davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-11-10
NO rlpINos FROM wENTz
The Missing Mans Brother Denies
Ransom Story.

Ransom OtOIJs
Philadelphia. Nov. THE report u
the effect that Edward l.. Wentz, the
Young millionaire coal operator, is
alive and held a prisoner BY brigands
IN the Cumberland Mountains. was
denied By the missing mans brother
John l.. VENT. when he arrived home
from Virginia. where he had been d.
recting the search now under way.
When Mr.. Wentz reached the West
Philadelphia station Of the Pennsyl'
Vania railroad, he was met by his
nriyate coachman and half dozen
newspaper men. He was travelling
alone. and seemed very Respondent
When asked for news concerning his
brother. he almost broke into tears
when he said:
Boys. have absolutely nothing
new 10 tell you. The rumor about my
brother having written letter saying
that he was being held for 100000
ransom is not true. We have received
absolutely nothing from him"
At this point Mr.. Wentz broke into
tears as he said: 81 am very sorry TO
feel this way, but you can understand
nv feelings. | have come home to at
tend to some personal business. /
don't know how long will stay here.
But my coming here has nothing to
do with any ransom money. and 1t Is
wholly on matters of business.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-11-10

President and Cabinet Consider 1t
De Facto Government.
INSTRUCTIONS SENT coNsuLs

C.icmrla and lsthmian People Mott.
Sod 70 o07o 81 This Aetion-one OF
ths ri-at Acts Of the New Republic
Wu se 90 Negotiate Canal Treaty.
W1sl'ae.ou Nov The United
States government has recognized The
aeU Republic of Panama as a dc facto
government, ID WAS announced at the
STAGE department. after the return OF
Secretary Bqy from the cabinet meet
n,. tao. instruct ouA have been sent
A. United States Minister Beaupre Al
I1so.a ,o- wng ,hat Dee has not lett
t.o capita. yeU. and 10 Mr. Ehrman.
ue United States vice consul at Pan
uua nat uJW acting consul there. 10
inform lhe governments of Colombia
l Panama respectively that the de
..to government is recognized.
Tae following telegram was sent by
.c saC, department TO Mr. Ehrman,
lc acting CONSUL general OF tho United
States a' pauama
Iae people oi Panama have by an
cqp.luiy unanimous consent dis
solved ,hair political connection with
tae Republic 0' Colombia and resumed
.or prudence When you are
satisfied tnat o. 1e iacto government.
publican m form and without sub
anla. opposition from it's own pco-
DO. has been established in the state
d, pauaua you Viii enter into rela-
.us Nh lt as the responsible gov
unut oil thc territory and look TO it
.lr ru due action t1 protect the per
.s alt property of che citizens Of
.he United State, and To- keep open
.ae lshmiar transit in accordance
.tn ho obligations of existing trca.
governing tla relations Of the
tuted States to that territory
Immediately a-tarward an instruc-
Uan was sent boy telegram TO Mr.
g. rVre. tac Cr.el States minister
.t H.eo'-. fro oh. following terms
"Tue people 10 Panama having hy
-r aurar-uF unanimous movement
dissolved i4e.r political connection
..th the Republic %, Clombia and re-
.uel their independence. and having
...rtel government of their own,
publican iu fwm with which the
e. rn.rf o. tle United States of
.r..a hes entered into relations,
., ......I..r al +ho United states in
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-11-10
NUGGETS OF NEWS

T=o men were instantly killed by
an explosion of gas in the repair shops
of the Pennsylvania railroad at Pitts
burg.
John D. Kicker. farmer near Ruth
erford, Pa. was shot to death oy the
accidental discharge Of his gun while
hunting for rabbits.
BY a vote of 1924 TO 1853 the en-
ployes of the Chicago City Railway
Company have decided to strike to en-
force their demands.
The German emperor's yacht Meteor
will be sent to this country next spring
to take part in the ocean yacht race
for the Emperor's cup.
The La Butta Cigar Company, OF
York, Pa, filed a petition in bank
ruptcy at Scranton. Liabilities are
$4,000, with assets Of $4,000.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-11-10
- 80, = chlnaman.

