davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus., 1907-01-05
Perpetrator and Cashier
Killed and Several
Injured.
HAD DEMANDED LOAN
President, Who Refused the
Request, Overcome by
the Affair.

Philadelphia, Jan. 3.-Shortly before
noon today an unknown man hurled a
bomb in the Fourth Street National
bank resulting in an explosion that
tore the bomb thrower to pieces and
killed w. z. McLear, assistant cashier
Several other employees and bank pa
irons were injured. Two of those hurt
may die.
DEMANDED MONEY.
The bomb thrower had demanded
money from the president, Richard n.
Rushton. When this was refused he
took the missile from under his coat
and hurled it at Rushton. A slight fire
followed the explosion.
Tenants of the building in which the
bank is located. fled from the offices.
Police were quickly on hand and pIac-
ed the vaults and securities under
heavy guard.
President Excited.
President Rushton, after the explo-
sion was very much excited. trembling
like a leaf He told the following
story:
"A man who gave his name as G. E.
no place of residence. came into my
Office and asked me to lend him s.. 900.
/ was busy looking over some papers
on my desk at the time and paid but
little attention to what the man said.
Suspected He Was Crank.
''He sat there looking at me very GU
riously until l became suspicious he
was crank, and asked him to excuse
me for minute while l went into an
other office. AS / left the man he
arose and went over to the cashiers
window l noticed him talking to the
cashier. but do not know what he told
him. The explosion followed next. 1
did not see the man throw the bomb,
but have every reason to suppose he
did throw it. My cashier, William u.
McLear, was killed outright
Caused Great Excitement.
"The explosion caused great excite
ment amongst us all. Glass flew from
n smashed window and fell in show
er over us and four or five women
were among the employees who rushed
for the door" Later Rushton was
overcome by the seriousness of the
tragedy and was sent home in a car
riage
Was He IOwnn.
A detective bureau is at work in an
effort to identify the man who was
the cause of the tragedy. The only
thing found that probably belonged to-
him was a bunch of % keys on ring
on which was the name "R. Steele,
Garner. Iowa" President Rushton de-
scribed him as a tall, dark man, ap-
Parently foreigner.
Bomb Unseen.
The form of the bomb is not known,
as neither Rushton or any one else
saw it. A small piece of a tin box
was found among the wreckage, but
whether this was portion of the dead
ly missile has not been determined.
William Crump. the messenger, was
terribly injured Both eyes were blown
out, his scalp torn off and his face so
mangled that he was unrecognizable.
Left for East Years Ago.
Garner, Iowa, Jan. 5.-Robert Steele,
formerly a resident of Garner. left
here six years ago and is supposed tol
have been living in Philadelphia or
Boston. While here he engaged in
peddling patent medicines.
steele is known.
Des Moines, Iowa, Jan. 5.-A man
named r. Steele is known at Garner,
Iowa, as driver of patent medicine
wagon. At Garner today it was said
Steele was supposed to be at Klemmie,
a few miles from Garner.
Rock Island Argus., 1907-01-05
CATALiNa TOURISTS HURT

Stage Coach Topples Over on Mount
ain Road, Five Being lnjured.
Avalon, Catalina Island, Cal, Jan. 5.
"A stage coach containing 10 persons
toppled over on precipitous mountain
read on the island yesterday and five
persons were injured. as follows:
c. c. Carlisle. Grand Rapids, Mich,
right arm broken and contusiOns.
Mrs. James Connell, in a semi-coma-
tose condition from the shock; extent
of injuries not ascertained.
c. E. Ogden, Macomb, H., injured in
right shoulder
]. Vallen. Grand Rapids, Mich, con-
tusions on his limbs.
Rock Island Argus., 1907-01-05
FRAUD IN RAILWAY DEAL?
Mississippi Petitioners File Action
Against Yazoo City Line.

