davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1903-03-04
A Serious Wreck
On the Southern.
Three People Arc Dead, and
Twenty-Five Injured Train
Plunges Down Embank-
ment.

Knoxville, Tenn, Feb. 2S.-
The fast passenger train, Chatta-
nooga to Salisbury, leaving Chat
tanooga at 1145 o'clock last
night, was wrecked three miles
west of Lenoir City, Tenn, this
morning about o'clock. The
wreck was caused by spreading
rails. Three deaths are reported
SO far and 25 people were lnjur-
ed.
THE DEAD.
l.. j. Bibb, engineer, Knoxville,
Tenn, w. q. Tucker, mail clerk,
Alfred Best, Knoxville, colored
porter.
FOUR COACHES BURNED.
The, train plunged down steep
embankment, The locomotive
went within 80 feet of the Ten.
nessee river. -Four of the coach
es were burned outright.
NEVER TOUCHED wHISKEY.
Just before Engineer Bibb died
a physician endeavored to have
him drink q little whlskey, in the
hope of extending his life as long
as possible. The engineer refus-
ed it, saying: 81 have never
touched it yet. and don't expect
to begin to drink it now. l am
going to die, so go and look after
the women and children in the
coaches.' He expired a few min
uteS later.
The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1903-03-04
were nearing the south side of the
house TO the door.'

were nearing the south side of the
house to the door,
THE ANTE >MORTEM STATEMENTS.
The ante-mortem statement OF
Foster was read as follows:
State of South Gar olina, Spartan
burg County.
Personally cane Z. l.. Foster
before me and made oath that be
is a resident of this county, and,
being badly wounded by pistol
in the hands of one Reuben Pitts
on FEB. 24, 1908, and realizing
that his wound is considered dan
gerous and might prove fatal
makes this his ante mortem de-
claration: First, that Reuben Pitts
is principal of Inman graded
school and that on the after noon
of Feb. "a, 1903, the SAID Reuben
Fits caused me to stay in after
school was dismissed; after words
he called NE up TO him and said
no was going to whip me. He
sent three other boys out of the
room. He asked mo why | did
not stay 10 on the day before. |
said | did .sot miss hut one word
and'wonId not take 4 whipping.
He then ordered me to get up and
SAID nc was going to whip me;
brought two switches from ros
trum and laid one on bench: he
gave me two licks. ] then grab>
bad The switch and told him ! was
not going to take it. He changed
switch from right to left hand and
put his hand on hip pocket and
drew pistol and threw it up in my
face. L then grabbed pistol and
tried to knock it off; he then fired
1T 1t did not weaken me at first.
| did not know that j S,was shot
and | caught HIM by the barr he
again threw pistol up. | then be
gan to get weak and fell back on
the rostrum. Fred Balleneer,
Jessie Ballenger, and Raymond
Wolfe who were also kept in, who
were IN an adjoining room, come
in when the pistol fired. Pitts
said as | fell down Sd ust as | ex>
pected, you are all on me.n He
Jumped up two or three times
saying he was awfully sorry about
it. About that time Jessie Bal
lenger had my clothes unfastened.
Pitts came up and wanted to know
where | was shot. He then left
the room saying he was going to
give up. There was no one in the
st! uggle with Pitts but myself.
(SigneO "Ed. Foster. -
Sworn to before me this February
oath, 1908. G. Fl. Camp,
N. p.
The physicians testimony as TO
death being due to gunshot wound
OF the abdomen, describing wound
was submitted.
THE VERDICT.
The verdict of the Jury was
"that deceased came to his death
by pistol shot wound inflicted
by Reuben p. Pitts on 24 Feb,
1908. E.. e. Clement .foran,on -
The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1903-03-04