Chicago, Nov 7-While her uncle
was searching San Francisco for her,
Miss B0bb Carrie foyt Of Bozeman.
Mont. outwitted her relative by COM
ing east instead Of going west when
she put her plans FOL an elopement
into effect The plans for the secret
marriage were made year ego, and
she is nov tae wac Of John Wing Lee
q naturslizsd Chinaman, who was for
ruerly en- employe OF her uncle, Benja-
min D. Boyt owner OF the Bar H.
ranch. They have just been married
By Justice cochfane. and are now on
their way to Niagara Fails for honey
moon trip. The father Of the BRIDE
groom was at one tine cook IN the
Ht.5t hou hold. and i wes while the
H.. -. 4. |.| !. 4
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-11-10

The explosion Of ordnance on the
island of Iona, New York, Dr. "a puzzle
to the experts who have been exam
lining the causes The buillings they
say, were absolutely Ere proof, being
composed entirely Of stone, brick,
iron aud cement, without particle
OF wood in their construction The
SHELLS, it was found, were packed iu
wooden cases, and Admiral y Nei.
believes that after TIE explosion oi
the first shell the boxes caught fire
aud that the heat was sufficient T.
ignite the illuminate in the fuses o.
the other shells.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-11-10
lnaammatory speeeh AqaInst gnsIand

ST Thomas. b. W. l., Nov. 7--At a
great public meeting the taxation
scheme Was discussed and a commit
tee Of lG was appointed to frame sug-
gestions as to whst length the com
munity was prepared 10 go In the d.
rection Of taxation The meeting was
orderly. the people indicating their
willingness to pay some Of the IN
creased taxes. until an inhammatory
speech was made by Charles Taylor
an Englishman. long a resident oil st
Thomas. Taylor advocated resistance
to taxation in the same way that the
Americans at Boston resisted the tea
duty and urged revolt. Great DIS
order ensued. and only the interior
ence Of the police prevented serious
consequences. Taylor was sllenced by
the protests OF the gathering. and then
the meeting quietly broke up.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-11-10
Mr. BRYAN APPEALS
Decision in Bennett Will Case Goes
to Superior Court.
NO UNDUE INFLUENCE USED
Judue Cleaveland Decided That Letter
Directing Widow to Pay Nebraskan
$4,000 Was Not Part Of Will-Mr.
Brvan's Statement.
Bryan's Statement

