davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-01-05
ROCK HILL HAPPENINGS.
The New Year-Emancipation Cello
bration-NotabIe Banquet-Musie at
the c. M. A.-Other Notes.

The New Year-Emaneipation CeIe.
bration-NotabIe Banquet-Musie at
the c. M. A.-Other Notes.
Correspondence Of the Yorkrille Enquirer.
Rock HILL, Jan. Anew Years eve
passed off very quietly after the lively
time Of Christmastide. The bells Of
the different churches were tolled
shortly before midnight, and then on
the stroke Of twelve pealed forth a
merry welcome to 1904 for a brief Pc
riod.
Emancipation Day was celebrated
with the usual festivities. A public
meeting was held at Friedheim's hall,
where several addresses were made
pertinent to the day and subject.
negro population, but there was no
parade and everything passed off very
quietly.
The Rock Hill 400, otherwise the
Katawba Katfish Klub, had splendid
banquet at Friedheim's hall last Fri
day night. From all accounts 1t was
a most elaborate affair and was high
ly enjoyed by the "elite" present.
Covers were set for fifty Of the male
members and all were present, as the
reputation Of this organization is par
excellence. Among the delectable
things served were five opossums, six
ty birds, five turkeys, etc., and as these
were done to turn" the gastronomic
stories that are told Of them, were put
to the test. Altogether 1t was a very
enjoyable affair and reflects much
credit on the caterers, Messrs. G. z.
Creed and Sam Frew.
The c. M. A. has bought the instru-
ments Of the defunct K. M. M. A. and
the management has engaged the SER
vices Of Prof. r. J. Herndon as in
structor and band master. This school
has entered upon an era Of prosperity,
which 1t we'll deserves. The standard
is high, the morale Is excellent and the
military and other rules are rigidly
enforced. With the addition Of seve-
raj Of the K. M. M. A. cadets and 9TH
er new faces after the Christmas holi-
days, the school will begin its new ses-
sion with splendid prospect Of per-
manent success.
New Years Day receptions were ten
dered very generally throughout the
city. Receptions were much in vogue
and the invitations were accepted by
large numbers.
"A unique entertainment Oh the SEA-
sons festivities was the one held at the
residence Of Mr.. John Gelzer. The in
vitations read: "M-. and Mrs. John
Gelzer, Monday evening, Dec. 29th,
1903, 50. Unmask at IL. Come and
see who is who, If am I, or He or She
or It." 1t was largely attended, the
costumes were original and elaborate
and the entertainment a pronounced
success.
Messrs. G. w. S. Hart and w. W.
Lewis passed through on their way
to Columbia to attend the supreme
court, yesterday.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-01-05

According to the most exact infor-
nation the total loss Of life In the 1ro-
uuois theatre disaster, was 5S2. Or
this number al! but about $50 have
been identified. In addition to these
some $50 people were more or less Sc
riously injured. 1t has developed that
the disaster was unquestionably due to
defects in the electrical equipment OF
the stage. Upon the breaking out of
the fire panic ensued in the audience,
and the large casualty list resulted
from the crush at the doors. There
was but little heroism on the part OF
anybody. Even had there been cool
heads on the spot, it would have been
impossible to have stopped the mad
rush. A story is told Of young lady
who occupied a box with friend, an
other young lady. Instead Of trying to
get out first, the lady sought to follow
the crowd. Looking back she saw her
friend, paralyzed with fear and about
to faint. She went back to the friend
and boxed her jaws, after which the
friend was ready to follow. The first
young lady kept her presence OF mind
and the two finally managed to get
out, after their clothes had been torn
from their bodies. There is story OF
a man who after a long search found
the body Of his little daughter at the
morgue. He took the corpse In his
arms and attempted to board a street
car. The conductor said it was against
the rule Of the company to carry a
corpse in that manner. Drawing re-
volver and presenting it in the face
of the conductor, while he held the
corpse Of his child In the other arm
he said: II have just found this corpse
after a search Of two days. Her
mother Is at home waiting and / am
going to take the body home on this
car" Other passengers interceded
with the conductor in behalf OF the
distressed father, and the body was
carried without further question. New
Years Day and the days since have
been days Of mourning In the city.
Many festivities had been planned for
New Years Day, but they were all
called off. Mayor Harrison has been
the recipient of thousands Of kilograms
of sympathy from all parts Of the
country, and he has also received many
contributions Of money. The mana
gers of the Iroquois theatre. five or six
in number, have been arrested on the
charge Of manslaughter, and most of
the actors are being held as Witness
es. 1t is the purpose Of the legal au-
thorities to investigate the matter to
the bottom.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-01-05

