, the sale Of
all Intoxicating liquors has been dis
continued in the House restaurant
w. c, 7, U. viii Meet In Cincinnati.
Boston. Mass; The general officers
Of the Woman's Christian Temperance
Union, TO whom was left the selection
OF the convention city, have settled on
Cincinnati. November 10 to is.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-03-12
Receiver for Defunet Concern

St Louis: John d, Laughlin was ap-
pointed by Judge Foster Of the Circuit
Court as receiver for the National Sc
curities Company The application for
a receiver was filed Tuesday by M.
Juehn and GO other creditors of the
concern, It was alleged In the petition
that the company was bankrupt and
that its officers were attempting to de-
fraud creditors by seereting its funds.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-03-12
child killed HIa cousin.

Carbonate, ILL.,: While John Knapp
and his wife were absent from their
home near Jonesboro Sunday their To-
months-old child was killed by a cous
in, years old, who was left to enter
tain the baby. The boy found Mr.
Knapp's shotgun and was playing with
it when he accidentally discharged it,
The full charge struck the baby in the
head, causing instant death.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-03-12
Xiotorv for Widow.

Hartville, Mo-: Judge Cox late
Wednesday set aside the will of Ed
Follensbee, who died near here last
December and left a large estate to
his farmland, Henry Roseman. Mrs.
Eliza Follensbee, wife of Edwin Fol.
lensbee, brought suit to set aside his
will and won a verdict. Mrs. Follens-
bee was on the witness stand about
one hour and related her story of her
life with Edwin Follensbee, who aban-
doned her and her two children in Ne
brsska IA years ago. Several deposit
tions were presented in evidence and
examined by the court. Roseman, the
defendant, was not present during the
trial Of the case. His attorneys repre-
scented him and will carry the case to
the higher court.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-03-12
MerrIam's ReslanatIon sent h.

Washington: William r. Merriam,
Director of the Census. placed his res
lgnation in the hands of the President
Saturday It will take effect on May
is. He resigns to accept the vice pres
idency Of the International Mercantile
Agency Of New York and win remove
from Washington to that city.