davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16
DANGER IN SUMMER

There Is danger to loss Of property In summer
a. well as winter. and why not insure now ior
your property may be burned before the winter
months The NORTHERN NECK MUTUAL FIRE As
soc1ATIor. Of Iryington. Va, insures dwellings,
furniture. all farm buildings and farming utensils
for about one-half thecost Of Old Line Companies
In a separate and independent branch OF the A.
sociatlon will be taken all other classes OF risks
fexcept steam saw mills and proyender) at hcosV
OF about one-haf that OF Old Line companies.
No assessment il levied on polcy-holders III one
department for loss occurring IN the other'
over 81 900 900 in force now in the Association
A postal will bring you full particulars Nnte
TODAY. IL will cost you only one cent.
j. r. Campbell. ChiltOns. Va, special agent
for counties OF Westmoreland, King George ana
Stafford. ~, N.
d. Irving Coakley. Edge Hill, Va; Rev W. W;
Owens Berthavile. Va; II. W. Is. Williams ana
Geo Mason. Colonial Beach. Va, sub-agents.
W. ]. Parker. Mt. Landing, Va, agent TOT
Essex and King and Queen counties
H. b. Chase. Urbanna. agent for Middlesex
county.
W. w. Seward. Urbanna; J. Il. Parker. water
view: A. E. Segar Lockles. and {. u. Marchant'
Harmony Village, sub-agents. lelv'"om
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16
CANAL CONCESSION WILL STAND
President Approves Contract Awarded
10 Jacob E. Markell.

10 JdCOD e mdIhCis
OYSTER Bay, L. l., Sept 15.-A con-
tract for the hotel and subsistence
concession on the Panama canal zone,
awarded to Jacob f. Markell, OF Oma-
ha, Neb.. by President Theodore P.
Shonts. Of the Panama Railroad COM
pany, will stand.
This. in effect, is the decision Of
President Roosevelt, who approved a
report on the subject made to him by
Mr.. Shonts.
The contract amounts, in the az
gregates, to many millions OF dollars,
but Mr.. Shonts' report indicates that
it may be abrogated at the will OF the
government. which actually will own
the permanent plant used by Mr.. Mar
KEEL in fulfilling the terms of his con-
tract
The president authorized the publ
cation of a report he had received
from Mr.. Shonts, as president of the
Panama Railroad company, regarding
the protest recently received by him
from Hudglns & Dumas and H. Balfe,
of New York, against the award Of the
contract 10 Mr. Markell. The report,
which Mr.. Shonts was directed by the
president to make when the protest
was referred TO him, is a simple state
ment of the various steps President
Shonts took in the matter and the rea-
sons which lmpelled him to grant the
concession to Mr.. Markell.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16
WHY DO AMERICANS SUCCEED

why do we lead all nations Of the earth In
prosperity, happiness and individual content
ment? ,-, f..
WHY are We as q people regarded as an IN
vincible power Of lmppgnable strength?
And whv do we compel the admiration OF the
whole worid-at times grudgingiy given, but
given. anyhow? - ,.nrnr>.
II Is because we are FREE and lNDEPtN-
DENT i'm the truest meaning OF the words.
We THINK for ourselves. ACT for ourselves,
GOVERN ourselves more than the people OF any
other nation. - - 40. 49,,
We are absolutely SELF-RELlANT. national
trait that renders Us independent of al other
nations. Independence is the keynote OF our SUI
pemacy. rrro r.rr
And this Is the reason why tP-IO-DAIE
grocers and stOreEeepers appreciate the tect
that Americans Of both sexes have strong Wits
OF their own and do not need Interested advice.
Every UP-TO-DATE grocer knows perfectly
well that for more than a quarter OF a century
LION COFFEE has been the leading package
coffee and n welcome drink az the tables OF mt
Hons OF American homes.
He knows-and everybody else knows-that u
has always kept its old friends and steadily
made new ones $40
Good reliable. trustworthy grocers willingly
acknowledge this, and independent housekeepers
will insist upon having LION COFFEE and no
other no matter what kind OF an argument
grocers Of obstinate principles may advance.
Americans want the best. and they get the best
ard purest In LION COFFEE.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16
Will Offer a Resolution When Con-
9resS Meets.
Does Not Desire the Caucus Craftsmanship
Again.