Bryan'S statement.
New Haven. Conn. Nov 7.-Wm. J.
Bryan reached this city from Lincoln,
Neb., and at once went to the offices
OF his attorneys. where he read the de
oision in the Phlo S. Bennett will con
Test which judge l.. W. Cleayeland
Landed down earlier In the day After
Mr. Bryan had conferred with his law
yers ne decided To make a statement
which is as follows:
The decision of Judge Cleayeland
In the Bennett will case is in my favor
on all the moral questions raised by
he heirs and against me ON the tech
meal law points only
The Judge finds that no undue IN
luence was exercised on Mr.. Bennett
and that no injustice was done To the
relatives. He holds. however, that the
letter 10 Mrs. Bennett cannot be pro
hated with the will. but he expressly
disclaims any intention TO decide
whether or not the 18th section can
hereafter be held operative in estab-
fishing a trust; he says that the con-
struction Of the will Is not nsqucslion
nj the time Of the probate Nc court
in effect declares that the bcquosi
would have been good II IL had been
made direct as M Bennett suggested
ont that under the decision the letter
.annot be- probated in the absence OF
proof showing that it was actually IN
existence al thc moment when. The VIII
was executed. II the bequesr fails u
will not be the fault OF Mr.. Bennett
mt my fault. and this point will be
determined by the higher court al
though my attorneys have not yet de-
cided in what form the question viii
ne raised. am much better pleased
With the decision than ] would have
Deen If the court had decided for me
on the legal point and against me on
the moral questions involved. His de-
rision on the question OF undue iniiu-
ence Is full. emphatic and all that
could be desired Il is a complete an
,wer to all the insinuations OF the I'M
friendly papers"
Judge Cleaveland today heard mo-
fions from the attorneys for Mr.. Bry-
an and for Mrs Bennett and the heirs
upon the form OF the decree to be en-
tered. The motion for an appeal To
the Superior Court was then made by
Mr. Bryan's attorneys.
Judge Cleayelands decision holds
that the secret letter directing Mrs.
Bennett. the widow. to pay William
] Bryan $4,000 was not part Of the
will The effect Of this is to prevent
SIR. Bryan from obtaining the money
mentioned in the letter unless the pres
ent decision is reversed by a higher
court. or unless h. should be success
ful in legal proceedings against Mrs.
Bennett. in the event that the S5o,OOo
should be paid under clause twelve OF
the will. which reads as follows
Twelfth. / give and bequeath unto
my wife. Grace Imogene Bennett. the
sum Of nifty thousand dollars (soO.OoOl
in trust however. for the purposes set
forth in a sealed letter which will be
found with said will
The text Of the letter was made pup
lie nj one OF the hearings on the viii.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-11-10
TIE TIDE OF COMMERCE.

New Orleans is fast becoming tNe
great depot for the vast products VI
the country, IRON which point ,o-y
find their WAY 10 thevariou~ markets
OF the world. AN railroads aae
steamboat lines traveySiug the SOUTH
ern. Middle aud Northwest States.
empty their immense tsa.ac II The
Queen City of the South, and other
cities which have heretofore handled
that trade are becoming JEALOUS, aud
are taking steps, futile rs they may
be, to change the present conditions
Contestiug the plan OF speni.a- one
hundred millions of dollars to en-
large the Erie Canal, The New York
Sun SAYS one migat as vel. attempt
to stem Niagara as 10 a-tempu go
attract even a driblet of the vast
trade By water that is beginning TO
follow the line Of least resistant. ,o
our Southern Seaboard The sun
gives, in this connection, spec.a. a..d
20 an incident of the steamship I.-
lumbar, drawing tWeuty-nine lert of
water. passing our o. the Mississippi
river, carrying 10 Europe auenogmaus
cargo Of cotton and grain. and De-
clares that it is not higher rail- rates
or an inadequate Erie canal 'har
has placed New Orleans ia the .ruu'
OF the wheat shippers. lr Is her geo.
graphical position at the outlet o'
the Mississippi basin. with .fs 5000
miles. or about tvo-tdirls o' our -O-
talriver uaviga'iou, thar hasmarhei
her for prosperity. Her sup r.1r at-
yantages have been cliuched by The
iurth,r fact that the center oi wheat
production has been moved from -he
East to the heart OF the Mississippi
valley.
When the Genessee valley vas thr
center Of wheat culture, or-veu whom
this center moved west 90 Ohio, ta-
Erie canal was a great factor iu
wheat movements. but now chat ror
wheat lands fringe the arreriai wafer
system OF the country from M.uus-
sofa to Kansas, now thar grain is
carried in bulk from - Louis 70
New Orleans at one mill pr ton m'lr
and coal is lreightsl from Pi.tshGr-,
some 1000 miles. at rates not e1-
ceeding those By raiitO Atlantic % Ice
water, 10 is folly to imagine that a'y
widening or deepening Of The Erie ca-
nal can possibly divert water-carried
wheat from the pathway which na-
ture marked GU for 10.
All that New Orleans needed 90 get
the trade was TO increas- her dock -
and other shipping facilities These
improvements have beeurap.4ly null
tiplying. Tie port i,s-li extends
some ten miles along each rirer5tu6.
and the great bar6or OF the Ns-is-
sippi, stretching from 1he l-tt.es over
a hundred mills inland, may b. De-
time inadequate for the mighty vol
ume OF traffic which these waterways
are destined TO carry.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-11-10

