davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1904-07-16

the good and the bad of your past life
are flying swifter than the winds
through your SETTLING brain. Aye.
they are flying as swiftly as the piano.
rama of bygone years in second Of
time moves before the vision of a
drowning man. Your past sicknesses
have changed your feelings toward
God. The pain at your heart is warn
ing you that God shall bring every
work unto Judgment, with every Sc
crct thing, whether it be good or
whether it be evil" This day-aye,
this very minute-On account of that
past sick bed. thou art not far from
the kingdom of God"
Signs of the Time.
Almost saved! Yes. you are. know
II. Why? The many signs of the
CONCLUDED on SIXTH PAGE
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-29

of $3.50, ZOO, 900 but $4,000, 900 had been
used for construction, of which $21,-
100000 had been paid direct to work.
men and SIS, SOC, 900 to contractors BY
1892 public clamor became so insiStent
that a rigid investigation was set on
foot by the authorities, and as a result
directors of the company and members
of the chamber of deputies and of the
senate were brought to trial on charges
of fraud. bribery and corruption. OF
those convicted Ferdinand de Lesseps,
who was then a paralytic unable to ap-
pear in court, was sentenced to I'VE
years Imprisonment; his son Charles
received a like sentence. and Gustave
Eiffel, the contractor, was also given
similar punishment. No attempt was
made to enforce the sentence against
the elder De Lesseps, who died in the
course of the following yeac, a broken
hearted man.
Such is the recuperative nature OF
the French people that the very year
De Lesseps died a new company was
formed to complete the canal. 1t was
definitely determined to abandon the
tidewater scheme and to construct in
stead a canal 29% feet deep. with
summit level of 81 feet a second level
of IS feet and a third of 33 feet above
the sea. 1t was proposed to control
the Chagres river by dam at Bohio
the Chagres for the purpose of sup
plying water to the summit level. An
international technical commission of
engineers examined the new company's
plans and made a favorable report, the
estimated cost of completing the canal
being $1O2, 400, 900.
With renewed courage the promoters
set to work and with the limited cap
ital at their disposal made fair progress
for time. Little by little, however,
they began to lose heart, and when the
United States government made its Of
fer to purchase their properties on the
isthmus and undertake the completion
of the canal they were only too glad to
sell, although they held out for some
time against accepting the proffered
price of $40,00O000. The subsequent
history of the project and of the revolu-
ton which established it is too recent
to require recital.
H. ADDINGTON BRUCE.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-29

/ talked of purchasing Greenland and all
the adjacent regions. 1t was thought
best to secure possession of every foot
of disputed land against the possibility
of American requirement of the re-
mainder. When she can get no far
Their north the Neptune will return to
the bay and spend the remainder of the
open season in fixing the latest date
at which it can be entered by vessels
and also in ascertaining the probable
value of the fisheries.
All the wealth of Hudson's bay, both
land and marine, has hitherto been ap-
propriated by the Hudson Bay com
pany. That huge concern has always
controlled the fur product and carried
on the traffic with the natives 1t had
a comparative monopoly for years.
Latterly. however, rival interests have
arisen and captured part of the trade
All the whalers deal in peltries, ivory.
hides, feathers and the like. The New
foundland fishermen tempt the natives
to barter with them in Labrador and
UngaVa. French company to deal in
furs has been formed and has two
ships and other similar ventures are
being exploited in Canada and New
England. Hitherto the Dominion gov
eminent has obtained no revenue from
all this business. and the Canadian
regulations in reference to the slaugh-
tering of wild animals has been per-
sistently disregarded- The government
is now considering the advisability of
establishing a line of ocean steamships
between England and Hudson's bay.
This is apparent indication that
great things are expected from the de-
velopment of the country. Although
whaling as a profitable industry has
been done to its death, it is believed
that the minor fisheries will prove ex-
tremely profitable. The chief draw
back to the salmon, halibut and herring
industry will be found in the short
open season and the complete inacces-
sibility of the inner waters of the bay
at all other times of the year.
CLAIMING A. BARLOW.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-29
'anama lnterocean Ship Canal;
Project Which Uncle Sam Will Complete

