davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The copper era., 1904-06-16

ame in Saturday and ad of gold nuggets
 Tent back Tuesday
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-03-05
A MISSING LIFE POLICY.
A DEVELOPMENT In the harrington
Trial For the Murder of
James y. McCann.

ST. Louis. Feb. 27,--lt has been de-
veloped in the harrington trial, at
Clayton, that James T. MeCann, the al
legged murdered man. had $4,000 paid
up insurance on his life at the time he
went to Bonfils station in ST. Louis
county on the night OF June lS, 1903,
In company with Frederick Seymour
harrington. who is now ON trial for his
life ON charge of killing his COM
panion.
At tho time of McCanns alleged
murder the insurance policy disap-
peared and although dillgent search
has been made. the document can not
be found
The policy was issued by an insur-
ance company in Lexington. Ky.
B. +. Hume, McCann'B brother-in-
law, has been searching for the policy.
lie will contest the claim made by Miss
Jennie Johnson of Chicago, MeCann's
divorced wife, who was named as BEN
eficiary in the policy before the legal
separation, and the former Mrs, Nc
Cam. Just which Mrs. McCann the
Chicago woman was Is not known, as
II is said that McCann had -four wives,
and all bore the Christian name of Jen-
ufe
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-03-05
sATEsvILlE SURPRISED
When the Governors Special Troop
Train Rolled In.

Batesville. Miss. Feb. 29.--It was
not known here that the sheriff OF
this county had called for troops TO
protect the negro murderer. Albert
Baldwin, until Gov. Yardaman arrived
at the depot on a special train. ac-
companied by a company OF militia
from Greenwood, and a part OF the
company from Itta Bena.
There also evidently has been some
misunderstanding about the amount
and paying of the reward, and the
actions of the sheriff. II Is understood
here that Sheriff Johnston has handed
over the reward to the captors OF bald
win. and at the time retained the Gus
tody OF the prisoner, whom he iater
turned over to Gov. Yardaman.
There were, OF course. the usual ru-
mors and counter rnmors as TO the
nrobable action of a mysterious BODY
Of armed men, but they were not IN
evidence In this town. In fact, SO FAR
as could be seen here there was the
usual calm.
While It is possible that the sherin
could have protected the negro, his
beinx taken away removes from the
scene the exciting cause to what might
have eliminated in violence. Tonight
Batesyille is as quiet as usual. al
though there is more or less talk about
the majesty OF the law of this common
xyaalfb
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-03-05
THlRTY-FouRTH DAY.

A very strong and somewhat unex-
pected opposition to the Wells va
grancy bill, passed by the house some
time ago, was developed when the
measure was taken up in the senate
this morning. So pronounced was the
opposition that the friends of the bill
asked leave to make 1t a special order
for Tuesday, which was done. The
impression seems to prevail in the
minds of some members that the dras-
tic and stringent features are likely
to be abused by petty officers and JUS
tices of the peace.
The senate concurred in the house
amendment to the bill authorizing the
lower levee board to issue $1,000,00
in bonds, and also the house amend
ments to the senate measure provid-
ing for the establishment of branch
agricultural experiment stations.
The house spent the entire morn
ing on the privilege tax bill, the chief
= features of which were the exemption
10 ex-Confederates and the tax on in.
sarance agents.
Eor the first time since the legisla-
tufe convened both bodies we're in ses.
sion in the afternoon, and a determine
iion is being shown to get through
with the work and adjourn.
More new bills of local and private
nature were introduced in both
branches of the legislature, but moth.
ing of general nature worth print
ing, outside of the above, transpired in
either house.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-03-05
MUST SERVE HIS SENTENCE
Opinion Handed Down By the United
States Circuit Court of Appeals.
Nathan Levin, Convicted, Mt II.
Louis, of Naturalization Frauds,
Must serve Sentence.

