davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-16
TAKE A new TURN
Gas Company Tries Coercion to
Get Contracts.
Gas viii Be Shut Off If Don't
Sign.
STERNE THREATENED.
Commissioner Reports to the
City Attorney.
Manager Dieimann Refuses to
Discuss Action.

The Consumers Light, Heat and
Power company, as the natural gas end
of the Excelsior Coke and Gas company
is known, is threatening through its
solicitors to cut off their customers
without gas unless they sign the appli-
cation. or contract for gas for two
years at 25 cents a thousand cubic feet.
The threat, though there is not much
danger that it will be carried out, is
used to inti1nidate people into signing
the contract. It is claimed on the part
of a solicitor who approached one party
that he was given such Instructions
from P. ]. Dielmann, the local manager
of the company.
Mr.. Dielmann refused to discuss
the matter this noon. Have you
given instructions of that character to
your solicitors?'' was asked. 81
haven't anything to say came the
answer. Are you threatening to cut
your customers off if they don't sign
up the two-year agreement 'I
have nothing to say whatever on that
subject. The people in Topeka
howled here for natural gas and asked
US to give it to them, and now they
have got it, said Dielmann.
". E. Sterne, county commissioner,
who was one of the customers threat
ened in this manner by a solicitor,
said; 4 was approached this morning
just as I was leaving the house by a
solicitor from the gas company, who
asked me to sign a contract. I told
him that had never seen the con-
tract and that I didn't want to sign
until had had an opportunity to look
over the terms in the contract. He
then stated that the company would
cut me off without any gas unless I
complied by signing. I Immediately
went up to see City Attorney F. q
Drenning about it"
Mrs Ira Howe. of 1125 Harrison
street, said: "A solicitor came tn the
house the other day and asked me to
sign the contract, but I told him that
1 didn't want to sign at the time be
cause Mr.. Howe had requested me not
20 sign until he had looked up the
matter.
The young man insisted and then
threatened to take the gas meter out
OF the house unless the contract was
signed up He acted very fmpudentlv.
Nolhlng mas been done thus far and we
are slII being served with gas"
city Attorney Drenning said. "AFv
attention has been called to the action
OF the gas company by several parties
ana 1 VIII get out an opinion upon the
matter TINS afternoon. I am unable
to give any public legal opinion now
upon the status or legality of the two
year contract which the gas company
IS issuing and to which it is endeavor-
ing to get signatures It is nv belief
however, that the contracts won't hold
as such. There certainly can be no
doubt but what their franchise win be
forfe1ted If they attempt to cut anyone
of from the gas as a threat to force
signature to the contract. That sort
of action won't go in this town As
long as the price of the gas is rendered
by a prospective customer the COM
pany must furnish the same on de-
mand.''
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-16
Nc Cento.

This volume" said the bibliophile
sis a cento. It is composed of de-
tached sentences taken from the works
of Thackeray. It makes a novel, SEN
sible but short, and it was composed
in seven years by bedridden ba-
rOness.
''The best-known cento is probably
the Empress Eudoxia's Life of Christ,
made entirely of lines from Homer.
There is a similar life. composed by
Ross, that consists wholly of detached
lines from Virgil.
"Centos are often very valuable. one
compiled by Alexander Hamilton
from Milton's Paradise Lost sold not
long since for $500. The book was a
history Of America. Exchange.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-16
The Gallant Tar.

theatrical manager told this pretty
story the other day:
It was benefit performance, he
said. "and at table in the lobby. SOU
venir programmes were Being sold by
Miss Lillian Russell, Miss Ethel Barry
more, Miss Anna Held. Mrs. Edna
Wallace Hopper. Miss Edna May, and
two or three other actresses.
A stunning table it was, undoubted-
ly. A young bIue-jacke& paused before
it. He stood quite still for some min
utes, with his bronzed young face and
his neat nautical togs, staring with the
most ardent and respectful admiration
at the young ladies' before him. Then.
with half sigh, he laid a piece Of sill
yer down and turned away.
{. Won't you have something for your
money! one Of the ladies called.
"The gallant sailor smiled and an
swered:
I've had more than my moneys
worth, already thanks Los Angeles
Times.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-16

John Philip Sousa was eondemning
the voice Of a comic opera comedian.
TT is such voice. he said, smii-
ing, ''as belonged to a young man
whom I knew in my boyhood in Wash
ington.
'One night. at a mems party this
young man sang a solo. 1t was exc
cradle. In the midst of the hidaous
racket. bluff old Squire Baer entered
Squire Baer sat down and folded his
hands on the knob of his stout stick.
He waited patiently till the young man
was finished. Then he said to him:
% We'll, boy, I don't blame you. You
did your best. But if I knew the man
who asked you to sing. I'd crack him
over the head with this club "-E1x-
change.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-16
BURNED BY GASOLINE.
J. r. Miller Tries to Clean Coat With
Serious Results.