While in Washington Wednesday Rep
resentative James Hay of Virginia. an
nounced his purpose 20 start an investl-
CATION on the Panama Canal eXpendi-
lures. He proposes to put 1t up TO the
administration the very first OF the Sos
sion To show what has become of the
millions disbursed toward construction
work. Mr.. Hay has been studying the
canal situation little on his own hook.
BY the time Congress Is convened he
hopes to have considerable information
at hand ON the subject.
a resolution to investigate the affairs
of the commission should go 10 the Com
mittee on Military Affairs, said Mr..
Hay. He indicated "a wish that it would
take this course. az he Is a member OF
that committee. But it will probably
be referred to the Committee on Ways
and Means" he continued. when the
Republicans want To whip any
thing through or to kill a resolution
10 investigate fraud | have conserved that
they refer il. a. a rule. TO the Ways and
Means Committee.
II want To get Observation-Disclosures
the awarding Of contracts by the com
mission amounting to $50, 900, 900, it is
said. without competitive bidding.
That was contrary to the policy OF the
government In great matters and
small it is the custom to award the con
tracts after competition in the bid
ding. hope we will gain all the facts,
but am doubtful.
Mr.. Hay is pretty positive there will be
no important legislation this winter
Mr. Hay says he supposes there is no
doubt that Representative Henry, OF
Texas. will succeed him ascharman OF the
Democratic caucus. II do not care for
the place any longer said he.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16
The Latest Closing Prices In the
PRINCIPAL Markets.

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. steady:
winter extras, 50 l0N325; Pennsylya-
mia roller. clear. $3.G0u375, city mills
fancy S505.50 RYE FLOUR steady;
per barrel. 1920. WHEAT firm; No.
> PENNSYLVANIA red. new. 82ls q 63c.
CORN firm: No. yellow, local. SIC.
OATS firm, No. white, clipped, 3lc.;
lower grades 29c HAY firm; No. |
timothy. $3.50 PORK firm; family,
sl7 BEEF firm; beef hams, $3.50 "A.
POULTRY: Live steady; hens. 14c.;
old roostcrs. 9m9hc Dressed steady;
choice fowls. ljc; old ROSTERS. loo.
BTrTTER steady, creamery, 23c EGGS
firm New York and Pennsylvania, "a
n 25c. per dozen. POTATOES steady;
per hushcl, 50n SIC. -
BALTIMORE - WHEAT easier;
No. 2 red. S24G82lec; steamer No
. spot. 500 sOHc.; southern, 75dSOc.
CORN quiet. mixed spot. 59n 09hc.;
steamer mixed. 57G57Hc. southern
5OG58c.: September. 59Q59hc. OATS
steadior. white. No. 2. 30i2 u 3O&c.;
No. g. 30c.; No. 4, 2Sl50 2S%c mixed,
No. 2. 2ST 2Nhc.; No. 3. 27hn28c.;
No. 4. 26M26iAc BUTTER steady;
creamery separator extras. 221s4 &c;
held. 20Q2lc, prints 24Q 25c.; Mary
land and Pennsylvania dairy prints.
LNfi = 10. islft0 III IN AMY nldl ldhu
and Pcnnsylvania. 2lU22c. Virginia,
Ole: West Virginia 20q 2lc.; south
ern 1SG 20c per dozen.
NEW YORK-BUTTER nrm: com
mon 20 extra creamery. 17d21c. do.
renovated. $50 zoe; do. western fac
tory. 150 17'4c.; western imitation
creamery. extras. f91ac.: do firsts. Is
Glsi5c. CHEESE arm; state full
cream. small white. fancy, l2c.; do.
fair to choice. 1lHG1lAc.; do. col
ored fancy. l2c: DO. fair 70 choice.
11HG1l24c.: -. large white and col
ored fancy. l2c.; skins, 2i5Q l0c.
EGGS fra: state. Pennsylvania and
nearby fancy selected white. 2G627c.;
do. choice 25G 2Gc; do. mixed extra.
pc: western extra frsts. 210 pc: do.
frsts 2Oc. POULTRY: Live firm:
western chickens. l3i5n1fc.. fowls.
14ibc.: turkeys 1fc. Dressed Irregular.
western chickens. i2N l3o.; fowls. 70
014c.: spring turkeys. l5N 35c. PO-
TATOES quiet Irish. per bushel
sweets. per barrel. sl25
also. PEANUTS quiet; fancy hand
picked. 5N5hc: other domestic. 81
BIC. CARRIAGES steady; per 100
head. s25ON5
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16

pointed for "a term which expires in
1910: Henry C. Stuart. whose term eX-
pires February lst, 1905.
The friends of Capt. Willard believe be-
is in every way fitted for the important
position OF Corporation Commissioner,
and they are anxious that he should ~
cept the honor.
lie is not only lawyer OF ability, but
is "a man of affairs. noted throughout
the State and elsewhere for his keen
business sense and good Judgment.
Capt. Willard served for many terms
in the House OF Delegates. and was one
of the ablest leaders OF the Committee ON
Finance OF that body. lie is at present
Observation-Disclosures Of the State, and
a. presiding officer OF the Senate has
won the reputation of being one OF the
ablest who has welded the gayel over
the upper branch of the General Assem-
bly, in many years.
Capt. Willard is forty years of age and
is a resident OF Fairfax county. His ap-
pointment. if he should accept, brings
Mr.. Fariax's successor from the same
grand division of the State from which
he came.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16
PATENT MEDICINES
MUST HAVE LICENSES