They stopped over and then the
pistol ifed; don't know who fred
pistol; never saw pistol ill after
shooting. Foster was between
me and Pitts Pitts had pistol
when | saw it; then Pitts asked
some one to go for doctor. We
were all peeping through the
crack of the, door. Hadn't shov-
ed the door in, it has no lock and
stands kinder open. Made no at
tempt to 60 in till after pistol was
fred"
Va being questioned by jury
man, Jesse Ballenger said he heard
Pitts say nothing about shooting
and heard no talk between Pitts
and Foster. Pitts hellered HLord
mercy" q time or two; entered
room after pistol was fired; didn I
hear Foster make any statement.
Questioned by Stlnyarne Will
sen of counsel for defense Jesse
Ballenger said he entered Just
about time pistol was fired, but
did not start in before shot.
Asked where the black board
was in the room where he was
waiting, Jesse Ballenger replied
"nalled up beside the door on the
wall and don't hinder opening
door. Came to door when Pitts
went for hickories; heard the licks
bat could not, sec Pitts nor Eos,
ter. They scuifling over hickories
until shot fired; don't know who
fired shot. Foster / think is lare>
ei and heavier than Pitts. We
all came through the door at
once, Fred Ballenger in front, but
all practically together. When
we reached room they were doing
nothing; everything over with;
Eddie S@as sttihgson the foor and
Pitts was standing somewhere m
the room. [ do not know If anv
one noticed Eddie was shot, |
didn't. Pitts did not remain un
til doctor came; went on behind
Raymond Wolfe" 4"
Jesse Ballenger described how
he and the other two boys peeped
from adjoining room into main
school building where Pitts and
Foster were.
OTHER WITNESSES.
Policeman Frank A. Metcalf
testified to Pitts coming to him
and surrendcring himself aud wea-
pom, 30 calibre Smith and Wesson
pistol, one of the loaded chambers
being empty. This was exhibited
to the jury.
Tom Swell, pupil of the
school, testified to sitting on the
roadside, Is or 100 yards from
the school house and hearing scuf-
fling and the report of pistol.
When he reached the school house
Fostor was lying on the rostrum.
THE THIRD BOY.
Raymond l.. Wolfe testified:
"Pitts told us boys to go into an
other room and we went; he kept
Foster in here. He got his hick-
cries and struck Foster two licks,
and Foster grabbed them. They
were scutlling and just as he shot
we pushed door open. We come
in and Pitts had pistol in his hand,
and he said "Lord God, I've shot
him; somebody go for doctor"
l went. When l come back Pitts
was gone. Didn't hear him say
anything about giving him Whips
ping. Foster said he did not want
10 take a whipping. l did not
see pistol till after shot was fired.
| They were not scufIiino more
The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1903-03-04

La grippe coughs yield quickly
to the wonderful curative quail
ties of Foley's Honey and Tar.
There is nothing else "just as
good. " Il. Eugene Funaer burk,
druggist.
The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1903-03-04
The North Carolina Icoislature

The North Carolina legislature
has just passed what is known as
the Watts prohibition bill. The
bill provides that after July /,
next, no liquor can bo .manufac
-tnred or sold within the borders
of the state except in Incorporate
cd towns, and not ia ncorporat g,
cd towns except with tho consent
of a majority of the voters.
Ever incorporated town is to have
the privilege of voting on the Ii.
quor question at stated periods.
The whisky sentiment in
North Carolina is growing at n
most encouraging rate, and the
probability is that within a few
years more there will be but few
towns left in the state where
whisky can he manufactured or
sold legally. - Yorkvillo Enqulr-
The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1903-03-04
Edward Fosters
Wound Was Fatal.
Pupil Shot by Teacher Pitts Made
Statement-The Testimony at
The Inquest-Other Pu-
pills Tell The Sad
Story.
Special to The Stale.

