davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-03-02

coolies along the railway there have
been Japanese. who had no difficulty
in Disgusting themselves, and they
have quietly employed their spare
time distributing explosives along the
track, ready TO be set off at the prop
er time. Many of them had worked
upon the line when II was building.
Others were skilled engineers. who
used their eyes and ears as we'll rs
their hands. The blowing up of the
railroad bridge the other day Is EVIL
dence of the truth of my assertion.
Official corruption was responsible
for the road being improperly con.
structed at the start. Instead of be.
ing a well built. safe and serviceable
track from st. Petersburg to the far
east, the greater part of the Trans
siberian railway is a cheap and dan
gerous makeshift.
The rails are light and the ties too
far apart to bear heavy traffic. The
former are twenty feet long. and usu-
ally rest on three ties, one in the mi !.
die and one at each end. In laying
the ties the workmen simply cut down
trees as they went along, splitting the
logs and laying the round side upper.
most.
The rails are insecurely fastened 10
the ties and to each other, not half
the requisite number OF rivets being
used at the ends.
ITO attempt TO convey large body
of troops over the railway in a hurry
would be attempting an impossibility.
In the first place, the trains can not
consist of more than four or five cars.
because of the character of the tracx
Then. partly, for the same reason, a
speed of much more than twenty
miles an hour is not attainable. Like.
wise the transportation of heavy guns
would be attended with vexatious de-
lays.
"The Chinese all along the railroad
are in thorough sympathy with the
Japanese. All i'll feeling engenderei
by the ChinoJapanese war has died
tout. and Japanese spies will not lack
support from the people among whom
they work"
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-03-02
Japanese Hulks Sunk.

Paris, Feb. 25.-Additional details
of the Japanese attempt to close the
harbor of Port Arthur have been re-
ceived from most authoritative quar-
ters. They say the japanese sent
five or six old transport hulks, con-
voyed by torpedo boats, to Port Ar
thur. with the evident purpose of
sinking the hulks at the entrance of
the harbor The battleship Retvizan
discovered their approach, and her
fire on them was strongly seconded
by that OF the shore batteries north
of Port Arthur. The report adds that
two Japanese ships were wrecked and
lie in Tiger bay, that along the shore
another Japanese ship was burned
and that a fourth lies wrecked on
the shore outside Tiger bay. 1t is be-
lieved these wrecks were not war
ships, but hulks, designed to be sunk
at the entrance of the harbor. The
wrecks are said to be at consider
able distance from ,ne harbor en-
trance, which remains open. This
report gives no information con-
cerning the japanese fleet, which is
said to have supported the operations
against Port Arthur.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-03-02
The Cars Manifesto.

st. Petersburg, Feb ga stirring
manifesto to the army was issued by
the car today in the form of a mes
sage to General Kouropatkin, the
commander-in-chief Of the Russian
army in the far east, as follows:
Although, as head of the military
administration since 1898, you have
worked with energy and assiduity to
reorganize and perfect the army,
your work is not yet done. The hour
has come when I must summon you
to head my valiant army, to defend
the honor and sovereignty of Russia
and her sovereign rights in the far
east. Knowing your brilliant gifts
and the eminent prep rations for bat
tie, am glad to intrust to you the
responsible command of my Manchu-
rian army against the Japanese, on
your leaving your work as minister.
May God help you In your difficult
task, which you with such self-denial
have assumed. In taking leave of
you and thanking you for your six
years work for the good of my dear
army. | confer on you the order of
st. Alexander Nevski in brilliants.
Wishing success to you and trusting
to you to transmit to my brave army
my imperial greeting and my bless
iIg, may God keep you unharmed.
NICHOLAS"
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-03-02
GREAT DAMAGE
TO ROCHESTER
A Three Million Dollar confIagration
Destroys Heart of the New
York City.
$500 THROWN OUT OF WoRr
Three Of the Five Big Department
Stores in the City Destroyed
Mo Fatalities.