guide them, a bold onslaught was made
Progress. however, was exaspe ratingly
slow, yellow fever combining with the
obstacles of nature to battle the pro-
moters' fondest hopes. Money ran like
water without any appreciable results
being obtained. Ugly rumors of wan
ton extravaganza and even OF corrup-
ton fitted from end to end of France
where the uneasy shareholders We're
anxiously specializing as to the ulti-
mate outcome. For a time disaster
was averted through bold tactics
Loans were negotiated by skillful bull
ing of the company's shares, and large
sans were paid as hush money and to
secure the support of the French press
In 1886 a crisis came when the com
pany applied to the chamber of depu-
ties for permission to raise a lottery
loan. 1t was represented that $94, 200,-
900 had been expended on construction
whereas but $34, 100000 had been ac-
tually so used. The company's applica-
ton was refused. however, and then
De Lesseps undertook to negotiate an
ordinary loan for 100000, 900.
Meanwhile the French government
had sent out an engineer to examine
the route, and CONSERVATION was wide
spread when he reported that it was
impracticable. But the promoters
chung to their enterprise. Bribery of
legislators was alleged to have been re-
sorted to on a wholesale scale in the
hope of securing the enactment of ia
vorable legislation. In 1883 there was
a second application for a lottery loan,
and a plan for a lock canal was pre-
scented. This loan was authorized by
the chambers, and in order to float it
prospectuses containing deliberate mis-
statements were issued broadcast. An
idea of the way in which money was
dissipated may be gathered from the
fact that a banker received $500, 900
merely for suggesting the second lot
terry loan, 100000 went toward OBJ
tanning publicity, nearly 100000 was
placed to the account of Syndicate ex-
penses, while about 100000 was di-
vided between journalists and politi
cians-and all this in connection with
the lottery loan.
When the crash came and the gov
eminent appointed an official Equidator
it was found that out of an expenditure
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-29

TIL MIL recently there has never
been any obstacle in the way
of the once enormous United
States whaling industry in
Hudson's bay. Now that the
whales have practically disappeared
from the region it is matter of con-
siderable conjecture why the Canadian
government has seen fit at this eleventh
hour to declare the waters of Hudson's
hay "A CLOSED sea" The entrance to
the bay is wider than that of Bering
sea. and no power has ever shown the
slightest disposition to close that gate
way Hudson's bay. however. is sur
rounded all sides by British terri
tory. while Bering sea is bordered by
at least two countries
II is the unofficial opinion of many
persons. although there is not par
ticle of confirmation of the theory to be
obtained from Washington. that Cana
da. disturbed over the Alaskan bound
ary settlement. is fearful lest the
y american whalers. who for seventy
.,ears have been operating in Hudson's
bay should influence Washington to
claim teri itorial privileges there. Ger
tain il is that Canada suddenly made
up her mind TO annex all the vast
northern region and TO establish a civil
administration and station a cruiser in
she waters to prevent foreign whalers
-zom trespassing-
Having no ship suitable for the pur-
pose. the Canadian government char
tered the sealing steamer Neptune of st.
-ahn's. Newfoundland, and on Aug %
.zst year sent her north on an extended
voyage The Neptune was in charge of
Captain :. w. Bartlett. the Newfound-
nd ice master who commanded
s7eary's ships. and her crew vas COM
,rosed of fifteen other Newfoundland
ers. all skilled in ice work The eXpe-
dictionary party consisted of two divi-
sions-the scientific. under A p. Low
of the geological survey, and the mil
itary under Major Noodle. The latter
Eas also commissioned as governor OF
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-29