ward roster died at the home of
Mrs. Brown at Inman this morn
ing ut II o'clock.
The inquest over the body was
held at the school house, the sceue
of the tragedy, this afternoon.
citizens of the community
wero present at the proceedings
which were conducted by Coroner
Foster.
There appears to be silent un,
dercurrent of feeling against
Teacher Pitts, quietly expressed,
but no violent expire sion are be-
ing INDUCED in. Pitts has friends
at lnman also. The dead pupil is
related to many residents of that
place and belongs to a leading
family. There Is extreme reti-
cence as to friction at school be-
tween teacher and pupils. Many
persons were questioned, but
very little satisfactory informa
ton was obtained.
The story of the sad tragedy is
best told by the complete inquest
proceedings, embracing the testl
mony of the three lads who were
kept IN with Foster on Tues>
day.
There were present at the in,
quest g. G. Foster, father,
OF the deceased, @. G. Feather
stone of Laurens, G. w. Nichols
and Stanyarne Wilson of this city,
of counsel for defense.
Tom Ballenger being duly
sworn testified: "Mr. Pitts kept
four of us in Tuesday afternoon
and asked me and Rome Wolfe
and Jesse Ballenger to 60 into the
other room and we had not been
in there but just few minutes
until | saw MIR. Pitts step to the
corner and get two hickories. He.
came back and said he guee scd he
would have to whip Ed. Foster
said he didn't ere about taking a
whipping, bat Instead Of that
Pitts commenced whipping him
and gave him two licks; then all
four hands we're on the hickory.
We boys were looking through
the crack of The door. Both were
bent over anil the next thing
knew l heard a pistol fire; don't
know who fired tho pistol. Pitts
had pistol when | first seen it. l
didn't see pistol until he went to
put it in his pocket. Ed. Foster
was between me and pistol, and
when l rushed in l saw Pitts put
pistol in his pocket. Pitts asked
some of us to 90 for a doctor, and
Raymond Wolfe went. Then
Pitts left.'
Tom Ballenger being question
ed by jurymen stated he heard
some words pass between Pitts
and Foster after ~the shot, but
was not sure what they we're.
THE SECOND BOY.
Jesse BaIlonger testified that
"on Tue sday afternoon Mr.. Pitts
asked three of us boys to go into
another room, me and Fred Bal
lenger and Raymond Wolfe. We
had not been in there but few
minutes till we saw Mr.. Pitts 90
to the corner and get two 1hicko-
ries. | never heard no words be-
tween them at all. Pitts hit Fos-
ter two licks; then beth got hold
of the hickories with all four
hands hold of the switches
The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1903-03-04
A Legal Hanging in GTeenYilIe.
Joe keenan,, Negro, Pays the
Penalty for Numbering sun
uel Willimon-Dicd
from Strangulation.
Special to The State.

Greenville, Feb. 27.-The
banging of Joe keenan, fo- the
killing of Samuel Willimon took
place at noon today in the jail
yard, with only limited number
of spectators 10 witness the awful
tragedy, where the law takes hu-
man lie for the crimo of murder.
In this instance there was no
doubt whatever as to tho guilt of
the negro, who had imbrued his
hands in tho blood Of Il white man
without the slightest provocitlon.
hecnan WAS an entire stranger in
this community, and did not know
Mr.. WiIllmGn, whose house he
had entered for the purpose of
theft only few hours before.
his immediate escape and the
swift pursuit. made by the off
cIais are matters of local history
that will be told in future years,
and his capture III Union county
while masquerading in female at
tire IS cne OF the notable feature,
of the case.
THE NEGRO's TALK.
Rev. j. A. Pinson and Rev. b.
+. Withoripoon, two worthy col
ored ministers of this city, were
in attendance as spiritual. advisors
to the condemned man, the latter
imprcssiyely reading chapter
from the Bioie and tho former
offering a fervent prayer, after
which was sung the familiar and
precious hymn, "Jesus, lover of
my soul" The prisoner then
made q brief speech, in which he
warned every one against the
danger of using concealed weapons
and the consequences of keeping
bad company. He concluded his
talk by sayiAg that he was ready
to die and was net afraid TO ap-
pear at tie judgment bar of
God. Before lie was taken from
the cell to the place of execution
keenan, said that he never intend
ed to kill Mr.. WllIimon. but shot
him in order to get away.
The rope was placed around
the neck of keenan, and the cap
over his face by Sheriff Gllreath,
who walked down Othe steps and
sprung the death trap just as the
city bell struck the hour of 10,
and Joe Keenan, was swung off in
to eternity. He died in ~ min
utes, and his neck was not broken.
He fell five and one-half feet and
died from strangulation.
The dispensaries were closed
throughout the day, and the large
crowd was exceeding quiet and
well behaved.
The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1903-03-04
THE VERDICT,

