davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-04-18

Mr.. Delmas, if needed by the jury,
would turn New York into the SEM
blance of a western mining camp, and
ridiculed the "dementia Americana" on
which the final plea for acquittal had
been made.
The district attorney declared that
romance and sentiment did not enter
into the issue; it was not question
of Stanford Whites character or Eve
Ign Thaws sufferings; it was 4 plain,
natter-of-fact homicide. "A common,
cowardly tenderloin murder" is the
way he termed it.
1t was Jerome's summing-up speech
the last word in the famous trial be-
fore the judge intrusted the prisoners
fate to the jury. Jerome dashed Thaw
as with knout of a thousand fails.
1t was the most savage attack of the
whole trial. There was not dark
page in Thaw's life that was not turn
ed to the light of criticism and blame.
So fierce, so vindictive was Jerome that
there were many who believed he was
purposely seeking to gOad Thaw into
some outburst. "He is guilty and
should be punished" was the burden
of his speech.
And following this terrific arraign-
ment which had turned the hopes of
Thaw and his relatives into forebod-
ings, came the judges charge to the
jury. AS the jurist. avoiding all eff
forts at oratorical effect. went over the
facts and admonished the men who are
to decide on Thaw's fate to put aside
passion and prejudice and render a
verdict strictly ON the legal points at
issue, an expression of abject terror
overspread the prisoners face. The
judges definition of insanity sufficient
to cause an acquittal dampened the
hopes even of the prisoners lawyers.
After having been out thirty-one
hours and still unable to agree upon a
verdict, the jury which had Harry
Thaws fate in its hands was locked
up for the second night, Thursday,
shortly before midnight.
Length of trial-Sixty-fve court days.
extending. with postponements, from Jan.
% to April u.
Cost to State-STS, $50.
Cost to defense-S235.00
Length of jury's deliberations-For
seven hours and eight minutes.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-04-18

pearl necklaces, etc. These gifts were
returned by her mother, who chaperoned
her devotedly.
Miss Neshit subsequently went to Eu-
rope with her mother, and Thaw pursued.
After few months Mrs. Nesbit return
ed to announce that her daughter was
at last accepting the attentions of that
odious man." and that she wished to have
nothing more to do with her. Mrs. Mes
bit married again, and Miss Evelyn went
on her unchS 3eroned way.
Little is known of the European ex-
ploits of Thaw and the girl. They auto
modified together, but were very discreet,
the only adventure being an arrest in
Switzerland for fast driving. when they
were booked by the police as man and
wife.
Oct. %, 1904, they registered at Clar-
idge's in London as H. K Thaw and
wife" When Harry's family heard of
it they sent cutting cablegrams. Nov. 1
the pair landed in New York and went to
the Cumberland hotel. Two days later
they were elected from the Cumberland.
Then, after being refused rooms by four
hotels, Thaw and Mis- Nesbit parted tenn
porarily. Thaw went to Pittsburg to con-
fer with his family. Miss Nesbit follow
ed him in the spring, and April 4, 1908
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-04-18
CLOSE OF THAW CASE.
JURY FAILS TO AGREE IN GREAT
MURDER TRIAL.
Famous Legal Battle Lasts for Three
MontL s-Proceedings Have Been
Eagerly Followed by Reading
Public in Two Continents.

The Thaw jury disagreed and the
long trial of the murderer of Stanford
White ended without result. Thaw was
remanded TO the Tombs without bail to
await a new trial. His second trial,
however, cannot take place for some
time-a year, perhaps. Thus closed
the most remarkable trial in New
YOrk's criminal annals.
The trial cost the State, it is said,
not less than $4,000. How many times
that sum it cost the defense may never
be known, though conservative esti-
mates place it at S235,00 And at its
close matters stand just where they did
before. The jury was out over forty
seven hours, and on the eighth and
last ballot stood seven for murder in
the first degree, which would carry
with it the death penalty, and five for
acquittal on the ground of insanity.
Events moved swiftly and thrilling
~ in the last day of the great Thaw
trial in New York. For Thaw and for
those who were hoping for bis acquit-
tai it was the most soul trying ordeal
Of the twelve weeks which the trial
had lasted. Upon the heels of District
Attorney JerOme's closing address,
nearly every word of which was like
the blow of a lash on Thaw and his
girl wife, Justice Fitzgerald charged
the jury in a manner that seemed to
dry up every vestige of hope for STAN
ford Whites slayer And then the
case was given to the jury.
The closing day of the trial proceed
ings was the most dramatic since the
prisoners wife recited her pitiful story
on the witness stand. District Attor-
ney Jerome dissected the argument of
Mr.. Delmas for the defense and tore it
to shreds Selling upon incidents in
Thaw's life, he pictured the prisoner as
man whose character was as black as
that of Stanford White, and Evelyn
Nesbit he portrayed as a girl anything
but the innocent child Mr.. Delmas had
shown her.
Harry K. Thaw sat with clenched
Attorney Jerome tore his life to shreds,
and demanded that the jury assess
against him the death penalty. Sar-
casm tipped every word which the dis
trict attorney spoke. He declared the
pathetic "unwritten law" arguments of
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-04-18
RAIL TIEUP GROWS ACUTE.
American Settlers in Western Cana
da Suffer Severely as Result.

