davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1905-01-15
HEARD HIS OWN
DEATH SENTENCE
Innocent Man Condemned on Cir
cumstantial Evidence for Crime
Committed by Woman.

While stationed at Jefferson Barracks,
Mo. a few miles from the city of St.
Louis. 1 went through an experience
which 1 considered very serious at the
time.
One evening, while down at the rail-
way station, train arrived from ST
Louis and among the passengers that
alishted was young and handsome wo-
man. She seemed at first undecided
what to do, but after looking around for
few moments. she came over to where
was standing, and asked If there was
anything of interest to be seen at the
barracks. I told her the horses and
stables We're about all just then as the
drills were all over for the day Sho
! said she was very sorry the drills were
over, as she was interested in military
affairs.
After discussing various subjects. she
finally asked me if L ever went to the
city told her but seldom and then
only to the theater. as our pay did
| not justify extensive travel
| She thanked me for the information
/ / had given her. and asked il L would
| object to showing her around should
she call for me some day. ] answered
that I would be pleased to do so. We
The Washington times., 1905-01-15
They Beth Drop.

/ held my breath, my Vital organs
Went on strike and I couldn't move
finger.
Baldwin toyed with the torch and
gave that diaboiical gurgle, then climbed
cut OF the car 10 Inspect the motor,
swinging the torch as he went Ny
determined to wrench the torch away
or throw him overheard, reel and ali
He was too strong for me we crap
PIED and tusged ON the triangle frame
went over-I clinglng 70 hi-l and ne
never loosening his grip on the torch
Down, down, down we went-the
wind wailing and shrieking in my ears
and the flaming torch burning my face
as IL left trail of sparks behind like
4 huge meteor The line Slackened and
back we few even faster than we had
descended
The Washington times., 1905-01-15
The Dream Came True.

When awakened / was in q sitting
posture. I arose and was assisted to
my friends, bedside, and when l spoke
to him he grasped my left hand with
both of his, while with my right arm /
supported his head. In this position
remained until he died. he never taking
his eyes of my face Afterward 1 was
told that during my sleep he had called
my name continuously There were
Just twelve sisters and one doctor in the
room Eleven of the sisters were chant
ing the .'Litany for the Dying" and the
twelfth was mjnistering to my friend
ALL the doctor included, were dressed
IN black, the sisters in long black robes
and the doctor in somber black suit.
My friend died just the DELL tolled
midnight. and the sister who had been
ministering 10 him, the taliest figure il
the room folded his hands on his
| breast. GEORGE ". KYLE.
Capitol Heights, Nd.
The Washington times., 1905-01-15
Snakes Were Everywhere.

AS stood there frozen with horror and
fascinated by the glittering eyes not
three feet from my face L felt one of the
moccasins commence to crawl up my
right leg. 1 knew that the slightest
movement meant death, and remained
perfectly rigid even when another, and
then third, of the horrible creatures
commenced TO wrap themselves about
my body In a few moments / was COW
cred with the wriggling. squirnling mass.
and to add the last touch to the fright
full situation the reptile before me short
ened his coil and the head was swung
forward III wavering line before my
eyes.
Nearer and nearer It swung until /
could smell the fetfd breath and see the
huge white fangs with their poison
pouches not two Inches from my face.
would have given worlds to move-to
slightest movement would be the signal
for the snakes to bury their fangs into
, dozen parts OF my body. injecting into
my blood a poison that is absolutely
deadly.
My horror was so intense that It sick
ened me. and felt that-I was growing
faint black cloud danced before my
eyes Ny limbs commenced to relax
and l knew that in a moment / should
fall buried under the Ioathsome mass tc
perish miserably from the attacks thai
would follow the crushing of a part o.
their bodies by the fall of my own
The Washington times., 1905-01-15
Heard Pistol Shot.