The verdict of the Jury was
"that deceased came to his death
ny pistol shot wound inflicted
by Reuben p. Pitts on 24 Feb,
1903. E. E. Clement, foreman. !"
The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1903-03-04
M

-&is aignoturo is on every lT5y ct too genuin.
Laxative BrCml0-Q Qui1sle Tablets
The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1903-03-04

Subscribe to Tie LANCASTER
LEDGER. $3.50 per annurn
The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1903-10-09
ISLANDER OVER THE WIRE.
Missouri Man Files Suit Because Of
Offensive Language Used by
NeiGhbOr Through Telephone.

A new point has been raised by a suit
filed in the circuit court at Macon, Mo,
recently D. S. Farmer, of Hart, treas
urer of a telephone company, demands
of B. F. Jenkins, stakeholder, $500
damages for slandering him over the
wire He expects to make his case on
the testimony of a number of patrons
along the line who had their telephone
receivers down to hear what was going
on.
This is the language the treasurer ac-
cuses Jenkins of addressing to him over
the wire:
"You have squandered $500 or $40t
of the company's money, and will make
you account for it at the next meeting
or I will go after your bondsmen."
He took pains to write the message
down. The petitioner says the lam
guage was slanderous in that it charged
him in the hearing of many of the pa
irons of the line with embezzling or
stealing the funds of the telephone COM
pany.
Under the law of SANDER the offensive
language must be used 'in the presence
and hearing of Others" In this case it
can only be charged that 1t was "in the
hearing of Others" as those who heard
it were admittedly not present. Farm
er's lawyers will contend that the effect
was the same.
The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1903-10-09
EARLY FALL MILLINERY.
Most styIish Hat-some Very
Pretty Creations.

The white felt promises to again be the
most stylish hat, says the Home Maya
zine. Many of the shapes closely resem.
BILE last seasons, and, as then. the styl,
of the early hats is In their rich sim,
plicity. They are generally adapted te
the low style Of wearing the hair. TIL,
square crown promises to be one of thin
seasons features. The low crown is
used in the sailor and shirt-waist hat
but in the picture hat we see the very
high crown of several Yeas ago becom-
ing popular. 1 noticed one picture hat
which seemed trifle heavy for fall wear
1t is of black velvet with high crown and
wide brim dropping in the BACK. To the
left front are three large ostrich plumes
There is no other trimming. save band
Of heavy satin ribbon, ending in long
streamers which may be brought around
and tied under the chin.
In contrast to this is large, fat hat
of white velvet. The brim is faced with
corded white silk and the low crown is
encircled with folded band of the same
A steel buckle fastens the trimming tc
the crown
The 1ong-hafred plushes which were
such favorites some time ago are coming
into style with the new millinery. One
charming toque is made of this silk
plush in fawn color and white. A long
green quill Is thrust through the brim
at the left. The brim has a graceful
curve. A sailor of white silk plush is
finished with cording Of plaid taffeta
about the crown and brim. A large white
pompon is placed against the crown at
the left front. Another pretty new sail
or is made Of cream-colored felt, with
binding Of brown plush as finish to the
broad brim. Knotted loops Of salmon
colored ribbon are set against the GROVE
at the front and a large quill is fastened
fiat upon the crown.
A dainty little affair is seen in a hal
of delicate rose-colored felt, the rbrim
being faced with shirred white velvet
finished with silk braid. The brim folds
becomingly in the back The hat has nc
trimming save two long bow knots
fastened under the .brim in front. One
of the seasons shirt-waist hats is a
white beaver trimmed with folds of white
silk mousseline. To the left front is a
white coz brush quill inserted in the
folds of the silk. The brim, narrow in
the back and wider to the front, rolls
upward to display the hair. Another
shirt-waist hat Of white felt turns ur
slightly at the back and droops in the
front. The trimming is a silk scarf
which winds about the crown and
fastens with a knot in the front. An
other neat hat is broadbrimmed low
crowned brown felt, edged with white.
The only trimming is long quill stuck
through the crown. -r.g ---
The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1903-10-09
Test YourExe.

