davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Grit-advocate., 1906-03-16
miNE HORROR IN FRANCE.
Explosion Causes Loss Of Over One
Thousand Lives.

Paris.-A mine catastrophe of meal
stricken the great coal center of
northern France. An explosion of fire
damp at O'Clock Saturday morning
carried death and destruction through
out the network of coal mines Ccntered
at Courrieres, and fire followed the ex-
plosion, making rescue difficult and al
most impossible.
The intense excitement and con-
fusion in the vicinity prevented early
estimates of the exact loss of life. but
a dispatch received here at i:35 p. III.
gave 400 miners cntombed and prob
ably lost. At S:i5 o'clock Saturday
announced the total OF 1913 dead.
All France has been profoundly
shocked by the magnitude OF the dis
aster, which is said to be the greatest
in the history of continental mining.
President Fallieries sent his secre-
tary accompanied by Minister of Pub
lie Works Gautier and Minister of the
Interior Dubiet, on a special train to
the scene of the disaster
The ministerial crisis was TEN,
porarily forgotten, senators and depu
ties joining in the universal public
manifestations of sorrow.
The scene of the catastrophe is the
mountainous mining region near Lena
in the department of Pas De Calias
Here are huddled small hamlets Of the
mine workers who operate the most
productive coal mines in France. The
subterranean chambers form a series
of tunnels.
Six of the outlets are near Lena and
others at Courrieres, Verdun and
many other points. The output OF
these mines is particularly combusti
BILE and Is largely used in the manu-
facture Of gas and in smelling. About
1000 miners work the group of mines
and. with their families. make popu
lation of from 5000 to 5000 souls.
The latest advices say that the
worst fears as to the enormity of the
| mine disaster have been realized. The
death list numbers LOO and the whole
OF the region stands appalled, at the
terrible tragedy, which has brough
sorrow to 5000 fathers, mothers, wive:
and children.
| The last great mine disaster II
France occurred in 1885, when 293 per
sons were injured and eighty injured
but that and all others sink into insig
nificance before CourricTls.
The Grit-advocate., 1906-03-16
eEHRlNG STRAIT TUNNEL.
Scheme for All Rail Route from Amer
ica to Europe.

St. Petersburg.-A more favorable
attitude is being taken here toward
the dazzling scheme for a tunnel un-
der Behring strait and an allrail route
from the United States to Europe
Baron Loicq De Lobel, representing
the American Trans-Alaskan Siberian
company. is again pressing the project
vigorously, and has made considerable
progress toward securing desired
concession from Russia.
a distinct party of the government
which has the sympathy of Premier
Witte, earnestly favors closer CONNER
cial relations between the United
States and Russia, and this project ap.
peals to it. not only as a method for
accomplishing this end, but for devel.
oping the resources of Siberia.
The company, which believes the 81
berian side is as rich in gold as the
Alaskan side, offers to construct the
tunnel and build road 5000 miles in
length from East Cape to Kansk. in
the government of Yeniseisk, where it
will join the Siberian railway, on con
dition that alternate sections of eight
miles on either side of the line. TO-
gether with the mining concessions
covered, be granted the company.
Reports concerning the engineering
difficulties and the financial response
bility of the promoters, etc, have
been submitted and were generally fav.
orably received by the ministers.
Emperor Nicholas has created a
mixed commission before which Baron
De Lobel will make final argument
March 18th and ask for eighteen months
in which to complete arrangements and
ten years to finish the road.
The Grit-advocate., 1906-03-16
MASSACRE OF MOROS.
Americans Kill Garrison Of Six Hun.
dred Near Joio.

