davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Nome nugget., 1904-06-25
STORY OF THE k0Yukuk TRAGEDY,
The Fight Over "Lay' Claim Which Resulted in
 the Killing of Two We'll Known Miners.

Francis Ledger has reached the ma ture age of 52 years. He was born in Canada, but came to the States when a boy. His present home is at Seattle, where his mother and other relatives reside. He has been in this section three or four years, and has many friends, whom, 1t is needless to say re- gret this sad affair exceedingly
 After lying senseless several hours where he had fallen, Ledger recovered and crawled to his cabin. where he was found next morning by Mir. Frank and MT. Cleveland.
 "His wounds are not of serious na- ture. He was placed under arrest inn mediately on the arrival of Deputy Marshal Johnson, who came from Cold foot with Dr. Conley, also accompanied by Judge Howard, who held an inquest over the bodies.
 "Ledger had numerous guns: one, a rifle, was cached in the brush near the works. The prisoner was brought to Coldfoot, and the preliminary examin- ation held today. French was the only witness examined. His statements agreed with MessrOle's deposition in all essential points. It developed by his testimony that they were willing that Ledger should work if he wished. but not on the ground that they had ground-sluiced, which he was trying to do. None of the boys were armed. They did not think he would shoot. and they wanted him to settle with Rich mOnd. They used no violence until after he began shooting.
 "Ledger made statement in which he said: T kept away from these men and was making start to try a new place for myself. These men had told me before that l had no right on the claim. They were going to take the boxes away from me. told these men to leave my things and leave me alone, but they would pay no attention. fired at them so as to iniure them enough to leave me alone and 90 away: but they were strong and quick, and they took my tools and smashed me over the head several times. used my pistol Il, long us l could, but their blows knocked me SenScleSs.'
 "The miners of this district certain ly have cause to be proud of the man. ner in which the local officials Com missioner Howard and Deputy Marshal Johnson-have handled this case. In less than six days they travelled over 100 miles, part of the way over very heavy trails, cared for the wounded, buried the dead, collected evidence and looked after the many minor details, brought the prisoner to Coldfoot boat ing up stream), held the preliminary examination and started down the river in the morning. If the wheels of jus tice are clogged, it's not in the Koyo- kuk.
 ANEVIK.
The Nome nugget., 1904-06-25

what he was doing. Messrole said:
 He was putting rifles into string of sluice boxes that we had set up. We asked him what he was doing, and he said he was fixing up to shovel in. McCarty asked him if he knew we had a lay, and he had nothing to do with it at all. So he said he just the same as owned one-third interest, and was go- ing to work it.
 ''He walked back about twenty feet and pulled out his gun and said, now, you S of a b., am going to show you who is going to work this ground. Then he came up within ten feet of us and raised his gun and fired two shots; then another at McCarty and hit him in the stomach. Then he fired one at French and hit him in the arm Then l picked up shovel and threw it at him endwise and hit him and knocked him down in hole among some rocks. Then jumped down into the hole and was throwing stone at him and he shot me the same time I threw. Then l beat him over the head two or three times with the shovel and left him, supposing him to be dead. That was the last seen of him..
 "The boys were able to walk to their cabins, about 300 yards from the scene of the shooting. French being shot in the arm, was able to go over to Carl Franks roadhouse, about eight miles distant, for help. J. A. Cleveland, Oscar HOff and myself, on our way to Coldfoot, were just leaving the road house as French came in.
 "Cleveland and French immediately started for the scene of the shooting. HOtf stayed with the wounded man, and 1 started for Coldfoot, B miles up the river, for the doctor and officers. The doctor arrived about noon the next day, May P, and found French was shot through the upper portion of the right arm, the ball coming out at the back of the shoulder. His wound was not serious. When we arrived at the claim several hours later, McCarty had just died, and Messrole was in d dying condition, and only survived him about two hours. They were both shot in the abdomen, the bullets coming out at the back.
 "Daniel McCarty was 42 years of age, from Port Townsend, Wash, was plumber by trade. He came to Dawson in '98 and down here in 1901. l have not been able to learn anything about his family outside. Frank Messrole was young man of 27 and one of the most highly esteemed men in this dis trict. He made something of raise in Dawson in '97. went home that fall, returning in '98, and has been in this country since that time, and in this district since 1900. He was born at Amherst, Ohio, where his mother and other relatives still live. He intended so go out this fall.
The Nome nugget., 1904-06-25
SUIT FOR
 DAMAGES