The Judge has decided that Ar.
Bryan is not entitled 10 any Of th-
$4,000 from the Bennett will IL
will be remembered that Mr Bryan
wrote the Will OF his political friend,
which had a clause devising BIN 500
600. Mrs Bennett resisted That part
OF the will Mr.. Bryan at FIRST said
he would not take any part OF 1t and
then said he would, but the judge
says be will not and that will pr oa-
bly, end it,
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-11-10

England declares that the Panama
affair belongs exclusively 10 the Unit
ed States, and the Representatives OF
foreign governments ia London unite
In that declaration. This isnodoubt
the opinion OF our authorities aad
they will act on that opinion II The
United States recognizes the newly
formed government other powers
will 90 the same and Panama vii.
launch its ship OF state under PROM
Using auspices, with our great coun-
try as it, friend.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-11-10
MITCHELL TO ENTER CABINET
Miners President 10 be Next Secretary
Of labor and Commerce.

OF GaUUI anu 1NNifffNf
Pittsbure. Nov. .. - The Dispatch
publishes story 70 the effect that
John Mitchell viii not be candidate
for reelection as president of the
United Mine Workers Union at the
January convention This statemen
was made by a close personal friend
OF Mr. Mitchell during a short lay
over here OF the miners president ana
other officials OF the organization on
their way to Boston to attend the con.
ventlon Of the American Federation oil
Labor
The announcement by It's apparent
authentic source. Is raised above mere
rumor.
The same gentleman said Mr.. Mitch
ell assuming that President Roose'
Welt would be reelected. decided 10
Law aside the miners Office to become
member of the presidents cabinet
succeedng George g. Cortelyou as
secretary at the department OF COM
mcrce and Labor Secretary COrtelyou.
il lis said. has decided not to again be
head Of the department and may go
back 10 the position of private secre'
tary 90 the president
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-11-10

Itissail no en5r's aill be made 10
obtaining any soodroats legislation
at The next 81 ssi0a Of congress. But
the International Cod Rolds 1850
citation aill bold meeting IN Wash
ington, IN May nezf, when 10 Is
thought some steps viii be taken
looi.ng 10 chat end Good roads
are what the county needs.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-11-10

One OF the features OF the world r.
fair will be apottery in ullOperation
1t il said that workmen Of the highest
skill will manufacture cut pottery SO
that visitors may note Ill the pro-
cesses involved a firing furnace will
stand in the center 0f "a special build
ing, and the otterswith their wheels
will be ranged around the interi0r,so
that visitors may make clear iu-
snrction oi the work.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-11-10
LaceS. Embroideries
and Dress Orname IS,

The transaction was % cash
one and the benefits r0 Dr
gained by You are simply
enormous.
Best quality Fa,ciuator soft
Zephyr, Yarn. SILK Threads iucoInrs.
Tassels 10 match, simp y "a beauty,
worth 81 %, our price zoe.
Lot Of Infants Tosues, worth eic.,
at lsc.
Hand Knit Lafies CircIlar hawis.
worth 1925, our price ~ 80.
Ladies' pure whiis jersey Ribbed
Vests, Pants to match, worth JOc,
our price 9jc
A mans special made Corduroy
SUIT OF Clothes 50 o.
A mans AK Gold pMte Watch.
guaranteed years, sj.jI.
\ Single Barrel Breech 10 ding
Gun S5.25.
Every department is crowded
and you can till Your whole
list right here, saving you
time and money
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-11-10
Denied ev MIssino Mans Father.