E,,,17ss-A HE elaborate prepara
! !: !: !: !: :: =. +.
t-T -z=S1s~s@ tions now going for
HRNA ward for the compile
ton by the United
kb States government of
IL the Panama canal re-
t7rylr-7TT-7=-r7n3 calls the fact that the
~a~----~- project of cutting
waterway through the isthmus from
ocean to ocean is much older than most
people suppose 1t dates. indeed. from
1928. when the idea was mooted of
constructing a canal between the Cha
sres river. flowing into the Caribbean
sea. and the Grande river. emptying
into the Pacific near Panama Under
orders from King Philip IL of Spain,
two Flemish engineers examined the
route, but the king. for political rea-
sons. made up his mind that it would
be wiser not to press the scheme. and
in the despotic spirit peculiar to his
dynasty let it be known that any one
presumptuous enough to revive the
project would come to an untimely end.
His successors were clearly of the same
mind. for little more was heard of a
transisthmian canal until 1926. when
Domingo Lopez, a native Calabrian,
made a bid for fame by mapping
route for a canal between Panama and
Pcrtobello.
The following year saw the first
formal expedition looking TO the con-
struction of the canal. General Bolivar
sending out party of engineers. In
1929 these made a report in which they
stated that even if Il canal was not
feasible. a railway could easily be built
between Cha gres and Panama. The
seed thus sown fell into fertile ground
but in the far distant country of
France In 1913 the French govern
ment dispatched two noted engineers
Garella and Courtines-to examine the
isthmus thoroughly. The engineers
duly filed long and interesting report,
but although they found the canal idea
worthy of promotion, no further steps
were taken at the time. Nine years
later the government of New Granada
gave a concession for the construction
OF canal between Caledonia bay and
the gulf of San Miguel. but nothing
came of this
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-29
ADA'S RECENT ANNEXATION OF FAR NORTHERN LAND

, Hudson's bay and empowered to estab-
lish himself there with a deta chment of
five men, build a fort and assume Off
cial control of the territory. Including
cooks. stewards and other subordi-
mates. the Neptune carried forty-three
persons and years supplies for them.
The ship sailed first to Cumberland
gulf. on the east coast of Baffin Land.
the country which lies on the northeast
Of Hudsons bay. This is a subarctic
region and is very spaTsely populated.
The country is one of the last resorts
of the almost extinct species of right
whales, and the hunt for them is now
carried on by only one American and
two Scotch concerns, which have fish
ing stations on shore There is only
one white man in charge of each, and
the work is all done by Eskimos. They
are very expert in the use of whaling
boats and weapons and can be hired
for weekly ration of four pounds of
bareback. two quarts of molasses and
four plugs of tobacco. AS will be seen.
the business is very economically con-
Quoted. The Eskimos hunt the whales
with harpoons and lances of modern
construction and use first class whale
boats. The bone is cleaned, and the oil
is tried out on shore. These products
are sheltered in large warehouses until
the annual visit of the supply vessel.
About $50 natives are attached to
each station. men, women and children,
and when whales are scarce they hunt
walruses or go into the interior after
deer In the winter season they go out
on the ice foes in search of seals,
which they use for food and whose
skins are converted into summer cloth
ing or covers for their boats and tepees.
In winter they are clothed in deerskin
and live in snow houses. At one of
these stations two white men who had
deserted from whale ship and settled
among the natives were found. They
had married into the tribe and adopted
the Eskimo manner of living.
OF course the Neptune's business in
these far northern waters was to plant !
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-29
MAP OF BR1T1sH-AMERIcAN POSSESSIONS.

they were put up and occupied. A ma
tive tribe settled near by, and in
short time the place became something
of a settlement. Fullerton may now be
termed the capital of the region. A Sc
ries of exploring trips into the interior
had been projected, but owing to a
disagreement among the scientists
nothing was done beyond taking tidal
and meteorological observations daily.
The ships were frozen in for nine
months. On July Is last the Neptune
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-29

was able to free herself from the ice
pack, and she made for the outlet,
where a steamer with coal and sup
plies for another year was to meet her.
Having met the relief steamer Erik
and secured abundant supplies, the
Neptune began to proceed into the
northern ATTITUDES as far as possible,
hosting the flag at intervals and once
more annexing all the territory for
Canada. This was done because both
the United States and Canada have
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-29

nor exhibited no more surprise at the
demand than if he had been paying
duty all his life.
Having completed what might be
termed her aggressive work, the Nep
tune was free to seek a haven for the
winter months. Fullerton harbor, on
the northeast side of the bay, was Sc
lected, and the Era concluded to winter
there also The Neptune landed the
lumber anG materials for the barra cks
for Major Noodle and his men, and
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-29

