davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1904-03-10
FOES or JAPAN
THROW BOMBS
Minister who Acted for Korea Is
the Victim.

From Chefoo Il was announced Thus
day that ten transports, conveyed by
three cruisers, had been sighted.
bound for Llao-Tung Gulf. The vicinity
of Saddle Bay. It is said, is the des-
tination of the squadron. This bay is
about forty-hve miles from Yin-Kow,
the port of Niuchwang.
That the Russian strategists are pre-
pared for such a move on the part Of
the Japanese ia indicated by the an
nounced intention to abandon Yin-Kow
and Niuchwang, and concentrate on
the railroad at Liao-Yang and Hal
Cheu. These points are about forty
and seventy-five miles, respectively,
south of Mukden. The Thaltan Ho is
a small river, which crosses the rail.
road at Liao-Yang.
The japanese have issued a procla-
nation at Seoul virtually declaring
martial law throughout Korea. Rus
SLAMS, IL is reported. are erecting forti-
fications and will dispute the passage
Of the Yalu River by the Japanese
forces when they arrive 1t is thought
that Japan can win on land IL the bat
ties take place on rough country where
Cossacks can do little.
Apparently the Russian feet is do
ing nothing, leaving the Japanese mas
ters of the sea. This will render the
comparatively easy when that move
ment actually begins.
Russian warships at Suez and Port
Said are behaving in an unusual man
ner, and it is reported that they may
remain in that vicinity for some time,
in the hope of capturing ships with
contraband goods. Some of the ships
have been forbidden at Port Said to
take any more coal.
Bombs Thrown at Seoul.
Toxic: An intrigue on the part Of
the opponents at Seoul of the Jap
anese-Korean protocol eliminated in
the throwing of bombs at the resi-
dences of the Foreign Minister and his
secretary early Thursday morning.
They escaped injury.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1904-03-10
PRAIRIE FIRES IN
THE SOUTHWEST
Three Thousand Miles of Country
Devasted.

Lawton, Ok: At least i've lives lost,
5000 square miles of territory devast-
ed, thousands of dollars worth of
property destroyed, hundreds of per.
sons homeless and many cattle and
horses cremated-this is the result
of the great prairie FIRE, accompanied
by a wind and sand storm, which
ragged over the counties of KioRa and
Choctaw Thursday.
Approximate figures as to the prop
erty loss in dollars cannot be given,
because there is no telegraph or tele-
phone connection with the towns and
villages which are affected
Towns with which there is com.
municaion, that lie within a radius
of fifty miles to the north and north.
west, report large losses Of property
by both fire and wind.
At Hobart, the county seat of XII.
owa County, the raging confiagration
of the prairie destroyed the stables
and fifteen race horses, fifteen resi-
dences, two business houses and var.
ious small buildings.
Spreading to the southwest, $4,000
acres of Government military and
timber reserve and Indian school re
serve lands were ravaged, destroying
several Indian houses and forty head
of Government cattle.
Spreading westward the flames
reached for miles of the homestead
district, destroying houses and barns
and stock.
It was in this district that FIVE per
sons are reported to have persisted
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1904-03-10
Condition Of Missouri orchnrda.

st. Louis w. r. Wilkinson, vice
president Of the American Apple
Growers Congress. has returned from
q trip OF Investigation OF the condi-
ton OF the Missouri orchards, and re-
ports peach buds in good condition in
Southeast Missouri.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1904-03-10
Jury Aeauits Mrs. Farris.

Newkirk. Ok; A jury here Wednes.
day acquitted Mrs. Newt Farris. who
was charged with the murder Of heI
husband at Kaw City, August 6, 1908.
The jury took but one ballot. Mrs.
Farris shot her husband while he was
Crimean war.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1904-03-10
30 Establish - Pottsrr.

Flatonia, Tex: Col. Grimshaw Of
Houston Friday signed the contract
which bonds him to establish at this
place pottery employing $50 men the
first Of the year and $50 thereafter to
work the Fayette County kaolln beds,
on which he has a longtime lease. The
machinery b now az Houston.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1904-03-10
lEiners 80 operatora plsaerae.

indianapolis. Ind. The joint sub
committee OF miners and operators
met Thursday and adjourned without
reaching an agreement 1t is reported
that the operators viii make coRces-
sions to the point Of signing a scale
based on a 8 or cent Reduction.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1904-03-10
seeorro Feela Earrthquake Shoe.

