davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1904-07-07

signal in this position without proper
clearance from the operator on duty.
If train for which there is a clear
track approaches, the arm of the sema-
phore assumes diagonal position,
and the train proceeds.
A "block" is the section of track be
tween two signal stations Say that
A, B and G are three offices on a line.
A train approaching A running toward
G will not be permitted to pass AS sig
nal until the operator has ascertained
that the section, or block, between A
and b is clear. In each Office sheet
is kept whereon is registered the time
of all trains-the time of arrival and
departure from the station in which
the sheet is used; the time a train en-
ters the block on the left, and the time
it clears at the station on the right,
and vice versa. As soon as a train is
reported into section, the operator in
charge is responsible until it has
cleared the section on the other side of
him. 1t will be seen that if properly
managed, the system protects a train
from head-on, as we'll as rear-end col
lisions, for when train approaches a
station-say A running toward C-the
operator, before he lets it pass, calls up
B and instructs the operator there to
block all trains running in the opposite
direction. Further, if train running
toward A approaches G, the operator
at the latter point must instruct B to
block all approaching trains. This
leaves the operator at B responsible
for the safety of both trains. He
leaves both his signals at danger" un-
til such time as the rules permit the
trains to pass.
It would occupy too much time and
space to give full description of the
system, but the brief outline here
given will convey fair idea of it's
method and Importance.
L.C. K.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1904-07-07

TEW persons, other than railway
X officials and employees, under
stand what the "block system"
is, or realize its Importance in
insuring safety to life and property.
From time to time the papers print
articles on the subject, purporting to
give the details of the system, but the
knowledge of the writers seldom goes
beyond the fact that the system is a
signal system which if properly ham
died minimizes the danger of railway
accidents. A month or so ago I read
a newspaper story to the effect that the
G. & N. w. r. RICO. was about to intro
duce the block system on its division
between Winona and Huron, s. D. An
attempt was made to explain the work
ing of the system, but l must say the
writer came about as near the truth as
Mrs. Harley did in her explanation of
baseball rules.
The block system has no connection
with the general or special orders un-
der which train may be running, but
is entirely in the hands OF the opera
tors on duty. A block Office is tele-
graph Office equipped with semaphores.
The semaphore is placed near the track
at a point where there is nothing to
obstruct the view in either direction.
The right-hand arm, as seen from the
approaching train, is the signal by
which the train is governed. The arms
of the semaphore are usually horizon
tai at danger" No train may pass a
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1904-07-07
Che Passerbq.

passed house one summer day.
The busy street in sunshine lay:
I:heard song, so sweet and gay,
Like that of some bright maid at play;
smiled as I went on my way.
And when upon that summer day,
The sombre street in shadow lay,
1 heard a moan, a sob, a cry,
Ny soul was sad in sympathy;
Iwept as went on my way.
a smile, tear that summer day,
And what their meaning, who shall say?
For some were bright and some were gay,
And some in darkest shadow lay;
The world, unheeding, went its way.
Charlotte Elizabeth Wells, in Harper's.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1904-07-07