the British flag in these stations and to
assert Canadian authority over them
by collecting duties. This she did
without any sign of friction. Then she
searched for American whalers, which
still occasionally frequent the waters of
Hudson's bay in the summer season.
She discovered only one-the Era of
New Bedford. Conn, Captain Conner
in charge. Duty was demanded of the
whaler on her equipment, and it was
paid without a murmur. Captain Con-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-29
The OuayS at
Port Arthur

besieging fleet has impaired their inn
mediate usefulness, but in time they
will be repaired and once again become
the starting point of the vessels that
trade along the Asian littoraI. The new
part of the town of Port Arthur was by
no means insignificant. The streets
were laid out regardless of limitation,
and the main thoroughfare was as wide
as two ordinary streets and contained
many pretentious business structures.
These buildings are reduced to a
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-29

shapeIess mass of stone and mortar.
After the Russian occupation of the
fortress great numbers of Chinese
flocked in. They were for the most part
coolies who expected to obtain work on
the excavations which the new tenants
were about to make for the foundations
of the great dry dock and the enlarge
ment of the basin. These humble
workmen were not permitted to find
dwelling place in the town proper, but
were compelled to establish a camp on
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-29

hostiIities with Japan. At that time
and until the sinking of the Japanese
huIks it was possible for battleshiPs of
the first order to pass the entrance. At
best, however, il was slow and haz-
ardous performance, and the subse-
quent passages of the Russian fleet ex-
cited both wonder and admiration.
The quays, which for the most part
are of Russian construction, are mod
ern in design and equipment. The
heavy and we'll directed fire from the
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-29

coast by spit of land which extends
almost across it's northern end. In it's
original state the harbor was accessible
only to vessels of the smallest tonnage.
At the close of the Chino Japanese war
the islanders began systematic en-
largement of the basin, and they had
made considerable progress when the
Russians became Port Arthur's tenants.
The latter continued the dredging with
notable activity, the work progressing
day and night until the beginning of
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-29

the outskirts and without the walled
area. In the course of time the Chi
nese quarters assumed an appearance
of considerable prosperity from an ORR
entail standpoint, Chinese tradesmen of
every description having followed their
industrious countrymen with stocks of
the merchandise so essential to CeIes-
tial comfort. This settlement was
swept away during the early days of
the bombardment, and its terrified in
habtants either fled or took to duqouts,
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-29

bardment of the fortress by the Japa-
nese fleet, which was begun by Admiral
Togo on Feb. 8, the logged defense by
Stoessel and the persistence of the at
lacking Nogi have gone far toward es
tabIishing Port Arthur's fame as
unique stronghold.
The harbor of this much coveted and
saVagely contested fortified town is,
naturally, an oval inlet about two miles
in length. 1t is we'll protected from the
heavy seas which prevail along the
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-29

I'm view of the tremendous interests
which have all along depended
upon either it's final overthrow or
the demonstration of it's innpreg
inability Port Arthur has for months
been the most interesting spot in the
world. The siege will go down in his
tory as one of the most notable military
operations recorded either in ancient or
modern times.
The fierce and almost incessant bonn
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-29

alike contributed to further the enter
prise. Thus was launched what devel-
oped into a scandal that shook France
from boundary to boundary.
The promoters lost no time building
operations being begun in 1881. An
immense amount of plant was shipped
to the isthmus, 5000 laborers were
engaged, and, despite the fact that the
engineers had very incomplete data to
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-29

Then the United States. long alive
to the Importance of finding a means
for facilitating interoceanic communi-
cation, took a hand. In 1864 a Mr..
Kelley of New York surveyed a route
from the gulf of San Bias to the Chepo
river, which would require. as had
been the case in the findings of Ga
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-29

a cost of $24O,O 900 and would yield
when completed an annual income of
SIS, 1000, 900, paying a dividend of per
cent to the shareholders. The next
year NJ. de Lesseps paid a visit to the
isthmus and on his return announced
that the cost would be but $16S,000, 900,
and that the canal could be finished
by 1887. At once there was a general
rush to "get in on the ground floor" the
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-29