Santa Fe, ~ NJ; The thirty-eighth
earthquake shock since New Year was
experienced at Socorro Thursday night.
and at the same time the ecequia Madre
broke its banks and flooded the lower
part Of the city. Quite a number OF
houses are showing cracks from the
earthquake shocks
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1904-03-10

Des Moines. Ia. Iowa district, No.
ls, United mineworkers of America. in
annual conference. are disposed 10
accept the proposed reductions Of So
per cent in the scale, and will adopt
a resolution accordingly
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1904-03-10
JudRe Freneh alvea BOND.

Cynthiana. KY: Judge B. F. French
of Winchester Ky, came to Cynthiana
Tuesday and gave bond in the sum Of
$1,000. with former Senator Alex.
Hargis of Winchester as surety.
French was indicted last week for
subornatlon of perjury.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1904-03-10
Earthquake in Peru.

Lima, Peru: A tremendous earth
quake which did much damage Oc-
Cured here at $50 Friday morning,
Nothing comparable with It has been
experienced during the last thirty
years,
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1904-03-10

San Juan, P, r.: The House has
unanimously passed bill recommend
cd in a message from Gov. Hunt, the
purpose OF which is to prevent the
dissertation of the United States flag
and the use Of the black flag at Porto
Rico.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1904-03-10
New Engiish Envoy . Russia.

London; The king has approved the
appointment Of Hon. Charles Hardinse,
assistant under secretary Of state for
foreign ahaiIs, 70 succeed Sir Charles
Scott as British Ambassador 10 Rus,
sia, Sir Charles wlll retire d April.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1904-03-10
rdma'a Loss Is Enormous.

Lima, Peru: II is estimated that the
damage to crockery and household
goods generally IN Lima, due to the
earthquake last week amounted 70
100000 The damage 70 buildings Is
vast and has not been calolated
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1904-03-10
prug store Burglarizsd.

Kinmundy, H.; The drug store OF
f. ]. Nlrider was burglarized Saturday
night and over $500 in money and
merchandise was taken.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1904-03-10
seIlda Tala of Plnaa -.

washington: Tho President Thurs
day gent tot the Senate the new treaty
concerning the Isle Of Pines, and II
was referred to. the committee az for
eign relations.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1904-03-10
-Four yapaneso Spies Arrested.

Kronstadt: Four Japanese spies are
said to have been arrested here, Ad-
miral Biriief has Inspected the ships
which are here, preparing 10 put them
n commission.
Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1904-03-10
Horaea praw naikal cars.

st, Petersburg: The cars on the Ice
railroad over Lake Bailal are now
drawn By horses, q locomotive which
performed that service hayig broken
through the Ice.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1904-03-17

knees. had one shoe, short ragged
pea-jacket and an old white wool hat.
That was all; no shirt, no socks, no
under garments. My feet and legs were
scratched and swollen. was pitiable
sight. Mother Baker placed tub of
warm water, soap and towels behind the
cabin and invited me to bath, and
while was performing this duty she.
hunted up suit of brown jeans, a pair
OF shoes, under clothing and coarse
pocket handkerchief. While | was
undergoing the scrubbing process and
dressing, Mrs. Baker and her daughter
in-law prepared dinner. And such
dinner! 1t makes my mouth water to
think of it. Hot corn hoe-cake, fried
chicken, sweet milk, butter, honey,
onions and blackberries. After | had
eatan two or three days rations, the
good woman said: "Son, | wouldn't cat
any more now, it might make you sick
Lie down on that pallet under the tree
and take nap"
slept untll night and then awoke
with an awful stomach ache. was sick
for three days. l gave my captors a
promise that would not attempt to
escape and for that reason was allowed
considerable liberty.
On the morning of the sixth day after
my capture, August 18th, my captors
started with me to Washington, where
we arrived next day about o'clock,
and | was turned over to the commander
OF the post. l remained in the guard
house at Washington about one week
and was then sent to Camden where
there were number of prisoners.
About the close of September in COM
pany with one hundred other prisoners,
| was sent to Camp Ford, from which
had escaped on the Goth of July. The
companions of my escape had been re-
turned to the prison in due time and
were greatly surprised to see me again
in the flesh.
We were exchanged in February,
1863, and were sent to New Orleans,
thence to our regiment at Fort Smith,
Arkansas.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1904-03-17
More Riots