The commissioner OF internal revenue
has rendered a decision that will serious
Nv affect a number of patent medicines
composed largely OF distilled liquors. He
decides that the manufacturers OF these
medicines must take out licenses as recti-
fiers and liquor dealers, and that drug
gists and Others handling them will have
to pay the usual liquor dealers licenses.
The commissioner, in a letter OF instruc-
ton to collectors OF internal revenue,
SAYS that there are a number OF COM
pounds on the market going under the
names of medicines that are composed
chiefly of distilled spirits, without the
addition ofdrugs or medicines in sufficient
quantities to change materially the char
acter of the whiskey.
In some instances, these medicines have
been found to contain as high as 40 per
cent. of alcohol and there are many on the
market, it is stated, that contain 20 per
cent. of alcohol. These medicines are said
to have immense sales in prohibition
communities.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16
NOW IS THE TIME
Get Your Hair Mattress Renovated.

We thoroughly steam, clean and disln-
feet all hair before it is remade, put it up
in strong new ticking and return them
to you promptly.
Our renovating department is one OF
the best in the South, and under the care
of man long experienced in this work.
We please Others, we can please you.
Drop us a card or call up phone No. 20
The Colonial Mattress Co.,
o04 l.s2m Fredericksburg, Va.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16

panled by his eldest son. Paul Collins
When he started south the mayor was
apparently in good health.
The mayors son in later telegram
announced that he would start north
with the body of his father and that
he expected TO reach Boston tomor
row.
He was Democratic candidate Tor
mayor Of Boston in 1901 and was
elected by vote OF $4,000 majority
and reelected in 1903 by $1,000 plu
rallty Mt Collins married in 1873
Mary L. Carey. OF Massachusetts,. by
whom he had three children-Agnes,
Marie and Paul.
Under the city charter. the mayor
atty falls upon the chairman OF the
board Of aldermen until January l.
and Daniel 4. Whelton will therefore
serve as chief executive.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16
FAIRFAX RESIGNS
Hon. Jos. {. Willard Named as his Successor on
Corporation Commission.

Hon. Henry Fairfax. OF Loudoun, a
member of the Virginia State Corpora
ton Commission. has resigned his posi-
ton. to take effect ON the qualification
of his successor. GOV. Montague has
offered the position 10 Lieut.-Gov.JO>eph
f Willard. recently "A candidate for the
Governorship. Col. Willard is in New
York and has not yet intimated what
he will do, but it is presumed that he
will accept.
The appointment is for Mr.. Fairfax :
unexpired term, subject To confirmation
by the Legislature. The iull term Is SIX
wears and the salary 81, 900 annually.
Mr.. FairfaX's term expires February l..
He has been for some time considering
the question of resigniug, since his duties
in Richmond took him away from ms
family and from his splendid farm.
The other two members are Judge
Beverley r. Crump. who has been reap
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16
VIRGINIA NEWS

Mrs. Lila Bib, widow Of John Ii.
Bib. formerly of Louisa county, died
Monday in Knoxville, Tenn She leaves
two children.
Reuben c. Hammill, OF Woodbridge,
Va. has been granted n patent Mt Wash
ngton for "A type-cleaning attachment
for type-writing machines.
Judge Lewis spoke TO a Republican
meeting in Leesburg Wednesday. Ad-
dresses were also made by W. II. Egg
born. OF Culpeper; VIM. b. King, OF Lou
DOM.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16
live Stack Markets.