American Settlers in Western Cana
da Suffer Severely as Result.
The folly, of American settlers going
into western Canada so early has result
ed in terrible loss and suffering. So seri-
GUS has the situation become throughout
the section west of the great lakes that
the following telegram has been sent to
western representatives in parliament by
the Winnipeg board of trade, together
with kilograms to the railway commission
demanding an immediate investigation:
The Transportation situation on the Ca
madam Northern railroad system is very
acute and becoming more aggravated
daily. Hundreds of cars of settlers eff
fects, live stock and general merchandise
are tied up in Winnipeg, Regina, Dau
phin and over the whole system. Imper
ative that western members represent the
situation to the railway commissioners
and the government Immediately and urge
prompt action, as much inconvenience
and loss has been caused to settlers and
merchants which will undoubtedly adj
versely affect immigration if not prompt
ly relieved. Andrew Strang, President"
The same story comes from all parts of
the West. At Moose Jaw. in Saskatch-
evan, there are hundreds of settlers from
Illinois and Iowa badly blocked. Their
families accompany them. Before the
civic committee investigating the longest
ed freight conditions of western Canada
President Mann of Canadian Northern
said his company had placed orders for
$4,000 cars 500 passenger coaches and
100 locomotives several months ago, but
was unable to secure them at present.
Construction work in western Canada
will necessarily be reduced this year.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-04-18
Told In a Few Lines.

The Mcdonald engineering building at
McGill university at Montreal, was de-
stroyed by fire. The loss is estimated at
between 100000 and $1j0,000, insurance
$4,000.
The negro longshoremen of the Mer-
chants and Miners Transportation Com
pany and the Old Dominion Steamship
Company, who have been on strike for
an increase of > cents an hour in wages
have been notified by the companies that
they need not return to work
All men have been withdrawn from the
I underground workings in the Homestake
mine at Lead, S. D.. in consequence of
the presence of carbon dioXide gas caus~
ed by the fire that has been burning in
the mine There has been no loss of
life. but many men have been overcome
by the gas.
The oyster settlement at Maurice river.
near Millville, \. j., was burned out.
Loss $4,000, on which there was no in
surance.
Stephen Shellgo Of Cleveland commit
ted suicide on a railroad train near Wash
ington d. g., by shooting himself through
the right temple.
The artillery district of San Diego.
which was discontinued in May. 1904. has
been re-established and will now com
prise Fort Rosecrans. Cal.
The commission appointed by Secretary
Taft to consider the improvement of the
landscape of Niagara gorge continued its
investigation of the American bank.
A. 3. Nichols, % years old, son of
Jacob Nichols, a prosperous farmer.
wanted for two months for forgery was
arrested on his return to Lebanon. Ind.
Marquis Bindo Peruzzi de Megi.i com
mitted suicide with a revolver in his
apartments at Florence, Italy. He was
% years of age and well-known sports
man. His mother, who is a widow. was
formerly Miss Edith Storey of Boston.
According to a report issued by the
bureau of statistics of the Department of
Commerce, cocoa importations into the
United States are now averaging more
than million dollars month, against an
average of a quarter of a million dollars
q month a decade ago.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-04-18
NEW YORK