St Paul, MINI. Feb 27-Judge San
born of the United States circuit court
OF appeals handed down an opinion in
that court. Friday, which afilrms the
sentence of Nathan Levin. of St Louis,
to confinement in the penitentiary for
five years for procuring hundreds OF
certificates of naturalization from tho
ST. Louis court of appeals by fraud TO
enable aliens who we're not entitled to
citizenship to vote In that city. LeYin's
counsel challenged his conviction on
the ground that the ST Louis court OF
appeals had no Jurisdiction 10 issue
certificates of naturalization so that the
procurement of them was no violation
OF sections 5425 and 5427 of the revised
statues. Tho circuit court of appeals
holds % that tho act of congress
which oonfers upon state courts OF
common law jurisdiction the power to
naturalize aliens is constitutional: (2)
that the ST. Louis court of appeals Is a
court of common law jurisdiction. and
90 that that court had jurisdiction to
naturallze aliens; that Levin was prop
erly indicted and convicted for pro-
curing certificates OF naturalization by
fraud and that he must serve his sen
tenpp
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-03-05
Life Insurance Risks.

Four Of the FIVE life insurance
companies which carry the bulk of
the business in Mississippi have
filed their reports with the State IN
surance commissioners, and an inter-
esting showing is made on the face
Of the figures.
These four companies, the New
York Life, Equitable, Prudential
and Union Central. have policies in
force in Mississippi aggregating
$41, ,999,209, and the premiums they
have collected during the year
amount to 81 ,551 ,3s0.s8. The com
panies rank in the order named, but
the Mutual Life of New York,
which has not yet filed its report,
ranks just after the Equitable, or
third in the list. The showing
made by the Prudential is rather re-
markable, as the company has been
in the State only three years.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-03-05
rH,RTY.sEvENTH DAY.

The house appropriated $21. 900 to
be used in preventing the Introduction
of the boil weevil In Mississippi. The
bill making an additional appropria-
ton of $15, 900 to complete the Missis-
sippi exhibit at the Worlds Fair was
defeated on account of lacking nine
votes of the required majority to carry
the appropriation bills.
The senate spent the day on the
Wells vagrancy bills which, was
passed with but few dissenting votes.
The house passed the resolution pro-
posing an amendment to the constitu-
ton providing for an elective judiciary
system.
The afternoon session of the lower
house was devoted to the amendments
to the insurance bill, and the meas
ure passed by the decisive vote of 81
to %.
No amendments of consequence to
the original form of the bill as re-
turned by the committee were adopt
ed.
The most important feature of the
bill is the elimination of personal prop
erty from the operations of the valued
policy law. This clause. however, is
still retained on realty and buildings.
An amendment by Mr.. Watts, of
Lauderdale, to strike out the clause
allowing corporations to insure their
employees was defeated.
At its afternoon session the senate
passed its appropriation bill for the
support of the University OF Missis-
sippi after cutting down the amount
s15. 900. 1t is a certainty that the ap-
preparation bills for other educational
institutions will share the same fate.
Mr. Dunn introduced an important
bill giving the railroad commission
the power to make direct appeals to
the interstate commerce commission
in instances where freight rate mat
tiers cannot be adjusted in this State.
The bill abolishing Friars Point as a
county seat OF Coahoma county which
was defeated a few days ago, was
called up on motion to reconsider and
passed.
The Dunn bill. regulating the distri-
button of the common school fund be.
tween counties and separate school
districts, passed.
The Hebron bill, abolishing the CT
fice of tax collector Of the Mississippi
levee board and regulating duties OF
other employees, passed without opposi-
ton.
The bill appropriating balance OF
pension fund to pay pensions OF appli-
cants enrolled too late for annual dis
tribution, was passed.
The Farley bill. authorizing boards
Of supervisors TO sell timber on six
teenth -action lands. was passed.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-03-05
Mississippi State News