J. r. Miller, a mechanic 55 years old,
who rooms on the second floor of the
rOOming house at 120 Monroe street.
was severely burned at 10 o'clock this
morning about the hands and body.
Miller was cleaning the collar Of his
coat with gasoline and was holding the
coat in his hands when The fumes which
filed the room ignitCd and in an in
slant his clothing was on fire Miller
screamed and people living in the same
apartment turned in fire alarm. Be
fore any one could Cffer any help Miller
had beat out the flames on his cioth-
ing. The fire department arrived short
ly afterwards and put out the fire in
the room with chemicals. The greater
portion of the interior of the room was
destroyed by fire. The clothing on Mr.
Miller's body was so thoroughly burned
did not seem badly injured and did not
call in a doctor to dress his wounds.
The fire damage viii amount to SIS.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-16
FIRE In THE HALL.
Starts a Panic in Federation of Labor
Convention.

/ Pittsburg, Nov. 16-There was a, slight
panic among the delegates attending
the American Federation of Labor con-
vention at Old City hall today, caused
by the decorations in the rear of the
hall taking fire eron some unknown
cause. A rush was made Cor the fire
exits, but quiet was soon restored by
President GomDers raDping loudly for
order. The fire burned itself out in a
few moments and the convention re-
sumed the transaction Of business. No
one was injured.
The morning session was quite siren
uous. p. H. Scullen, labor organizer
known to union men in all parts of the
United States was severely criticized
by Frank Duffy of indianapolis, who
took exception to yesterdays action Of
the federation in adopting a resolution
endorsing the Industrial peace assOcia-
ton. Delegate Duffy, who IS secretary
of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joiners, charged Scullen with Irregular
tiles in connection with labor affairs in
various parts of the country.
President GOmDers announced that
the matter would be given attention
later.
DELEGATE Johannensen offered a mo-
tion refusing a donation of $500 made
by H. c. Frick for the entertainment of
the federation delegates The speaker
said the money was tainted with the
blood of the Homestead steel strike and
SAOulu not Dc dCCGptG0 uAAACA dAy SAA =
cumstances. The motion was vigorous
~ cheered and IOhannensen was re-
quested to put it in writing and present
it later to the convention eor action.
Letters were read from Governor ]. F.
Mcdonald Of Colorado, the Denver
board of trade and business and labor
organization inviting the federation to
meet next year in Denver. The letters
were referred.
W. Ndosser. fraternal delegate from the
British labor trades council, addressed
the council on the labor situation in
England.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-16

Garfield w Weede. the left end of the
Pennsylvania football team, lay with
broken leg in the university hospital In
the same ward lay two other football VIC
TINS. William Hollenbach and Frank
Fuqua, the former with a broken leg
the latter with a fractured skull. Flow
ers-grcat masses of roses and violets-
surrounded these brave men.
Yes 7 am afraid said Weede, with
a patient smile. that football is becom-
ing a pretty bloody, a. pretty CHASTITY
sort of game It reminds me of barber
ing down east.
q once went into a down east barber
shop to get my hair cut. AS I sat in the
chair. and the scissors clicked away, the
barber's dog lay beside me on the floor.
looking uD at me all the time most at
teutiveIy.
Nice dog. that said T.
He is, sir said the barber.
watching you cut hair
Tt amt that, sir, explained the bar
Der. smiling. Sometimes I make a mis-
take and take a little piece off of a GUS
toner's ear Los Angeles Times
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-16