Against Yazoo City Line.
Jackson, Miss, Jan. "a sensations
al petition has been filed by b. B.
Martin and W. B. Griffith of Vicksburg
against the Yazoo City and Mississippi
Valley Railroad company, the Illinois
Central railroad company, and the Met
rOpolitan Trust company of New York.
The bill seeks to have declared fraud
ulent all bonds issued by the Yazoo
City and Mississippi Valley company
since 1884. The petitioners set up that
the earnings of the road have been
wrongfully diverted, and they ask for a
full accounting of all the bonds and an
Injunction preventing the defendants
from disposing of these bonds.
Rock Island Argus., 1907-01-05
DAMAGE is GREAT
Crest of Flood In Ohio River
VIII Reach Evansville
Monday.

Evansville, Ind, Jan. 5.-The crest
of the flood in the Ohio river is ex-
pected Monday. The crop damage is
estimated at s750,OOO in southern Indi-
ana. At Petersburg and other points
along the White. Patoko and Wabash
rivers damage is reported great. No
loss of life.
Rock Island Argus., 1907-01-05

Washington, Jan. 5.-Army regula-
tions bearing ON the subject have been
amended so as to provide that when
ever ''The Star Spangled Banner" is
played by a band on q rorrna7
at military station, or at any pace
where persons belonging st1.fie MILITARY
Rock Island Argus., 1907-01-05
SOLDIERS MUST STAND AT ATTENTION
WHEN NATIONAL AIRS ARE PLAYED

pacity, all officers and enlisted men
present shall stand at attention until
the last note of the national air. =
1t is also proyiGeaefhe same resnect
HU Euisserv ed stosEaxa tllee nat tieFAsif
air of any other countfg when it is
nfayed asa compiinseitf 10 official rep
.resentatfvss of such Country.
Rock Island Argus., 1907-01-05
Raise on Traction Lines.

Bloomington, ILL.,, Jan. 5.-The Illi-
nois Traction system, comprising many
interurban lines, has announced
a general increase in pay to employees
averaging 10 per cent, effective Jan. !.
Increased cost of living is given as the
reason for the advance. About 5000
men are affected.
Rock Island Argus., 1907-01-05
GIRL NIGHT OPERATOR PREVENTS
COLLISION OF ROCK ISLAND TRAINS
Uses Phone to Instruct Farmer Stop One After Dspatche
BIunder Had Sent Two Frelghts to Apparent
Certain Destruction.

Office
Telephoned Farmer.
After Miss Breckenridge had tried in
vain to reach Langdon she rushed to
the telephone and located John Spen-
GER a farmer who lived near the rail
road track She told Spencer the sit
uation and directed him to get n Ian
tern, wrap it with a red cloth and
hurry to the track.
He did so and arrived in time to flag
the west bound train. with the second
train only half mile away.
Rock Island Argus., 1907-01-05
CANNED BEANS KILL THREE
Cause Ptomaine Poisoning, Which
Kills Twso Men and Woman.

/ Los Angeles. Jan. 5.-Three persons
are dead here as a result of ptomaine
poisoning. caused by eating canned
beans Henry Carter, a resident of On
tario, his daughter, Mabel. 2S years
old, and Charles Edward Abbott ate
the beans while on a camping trip. and
were almost Immediately taken i'll.
Miss Carter died Thursday and the
men Yesterday.
Rock Island Argus., 1907-01-05
FOUR KILLED In
POWDER BLOWUP

Racine, Jan. 5.-A telephone mes
sage from Kenosha says the powder
mill at Pleasant Prairie exploded.
Four men were killed and four in
jured.
Rock Island Argus., 1907-01-05
Disease VIII Claim Many.

