davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03

st. Petersburg, Feb. 25.-A telegram
from Viceroy Alexieff to the czar says:
''At quarter before three in the morn
ing of February "a, numerous japanese
torpedo boats attempted to attack the
battleship Retvizan and sink large
steamers loaded with infiammables
The Retvizan was the first to observe
the torpedo boats, and opened strong
fire on them. She was supported by the
land batteries. She destroyed two
steamers near the entrance of the har-
Dor. They were coming directly toward
her. One of them went on the rocks
near the lighthouse on Tiger peninsula
ard the other sank under Golden hill.
The Retvizan observed four steamers in
sinking condition and eight torpedo
boats departing slowly to rejoin the wait
ing Japanese warships A portion of
the crews of the Japanese vessels was
drowned. The grounded steamer is still
burning. The enemy is observed in the
offing of Port Arthur in two lines.
Russians Suffer No Losses.
The Japanese crews saved themselves
in boats, and 1t is possible that some OF
them were picked up by the enemy's
torpedo boats We had no losses.
Il am proceeding to examine the
coasts. The entrance Of the harbor is
open. | attribute the complete derange-
ment of the enemy's plan to the brill
liant action and destructive fire of the
Retvizan. Floating mines are still visi
BILE in the roadstead. have recalled
the three cruisers sent in pursuit OIL
the enemy in order, in the first place, to
clear the roadstead of floating mines"
Story of Wednesdays Fight.
Chefoo, Feb. 26.-Arrivals from Port
Arthur report naval engagement at the
entrance of Port Arthur early Wednes-
day morning. The Russians received
timely warning from three torpedo boat
destroyers which met the Japanese fleet
20 miles off Port Arthur. The japanese
feet approached to within eight miles
from the entrance and commenced the
attack. The first to retaliate were the
forts, followed by the Petropalovosk, the
Novik. Pallada and Askold The en-
gagement lasted till nearly daylight,
when the Japanese retired.
Shells Hit Port Arthur
The details and losses on both sides
are not yet known here. but it is said
the Japanese lost two ships sunk and
three disabled. The Port Arthur forts
had five guns silenced. The damage to
the town was serious. One shell struck
amid the anchorage of junks, blowing
many TO atoms. The Newsky works and
the engine works were struck three
times. Several shells fell just short of
the arsenal, but striking the mud wall
surrounding it did no damage. Judging
from this the Japanese evidently at
tempted to destroy the arsenal. Several
guards were killed by the bursting of
shells.
Another Engagement.
st. Petersburg, Feb. PA dispatch
received here from Port Arthur, dated
February 26, says: AT il o'clock this
morning several Japanese torpedo boats
were sighted from here with their sails
set for the purpose of Disgusting their
character. The battlesilip Retvizan and
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03
THlRTY-FlFTH DAY.

BY an overwhelming majority the
house this afternoon passed the Frank
lin uniform school book bill, adopted
by the senate several days ago, and the
measure now goes back to the latter
body for concurrence in the house
amendments.
A number of very important changes
were 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
lected by the governor. with the SUI
perintendent of education as an ex-
officio member.
The clause requiring that the his
tory 10 be taught in the schools shall
be written from a Confederate stand
point was stricken out.
Writing was added to the common
school curriculum. and, after q very
heroic fight, Mr.. Nixon of Pike. sue
ceeded in securing the adoption of an
amendment providing that the ele-
ments of agriculture shall also be
taught in the schools. The amend
ment was carried after a veryy elo-
quent speech by the member from
Pike and in the face of a practically
unanimous opposition at the start
Natural philosophy was eliminated
from the curriculum. The house in
creased the compensation of commits
sioners FROM 81 TO S. per day and then
adopted the bill. The senate will un-
doubtedly concur in the amendments.
In the senate nothing OF a general
interest happened during the day
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03
PROTECT RUSSIAN CONSUL.
Cars Representative at Fusan to Be
Guarded by Japan and Speeded
Home.

Toxic, Feb. 29.-The Korean court
has donated 100000 to the Red Cross
hospitals. The ministers of the Unit
ed States and Great Britain at Seoul
are favorably inclined to the Japan
ese Korean protocol.
The Toxic government has instruct
ed the local authorities to extend spe-
cial protection and facilities to the
Russian consul at Fusan, Korea, who
is to reach Moji, Japan. tonight and
proceeds thence to Russia.
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03
Pike County Fight.