A complaint was filed last Wednes- day by F. H. Thatcher against Daniel Connolly, Chas. F. Dugan. John Leach and Martin Costello.
 The plaintiff alleges that on July "A, 1899, he staked and afterwards recorded claim No. 10 above on Dry creek, and he owns and is entitled to the posses sion of an undivided one-half interest in the said claim, which is being un- lawfully withheld from him by the de- fendsnts, who have continued to with hold said property from him since the 9th of November, 1901.
 He prays that the court award to him the possession of the ground and entitle him to o50, 900, to which extent he says he has been damaged.
The Nome nugget., 1904-06-25

Additional particulars of the killing of Dan McCarty and Frank Messrole, and the wounding of William French, in the Koyukuk country, on May 26 last, by Frank Ledger, as told exclu- sively by this paper, have been re- ceived from THE NUGGETS cores pOndent at Coldfoot. The story of the causes that led up to the tragedy fol- lows:
 ''There is group of claims on the South Fork owned by the Gold Bench Mining Co.,, which have been worked quite successfully for the past three years. One-third interest is owned by Volney Richmond, manager of the N. c. Co. at Bettles, and Charles Gimm, also of the N. c. Co. They have the power of attorney to handle another one-third intertst owned by other par ties. The other one-third is owned by Tom BOhrer, who is now in the States, who gave Ledger power of attorney to handle his interest in the bench.
 ''Last April Richmond gave McCarty, MessrOle and French a lay on the ground, and told them to go ahead and work the ground, as he controlled two-thirds interest, which would give his laymen full authority, and it would only be necessary to pay Ledger his share of the per cent.
 Accordingly, the boys took over their summers outfit and started to work. But they soon found there were others to be considered. Ledger re- fused to sign the lease issued by Rich- mOnd. He had an outfit there for the summer and intended to work. When McCarty asked him for the key to the tool house, he refused to give them any tools, and as the ditch needed attention at once, the boys broke into the tool house and took the necessary tools. Ledger threatened to have them ar rested, and went to ColdfoOt for that purpose.
 "When he found that the boys had pcTIcCt TIBuI tO Il poTC, u HUI dIi ot Iuc tools, he made many threats as to what he would do with his gun. Several parties whom he talked with at Cold foot advised him not to talk gunplay. but generally the matter was treated lightly, and Ledger returned to the claim about May "A.
 "The shooting occurred on May 26, a little after noon, the details of which are very clearly told in Messrole's de- position, taken before corOner's jury, after the death of McCarty. and about an hour before Messrole died.
 "After speaking about the lease they had from Richmond, who represented two-thirds interest in the claim, and that Ledger told them that he was going to protect his interest with gun,' Messrole stated that as they came from the fraction on May 26th at noon, they met Ledger going down. After dinner they went down to see
The Nome nugget., 1904-06-25
Rumors Concering the
 Research.
MAY 60 TO DAWSON
No Commissioner Yet Appointed For Midas and is Not
 Likely to Be.

The difficulties of the little Nile river steamer Research do not lessen with the lapse of time, and apparently she is no nearer being set at liberty than upon the day she was first formally de- clared seized by the customs authori- ties. The history of the little boat, over which Capt. Peter Bayne exercises command, is too we'll known to bear repetition, it being only necessary to say that she is not permitted to ply in American waters, because her register is British.
 A few days since 1t was stated that tho Research was being Overhauled, preparatory to going into commission, and that her first destination would be the much talked-of M idas creek, whither she was going to carry United States commissioner, men and supplies. That she has been overhauled and moved to the opposite side of the river from her old berth, there is no doubt, and the fact that an effort was made to secure for her permit to proceed on a general prospecting trip, pending a final settlement of the registry difficult ty, is also we'll known, but two officials arc authority for the statement that there has been no commissioner ap- pointed fer Midas, and that the Re- search has not received the right to carry the American nag by change of register, nor permit to proceed any where.
 Deputy Collector Garfield said, while speaking of the matter: "I did think 1t might be possible to secure . permit for the Research to proceed to Dawson without freight or passengers, in order to facilitate the desired change of reg.
The Nome nugget., 1904-06-25
SUr1rONS.
In the United States District Court for the Dis
 trict of Alaska, Second Division. C. Freeman Rice plaintin