1.-THE clay eaters are hardy, but pale
The clay is a deep yellow; with a smootn,
sweet taste. something ike yelloW-Jdck
molasses candy.
The ethnoIogIst had just returned from
North Carolina where he had been study
inc the famous colony of clay eaters.
''They are all of English descent. he
continued, and they talk with a marked
F1nglish accent They are Il htae asham-
ed Of their habit They deny it at first
to strangers But this shame soon dis
appears.
'sThe clay is eaten raw. cut into round
cakes. Sometimes it is Dreaded, and
served with molasses or maple syrup.
Sometimes. again. it is mixed with sweet
pota toes in a pudding
'tI tried it. The taste was sickening to
me I could not more have eaten the
loathsome stuff than could have eaten
a plug Of chewing tobacco.
1.-THE clay is found near the mineral
streams They ate it first from hunger,
due to crop failures. But they eat it now
as the Chinese eat opium, because they
have formed vicious taste for it. -
Los Angeles Times.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-16

That the geographical area of the
United States is not fully comprehend
son De Angels, the comedian. who is
starring in ''Fantana." An English
man, accompanied by his valet, had
been travelling due west from New
York for four days. At the end of
the fourth day. master and servant
seated themselves in the smoker of the
train, whence the man looked steadily
out of the car window. At last his
companion grew curious. John" he
said, "of what are you thinking?' p
''I was just thinking, sir. about the
discovery of Hamerica,'' replied the
valet. columbus didn't do such
wonderful thing Nvhen he found this
country. did he, sir? Halter all s
said and done 'ow could e 'elp it?''=
Harper's weekly.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-16
LOCAL MENTION.

W. N West, Major A. NJ. Harvey. c.
c. Baker, @. Z. GauIt and Herbert
Armstrong win leave tonight for Bar
Der county to hunt quail
A new case of diphtheria was reported
this morning to the city health depart
ment from $40 East Fourth street A
family by the name Of Galletly was
quarantined
Col. Clarence F. Gooding. representing
the census bureau, is in the city making
a. report for the bureau upon the city's
finances. He has spent the last several
days at the city treasurer's and city
clerks offices.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-16
SENATOR LONG HERE.
He Is on His Way to Atchison to See
Politicians.

Senator Long is to be in Topeka for
a short time this afternoon, on his
way to Atchison, where he viii spend
tonight. and part of Friday r. H.
FaxOn. the senator's secretary, is in
the city today. Speaking of Senator
Longs recent session with the Wichita
Chamber of Commerce, Mr.. Faxon
said.
"Of course am sorry that people
do not wholly approve of the attitude
which Senator Long has taken in this
matter, but If everybody viii lust wait
for month or So I feel sure that it
viii all come out right, and everybody
viii be satisfied. Senator Long has
gone on record too many times on this
matter Of rate regulation for his gen
eral attitude on the question to be un-
known. He simply feels that this is
not the time to declare himself
Senator Longs visit to Atchison is
simply for the purpose of meeting
and talking with some of the polf-
ticians of that city
He viii be in Leavenworth Satur-
day, and viii witness a review of the
troops at the fort there. He viii also
attend a reception and dinner which
is being arranged for him
Saturday night he viii leave Kansas
CITY Tor Washington, accompanied by
MI FaXon and Mr.. Faxon's family.
Tt is not expected that anv an
nOuncement viii be made concerning
the federal appointments until about
Dec. ~. when the term of United
states District Attorney ]. S. Dean viii
expire.
Harry Bone. the other aspirant for
this appointment is in Topeka today.
presumably to see Senator Long. Mr..
Bone said.
80 far as I can see. everything
looks favorable to me. I know of no
new developments which affect the sit
uation. Tt is not likely that anv an
pOintment viii be announced until
after congress convenes."
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-16
A Pretender to the Russian
Throne Has Appeared.
He Has Already Gathered a Fol
lowing Of $4,000.
PANIC ON THE BOURSE.
Results From a Report That a
Dictator Is Named.
Emperor Calls His Cabinet To-
gether in Special Session.