Bristol Tenn. Nov. mo develop
ments: deny emphatically all rumors'
my son is yet missing, and there Is no
clue to his whereabouts, was what
DR.. ]. S. Wentz, father OF Edward L.
Wentz. who disappeared from the
mountains near Big Stone Gap four
weeks ago last Wednesday, said when
asked for statement DR.. and Mrs
Wentz arrived in Bristol over the Viz
ginia and Southwestern railroad from
Big Stone Gap, where they have been
since few days after the mysterious
disappearance of their son. They
we're enroute to their home in Phila'
delphia.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-11-10

The Duke Of Fife is said to have
made remarkable statement The
other day. l. was 10 the f!ect that
he was a total abstainer-that Is, lie
does not even touch wine. Thesthie-
ment was thought to be- remarkable
from the fact that he is d son-in-law
TO the king.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-11-10

Il IS cutie % compliment TO The
Lyu,lbu-g P!ow d Fouairy com
oauy 10 have awarded 20 it twenty
are carloads g water pipe Tor lie
town 81 B.riml. not ur'rOr B1h 10,
New York This shows that the Viz
r,nia firm can make pipe cheaper
THAN IFS competitors, or that it
makes superior quality If either
net-ur. or both, TO- spaaks well for
our Virginia industries.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-11-10
HOPES Foa NEW CANAL TREATY
Senator Cullen Greatly Interested In
r.,olrrr1erts On isthmus.

Senator LlI-n EfeotiJ iiNS' ~''~~ 80
Developments On lsthmus.
Washington Noy. 7.-Sena'or Cui-
lqn chairman of the committee on
foreign relations called on Secretary
Hav az the state department Because
ofhls position i'm The senate. Mr. Gull
Ion is greatly interested in the deyel'
ornonts or the lsthmus Of Panama.
Following the organization OF per
rarelt form of government by the
reoD.o Of The lsthmus. the senator be
I.eves The United states will negotiate
q treaty with the new government for
the construction of the Panama canal
houch be expresses the hope that
ANY new convention which may be
framed viii be without certain fea-
tr-es Of the HayHerran treaty, which
Ia bis opinion are open to criticism.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-11-10

1t is said the irish members 10 par
lament have Cos into a WraBgle
and some designations may follow
1t would seem that as the king is
ready TO chow favors to Ireland, and
some reforms have already been
passed into laws, that the members
should stand together as the best
means of obtaining the rights for
which they have so long contended.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-11-10
r -. p..I,e-uvr..r, Take Notice

To ths Puhlie-Huntsrs Take Notice
This is to notify the public that, owing
to depredations on my Green Bank farm.
IN Stafford county, Va, about two miles
90 the river from Falmouth, l do hereby
prohibit any and all persons from
nuntioQ thereon, and eli tfcsparsefs will
~ proeecuted TO the lull extent OF the
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-11-10

Those who took part 10 the parade
we're 400 survivors Of the ManOne Bn'
-.d. companies OF the Seventeen anh
seventy first regiments OF Virginia V"i
unteers. Richmond HOwitE-rs, \ 'riolh
Light artillery Blues, Grimes BATTERY
of Portsmouth. Petersburg Gray,
Richmond Light Infantry bl"es' A I;
Hm Camp of Confederate Veterans OF
Petersburg, Z h. Lee Camp OF Rich
mond. Joe Johnson Camp Of MaDcbe-trr,
stone wall lamp of Portsmouth, Pickett
rar,u OF Richmond, Pickett burhauen
ptro o( Nnrf1lk, and sharpshOOters Oh
N.hone's Brigade. There were several
b,.nds of music and drum corps an0
about fifteen hundred men in line I'm
Sttb Boiling wss chief marrhal. Gov.
Montague. Col 10 Lane Stern and
Judge George Christian. Of Richmond:
GRAND eommander 81 the Grand lamp OF
Confederate Veterans Of Virginia, r"de I'D
!, carriage in the parade Nhen tne
column arrived al the residence 81 Mrs.
Gen William MahOne on Market street
the 400 survivors Of MahOnes Brigade
drnpopd ont Of line to be received an0
entertained b, her Mrs Malone and
her daughter, Mre. William Mc'iill SHOOK
handle with the veterans and pinned on
the lapel Of toe coats Of each OF them
baudsume badge.
When the procession reached the
crater field prayer was offered by FIRST
Lieut. John T. West, chaplain OF the
Crater Legion This was followed by an
ADDRESS by Col W. II Stewart, commen-
der VI the Crater Legion.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-11-10
BATTLE OF THE CRATER.
REUNION OF MAHONE's BRIL-
cAoE AT PETERS BURG
Survivors in Sham 5attls-SiIser
Medals for the survivors OF the