In the United States District Court for the Dis
 trct of Alaska Second Division. C. Freeman Rice, plaintin
 Annie Rice defendant.
 The President of the United States Of Ameri. ca, to Annie Rice the above-named defendant, Greeting: You are hereby required to appear in the United States district court for the Dis trict of Alaska, Second division. within thirty days from the date of the service of this sum mons upon you. and answer the complaint of the paintin herein or judgment in want thereof will be taken against you. You will take notice that in case you fail to answer said complaint said plainttf will apply to the court for the re lief demanded therein, which k, that the mar ragc contract heretofore existing between plaiutiif and defendant. above named be di~>OlV- Cd and that plaintin he given the custody of th" minor children of said plaintiu and defendant. This publication iS made pursuant To an or der of the above entitled court dated May II. l9ui. and directing publication in inc NOME NCGG EFT for six successive weeks.
 You must appear and answer the above sum mons within thirty days after the completion of the period of publication of this summons The date of the first publication iS May II 1901. and the date of the last publication will hr .Iuu' 2i lgOi.
 Witness the Hon. ALFRED <. MOuRE judge ot the United States district court for tn" dis trictof Alaska, and the seal of iid court her.. unto at1iXcd this lith day of May. 1901
 GEO. Y. BORcHSENlI,.
 tlrrll of the United Stltr~ District
 Court for the District ut Alaska.
 Second Division. By JonN II. DUNN, Deputy Clerk. 5li 1t-S tSCal of the above cUUrD
The Nome nugget., 1904-06-25
Death of Johnny MulIigan.

Dawson, June 15.-Johnny Mulligan, the we'll known vaudeville actor, is dead. He had been in Dawson long time.
The Nome nugget., 1904-06-25
Dawson in a Bad Way.

w. J. Carmichael, of Dawson, is in town, having arrived a few days ago. Mir. Carmichael says that the Klondike metropolis is extremely quiet: business conditions are bad, and there seems to be little hope of improvement.
The Nome nugget., 1904-06-25

If you want to have your claim sur veyed and plated go and see Otto Halla. He will charge you from BIO up, according to location of claim. You can see him at any time at Eul's, Front street.
The Nome nugget., 1904-06-25
Fresh mint juleps. Board of Trade
Notice.

The undersigned hereby gives mo- tice that he is the patentee of Lang $ odorless toilet, patent number 129, 437, allowed May l6, 1904, any and all per sons infringing upon this patent will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
 Nome, Alaska, June IA, 1904.
 F. s. LANG.
The Nome nugget., 1904-06-25

Fresh Killed Beef. Pacific Cold StOr- age Co.'S Markets. Finest In town Try 1t. YOu'll like it.
The Nome nugget., 1904-06-25

Fresh beef and mutton at Pacific Cold Storage c0mpany's markets. 228 and 3l4 Front St:
The Nome nugget., 1904-06-25

If you want to hire saddle horse SC c. l.. Morris, 439 Front street.
The Nome nugget., 1904-06-25

1SO tons of general hardwar' lust received at 0iese's.
The Nome nugget., 1904-06-25

Choice beef, mutton, pork, veal and poultry at Pacific Cold Storage com pany's markets.
The Nome nugget., 1904-06-25

You can get anything in the hard ware line at OieSe's store
The Nome nugget., 1904-06-25

Imperial cigar store; wholesale and retail cigars, tObaccOs, pipes, etc., etc.
The Nome nugget., 1904-06-25

For slass, paints. oais. wire rope, go to 01e0e'o.
The Nome nugget., 1904-06-25

Black pipe paint at Darling X Deans.
The Nome nugget., 1904-06-25

Pure manila rope, canvas hose, guns.
 cutlery; Darling & Deans.
The Nome nugget., 1904-06-25
GO to the North Pole

Bakery for the best bread and pastry The only coffee house in town.
The Nome nugget., 1904-06-25

ANEVIK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-09
WORK IS BEGUN ON
 TIE WATERWORKS
BesSemer People Delighted With
 the Proposed System
WILL COST ABOUT S10O,O0O
Main VIII Be Run From Reservoir at Hawkins Springs and Special Rates Will Be Made to
 New Industries.