st. Petersburg Nov. 16.-5.45 p. M
A false emperor has suddenly made his
appearance near Penza and already his
followers number $4,000 This is the
startling report received this afternoon
in a dispatch from Simbirsk Penza is
in the heart of the vast region, extend
ing westward from the Volga where
Agrarian upristngs on a large scale have
been occurring and if the report turns
out to be true. that the pretender to
the throne has placed himself at the
head of the peasantry, the government
viii soon face. besides its other troubles,
a formidable agrarian rebellion. It re-
quired d year to suppress the famous
rebellion led by Pugaticheff. who imper-
sonated the dethrOned and murdered
Peter III I'm the time of Catherine II.
That uprising was started in the same
region on the banks Of Volga.
Panic on the Bourse.
A panic prevailed on the bourse today
as the result of rumor that the Grand
Duke Nicholas Nichloavietch, command
er of the imperial guards, had been ap-
pointed military dictator.
There was a stampede of holders Of
industrial stocks, who hastened to un-
load Government lotteries fell Il
points to 400 and imperial IS dropped to
831z, q. lower point than touched at any
time during the war
NJ VOufch, chief of Premier Witte's
chancellory. authorized the Associated
Press to positively deny the report that
a dictator had been appointed. He also
declared that it had not been decided
to declare martial law in ST. Peters
burg.
A special meeting of the cabinet with
Emperor Nicholas presiding is being
held this afternoon at Tsarkoe-Selo to
consider the situation. This is the first
meeting of the cabinet held under the
direct presidency of his majesty since
the creation of a responsible ministry.
The emperor who arrived at the palace
at Tsarkoe-SeI0a last night from Peter
hof. called today's meeting upon Count
Writes suggestion.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-16
ANOTHER FINE DAY.
Mercury Reaches Maximum of se
Degrees.

There is no change in the weather
conditions Of the last week same bright
warn Gays, and night just s3ol enouen
for comfort lighted by a big bright
moon which turns the night into day as
far as briliancy is concerned. The msr-
curry starts in around the 80 mark in
the early morning and by easy stages
reaches about so mark by. 3 o'clock and
then just as leisureIy as those In raacf1
this point it records until it reaches it's
starting point of the early morning.
The hourly temperatures for the dav
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-16

The stranger. paused before the hall and
smiled The great shrieks and screams
OF laughter that came from within were
contagious
The billboard announced an amateur
performance. He approached the box
office and said:
ssThev seem to be enjoying themselves
in there. heard their shouts and CUFF
avs three blocks away.
Yes" said the attendant. Yes; that s
right"
What are they playing?" asked the
stranger.
Hamlet
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-16
BURTON CASE WAITS.
Judge Vandeventer Wants to Hear
from Mr.. Dyer.

ST. Louis Mo. Nov. 16.-United States
Circuit Judge Vandeventer today granted
time until tomorrow to permit United
states District Attorney Dyer to file
with the court the governments reply
to the plea in bar filed yesterday by
counsel for United States Senator Bur
ton Of Kansas. against the indictment
recently returned against Senator Bur
ton by the federal grand jury.
Arguments will then be heard before
the court
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-16
sued for Divorce Id aO.

A divorce suit in which the princi-
pals are 80 and so years old was fled
in the district court this afternoon.
The divorce is asked by Lucy Clark
againts J. G. Clark who lives at Glen
coe. The husband is 80 and is charged
with abandonment.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-16
MURDER AT HILL CITY
Charles WeIzen is Found Dead on
Railroad.

Hill City. Kan, Nov. 16--Charles
WeIzeH. son of Newton Welzen muir
dered body was found east of town on
the railroad. An inquest is now being
held.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-16

New York Nov. l6.-7 a. m. tempera
lures: New York. A; Boston. As. Phil
adelphia, A. Washington. AZ. Chieago
Louis, So
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-16

Chicago. Nov. 16.-Forecast for kan
sas: Fair tonight and Friday; mod
crate temperat ture.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-16
CHANGED His Mind.

Had anything occurred to change
YOUR mind as to the propriety of the in
PRODUCTION of such measures ?''
.sYes. sir The fact that the base
caIumny which Mr.. Hyde uttered here
had been circulated in the papers and I
called Senator Amber and said that
as desirable as I believed the legisla-
tion, I feared that my unfortunate con-
nection with the ship building matter
was of such q character that It would
be better for him to drop this legisia-
ton, That interview took place some
The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1905-09-01
Jack
Harkaway's
Schooldays
By BRAcEBRIDGE hEMYNc

