davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-09-02

St. Louis Man Will Forfeit His Life II
Roosevelt is Defeated

Mr.. Amerie Bates. OF 81. Louis, mas
|solemnly pledged himself to commit
suicide by jumping from the Eads
bridge in Ease Roosevelt is not elected.
THE pledge IS given to all who may see
the announcement of his intention, but
more particularly to one OF his political
acquaintance who undertakes TO add
8 to Pates' fortune IL his life is saved
by the votes of his countrymen.
This is truly a novelty in election bets.
and il invites some curious inquiries.
Why should Mr.. Pates suppose tina all
to whom these presents" may come
will hold his promise like a considera-
Ition in a contract? There will be NJ
general satisfaction in demanding his
life. The only person who has a selfish
Interest in the matter is his colored
brother who staked the s.. He might
with some degree OF compiacency
on the corpse as he recovered possession
of his capital, or might resent the con-
ltinued existence of his adversary as a
reminder of his losses. But the great
world cares naught for his emotions.
1T does not even know whether Mr..
iPates' life is worth s. OF > cents.
But perhaps he did not intend t ostun
tine world with the sense OF a possible
calamity. He may have desired merely
ito express the certainty of his convic-
Itions in a striking war. We have known
men in the pride of opinion to wager
their valued heads against a lump of
ldirt on this or that proposition. This,
however, is a vainglorious proceeding
land lacking in real honesty because it
lis always based upon what is suppos-
led to be ar absolutely sure thing.
Th4-4 g n n-l Ahar
is that the bet came from a feeling that
life would not be worth living without
Roosevelt in the White House. This
brings us TO the genuine enthusiasm of
Your true partisan and hero worshipeI,
something that is beautiful to see for
very limited periods.
How pleasant is the thought that the
country is not put to the strain Of wit
ressing the spectacle continuously,
nor is this thought disturbed by Mr..
Pates's exuberance. If we were betting
lives Or heads we should feel quite safe
to take a chance on that gentleman, no
matter what the result of the elections
imay be.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-09-02
Weekly Crop Bulletin.

warm and Sultry weather prevailed
during the first two days Of the week.
with temperature ranging far above
1.-THE normal. This was followed by cool
|er and more or less unsettled weather.
western parts of the state, also scat
tered places farther east; but the week
remained practically dry in the eastern
section until the afternoon of the 26th,
when general rains set in, which con-
ltinued with slight intermissions until
iSunday morning. Excessive rains fell
lat a number of places in the central
land eastern counties. and the heaviest
IA hourly amount so far known was
10 inches at Moncure. With the be-
Iginning of the latter rainey period
There came a decided change in the
Temperature, and during the entire
saturday the thermometer ranged
slightly above 60 degrees in all sections
lof the state. 1t is too early to ascertain
whether any damage resulted from
this cool spell; but 1T is believed that
lit was of too short a duration to affect
,any of the growing crops.
The cotton boTs are beginning to
open in the eastern half of the state:
the crop, as a whole, made no i'm
lprovement during the week, although
1.-THE weather during the first half was
Favorable; on the contrary the crop
Seems to be declining, and the com
lplaints of damage by rust, shedding,
land turning yellow are just as nuJner-
lous from all parts OF the state as
during the week before. Corn contln-
iues good, especially on upland; in low
places and on light soil it is damaged
jim a few localities. Tt is maturing
well and an exceptionally fine crop IS
assured. Fodder pulling is nearly over
L. nm nrfro MI q
1.-The first half of the week was favora-
bile for this work.. but there was not
lenough sunshine during the latter half
land large quantities of fodder became
damaged by the rains. Curing tobacco
lis nearly over in the eastern district;
but is still in full ogres in Stokes,
lSurry, Rockingham and a number of
lother north-central counties. The re-
ports in regard to the yield are similar
Ito those received heretofore. insomuch
that the leaves are curing SATISFACTORY,
talthough the crop is below the aver
lage. Peanuts are fair and with but
flew exceptions the vines are growing
well. The early crop of irish potatoes
lis being dug and the yield is consider
ed good, especially in h western
lcounties; the fall crop is already UP
land the stand are satisfactory. Tur-
lnips and rutabagas are coming up In
most sections but in the western half
considerable sowing is yet to be done.
Melons are ripening in the western
.icounties and are quite plentiful. Cab
!bages are generally we'll headed but
the weather is injuring the plants; pea
wine hay is excellent; all minor crops
are doing fairly we'll; fruit. will be far
below an average crop.
Rains Gin inches) for the week end
ing S a. m. today: Raleigh, Z.01; Will
lmington, 1.20; Hatteras, 2-40: Charlotte,
lao; Asheville, 0.30; Goldsboro, 40;
Greensboro 0.46; Lumberton, LES; New
Bern, 2.46; Weldon. 1.S6.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-09-02
Summary or Crop Conditions.