Rochester, New York. Feb. 27.-At
sunset last night ten engines were
pouring streams of water on the ruins
of most of the retail dry goods quar-.
ter of Rochester. Three of the five
department stores in Rochester were
consumed in yesterdays fire, which
caused a loss of more than $4,000 900.
The Sibley, Lindsay & Curr CO.. the
largest retail store in Rochester. was
destroyed.
OF the loss s735,OOO represents
buildings and the remainder stocks
and furnishings.
II is said $500 persons were thrown
out of work by the fire.
The burned region lies on the nortn
side of Main street, between Saint
Paul street and Clinton street. North.
running from Saint Paul street al.
most the entire length IL the block,
Inc fire started In the store of the
Rochester Dry Goods company and
worked west. burning only one store
east of this establishment, that of the
Walkover Shoe company, before its
progress was checked in that direc.
| tion.
Next was the store of the Beadle-
Sherburne Co.. which was destroyed.
Then the Marble block, occupied by
the Sibley, Lindsay & Curr Co., was
destroyed, and finally the thirteen
story granite building, the lower por.
| tion of which was also occupied by
Sibley, Lindsay & Curr Co., and the
upper part occupied by offices was
attacked. Only the front wall of the
Marble building was standing last
night. The shell of the Granite
building was intact, and the floors
in place, but the building is gutted.
The Sibley, Lindsay e. Curr Co. six.
story wholesale building, together
with the stables in the rear. was de-
stroyed, with all its valuable con.
tents. this loss being placed at ST..
100000.
There was a livery stable and some
i WI Difibiph otIftt,
n narrow thoroughfare running in the
rear of the burned stores, and these
were damaged by water and falling
walls.
No one was injured except Assist.
ant Chief Frank A. Jaynes, who was
struck by a flying nozzle.
The power on the trolley line run.
ming along Main street was cut off to
avoid danger from electricity, and no
cars have run through the block
where the fire occurred all day.
Following are the largest losses:
Granite building, 100000; Marble
building. $4,000; Cornwell building
s6O,OOO; Kirley building, $4,000;
Sibley, Lindsay K Curr Co., $3.50. 900
| The loss on stock was as follows.
Sibley, Lindsay & Curr Co. retail
s350,0O0; wholesale. $1.250,0O0: ten.
ants in granite building, $500, 900;
Beadle and Serburne Co., $3.50. 900,
Rochester Dry Goods Co.. sl50.000
The smaller losses foot up $4,000
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-03-02
HLoBIKA coNFEssEs.
Admits That He is the Murderer o,
George Sedlacek.


Great Falls. Mont, Feb. 27.-Geo.
Hlobika yesterday confessed to the
murder of George Sedlacek, his trav-
cling companion. whose dead body
was found on Thursday morning of
last week on the trail across the hill
between Sand Coulee and Stockett.
While he admits the crime and says
he expects TO be hanged for il. he
states that he committed the deed in
a fit Of anger. The confession was
made voluntarily and without any
pressure being brought to bear upon
the prisoner, in the course of a con.
yersation with Miss Anna Ferda. at
whose house he boarded at Stockett
who called at the county Jail to iden-
tify him. and II was made In the
presence of several witnesses.
Apparently fearful that his end is
near. the prisoner yesterday informed
the officers that his true name is
George Way Da and that ne has a
brother, Thomas Way Da living at
Glenlynn. Pa. He has requested that
his brother be communicated with
and Informed OF the serious nature
of the charge against him. and that
after he Is dead the money which ia
LETT, as well as a small amount of
life insurance which he says he car.
ries In a secret society in the east
be sent to the brother.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-03-02
STATE CAPITOL BURNED.
Wisconsin Suffers a Loss Of Nearly
One MilIion-No Insurance.