/ was just leaving the room, when a
pistol shot rang out. followed imme-
diately by cry of murder Rushing
downstairs, / saw the body of a young
man lying dead on the floor. with re-
volver by his side. The girl ran to the
door and screamed for help. police
man arrived. and | was pointed out as
the one who fired the shot. / was too
daZed TO deny il. / was taken to the
police station and there charged with
robbery and murder, the young woman
being my accuser.
The day of the trial finally arrived
and as all the evidence was against me,
having been found in the house with
the young mans clothes and jewelry
on. and mine in his room and not hav-
ing told anyone of the young wona n S
visit to the barracks. and the letter
which she wrote me havig been de-
stroyed. / was convicted and sentenced
to be hung.
The day of execution came. and a
minister of the Gospel prayed with me
and begged that confess, but of course
] protested my innocence. / was led TO
the galloWs the black cap was adjusted.
the rope around my neck, and / was
about to be launched into eternity
when / heard the bugle sounding the
first call and the sefgeant.s command
for all hands to wake up and answer
roll cali! c. II.
The Washington times., 1905-01-15
Crushed the Serpent.

At last 1 could stand 1t no longer. 1
was filed with wild, ungovernable
rage. I was TO die. but should at least
XIII the tormentor that threatened my
face Throwing discretion and sels-eon-
troll aside. / wrenched my arms free
from the dozen coils that wrapped them
|, TO my body. although in doing so I felt
a hundred of the fatal bites, and Selling
the powerful moccasin before me 1 tore
IFS BODY with my bare hands and even
sunk my teeth into its coils / felt It's
bites about my neck and shoulders. but
still In blind rage l wreaked my ven
geance on the cause of my death nm
! til
i was awakened by the violence of
my emotion and found myself tearing
and twisting and biting blanket that
was wrapped about my chest and shcul-
ders.
The Washington times., 1905-01-15
Made Theater Engagement.

A few days afterward 1 received a
letter from the young lady inquiring If
/ would call on her the following We'd
nesday night, as she wished to see me.
felt nattered, and answered that L
would be delighted to call.
Arriving within q square of the adj
dress she gave me. she met me. and said
she had tickets 70 the theater, and
would / go with her? But as she ex-
pected several Of her friends to be there.
and not wishing to be seen just then
with anyone in soldiers clothes, she
proposed that change to civilian dress
She explained that there would be nc
trouble to arrange 1t, as she had step
brother. about my size, who at present
was out of the city. and as he had
plenty of clothes at the house, would ]
agree to the change? Upon promising
10 do So she took me to the house
and 10 her brothers bedroom.
After telling me to help myself tC
anything there, she left me. saying she
would wait downstairs Selecting a fine
evening suit, also a handsome gold
watch and chain. and fine diamond
ring, which was lying on the bureau,
was soon rugged out to my entire salts.
faction.
The Washington times., 1905-01-15
STUNG TO DEATH
In MOCCASIN DEN
Young Bird Egg Collector Swims to
Island in a Lake and Perishes
From Snake Bites.

A dream that haunted my waking mo-
ments for weeks after it's occurrence
ard which required with realistic vivid
ness during my sleeping hours was the
result of a concentration OF energies on
one fayo-ite pastine when I was a boy
in one of the Southern States many
years ago.
1 had developed q mania for bird egg
collecting, and, having plenty OF leisure.
made many visits TO the wild part OF
the State in search of rare specimens
Frequently my trips would last from
early morning until late at night, and
on most Of them 1 rode favorite pony
ard tied him up with a lariat while /
plunged into the marshes and hum
nnockS.
The Washington times., 1905-01-15
Hits on Scheme.