Trade and manufacturing conditions
are in high degree favorable, despite the
lull in demand usual at this stage of the
spring season. Some odd croSS-currentS
are visible because of the scarcity of
stocks in so many lines, necessitating-
buying in other markets to exc out sup
plies sold ahead some time ago. In re-
tail trade cold weather and bad country
roads are a bar to fullest activity, but
the volume of business as whole exceeds
the corresponding period in other years.
Business failures for the week ending
April II number f94. against 1871 last
week and 161 in the like week of 1906
Canadian failures for the week number
IS, against 20 last and II in this week
a year ago.
Wheat, including flour. exports from
the United States and Canada for the
week ending April II aggregated l, S3l,
100 bushels, against 3,460,S72 last week
and 1862 47 this week last year; for
the last forty-one weeks of the fiscal
year. 49,, 49,. 022 bushels, against 107.-
506,919 in 1905-06. Corn exports for the
week are ! .475,119 bushels. against >
911,OO4 last week and 1.125,79 a year
ago. for the fiscal year to date, 56,0J9-
SO bushels, against 99699, 135 in 1905
O6.-Bradstreet's Report.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-04-18
Notes of Current Events.

Gen. Jose Miguel Gomez, candidate
for the presidency of Cuba, is i'll with
| consumption.
The trials of Judge Hargis and others,
charged with the assassination of James
CockrilI, were assigned at Lexington,
KY, to begin May Z.
John D. Rockefeller opened the picnic
season the other day at Lakewood, n. j.
He took the choir Of the Baptist church
over to the seashore in the afternoon and
then entertained the party at supper in
the evening.
Three hundred japanese will leave
| Honolulu on the steamship Korea for
San Francisco, whittier they will be
shipped to Vancouver, B. c.
The report of the official naval tribunal
of France of its inquiry into the battle
ship Jena disaster, rejects the possibility
of malice as an explanation Of the ex-
pIosion and attributes it solely to pow
der "B.''
William West, an engineer on the
Louisville and Nashville railroad, shot
and killed Engineer Fraser at Montgom-
cry. Ala. and finding escape impossible
turned his pistol on himself, dying a few
moments later. West was accused @.
stealing q king.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-04-18
Career of Evelyn Nesbit Thavv.

Byron's expression, THE fatal gift of
beauty is strangely exemplifed in the
life story of Evelyn Nesbit Thaw. Eve
Ign Nesbit's early home, like Thaw's,
was in Pittsburg. She is the daughter
of Winfield Scott Nesbit, lawyer who
had small practice and died leaving the
widow with only a pittance. At the age
of IA Evelyn began to work for her liv-
ing in a Photographic studio in Philadel-
phia. Her employer took picture of
her to hang in an exhibition, and Evelyn
woke up the next morning to find herself
a famous beauty. Artists began to beg
her to pose for them, and within a few
months she was earning a good income
in New York as a model.
In these model days she met White,
who induced her to go upon the stage,
and persuaded a theatrical manager to
give her a trial. Later White sent Miss
Nesbit to a fashionable eastern school
and after that she returned to the stage
Among the host of men who were
smitten by her charms was Harry Thaw.
His attentions were at first received
with disfavor, although he had a habit
of sending to her home grand pianos,
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-04-18
WILLIE SELLS PARDONED.
Kansas Governor Sets Free Man Con-
yicted of Murder When a Boy.

Gov. Hoch of Kansas has granted a
conditional pardon to Willie Sells, who
has spent nearly twenty years in the
Kansas penitentiary for the murder of
his father, mother, brother and sister.
The murders were committed March Z,
1856, evidently for the purpose of rob-
berry. j. w. Sells, II years old, a farmer
and school teacher, lived near Erie, Kan,
with his family-the wife, n son, Watty,
10 years old; a daughter. Ina, -, and a
son, Willie, IS years old The family
were murdered at night and were slashed
in horrible manner. Willie stoutly
maintained his innocence and declared
the murders had been committed by a
man who had attacked the members of
the family while they slept. He declared
he was awakened while the man was fin
ishing his work and chased him as he fed
from the house. In defending Sells his
attorneys argued that it would have been
physical impossibility for him to have
committed the crime, as he was sickly.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-04-18
G99HH>YMNEERCAl.
T. f.: A1 So HIN
R-es 81 AND assa 1a
Ik n ~ <ssS<
aF'NHNCA
CHICAGO.