seated. At that instant woman IN
the rear Of the place screamed Fire.
the entire audience Of men, women ana
children rose to their feet, filled with
uncomfortable terror. In another In
slant there was a confused roar, mace
by a thousand people as they rushed
madly from the impending danger.
ION the stage the chorus girls, who
had aroused my admiration because OF
their exhibition Of presence OF nina,
turned to flee, but many Of them were
overcome before they could take
step. Several Of them fell to the floor,
and / saw the men in the cast and the
stage hands carry them off the stage
Miss Elsie Elmore was the first to
leave our box. The upholstering on the
railing was then on fire, and we were
compelled to brush fragments OF the
burning curtain from our clothing IN
order to prevent it catching fire. Then
there came a great roar and a great
draft of air, and the flames shot out
over the parquet Of the theater until
1t seemed to me as though they must
reach the very front walls Of the build
ing: l., 49,, 90,
lience, but saw several of them pull
ing and pushing women and children
aside as they fought like maniacs to
reach the exits. saw number OF
little children trampled under foot and
none Of them rose again. In the bal
cony the scene was beyond my power
to describe. There was a big black
crush of human beings, each one ap-
parently fighting everybody else. The
balcony was so steep that many fell
before they had left the first four rows
of seats The exits to the fire es-
capes were choked and those in the
rear rushed with all the strength they
possessed on those who were nearer
the doorway.
1T was almost incredible, the speed
with which the flames ran through the
scenery, and, although I was but q
over the railing Of our box to the aisle
in front, the stage was a mass OF
flames. AS I started up the aisle a
man rushed into me and knocked me
down. I was so terror-stricken that /
grew weak and sank into one Of the
orchestra chairs, and after that hard
ly remember anything.
I'm some way I reached the main
entrance, where men were kicking
against the doors and shattering the
glass and panels in their attempt to af-
ford q larger space for the exit Of the
people, Many fell as they reached the
doors, where few steps more would
have carried them to fresh air and
safety. AS I look at 1t now, I must
have been walking on PROSTATE bodies
as I struggled through the opening. All
Of our party escaped in about the same
manner as I did, but all Of them suf-
fered so terribly in the matter Of cloth
ing that the first thing they did was to
rush to the stores to buy wraps to COW
er them"
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-01-05
WITHIN THE TOWN.

The emancipation celebration last
Friday passed off in decent and or
derly manner.
-Messrs. ]. R. Conner and R. ].
Blackmon of the York Cotton Mills,
slaughtered their contesting hogs last
week. Mr.. Blackmons netted 379
pounds and Mr.. Corners 326.
Despite the bitter cold weather
yesterday was a good day with the
stockmen. Both Of the livery stables
were crowded all day and both did
good business, trading and selling
horses, mules and buggies.
Mr.. w. o. Rawls, the plumber, has
secured a first-class timer in the per-
son Of Mr.. Chas. A. Long Of Gastonia,
and has also employed an experienced
plumber, Mr.. Charles Hare, from Nor
folk, Va. He says he intends to keep
up with his work, hereafter. "Tll not
deny that I have been little slow
heretofore" he says, "but that Is be-
cause I have had more work than I
could do. It has been said that there
is plenty Of work here to keep good
timer and a good plumber busy all
the while. We are going to try 1t, and
see. Hereafter am going to make con-
tracts with my customers and I am
going to live up to them. I'll expect
my customers to do the same. Any
way, I have good timer and good
plumber and we will not be long in
finding opt how badly they are need
ed I"
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-01-05
Our Record of Crime.