A delegation of McComb City citi-
zens. nearly 200 strong. appeared be-
fore the house committee on local and
private legislation last week to urge
the passage of the bill creating sec
ond judicial district of Pike county.
with McComb City as the county seat
A large delegation of Lumberton citi-
zens appeared before the same COM
mittee in the senate asking to have
their town annexed to the new county
of Lamar
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03
THlRTY.sEvENTH DAY.

The house appropriated $4,000 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 eonstitu-
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 voe of 81
to 25.
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
SIS 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
ters cannot be adjusted in this State.
The bill abolishing Friars Point as
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 Of
fee of tax collector Of the Mississippi
levee board and regulating duties of
other employees, passed without opposi-
tion.
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 section lands, was passed.
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03
FINISHED THE FLEET.
JAPANESE SHIPS DO DEADLY
WORK AT PORT ARTHUR
and THEN SAILED AWAY UNTOUCHED
One Russian Cruiser Sunk, Another
Completely Disabled, Torpedo
Boat Annihiiated and the Poor Old
Retvizan Plugged From Stem to
Stern-Port Arthur in a Bad Way.

Yin Kow, Feb. pa report was
received here late this afternoon OF
another sweeping Japanese victory at
Port Arthur this morning, in which
the Russians lost the cruisers Novik
and Askold. while the disabled bat
tleship Retvizan was still further dam
aged. The report cannot be confirmed
anywhere. but is very circumstantial
and is generally credited.
1t is stated that the Japanese squad
ron appeared off Port Arthur harbor
al 10 o'clock this morning. There
were fifteen warships in the feet, COM
prising the vessels carrying the heav-
lest metal
They steamed slowly, in single file
formation toward the entrance to the
harbor, and, coming within four and
one-half miles of the entrance OF the
harbor, the leading vessel opened fire
with her largest guns.
The other ships of the squadron rap
idly got their guns into action. and the
fleet, steaming slowly ahead and de-
scribing a perfect circle, fired shot
after shot at the forts commanding
the harbor mouth, and the battleship
Retvizan and her consorts, which were
in the outer harbor.
At the Jap's Mercy.
Soon after the Japanese fleet began
firing. four Russian destroyers made
their appearance at the mouth OF the
harbor, apparently awaiting an oppor-
tunity to try torpedo at the Japan
ese squadron. The latter, however,
concentrated hot fire on the destroy
ers, and they were compelled to put
back into the harbor. 1t is reported
that some of them were hit, but moth
ing is known of the amount of damage
done.
The Retvizan presented fair tar
get for the guns of the Japanese
squadron, lying as she is at the side
of the harbor entrance utterly unable
to move, and many shells were fired
in her direction.
In order to divert the fire and also
to be in position better to use their
guns. the cruisers Novik, Askold and
Bayan put out to the mouth of the
harbor and began to reply to the en-
emy. The Japanese, putting in as
close as possible without coming d.
rectly under the range of the guns of
the forts, shelled the Russian squad
ron. While many of the shots went
wild. goodly percentage reached the
mark. and soon the Askold was forced
to retire into the inner harbor in a
sinking condition.
Torpedo's Deadly Work.
Suddenly the leading Japanese
cruiser launched torpedo unobserv-
ed, and it sped straigh to the Novik,
exploding directly under her main
deck She was so badly damaged that
she is reported to have sunk before
she reached the inner harbor.
1t is not known how many Of her
crew were lost.
The Bayan, left alone to defend the
harbor. soon gave up the unequal task
and returned into the harbor.
The japanese concentrated their
fire on the Retvizan and that ship was
badly damaged before the fleet with
drew. At the expiration Of two hours,
the japanese fleet having performed
their task, withdrew in perfect order.
There were no casualties among the
JaDanese
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03
Municipal Improvement.