Manila.-An important action be
tween American forces and hostile
Moros has taken place near Jolo.
Fifteen enlisted men were killed,
four commissioned officers and thirty
two enlisted men were wounded. Two
naval officers operating with the mill.
tary were wounded. An officer of the
Moro constabulary was wounded, three
of his men killed and thirteen
wounded.
The Moros lost 600 men killed.
Major General Wood reports from
Jolo as follows:
"A severe action has taken place he
tween troops, contingent of the
naval department, the constabulary
and body of hostile Moros, at Mount
Dajo. near Jolo, opening the afternoon
of March 9th and ending the morning
of March Sth.
The action involved the capture of
Mount Dajo, lava-capped cone 2,10o
feet high, with crater on the summit.
and extremely steep. the last 400 feet
being at an angle of sixty degrees.
Traversing its slopes are fifty perpen-
dicular ridges covered with growth
of timber, which was strongly fortified
and held by an invisible army Of
MOrOS.
The action resulted in the destruc-
tion of band of outlaws recognizing
no chief, that had been raidins
friendly Moros on the target range at
Jolo, and through defiance of Amcri-
cans has stirred up dangerous condi-
dion of affairs.
"Col. Joseph w. Duncan of the Sixth
infantry directed the operations.
"All the defenders of the Nero
stronghold were killed and 600 bodies
were found in the works.
THE artillery was lifted with block
and tackle a distance of 400 feet into
position on the lip of the crater.
Brigadier General Bliss and myself
were present throughout the action.
"The attacking columns were COM
manded by Maj. Omar Bundy. Capt. E.
P. Lawton. Captain Rivers. Capt. L..
NJ Koehler. Captain McGlachlin and
Lieutenant Johnson.
THE officers and men engaged
highly commend the Moro constabu-
larry, who did excellent work, their
casualties numbering seventeen out OF
the force of forty-four engaged.
at is impossible to conceive
stronger natural position than that at
tackled"
The Grit-advocate., 1906-03-16
Goat pairyina is Profitable.

l have often wondered why English
agricultural laborers do not keep
goats for the sale of the rich milk
they yield. They cost very little to
keep. as goats will eat any kind Of veg
etable food, SO long as it is clean and
fresh. We learn from Woman that
two Frenchwomen have made great
success OF goat farming; one, Nine.
la Comtesse de la Boullaye. especially
has created in Brittany large indus,
try of butter and cheese making from
the milk Of her large herd Of goats
The butter is such a delicacy that she
can hardly meet the demands for it,
and Is just about to turn her private
enterprise into company. so that
means can be taken to supply the
quantity required by the public.-The
House Beautiful.
The Grit-advocate., 1906-03-16
Eastern Freight Reduction.

Chicago.-To anticipate action by
the Interstate Commerce Commission,
representatives of western roads in
conference here have practically de-
cided upon a fifteen per cent. reduction.
on all classes of freight. This is to;
apply on everything from the Atlantic
seaboard to the Missouri river and
down the Mississippi valley. II is said
these rates have not ben readjusted
for fifteen years, during which time
the population has become dense ana
the roads would prefer the voluntary
action to probably more drastic reduc-
tions were complaints to be carried
into the courts. 1t is expected similar
action will be taken by western roads.
The Grit-advocate., 1906-03-16
Locking Far Into the Future.

A SARCASTIC friend OF Senator Bailey
called upon him in Washington a few
days ago having with his bright little
son. you should try to get your boy
appointed to West Point or Annapo-
lis said the senator. "Oh, no." said
his friend, I'VE have got something
better than that for him. His ambi-
ton is to build the Panama canal.
he will have two years more in the
preparatory school, then four on civil
engineering and possibly two years
in the field under some good engineer
and then I want him to get to work
on the canal. He may be the man who
is to be at the head of that great en-
terprise and really construct it."
The Grit-advocate., 1906-03-16
NEW NATIONAL BANKS.
For.y-one Were Chartered During
Month of February.

WashingtOn.-Inh his report for Feb
ruary of operations under national
bank law the comptroller of currency
says:
An addition of s2,225,O 900 to the nu-
thorized capital stock of national
banks was the result of the chartering
of forty-one associations during the
month of February. Thirty of these
banks, with aggregate capital of $775.-
900, were with individual capital OF
less than $4,000, and eleven, capital
of 81 ,450,0 900, with individual capital OF
$4,000 or over. Charter bonds to the
amount of S62l $50 were deposited by
these new associations.
From 1868 to March IA. 1900, there
We're organized 5,264 national banks,
and from the latter date to February
2S, 1906, 2,4s9 associations. In other
words, thirty-five per cent. of the
banks chartered during the existence
of the national bank system were or
ganized subsequent to March IA, 1900.
The capital stock of the banks organ
lied since the latter date was $780,
104,S00, and charter bonds deposited
at the date of organization SAL 100000.
Nearly two-thirds l,s57) of the banks
organized in this period were with in.
dividual capital of less than $4,000,
the average being slightly in excess
of $25,O00 the minimum required by
the act of March IA, 1900.
Organizations effected under the act
of 1864 and since March a. 1900, num-
bered 992, with capital of $117 7,662.800,
the aggregate capital of smaller banks
being $4s.442,00O. The greatest in
crease, both in number and capital of
banks, occurred in the middle western
/! states, namely, 1874. and $51 81 900, re-
| spectively. The southern division was
second in the list with 1928 banks and
| capital of $39,273500. In the western
| states division 625 banks were incOr-
porated, with capital Of $40, 1852, 900; !;
the eastern states follow in number OF
| banks, namely, 463. the capital OF the
associations being $37.273,00O. In the
Pacific states l60 banks, with capital
OF $11.547.8O0, were organized, and in
| the New England states thirty-ive
banks, with capital of $5,235,OOO
Three banks, with aggregate capital
of $550,00O, have been organized In
Hawaii, and one bank, with capital OF
100000, in Porto Rico.
Nearly forty-five per cent. OF the
banks chartered since March IA, 1900
with approximately fifty per cent. OF
! the authorized capital stock, represent
| conversions or reorganizations of state
Or private banking institutions; the
number of conversions being 80, re
organizations $50, and primary organ
izations, 1883
By reason of liquidations and fail
ures the net increase in number O.
banks from March IA, 1900, to Febru
airy '28, 1906, was 1851, capital $20S,
1892 ,180, and circulation outstanding Sc
cured by bonds $292, 2,79S,771. The out
standing circulation on February rs
1906. secured by bonds and Lawful
money deposited by banks in liquida
| tion, those redmcin. their circulation
/ and on account Of insolvent nationa
banks, was s550.sO3,S95. an increase
since March IA, 1900. of $29G, ,401 ,165.
The Grit-advocate., 1906-03-16
American Beet Sugar Company.