Aside from the temporary effect of un-
seasonable weather the prevailing condi-
tions ilnpart sustained strength to buss
ness No interruption appears in pro
duction of the leading Industries. new
demands come forward steadily and, with
the resumption of navigation to lower
lake ports. transportation of freight is
more extended. Commercial loans exhibit
the greatest aggregate yet attained here.
but while the tone is easier, the discount
rate may not decline appreciably until
there is a further gain in deposits.
AdviceS testify to spring merchandising
equallng expectations at most interior
centers. farm work well forward and at
tenUon turning to extensive improve
mentS. DiStrihutive trade generally is
upon an encouraging basis here and in
the West and there is vet much activity
in the iobbing branches upon demands for
textiles, footwear. clothing, furniture and
hardware. Some delays occur in forward
ing general merchandise. due to scarcity
in first hands and road statesmen obtain
good orders for summer staples. indicat-
ing that buyers have no loss of conf
denG> in the future.
Manufacturing progress is undated
The capacity of most plants is exerted to
the limit. and the machinery and labor
employed exceeds all previous experience,
in iron and steel, power, car and forge
work.
Failures reported in the Chicago dis
trict number II, against 13 last week
and 26 a year ago.-Duns Review of
Trade
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-04-18
Utz llA9[2S2E;}{{ERS
.s,s, s,;9s}SI E@&l~,-@ o.
s;Sss llSs s - = d
SkEEos 5000

Chicago-Cattle. common to prime,
$500 to 1913; hogs. prime heavy, $500
to SGT; sheep, fair to choice, $500
to 5000; wheat, No. 2, TIC to 7Sc; corn,
No. 2, Acc to 47c; oats, standard, lie to
43c; rye, No 2. CSC to 69c; hay, timo
thy, $1,000 to $500; prairie, 5000 to
$3.50; butter, choice creamery &c to
zoe; eggs, fresh, 14c to lie; potatoes,
30c to 4Sc.
Indianapolis Cattle, shipping, $500
to 5000; hogs, choice heavy, $4.00 to
$3.50; sheep, common to prime, $3.50 to
500 wheat, No. 2, 74c to &c; corn.
No . white, 45c to 46c oats, No. ,
white, 42c to 44c.
St Louis-CattIe, $3.50 to $3.50;
hogs, $500 to 500; sheep, $500 to-
1915; wheat, No. 2, TIC to 7Sc; corn,
No. 2, 44c to 45c; oats, No. ., 41c to,
43c; rye, No. ., &c 10 Csc.
Cincinnati-Cattle. $500 to $500;
hogs, $500 to $685.; sheep, $500 to-
5000 wheat. No. 2, tic to Zoe; corn,
No. 9 mixed, 46c to 4Ic; oats, No. .
mixed, 42c to 43c; rye No =, 73c to tic.
Detroit-Cattle, $500 to $3.50; hogs,
pf.oO W pO.CO, Slittps P--Do " pD.Vpy
wheat No. 2, 76c to 79c; corn, No. ).
yellow, 4Gc to 47c; oats, No. 3 white
45c to 47c; rye, No. =, Tic to 73c.
Milwaukee-Wheat. No. northern
roc to S3c; corn, No. 3, 42c to 44c;
oats, standard, 42c to 44c; rye, No. l.
69c to lie; barley, standard, roc to lie;
pork, mess, $1615.
Buffalo-Cattle, choice shipping steers.
$3.50 to 5000; hogs, fair to choice. $500
to $1.15; sheep, common to good mixed,
S4.0O to $3.50; lambs, fair to choice,
$500 to $500.
New York-Cattle. :4OO to 5000;
hogs, $500 to 500; sheep. $500 to
$5.S7; wheat, No. 2 red, SIC to Sic:
corn. No. ., 52c to 53c; oats, natural
white 4Sc to SOC; butter creamery, 29c
to Gle; eggs, western, 15c to lie.
Toledo-Wheat, No. 2 mixed, re to
79c; corn, No, 2 mixed, 44c to 4Gc:
OAR, No. 2 mixed, 43c to 45c; rye. No.
2, Csc to G9c; clover seed, prime, $9.2J.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-04-18
SALOON is FENCED IN.
GRCGSHOP is EFFECTUALLY PUT
OUT OF BUSINESS.
Construction Company Executes a
Coup in Kansas City, Kansas
Louisiana Grand Jury UphoIds So
Called ''Unwritten'' Law