Columbia special of January 1. to
Spartanburg Herald: The attorney
general has completed the compila-
tion of the criminal statistics Of the
state comparing the number Of crimes
of each succeeding year with the one
previous from 1888 to and including
1903. The comparison Is not encour-
aging, and indeed in some respects 1t
is a showing that must give all law
abiding citizens cause for serious con-
Germ over the seemingly increasing
tendency to lawlessness. The crime
of murder shows an awful record there
being 222 cases of manslaughter re-
ported for 1903. This record was ex-
ceeded in 1897 when there were 225.
In 1900 there was the same number
Mr.. Gunter is preparing a comparative
table as to manslaughter in other
states, and the deplorable fact has de-
veloped that we lead. In North Caro-
lima last year there were 81 such cases
and they thought that fearful record.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-01-05

r. D. No. 3-S. E. Lowry carrier:
Delivered 332 letters, IS postal cards,
846 newspapers, 1873 circulars, AZ pack
ages. Total 1,419. Collected 5applica-
tions for money orders, 281 letters, rs
postal cards, Is packages Total 327.
Sold 1854 worth of stamps.
r. F. D. No. &C. H. Smith carrier:
Delivered 329 letters, So postal cards,
$50 newspapers, rs circulars, 80 pack
ages. Total 1.O42. Collected 1 regis
tered package 13 applications for mon
ey orders, 204 letters. 13 postal cards,
2 newspapers, packages. Total 240.
Sold 1929 worth Of stamps.
r. F. D. No. 5-Jno. s. Jones carrier:
Delivered 279 letters, 49 postal cards,
844 newspapers, 78 circulars, 10 pack
ages. Total 1850. Collected appli-
cations for money orders, 1877 letters,
IA postal cards, 2 packages. Total 216
Sold SAL worth of stamps.
r. F. D. No. 6-John w. Miller car
rier: Delivered 1,173 letters, 487 pos
tai cards. 2,11S newspapers, SAB circu-
lars, rs packages. Total 4,404. Collec-
ted registered packages, IL applica-
tions for money orders, 393 letters
Is postal cards. 10 newspapers, l cir.
cular, IL packages. Total 44s. Sold
1851 worth Of stamps.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-01-05
TAX COLLECTIONS.

Notwithst nding a pretty general be-
lief that the second years operation OF
the new graduated time extension law,
would prove unfavorable, the taxpay-
ers came up handsomely before Jan. !,
and the uncalled balance Is hardly
greater than it was last year.
The total book was $s5.594.s7. and
the total collections up to the night Of
December 81, amounted to $S3,6ss.02.
leaving balance to be collected, not
counting additionals, Of $12,ssS.95.
But Treasurer Nicely was rather blue
ut one time during the last days Of col
lections. He had note for $4,000 and
interest falling due on Jan. 1, and with
only about $4,000 to be divided among
state, county, school and road purposes
and with a large portion Of the coun-
| ty's part already paid out he feared
Saturday after Christmas proved a
dull day, as did also the. following
Monday and Tuesday; but on Wednes-
day the taxpayers began to flock to the
office, and checks and money orders
began to roll in from all sections.
Both Wednesday and Thursday were
| wonderfully busy days. Frequently
there were forty or fifty people in the
office at time, and both Treasurer
Nicely and his assistant, Mr.. Pegram,
were kept down to their work steadily.
The lists that came in the. mails ac-
cupied them until late both nights as
on Friday and Saturday following. W
i've got that 100000 note in my
pocket" said Mr.. Neely when asked
about the situation yesterday, and he
looked as II he felt in real good hu-
NOR over the situation. He was still
busy, however. ~
Nearly all Of the largest taxpayers,
such as the cotton mills, railroads,
banks and big mercantile establish
ments, have failed to take advantage
of a months extension at the price Of
one per cent, and the majority Of the
receipts outstanding represent small
amounts. There are few, however,
that call for 5000 or more.
| AS to whether the treasurer has on
hand money enough to pay all out
standing bills against the county, can
not be definitely stated at this time.
He has a pretty good surplus; but no
information as to the aggregate amount
of outstanding bills. He feels easy.
however, about the interest on town
ship bonds, and after all that is the
main thing from his standpoint, for
failure to pay this interest might
bring about some awkward complica-
tions.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-01-05