Disturbances of strikers are not nearly
as grave as an individual disorder of the
system. Overwork, loss of sleep, ner-
vous tension will be followed by utter
collapse, unless a reliable remedy is
Immediately employed. There's nothing
so efficient to cure disorders of the
liver or kidneys as Electric Bitters.
It's a wonderful tonic an effective
nervine and the greatest all around
medicine for run down systems. 1t dis
pels nervousness, rheumatism and
neuralgia and expels malaria germs.
Only soc, and satisfaction guaranteed
by L. P. Van Werden, druggist.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1904-03-17

! so swollen as to make travel laborious
indeed. In the afternoon | sat down on
a rock by mountain stream and put
my naked foot in the water to cool the
fever. | noticed that little minnows
swan around my ankle to crafty their
curiosity about the strange intrusion.
Some of these caught by holding my
little pan in the water until they swan
over it and then quickly raising it up.
These little fish ate raw before their
little lives were fairly extinct. That
gave me new hope, as it was a new sup
ply of food.
To continue description of my slow
and labored journey, until it ended on
the morning of the 18th of August, would
be but repetition of scenes of hardship
and trials and sufferings. On the morn
ing of the seventh came to an old field
which crossed and started down an
old road in rocky valley between two
hills. Directly l discovered cabin
about two hundred yardy directly in
front of me. | turned to my right ex-
pecting to cross a low ridge and avoid
the house. But had been discovered.
had reached the top of the ridge when
heard the command Halt! Throw up
J your hands!" and at the same time
: heard big dog coming up the hill to
j my rear. l "halted" without second
invitation. At the foot of the hill in
front saw man with gun leveled at
me. | cried out, Don't shout, am I'M
armed
"Then run here fast before that dog
[ gets to YOU
: How managed to run | don't know
but l certainly made good time.
, always had greater dread of big dog
, was all the man could do to keep the
beast off of me. Soon another man with
a gun came up from the direction had
come. They had seen me from the cabin
| about the time Tdiscovered it; they saw
me turn from the road and one of them
:. went up the road with the dog while the
} other went up another valley to head
me off. was taken to the house and
questioned as to who was and where
j. was going. At first / evaded these
} questions, but finally concluded that the
/ truth hurts less than lie, and made {
clean breast of my case. The names O
t the two men to whom | surrendered
f were Baker brothers. Their mother, {
, good kindly old soul, wept when she
, heard my story and asked her sons te
, give me clothing and food and start me
on my way. But they, being Confeder
Z ate soldiers, considered it their duty te
give me up to the nearest post, which
| was at Washington, about 45 miles tc
: the southeast. They declared that it
! would be impossible for me to make my
} way $50 miles through an uninhabited
and mountainous country; that as
, would near Fort Smith the dangers
would increase because of the country
/ being infested with small bands Of
: prowling bushwhackers even if should
r live to reach that section. They insist
f ed that it would be kindness to me tx
4 hold me.
: Ny personal appearance was every
thing but favorable. was sun burne,
and dirty; my hair was long and un
combed; my old blue trousers were rag
8 and strings, and reached only to m
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1904-03-17

On the 18th day of April, 1864, at
Poison Spring, in southern Arkansas,
there was fought bloody battle, and a
luckless one for the Union troops that
were engaged. 1 will not enter upon a
description of that battle, but will say
that it was badly managed by our COM
mander, it's result being an utter and
disgraceful rout. Among the many
prisoners taken by the Confederates
were Sergeant Mcdonald, G. P. And
rews, Pat Hoyt, Ed Rogers and myself,
Corporal w. E. Biddison, all of Co. r,
18th Iowa. Mcdonald was from near
Davenport, Hoyt from Wapello, Andrews
from Appanoose, Rogers from Mar
shalltown and my home was in the
southern part of Appanoose, not far
from Cincinnati. We were all beardless
boys except Mcdonald, who was about
26 years old; was under 20.
Together with the other prisoners we
were sent to Shreveport, La, and thence
to Camp Ford, near Tyler, Texas, where
the Confederates had a military prison.
The prison was an enclosure of about
ten acres around which was stockade
of pine logs ten feet high, outside of
which guards paced their beats day and
night. There were in that prison about
three thousand Union soldiers and sail
ors; they were quartered in huts Of all
sizes, caves and dugouts in the hill side
The prison was supplied with water
from spring at one side from which q
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1904-03-17
A TRUE STORY OF THE WAR