PITTSBURG Union Stock Yards)-
CATTLE steady: choice. $500 $50;
prime, s5.15 n $50 HOGS lower;
brine heavy. medium sni heavy
Yorkars. S61OG6f5; light Workers
s5.90NG: pigs S5.50Q5.75; rouShs.
s45OT5.25 SHEEP lower; pr nc
wethers $500 n so; common sheep.
Sl50d350; spring lamb" S50775;
veal calves. S7llS
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16
LOCAL MARKETS

Corrected by Simon Hirsh & Bro)
Wheat, SOC. to SIC. corn, 81 to So;
meal, $1.3O to 81 80 per 100; oats,
40 to a.; hens, live, 7 to 3; ducks, live
7 to 3; spring chickens, II to II cents
per 10; lard, 10 to II; turkeys, live
10 to IL; eggs, Il to IS; butter, 10
10 %; hams, IA TO Il; sweet potatoes
75c to SOC; irish potatoes 35c to Ace
beef to 81; pork, q to g. veal,
A to 3; lambs, $3.50 to $3.50; hides,
(green) to 8; hides, dry, 8 to 10;
sailed hides, 7 to 8; baled hay, $40 to
fl3 per ton.
Leaf Sumac-55 to 60 per 100.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16
ADMINISTRATORS NOTICE.

All parties having claims against the
estate of John Mccoy will present them to
me properly authenticated for settlement,
and ali parties owing said estate will
settle same with me.
William C. Reed, Administrator,
Sowego, Fauquier County, Va.
flsep2- w4w
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16
MAJ. EDWARD C. JOHNSON DEAD

Mai. Edward C. Johnson, son OF the
late Hon. Reverdy Johnson, United
States Senator and Minister to England,
dropped dead Wednesday evening at his
country home at Wildwood, Clarke
county, from an attack OF apoplexy.
The illness was very sudden and Maj.
johnson expired before a physician
could reach him. He was supposed to
be in robust health. He was 60 years
Id
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16
LEES WIDOW THANKS
CITY OF RICHMOND

Mrs. Ellen Bernard Lee, widow OF Gen.
Fitzhugh Lee, has written to Mayor Carl
ton Mccarthy, thanking Richmond Tor
the honor done the memory Of Gen. Lee
when he was buried there. Mrs. Lee
wrote from San Francisco, where she Is
enroute to the Philippines.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16
WILL PRINT SCHOOL REGISTERS

l.. II. jenkins, of Richmond, has been
awarded the contract by the State board
OF education to print 1000 school regis
tiers at once. The book will be sold for
fifteen cents. Before disclosures, due to
the efforts Of ]. d. Eggleston, Jr., nomi-
nee for superintendent, the registers
brought seventy-five cents each.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16
For SALE

One fine young standardized driving
horse. sound and safe and is speedy.
viii sell or trade for IA large young work
horse ormule. Also 3 fine yearling Short
horn bullsentitled TO registration. Horse
may be- tried by responsible party.
spl6-6t Box 3, lexington, Va.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16

The Tartars are massacrelng
Armenian men, women and children,
and call it holy war. This has
been going on for some time and the
Christian nations should interfere
and put a stop to it at once.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16
SCHOOL TEACHERS WANTED

The HARDWOOD School Board. in stat
ford. wants three white teachers. They
must hold first grade certificates issued
or endorsed by Supt. james Ashby. For
further information apply to
Ennever Lucas.
sep9-Jtt Falmouth. Va.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16
E. K. WHEELER.
Telegraph and Telephone Orders re-
ceive immediate attention.

TO Edward Denny: Affidavit having been made
] and filed that you ara resident of the
state of Virginia. YOU ar hereby notified that a
tract Of land. as IL appears on the Commission
er's Books IN 2ud District OF Stafford County.
Va, was sold on the 10th day Of January. 1898.
FOR delinquent taxes leyies interest and costs to
the Commonwealth Of Virginia said land being
described az follows tO-wit Called Smithhed
lying west. 10 miles from Stafford G. H.. Va. in
HARDWOOD District, and containing 30j acres
and application for the purchase thereof has
been fled In this Office and 1t appearing from the
records In this Office that you interest ii in
said land. You are further notified to appear in
four months from the date OF this notice and do
what may be necessary to prot ,ct yourintersts
Given under my hand this list day Of September.
1905. c. A. BRYAN,
Clerk Circuit Court Of Stafford Co., Va.
fsept2-w4w
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16

DR.. McGee has discovered the
cause of storms out West, but he has
not found a preventive, which is a
very important matter. If he could
find some way to prevent them
thousands upon thousands OF people
in those regions would hold him in
lasting remembrance.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16
For SALE.

