davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-10-21
THE DEAD LETTER OFFICE.
An Interesting Abstract Of the Re-
port of its Operations.

An interesting a stract of the an
nual report of the business and opera
tions of the dead letter office for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1903, is
presented by the Washington Times.
According to this report, there has
been a large and steady increase in
the annual receipts of the dead letter
office. The total receipts for the year
we're 10, 155, 146 pieces largest in
the history Of the office exceeding
those of the preceding year by 1884,,
795 pieces. This total included all
classes Of matter, domestic and for
eign, and for the treatment and dis
position Of which the services of Z
clerical and laborers force Of 1876 en-
ployes, male and female, was requir
ed. Of the aggregate number, 3O2,
521 pieces were delivered unopened IT,
domestic addresses, which included
letters which should have been return
ed to the card addresses Of senders by
postmasters, and those for which cor
rected addresses were supplied by this
office; 955, OPS were returned unopened
to foreign countries, as against 0l6,.
594 the previous year, a striking iu-
crease Of 1876, ,432; and the enormous
total Of S,S95, ,205 pieces were opened.
Some of the letters sent to the deao
letter Office contained large sums OF
money, the money found in letters
opened last year amounting to s4S,-
634.O4. Commercial paper found,
such as drafts, checks, money orders,
etc., represented a face value Of
sl,493,563. The number Of merchan-
disc parcels received was 254, $50,
which were restored to the owners as
far as possible, and the remaineer
held to be included in one Of the
annual sales. Photographs were found
il PIG, ,955 letters and parcels. Letters
which contained postage stamps IN
varying amounts from cent up
ward numbered 249,955 The dones-
tic misdirected letters received mum.
bered 534,20l, an increase Of more
than $4,000, and foreign, including
postal cards, 49,, 100, an increase Of
5000 in round numbers. Or the
domestic 79,085 were delived to cor.
rected addresses. an increase OF over
13, 900, anl Of the foreign 2l,012, an
increase Of about $500. There were
1910 held-fOr-pOSCage letters re-
ceived and disposed Of. Under the
regulations, unbelievable merchan-
disc matter is to be hereafter held for
one year, instead Of two as formely,
before being sold, and this rendered
necessary an addition sale during the
year. The first was held in Decen-
Der, 1902, and the gross proceeds were
SO, ,535.S5. The second occurred in
February, 1903, gross proceeds, s5,-
PA. Is; total Of both, IS, 7S0.
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-10-21
a CARD OF THANKS.
Col. TilIman Says He Deeply Regrets
Mr.. Gonzales Death.


Mr.. Gonzales Death.
After his acquittal Col. Tillman
dictated the following card Of thanks,
which he asked should be given the
widest possible publicity:
II feel very grateful as to the re-
suit Of the verdict, but at no time did
1 apprehend any serious consequences.
II, OF course, deeply regret the
death of Mr.. Gonzales, but I was fore
ed to do what did. I have never
apprehended conviction, for I felt
that 1 did no more than any other
man would have done under the same
circumstances, and what l was COM
PEELED to do.
My position was fully stated in
the testimony l gave on the stand. l
did ask for change Of venue because
l was convinced; on account Of pre-
judice in Richland County, 1 could
not get fair, and impartial trial in
that county. I felt as soon as my
case could be presented to an impair
tial jury I could be yindicated. The
verdict has justified the correctness of
my judgment. Lexington County was
selected by the prosecution. Its peo-
pie are law-abiding and have long been
noted for the fairness of their verdicts
and been praised by the press.
C'Signed. James H. Tillman."
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-10-21
Murderer Captured.

Cyrus Dixon; a white man who was
working at a saw mill near Society
Hill under the name Of Lormin, has
been arrested and carried to North
Carolina to be hung. 1t seems that
he had been tried for murder, con-
yicted and sentenced to death, but
escaped, and came south by water
routes, leaving no trace, Till ABOUT
two months ago, his affections became
SO great for the widow Of the man be
murdered he went for her-or went TO
meet her. She was tracked with the
above result. After being recaptured
he gave himself nc concern, apparent
ly, but bis pleadingS for the woman
to be allowed to go was very earnest.
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-10-21
A Lynching Bee.