ital can be induced to undertake
their exploitation.
Letters have been received asking
the geologist TO make personal ex-
animation of certain mineral depos.
its. For lack of funds, many OF
these requests had to be denied. In
certain instances, the expenses were
borne by the parties interested and
the examination made. In one in-
stance of this kind, the geologist
found that certain parties had been
encouraged by commercial assayers
to spend $500 in useless prospecting
for valuable ores. So encouraging
were the reports of the assayers, that
much more money would have been
expended if DR.. Logan, the geolo-
gist, had not investigated the de-
posit at that time.
Phosphate mari has been found
in several portions of Oktibbeha
county. The different substances
of the mari layer contained, accord
ing to a rough estimate bY DIR. Lo-
gan. the following amounts of phos-
phorie acid:
No. /, Mari containing green sand
% to per cent
No. 2. Cast of fossil (Plecypod)-
TO per cent,
No. 3. Cast OF fossil (Gastropod)
to per cent
No. 4. Crlnoidal limestone-G to 7
per cent.
No. 5. Nodule (coprolite)--9 to 10
per cent.
No. 6. concretion (white)--1 to 2
per cent
According to the analyses made
by DR.. W, L. Hand, State chemist,
the following results were obtained.
The results proved that DR.. Logan's
first estimate Of the amount Of phos-
phorie acid in the mari was entirely
too low:
No. 1. Fossil casts--20.60 per cent
Of phosphorlc acid.
No. 2. CrInoidal limestone--2.2S per
cent of phosphoric acid.
No. 8. Nodules idoprolites) $50
per cent of phosphoric acid.
No T. Chalk marl-2.7l per cent OF
phosphorie acid.
In many localities the amount Of
nodules and fossil casts is sufficient
to bring the average per cent OF the
phosphoric acid for the whole mari
up 10 per cent or more. Half OF
this is SO per cent more than that
in the New Jersey third grade mari,
and equal to the second grade IN
per cent of phosphoric acid.
Mississippi can have a geological
survey if she wants it, and the
United States government is willing
TO cooperate in the work to the ex-
tent Of spending $1,000 year, pro-
yided the State will expond like
amount. This is an opportunity
that the State cannot afford to let
pass BY. and it is hoped that the
present legislature will take the
proper steps TO continue the work
that has been inaugurated By the
Agricultural and Mechanical Col
lege. Such a survey would be worth
thousands of dollars to the State
and would be the result Of stimulat.
ing many industrial enterprises tc
locate within our borders.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-03-05
THIRTY-FIFTH DAY.

by an overwhelming majority the
mousse this afternoon passed the Frank
I'm uniform school book bill, adopted
Dy the senate several days ago, and the
measure now goes back to the latter
oody for concurrence in the house
amendments.
number of very important changes
We're made in the bill. The governor
and attorney general were deprived of
membership on the textbook commits
sion. which shall be composed of eight
educators of known ability to be Sc
iected by the governor, with the su-
perintendent of education as an ex-
oiiicio member.
Inc clause requiring that the his
.ory to be taught in the schools shall
oe written from Confederate stand
point was stricken out.
Writing was added to the common
scnool curriculum, and. after very
heroic fight, Mr. Nixon of Pike, sue
welded in securing the adoption of an
amendment providing that the ele-
aents OF agriculture shall also be
1ught in the schools. The amend
Ment was carried after a veryy elo-
gaent speech by the member from
rlke and in the face of a practically
unanimous opposition at the start.
Natural philosophy was eliminated
Iom the curriculum. The house in
sseased the compensation of commits
s'oners from 81 to s. per day and then
ssaopted the bill. The senate will un-
'0uotedly concur in the amendments.
IN the senate nothing of general
1sefest happened during the day.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-03-05
THE URGENT NEED
OF Geological and Industrial Survey
of the state of Mississippi.

of the State of Mississippi.
The Mississippi Agricultural and
Mechanical College has issued Re
: port No. /, on the geology of 0ktib-
beha county, which brings to light
many interesting facts which will
prove of great value to that county.
This work has been conducted under
the management of DR.. W. n. Lo-
gan, of the department of geology,
with whom was associated Profes-
sors ". l.. Hutchinson, of the de-
partment of agriculture; ". Il.
Hand, of the department of chemis-
try; \. B. Mckay, of the depart
ment Of forestry, and j. w. Knox,
of the department of rural engineer
ing. The geological work of Mis-
sissippi thus far accomplished has
been in the nature of preliminary
Investigations, or the investigation
of some special phase Of its geology.
No thorough and systematic geolog-
ical survey of the State has been un-
dertaken until now. The necessity
of such survey became apparent
10 the president and board of trus-
tees of the Agricultural and Me-
chanical College some time ago, and
led to the establishment of depart
ment of geology and mining, and
the Inauguration of the present geo
logical survey. 1t was decided by
the board of trustees that if the sur
ycy should receive the proper en-
couragement from the citizens of the
State, the work would comprise a
complete investigation of the geolog-
ical, agricultural and industrial re-
sources of each county in the State.
In the absence of a special appro-
priation for this work, and in order
that a given amount Of work might
be accomplished at minimum ex-
pense, the investigation of the geol-
ogy and resources of Oktibbeha
county was first undertaken.
Since the work began, the depart
ment has been the recipient of many
letters of inquiry from citizens of
Mississippi, asking for information
in regard TO minerals and other eco
nomic products. Letters of inquiry
have come, also, from other States.
These have contained requests for
geological maps, for information
concerning cement rock, fire clay,
brick and tile clay, marls, timber,
and artcsian water possibilities IN
certain counties. These requests
were complied with as far as posi-
bic, the desired information given,
but in many instances, owing 10
lack Of data, the replies were unsat-
isfactory The many requests for
information along geological lines
and the insufhciency of data upon
which to base intelligent replies,
convince one of the urgent need Of
a geological survey of Mississippi.
All of these economic resources must
be carefully investigated before cap
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-03-05
THE EASTERN CAR FAMINE
II Has Heached an Acute stage I'm
the Pittsburg Distriet-Worst
Season In Twenty Years.