New York.-The American Beet
Sugar Company has announced its an
nual capacity as approximately 5OO.-
900 tons Of beets, which is equivalent
to a production Of about 100000
pounds Of refined sugar. The company
now owns In fee simple 1900 acres Of
farming land In southern California
and 10000 acres in the Arkansas val
ley of Colorado.
1t was also officially announced
that the Arkansas Valley railway has
been recently incorporated in Colorado
by officials of the beet sugar company,
with power to build line through the
Arkansas valley. The authorized cap
ital is 100000. The authorized issue
of the certificates of Indebtedness Is
$3,0OO,O00 and 100000 are reserved
for future use.
The Grit-advocate., 1906-03-16
TAFT FOR SUPREME COURT.
Report That President Will Name Him
to Fill Vacancy.

Washington-The Post says: Pres
ident Roosevelt has decided to ap-
point William III. Taft, Of Ohio. now
secretary of war. to the next vacancy
in the United States Supreme Court.
That vacancy is to be created by the
voluntary retirement OF Associate JUS
tice Henry B. Brown, who was ap-
pointed in 1890 by President Harrison,
from the state of Michigan.
When Chief Justice Fuller retires,
provided it Is during the administra-
tion of Mr.. Roosevelt, Mr.. Taft will be
promoted to his exalted position.
The President has discussed the en-
tire situation with Mr.. Taft and the
latter has given his assent to the pro-
gramme.
This is the second time Mr.. Taft
has been offered a place on the su-
preme bench The first time was in
the winter of 1903, when he was serv-
ing as governor of the Philippine Is
lands.
The Grit-advocate., 1906-03-16
FORCE CONDITIONS ON RUSSIA.
French Men Of Money are Insisting
on Reform.


on Reform.
A feeling seems to be growing h
France that any further loans to Ros-
sia are out of the question-at a8y
rate. till the new constitution has be-
come a reality. The grounds OF the
belief are that fresh advances would
go in unproductive expenditure, would
only encourage Russia In her present
ruinous system of finance, and would
endanger the nine milliards already
lent. In the Aurore NJ. Clemenceau
vigorously enforces this view. France
had gained nothing from the Russian
alliance except the duty OF providing
for all the follies Of absolutism in
state of delirium." To increase her
invested capital would be merely
flinging good money after bad. At the
same time. We may note the rumor
published by the Gil Bias that at
meeting of the chief Partisan finan-
ciers it was resolved to lend the enor-
nous sum of two milliards (fS0,000,-
OO0) upon certain conditions, of which
the more important are that the DOu-
ma should be assembled at once, that
1t should be a real Parliament. repre-
senting the nation and controlling the
finances, and that 1t should formally
recognize the foreign debts Of Russia.
This story may be true, but 1t points
at least to a general intention not to
lend any funds which can be used to
buttress the autocracy, and to demand
f1r
guarantee.-LondOn Spectator
The Grit-advocate., 1906-03-16
New Governor for Alaska.