Madison, Wis, Feb. 27.-The Wis,
consin state capitol building was de-
damaged 100000 by fire today. The
fire involves the building of a new
capitol a special session of the legis-
lature and the probable renewal OF
the agitation in favor of the removal
Of the capitol from Madison 10 Mil
waukee.
The fire was caused by defective
electric wiring. The fire started be-
fore daylight aud at o'clock had
completely ruined the east and west
wings. containing the senate and as
sembly chambers and the depart.
ments OF the tax commission. the ad.
jutant general, railroad commission,
state school superintendent, supern.
tendent OF property, board OF agricul.
ture, state normal school, commits.
sioner of fisheries. fish and game
warden, state board of pharmacy.
state land office. dairy and food com.
mission. state treasurer, commission.
er Of labor, governor secretary of
state, state board of control and in.
surance commissioner, the supreme
court, law library and the state H.
brary commission
Practically all the valuable state
records are believed TO be safe. Most
of them remain in masonry and steel
vaults in the ruins.
Fire apparatus was sent from Mil
waukee.
Governor Schofeld maintained In.
surance on the building through his
term. totalling 100000. but the last
legislature instituted an insurance
fund and directed the states officers
to allow the insurance policies to
lapse. In June last there Iapsed $50.
900 and in December $4,000. There
is In the insurance fund at the pres
ent time about $4,000 to meet the
present loss. which conservative es.
Inmates place at sG00,0UO.
The fire practically devastated ev
cry portion OF the capitol building
with the exception OF the north end
This was saved but Is In such de
habilitated condition that this portion
together with the walls. will have tc
be torn down.
Chief Charles Bernard was over
come by smoke and fell from a lad
der, receiving serious injuries. Hc
Is unconscious.
From an original cost OF 100000 In
1897, appropriations from time {,
time for new additions made the COS
of the state capitol 10 this date abou
$500 900.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-03-02
In Russian Territory.

Yinkow, Feb. 25.-Native reports
that the Japanese have landed at
Possiet bay and subsequently under
taken operations against Hunchun
and toward Kirin have received quail
flied confirmation from English mis-
sionary refugees who have arrived at
Newchwang. These people say the
Russo Chinese bank has removed
from Kirin to Kwanchongtsi, where
commercial interests are seeking
safety and defense. This reported
advance has produced CONSERVATION
among the European civilians resid-
ing on the line of march. It Is report
ed also that the Russian government
bureau at Vladivostok has withdrawn
to Khabarovsk.
Possiet bay is in Russian Manchu.
ria, about rs miles south of Vladivos.
tok. Hunchun is on the left bank OF
the Tumen river and about 40 miles
to the west of Possiet bay. Kirin is
big Manchurian town and lies about
220 miles inland and to the west OF
Possiet bay. Kwanchongtsi is about
so miles west of Kirln. Khabarovsk
is about 400 miles to the north OF
Vladlvostok. which port Is connected
by a railway.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-03-02
RoOSEvElT'S LETTER.
His Personal Inquiry Touched Old
Man, Whose Answer Were His
Last. Words.

Washington Special: Senator Han
mas last written words were in the
form OF pathetic letter to President
Roosevelt, in z way quite characters.
tic, the presidents thoughtfulness in
calling at his hotel to inquire about
the senator's condition The letter
was written by the senator on the af-
ternoon of Friday, February ). and
was the last business of any kind
transacted by him.
After Senator Hanna's death Presi-
dent Roosevelt sent the letter to Mrs.
Hanna in order that copies OF 1t might
be made by the family for preserva-
ton.
The original will be returned to the
president, who will treasure II caro-
fully In memory of his dear friend.
Elmer c. Dover. Seator Hanna )
secretary. returned 10 Washington
from Cleveland late yesterday after.
noon. Before leaving Cleveland yes
terday he was authorized and request.
ed by Mrs. Hanna TO give the last
letter Of Senator Hanna to the pub
lie.
Mr. Dover says that early in the
afternoon of the day the letter was
written he was called to the sena-
tors bedside to take up some busi-
ness matters with him. That proved
to be the last time the senator was
able to dispose OF any business. eth
er public or private. After transact
ing some business. Mr.. Dover inform
ed the senator that President Roose.
welt had called TO inquire about his
condition.
Wasn't that nice of him." whis.
pered Senator Hanna. Wasn't that
good?"
Later the senator again expressed
his deep appreciation OF the presi.
dents courtesy. and little while af-
terward. called for pencil and paper
and wrote the following:
"My Dear Mr.. President-You
touched a tender old man when you
called to inquire after me personally
this morning. | may be worse before
| can be better. but all the same such
drops Of kindness are good for lel.
low. Sincerely yours,
Friday D. m. VI. A. HANNA.
Next morning a reply was received
from the president, with a note stat
ing that il was TO be shown to the
senator when Mrs. Hanna thought
best Senator Hanna never saw the
reply, which was as follows:
February Dear Senator: In
deed, 1t Is your letter from your
sick bed which is touching-not my
inquiry hope you will soon be well
again. old fellow, as strong In BODY
your leadership. your friendship as
ever. Sincerely.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-03-02
Little Chance for Sea Fiqht.