Physicians state many deaths from
pneumonia and other ailments caused
by exposure to cold will inevitably fol-
low. Since early yesterday many ho-
tells and restaurants have not been able
to supply their patrons with warm
food. Temperature continues below
the freezing point.
Rock Island Argus., 1907-01-05

tenance of the college of agriculture.
$4,000 annually for the experiment
station Investigations; live stock, $40, :
900; crop, $4,000; horticulture, $z5.=
900; dairy, $25,000; soil, $4,000 the
first year and $4,000 annually after
that. A. P. Grout of Winchester is the
chairman and Colonel Mills of Spring
field secretary of the committee.
Rock Island Argus., 1907-01-05
CAUSE OF DEATHS
Cutting Off of Natural Gas Sup
ply at Cleveland, Ohio.
Serious.
$4,000 SUFFER GREATLY
Exposure Will Promote Pneumonia
and Kindred Diseases Physi-
clans Say.

Cleveland, Ohio, Jan. 5.-The natural
gas supply, which was completely cut
off in this city early Thursday, follow
ing the blowing up of the leading
mains. was partly restored this morn
ing. 1t is believed by night the nor
NAL supply will be available.
There has been great suffering for
more than "a hours among $4,000 con-
sumers of natural gas. One death has
been reported as a result of lack of
heat
Rock Island Argus., 1907-01-05
Indicate Wreck of Steam
er City of Panama
in Pacific.
NO BODIES ARE FOUND
Vessel Left San Francisco on
Way South Dec. 81 With
100 Souls.

San Francisco, Jan. 5.-The report
was received last night that several
life rafts and other wreckage with the
name "City of Panama" on them came
ashore at Wardall Beach last evening.
The Panama sailed from here Dec. 81
for the isthmus with 15 first cabin, IS
steerage passengers and 29 Chinese.
The crew numbers Sc.
Heavy Gale blowing.
A heavy southeastern gale has been
blowing for several days. 1t is posi-
BILE the wreckage found on the beach
has been washed overheard. The City
of Panama is owned and operated by
the Pacific Mail Steamship company,
and has piled between San Francisco
and Mexican and Central American
ports. 1t is an iron screw steamer
of AGO tons.
Remote from Telegraph Lines.
Wardell Beach is on the coast of
Santa Cruise county, about 20 miles
north of Santa Cruise City, and very
remote from any telegraph or tele-
phone communication. News of wreck
age being washed ashore at that point
was brought to Pecadora, about Is
miles north of Wardell Beach.
Rock Island Argus., 1907-01-05
Orders Confused.

Through a confusion of orders the
west bound freight cleared from Ar
lington just as the east bound freight
left Turon two stations west. A mo-
ment later Miss Breckenridge was or
dered to hold the west bound train.
Langdon Station, which was between
Rock Island Argus., 1907-01-05

Hutchinson, Kan, Jan. 5.-Nora
Breckenridge, night telegraph operator
at Arlington prevented a wreck of two
Rock Island freight trains Thursday
night.
Rock Island Argus., 1907-01-05
companies, all of which are under hi
administration.
Engineers VAST stock Purchases.

Since July 1, 1906, it was shown that
ON Mr. Harriman's initiative the COM
panies he controls had bought stock
in other roads amounting to $103, ,293.-
743, the most notable purchase being
SIS, ,123, 100 of stock in the Illinois Cen
tral, or 1853 per cent of that railroads 8
capitalization.
Since the annual report of the Union
Pacific and Oregon Short line, June 80.
1906, the Union Pacific has purchased.
through Mr. Hartman, $5,0S2 300, or
37.37 per cent of the ST Joseph and
Grand Island railroads stock The
Oregon Short line has bought $39 $40 :
600, or 1862 per cent, of the Baltimore
& Ohio railroads stock, and $3, $50 600
or 3.42 per cent, of the Chicago, Mil
waukee & st. Paul railroads stock.
The company also bought s., ,572 600, or
2.5S percent of the stock of the Chi
cago & Northwestern, $4,000, 900 of
the preferred Atchison, Topeka & San
ia Fe, being 4.2S per cent, and $14,2S5.-
745, or 7.97 per cent of the capital
stock of the New York Central and
Hudson river railroad.
Rock Island Argus., 1907-01-05
Everything Approved.