small stream flowed through the
grounds. 1t is not my purpose to de-
scribe our prison life nor the prison
fare. ALI such places are more or less
alike, and the life of military prisoner
is irksome at best. We were all ragged
and dirty, few being fortunate enough
to possess change Of shirts. Some Of
the prisoners were sullen and resigned,
some were jolly and contented, others
were ever on the alert for chance to
escape. All were united in condemning
the policy OF the federal government in
refusing to exchange prisoners with the
rConfederates.
The fare Of the prisoners was scant
but it was about the same that was sup
piled to our guards. All days were
alike; reville, roll call, breakfast, din
ner, supper, taps and sleep. Much Of
the time was occupied in patching and
scratching. Everybody scratched and
all patched who could afford a needle
and thread. The death and burial of a
comrade was of such frequent occur
renee as to attract but little notice out
side the mess Of the deceased. Much
of my own time was occupied in playing
chess with Charlie Hunt and Ed Rogers
with set of prison made chessmen.
Many long weary years have come and
gone since 1864 and | have forgotten
| the names of messmates except those
already mentioned. I do not remember
where Hunt was from, but he was of the
18th, and was good fellow. If he is
dead, peace to his ashes. If alive and
his eye should happen to read this,
say, Hello, Charlie!'
The spring of 1864 had passed and the
summer was half gone, when one day in
July Mcdonald, Andrews, Hoyt, Rogers
and myself determined to escape and
make our way to the Federal post at
Fort Smith, Arkansas, where our regi-
ment was stationed. We knew that
Fort Smith lay 300 or 400 miles to the
north, and that most of the distance
was through an uninhabited wilderness;
that the white inhabitants were hostile
and that the Indians of the Territory
were unfriendly; that the country north
of Red river was mountainous; that
most of the journey must be made at
night with no guide but the stars and
that food would be difficult to obtain
Beyond this we had but little knowledge
of the country. But the danger and I'M
certainty was counter balanced by the
intense longing to be once more free
and among friends.
Outside the stockade about half mile
there was a prison hospital where sick
prisoners were kept. To be admitted tt
the hospital it was necessary to procure
a certificate from the prison doctor and
a pass from the officer of the day. The
pass always included four men to carry
the sick man. These four were con
sidered as on parole and the men were
expected to return Immediately to the
prison.
/ l do not know who first proposed this
means of escape, but it was adopted and
promptly acted upon. had been com
pany clerk and wrote fair hand, hence
it fell to me to write the pass, which, as
1 remember, read:
|
"The guard will pass four men anc
Edward Rogers to the hospital.
July 20, 1864.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1904-03-17

mo. Mine are good, yours are worn out.
I'll not need them as much as you will"
Tho exchange was made in silence.
then slung the haversack over my
shoulder. 1t contained few green
apples, some cucumbers, and an ear or
two of green corn. Then l started
toward the north. My heart was too
full for words, and those of my late com
rades were likewise. No word was
spoken. We had been captured to-
gether, had messed together while in
prison, had planned the escape together
and had gone through peril together;
but now we parted. Not a word was
spoken. Our hearts were full of grief
and our eyes of tears. / turned and
waved my hand to my friends then
plunged into thickct and we were lost
to each others sight. About dark
came to field in which | found rail
pen filled with fodder and with good
board roof. That was the first good bed
had slept in for many months.
The boys waited until had time to
travel mile or two and then they
sought a house where they found men
to whom they surrendered themselves
They were returned to Camp Ford from
where they wrote to the regiment that
1 was surely dead in the woods near
Red river in northern Texas. The news
was sent to my home and was mourned
as dead.
| The next morning l was awakened by
the song Of birds and after breakfast
from my scant supply of provisions re-
sumed the march. About II o'clock
came to large stream which | rightly
coniectured was Red river, the north
ern boundary of Texas. Finding nc
other means of crossing, l stripped of
my rags and made of them a bundle
!, with my shoes in the center. This
} tied on my shoulders with my suspend,
: ers and plunged in. never was good
: swimmer at best and being weak from
hunger and hampered by the burden Of
} my wet clothes, it was swim for life
} When about half way across my little
strength began to fail; it seemed that
every stroke must be my last. Soon
, sank exhausted, but God favored me
Instead of, as / supposed, being in deer
water, my knees rested on the bottom
while the water barely came above my
shoulders. After few minutes of rest
| / waded out when found that one O
my shoes had escaped from the package
, and was lost. | supplied the missing
shoe with the haversack and took to the
, swamp which proved to, be severa
, miles in width. The sun was half way
down the western sky before l reached
the hills. The haversack shoe was tori
to pieces by that time and was replen
, ished by one of the sleeves from my
!, wool shirt. That was soon gone and the
, other sleeve only served until night
came on. camped in the woods alone
, with nothing to eat except such wil6
| berries as could discover. l had seer
} no sign of human habitation since cross
ing the river. Next morning aftel
], covering my feet with the front part O
my shirt and making breakfast OF
: blackberries and huckleberries, push
> ed slowly on over stony hills, oftel
leaving the print of my bare foot il
blood. By night had no shirt and NJ
i covering for my right foot, which wa
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1904-03-17
Officer of the Day.'