Toxic, Feb. 2S.-As the campaign
progresses it seems that the chances
are growing simmer for a great
pitched battle on the open sea be-
tween the flats of modern battleships
which the world has long waited. II
Is believed here that the Russians
lack the strength to assume the Of
fensive and that they will probably
stick to Port Arthur doggedly to
await sea and land investment
Whoever wins the war. Port Arthur
will undoubtedly cease to be an i'm.
portant base. The fortifications will
probably be dismantled, as they are
small and cramped and however
many guns are defending 1t, 1t is
thought they are incapable of insur
ing protection. II is intimated that
the Russians have 200 guns mounted
at Port Arthur, making 1t theoretical
ly one of the strongest Notifications
In the world.
In regard to the opening of Wiju
for which United States minister AL
len has long been pressing, 1t has
been decided to await the formal an
nouncement of the Japanese whose
influence is now dominant in Korea
Japan undoubtedly approved and the
incident has significant bearing or
the future of Korea, assuming thai
the japanese are triumphant.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-03-02
TRAINS STILL LOST.
The Railroad Situation Shows No
Signs OF Improvement.

Inc hdilrodo oituation onoWs NO
Signs Of Improvement.
The railroad situation remains
have been no trains since the last 10
sue OF this paper and there will prob
ably be no more trains for several
more issues. General Manager Rob-
ert Rantoul has been with a crew Of
men down near Dorsey trying to get
through. but just now their snow
plow is stuck in one drift and the
engine which was pushing II along
Is of the track and the force Is pow
erless TO put 1t back on the rails.
Several wild reports were circulated
in this city yesterday to the effect
that the company had decided to
abandon the road until summer;
but the Argus interviewed Chief En-
gineer Robertson. Agent Sheldon and
Cashier Miller. who are located in
this city and all emphatically deny
that the railroad company has any
such intentions. Edward Brassey.
register OF the land Office. had talk
over the telephone with Mr.. Rantoul
yesterday concerning an extension of
time to some settlers, who we're try.
ing to get here in order to establish
some residences on some land which
they had taken up near Moore. and
the general manager said that they
were making every effort to get
through and would keep at IL until
they do get here. This they may dc
but It is the private opinion of most
people here that II will be two weeks
before a train is run into this city
The snow which fell yesterday and
last night undoubtedly leveled up al
cuts, SO II Is up to the company to dc
another long siege Of shoveling.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-03-02
HEAVY SENTENCES.
Men Implicated in the Postal Frauds
Must Go to the Pen.

Washington. Feb. 27.-August w.
Machen. formerly general superin-
tendent Of the free delivery postal
service. Dr. George F. Lorenz. of To.
ledo. once postmaster of that city.
and Diller b. Groff. of this city, all OF
whom were convicted OF conspiracy
against the government in connection
with the supply of Groff fasteners,
today were sentenced by Judge
Pritchard to two years imprisonment
In the Moundsville. w. Va. peniten-
tiary and a fine of $4,000 eac-
The defendants Immediately gave
notice of an appeal in the case to the
court Of appeals and were released on
$4,000 bonds each.
Samuel A. Groff, as TO whom Spec
lal Counsel Conrad. for the govern
ment, said some days ago there was
not sufficient evidence to convict, was
not sentenced. and his motion for a
new trial and for arrest of judgment
being allowed for further considera-
tio- his counsel were given four DAYS
within which to prepare to argue the
motions.
The sentence imposed on Machen,
Lorenz and Dlller b. Goff is the maxi
mum allowed under the law, although
the court contrary to the contentious
of the prosecution, decided that the
several counts in the indictment con-
stituted but one offense. The appeals
to the upper court will be pressed as
rapidly as possible. according to the
defense but months may elapse be-
fore the appeals can be heard. The
government has not decided upon its
next step in the prosecution of the
postal cases. in which there have
have been so many indictments In
which Machen was named. involving
other offenses than that covered In
.ent on which he has al
ready been convicted, will be pressed
for trial next. There are fourteen
indictments against Machen, either
singly or jointly with others, and the
government expects to bring him to
trial on most OF them.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-03-02
Bio Force in Korea.