SIr.IVofs n ShHm oat1I0 o"'S
Medals for the survivors OF the
Eri0sss-
he reunion OF the survivors OF Ma
homes Brigade, who made the famous
charge 40 the battle OF the Crater on
Ili, 3Dth. lS64. when the b rest hand
fo baud fight Of the civil war took place,
VS. h-!d Friday afternoon at $50
o'.l.ek on the crater battlefield, which
4. inst outside oi the corp ration limits
The parade OF the veterans and military
and IRE department through the primer
psl streets WAS witnessed by several
thousand people, aud the stor"s AID prl-
vote dwellings were decorated with flags
and bunting
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-11-10

The citizens Of Vancouver Kissed
The American hsg The other day, to
abox their resensuleptoi she Alaskanl
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-11-10
IN SHAM BATTLE

The address was followed by a sham
hattie Of the Crater The charge was
made by the survivors of Mabone's
brigade and several companies OF mill
terry with the rebel yell, from the same
ravine from W. ich Mahone's brigade
charged. The firing Of the artillery and
,oiantry was st will and was quick ann
rand The bloodless battle lasted
thirty minutes and was Witnessed BY
Is 900 people. After the battle Colonel
Robe, tson TAYLOR. Of Baltimore, who
was ON Gen Msbone's staff, stood at the
crater NJ d presented each Of the euryi-
vors with a handsome solid silver medal
Col Ia, Tor, in speaking OF Gen. Ma
hone said;
II, would not become us to draw in
vidious comparisons, but Malone lar
more richly deserved lieutenant gener-
Alrg than some so commissioned by the
Ro1 eminent. AS a soldier | constantly
think of aim as having been seldom sur
oassed 20 the worlds heroes 10 Ill those
anaIatles most reauired, and bic only
.nisIortuae wae sbe lark 9! "ppor<s'n p 2.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-11-10
Boston Variety Storg
WHITNER B SACRi Y
Undertakers and Fmbalmers

No. 7l9 Ma n St Freder-
icksburg, Va Phone 90
Across f'om Exchange Ho el
and next to Western Union
office. Telegraph and telephone
orders receive prom t 'ten.
ton. Open day and night.
Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1903-10-30
REPuDlATEs SUPPOSED FATHER.
John Alexander Dowie Tells the Secret
Of His Birth.

SOIH NIS%aIuCt OO"iS CHS tNS oSSESS
Of His Birth.
New York, Oct. Pin a broken
voice, with tears streaming down his
face and his body shaking with emo
ton, John Alexander Dowie stood on
the platform in Madison Square Gar
den last night before an audience Of
10000 persons and announced that in
truth he was not the son of John Muir
ray Dowie, of Essex, a., from whom
he takes his patronymic, but of a
British army officer of high family by
"Scotch marriage"
He heaped villification and denuncia-
ton upon John Murray Dowie, whom
he declared had made his mother be-
lieve her marriage to Dowie's father
was shameful, and the army officer
having been taken away by his rela-
tives, his mother in the first flush Of
her shame had sought to give her son
a name by marrying John Murray
Dowie
The revelation was made at the end
OF an hours TRADE against the press
Of this city, it's treatment Of his work,
ard himself, being styled a "con-
s3r:racy of falsehood" the reporters
denounced as yellow dogs" and
poisonous reptiles, who have wreck
ed thousands of homes and broken
thousands of hearts,"