Washington August 30-The wealth
err bureaus weekly summary of crop
conditions
In northern Alabama n in the
southern portions of Mississippi and
Louisiana, cotton has improved and the
crop is in good condition in Oklahoma
and Indian Territories, but elsewhere
the reports generally indicate unfav-
progress. Deterioration from
rust and shedding is reported from
all districts. Heavy rains have
injuries in portions of
Florida and Georgia, while over a
large part of Texas The crop has suf-
fered decidedly from drouth. In the
last mentioned state, boil worms con-
.tinue destructive and boil weevils are
hurting nearly all squares In south
western portions of the central and
eastern districts.
"A general improvement In tobacco
is indicated. Cutting Is Wen advanced
in the middle Atlantic states and New
England and is in progress in the Ohio
In Wisconsin the crop is doing
well, although maturing slowly"
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-09-02
COURT OF INQUIRY.
Evidence Taken Under Seal of Secrecy
Several Witnesses Examined anti
Others TO be submitted.
Raleigh POSt.)

y. c., August 29.-The
military court of inquiry, held Tor the
nurpose of investigating and fixing the
resnonsibility in the accident that
caused the deaths of Privates George
n F. Johnson and J. Bun Warren, and
%wounding of Sergeant S. F. Gates ana
Corporal Will McDade, convened TINS
morning. Two sessions were held To-
day and when the court adjourned thls
afternoon it was until Wednesday,
morning. This was done In order 10
allow time in which to have witnesses
summoned and get here.
Colonel John C. Niche is presiding
officer of the court and the other Two
members are Major a. E. Lloyd ana
Lieutenant Jones Fuller, all of Dur
ham. Captain w. M.Fallon, also OF
this city is court recorder. In organ
ling the court his morning Baxter
Boone, a ~stenographer, ana buSier
Wade r. Brown, orderly, were sworn.
The investigation is being held De-
hind closed doors and no one is allow
ed with the exception of The members
and officers of the court n the Wit
ness being examined. The findings OF
the court will not be made public mere
but will be forwarded to dJuta
General B. S. Register.
Among the witnesses examined were
Captain E. T. White of Company A,
third regiment of which the killed n
injured men were members. Lieuten-
ant William Ramsey of the same COM
pany, c. E. Davis of Morehead City,
conductor in charge of the train, Loco
motive Engineer NJ. II. Russell of New
Bern. Corporal Will McDade and pos
sibIy others. Nothing could be learn
ed as to their evidence.
$1,000 II, So n1D a n Z lho
hearing. but all were refused-news-
paper men, lawyers and others Among
those who wanted to be present at the
hearing were superintendent s. L Dill
of New Bern and Attorney w. Q. Nun
roe of Goldsboro, both representing
the Atlantic and North Carolina r. r.,
Judge w. r. Winston of the legal firm
of Winston & Bryant who represents a
client who is to bring suit for damages
later on. and probably others. In ad-
dition to the superintendent, attorney,
engineer and conductor of the 4. & =.
c. R. r. it is earned that a negro
train hand and probably other en-
ployes of the DAD are here n will be
called as witnesses.
In order to allow time in which to
get additional witnesses and because
Colonel j. c. Niche, president of the
court, cannot be in the city tomorrow.
adjournment was taken until day after
tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock.
Just how long the court of inquiry
will last remains to be seen. One or
two members of the court said IL will
take two or three days to get the facts.
Another thinks probably it may be a
week before The investigation will
come TO an end. All of the testimony
given is being taken verbatim. n this
requires much time. Besides the wit
neses are being given a thorough ex-
animation
1t is reported that the relatives OF
Private Warren, who was killed, will
bring suit for damages in a short
while. No court record has been
made as yet, but this is learned from
q reliable source Tt is said hat other
suits may also be brought In a short
while.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-09-02
LEASE oFsrHE A & n. c. II. r.
Bidders for the Road Will Attend
Meeting of Stockholders In New
Bern-Confederate Veterans Leave
for Observation-Disclosures by the State.
Messenger Bureau.
Raleigh, n. c., August 80.