st. Petersburg, Feb. 25.-According
to information received by well-in'
formed military men the Russian
army, which is intended to operate
in Korea, will consist of an advance
vanguard of two regiments of Siber
ian sharp shooters, vanguard of IL
regiments of infantry, with SO quick
firing guns, batteries of mounted
guns and a corresponding force OF
cavalry. The main body will consist
of 40 regiments, including Cossack
cavalry, with 800 guns.
1t is added that no important opera.
tions will be possible before the melt
ing of the ice, and the present oper'
ations will be confined to necessary
preparations.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-03-02
THE PANAMA CANAL.
Present Status Of the Big Trans-Isth.
mian Ditch.

Now that the canal controversy Is
ended and the Panama route selected
for the water way that is to link the
oceans public interest In the work
already done upon the canal and the
changes In the engineering plans
adopted since De Lesseps inaugural
ed the undertaking in 1881 will be re
vived.
What do we get for the $4,000, ,O0C
TO be paid TO the Panama Canal Com
pany and how much work remains tC
be done before ships can pass from
Colon to Panama?
The Panama canal originally pro
jected by Ferdinand de Lesseps Is
not the Panama canal that will be-
built by the United States.
The distinguished French engineer
emboldened by his success In cutting
the Suez canal. undertook TO open 8
great sea level canal. cutting through
the mountains OF the isthmus. The
physical difficulties OF the project
assisted by gross corruption OF the
promoters. bankrupted the company
when only a small portion OF the sea
level scheme had been completed.
The new Panama canal project TAX
EN- up by the new company in 1894
is on sound engineering basis and
within a calculable distance of com
pletion. hTe sea level dream OF De
Lesseps was abandoned and for II
was substituted a system OF locks
II Is true that an international con
gress OF engineers, which met in Par
Is In 1879. recommended a sea leye
canal from Colon to Panama. but Il
Is remembered that several member.
OF that commission advocated cana
with locks. The hopelessness of thu
task Of building a sea-level canal wa,
finally realized. indeed, and the com
pany decided to adopt the lock plan
but the decision came too late.
| The new plan OF construction
adopted by the new Panama Cana
Company, is the result of an inyesti
CATION made by $50 engineers. witt
large corps of assistants. who oc
cupied four years in exhaustive SUI
veys. In order to give further weigh
to the findings OF the engineers tn
new company called for the appoint
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-03-02

road could be damaged and connec-
ton between Russia and the far east
practically cut off,"
Mr.. Kliene recently travelled over
the Transslberian route on his way
to England. He is now on his way
back to his post at Shanghai, anil
will sail In few days from Van.
couver.
Japan began to prepare for war
long ago." continued Mr.. Kliene. For
months spies have swarmed over Man
churia and eastern Siberia, getting in
formation and making preparations.
Everything that could be learned they
have learned and they are In posi-
ton to act.
"In every section gang OF Chinese
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-03-02
BIG FIRE IN
LIVINGSTON
Starts in the Park Hotel and Clears
the Block Within an Incredibly
Short Time.
LOSS ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND
Insurance Amounts to Sixty-Five
Thousand DoIIsrs-Many Stores
and Offices Included.

Special to the Argus by Courtesy of
Great Falls Tribune
Livingston, Feb. 29.-ShOrtly after
one O'Clock this morning fire broke
out in the Office of the Park hotel
and within three hours the large
postofficc block. in which the Park
hotel and a large number of stores
and offices were. was smoldcriug
mass. The total loss is about one
hundred thousand dollars. Insurance
sixty.fve thousand dollars. Park ho-
tel loss $4,000. ]. NJ. McCracken
dry goods, $4,000. J. NJ. Seman
$4,000. Lovelate q Anderson, SS..
OOO