of my frst trip as sales
man, I was disappointed to find no
coaches OF omnibuses ofany kind await
ing me. Whether the town had none,
or whether no one was ever chump
enough to stay overnight in the town,
/ don't know; but do know that l
had to walk to the only hotel in the
place.
Here's mystery to me: How can
village people walk in the darkest
nights without falling every few steps?
The station master had kindly:told me
to keep right along till l got to Main
ST., where I'd have no difficulty in find
ing the Phoenix Hotel. I obeyed in
structions as far as I could which
wasn't far, for shortly after leaving the
lights of the depot was lost. was
in a vast tunnel for all 1 knew. But
1 kept going, and fell down only when
absolutely necessary. I would go
along nicely for about three yards and
bring up suddenly against a tree. l
began to wonder if was walking in a
circle and thought of marking some
object, as lost woodmen do. But it
was so dark that 1 couldn't see any
object to mark, SO l kept banging
ahead, now falling off the board walk,
now running against fence. Once l
came "bang" against a door which
opened suddenly and man standing
in flood of yellow lamplight, bawled
out: "Who's that?" To which /
replied, "Me." Whereupon the man
said, "We don't keep tramps here" and
shut the door.
After ten minutes of frantic explor-
ing found the gate of the mans yard
and went out as I had come in, and
stepped onto the board walk. Also of
it some more. Then 1 broke my hat
crown by butting into telegraph pole
Just when 1 had decided to call fol
help, saw distant lights. cat last,"
said; s'now I'm all right, and soon I'll
be in room at the hotel and if any
body ever says Shutdown to Sunday in
I'll bite him." By following the flicker
ing lights arrived safeIy-at the depot
once more.
The depot master was glad to see nj
again, and asked why came back.
explained.
"Well," said he, "that beats all; go
lost in Slabtown2"
"Yes, sir" said I, as 1 pinned up I
rent in my overcoat.
"WeIl," said he, "I'll take you VI
pretty soon. I've got to wait for tn
9:18, and then I'll be off duty"
Thanking him 1 sat down to wait
Fortunately the 9:1S was only 81
minutes late, so long before midnigh
l had written on the hotel register
"John Jones, Travelling Representative
for Baggs and Jaggs, Importers, New
York" and was shown to my room.
had fallen asleep and was selling hug
cases of groceries to good payini
customers when some one hit my bed
room door with a baseball bal
Fsncying q fire had broken out
shouted, "What's the matterp" 81
you want any breakfast you'd better b
Citing up" replied some shriekin
female. Cali right" said /, and at ono
/ turned over and went to sleep ono
more. 1 arose at 8 q. m.. My. rooI
looked very desolate. The only furn
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1904-07-07
The Farmers Cor
poration.

Paper Reod Before the Chautauq,ta Circle.
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1904-07-07
In Slabtown.

w YHEN 1 alighted from the
NA/ train at Slabtown on a
Wv memorable Saturday night
The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1904-07-07
The Railway Block
System.

NEW persons, other than railway
X officials and employees, under
stand what the "bIock system
The Savannah morning news., 1904-09-24
RUSSIANS ARE USING
BALLOONS TO OBSERVE.

Mukden, Sept. 23.-The Russians are
using war balloons southeast of Muk-
den for the purpose of observing the
movements of the Japanese in that
direction.
The line of outposts established by
the Japanese is so effective that not
even the Chinese have been able to
penetrate it. 1t is impossible, therefore,
to say definitely how Marquis Oyama
has disposed his forces 1t is be-
lieved Gen. Kurokis army stretches
from Bensiaputze to Bnsiahu and the
armies of Gems Oku and Nodzu from
Yentai along the high road and rail-
road to Shahepu, sixteen miles south
of Mukden, while fourth army is
moving from Dizantchan across the
Da mountains. All these roads con-
verge at Mukden.
OF the four armies those of Oku
and Nodzu are nearest Mukden and
their progress win have to be slack
ened in order to permit Kuroki and
the fianking columns time to come up
Meanwhile Oko and Nodzu have COM
mand of the railroad.
Supplies of grain and ammunition
are carried from Yentai over heavy
roads exposed to capture by enterpris-
ing Cossack raiders.
There has been an improvement in
the weather at Mukden, which is of
great help to the Japanese.
The Savannah morning news., 1904-09-24
TO EXTEND ROAD
LOANED The MONEY
MACON, DUBLIN & SAVANNAH
EXTENSION FROM DUBLIN CAUSE
OF A SUIT.