CHAPTER XXX.
| ~HE mask had fallen from tn
| rufian's face, and the prin
cipal OF Pomona House ex
pected to see truculent fea
lures disclosed to his view. He starte<
back in astonishment
Whom have we herer' he cried 4,
blank amaZement
Jacks face, smiling In spite Of ad
versity. looked beamingly up at him.
Its only 1, sirw he exclaimed.
"Harkaway Bedingtonl Harkaway
under the guise Of q highwayman, ha,
dared to stop and rob his respected pre-
| ceptor."
"Do you know the thlefY' aehed ON,
OF the strangers. They were CONNER
cial travellers
Don't YOU call me a thief or I'n"-
began jack. rising to his feet.
What will you do, my young whip
per snapperT interrupted the CONNER
DIAL traveller.
Why, I'd eat you II you wasn't sc
big and unwholesome looking" an.
swered Jack. "As II ia, consider your
self kicked"
you're a nice fellow, I don't think
and It's my opinion you'll come to O
bad end"
This. SIR" said Mr.. Crawcour. way.
ing his hand impressiveiy. is my pu.
pill"
He doesn't do you much credit,
then"
Right, sir. Your answer does credit
to your sagacity and perspicacity. II
these words are beyond your capacity,
their meaning will be found In John
sons Dictionary. The boy has been
playing n trick upon me, but require
not your interference any further You
can go your ways"
You might be civil, anyhow. Come,
Jim. jump In and drive on. Any one
would think II was the 1st OF April and
all the fools had got let out for a holt
day"
So saying. the commercial got into
his gig, followed by his companion, and
drove on.
Come alongr exclaimed Mr.. Craw-
cour, grasping Jack tightly by the col
lar OF his jacket.
Hold hard minute, SIR" replied
Jack. You'll see those cheeky fellows
go such a cropper directly"
bs he spoke the commercials horse
pitched over some concealed obstacle
in the road, and the inside passengers,
as Jack called them, alighted on the
hedge top very much as Mr.. Crawcour
had done a little while before.
'What is the cause of that?" asked
the principal.
"I'll tell you presently, sir Get into
your trap and cut off. They'll be on to
us for damages II they know who we
are. Make haste, sir"
The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1905-09-01
How can you work II ?-

How can you work itY'
Easy enough. My mother md 2,
'her nave half dozen children vonr
ser than l, and they can Ill afford III
expense OF them. SO they will be pio,
enough to get rid Of me-
Ihen I'll decide Upon going =
mere anything desperate one can r.
Just by the way Of a windun-soroa
thing that will make old Crawco,,r =,
oown on his knees and saw his nro ,,o., .,
w,." en ne sees the back Of me3 / should
Lers take a week and think"
| 1hey stroiied through the fields md
sane 10 the river. AN elderly gentle.
n,ah was very contentedly fishing hn+
uiu not seem to have had much snort
hliied anything. sir?" asked Jack
NOT much; half dozen roach or
iou ought" continued Jack. "rbers
was whole Infants school unset in q
purge here and drowned n fortnicht
ago and none Of them has been fonnd
1hey say the eeis have been extro ena
ever since" me
.n ne gentleman pointed to his eve.
~ you see any green there" asked
sne angler. But, come, 1 see Won ore
.ohu Oh your fun. I shall not fish anv
more today - the sport is NOT COL
enough. I'll stroll with you and sn,n vo,,
yarn or two-that Is to sav ~ 80
oont object to the company of mn Ola
Not at all. Sir. Are you n sailor %,
Jack said. ''u saiior r
Yes, and have been, man and bow
,nis iorty years, and much as the 500
nas tossed me about haven't done
WIN it yet. for I'm the captain of os
ahe ship as ever floated."
Ai'er this declaration the h1.ss ma
e angler became good friends. Thev
mat their new friend was Can
ain Cutie. staying at Lille Rr,dao
WIN some friends during n brief snsII
lshore' and they told him who tbor
vere. VIM lhey
oda L should have met you sirn
ack exclaimed, because nv noro-,t.
'ere thinking of sending me 70 Coo
III should like TO go with inst sucb
captain as yourself"
wen said. my lad. I'm beot,n, Is
'r few midshipmen. and ~
creed to take one of DR.. Bephta,s - e
nave no objection to You II vonr e.
Ter VIII apprentice you and lot yn,,
gn articles" '"u b
ana me- sirT' said Harvey eagerly
on yes. There's plenty of room 20,
l.tie shrimp In big pot" replied tho
pain, with a smile.
where can we see you. sir7. os,s
ok. asked
[<;
Iaptain Cutie gave him his address
Lille Bridge. eSS
men do you sail?" Jack cont,nnad
In ten days from this date. n w. -
AK to your parents upon the matter =
Vii take you with their consent. but =
on those terms. would never be
'arty to a boys running away from -
school or his home"
They say the sea is a hard life - 70
rked Harvey. -
Not harder than most others I'm +
ich you have to work for living =
ppose you are q clerk and have TO Bo,
at a desk from 0 till 6. That's hard. Ga
I itf' phi.
SU
10 be continued.