Bessemer, August S.-(SpeciaL)-fhe Bessemer Water Works company mas commenced the preliminary work on the new water works system to be construct ed in Bessemer. Preparations are being made to begin work on the plant as soon as practicable. The total amount expended on the system will be about $l0o.O0O and according to the contract 1t must be completed within six months time.
 The water works contract as agreed upon by the Adlers and the mayor and aldermen, provides for a thirty-fve year contract with the privilege of the city purchasing the system at the end of eight years The city is to pay $25OO year and s15 each for fifteen additional fire plugs not now provided.
 The water will be pumped from Hawk ins' springs, which have a capacity of between 100000 and 100000 gallons of water per day. The reservoir is to be built at the springs and will be several hundred feet above Bessemer. The main which is to run from the springs to this city Is to be 14-inches in diameter.
 The public is delighted with the pro- posed new system and it Is predicted that the movement will bring number of ad- ditional industries to Bessemer. A pro- vision in the contract gives special rates to all industries.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-09
OFFICERS HAVE
 | LIVELY CHASE Capture White Man After Run
 of Two Miles
BUSY DAY IN POLICE COURT
Ensley's Mayor Does Rushing Busl- ness-Young Men Interested In Pro posed Military Company Have a
 Housing Meeting-other News.

Ensley, August s.-(SpeciaL)-This was a busy day in the police court. The amount of fines imposed by Mayor Scott netted the city over $500, in addition to A number of sentences to hard labor on the street imposed on breakers of the law
 O'Hara & Co.,, a saloon firm, was charged with alleged breaking of the Sunday law, there being two cases docket ed. In one the company were fined sl0O and in the other a fine of S25 was im- posed.
 J. T. Spring. was arrainged before the mayor on a charge of beating his wife and using abusive language He was fined $50 and sentenced to 100 days on the streets, on the abusive language charge. The other case was continued until to- morrow.
 Officer Ward and Constable Williams had a lively time in capturing Spring. They got on his track about o'clock yes terday afternoon. He ran in the direction of Village creek, the officers in hot pur- suit. The stream was very much swol- ] len on account of the ineessant rains. ] When Spring reached the creek he .Splunged into the swift waters and swan kpcross to the other side. When the of ncers reached the stream they hesitated before taking the cold plunge. As luck Would have 1t, they saw boat near the hank and rowed across to the other side.
 By this time Spring had gotten a good
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-09
COUNCIL PUTS OFF
 THE RETRENCHMENT
PRATT CITY ALDERMEN WILL MEET NEXT WEDNESDAY, NIGHT, TENNESSEE co. WILL BUILD MANY NEW HOUSES.

Pratt City, August S.-(Special.) )-The mayor and aldermen held an important session tonight. I he finance committee, which was instructed at the last meeting to recommend retrenchment policy for the city, submitted its report but no ac- ton was taken, the matter being deferred until next Monday night for which a special meeting has been called.
 The report of the committee recom- mended several changes in the police de- partment, but as to whether the force is to be cut down or whether a reduc- ton is to be made in salaries, will be left with the policemen themselves. The off cers will have the opportunity to express their opinions next Monday night. The stringent condition of the cltys fran chise necessitated the retrenchment movement.
 Resolutions were passed ordering arc lights to be placed along the railroad on Third, Fourth and Sixth streets.
 All the bills and accounts due by the city for the month of July were ordered paid.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-09
Quietly Married In Jasper.

Jasper, August Especial Miss Alice J. Mcqueen of Montgomery and MT Rob- ert N Long of this place were quietly ma arriod at the residence of MT. and Mrs R. '. Long last night at 9:9O o'clock, the Ray. ]. s. Robertson of the Methodist chun h officiating. The bride is a charm ing young lady. She came to Jasper sev- err months ago and was for some time private secretary to Mayor J. H. Gran ford MT. Long Is one of Jasper's very promising business men, being connected with the firm of Long Brothers. The happy couple will be with MT. and Mrs. K. Long for a while, after which they wili 50 to housekeeping.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-09
Interestlna School statlstIcs.

Tuscaloosa, August S.-(Special.)- )-In a Prof. James H. Foster, superintendent of the city schools, gave the following inter esting statistics: Estimated population of district 1O,9is; school population q to 2D. 2739; white, 1854; colored 1883; en- rollment, white, All; colored, 2S4 Total, 755. Number of teachers, white. II; color ed. 5. Total, 16 Number of students en- rolled session 1s93-4, 34S; 1s03-4. 755 Per cent of increase in five years, 5S, since 1S93-4 i17 per cent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-09
Personal and General.