Walter Jackson, the convicted MUIR
derer of Fonnie Back, a 6-year.old
boy, was taken from the county jail
at Hamilton Mont, Thursday night
by mob and lynched. Shortly be-
fore midnight seventy-fve masked
men, all armed with rifles or shot
guns, forced their way into the jail
and overpowered jailor Stephens.
Jackson was found crying in the dark
est portion of his cell. He pleaded
piteously for mercy, but was rushed
out into the street where the mob had
alrerdy provided themselves with a
rope. This was quickly thrown over
an electric light pole and the moose
placed about JackSon'S neck. He was
asked if he had anything to say, but
only pleaded for mercy. The mob
then pulled him into the air, after
which they quickly dispersed. Not a
shot was fired.
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-10-21
a STARTLING STORY.
How the Standard Oil Company
Knocks Out Competition.

Under date of Dallas, Tex Sep
tember s, the Associate press carried
the information that the Forth Worth
Telegram prints the most startling
story that has ever come out from the
Beaumont oil fields and states that
the informant is one of the most prom
inent men of Fort Worth who re-
Gently returned from Beaumont" &c
cording to the Forth Worth Telegram,
this Beaumont citizen declares that
''the Standard Oil company has per-
petrated gigantic steal in the Beau
mont fields and that positively estab-
liShed details are just coming TO
light" According to the Beaumont
citizen, the independent oil compa-
nies Of Beaumont are the victims,
many Of which lave been wrecked by
the Standards work. Recently some
of the leading men Of the wrecked or
Injured companies determined to in
vesUigate and in two days time they
raised S27, ZOO with which to push the
work."
In the story printed by the Fort
Worth paper, it isexplained that the
numerous oil wells that apparently
were ruined by salt water were put in
their bad condition by the Standard
Oil company's conspirators. AS fast
as a company went to the wall its
property was brought in by the Hust.
By accident, it is said, the desperate
work of the Standard company was
discovered recently. The Standard
OH company long ago built a pipe line
from Beaumont to the Gulf OF Mexico.
A pumping station was erected at
Beaumont and another at the gulf.
Oil was pumped through the pipe line
to the gulf and thence shipped to va
rious parts Of the world. Suddenly
many wells of independent companies
had salt water in them. The ruin OF
the owners is part Of the history OF
the field. One day not long ago one
of the pumping stations got out OF
working order, and oil pumping to the
gulf had to be suspended while re-
pairs were being made.
Wells that had been giving out fully
one-half salt water began flowing
nothing but oil, good fuel oil, it is de-
clared. That put the investigation
on foot. The investigators secretly
plugged up the pipe line at the Beau
mont end. They drove several miles
into the country, dug into the ground
over the pipe line, made d tapping in
to the line and salt water gushed into
the air nearly 100 feet. 1t is claimed
that the pressure was from the gulf
pumping station and that salt water
was being pumped to Beaumont into
the wells that the Standard company'S
conspirators desired to wreck; that
there was no pressure from the Beau
mont end Of the plugging of the pipe.
The informant Of the Telegram de-
clares that a force Of detectives is at
work to develop who should be arrest
ed in connection with the conspira-
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-10-21
A emarkabie Meeting.

At ore of the most remarkable
church offerings meetings ever held
10 the Atlanta Baptist Tab, rnacle, OF
which DR.. Len. g. Brougaton is pas
tor, recently raised $4,000 with
which to lift the church debt and
make improvements on the building.
The church was crowded and much
enthusiasm was shown. One young
lady, who works for Der living. took
from her finger dimonu ring which
represented nuch Of Der savings, and
gave it to the fund Several young
men jointly subscribed $3.50. redeemed
the ring and returned it 10 tine owner
under her protest. The object Of
raising the money to pay of the whole
cnurcn debt a; thi time was to in
duce DR.. Broughtun IT, remain With
the church. Tue minister received d
call 10 large church in Boston and
has not announced his decision. \
committee from Boston church Is
waiting upon him in an effort To aid
IN making his decision. 1t is not be-
lieved ne will n"w leave his church
in Atluuta
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-10-21
Hard Times on Grand Cayman.