Baldwin quoted down awhile. then
became nervous and jerky again. He
struck a match and lit a cigar II spuJ-
tered and he lit another Then as If
,!evising some scheme 10 END ALL and
had struck it. he threw back his head
ard gave that SvengaH laugh again.
His cigar wouldn't go-he puffed and
pulled at it, and lit more matches.
For Gods sake. Baldwin. don't throw
those matches in that Saseiene tank. =
I was so frightened that 1 could feel my
eyes bullying out. and ] had TO push
them back into their sockets with my
hands.
old Baldwin gurgied and gurgled at
this. and l felt Ike chunk OF ice
And that bag with a billion feet OF
gas right over your head" But il
The Washington times., 1905-01-15
Beheld GhostIy Pantomime.

Suddenly the moon. which had been
obscured by clouds, shone brightly over
the scene, and I saw a pantomime that
froze my blood with fear was riveted
to the spot and could only gaze with
wide open eyes at the mysterious spec
tacle.
A tall figure was stalking about among
the graves tapping the stone at the head
of each grave, with a long slender wand
The wand was OF some dark material.
and emitted sparks and tiny flames
whenever it struck the stones. AS the
figure turned from one of the graves ]
saw the face. 1t was merely the front
of a grinning skull. Evidently the fig
ure was a skeleton clothed in long flow
ing robes
AT each tap of the wand there would
arise from the grave, without appar-
ent movement of the earth covering the
collins, white robed figure very much
like the owner Of the wand, only small
en- AS each emerged from the tomb II
would crouch down alongside the hea6
stone and commence writing in letters
OF fire on the stone. Curious TO see tbs
lines that were written. I crept closer
and watched one after another.
One tombstone had contained the
name of a man, his age, and the date
of his burial, together with short
tribute to his character and an ex
preston of grief from. those he hat
left behind The tribute to the de
parted spoke of him as one who hat
engaged In philanthropic works ant
whose charities were numberless.
The Washington times., 1905-01-15
DEATH FORETOLD
In THIS DREAM
Mysterious Warning to a Washing
ton Woman of the Impending
Death of Her Husband

I will describe a dream that I had
on the night of January Is, 1882 / in
close the name and address of a Iady
to whom [ refer in the story who is
willing TO testify to the absolute truth
of what l tell. The other witness is
dead. but there are several persons who
remember the circumstances and, have
frequently commented upon them with
wonder.
In the beginning L dreamed that nv
wedding ring was broken on .ay finger.
which filled me with apprehension of
impending danger or trouble The next
vision was n dense black cloud, which
slowly opened in the center, disclosing
two angels surrounded by a dazzling
white light They were holding I'D an
immense blue ribbon on which 1 could
plainly read the inscription:
Your husband will die on the 9Th of
October"
l fell on my knees with clasped hands,
calling upon the name of God to spare
me the bereavement threatened.
Then the vision slowly faded away
+, but as it passed heard a voice saying,
| in a low but distinct tone:
Remember the 9th of October
, I told the dream on the next day to
| two intimate friends who CHANGED to
| call on me- They We're SO much i'm
pressed with the details that both wrote
| IL down and made memorandum of the
| date 10 see If anything unusual would
happen on that day. After day or two
| l forgot the dream
| On the 9Th of October my husband be-
came i'll. and during the evening of the
| 18th 1 remembered the dream and went
down stairs to send for the friends !
have referred to. They were alread.
come to see me, having recalled the
date when they hard of the illness OF
my husband and We're discussing the
matter in whispers when L reached
On the 9th of October. 1882, at $3.50 ir
the morning my husband died. Boil
ladies were with me when he passed
away. MRS. LlSEIIE A BONIrZ, i
l231 Tenth Street northwest
The Washington times., 1905-01-15
In a Blaze of Giorv.

We struck the gas bag and made a
dent in it that nearly smo5hered me in
its folds for an Instant Fire from the
torch caught the fuzzy ropes and
streaks of flame followed in every di-
reetion like flashes of ligiltIii.,g
Boom, went the billion feet OF gas.
Boom. went the goSo1ene tank
Thank goodness, Baldwinss going
ahead with the torch, ! said 20 myself
as L could see him about a hundred feet
below me struggling in the downward
fight
Well. here comes the earth and my
finish. Here's where | get the Jolt
Here's farewell
You clumsy piece OF asininityi What
are you trying 10 Go with ne anyway
This was addressed to the sleepy chair
whe eler who had turned me over an en-
b.lnArnent and sent me- sprawfinS to the
edge OF lily pond
Judging from the distance / had gone
IN the chair l had slept one minute and
thirty seconds. ARIES
The Washington times., 1905-01-15
The Truth at Last.