Mr. Sam Erlclx is visiting friends in Montgomery this week
 Mr. Marcus Meyer and his mother, Mrs Meyer, left this morning for Shelby Springs to spend two weeks
 Miss Kate Nelson who has been the guest of MT. and Mrs. Davis at Forest has returned to her home in Mobile.
 The Hon. A. O. Lane and Superintend- ent j. H. Phillips of the Birmingham schools were in Bessemer this afternoon and in company with Superintendent J. M. Dill inspected the new Clarendon school building with a view of forming some plan for the new school building that is to be erected in Birmingham soon.
 MT George H. Stevenson is spending the week in Atlanta.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-09
Boy Arrested for steallnn.

Tuscaloosa. August s.-(Special) -Mlckie Washington, 15-year-old negro boy, was arrested this morning by Officer Christi ian. He is charged with robbing Van Hoose Bros. of s25 last night. He con- cealed himself under the tables In the restaurant until it was closed, when he emptied the cash drawer. He was ar rested at the Tuscaloosa club and after careful search the money was found hidden in the coal house in the rear of the club.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-09
Have InterestInq Meetlnu.

The boosters of the new military company for Ensley held an informal meeting tonight in the office of James Perkins. Considerable enthusiasm was manifested and between fifty and seventy five names were given of young men who wish to join the company. The name agreed upon for the proposed company is the Cunningham Guards" in honor of Governor R. M. Cunningham, whose home is at Ensley. Next Wednesday a meeting will be held at which a permanent organ ization will be affected and officers elected.
 The formal application of the Cunning ham Guards will be filed with the adju- tant general The promoters of the plan nave been assured that the application would be acted upon favorably.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-09
WHITE MAN KILLS NEGRO.
Have Quarrel About the Trespassng
 of a Hog, Which Results Fatally.

Athens, August S.-(Special.) )-Another killing added to the long list that has al- ready been made in this county took place yesterday afternoon on the farm of MT. Roy Osborne in the southwest part of the county.
 Charles Beddingleld, a negro farmer, was shot and killed by Steven Tribble, white farmer, living in the same neigh borhood. The negro had a roguish hog that tresspassed on Tribble's crop ana the row started in the morning about this and resulted in the death of the negro in the afternoon, as he was dip- ping up bucket of water at his spring.
 As he rose with the bucket of water, so his wife says, Tribbe fired on him from behind a tree, the load of shot en- tering his right side, producing instant death. Tribble came to town and sur rendered to the sheriff and is now in jail. He is a nephew of N. J. Tribble, who Is also In Jail charged with killing a negro In this place last fall The neg roes claim the killing was unexpected.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-09
To Build Houses.

Quiet and peace continue to reign in Pratt City. Very few comments are heard, so far, on the last move of the Tennes- see company, which is making prepara- tions to erect between forty and fifty new houses at No. 4 mine. Bids for the erec- tion of the houses have been called for and number of contractors from Pratt City and Ensley have filed bids As to who received the contract has not yet been given out.
 During the strike several years ago a number of small houses were built near some of the mines. Although the rumor is that the company has let the contract no preparations have yet been made to- wards beginning work No lumber or other material has been placed on the ground. As No. is nearer to Wylam than any other town in the district most of the men employed in No. live at that place.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-09
Personal and General.

The Young Women's Literary club will meet Wednesday afternoon with Miss Rosa Strickland for the purpose of elect ing permanent officers.
 Mrs. Sam Foley le.. yesterday for her former home in Lamar county to spend several days with relatives.
 MT. Alsop of South Wales is In the city visiting his aunt. He Is a nephew of the late Samuel Alsop, who died at Wylam few months ago. This Is Mir. Alsop's first trip to this country and he expresses himself as being highly pleased with It. He Is musician. being a choir leader in Wales, and has rung before several of the crowned heads.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-09

lead. They followed hotly on his track, however, and succeeded in capturing him at Frenchtown, after chasing him over two miles.
 In addition to the above cases eight of lenders faced the mayor charged with gaming, and were fined $7.5O each and given fifteen days on the street. Three others charged with being drunk and dis orderly were fined $7oO each and given fifteen days on the streets.