According to information received
by steamship from Georgetown, Grand
Cayman, the conditions On the islands
as a result Of the hurricane and flood
are deplorable, and the people are suf-
fering from fever. 1t is also stated
that the supply Of food is scant. The
breaking out OF the fever is attributed
directly to decaying fruit and sap trees
which were felled by the storm and
numerous cattle that perished. 1t is
stated that small donations of food are
coming from various sources, but there
is not sufficient to relieve the suffer
ings of the poorer classes. On the is
land are only two physicians, one OF
whom is young mau Of limited ex-
perience, while the other is rather an
old man
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-10-21
TWO LAWYERS ARRESTED.
A Sensation Crops Out Of the Tillman
Trial.

Sensation Crops Out of the TIllman
Trial.
The Augusta Chronicle Lexingtoa
correspondent says the Tillman case
had sensational byplay Wednesday
evening. It was the serving Of war
rants on Attorney E. L. Asbill, of the
prosecution, and bis friend Lawyer
Sturkie, both of the Lexington county
bar. These warrants charged Asbill
with carrying a concealed weapon and
trespasS and Sturkie was charged with
merely the latter offense.
1t seems that rumor gained cir
culation in Lexington last week that
an attempt had been made to pay
Melton c. Lorick, witness for the
defence, two dollars and a half day
to leave Lexington and remain away
until the trial was finished. The Of
fer was said to have been made by At
torney Asbill through Wallace E. Lor-
ick, D. brother, who was one Of the
first constables in charge of the jury.
The story was told in Lexington by j.
\. H. Geiger, relative of the Lor-
ickS.
Now to the warrants of today: In
the latter part OF last week, Geiger
and w. E. Lorick stated that they
would swear out warrants for MesSrs.
ASbill and Sturkie, on the grounds
above stated. 1t seems that when
ASbill heard of these rumors he Sc
cured a buggy and in company with
Sturkie drove out to the home OF
Geiger, some eight or ten miles from
Lexington. He demanded an affidavit
from the two men denying the state
ment that had been made in Lexing-
ton.
Geiger and Lorick alleged that they
refused to give these attidavits on the
ground that what they had said was
true. Asbill denied this alleged and
that it was scheme to injure bis repu-
tation. Geiger says be ordered the two
men off his premises. In his affidavit
for warrant, Geiger alleges that AS
bill drew a pistol at this stage of the
quarrel and Sturkie prevented dis
turbance by getting Asbill to leave.
Sturkie was present merely as friend
of Asbill. Friends of Asbill deny the
transaction. ASbill and Sturkie gave
hon6
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-10-21
WHAT THE STATE MUST PROVE.

1t is necessary for the State to
establish it's case to your satisfaction
beyond a reasonable doubt, and stric-
ter degree of proof is required Of the
State than is required OF the defen-
dant. The State must make out it's
case to your satisfaction beyond a
reasonable doubt. Now, what is a
reasonable doubt? 1t is not vague:
whimsical, weak, imaginary doubt. but
it is a strong, substantial, well-found-
ed doubt, growing out of the evidence,
an honest hesitation Of the mind,
brought about by the evidence. Whilst
this is the definition laid down in the
books, the words reasonable doubt
convey just as much meaning to your
mind as the definition that is given in
the books. l think it will be enough
to say that remarkable doubt is a
reasonable doubt.
Now. if, upon review of the
whole case, the whole evidence, that
given by the State and that given by
the defendant, you have a reasonable
doubt as TO the guilt OF the prisoner
or as to any material allegation OF the
indictment, then it is your duty to
acQuit.
The form your verdict will be
either Guilty OF MURDER Guilty OF
murder, with Recommendation to
mercy Guilty of marslaughter,' or
Not guilty
Now, gentlemen. if you should
conclude that the defendant is guilty
OF murder, but he should not suffer
the extreme penalty OF the law, your
verdict would be Guilty of murder
With recommendation tD mercy and
that recommendation will OF itself re-
duce the punishment from death to
Imprisonment for life in the Peniten-
tiary.
Now, gentlemen, bring to bear on
this case your best Judgment, and lind
verdict according to the facts as you
tnd them, and the law which have
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-10-21
Brave School Girls.

During a fire that destroyed two
residences in Irving Park Chicago,
three children were rescued from
death by girl studsnts of Jefferson
High school. Raymond Saunders,
tive years old, pershed in the flames.
The students were on their way to
school. which is located TWO blocks
from the scene of the fire. Learning
that there were children in the houses
several girls entered and bore the i'm
prisoned children through the dense
smoke to the street. In the confusion
the Saunders boy was not found.
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-10-21
Killed by a Nladman.