The specter that had risen from this
grave stopped over the lines and OBJ
liberated them With al iron pen he
wrote, in flaming letters
In life I oppressed the helpless anc
needy. I ground the widow and or
pilan. / built my fortune on the mis-
cries and sufferfngs of the poor Ny
philanthropy was a cloak to cover my
legal crimes. and now I pay the pen
atty. This is my expiation-'
On one stone there had been inscribed
the tribute of an entire community for
the man who had represented them in
the Legislature of the State. He was
described as one who had lived for the
interests of his fellow citizens and 20
protect them from the oppression of
powerful corporations.
With trembling hand the specter
wrote:
Il represented the interests Of three
corporations VINO bought my seat IN
the Legislature.
From grave to grave l went, and
the story was always the same. The
silent forms were canceling the words
OF praise and sorrow that had beer
engraved above their tombs and in
scribing the truth. that all might see
In my interest / had forgotten the
tall figure that moved about issuing
the cali to punishment until l turned
suddenly and met it face to face. AS
shrank back IL terror the skull changed
to a face that threatened me with {
look of menace. Two eyes glared int
mine and an angry voice said;
And you, too, must write the truth
Like these others, your time has come.
With these words the figure EXTENDED
an arm and touched me upon the ches
with the long black wand 1t seemed
to shoot an electric charge into me
I was conscious of a atinging pail
and felt the odor of burning flesh
The agony became more acute and
awOke-
was lying on my back Befor
falling asleep I had lighted a cigarctt
and held it between my fingers as
drifted away into dreamland- 1t ha'
fallen on my chest and burned hol
through my clothing 60 the flesh an
the pain of the burning cloth ha'
walked me. l could not have beel
asleep more than a minute.
The Washington times., 1905-01-15
An Unsafe Landing.

AS | did so / heard a. rustling noise
where l was about to place my hand
and dimly saw something move. Instinc-
lively 1 drew back and looked with
straining eyes at the object that became
more and more distinct.
Presently my sight returned and /
saw that the moving object was an i'm
mense water moccasin-the deadliest OF
all the poisonous snakes Of the State.
1t was more than six feet long and its
body as thick as a mans leg. The head
was drawn back to strike and the eyes
eiittered with q deadly menace.
And then it occurred tc me that ]
The Washington times., 1905-01-15
HE SAW GHOSTS
ERASE EPITAPHS
This Man Beheld the Dead Rise
From Their Neglected Graves
to Edit Lying Eulogies.

I was one of a party that was being
entertained at a house party near Wash
ington not long ago. Cne evening was
devoted to the telling of ghost stories.
and when the household retired for the
night shortly after midnight. my
thoughts We're still On the subject ef the
supernatural. 1 fell asleep thinking of
the uncannay tales that had been told,
and was soon continuing them in my
dreams
Apparently 1 had been hunting. /
wandered through lonely country, and
found myself at the entrance to a de-
serted graveyard The fence about the
cemetery had fallen in several places.
the tombstones were leaning all awry
and were half hidden by the tall weeds,
and the graves had been leveled by the
rains of many years.
] sat down on one of the fallen stones
with my back against another. rested
my gun across my knees and, lighting a
pipe, leaned back to smoke and rest AS
! sat there / heard peculiar noise, and
saw faint light at the other end of the
graveyard, and, leaning my gun against
the stone which mad been my seat.
strolled forward TO investigate the dis
3 tIirbancc
The Washington times., 1905-01-15
The Prizes