Spring, son OF kelly" dam high bred
saddle horse; hogs, pigs, P. X. chickens,
heifers, Va. gray wint r oats, hickory h.
corn, wheat.
ID. Washington,
lit Spring Hill, Woodford, Va.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16

Why, even the DOwager Empress
of China extends her hearty felicita-
tions" to President Roosevelt for his
success in bringing about peace be
tween Russia and Japan. She seems
to be changing her attitude towards
the "hated foreigners
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16

The sinking of Admiral Togo's
flagship, with a loss of six hundred
officers and men, was indeed a great
calamity. The only thing connected
with the disaster that is pleasing is
that the admiral was not on the YES
sci at the time and is therefore safe.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16
CHEAP PROPERTY

Centrally located, ten room residence.
lot S7Xl3l HERE'S chance OF a life time
To secure a cheap home, cy chance for
an investment. Will be sold at once to
settle upestate. See rwrite eat once.
John W. Allison.
Fredericksburg. Va.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16
MANTEIl

TO purchase for cash a small saw mill
and one If TO Is II. p. Engine and Boiler
(portable on wheels; must be in good
condition and bargain Also II good
burr stone grist mill.
spl6-6t Box 3, lexington, Va.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16
For Rent.

Star Building, on north side Of Com
merce street, adjoining the Johnston X
Pearson's Drug Store.
Alvin Z. Embrey
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16
B0STON'S MAYOR DEAD.
Patrick A. Collins Dies Suddenly
at Hot Springs, Va.
HAD SEEN ILL ONLY SHORT TIME

Was Sitting In His Room Talking
With His Son When Fatal Attack
Camc-Was Prominent Democrat
and Irish Leader.
Boston. Sept. ID. - The death OF
Mayor Patrick A. Collins. at Hot
Springs. Va, was announced here by
NJ. j. Curran. secretary to the mayor
A telegram received by Mr.. Curran
briefly reported the sudden demise OF
his chief
Mayor Collins left here about
week ago for Hot SprlnSs to obtain
greatly needed rest He was accom-
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16
BENDHEIM SUCCEEDS BEACH

Judge Barley has appointed Charles
Bendheim clerk Of the courts oil Alexan-
drie to succeed the late John ). Beach,
who died this week after holding the
office 20 years.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16

A case of hanging an innocent man
on circumstantial evidence comes to
us from Ohio. In the early seventies
Charles Sterling, supposed tramp
was hung in Youngstown for the
murder of Lizzie Crompacker The
other day Charles Herzig committed
suicide, but before doing so wrote a
note stating that Sterling was an in
nocent man and that he himself was
the real murderer. This is another
score against circumstantial evi-
dence.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16

The Free Lance is prepared to do all
kinds of job prin ling In first class style
at moderate prizes.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16

Parties leaving the city for an extended
stay can have The Free Lance sent to
their address at reasonable rates.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16

Patrick A. Collins. lawyer and the
mayor of Boston. was born in Fer
NOV Ireland. in 1874. He came to this
country in 1S4S. and settled in Chel-
sea. Mass. He worked at the uphol'
sterer's trade for eight years, gave
his leisure hours 70 study. entered the
Harvard law school in 1868. and was
admitted TO the bar in 1872. In 1860
he was member OF the Massachu-
setts house OF representatives, and in
1901 state senator. In 1875 he
was Judge advocate general of the
state. He was appointed delegate-at-
large from Massachusetts to the Dem
ocratic national conventions In 1876.
1880. 1888. 1892. and presided over
that Of 1888. In 1882 he was elected
to congress. and subsequently was
twice reelected. He was consul gen
eral OF the United States at London
from 1893 20 1897. He was elected
mayor OF Boston in 1902. and was re-
elected for a second term last year.
Mr.. Collins was one OF the secretaries
Of the Fenian congress held in this
city in 1865. and had been an active
member of the Irish Land and Ma
tional Leagues since their establish
ment. He was chosen president OF the
Irish Land League at the convention
that was held in Buffalo in 1884.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16

A Washington report tells us that
Richmond is the wealthiest city per
capita in the South, and there are
but four cities in this country that
exceed her and those are New York,
Philadelphia, Boston and Cambridge.
Richmond has $94749 per capita,
while Norfolk, the only other Virginia
city reported,i is $516.94. The nearest
approach to Richmond of any other
Southern city is Houston, Texas,
which is rated at $63O.14. Well
done for our capital city.
The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-16
uemorrhaoe Caused Death.

Hot Springs, Va, Sept l5.-Mayor
Collins had been here a week and
complained more or less OF being Ill.
The immediate cause OF his death was
hemorrhage OF the bowels. The
mayor had kept TO his room for three
DAYS. suffering from acute gastritis.
but had not been confined 10 his bed
entirely. He was sitting up talking with
his son when seized with the attack.
death occurring an hour later DR.
Pole. who had been attending him. did
not anticipate the sudden termination
of Mayor Collins illness, and upon his
arrival at the bedside Of the stricken
man found that he was beyond the
reach Of medical skill.