After the County Court had granted
him license Raode Strika built a
shanty in Cement City and started a sa-
loon. Cement City is about two miles
north of Independence, Kan. The plant
of the Freedom Engineering and Con-
struction Company is there, and around
the plant are many small houses in
which about 200 Italians and Greeks, en-
ployed at the plant, live Strikas sa-
loon became a popular place for the la
borers Many of them. it is said, shirk-
ed their work and hung around the sa-
loon, both day and night Officers of the
company tried to induce Strika to move.
He refused. They told him his saloon
was on the company's property and
threatened to rae it. Still he refused.
Then the company took the matter up
with the County Court, but no action was
taken. The other day the company pro-
cured a force of workmen and built
board fence fourteen feet high around
the saloon. When the fence was finish
ed the little saloon was ''out of sight"
In the afternoon Strika went to his sa-
loon-he was not there when the fence
was built-and found the modern Roman
wall. He yelled to the bartender and the
customers who had been in the place
when he left. There was no response.
One by one customers came. listened to
the excited talk of the Greek saloon
keeper, then left thirsty. 1t was report
ed that mob of Italians and Greeks in
tended to lay siege to the fence. The
company made preparations by placing its
temperate workmen near the saloon. Also
Thomas Hughes. marshal at Indepen
dence, was notified. The mob-about
fifty Greeks and Italians-came. but there
was no siege. They saw the guard about
the fence, also the badge of the marshal,
and desisted. The siege consisted chiefly
of threats and much noise. The noisiest
of all was Strika. who was arrested and
taken to Independence on a charge of
disturbing the peace. Tho high board
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-04-18
Lumber Production Bulletin

The national forestry service has made
public its estimate of the annual produc-
ton of lumber in this country at 100000
600 cords. valued at S1,O20.0O0,00O. The
State of Washington ranks first. with an
output of 4.O0O0OO.OO0 feet. and next in
order come Wisconsin. Louisiana. Mime
sofa. Michigan, Arkansas. Pennsylvania,
Mississippi. Oregon. North Carolina. Cal
ifornia. Texas, Alabama, Maine. Virginia.
Georgia. West Virginia. Florida, New
York. Tennessee. South Carolina. Ken
lucky. Missouri Indiana. New HamD-
shire. Ohio, Vermont, Massachusetts.
Idaho, Montana. Maryland, Iowa, Illinois.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-04-18
Power for Garbage Costly.

According to Henry Floy, an engineer
who has been studying the subject for
the city of East Orange, Y. J., the scheme
advocated by many enthusiastic persons
of producing electric light and power, or,
perhaps, steam, for heating purposes by
burning the refuse of cities, is not a
practicable one. Mr.. Floy's report in
dicates that the light and heat which
would be produced by the burning Of the
garbage could be obtained more cheaply
by burning coal, and that so far as the
relative economy of the two methods is
concerned it would be more advantageous
to dispose of the refuse by hauling it
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-04-18

possibilities of a new suggestion, great
or small, the amount of work of which
he was capable was the despair of every
man with whom he came into business
relations. He could accomplish his
greatest duties on apparently three or
four hours sleep, and in addition to all
of his vast enterprises, White was known
over Europe and America as one of the
most companionable and lovable men of
his time.
Cultivated, gifted in practically all the
arts, he took with him wherever he went
that extraordinary love of fun and bois-
ferrous jollity that distinguished him to
the end and that made his presence
sought and priced in every branch of
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-04-18
Warships to Be FunnelIess.

One of the most interesting papers read
before the recent conference of the insti-
tuition of naval architects in London was
that which dealt with 1.-THE Influence of
Machinery on the Gun Power of the
Modern Warship." The author claimed
that if large number of guns are to be
effectively mounted they must be so placed
as to fire on either broadside. To this end
all deck structures, including tunnels,
must be abolished, but if tunnels are to
be eliminated steam can no longer be
used. With this in mind, the Vickers
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-04-18
RAILROADS CLOSING UP OFFICES
Operators Scarce in Iowa Owing to
the New 9-Hour Law

Operators Scarce in Iowa Owing to
the New 9-Hour Law.
In preparation for the nine-hour law
the Chicago and Northwestern railroad is
closing scores of its smaller offices
throughout Iowa. Twenty offices on the
Galena division alone have been discon-
tlnued within one week and many others
will be closed this spring. The railroads
are unable to secure telegraph operators
sufficient to man the Offices now that this
class of men can only work nine hours.
The operators are being moved to the
larger offices, where it is necessary to
have three men instead of two as for
merly. In this way expenses are kept
down, the law is adhered to and the
larger offices handle the work formerly
distributed among the many smaller ones.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-04-18
Land Boun.ht Inv Dummies

The United States government and the
Greek nation have filed suit through NJ.
l.. Mott of Muskogee against the Frisco
Oil and Gas Company to recover four
blocks of Tulsa Il. To- city land The
government alleges that the TOWNSHIP COM
pany in 1902, which was ordered to sell
lots on appraisement, used dummies and
that the lots We're in reality purchased
by one company in direct conflict with
the nriminal trnntv