States navy, who in 1S7O-71 conducted
extensive surveys of the isthmus with
out finding on the cordillera lower
level than 1000 feet. Three years aft
erward the United States government
sent out two other expeditions Soon
after there appeared on the scene
French Observation-Disclosures Lucien
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-29
Start of the Project

cession from the Colombian govern
ment. The following year Paris was
the scene of the Panama canal con-
gress,'' which approved De Lesseps'
scheme for building a sea level canal
from Colon to Panama. 1t was repre-
scented to the congress that the work
could be completed in twelve years at
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-29

shares of the pompously named Com
pagnie Universelle du Canal Inter
oceanique de Panama being taken with
avidity by all classes of Frenchmen,
who believed that they beheld in the
companys glittering promises a high
road to wealth. Hardheaded business
men, clerics and toiling peaSantry
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-29

Napoleon Bonaparte Wyse-who made
a survey for a company that had been
organized in Paris by Ferdinand de
Lesseps, who had achieved worldwide
renown through promoting and carry
ing to a successful conclusion the Suez
canal.
Wyse's report being favorable, De
Lesseps went to work with energy and
in 1878 secured through Wyse a con-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-29

rella and Courtines, a long tunnel. Once
more Frances interest was aroused,
and in the following year NJ. de Puydt,
an engineer in the employ of the
French International Colombian com
pany, announced that he had hit upon
a favorable route from Escondido to
the gulf of San Miguel via the Tuira.
This line was later declared imprac-
ticable by Captain Selfridge, United
The daily Alaskan., 1904-04-28
RAISES ND
Tornado Doing Things in
 Inditn Territory

Special Dispatch to Daily Alaskan.
 Vinca, I. T., April 2S.-A house near Needmore has been wrecked by tor nado and a l2-year-old boy killed. His father was seriously hurt at Clear water. Five persons were dangerously injured and 20 homes and business houses wrecked.
The daily Alaskan., 1904-04-28
This Offer Is Good Until Friday
 April 29th

have been instructed to offer the following property for sale until Friday for S2, ,OOO, cash, with a good and suffici- ept warranty deed, 62xl0O feet on Broad way adjoining the Mascot saloon and 25xlOO feet adjoining the A. s. $. Co.'S office, Broadway. They are the last pieces of Broadway property for sale, a.d this offer will positively be with drawn after above date.
 4-26.3t Phil Abrahams
The daily Alaskan., 1904-04-28
CATTLE DIE
DrOuth Killing Herds of
 Western Texas

Special Dispatch to Daily Alaskan
 New York, April 28.-A dispatch from Austin, Texas, says the cattle are dying by hundreds on the ranches of Western Texas for the want of water and grass. The drouth is the severest ever experienced in that section.
The daily Alaskan., 1904-04-28
Alaska Cedar For St. Louis

The Wrangell sawmill has cut and forwarded to St. Louis 800 feet of Alas ka's famous yellow cedar for the con- struction of the stairs in the Alaska exposition building .-Wrangell Senti' mel.
The daily Alaskan., 1904-04-28
TRY AGAIN
Another Attempt Made On
 Spanish Premier's Life

Special Dispatch to Daily Alaskan.l
 Madrid, April 2s-Another attempt was made today to assinate Senor Maura, prime minister of Spain, at this place. The attempt resulted in failure.
The daily Alaskan., 1904-04-28
NAME HIM
Indiana Republicans Nomi- nate Hanley for Governor

Especial Dispatch to Daily Alaskan,l
 Indianapolis, April 2S.-J. Frank Hanley, of Lafayette, was nominated for governor today by the republican state convention, which is now in ses- sion.
The daily Alaskan., 1904-04-28
AT OMAHA
Cyclone Sweeps Over Me-
 braska Metropolis

Special Dispatch to Daily Alaskan. ]
 Omaha, Neb. April 2S-A score of people were killed yesterday by a terrific cyclone which swept over this place. Much damage was done to property.
The daily Alaskan., 1904-04-28
FOR NEGROES
Pope Urges Catholics to Be
 frienl Black Men

Special Dispatch to Daily Alaskan.
 Rome, April 2S.-The pope has sent an autograph letter to a Kansas negro editor in which he states that he will urge all Catholics to aid and beirlend the negroes.