Records before the commission
showed that in these transactions
Mr.. Hartman acted nearly always on
his own initiative and that the execu-
tive committee simply met and ratified
his actions.
In the minutes of the executive com
references to other big financial trans
actions and conducted by Mr.. Harri-
man, accompanied by the simple state
ment that they had been approved. No
figures were given nor was there any
clew as to what these transactions
were.
Rock Island Argus., 1907-01-05

the two trains, is not a night telegraph
Rock Island Argus., 1907-01-05
steele is known.

Des Moines. Iowa, Jan. 5.-A man
named r. Steele is known at Garner,
Iowa, as driver of a patent medicine
wagon. At Garner today it was said
Steele was supposed to be at Klemmie,
a few miles from Garner.
Rock Island Argus., 1907-01-05
Was He IOyvan.

A detective bureau is at work in an
effort to identify the man who was
the cause of the tragedy. The only
thing found that probably belonged to
him was bunch of % keys on ring
on which was the name r. Steele,
Garner, Iowa" President Rushton de
scribed him as tall, dark man, ap-
narentlY q foreigner
Rock Island Argus., 1907-01-05

Garner, Iowa, Jan. 5.-Robert Steele,
formerly a resident of Garner, left
here six years ago and is supposed to
have been living in Philadelphia or
Boston. While here he engaged in
peddling patent medicines.
Rock Island Argus., 1907-01-05
Caused Great Excitement.

"The explosion caused great excite
ment amongst us all. Glass flew from
n smashed window and fell in a show
er over us and four or five women
were among the employees who rushed
for the door" Later Rushton was
overcome by the seriousness of the
tragedy and was sent home in car
Rage
Los Angeles herald., 1907-02-10
CASTIN.

See that?" he said "a Tacitus two hundred
years old. You will give me a hundred francs
for it,"
"One doesn't buy Tacitus when the purse does
not contain the price of tomorrow's meal" |
replied After the war, friend Gastn, I may
think again If the siege lasts week longer, |
should commend YOU to sell maps of Berlin"
And l LETT him. l walked up the street,
and dived into my shelter underground The
Prussans had upset the arrangement of my
sitting-room for a shell had blown the tiles off
my house and left me only ratinfested eel!
lar to live in ] writing a diary OF the
siege. After the war they would buy ii in Eng
land, But after the war! My imagination was
not fertile enough to picture the Prussian entry.
Strasburg would, hold out. She could not
render They were mobzing in Paris. To-
morrow should hear their guns.
So they had told the boulevards, and
we had poured sous into the collecting box OF
the man who had preached the lie, Who thought
Of tomorrow in Strasburg? The Prussians might
shell the city. but they would never enter Be
hind rs was Paris
| sat long in company with my Pickering
candle dreaming Of the city that would trample
over her enemies. With the dawn would come
the sortie and before it the PUlssian lines would
melt like river mist before the sun.
An hour passed and suddenly | was conscious
of step on tho stairs above, ! shouted a
challenge and ringing voice sent back the reply:
"All right, friend | bring you good news
The firing had ceased, Had the Prussans
Withdrawn, then: But something in the voice
arrested me. The tone, the pronunciation of a
word will call back voice that was dead and
forgotten.
| got up from my table and walked towards
the cellar steps just an officer in the uniform
of the National Guard descended Instantly I
recognized him as the man I had seen slouch
away from Gastin when he descended from his
table He came down the steps slowly, for the
light was bad and he feared fall.
Rather hard to live in a cellar when one pays
the highest rent in the street, isn't it, he asked
did not reply, but watched him throw aside his
tunic and sit down before tho candle on the
table
by Heaven" | cried at last "rhe Count
Won Mettenburg, on my soul!'s
/ He looked over his shoulder uneasly
The same-in Strasburg!" he replied with
a subducd laugh. You did not expect to see
me here. old friend; but since those days of ours
in Paris l have learnt every inch of Strasburg"
got up and shook his hand. He was Prus-
sian and | an Englisman, but today as yesterday,
we were comrades The quarrels Of nation had
nothing to do with rs; friendship is stronger
than war.
"A spy?' / asked at length
"A spy-yes A spy on a woman. You don't
know the story, 30 | will tell you. | met her
in Paris two years ago; she was singing at a
theatre there Then the war broke out, and |
discovered that she was in Strasburg One of our
first shells destroyed the theatre here, so |
determined TO come and find her Now YOU
know all l can tell you except that she is the
Los Angeles herald., 1907-02-10