We gathered all the grub in our mess
which consisted Of ten hard biscuit, a
pound of salt and box Of matches.
These were put into an old greasy
haversack with rusty butcher knife
and an old tin pan about the size of a
saucer. A blanket was spread upon the
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1904-03-17
Homeseekers Rates to North and
South Dakota.

Every Tuesday until Oct. 18th, the
Chicago Great Western Railway will
sell round trip tickets to points in the
above named states at great reduction
from the usual fare. For further infor-
nation apply, to any Great Western
Agent, or J. P. Elmer, G. P. A., Chicago,
LII. Oct. 20
FARM For RENT-100 acres in Eden
township. /. N. McDoNouGH.
The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1904-03-17

In war it is the officers who wear the
laurels, and whose names are engraved
on marble and bronze and whose deeds
are recorded on the pages Of history.
The privates, the enlisted men, the men
behind the guns, the men who march in
rain, snow and sleet, and under burning
suns, who endure hunger and fatigue,
are only remembered by their families.
1t is General So-and-So who fights the
battles, storms barracks and wins re-
noun. When the enlisted men give up
their lives their mangled remains are
tossed into trench and the earth is
shoveled in upon them. Their names
are stricken from the regimental rolls
and they are forgotten save by the folks
at home. They are dead and that is the
end of them so far as Individual fame is
concerned. Enlisted men have per-
formed acts of individual heroism and
deeds Of valor that deserve to be re-
membered by succeeding generations.
Many years ago my brother, VIM. e.
Biddison, whom have not seen since
April, 1865, when was only years old,
sent to me the following narrative with
the request that should have it pub
lished at some convenient season. But
in the course Of busy life it was neg
lected and forgotten until few days
ago when it was resurrected in a
general overhauling of my old papers
give the story as it was given to me,
and vouch for it's truth. There are
doubtless others yet living in Iowa or
neighboring states who will recall the
circumstances. There may be yet liv-
ing some of the actors in the drama. G.
P. Andrews died many years ago at his
home near Centerville, in Appanoose
county. Sergeant Mcdonald, when
last heard from him, lived in Davenport
"Cap'' Patterson Hoyt lived in Oska-
loosa. Ed Rogers was, when last heard
from many years ago, in Galesburg, Ill
If this should come to the notice of any
of these men, or of any others who were
members of Co. r, 18th Iowa infantry,
appeal to them if this story is in any
way false. Below l give the story yer.
batim as given to me by my brother.
A. BIDDIsoN,
Leon, Iowa.
Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1904-11-11
|cORRESPO NDENTS'
CORNER.
Oak Grove.


n. Lewis, OF Wells, visited Albanv
n ,n,fsv on business.
Elmer Williams has removed from the
Paul j. hnstoa fam to Albany.
& Sunday ri.i:or at the Maybe
home Was Frank Dot~ls 81 Wells.
Barney Csdy hxs disposed OF bfs hops.
1900 lbs, ar 30 cents per pouad
Wiley and Enmet Williamson return
Ell home Saturday from Wells, where
they had been working on Gene Dodele' s
house.
A number OF Oak Grove people attend
ed a bali given in the Artisans hall at
Wells last Friday evening. They bad
an enjoyable time.
The meetings being held in No. til
Palestine church are we'll attended and
are of mu,h b interest.
Paul Johnston will move to his farm
soon, Mr.. Williams tenure of it having
expired.
Mrs. Tally has become very much en-
feebled because OF rheumatism.