A great many people, perhaps the ma
jority of, otherwise well-informed people
believe that they see the same with both
eyes. That this is not the case one car
easily convince himself by the follow.
ing simple experiment.: Cover one Of
your eyes with hand or a bandage and
let the experimenter attempt to snuff
out. a candle suddenly placed within 9
few feet of him. He will almost inyaria.
bly, miss the flame, either overreaching
understanding or putting the fingers toe
far to the right or left of the flame. With
both eyes normal and open the accom-
mediation for distance and directness Il
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Free Press.
The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1903-10-09
MARBLES PREVENT BURNING.
A Valuable Hint for Housewives
When They Are Putting
Up Fruits.

To make a thick rich strip as is used
for ounces and citron, measure two
pounds of sugar to two quarts of water,
place it over the fire and cook for halt
an hour. The fruit should be placed in
this strip little at time, so that it
can be removed with ladle and filled
into the cans before it has chance to
become mushy. Fruit keeps it's shape
much better if it is not stirred while it
is being cooked, says the New York
Tribune To keep it from burning,
wash four or five large marbles and drop
them into the pan when the contents
begin to boil up. AS the contents of the
kettle are agitated in cooking, the mar
bles roll about and keep the fruit from
burning. The marbles should be used
for jam and catsup, as well as for stewed
fruit. "A hard, tough fruit, like ounces
or citron, is much improved in flavor
and appearance if the pieces are placed
in a soup plate and set inside steamer.
When they are sufficiently SOFT make a
strip of sugar and water, adding the
juice which exudes while the fruit is
steaming. Drop the fruit into this, and
cook till it is soft enough to be pierced
with a straw, and is the desired shade
Long cooking makes ounces dark red
and citron a peculiar dark shade.
For the first four weeks after making
preserves. jelly or pickles of any kind
the jars and bottles should be examined
every other day, to make sure that they
are all right. At the first appearance
Of fermentation, reopen the jars and
bring them to the boiling point over o
slow fire. Add little sugar, and whep
they are cooked replace them in the
jars, after making sure there is nothing
the matter with the cans or rubbers
In examining the fruit, be careful not
to shake it about. 1t is good thing tc
cover each jar with grocer's bag when
it is put away, as this not only keeps the
fruit dark, but the jar clean, so that 1t
1t will not be ornamented with a thick
layer of dust when brought from the
closet to be opened.
The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1903-10-09