Raleigh, ". c., August 80.
Tomorrow the various bidders for the
lease of the Atlantic and North Caro-
lima railroad will all make their way
towards New Bern. which will be their
mecca Everything as regards the
lease of the Atlantic and North Caro-
lima railway appears to be left entirely
to the private stockholders, so far "s
an expression of opinion is concerned.
The bidders who have been here a day
or two, hoped hat the governor and
board OF internal improvements would
settle the matter, but the governor de-
clined to express an opinion. One of
the Of the board of internal
Improvements opposes a lease, the other
not having yet expressed himself. The
matter was very much at sea, though
really the preponderance Of opinion
seems to be that a lease Will be erect
ID. Some of the persons Interested IN
what is known as the Kennedy bid, that
is the one made by persons living along
the line. really do not want the roaa
leased, but said that if il was to be
leased, they might as we'll put in a bid
as anybody.
Among today's arrivals were Con-
gresham John H. Small. of Washing
ten: d. Y. Cooper, Henderson; Frank
D.. Jones. Gulf; w. R. Roberts, Gates
Vile: f. K. Bryan. Wilmington.
The Supreme court today took up the
aupeaI docket for the first district.
Among the attorneys present are q. W.
Ward and E. F. Aydlett, of Elizabet
City. and w. d. Rodman, of Charlotte.
State Auditor Dixon will return to-
morrow from Fuquay Springs, where
l. L.- La1 n uaok'c rQGt during which
he has examined 1000 new pension ap-
pIicatio~ so as to be ready to submit
these to the state pension board, with
his opinion of the merits of each.
Charters are granted TO the Speed
Milling Company of Edgecombe coun-
ty, to manufacture cotton Oil, truck
barrels and packages, ETC., capital
ctock $40. 900: the d. CT. Newberry Com
pany, of Columbia. Tyrrell county, to
deal in real estate, and the Brown and
Cannon Mercantile Company Of Con-
cord. capital stock 100000.
Mrs. FIRED A. Odds, the President OF
the North Carolina Division united
Daughters of the C~onfederacy IS quile
So -sss
one of the hottest inter-Democratlc
fights in progress in the state is thai
in this county, in which the question Is
whether the new nominees for county
commissioners or the present ones sndil
be elected.
The questions asked the applicants
for attorneys license by the Supreme
court Yesterday were prepare oy
Judge Douglas. who is so o to retire
He devoted considerable ent %
questions regarding the United states
constitution. After Judge Douglas re-
fires there will be only one other Re'
publican holding a state othce, TINS one
-, ~ +tnrn aU 1anRral H.. ". dlSSl
d. Who is reporter to the Supreme cour'
and whose. term ends in February.
The Wake county Confederate veter-
ans left this morning for the reunlo
ut Asheville. with them going the onl!
Confederate drum corps
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-09-02
of the City
Watch the Fighting
from HOuSet0pS
OF
%SCHRAPNEL

Fighting Began at 8 O'clock i'm the
Morning and the japanese Searched
the Entire Russian Front With an
Incessant Fire of Schrapnel-The
Main japanese Attack Vas Directed
Against the Russian Right and
Centre and There the Losses Were
Heayiest-After Four Hours, the
Artillery Fire SIackened, But the
Infantry Pushed Steadily Forward
The Russian Troops Made a Stub
born Resistance and Their Losses
are Comparatively Light-The Jap
anese Advance was so Vigorous that
Hand-to-Hand Battles Resulted
Firing Ceased at s O'clock i'm the
Evening, but the List of Casualties
was not Obtainable.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-09-02
The e q Penalty.