During the present session Of the
legislature municipalities have asked
for authority to make bond issues ag-
gregating over s1,0O0.OO0, in every in
stance the issue being for the pur-
pose of making municipal improve
ments, chiefly waterworks, sewerage
and electric light plants. Jackson
leads the list of Mississippi cities in
this respect. having obtained author
ity to make an issue of s250,000 for
MaterWorks purpOses.
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03
pirector RowIand'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 $45, 900 per annum,
and only one dissenting vote was
cast against it. 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 to carry
on the work. some notable accomplish.
ments are expected.
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03
THIRTY.EIcHTH DAY.

With but little opposition shown,
the lower house this morning passed
the bin appropriating 100000 for the
first year and sl2.500 for the second
year to support the Confederate home
at Beauyoir 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 ard the measure passed by
& vote of So to rs. allowing the bureau
$4,000 to complete the State exhibit
The stock law BILL reported as q
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 bin to abolish the county convict
leasing system. and the measure was
left pending at adjournment
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03
Telephone Bill.

A stiff fight is being made by the
telephone companies against the SAM
pie bill pending before the house COM
mitteo on corporations, compelling
long distance telephone companies to
mako connections with local ex-
changes The question of constitu-
tionality has been raised. and the bill
has been referred to subcommittee
of three members for investigation of
its legal phase.
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03
Opposed to Amendments

Among many members of both
branches of the legislature there has
been strong opposition manifested
ever since the beginning of the ses-
sion against any tinkering with the
constitution, and while several pro
posed amendments have been offered
none of them have thus far reached
the point of securing the required two
thirds vote.
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03
SHOT WHILE HUNTING.
William skewes Killed by the Acct
dental Discharge Of Gun.

Cairo, ILL.,, Feb. 29-William Sleeves
of New Madrid died at St Mary's In
firmary in this city today from in
juries received by the accidental dis
charge of a gun while out hunting
last Friday afternoon. The deceased
was superintendent of the plant of the
Southern Land and Lumber Company
near New Madrid. He was 32 years
of age and leaves wife and three
children The remains will be taken
to st. Genevieve, Mo-, for burial.
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03
Levee Bond Sale.

Greenville, Miss, Feb 29.-The
board of Mississippi Ievee commissions
ers of this district met at their Of
fee today to order the issuance and
sale of the million-dollar bonds for the.
completion of levee building in this
district. The secretary was ordered
by the board to advertise for the sale
of the bonds, the bids to be opened
at the next meeting of the board,
April 1S The time set for the deliver
ance of the bonds was as follows:
$3.50, 900 May /. July 1, September |
and December 81. There was other
business transacted. but this Was ~
of importance in which the public was
Interested
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03

Der Of committee reports were made.
The measure changing the manage
msnt 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
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03
Ziouists TO Meet

Cleveland, O.. Feb. 25.-The seventh
annual convention of the Federation of
American Zionists viii be held in this
city June 4 to Z, inclusive. Prominent
Jews from all over the United States
are expected to attend the convention.
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03
Heavy Loss by Fire.

Rochester, N. Y. Feb 25.-Fire in the
factory of the Phelps Piano company's
dry kiln in Brockport early Wednesday
threatened for four hours to destroy the
entire business section of that place, and
resulted finally in total estimated loss
of $50 900.
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03
Siunipo Bills,

Gov Vardaman is keeping well up
with the bills passed by the two
houses, and only few enrolled meas
ures are on his desk awaiting examina-
ton 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.
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03
Found Guilty.

LIE Sueur, Mimi. Feb. 25.-George F.
Brainard, president of the Montgomery
bank, state institution, which recent
" failed. was found guilty of receiving
money, knowing that the bank was IN
solvent.
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03
New Bills Diminishing.

There has been a perceptible falling
off in the number of bills introduced
within the past few days, and but few
of the measures offered in the future
will have any chance of passage, as
every possible effort will be made to
get through and adjourn as soon as
possible.
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03
A Drastic Bill Killed.

The house judiciar..' committee last
week made an unfavorable report
on the measure introduced by Mr.
Byrd, of Newton. compelling foreign
corporations doing business in Mis-
sissippi to take out domestic char
ters.
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03
Locomotive ,Explodes.