of 1901. The Russian planters. fear
ing a recurrence Of this pest, did not
plant cotton in the zones affected. The
system of borrowing money on the cot
ton crop has also caused the cultiva-
tion of this crop to decline. If cotton
has been 'bulled' on the market, when
the time comes for its delivery the pro-
ducer loses. On the other hand, there
Is such q competition between the
buyers that they do not derive as much
profit as they otherwise would. the
broker. once he has received his COM
mission, is not troubled about the con-
dition Of the cotton, since it is already
paid for, while the producer. seeing
that he will receive no great benefit,
mixes stones, dirt, tow, ETC., in the cot
ton. Another cause Of the decline OF
the culture Of cotton is the fact that
the soil has become exhausted through
continual cropping"
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-01-05
Russia and Japan.

: The situation as to Russia and Japan
remains about as it has been for ten
days past, and 1t is still impossible to
saw whether the final event is to be
peace or war.
AS has already been explained, Rus
sia has under consideration a reply TO
a note In which Japan made demands
for equal rights with Russia, IN Korea,
and the understanding is that further
developments will depend upon the an
swer that Russia may see proper to
make.
DISPATCHES from St. Petersburg
published this morning, say that Rus
sia's reply is almost ready for delivery
to japan; but there are no intimations
as to its nature further than that 1t Is
quite lengthy. There is a common be-
lief that it will not prove satisfactory
unless it comedies practically all that
Japan asks for.
There is no doubt about the fact
that both Russia and Japan have made
extensive preparations for war and
these preparations are still in prog
ress: but this does not necessarily
mean anything further than to empha-
size the seriousness Of the controversy
in which the two nations are engaged.
Summing up the situation as it has
been described in the papers. and from
all that is known, it still as safe to say
that the whole trouble will be post
poned IL not entirely averted, as that
there will be bloodshed within the next
week. Owing to the nature Of the
quarrel and the characteristics of the
participants, there is absolutely no way
Of predicting what may be the outcome
of the whole matter.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-01-05

SOME of the defenders Of the ad-
Panama policy are now
claiming that it was we'll understood
in Washington. that the only object the
Colombian government had in delay
ing the ratification of the canal treaty
was to swindle the French canal crowd
out of it's holdings. The idea was, so
the story goes, to delay ratif-
cation until after the expiration of the
French concession, and then the mon
ey that would otherwise have gone to
the French crowd would belong to the
Colombian government. If this Is true,
If seems to afford at least some justi-
fication for the presidents action.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-01-05
YORkVIILE r. F. DIS.

Following is a summary Of the mail
handled by the carriers on the respect
i've R. F. D. routes leading out OF
Yorkville during the month Of De-
cember.
r. F. D. No I'D. C. Clark carrier:
Delivered 626 letters, 14S postal
cards; 1860 newspapers; 23s circulars;
90 packages. Total Of 3,072 pieces
Collected II money order applications
479 letters, 81 postal cards, l newspa-
per, 16 packages. Total 564. Sold
s10.65 worth Of stamps.
r. F. D. No. 2-J. o. Allison carrier:
Delivered registered packages, 36l
letters, 1O4 postal cards, $50 newspa-
pers, 14S circulars, Al packages. To-
tai, 1,619. Collected registered pack
ages, applications for money orders,
209 letters, IS postal cards. Total 237.
Sold SAL worth Of stamps.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-01-05
SUSPICIOUS OF UNCLE SAM.
Russian Press Doubtful of Attitude Of
United States.

Diplomatic circles. according to a
st. Petersburg cable Of Sunday, con-
fidently expect that the Russian an
swer to the Japanese proposals will be
handed to the Japanese foreign office
by Baron de Rosen, Russian ambassa-
dor to Japan, within very few days
and do not expect grave results to fol-
low. In other quarters the conciliatory
attitude Of both governments inspires
belief that the answer will pave the
way to further negotiations, If, indeed,
1t does not directly lead to a pacific
settlement Of the trouble.
The characteristic note in the press
today Is the doubt about the attitude
Of the United States in the event CT
war between Russia and Japan.
The Birschewja Vedomosti elaborates
on American power in the Pacific in
the proximity Of the Philippines and
Formosa and says:
1T Is no secret to any one in Europe
that the position Of the United States
in the east Asiatic crisis remains
highly problematical."
Rus, new journal made up of for
mer employees of the Novoe Vreyma,
handles the theme in a similar man
ner.
The Novoe Vreyma expresses i'll will
towards the United States in a long
leader about the alleged instructions
given American consuls in Russia to
report on the prospects Of renewed
anti-Semitic disorders and in a curious
editorial opposes the sale Of the Man
churian railway whether to the United
States or to China, which, it declares,
is advocated In some quarters here.
All the newspapers here today copy
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-01-05