Accounting Is Sought From the IL
linOis and Georgia Improvement
Company for SS5O.OOO Loaned,
April 1, 19O1-AmOng Those Mem
toned i'm the Bills Are Prominent
Chicago Men who Are stOcIxhOId-
ern-The Allegations Made.
Chicago, Sept. 23.-AsIxing an ac-
counting from the Illinois and Georgia
Improvement Company for loan of
$750,0O0, made April l. 1901, and seeking
to secure the payment of the money,
the American Trust and Savings Bank,
as trustee of the collateral security, has
filed a bill in the Superior Court, In
which sixtytwo prominent Chicagoans
are made defendants as stockholders OF
the corporation. Among those men,
toned in the bills are: William A.
Pinkerton. William A. Fuller, Granger
Farwell, William Havemeyer and 9TH
ers interested in the Georgia Improve
ment Company.
The bill asserts that the $750,000 was
obtained for the purpose of paying the
indebtedness of the company, and to
build an extension to the Macon. Dob
lin and Savannah Railroad from Dub
lin to Lyons, Ga. 1t is asserted no in
terest has been paid on the bonds by
the railroad and many of the stock
holders want their stock and bonds
sold to satisfy the indebtedness. 9th
ers are resisting the action.
The trust company wants the i'm
provement corporation to account for
what is due on the promissory note,
and asks that its interests as trustee
be protected.
The bill also asks that in
the event of the sale Of
the collateral security, the court ap-
point a receiver for the Improvement
company to conduct the sale.
The Savannah morning news., 1904-09-24
MAY FIGHT OVER THE
GRAVES OF THE MANCHUS

st. Petersburg, Sept. 23.-6:26 p. M
A brief telegram received to-day from
Lieut.. Gen. Sakharoff, announcing the
advance of the japanese from Bent
siaputze on the village near Flu pass,
east of Mukden and the site of the
imperial tombs which is likely to re-
vive the fears expressed at Pekin that
an engagement may be fought at the
burial place of the Manchu dynasty.
No mention is made of the resistance
to the advance, but it is not believed
this indicates that the Russians do not
intend to further oppose the march of
the Japanese to Mukden. 1t probably
signifies that the Japanese force is
using the small road to Flu pass, be-
tween the highways leading to Muk-
den and F'ushun, with the intention
of isolating the Russian columns guard
ing Fushun.
The Japanese are still trying to turn
Gen. Kuropatkin's left flank. but there
is no indication of their moving west
of the Hun river.
Sinmintin is still held by the Cos
sacks.
The Savannah morning news., 1904-09-24
SPENCE STABBED
BY ]. R. MCDONALD
WARE COUNTY POLITICIANS
INVOLVED IN A DIFFICULTY THAT
MAY PROVE FATAL.

Spence, Nominee of Democrats for
the Legislature Sought Mcdonald
His Independent Opponent, to De-
mand RetrnctiOn of Alleged state-
ments-The stabbinE Resulted.
Both Men Prominent and Popular.
More Trouble Is Feared
Waycross, Ga. Sept. 23.-Dr. j. M.
Spence, representative from Ware
county, was seriously stabbed by j.
r. Mcdonald. near Waresboro this
afternoon.
Only meager details of the stab
bing can be learned tonight. DIR.
Spence is at his home in Waresboro,
and two Waycross physicians are at
tending him. 1t was stated tonight
that his injuries may prove fatal as
one of the wounds is almost through
his lungs. The doctor was stabbed
four times. once in his left breast,
once in the hip, and again from the
stomach down his leg. The most Sc
rious stab is in the back near the
right shoulder bone.
DR.. Spence is Democratic nominee
from Ware county, and is opposed by
Mr.. Mcdonald as an Independent. The
latter represented Ware county six
years ago. and has been candidate for
reelection at every primary since. For
years there has been bad feeling be-
tween the men.
The report of the row is that DR..
Spence went to McDonald's home for
the purpose of forcing him to sign
aff1davits Withdrawing certain charges
made against him by Mcdonald. 1t
is said that Spence drew revolver
and informed Mcdonald that he would
kill him unless affidavits were signed.
A friend was in the buggy with
Spence, and when the pistol was drawn
he caught hold of the doctors arm.
Mcdonald then sprung upon Spence
and while his friend was holding him
to prevent Mcdonald from being shot,
the stabbing was done. 1t is also
claimed that a friend of Mcdonald
was present and held pistol on
Spence while Mcdonald was stabbing
him.
Both Spence and Mcdonald have
large family connections here. and ii
is believed that there will be further
trouble during the night This city
is considerably stirred up about the
affair.
The Savannah morning news., 1904-09-24
THE DISPOSITION OF
THE JAPANESE FORCES.