had stumbled into one of the dens Of
this terrible foe of man. / looked above
my head and every limb was literally
wrapped with the loathsome reptiles. AT
intervals one would drop TO the ground
with a sickening slump and glide into
he
The Washington times., 1905-01-15

exchanged cards, and she went back
to the city ON the next train ! did not
mention the matter to anyone. as L knew
my cnums would tease we q great
deal.
The Washington times., 1905-01-15
DETAILS OF The CONTEST

hundred it
the best onesofa actual uanrWI od
sory be lie dteTnnn
in
se 81 n must
the
They landa eli the story
The Washington times., 1905-01-15

all was quiet except the steady chug.
chug, of the gasolene motor as il pro
PEELED the ship eastward.
The Washington times., 1905-01-15
Over the Waves.

was no use, I might have been talking
% the Wind Ole Baldwin pulled at a
black bottle and nsuttered.
The Washington times., 1905-01-15

Stories Most interesting Experiences Deamand Which
Have Occurred Readers of The Times, and Are Told
by Them in Competition for the $Ioo in Prizes
Offered for the Best Dream.
The Washington times., 1905-01-15
ANGLER CAPTURED
BY WINGED FISH
An Enthusiastic Sportsman Is Car
ried Far Below the Sea to
the Den OF an Octopus.

During my two weeks stay at Santa
Cataiena, a small island OF the coast OF
southern California, had an oppor-
tunity to spend a day catching afbicors
in the company OF a friend.
We chartered a small gasolene launch
and started ~ a northwesterIy direction
until about twenty-five miles CT shore,
Seagulls
Tfle pilot of the boat. who was an ex-
pert. told US 20 drop our lines as guils
always indicated the presence of abb
core. This we did. and the next few
hours we spent fishing were the most
exciting OF my whole life
We returned to Avalon about the time
the sun was sinking into the Pacific.
with twelve immense specimens OF this
particular kind OF nsh, and, being tired,
ate a hasty dinner and retired to my
threw myself upon the bed. and n.
few minutes was again being tossed
upon the waves and what seemed 10 NE
TO be an enormous fish was tugging 2t
my line As drew him nearer 10 the
! boat the monster FISH seemed 10 rise
from the ocean and assume gigantic
wings.
Over the Waves.
| He lowered over the boat for some
few seconds, and then with one fell
sEEocp he seized me by the right leg
and carried me out swiftly toward mid
ocean The wings gradually diminished
until they were almost invisible. when
: the demon-fsh dived under the surface
Of the water and -cayried me on To- what
! seemed throne with beautiful rrae--
maids resting about in most gorgeous
costumes. s-5--s
On the throne, which was made Of
abaIone shells sat a huge octopus and
as l was dragged forward the octopus
| reached cut one of his huge tentacies
| and threw me into a cave which was
I filed with
[ aweke with d start, and found my
/ friend shaking me and asking II 1 vas
undergoing a nightmare
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-07-22
M0RRISvILLE NEWS
Morrisvillc. Va, July both. 1900

MorriSville. Va. Julg both. 1900.
Chldrens Day services were held ut
the Methodist chunh sunday night, July
10Th. consisting OF drill-. ntItaiions.
solos. duets. etc Much rFctlit j. due
Misses R,lr4,a Crittcudrnau Leila Milan
and Mrs. Crittcnden for training ihc chi
dn.n. Miss jamie Jones presided al the
organ. The chunh WAS crowded aud
many could not find seats.
Rev Homer W,lrh. with vile and littl"
son. Homer Roy. have returned from
Stafford. where Mr.. Wrlch ha~barn hold
ing "A series Of meetings.
Mr. John Il. Jones has Just returned
from Baltimorr. bringing "a new stock ui
goods. dress goods ami glass wan'.
Misses kathriue and Francis Moore. ol
Washington. arr guests at the home oil
Mrs. W. +. Cooper.
Mrs. Allan, who has been visiting her
daughter in Washington, has returned,
bringing her grandson with her.
Master La Prldc Jones has returned
10 his home in Fredericksburg. alter
Spending few weeks AT his uncles. Mr.
:. T. Jones
Mrs. Waters and little daughter, o
Washington. ane spending some time
with Mrs. Helm.
Miss Emma King. one OF Remington
charming young ladies, is staying witt
her friend. Miss Blanche Edwards, OF the
Grove.
Mr. and Mrs. Linsey, who have beer
boarding with Mrs. Allan, have gone t.
Atlantic City for few weeks.
Miss Elizabeth Haldeman, who ha'
been spending some time with her aunt
Mrs ellis Of New York. and attending
school. is now at her home Tor the sum
mer.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-07-22
MANASSAS HORSE SHOW
Some Of the Winners.