Miss Josephine Mead, aged eighteen
years, formerly school teacher at
Angelas, CAL, was shot and killed by
an unknown man, who committed
suicide. Miss Mead left Angelas be-
cause of the unwelcome attentions Of
this man. For several months he per-
prosecuted her and insisted that she
marry him. When she refused he
threatened to kill her, and in fear Of
her life she gave up her position and
left AngelaS for the east.
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-10-21
Burned to Death.

An aged lady, Miss Nanny Robert
SOD, living 10 miles above Laurens,
was burned to death in her house
Wednesday night. When the fire
was discovered the building was "a
most destroyed and no rescue could
be made. Sue was Seventy-hve years
old. The fire is supposed to have
originated from lamp, large guam
5i5y Of batting becoming ignited ac-
cidentally while she was engaged in
Quilting. Miss Robertson lived alone.
Her nearest neighbor lived about 100
wards from her house.
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-10-21
AN EXCEPTIONAL CASE.

There has never been a cause more
earnestly presented or defended than
that against James II. Tlllman. 1t
is a decided exception to lind a full
dozen lawyers engaged in one case.
but such was the fact in the trial Of
Col. Tillnau. It has taken fourteen
days of actual work to get verdict,
and this does not include the days on
which receSseS were made necessary
on account Of the illness Of Juror
Sharpe, or Sundays.
The actual trial has taken nearly
three weeks, and the week before
that commanded the attention OF the
attorneys and others who were watch
ing the developments Of the case aud
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-10-21
POISON EATERS START.
DR.. Wiley's Glass in Salicylic Acid
Begins Eating.

The tests that will be continued
during the next eight months at the
bureau Of chemistry of the Depart
ment Of Agriculture to determine the
relative qualities Of food under differ
ent conditions of artificial preserva-
tion have begun. Twelve young men
volunteers for the course of free food
and poison" took their breakfasts un-
der the watchful eye Of DR.. Wiley, the
chief of the bureau, at Washington
under whose supervision the expert
ments are being conducted, and each
was supplied with an eye-opener con-
Sisting Of small capsule containing
salicylic acid. This preServative will
be one of three that are to be tested
during the coming year.
1t baS been intlmated that the ex-
periments in this special drug may
have to be discontinued within few
weeks owing to its character. 1t pre-
vents digestion when taken in large
doses, and it is this that has caused it
to be selected for trial. Meats are pre-
served with it, and its effect upon the
human system will be carefully noted
during its use at the department table.
AS was done II the case of the boraS
experiments last year, the drugs given
the boarders will be in the same pro-
portions as are found in preserved food
of the same kind. The drugs are al
ways administered in capsules, ano
every ounce of food is weighed before
being sent to the table. The most ac-
curate record is kept Of every phase Of
the experiments and the whole ar
ranged for eventual publication. In
the case Of the borax experiments last
year the records are nearly ready for
publication, when the results of the
course will be known to the world, and
foods the adulteration Of which was
found detrimental to the health Of the
consumers will be forbidden by law
from sale in or importation into the
United States or it possessions.
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-10-21

given to you and will give to you, re.
gardleSs OF any outside clamor that
already too many homicides have gone
unpuuished in South Carolina. You
have nothing to do with that. You
are only dealing with the facts and
the law IF this case.
Now counsel for the State and
counsel for the defence have handed
to NE numerous requests 10 charge, l
will now proceed to consider them.
Some l will charge you and others
shall decline to charge you
This ended the formal charge as to
the principles Of law.
Then Jude Gary took up the bundle
of requests to charge, which he con-
>!d,.rs d >eriatim.
The jury after being out about
twenty hours brought in a verdict OF
not guilty"
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-10-21
A Lucky Negro.