There was a long pause Mr.. Raglan shrus-
eed his shoulders and looked at Crocker; Crock
or shook his head vigorously and backed hastily
out of the reeking court with long breath Of
relief
Mr. Raglan gave one more glance round the
circle of faces, staring, scowng, grnnng, serious
and angelic, shrugged his shoulders again, then
held out his hand to the curate.
Good morning" he said; "I'll take your word.
All the same, | swear you're the only honest
soul in this dirty hole'
Ho said not another word but turned and
passed through the dark archway while they all
looked after him, and the clergyman shook his
head
"Well. my boy" he said. with grave smile,
az haven't even asked you yourself whether you
took this watch"
"Oh, Mister Wcst!" was all the boy said, as
he raised his splendid eyes with reproachful
glance to his face
"Well, we'll welll" he said Don't take this
false accusation TO heart but try never to de-
serve another more than this
"Not if ! knows it" said Bill. IL knows my
Commandments: Thou shalt not steal an
don'tl"
"Well, | can't stop now" said the curate
81 have an appointment / hope to see you this
evening, Willy. at the schoolroom; eight O'Clock
sharp, don't forget"
Then he too, turned and vanished through
the tunnel. Bill also made an instructive move
ment towards it, and in instant was wrlggllng
in his parents iron grasp
"Nsr then. yer young rip! And it over!" and
the other man edged round
"And what over dad?" said Bill, his blue
eyes bigger and more innocent than ever.
None Of yer rot-that ERE ticker! said
his genial progenitor, shaking him.
"I amt got it; never took it! said So"
said Bill with Sob
"Wot" shouted the father. "You amt took
lit? You amt aintcher? Wots the good o you,
I'd like ter know; never got nuthing, you amt
Why at your age I could carnt my four tickers
wcek--an', an purse or two as well
Ell never he no good" observed hardened
old sinner with a patch over his eye
The father flung the boy away with curse
and a kick and turned away with his compan'
ions Bill rubbed his bruises, smeared his hand
across his eyes, and shuf1ed out into the street.
A tall shabby fellow was lounging near, with
straw in his mouth which he moved occasion
ally and contemplated gravely. Apparently he
was stranger for Bill passed him without recog'
milton; but of a sudden he stopped and address
ed the lamp-post.
"Go 'arves?" he said.
.'Wot is it?" II was the tall young man who
smoke. and he was evidently addressing his straw
"a ticker-sod 'un. Old man tried to get it
cutter me-
The pawnbroker won't take it from you; let's
ave it,
"Right YOU are look art then! All clear your
way! Now-quick! Arves, remember
Like flash Bill had stopped and inserted a
Quick hand into one of the big boots, and in
two minutes Mr.. Raglan's watch was on its way,
TO the unofficial receiver and the metingpot
Bill. still as ever. the incarnation of angelic
innocence pursed up his rosy lips and whistled.
1t was not a sacred air
Los Angeles herald., 1907-02-10