Pittsburg, Pa, Feb. 27.-The car
famine has reached an acute stage
in the Pittsburg district, and
coal and coke shipments are serious
ly affected. The railroad companies,
in response to complaints, make the
statement that the recent winter has.
without exception, been the most Sc
we're on traffic in 90 years. 1t is shown
that It has been frequent experience
during the past two months for as
many as seven big locomotives to be
put suddenly out OF service while
standing on sidings waiting for trains
To pass. because Of the freezing OF
water pipes.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-03-05
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

AS the legislature enters upon the
eighth week of its existence little
has been accomplished, Only one bill
of a general nature has passed both
houses, that being the general school
appropriation bill. which carries with
1t an appropriation of s1.500.000.
There has been no dearth of bills in
troduced in either branch of the legis-
lature. In the house there have been
45O bills introduced, and in the senate
295. The indications are that before
the time for adjournment has rolled
around there will have been intro
dnced in both branches over 1000
bills. A number of appropriation bills
have passed either one branch or the
other. but no money can be secured on
them until they have passed both
branches, and are signed by the gov
ernor.
All the schools, colleges, benevolent
institutions, State officers, penitentiary
employees and clerks of the different
departments have been without cent
Of money for two months. They have
not drawn any money since their De-
cember salaries The new governor
has not been able to draw cent. The
general appropriation bill, which car
ries with X their salaries, has been in
troduced, and it is supposed it will
come up in the house some time soon.
It will then have to go to the senate
for passage, and it will be some time
In March before the State officers,
their clerks, the Supreme Court
judges, chancellors and district attor-
neys can get any money. The peniten-
tiary is also suffering for some money,
as it is running entirely on credit
now. The house has passed a special
appropriation bill for two months ex-
penses until the general bill, providing
for the two years, can be passed, but
as yet it has not been taken up by the
senate.
With the present amount OF work in
sight it Is hard to see how the legisla-
ture can get away from Jackson under
four or five weeks longer There are
many bills which are coming up which
will provoke argument, and there will
be no end of debate, which will con-
sumo good deal of time. In the
meantime the committees of both
houses are killing great many bills.
Out of the thousand odd bills, which
will be introduced during the session,
It is doubtful If exceeding IT'S will be
enacted into law
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-03-05
THIRTY.EloHTH DAY.

With but little opposition shown.
the lower house this morning passed
the bill appropriating 100000 for the
first year and s12.500 for the second
year to support the Confederate home
at Beauvoir. The measure provides
that not exceeding $3.50 per capita
shall be spent on the inmates of the
home. The manner of governing the
Institution will be prescribed in an
other measure.
The house was in liberal mood this
morning, and the motion to recon
slider the vote whereby the $4,000
appropriation for the Worlds Fair bu'
reau was defeated yesterday was
called up and the measure passed by
a vote of 50 to 2s. allowing the bureau
$4,000 to complete the State exhibit.
The stock law bill. reported as a
substitute to the Evans measure. was
taken up. but the members soon grew
tired of the dry discussion and action
on the measure was deferred.
The senate spent the entire day on
the bill to abolish the county convict
leasing system. and the measure was
left pending at adjournment.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-03-05
VIII Let Free Delivery.