ly sent his constable, Mr.. Andy Quinn,
in search Of the negroes.
The men wanted turned out to be
George Lee Warren and Frank War
rem, the former as principal and the
latter as accessory. They were found
in the neighborhood of Riddles mill,
arrested and taken before Magistrate
McMackin, who, after ascertaining that
they desired no preliminary examina-
ton, committed them to Jail.
In discussing the matter with Con-
stable Quinn and Policeman Turner,
who arrested them the negroes owned
up to their part in the shooting; but
declined to make any explanations.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-01-05
SHOT FROM BEHIND.

1T came very near killing me and
1t came very near missing me-"
This was the philosophic explanation
that Capt. H. S. Ross, popular con-
ductor Of the C. & NV. made to
party Of interested friends when the
train stopped at Yorkville last Friday
night. His reference was to an ugly
mark that had been plowed by bull
let along the side of his head across
the right temple.
OF several negroes who got on the
train at Gastonia, one tried to avoid
paying his fare. He claimed that he
had paid it to Bowling Green. Capt
Ross was positive that the fellow was
lying, and having made his arrange
ments beforehand, when the train
stopped gave the negro to understand
that he could not get off the train un-
til he should hand up his fare.
There were several negroes In the
party, and they undertook to back up
the fellow who was trying to beat the
conductor. Finding that this would
not 90, one of them finally agreed to
put up the money to pay the amount,
as he claimed, "for a second time"
ignoring the implied insult, Capt.
Ross followed the negroes off the train
to signal the engineer to go ahead,
and as he waved his lantern, pistol
shot was fired behind him, the ball
grazing the side Of his head and plow-
ing it's way across his temple as in
dicated above.
A passenger on the train, whose
name has not been learned, had wit
messed the previous difficulty, and an
further trouble, was prepar-
ed for it. He fired two shots at the
negro, but without effect.
On his arrival at Glover, Capt. Ross
the matter to the authorities,
and Magistrate McMackin, Immediate
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-01-05

from the organ Of the war ministry
belated, and therefore all the more sig
order Of the day published by
Admiral Alexief, Russian viceroy In
the far east, after the fall maneouVres
and parade at Port Arthur, highly
praising the troops and declaring that
some who had just finished twelve
days march had arrived in magnificent
condition.
The Novikrai says that Chinese at
tack is unlikely and reprints Chinese
newspaper story that Russia has 2,Ooo
Cossacks and $500 Mongolian soldiers
at Urga.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-01-05

IT is possible that the United States
may be able to keep hands off in the
event Of war between Russia and ia
pan; but if European nations become
involved, the probability Is that this
country will have to take a part also.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-01-05

THE president on Monday sent
message to congress in which he tells
the full story Of. the Panama canal ne
gotiations with Colombia He severely
criticized the attitude Of Colombia and
defended the course Of the admins
tration in dealing with the situation.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-01-05

There are still on hand at THE
ENQUIRER office about ninety copies OF
the pamphlet that ought to be distrib-
ted among the veterans Of York
county rather than returned to the au-
thor. The price Of the pamphlet is S6
cents.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-01-05

SOMEHOW the world seems to be IN
a humor to let Russia and Japan fight
if they want to do so. There have oeen
no indications of any special pressure
TO preserve the peace.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-01-05

THE senate committee on military al
fairs has reported favorably on the
matter Of confirming the nomination
of Leonard Wood to be major general.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-01-05
Chr 3torkrille Gnq.irrr.
YORKVILLE, 8. c.:
TUESDAY, JANUARY 5. 1904.

THE general assembly convenes next
Tuesday.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-01-05
THE JENKINS PAMPHLET.

UP to this time copies Of Col John
P. Thomas's Micah Jenkins pamphlet
have been sold as follows: