davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Tupelo journal., 1905-11-17
EXPLODING POWDER WORKS
Four Men Killed and Several In
jured at Phoenixville, Ill.
bodies Blown to Pieces and the
Pieces Scattered In the Tree
Tops-Henrd Ten Miles.

st. Louis, Nov. S.-With a report
distinctly heard and felt ten miles
away, the press house of the Phoenix
powder works, at Phoenixville, on the
Pittsburg bluffs, between Belleville and
East st. Louis, exploded. Four men
were killed and a number injured. The
dead are Louis Hall, William Humes
and George Humes, all employees at the
mill, living on the Belleville rock road,
near the top of the bluffs, and Walter
Knobel of Belleville.
The building in which the explosion
occurred was blown to kindling wood.
Adjoining buildings were damaged.
The cause of the explosion has not
been ascertained.
The press house, which blew up, was
a frame building. In it the powder was
pressed into cakes.
The bodies of the Humes brothers
and Hall were blown, to pieces and the
pieces were scattered among the tree
tops. The legs of Knoebel were blown
off, but the upper part of his body was
left intact. A year ago John Humes, a
brother of William and Louis Humes,
was killed there In an explosion.
The Tupelo journal., 1905-11-17
MURDER OR SUICIDE?
Just After Leaving His Sweet
heart in ST. Louis.

st. Louis, Nov. 8.-Lucien Eckhardt,
of 1919 South Eleventh street. 81 years
old, and happy in the thought of his
approaching marriage to pretty Kath-
crime Burns, of 633 Edmund avenue,
was killed by a shot from his own p.s-
toll at midnight, a few minutes after he
had given his fiancee a lingering good
night" at her foster fathers door, and
within 100 feet of her.
Miss Burns and her family heard
four shots, and when they and the po-
lice came upon the youths body his re-
volver with four empty cartridges in
the cylinder was beside him; a bullet
in his heart, fired through his bottoned
overcoat, had caused instant death.
Whether he killed himself OF his
weapon was turned upon him by a
footpad in a death struggle is a mys-
terry.
The Tupelo journal., 1905-11-17

to order 500 of the jardinieres to-mor-
row, for premiums, and inclose your
check for them"
Great heavens! that will be 81, Jon
more" shouted the laundryman.
Eyes, that's true; altogether $3.50
on to-day's business" said the CRATER.
How many contracts do you expect
to get tomorrow" asked the laundry
man, his face blanched, and nervous
ness depicted in every movement.
well, anywhere from 500 to 600, and
possibly more"
do you expect me-" shrieked the
laundryman, ito back up this scherae
with 81, 200 or $500 per day."
That's the only way by which both
you and l can make a pile of money
out of it."
How long will it take to finish this
city," came the next anxious inquiry.
"Oh. possibly three months, maybe
| more"
What! three or four months. and
an average of 500 contracts a day?
Man alive! How can l take care of all
hat business? Great Caesar! you're
got me swamped the first day"
"Well, that's your lookout. Your
contract reads that l am to make a
complete canvass of the town, and you
are to pay me so cents cash for each
The Tupelo journal., 1905-11-17
FINISH FIGHT BY MIDDIES
ranch of New York., IR Dead, and
M~eriweather, of Illinois, Is In
the Hospital.

Annapolis, Nd, Nov. 8.-Midship-
man James r. Branch, son of James r.
Branch, of the Hanover bank of New
York city, and secretary Of the Ameri-
can Bankers association, who was Sc
riously injured in a fist fight with
Midshipman Minor M~eriweather, Jr., OF
Lafayette, ILL.,, is dead.
Meriweather is in the hospital as q
result of the injuries he received in the
fight, and for that reason the authori-
ties have not put him under arrest.
The truth of the matter is that the
midshipmen attempted to settle a pri-
vate difficulty in regular ~prize-rine
style. They fought % rounds.
The Tupelo journal., 1905-11-17

concerned would be benefited, the laun-
dryman unhesitatingly signed q con-
tract, secured by a good bond.
Having closed his contract, and MAX
ing sure that he had a good one, the
CRATER Immediately wired his ten ex-
perienced canyassers. BY the time
they arrived he had the city laid out
in sections, and each mans territory
mapped out.
These were able to take
from 40 to 60 contracts each a day.
The man who couldn't average 40 a
day would not be kept, and it was
always a sure thing that the gang
would average SO each.
The day upon which the c%anyassers
began, the CRATER called up the Laundry
with whom he<had made the contract
and announced that his men had start
ed out, and that he would be at the
laundry Office at six O'Clock that even
ing with their contracts.
Imagine the surprise of the laundry
man when the CRATER called as agreed
and laid down on his desk v 500
contracts.
What! Five hundred contracts to-
day." he asked, as he thought Of the
$3.50 cash to be paid on them.
Certainly" replied the CRATER, "and
it's been a poor day at that"
Am / to pay you $3.50 cash, tonight,
for these?"
"Of cOnrse. that's the contract" the
CRATER CURLY answered. And you are
The Tupelo journal., 1905-11-17

as a former restaurant man, whose
place of business was only a block
from mine.
When asked how he had come to quit
the business, he replied that he had
gone into a scheme of his own, and
was making barrels of money. Sus-
pecting that it was a graft, | at once
became interested, and very quickly
found that it was a scheme, indeed.
He had just finished Cleveland and
was very jubilant over the outcome.
He took in the large cities only.
Calling upon some well-to-do laundry
man, he asked him if he would not
like to have his business rapidly in
creased, and of course received an
affirmative nswer
WELL said the CRATER, 81 have a
plan by which your business can be
increased so fast that it will surprise
YOU"
Then bringing from his pocket some
blank contracts, and a photo-engraving
of a very handsome jardiniere, made
by a pottery concern in southern Ohio,
he stated his proposition:
He would have his experienced can
vassers make house to house calls,
promising to deliver this beautiful jar
diniere as a premium, absolutely free,
in consideration of the signing OF a
The Tupelo journal., 1905-11-17

contract and order and pay cash 1.-TWO
dollars), for each jardiniere. am
here with my men and shall expect
you to do as you agreed"
But" figured the laundryman, "just
see what | have to contend with. Il
means that I have to pay you and the
pottery oncern $500 the first week.
and you will food me with 5000 wash
.ings in the same length of time, and
you can see that within three months
/ will have to pay you in cash $87, SEQ,
and l will have $4,000 more washings
to do every week than I now have, pro-
vided they should all stick"
WELL. the CRATER asked, dryly.
how about your cash receipts every
day, and every week? These custom
The Tupelo journal., 1905-11-17

contract to furnish the said laundry
with $12 worth of work, at regular
laundry prices.
To compensate tho promoter OF the
plan, the laundryman must sign a Goa
tract, and furnish a satisfactory bond,
agreeing to pay the promoter SO cents
each for every contract, payable on the
day it was handed over to him, and to
pay 81 each for the jardinieres.
This would make $3.50 to be paid
for each $12 contract. which would be
reasonable, considering that possibly
nine out Of every ten new customers
would continue TO p~atronize the laun-
dry indefinitely.
Believing that he was entering into
! business agreement. by which all
The Tupelo journal., 1905-11-17
Difference,

She-Did it ever occur to you that
nearly all male poets and pianists
have very long hair?
He-Yes; but there is a distinctive
difference.
ssHow so?"
'The long hair of a poet hangs
down, while that Of a pianist stands
up.'-Chicago Daily News.
The Tupelo journal., 1905-11-17
In the Fruit Trade.

British fruit growers are meeting
foreign competition by new methods.
1t has been discovered that the Yield
of the small trees can be increased
greatly by growing in pots under
glass. Irrigation on a large scale by
means of wells, gas-driven pumps and
an extensive distribution of hose pip
ing is also being employed. The old
round boxes which the purchaser OF
fruit had to return to the seller are
being discarded for lighter receptacles
which need not be returned.
The Tupelo journal., 1905-11-17
Largest Corn Mill Sold.

Decatur, ILL.,, Nov. 8.-The corn mill
ing plant and elevators of Suffering,
Hunt & Co. have been sold for $780,
900. The name of the purchaser has
not been given out, but it is understood
the plant was bought for the American
Hominy Co. 1t is the largest corn
mill in the world.
The Tupelo journal., 1905-11-17
Dropping the Y.

One popularity of the spelling OF
proper names has been apparent lately
to the student of street signs. Persons
whose names end in "y" have contract
ed the habit Of looping off the final
letter. Henley, for instance, according
to the strictly modern photography, be-
comes Henle, Sedley is Sedle, Bentley
is Bentle, while even dear old Mr.. Fin
ney OF turnip fame has degenerated
into Finne.
The Tupelo journal., 1905-11-17
Bagged the Prince,

During n recent German army ma
neuvers, Prince Harold, of Denmark,
with his regiment, was expecting an
attack at seven a. m. But the enemy
had the bad manner to arrive at four
and bagged the prince and his men
while they were asleep. The prince is
thinking OF protesting to The Hague
tribunal.
The Tupelo journal., 1905-11-17
A BOLD LAUNDRY GRAFT

Laundryman Signs Contract on Plaus-
ible Scheme to Increase Business
Jardinieres as Premiums = Graft
er's C~anvassers Swamp Laundry
with New Business and Big Price
Is Paid for Release.
The Tupelo journal., 1905-11-17
Tragedy.

Newberg, Ore, Nov. 8.-Carl Hurford
and his wife, a bride of six weeks. were
found dead in their home here by neigh
bors attracted to the house by the firing
of shots. More or less mystery sur
rouds the death of the couple.
The Tupelo journal., 1905-11-17
PoIand Wants Autonomy.

St Petersburg. Nov. 8.-Poland is re-
newing its struggle for autonomy.
Flags with the Polish coat-of-arns
have been hoisted on several churches
and city buildings at Kalisch. and a
Thorn. in West Prussia.
The Tupelo journal., 1905-11-17
Not Yet.

Jefferson City, Mo-, Nov. Super
tntendent of Insurance Vandiver has
not as yet taken action to exclude the
New York Life Insurance Co. from
Missouri. There will be something
doing before long, it is said.
The Tupelo journal., 1905-11-17

Copyright, 1905. by Joseph B. Bowles.)
Less than two years ago a tall, thin,
active man about 40 years of age en-
tered my Office. He introduced himself
The Tupelo journal., 1905-11-17

Sullivan, Ind, Nov. 8.-Arwell G.
Cain, the oldest man in Sullivan coun.
ty, died in Sullivan. His grandfather
signed the Declaration Of %Independ-
ence.
The Tupelo journal., 1905-11-17

Senator McLaurin of Sharkey and
Senator Dulaney of Issaquena declare
the cotton crop in the delta is only 60
per cent of what it was last year, and
on MANY fine farms the crop amounts to
nothing. These gentlemen are two OF
the largest planters in the delta.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1905-10-27
EIfQIUl NO
[QHDd4 +
G3id from Sea Water.

The dream OF the alchemist still
lives. Who can make gold from base
metals? Who can transform the hid.
den elements In water? L.iversidge
has estimated that the ocean contains
from 1870 to 2Go tons OF gold per cubic
mile. or total of 100. 900 .O0o. 900 tons:
but II this be divided by 100 the value
would still be 3G97.y .000. .O00. 900.
while n. dc wilde. OF Brussels. finds
that all OF the gold mined up to the
present time would not form n cube
more than thirty feet square. repre-
senting value of Si3.553. $4,000. n.
de Wilde has new method of sep
aration. from which he expects great
results. He treats ocean water with
concentrated solution Of salt OF tin
which transforms tho gold into purple
OF Cassins. an oxide Of gold and tin
and this Is fixed by hydraIc OF mag
nesia. which is liberated from the s.a
wafer on adding lime water. Tn. ny
draic Of masncsia has been charged
with as much ms IL per cent. OF gold
which In removed with cyanide oi
potassium solution.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1905-10-27
Lightning p.n.,rs,es Solid aoe..

An English scientific writer. in dis.
cussing the phenomenal actions Of
lightning. says that sometimes when
this mysterious electrical element is In
action 1t has a tendency to drill. I,
will drill the hardest rock - rock
which would turn cold steel: and ro,
only drill but vitrify II. They have
found in Cumberland channels thirty
feet deep and from two to four inches
in circumference. The interior was
hard and glazed where the solid sub
stance had been melted by the stab
bing flashes. Artificial experiment has
shown that a powerful shock from a
battery will vitrify finely powdered
Hlass. but not felspar or quartz. The
lightning. however. does il in the man.
ner describcd-no; In one place. bu,
in many. showing that before striking
the ground II divided into several
branches. each strong enough TO pene.
:ratc and liquify the solid rock.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1905-10-27
gysiss Gu, ov, Of the Iss,ns..

upper syolcts. These latter arc sim.
liar to the round oyplc,s. except that
they ar. open on the upper side to 70.
criVc the laCing.
TIL" oyclp,s arc rcaehforrrd By a
tongue which IL iaprrpd at the end So
that II can be passed through the
leather and clcaehcd on the under side
II the shoe. a metallic plate being in.
serted between the outer and inner
fasinEs Of the leather. This plate cor.
responds In shape 10 the cyoist open.
Ing in the leather. this consisting o,
slot with a bciishspeJ mouth. A
series Of these slots near the edsps
Of the leather from a series Of tongues
In lacins up the shoe the lacins cord
is drawn through the slots into the
pycis,s and then across the Iacins slit
Of the shoe 10 the cyrlet on the other
side. 81 that the cord passes under the
loser portion Of the tongue and over
the upper portion. This naturally
presses the eyslet against the foot OF
the wcarer and prevents It from be.
ing bent out Of position. The inter.
veninE plate re-cnforcps the leather
around the eyelet and prevents It from
tearing out. giving riEidity 10 the tas.
tenInE.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1905-10-27

gers when he finds himself near the
OF Jessie Cameron. for something tells
him that sooner or later they will have
to fight II out between them.
Spencer eyes him curiously. but
gives no evidence OF suspicion.
"Senor. we were Just debating here
whether this thing that has happened
to us can be an accident or some deep
design on the part OF those who &C.
cretly plan to destroy the government
of Spain on this island. l had not
thought of that until your friend men
toned It,"
II Is. of course. Scnor Roblado who
says this.
Il myself have wondered whether
the rebels can have any special desire
10 make way with some OF us. II looks
suspicious. I am bound to confess
remarks Jack. coolly.
Robiado has n guilty conscience-he
knows full well there are good reasons
why the patriot followers Of Gomez
and Macco should hate him like poison
and Jack. who has pusposely sen,
the shaft. sees the start and sudden
psllor that mark It's reception.
Undoubtedly the worthy senor has n
pretty good notion that II this thins
has happened by design instead Of nc
cid.nt. b. Is the party nj whom the
blow IL aimed.
armed. 50 that should ". he attacked
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1905-10-27

the ladies may L. defended. he says,
hastily. a, which there il n general
showing II IiTcsEHs that might appear
ridiculous in many countries. but
ahlch Is certainly not out Of place In
Iaar. distracted Cuba.
Senior Robisdo shows some relief
when assured tha; the revolver which
he so quickly brings to- lish; is at once
matched by every one Of the others
present.
"cospi,a' a Grave collection indeed.
sUnoFs. with valiant men behind them.
I atm sure sc need have little fear ot
the result. unicss-
The white haired aFtis, and Spanish
diplomat never finishes that sentence,
While he is in the midst of IL. there
suddenly saiutss their startled ears a
heavy. Eumblins sound. The S.TJ earth
seems 10 culver undcT their feet.
Thunder" csciaims SCnor Roblado
on the spur Of the moment.
bah: look at the sky" echoes
Jack.
No; a cloud ts to he seen: the sii'
very stars peep doWa upon them with
a brightness tha, has to he witnessed
in tropical cline in order To be ap.
prcciatra.
You arc risht-it Canno, be ;hun'
der. since there arr no signs of
storm. What. them" says the senior.
in no little excitement.
''tIaTk,-
As Smithers uttcrs the one word.
they all strain their hearing. A gentle
southern zpphy chances to bc blowing.
and this brings to their cars faint.
faraway sounds that. while confused
a, frst. resolve themselves into shouts
and rife shots. together with all the
other various noises tha, siEnalizc a
battle royal.
Senior Robiado no longer sropes in
uncertainty after the truth. It has
dashed upon his mind as the meteor
leaps through space.
"For Dios, listen TO that senors.
Wonder men meet in deadly strife. And
that fearful explosiun-I tell you II
was dynamite. They have blown up
the train. those fends incarnats who
isht against SPAIN" he cries in a
husky voice. that tremblcs in spite OF
the mans positive nerve.
Under those conditions It seems TO
me our accident. then. has turned out
a most remarkable piece Of good luck
for us remarks Jack. with a coolness
that is refreshing.
"Quisn sabe7 At least We are alive.
and that Is something to he thankful
for. But. gentlemen. have reason 10
believe they seek me over yunder. and
uron learning the truth will come this
way in force"
That will be bad declares Smith.
ers. who has hard work TO hide the
grin that causes his facial muscles TO
twitch.
Very bad indeed. But. senors. u
they should come. that Is no reason
We must give in like weaklings. my.
self will set you an example. They
shall only enter yonder carriage.
where the ladies are. over my body"
tTo he coutingedl
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1905-10-27

Copyright. 1897. by y. Tennyson Nicely.
CHAPTER xv.-continued.
Smithers believes there is no fur
ther necessity for torturins the poor
devil whom the fortunes OF war have
thrown into his power. and is willing
to compromise the matter. So he sud.
denly pushes the haii'stran.led guard
back into the compartment. and hnd.
ing a means OF opening the door. pass
es inside Just rs the carriage ceases
to move.
All Sin has not been backward
about managing his share OF the bust
ness. and he utilizes the piece of iron
In his hand To such good purpose that
the car makes no effort to return to-
ward the bottom OF the incline.
As for Jack. he has his work cut
out also.
When tho vehicle of transportation
ceases to move. he reaches the ground
alongside. and haStcns toward the
compartment In which the party may
be found In whom he Is 30 deeply In.
tcrcstcd.
Now he reaches the door.
lie is on tho other side from that
selected by Smithcrs. so that he secs
nothing Of that worthy gcntieman's
little engagement with the train guard.
why do ". stop. suard!" asks n
voice. and lack readily recognizes II
as bcionsin. to the very being who
nils his thoughts
She 10 there within arms length OF
him n, the mamcn,-what ecstasy the
fact brings to him-his Highland bride.
the siri who really bears his name:
and sc, a cruel fate eompcls him to
dissrmblc.
coupling proved false. and the train
has Eon. on. leaving our carriage be-
hind ID what he says.
iio hears feminine .Selama'ions Of
alarm. and the grufI-r tones of a mans
voice. Then out comes the white
head Of tho painter.
What Ia all this. suaFdS You say
VIC asr ief, behind in the ~iids. c"ss
pi'a' this IL. indeed. a nice kettle OF
hsh.''
Senior Robiado IL csidcaiiy in a tow
crinE rage at being subjected TO such
delay. lie opens the door and springs
out into the night.
Immediately h. makes a discovery.
lie looks at the disguised Squire
John as though something very sinEu'
lar has flashed into his mind,
"carramba. you arc no, the guard
vc had at the last siatios.'" ejsct'
iatcs Roblaao.
Il know IT. replies Jack. simply.
Then ~ho arc you7'' demands this
acry don. as IL susrcesins tTrachcry.
"a passenger by the train. like your
self. srnar. aud one ~ho Is as much
Interested in looking after Our safety
as ,ou may be-
Robladc cools down little.
What would you advise. scnor7"
asks the don. eagerly.
"a danger signal both M and down
the line. that NC may warn them. no
matter from what direction they
cumC."
you mean iantcTnsT-
III they can he had: bu; otherwise
ircs will do just as WE'LL
"A splendid thought. cunEratu.
late you on your idea. srnur. Let US
waste no time in accomplishing Il. An.
who is this7~ as All Sin comes creep.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1905-10-27
New Shoe Gyeiet.