won a free for ALL beating Rosaline
Wilkes and White Stockings, among
others, was the first horse he drove.
His success with harness horses dur
ing the last few years has been moth
ing short of phenomenal, notable
among his achievements being his
campaign with the great mare Amelia,
2:06a4, during the 1902 season. Mr..
Sanders went to Cleveland. o.. soon
after he began. driving and secured
employment with w J. Gordon. Mr..
Gordon owned large stock farm and
Mr. Sanders was commissioned to do
the purchasing. He was told to buy
the horse of the century" Clingstone,
2:14, was Mr., Sanders purchase, and
that horse, driven to a high wheel
sulky, was one of the stars of his time.
Clemma L., 2:15; Mambrino-Sparkle
2: 18, were among Clingstone's associ-
ates at the Gordon farm the years Mr..
Sanders was in charge. Mr.. Sanders
left Gordon's employ after having
worked for the Ohioan for 16 years.
He then started public training sta
BILE in New York. Ee gave it up in
two years. time and was signed by
Count Valensin to go to California and
take charge of his stable. In one year
Mr.. Sanders developed two worlds
champions They were Frou Frou.
2:25A, a time made as = a yearling.
driven to a high wheel sulky, and
Fosto. 2:22A, a PAGER, also yearling.
The veteran reinsman has TO his credit
five yearlings with records better than
2:3O and one with mark of 2:32.
Sydney was the start Of Count Valen-
sins stable Mr.. John Turner, of Phil
adelphia, offered 100000 for Sydney
after the death of the count. Mr.. San
ders then went to work for the man
agement of the Oakwood stock farm.
He again had great luck. winning
nany races and giving the colt ]. F. B.
a record of 2:25 as yearling. In 1901
he came east again and had two good
money winners in Dollie Dillon, 2:07,
and Janice, 2:08A.
The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1903-10-09
WHERE you ARE

Where you are
Skies are blue,
Where you are
Birds sing true,
And the fecks OF sunlight fail
On the vineciad porch and sail;
Msm'ry helps me see IL az
Where you are.
Where you are
Rivers run;
Where you ara
Day is one.
One long anthem or delight
Where birds, pausin5 in thei Tltsit,
Sing and preen their pi1TaS@ brIs nj,
Where you are!
Where you are
Valleys lie;
Where you are
Cloudfecked sky
Forms an arch OF tufluoise b. Ie,
Thinking streams the whole ay through
Sing their gladdest song, fc- you,
Where you are.
Weary days
Long and hot,
Slowly die
Where you're not,
And the streams and birds are still,
Save the plant of whippo orwill
Quavring sadly from the hill,
Where you're not.
j. NJ. Lewis. in Houston Post.
The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1903-10-09


most remarkable sporting event of the
year 1903. The mare, owned by C. K.
G. Billings. of Chicago, trotted the
first quarter in :3OA. the second in
:301s, the third in Bon, and the final
quarter in :29, reaching the goal which
breeders of trotting horses have
dreamed of, books have been written
about, and the horse world has talked
about for almost a quarter of a CEN
tury. Away. back in 1906 Yankee set
the mark at 2: SO, and the three minute
trotter became a back number 1t has
required So years of careful breeding
and training and the introduction Of
hosts of new paraphernalia for pro-
ducing speed and reducing weight and
friction of the sulky to reduce the
worlds trotting record to the even
two minute mark, although the less
popular sidewheel gated PAGER reached
the goal little earlier. The PAGER is
now an even second faster than the
trotter, but the ease with which Lou
Dillon reeled off her famous mile leads
her driver. Willard Sanders. and many
Of her admirers to believe she can
hdhS Tic PAGER 20 ldSl0T ludu L. % W
hold his place. and perhaps the Bill
lings mare will regain for her gait
and sex the throne which was occupied
for SO many years by Goldsmith Maid
and Maud S. For the first quarter Of
the nineteenth century the trotter was
supreme in the harness world, and it
was not until the year 1889 hat the
PAGER came to the front with the fast
est time in harness. For eighteen
years the Sidewheelers held their place
until in 1867 Dexter won back the
laurels for the trotters, only to surren-
der them in two years to a PAGER, Yam
kee Sam. In 1874 Goldsmith Maid be-
came queen of all and for nine years
the PAGER was in the background.
Then there was a struggle which last
ed for years, with honors about even
between the two gaits, until in 1894
Robert J. regained the laurels for the
PAGERS. and it has not yet been sur
rendered.
Willard F. Sanders, who drove Lou