st. Petersburg, Sept. 2S-A dispatch
received here to-day from Mukden
gives details of the Japanese positions
as follows:
Gen. Kuroki has concentrated one
army with Bentsiaputze and Bensihu
as it's radius. and his advance is push
ing forward along the road leading to
Fushun and Flu pass. The advance
force of two other armies occupy the
Yentai mines, the village of Yentai
and Sandenu. The front Of these three
armies is protected by an outpost
screen, which Chinese are not allowed
to pass. A small Japanese detach-
ment is moving along the left bank
OF the Lao river in order to protect
junks
The same dispatch reports that Chi
nese bandits are openly siding with
the Japanese.
The weather at Mukden is rainy and
windy and cold has prematurely set
in.
The Savannah morning news., 1904-09-24
KILLED CHRISTENING PARTY.
Two Men, n Woman and the Baby
Met Their Death.

Pittsburg, Pa. Sept. 23.--Two men,
one woman and a baby, all foreigners,
were killed at Braddock tonight by
the Pennsylvania fast express. which
left here at 9 o'clock.
The accident happened at the Thir-
teenth street crossing. The party had
Just alighted from street
car and started across the
tracks on their way home.
The crew of the freight train standing
on the siding tried to warn them Of the
approaching express. but in vain.
The woman and baby were thrown
about seventy-five yards to the pas
senger track on the south and the men
were thrown to the track on the north.
The body Of the woman was cut in half
and the bodies of the men were badly
mangled.
The party were returning from
church where they had gone TO have
the baby christened.
The Savannah morning news., 1904-09-24
COMMISSION RECEIVES
PROTEST OF THE MAYOR.
Has Not Returned Yet From Its
south Georgia Jaunt.

Has Not Returned Yet From Its
south Georgia Jaunt.
Atlanta, Sept. 23.-The Railroad Com
mission to-day received a letter from
Mayor Herman Myers. Of Savannah,
asking for information regarding the
recent changes made in rates on manu-
factured articles from Atlanta to Ma
con, Athens, Augusta and Columbus.
Mayor Myers asked for the old rates
in each case, in order that it might
be shown just where Savannah stands.
Secretary George #. Montgomery
stated that he would reply to the COM
munication tomorrow. 1t is the i'm
tention of the commission, Mr.. Mont
gomery says. as stated in the inter-
view by Commissioner Joseph M.
Brown, to make similar reductions in
rates on manufactured commodities
from Savannah and all other points in
the state where manufacturing estab-
lishments are located. so that when the
work is finally completed the entire
rate system of the state on the COM
modities affected will be relatively on
the same basis that it is now.
None Of the commissioners has yet
returned to the city. They went to
Cordele the first of the week to look
into the depot situation and after
wards took the trip over the Atlantic
and Birmingham Railroad. They are
expected back at the Capitol the first
of next week.
The Savannah morning news., 1904-09-24
FRENCHMAN SCOOPS
THE GENERAL STAFF.
He and the Czar Get Exclusive News
From Port Arthur.