Several nc~ designs 10 shoe hooks
hass been patented n, different times.
but the hook no~ universally used has
proved 10 practical and useful that at
,cmp's TO Supplant Il hay" proven
fallurra- I; would be diiicui, to I'm.
prove on It's construction. hut n Wis,
eonsln Inventor thinks he has an i'm,
proved shor -ycl.;. which should be
popular. In his design the lower -yc,
let's aT. tho same ne Ihos. generally
ascd. III. improvement being In the
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1905-10-27
csmsn, We'll; Sewer Pine.

!. iios much Portland cement viii
It tai" for round well feet across.
:. IioN much water WiiI sr~-F
pIPc hold feet diameter. and : feet
lorE
:. Are EiaEcd sewer pipes any good
for euTblns u wcil9
!. For Fuund concrete wall tSi:.
vail ak inches thick IL would ;aks
gravel :M yards: Portland c"mcn,
three barrels. mix six part gravel
to on" part cement.
:. 4 sewer pipe tao feet In diam
cirF and tao feet long Wlil hold ihiF.
ty.stvrn gallons.
J. wauid advise the use Of con,
crete tile for euEbInE a we'll. a. they
arc more durable. A good quality ot
glazed sewer ,iic uiii stand frost bat
arc tot gpECTaily used for s0ll curb.
Ing.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1905-10-27

Would advise ths; tho main body o'
the house he made 80 fec, by 10 feet.
This uoald allow wider Srrandas and
would make the front bedroom large
enough for sitting room u desired.
Cement blocks viii COS; more than
either brick or frame. II the work IL
property done. Il would bs cheaper
80 build the foundation of cement.
concrete or stone. When store is
plentiful they are cheapest. States
will cost more than twice az much as
shingles. but u the roof Is built strong
enough they arc morp durable. This
building could be built of cement
blocks for about 81 .DsO.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1905-10-27

ing from under the car and falls in be.
hind his master.
"a servant of mine, senior. who is
worth his weight in gold in a crisis
like this"
"He can help with the fires. But I
would like TO know wha has become
of that guard. He shall be punished
for desertins us"
"Hark! I hear voices. Possibly IL
Is the guard and the gentleman who
travelled with me. Look. yondes they
come round the end OF the car. We
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1905-10-27
B8f@&!z|!!0!I!l!UIRs Z a! ?J0INVl
'i[y.EXtp}N ! AH!i ~!1x1sr q til Gnn raez.,x War ]
%NGZ2AE Aszzye2aN'

Copyright, 1888. by Street and Smith.
shall have company-plenty of hands
to build the fires. senor."
Sure enough Smithers comes hurry
Ing to the spot. accompanied by the
guard. whom he seems to have utterly
hypnotized. since the fellow shows an
easerness TO obey his slightest wish
that Is really ridiculous to Jack.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1905-10-27
Cost Of Cosssne.

VIII you give as near as possible
the cos; ot a cottage. TO bc built o,
eCmtH; bloctss Would frame house
bC much ehsaP"T7 Would you advise
having cement blocks or stone for The
CELLAR ATc states much dsaFVF thaa
shiaEies1
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1905-10-27
Claim Laroes, Pair Of Oxen.

r. s Rand & Son. farmers. of stet.
son. Me, claim TO own the largest
pair of oxen In the world They
WEIGH SEQ pounds and girt nine and a
haif feet.
Rocky Ford enterprise., 1905-10-27

From the information given II would
seem that the floor has beon cracked
by the frost hcaviuE /, or else It has
settled by no, having the grading of
filling thoroughly packed down before
laying the floor. As 10 the cracks
along stills. these will occur. as cement
will not adhere to wool. To hii
the cracks. first thoroughly clean the
floor ard cracks. then. u crack is
large. mix two parts sand and one
part ccmCn; together. having II
son. Dampcn crack and nli in with
the mortar II crack is small. use
neat Portland cement mixed soft and
run into crack