A little thing sometimes results in
death. Thus a mere scratch, insig-
|nifcant cuts or puney boiis have paid
the death penalty. 1t is wise to
have Rucklen's Arnica Salve ever
handy. It's the best SaIve on earth
and will prevent fatality. when Burns,
Users and Piles threaten.
|Only Csc at R. r. Bellamy's Drug
Store.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-09-02
Senator Davis Son Ill With Typhoid
Fever

Elkins. w. Va, Aug. 30.-John I.
Davis. only son Of Democratic Vice
Presidential Nominee. Henry @. Da-
Wis, IL a patient I'm Davis Memorial
hospital. He was today brought from
New York suffering with typhoid fs-
yer.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-09-02
GENERAL ADVANCE OF THE JAP
ANESE.

st. Petersburg, August 30.0General
Sakaroff reports that a large japanese
force is advancing northward along
the Taitsu river valley. west of the
railroad. The report from General
Sakharoff also announces an engage
ment between a Russian force and $50
Chinese bandits, of whom about fifty
were killed.
In a brief telegram received today,
General Sakharoff says the general adj
vance of the Japanese began yesterday
at noon, the Russian outposts falling
back upon the main lines. The a
lest fighting was taking place when his
dispatch was sent, from a point ten
miles southeast of LiaoYang where the
japanese seemed to be concentrating
for their main blow.
The Russians suffered principally
from the shrapnel fire of the japanese
artillery. The telegram from Kuro-
patkin which gives this information,
together with the details of the retire
ment Of the Russian troops o Lao
Yang. have not been given out, for
strategic reasons.
The Russian cavalry won a notable
success west of .repulsing the
japanese advance from that direction.
This was the first time the Russian
cavalry had an opportunity to charge
h japanese on open ground since the
war began.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-09-02

the Japanese attacks were repulsed till
August =. with heavy loss to the at
tackeFs- he gives no eetaiis OF the
positions held or of the Russian losses.
but says the officers suffered severely.
especially the younger ones Some OF
the larger Russian guns were placed
out Of action by the japanese batteries
and were replaced by field pieces He
reports that the morale OF the garrison
Is excellent.
Finally the general recommends Gen.
erals Fock. K~ondratenko. Smirnofs aai
others for bravery and devotion.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-09-02

Bears the . The Kind You Have AlEays Bought
Signature a. &1NzZm

The navy department can consider no
warship a success that that expert in
spector, the sultan of Turkey, has had
a look at it.-Atlanta Journal.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-09-02
RACED ALL DAY
IN FRONT OF LAO YANG

stinate attack on our corps ana AZ '
O'Clock this morning they were in close
proximity 10 our advance guard"
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-09-02
JAPANESE HAVE 100 GUNS NEAR
LAO YANG.

81. Petersburg. August 3o.-The ;eie-
grams from the front state that the
japanese have LOO guns near Lao
Yang.
General Sakharon were received dur
ing the day and forwarded TO the en-
peror. They have not yet been publish
ed.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-09-02

to the north. as well as the southern
division. In order 20 prevent a turning
uovemAAe
From dawn until dark. the eastern
troops, although fatigued by four
days fighting sustained a ear guard
action.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-09-02
FAVORABLE NEWS FROM SToEs.
Sci.

St Petersburg, August 30.-Direci
news OF Lieutenant General Stoessel
mrnan OF the Russian military
forces at Port Arthur. up 10 August
% and OF a favorable character mas
been received here.
General StoesseI's report says that
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-09-02
HAND TO HAND BATTLES.

Lao Yang. August 3o.-S:+S p. m. The
battle is growing in intensity. The
Japanese fire is chiefly directed on the
Russian southern end. The advance
was pressed with such vigor thai IL
developed into a hand 10 hand ngntinS'
the twenty third regiment repeiing an
attack at the point OF the oayoneL-
One Japanese battery was dimansied-
Wounded men have been pouring into
Lao Yang since s o'clock this morning.
molly hurt by Shrapnel shells n
some by rifle bullets. The heights OF
near the railroad. have been
showered with projectiles.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-09-02
FIGHTING LASTED ALL DAY.