which one was at direct variance with the other.
Yes" he said firmly; give il up at once. and
we'll say more about IT, This gentleman saw
you do it, you know, so it's no use denying 1t.
"Yer lie" shouted the hoy. and then his lip
trcmbled and Of a sudden his big eyes clouded.
~ never done it, dad-tell 'em | never
az say" whispered Crockcr nervously in Mr..
Raelan's car. 81 don't want to make mistake"
There's no mistake" said Mr. Raglan, all the
more sharply because he was not certain of IT.
Just turn round a minute, boy-right round.
There" he added as the boy complied, isn't that
the back we've been chasing?"
Crocker was staggered, and bit his nails in
perplexity.
Look 'ere" said Bills parent sternly you've
hin an mde mistike; sy an done with,
but don't yer git calm my boy thief any more,
d'jer carp"
"I tell YOU said Mr.. Raglan firmly, "T am
certain that that boy has my watch; if he will
not hand it over at my request | must call po-
liceman.
Call in the sop. will yer, yer old scarndrcll,
comm in ere an blackenin' peoples characters"
Bills father waxed virtuously wrath. Others
Of his stamp had drawn nearer, and all seemed
ever more virtuous and more wrathv than that
gentleman himself. II was not pleasant situa-
ton Mr.. Raglan had grown shade paler, but
otherwise he gave no sign.
eff the boy didn't take my watch" he said,
che can have objection TO my feeling in his
pockets
"Soon as yer like" said the boy, stepping for.
ward with a winning smile that actually revealed
dimple and holding up his hands, eyer may
b'leeve me not, sir, he went on, as Mr. Rag.
Ian gngerly made fruitess dab into each torn
trouser-pocket "but I amt thief. never ave
bin, sir, and I 'ope l never shall!
As he spoke he glanced at Crocker, and for
his benefit threw out his hands with little elo.
quent gesture.
IF that kids thief, I'll be iiggered!" thought
Crocker
why. Willy, what is all ths?" said deep
voice suddenly. Mr.. Raglan straightenel him
self up and looked around.
There was shuffng among the lounging men,
a sort Of half-hcarted touching of hats and muir
mur of grudgingly respectful greeting. Bill said,
Good morning, sir with sunny smile, and
Bills father grunted husky echo and got more
in the background
The newcomer was clergyman. a tall thin
man. with pale clean-shaven face and weak
eyes.
"Not very well off, not very sharp not very
strong" was Mr.. Raglan's inward commentary.
"What is the matter my boy?" said the new
arrival, cor perhaps I should ask you, sir, what
is it you want with this lad?" and he placed his
hand on Bills shoulder.
"You know him." quered Mr. Raglan.
'It is my duty to know him-and these" said
the curate quietly. with glance round the court.
What sort of character do you give hm?"
"A good lad. sir; very good lad, constant
attendant at our mission classes. and intelligent
in his lessons have hopes of that boy which
am sure will he realized
"Ah" said Mr.. Raglan. half-convinced, you
don't believe he'd steal my watch?"
Sir. said the conscientious curate. "such an
accusation could only be made against him by
some one who did not know him"
Los Angeles herald., 1907-02-10

his long tapering fingers wrthe about each other
like snakes as he struggled with his passion for
the mastery.
Suddenly with a leap he left the fagots and
cutched Mettenburg's arm. / put out warn
ing hand, but it was too late, the storm break
ing.
Look at me-" he shouted. "Let me see the
face of the man who shared little Violette. Hand
some! Bah, She never told me of this, but
she would not love a dog of Prussian Ciel!
Wen send you back to your friends in the morn
ing lust to show them that we know how to deal
with spies. A glorious bridal, monsieur" He
bowed with mock courtesy. "Violette shall drive
the cart that carries your body to the city gatos"
He turned and rushed up the steps. crying
"Prllssiah! Prussan!" And the cry was tax.
en- up down the street, far away at first, then
growing loud like the swelling notes of a requiem
Soon / heard feet running overhead, then coarse
shouts. cats and jeers. Mettenburg put on his
tune slowly and went up into the darkened
streets while | followed close behind. He never
hinched but walked with the firm courage of
brave man who knows that death waits for him.
As he reached the open lantern was thrust
into his face and at the word Of Gastin twenty
rough hands seized him and dragged him down
the street But suddenly something seemed to
come between him and the crowd and those
tearing at his tunc were content to loose their
hold and listen.