Washington. - President Roosevelt
announced Saturday that he had de-
cided to appoint Wilfred B. Hogsatt
TO be governor Of Alaska. Mr.. Hog
gait is resident of Juneau, and
will succeed John G. Brady, re-
Gently resigned. The appointment was
originally offered co Capt. David H..
Jarvis. but he declined it. He was 4
supporter OF Mr.. Hoggatt and strongly
recommended his appointment to the
President. Mr.. Hoggalt also was sup
ported by Senator Hemenway of In
diana Mr.. Hoggatt was former
naval officer, having served eighteen
years in the service.
The Grit-advocate., 1906-03-16
MARKING HISTORIC OLD TRAILS
Eastern Journal Praises Movement
Now General in West.

Now General in West.
A movement is spreading through
the West which has for its object the
permanent marking of the old trails
along which the country was pene-
trated and crossed by adventurers and
emigrants in the period before the
construction of railroads. This is a
highly pr,..seworthy undertaking and
to the degree that the object Is faith
fully accomplished will be a more
noteworthy contribution to history
than many of the books that are 30
c,assed. Out in Kansas they have q
trail day" which is observed in the
Kansas public schools. This year the
day was observed last month. The
purpose of it is to instruct the chill
dren in the history of the old Santa
Re trail. with its significance in the
growth Of the west and through the
interest thus aroused in the commu-
nifty to raise money for marking the
course of the trail which stretched
for 400 miles across what is now the
state of Kansas when 1t was a wilder
ness.-Boston Herald.
The Grit-advocate., 1906-03-16
Dissertation Of water.pou..

A scientist says of waterspout
that passed over a certain district in
France last summer: Its passage
was accom- panied with a sound which
is described as resembling that of a
battery OF artillery drawn on the gal
lop over paved street. At the base
Of an extended nimbus hung the re-
versed cone characteristic of phenom.
ena Of this kind. A strong wind was
then blowing from the south south
west. The waterspout was preceded
by storm and followed by a show
err"
The Grit-advocate., 1906-03-16
Union Looked Upon as Ideal.

The romantic career of the marquis
Of Gratam reached a climax when his
engagement was announced to Lady
Mary Hamilton, the richest heiress in
England. He is 27, has been before
the mast. has served on Lord Bras
sey's yacht, has worked with the
naval brigade in South Africa and has
been press censor at Cape Town. He
is very good looking, while his future
bride can best be described as come
ly. She has s2.225,OOO, as we'll as an
annuity of $4,000, while her estates
are worth s125.OOO year more. From
Scotch point of view union of the
heir of Montrose to the only child of
duke Of Hamilton is positively in
spring and ideal.
The Grit-advocate., 1906-03-16
MISSOURI ADDING TO WEALTH..
Ranks High a. Manufacturing as Well
as Agricultural State.

as Agricultural State.
For many years Missouri ranked
next to Illinois and Iowa for corn acre.
age; 1t took high rank as fruit and
wine producing state and was fourth
on the list Of American states in wine.
Missouri corn, Missouri apples and
Missouri grapes were admittedly en-
cellent products. Within five years.
however. the manufactures OF Mis-
souri, have increased 80 per cent. In
place of corngrowing, but not to the
neglect Of that industry. Missouri has
taken up meatpacking, to the amount
Of $60,000,000 last year Tobacco
yielded $3O,O00,O0O and malt liquors
$25 100000. The trade in boots and
shoes in which st. Louis is a formid
able rival of Boston. was $25 100000
and In foundry and machine shop
products, made profitable through the
recent development of Missouri's iron
lead and zinc mines. $20,00O.000. In
stead of being a distinctively agri
cultural state Missouri has become
one Of the chief manufacturing states
of the country.-New York Sun.
The Grit-advocate., 1906-03-16
MiIIiners and Theater Men War.

London theatrical managers view
with concern this new wrinkle of
women wearing hats with full dress
evening toilettes and thereby trans
porting what Is termed the ''restaur-
ant dress" to the stalls of playhouses.
Nothing can induce this elaborately
put together person to disturb the
composition by removing its crowning
glory. her $50 hat. The great milliners
are in league with their patronesses
and create" such evening millinery
1t is sinful to abandon 1t even for an
hour or so. 1t is expected that some
slaves to the beautiful would even
sleep in their hats If they could. The
London milliner and the London man
ager are at odds. 1t is war to the
knife between them.
The Grit-advocate., 1906-03-16
FARMS AWAITING THE FARMER.
Glorious Chance for the Suffering
Residents of Cjtv SIuns.