An eloquent testimonial to the
growth OF The leading towns Of Mis-
sissippi is the number that have been
given free mail delivery within the
past few years. Only few months
ago Hattiesburg and Yazoo City
were accorded free delivery systems,
having passed the $4,000 mark re-
quired by the postal department,
and other towns are making an ef-
fort to reach that amount in order
to secure the same privilege.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-03-05
nireo.ar RowIsnd's Allowance.

The bill passed. by the senate last
week for the support OF the depart.
ment of archives and history carries an
appropriation of $4,000 per annum.
and only one dissenting vote was
cast against Il. Director Rowland is
being warmly congratulated by the
legislators on the splendid work he has
accomplished since this department
was established, and during the next
two years, with more funds 10 carry
on the work, some notablf accomplish.
ments are expected
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-03-05
GRANTED CHANGE OF VENUE
ceeds In Getting Change of
Venue From ~. Louis.

ST. Louis. Feb. PA change OF
venue was granted Charles Kratz.
charged with agreeing to accepting a
bribe to vote for the Suburban fran
chise bill while a member Of the city
council, by Judge Taylor, In the cir
cult court, Friday morning.
The time and place for the trial will
be sci as soon as an agreement Ia
reached
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-03-05
Didn't Know It Was Loaded.

Hardly a week passes that a
didn't know it was loaded" acei-
dent happens in some part of Mis-
sissippi, and the result is invariably
fatal. The latest affair of this kind
reported is from the Yueaian plan
tation, on the Big Black river, near
Port Gibson, where negro named
Williams accidentally shot a little
boy named Jackson with a 45-ealiber
pistol, the ball SCATTERING the child's
thigh and rendering amputation
necessary, from the effects of which
be has since died.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-03-05
DUAL TRAGEDY AT BUFFALO
Attorney Henry =. schwHTts Fatally
shot by II. A. Knowles, Who
Committed Suicide.

Buffalo, NJ Y. Feb. 27--Henry l.
Schwartz, of Baler e. Schwartz, attor-
neys, was shot and probably fatally
wounded In his private Office in the Ma
rine bank building. friday, by II. A.
Knowles, of the dry goods firm OF
Knowles e. Gardner. Knowles, after
holding the police at bay for few
moments, turned the revolver on him
self and blew out his brains.
The crime is believed to have been
the result of business complications.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-03-05
Signing Bills.

Gov. vardaman is keeping well up
with the bills passed by the two
houses, and only a few enrolled meas.
ures are on his desk awaiting examina.
tion. Last week the governor signed
the bills changing the Office hours of
the secretary of State, auditor and at
torney general. so as to exclude the
noon dinner hour, the bill creating the
new county of Lamar and several To-
cal and private measures.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-03-05
Prison Reformatory.

The effort to establish prison re-
formatory for youths seems TO have
very little prospects of passage at
this session Of the legislature There
are now eighteen boys in the peni-
tertiary under IS years old. The
crimes for which they were sent up
are as follows: Burglary, 5; bur-
glary and larceny, q; attempt. at
burglary, ] grand larceny, 4; man
slaughter, i; murder, 1 !; attempt at
poisoning, y; tssor, /; attempted
criminal assault, l sodomy, !.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-03-05
County Monuments.

An effort has been launched in
Carrsll county to raise fund for
the purpose of erecting monument
to the troops from that county who
participated in the civil war. Work
ing committees have been appointed
In the various districts to solicit
funds and it is expected that several
thousand dollars will be raised with
in a few weeks.
The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1904-03-05
ThIRTY.NINTh DAY.

The days session of the legislature
was devoid of special features. Sew
eral motions to reconsider important
bills were tabled, and large num-
ber of committee reports were made.
The measure changing the manage
ment of the Vicksburg Charity Hospi
tai, which institution has been bone
of contention, passed as amended
Several spirited speeches were made
The hospital in the future will be
under a more strict surveillance.
The house accepted the senate
amendments to the Wells vagrancy
bill, and defeated the Robbins meas
ure to exempt money loaned at less
than per cent A similar bill was
defeated in the senate, which means
that there will be no exemptions for
loans at this session.
A few appropriation measures were
considered by the senate, and the
Marlborough bill to admit women to
practice law was left pending at the
adjournment