Notwithstanding the intense heat the
attendance at the Manassas horse show
Wednesday was equal To that of any
previous first day. The number and
character OF it, exhibits surpassed all
previous years. Towards the close n
rain came mp. Their. were no serious
accidents.
Among the prizes awarded were the
follow ing:
Horses in harncss-I'irst. David Dunlop.
Petersburg; second. Hale. CARRIER X Gar
Der. llarri-unhulg, third, Dixie Boy, DR..
e.. f.. Brown. Bloomfield
Park saddlers-Firsi. Hale, CARRIER a
CnrlDer; second. DR. Shirley Garter; third.
Mrs. Allan Potts. Gotham.
Lightweight hunicr-Firsl. Mrs Allan
Potts; second. Julian Morris; third.
Png.t x Dixie.
Pair roadstcrs-F First. Hale. CARRIER n
CARRIER: second. G.. j. MrtDr. Bri-toW,
third. james X. Durnll. Manassas
Gnrn huntcrs-Frst, VIM ) Skinkcr.
Ir.. The Plains: second. /. u. lIenncr.
Warrcuton; third. II. NJ. LuinIh
Delaplane.
Green harness clas~-F'irst AMI second.
Hale. CARRIER a Iarlrr; third. DR. Brown.
Park snddlrrS-fir~t. DIR. &. Shirley
Carter. Wurrutun; second. llalr, Garirl
a Garber.
Tnndcms First. David DunIop;S~ond.
Maxwell Wyrth, Marshall third, Hale.
CARRIER Il Garbcr
Prince William harness class-l'irst.
Mrs. james Birkrtt Manassas; second.
Miss Mamie Lipsconb. Manassas; third.
James r. Dorrell. Manassas.
Free orall;hunters and jumpcrs-firsi,
High links, Mrs ). b. Horne. keswick.
The closing day Of the Manassas liorse
Show was n succrss in every way. 1000
people were present
Among the prizes awarded were.
Combination harness aud saddle horses
First DR.. e. Shirley Carter, Narrnton,
second. Brilliant. Mrs Allen Potts; third.
Miss Mamie Lipscomb. Manassas.
Thre-year-old hunters-First and see
ond Paget 4 Okie, Lpperville; third. e..
". Chancellor, Delapanc.
Matched harness hursrs-tirst. David
Dunlop, Petersburg; second, Maxwell
Wyeth. Marshall; third. Hale, CARRIER y
CARRIER. llarrisOnburg.
Heavy and middeweight hunters
First. DIR. W. :. Sewers Warrnton; SEQ
ond and third, David Dunlop.
SADDLE hOras-I'irst, Dr. &. Shirley
Carter; second. Hale CARRIER * CARRIER.
third. Mrs. Allen Potts.
Sporting tandems-First and third,
Mrs. Allen Potts. second David Dunlop.
Harness horses-First, Maxwell Nleth;
second. David Dunlop.
Ladies' harness horses-tirst. Max
we'll Wycth; second David Dunlop.
IIor4. aud nnahout-Fir-t. Maxwell
Wyrth. second. David Dunlop