Eoh EOrI arthur.
Paris, Sept. 24.-The Mathis st.
Petersburg correspondent telegraphs
as follows:
kilograms, of which the general
staff have as yet no knowledge. reach
ed the Emperor at 4 o'clock this morn
ing. 1 can affirm that they concern
Port Arthur, regarding which place
the greatest anxiety prevails at court.
THE japanese are now engaged in
a general assault, which is more fu-
rious than its predecessors, attacking
the town on three sides simultaneous
ly and employing their whole forces,
being determined to finish the busi-
ness. Russian mines blew up whole
battalion, Gen. Fock especially dis
tinguished himself, directing the fire
from the wall, which the Japanese
reached after indescribable massacre.
The whole of Admiral Togo's and
Vice Admiral Kamimura's squadrons
are aiding the struggle, which, it is
feared here, will be final. The besieged
forces are fighting as in furnace. A
perfect storm of shell is falling on the
town, port and fortress from the hills
and roadstead. Gen. Stoesse1 is going
from fort to fort, encouraging the de-
tenders in their desperate efforts.
I'm st. Petersburg the facts concern
ing the tragic event which perhaps
will terminate by a glorious fall of
Port Arthur. are wholly unknown. At
court hope has not yet been entirely
abandC ned"
The Savannah morning news., 1904-09-24
TIME CONTRACTS TO
GOVERN MARRIAGE.
siIIy-season Theory Advanced by
George Meredith.


London, Sept PA silly-season
newspaper discussion of the marriage
question has provoked a remarkable
statement OF opinion from the novelist,
George Meredith, who in an interview
in the Daily Mail welcomes free dis
cussion of the subject. though. as he
confesses. everything that ought to
be said has to be cut In half" He
predicts a change in the legal condi-
tions Of marriage and foreshadows
state of society permitting marriages
for certain limited periods. the state
enforcing a provision of money dur
ing that period to provide for and edu-
cate children, the government possibly
taking charge OF this fund. MIR. Mere
dlth says:
There will be a devil OF an uproar
before any such change can be made.
II will be a great shock; but look back
and see what shocks there have been
and what changes have nevertheless
occurred In the marriage business IN
the past"
Mr.. Meredith foresees great difficulty
IN English conservatism. notably re-
vealed IN criticism Of America. IN
dicatlnG the Englishman's persistency
in regarding any new trait az a sign
Of disease. Yet" Mr.. Meredith says.
~ ls "A Sign Of health, and / am very
glad n any words OF mine can help
air the subject"
The Savannah morning news., 1904-09-24
MILES WILL STUMP FOR
THE DEMOCRATIC TICKET.
on the Philippines ana the General
stnm lie VIII Speak.

New York. Sept. 23.-While Judge
Parker was receiving many visitors at
the Hoffman House to-day the mem
bers Of the Democratic Executive Conn
mittee, who saw the Judge yesterday
held a meeting in their room at ma
tional headquarters and discussed cam
paign affairs.
Gen. Nelson A. Miles called at DEM
ooratio headquarters this afternoon and
had long interview with Chairman
Taggart. Gen. Miles said that he
would make several speeches during
the campaign under the auspices OF
the speakers bureau. The general
said he would, IN his speeches. dwell
az length on two topcs-the attitude
OF the United States toward the people
~ the Philippines, and the attitude of
the administration with regard 40 the
establishment az a general army stan
NJ was announced ~ Democratic
hondauarfera thar enc speakers bn-
ruau win nend the general 0n D long
"trip over abe continent during the caui-
raiTn.
The Savannah morning news., 1904-09-24
TRAIN CRASHED
into DYNAMITE
$50 POUNDS OF THE STUFF
CAUSED DEATH AND DESTRUCTION
WHEN 1T EXPLODED.