London, August 3o.-A dispatch
from Lao, Yang, TO q news agency
dated August 80 avs
The japanese fire only ceased at
8 O'Clock his evening. The casualties
have not yet been a~scertained.
The third Russian corps repulsed a
hot Japanese assault, the japanese be-
ing hurled back by bayonet charges,
firstly by the twenty third and then by
the twenty fourth regiments, which
received and repulsed the enemy, no
less than six times.
Two japanese companies which
succeeded in occupying a Russian posi-
ton were mistaken for Russians and
annihilated by japanese artillery fire.
"At four o'clock in the afternoon,
the Japanese concentrated their fire on
Outfiank the detachment from the
right under the protection OF the bat
teries.
There had been an immense expen-
diture of ammunition throughout the
day, especially on the southern front
against the Russian third corps.
lit is believed the Russian losses SC
far have not been very heavy. except
to the regiment which sustained bay
onet charges. All the men serving
one Russian gun except one, were kill
ed by shrapnel. The survivor who
was badly wounded, heroically brought
his gun to headquarters and ever then
refused to quit his place until the gem
eral peremptorilly orderede him into
the hospital. A more energetic attack is
expected tomorrow.
1T seems that General Kuroki's
force did not participate I'm today's en-
gagement.
The morale Of the Russian troops
is excellent"
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-03-16
JAPS SAID TO Be VICTORS
Reported Defeat of Russians on
Korean Soil.
PORT ARTHUR sHELLED AGAIN.
Doabled Russian Warohip Retvlzan
Repaired and Said to se In
Fighting Trim Again.

A dispatch from We.Hal.Wel, dated
March .. says: ut Is reported on
good authority that collision be-
tween Japanese and Russian troops
has occurred near Hal-Ju, Korea, 81
miles northwest of Chemulpo, which
resulted in the defeat OF the Rus
SLAMS"
The Japanese are now reported In
Manchuria, where they are said to
have taken Feng-Wang Cheng, 50
miles north of the Yalu. The news
comes from several sources. and the
Russians are reported FALLING back,
with some loss in the sldrmishing.
Washington hears of the japanese
advance from the commander OF the
United states gunboat Helena. at
YingkCw. the port of Newchwang. He
adds the information that the Japanese
landed at Takushan, west OF the mouth
OF the Yalu rycr.
Heavier lghtlng Is expected when
the invaders get closer to Liao-Yang
where several thousand Russian troops
are concentrated.
There Is an uncOnhrmel report of n
renewal of the bombardment of Port
Arthur and Dalny on Talienwan bay
by Admiral TOGo's squadron. Toxic
has no definite news ot the movements
of Admiral Urui's ships and the Cars
Vladivostoll squadron.
The hole in th1 null of the Russian
battleshlp Retvizan. which was made
during the first attack by the japanese
has been repaired and the battleship
has been rcnoated. She Is now anch-
ored in the inner roadsteal alongside
the Czarevitch. The garrison at Port
Arthur is 10000 strong, and there are
provisions enough to last two years.
Trains on the Manchurlan line are
running regularly in triple sections, at
20 minute intervals
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-03-16
EFFECT OF COLD ON INSECTS.
They Arc Not injured by the Lowest
Of Low Temperatures.

The severest cold has no tcrrors for
insect life. II has been shown by ex-
periments that insects may be artifl-
cially or naturally frozen, subjected,
indeed to very low temperatures, with
out killing or even injurlng them.
Eggs, larvae. the pupae. the stages In
which most insects pass the winter,
are perfectly immune to cold
IL Is a common idea that cocoors
of insects serve as protection against
cold, but this Is entirely erroneous.
They, like the summer webs OF web
worms, are protection against birds
and insect parasites, but not against
cold. The cocoons of summer broods
are as stout and thick as those OF the
generations that pass the winter.
Moths, butterflies and other insects
build stouter and more compact CO
ccons in tropical and torrid countries
than they do in those climates where
they are besieged by winter. There
are many insects, allied to the build
erS of cocoons, that make no such COW
ering, the pupae or the chrysalis being
left entirely exposed. And so little
heat is maintained by the pupae of
insects that no matter how thick the
cocoons they are always too slight to
repel freezing cold.
Certain degrees of frigidity seem to
have vastly different effects on differ
ent species of insects. Gnats and
midge5 dance in the winter sunshine;
butterflies, Vanessa, Grapta, and some
times Colllas, skim over the snow;
wasps and bees wind their way
through the leafess woods; ground
beetles run quickly over the cold
earthearth; crickets peep from be-
meath stones and rotting logs, while
other species, the vast majority. in
fact, are locked in the lethargy Of
hibernation. One of the commonest
evidences of this Information is TO be
seen when firewood is carried into the
house and placed near the warm stove.
It takes only a short time to bring
out swarm Of ants that were sleep
Ing in the beetle-borings, their COM
mon retreat.-St Nichols.