Andrew Beared, negro, who has
earnened modest salary in the
machine shops Of the Louisville and
Nashville railroad in Birmingham,
Ala, for 20 years, has sold to the
makers Of the Jannsy car coupler a
patent Car coupler, which he invented
10 years ago and has perfected since
until found acceptable to eminent rail
road authorities. Beard is 10 get
S100, 1000 and royalties for II years on
all couplerS made on his model.
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-10-21
SHIPS WRECKED
By the Dozen in the Late Storm
Which Ragged
OFF NORTH CAROLINA COAST
News Reaches Norfolk Of Disasters
Right and Left. Splendid
Work Don, by the Life
Saving Station.

a dispatch from Norfolk says the
drst news received from the North
Carolina coasts since the hurricane
that ragged there ten days ago dispels
The hope that the terrific shoals off
Currituck and Hatteras have not
claimed their quota Of the craft.
Two vessels are known to have been
lost on that stretch of the coast and
further reports are expected to bring
news Of other wrecks as at this time
three schooners are missing together
with one barge. Two schconers, and
/ barge in addition to those wrecked
between Cape Henry and Dam Neck
we're lost during Thursday and Friday.
rhe crew Of the schooners were saved
out the barge went down with all
nandS on board.
The tug Buccaneer, Captain Joseph
Lane, reports that the barge Oracle
foundered off Cape Henry with Cap
tain Cookson, her cook and three sea-
men, all white. The tug sailed from
Baltimore, towing the Oracle which
was coal laden. OFF Hod island the
storm struck her on Thursday and 5he
barge with her crew went down. The
tug couid not approach the heavy sea,
and Wa, forced to come here for safe
ty.
Observer A. W. DrlnkWater Of the
Currituck station, reached Norfolk
Wednesday by the inland route and
reports the loss Of the schooners Ma
bel Rose and J. W. Halden. The life
savers had seen the Rose about 2 p.
a., Saturday with her crew ia the
rigging, but she was then two miles
out at sea and nothing could be done
tor her. at a. NJ, Sunday the life
savers. succeeded in shooting a line
across the wzeck and within eighteen
minutes after as6fst man had been
started ashore the captain and4 crew
IF seven men were on the 6eaeens
safety. It Is estimated that the cargo
If lumber carried by the schooner
Rose was worth more than $4,000.
Three masteds schooner J. B. Hol-
den, of Suffolk, is ashore near False
Cape, Va, andi is a total loss. Her
captain, W. O. Crammer, of Suffolk,
and her crew were taken off by the
iife-savers and are safe. The Holden
was heavily laden with lumber and an
attempt to save at leat a portion Of
her cargo will be made. The ocean
going tugs accustomed to stand off
Cape Henry awaiting the arrival Of
Baltimore bound schooners we're un-.
able to stand the storm outsi le and
came in to Norfolk.
They report that the schooners
Isabel Gill, May Lee Patton, Jennie
Thomas, bound from the south for
Baltimore, are not accounted for. The
wires to the coast are Gown but there
is grave reason to fear for the safety
Of these vessels. Captain Thomas,
commanding the schooner Henry S.
Little, which came in Wednesday lin
distress, is reported in the marine dis
trict as saying that be saw three
Schooners in a very dangerous predica-
ment, and which seemed to be in
danger Of going on shore. He man-
aged to keep clear Of the coast and
made this port. 1t is regarded as
possible that the Gill, Thomas and
Patton may have made some port and
the fact not yet reported.
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-10-21
MANNING c., WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER 81 1908

the arguments, or fixing the time for
the actual trial to begin. The un-
usual interest in the case is indicated
by the great demand for bulletins
from Lexington concerning the re-
suit of the trial. Hundreds Of news
papers and individuals asked for bulle-
tins stating the mere result Of the
case, and both telegraph Offices were
on a constant rush all day sending out
messages concerning the acquittal Of
Col. Tillman.
SHOWED GREAT INTEREST.
Senator Tillman spent only one day
at the trial, but that was quite suffi-
cient to show his interest in the case,
and it may be noted that be has care
fully watched every phase Of the mat
ter, and has been constant in his ad-
vice and suggestions. Senator Till
man would no doubt have been pres
ent during the entire trial had be not
been out Of the State in the early
days Of the trial. Recently be has
been in constant attendance on his
wife, who was severely injured in a
runaway accident.
ALL HONOR TO JUDGE GARY.
In the closing statements concern
ing the Tillman trial. 1t is well to
again speak Of the satisfaction that
Special Judge Gary gave. He did his
work well and, under trying clrcum-
stances, made prompt and satisfactory
decisions. He has done much for his
good reputation.
The above account of the release OF
Col. Tillman was written by Mr..
August Kohn, for the News and
Courier, from which paper we clip it..
The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-10-21
TlEO Extremes.

\ bride OF 20 years and bride of
ID were the extremes in age named IN
the applications for marriage licenses
10 Chicago on recent day.