Two Persons Were Killed and Nine
others Were Injured-YOung Man
Driving a Wagon Containing the
Explosive Lost His Presence of
Mind When He Heard the Train.
Left His Wagon and Ran-Fearful
Effects of the Explosion.
Cumberland, Nd, Sept. 2S.-Fast
freight No. "a on the Baltimore and
Ohio struck a wagon loaded with $50
pounds of dynamite at the crossing
at North Branch, w. Va, four miles
east of here, this afternoon. Two per-
sons were killed and nine were in
jured, three of them seriously.
The dead are:
c. Walter Whitehair, front brake
man, Brunswick.
Nelson Pike, Martinsburg, engineer,
scalded all over and internally; lived
two hours.
Injured:
A. B. Sanders. fireman. North Noun
tain, w. Va, arm broken, scalded on
face, body and hands.
Charles Hamilton, Baltimore and
Ohio operator and postmaster at
North Branch, cuts on face and body.
Scott Hamilton of Little Orleans, Md,
cuts on face and body at least fifty in
number.
James Ashkettle, Little Orleans, cut
in face.
Mary Twigg, Old Town, cut in face.
Raymond Hamilton, cut in face.
Maud Seibeft, cut in face.
James Laing, aged II, who was driv-
ing the dynamite wagon, cut on leg
and ear drum fractured.
Terrible Power of the Explosion.
The Baltimore and Ohio tower was
wrecked, as were several residences
nearby. The commissary of Mike Ell
more. Wabash sub-contractor and the
Wabash temporary hospital, with other
small buildings, were demolished. The
windows of the school house and of
the residence of G. A. Zimmerly on
the mountain, half a mile away, were
all broken out. No house escaped
damage.
JdlllCS A4dlIlSB WIN OAONG NhC NoS CAA3
escaped with only trivial injury, as did
the two horses, although the latter
were blown fifty yards into field. Ac-
cording to eye-witnesses, Laing, hear
ing the train. became terrified and
stopped on the track. The wagon was
three feet of clearing it when the en-
gine struck the rear end, carrying it
fifty feet before the explosion. Laing
deserted the wagon and ran down from
the track into a ditch. He was knock
ed down and rendered unconscious for
o time. but the force of the explosion
passed over him.
The engine was overturned and strip
ped and seven cars following, loaded
with high grade merchandise, were
broken, several being demolished. The
tracks were thrown out of the bed and
twisted serpentine, while rails were
snapped like pipestems. The wires
were torn down and relief was tele-
graphed for after going to Patterson's
Creek on a handcar.
Seven Doctors Hurried On.
Seven doctors went from here by
special train. Engineer Pike was held
under iron scraps on top of the boiler
while being slowly cooked to death.
1t required four men to extricate him.
The explosion knocked nearly every
person in the neighborhood down,
hurled Hunter Bowen through a roof
but did not hurt him. and threw parts
of the engine 200 yards. Slack tele-
graph wires were snapped midway be-
tween the poles by concussion.
The Savannah morning news., 1904-09-24
BLOWN UP BY BOILER.
Four Men Were Killed by Explosion
at a Cotton Mill.

Four Men Were Killed by Explosion
at Cotton Mill.
Raleigh, N. c., Sept 23.-At 7:15
o'clock this morning, the boiler in
the gin department of the mammoth
cotton mill Erwin No. 3. at Dukes. on
the Cape Fear and Northern Railroad,
about twenty-five miles from Raleigh,
exploded with terrific violence, PARTIAL
ly wrecking the engine room and in
stantly killing three white men, one of
whom was the superintendent of the
mill, and one negro. Another negro
was scalded so badly that he will
Gle.
Several persons were thrown down
by the shock of the explosion, but their
injuries are not serious.
The dead
Henry c. Fowler of Burlington,
general superintendent of the mills.
Lee Hurst. fireman.
II. G. Brasswell.
George Mclean, colored.
Fatally scalded:
Henry Wall colored.
Both the latter were employees OF the
mill.
From the best information obtain
able. II seems that the old fireman Of
the MILL having Just been discharged.
the new man. not thoroughly under
. standing the engine. had got up too
much steam. The engine refused TO
work and the fireman went after the
superintendent. A. they entered the
engine room together there was rend-
ing roar and the men were blown 20
pieces.
Though horribly mangled, the body
~ aupt Fowler was silll recognizable,
and fhlH afternoon d was borne 20 his
homo ln Burlington. accompanied ~
bic wife and two children. The re.
mains ~ ere other men Hiii b. buried
nf NIN.