Williamsport, Pa. Feb. 23.-A freight
locomotive on the Philadelphia and Erie
railroad blew up Tuesday near Kane in
stantly killing Engineer James Quinn
and Fireman Jones The wreckage took
fire and several freight cars were de-
strOYed
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03
Six Ruled bv Snowslide-

Barcelonette, France, Feb. PA
company of the One Hundred and Fifty
seventh regiment of the line, belonging
to the garrison of Jausiers fLower Alps,
was overwhelmed by an avalanche of
snow Monday night while crossing the
Col de La Parre. Nineteen men were
buried, six of whom were killed.
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03
Japanese Report outraqes.

Nagaski. Feb. 29.-Six hundred and
fifty Japanese refugees from Man
churia arrived here today on the
steamer Kwang Ping. They state that
they were badly maltreated by the
Russian soldiers, who pillaged their
homes and drove them out destitute
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03
Are Sentenced.

kishineff, Russia, Feb 26.-Two
brothers named Petreske weres placed
on trial here Thursday. charged with
having taken part in the Jewish mas
sacres. Each was sentenced to four
years penal servitude.
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03
Killed BY a Snowslide.

Sandusky, O.. Feb. 26.-Capt Avery
Henderson, well known in military cir
cles and former chairman of the repub-
lican executive committee of Ohio, a
resident of Sandusky, was killed by a
snowslide at Roosevelt, Idaho, Wednes-
day
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03
One Life Probably Lost.

Baltimore, Md. Feb. 22-It was
thought that not life was lost in the
fire here, but charred body. sup
posed to be that of colored man,
has been found in the water at Bow
ley's wharf The body is SO badly
burned as to be unrecognizable.
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03
THlRTY-SfxTh DAY.

After a spirited fight. consuming
the entire morning session, and dur
ing which much bitterness was dis
played, the senate defeated the bill
seeking to abolish Friars Point as one
OF the county sites of Coahoma county.
Although II was only local measure,
a surprising opposition was stirred up
and some rather high-tempered speech.
es we're made by members. Ever since
the legislature convened delegation
OF Friars Point citizens has been at
the capital for the purpose of defeat
ing the bill, and their object was ac-
complished this morning, the vote be-
ing IA to 10. No motion to reconsider
was entered. Senator J. Alcorn Glow
er was the champion of the bill and
made very determined fight with the
odds arrayed against him.
The senate committee on finance
made an adverse report on the bill al
lowing the University of Mississippi
interest due on It's land grant fund for
the years 1904 and 1905. 1t is under
stood that the effort win now be made
to push this measure through the
house. The public health and quaran-
tine committee gave black eye to the
bill seeking to regulate the practice
of osteopathy and creating State
board of examiners therefor, which
means that the State will not recog-
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03
Japanese Firmly Intrenched.

Rome, March 1.-The minister of
marine has received telegram con-
firming the report that the Japanese
are intrenched in Possiet Bay and
that Japanese warships are in the
bay ready to support the infantry
should there be an attack made on
them.
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03
Negro Democrats to Meet.

st. Louis, Mo-, Feb. 26.-The execu-
tive committee of the National Negro
Democratic league has decided to hold
the next national convention of the
league in St Louis, July Z, and 3,
1904
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03
To Meet in Springfield.

ST. Louis, Feb. 24-The national COM
mittees OF the fusion and the middle OF
the road wings Of the populist party have
decided to hold joint national conven-
ton in Springfield, H.. on July 4.
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03
Celebrated Trotter Dead,

Fishkill Land, N. Y, Feb. 22-The
Abbott, 2:03A, John j. Scannelrs celc-
brated ten-year-old trotter, died at
the Scannell stock farm here Friday
night, after being sick two days.
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03
A Fatal Fight.

Bryan, Tex. Feb. 24.-ln a pitched
battle between whites and blacks near
Madisonville, Sam Seay. a prominent
young man, was killed and several other
whites were wounded
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03
Russian on the Lookout.

Colombo. Island of Ceylon, Feb 29.
One of the vessels OF the Russian
volunteer cruiser fleet is reported to
be cruising $40 miles to the westward
Of Colombo.
Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-03-03
IhlRrY.NINIH DAY.

The days session of the legislature
was devoid of special features. Sew
eral motions to reconsider important
bills were tabled, and large num-