All over the country there are
farms crying for tilling and there are
few responses. The lure of the city
has absorbed thousands of the best
young people of the agricultural dis
trict. If no plan is found for keeping
young men and women on the farms,
then large scheme of emptying the
cities of their poor and helpless
should be evolved. 1t is one of the In
comprehensive phases of the stua-
tion that, no matter how poor and
suffering the average family of the
city slums may be. 1t prefers to suffer
the miseries of the tenements rather
than go out in the country where
healthful employment awaits all and
where the pure air will revive de-
bilitated bodies and the sunshine win
back the feeble tides of life-kansas
City Journal.
The Grit-advocate., 1906-03-16
Music'S MANY Uses.

II IL a reasonable proposition that
music intelligently administered will
produce definite results in disease
treatment. 1t supplies a stimulant,
both psychic and physical In melan.
eholia and insanity music stimulates
the attention centers. withdraws the
Attention from self and SO effects a
cure. Take the business man, so
Jagged that he cannot control his at
tentioA. Let music be softly and con-
hnuously played; his attention will be
.entero<l. then tired and he will sleep
Ike a child-New York Sun.
The Grit-advocate., 1906-03-16
Senatorial Repartee.

Ex-senator William f. Chandler oi
New Hampshire was one day ques
tioning Senator Tillman very closely
while the latter was making one Of
those impassioned speeches in the
senate which made him famous in
caricatures as the senator with the
pitchfork. After Tillman had been
Interrupted several times he became
very much annoyed and blurted out:
Why. my friend rattles around in his
seat over there like a disturbed grass
hopper" But a pitchfork never httt
a grasshopper," was the quick rent
from Senator Chandler.
The Grit-advocate., 1906-03-16
Senator Good Judo. Of Character,


While seated at luncheon with SEN
ator Nixon Of Nevada. Senator Anck.
eny Of Washington, who has been in
the senate three years, remarked that
he had been attending meetings of the
canal committee and had been much
impressed with the ability Of "a short,
smooth-faced young fellow" who
seemed to have some sort OF connec.
tion with the committee. Said Mr..
Anckeny: II believe that young fell
low has a fine future. He is working
for the committee apparently and
why, there he is now" Senator Nixon
glanced in the direction indicated and
said: That is Philander c. Knox,
s.ormer attorney general of the United
6States and now senator from Penn.
sylvania."
The Grit-advocate., 1906-03-16
Sustain Presidents Power.

Washington. D. C.-The Senate com
mittee on forest reservations voted un-
animously with the exception of Sena-
tor Kittredge, South Dakota. to ad-
versely report the bill of Senator Hey
burn to take away from the President
the right to create forest reservations
and place it solely in the hands OF Con
gress. AT the hearing on this bill
Hepburn appeared in its advocacy and
Forester Pinchot spoke in reply. Hey
burn has asked for another hearing
that he might present further state
ments, and the committee decided to
grant his Eequest though giving no as
surances that 1t would change its posi-
ton.
The Grit-advocate., 1906-03-16
Historical Landmarks.

Washington.-The House committee
on public lands has agreed to make a
favorable report on bill to protect
historical landmarks 1t is designed
especially to preserve the cliff dwell
li..5s in New Mexico and Arizona and
provides that land on which objects of
historic interest are located may be
set aside by the government and pro
tectcd from VandalS.
The Grit-advocate., 1906-03-16
Was Determined to Marry Freak,

The widow Of a substantial va.
saw (Poland) tradesman fell in i, e
with a living skeleton. on exhibition
at booth. and induced him to visit
her at her house. Here she declared
her passion. and upon It's meeting with
but cod response she seized the
wretched freak and. having gagged
him. placed him in large box, pro-
cured to meet the emergency, en-.
closed wherein she had him rapidly
driven 10 villa owned by her In the
suburbs. and there kept him prisoner
until he sgreed to her proposal.
The Grit-advocate., 1906-03-16
Fund for Experiments.

Washington-The Senate has passed
the bill which passed the House Feb
ruary 18th, providing for increasing
the annual appropriation for agricul-
tural experiment stations. $1,000 for
the present year and an additional sum
Of $4,000 each year for five years, the
annual amount to be paid to each state
and territory maintaining such agri'
cultural stations to be 100000. which iG
double the present appropriation.
The Grit-advocate., 1906-03-16
Zebulon Pike Medals.

Neutrality-suspicious. Brooks
has secured passage in the House of
his bill authorizing coinage at the
Denver mint of 100000 Zebulon Pike
memorial medals, which are to be sold
to aid in defraying the expenses OF the
proposed centennial celebration OF the
discovery of Pixies Peak.