davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-03-03
JameSL. Williams,
Defender of
Quincy, ILL.,, in
Civil War, De-
mands $685.
900 from Uncle
Sam in Back
Pay, Bounty,
Allowances and
DamageS----Re-
corded 9S a
Deserter, Yet
Claims He Re
fuses a Pen
sion.

-" HERE'S an aged colored man
in Washington. now run
ming pushcart, who stead
tasty refuses the pension
10 which nc says he Is entitled
as late captain OF Company +
Tweaty-Ointh Regiment, United states
Colored Troops. which saw active
service during the civil war. and de-
mandS in lieu thereof. 1855, 900 IN back
pay. bounty and allowance which no
claims are due him. This sum also In
cludeS 10000 damages he wants from
the Government.
Thi~ veteran IS James t. williams.
who lives at 622 Marion court north
wee but who Is 20 be found daily.
tain snow. or shine. with his cart At
tho corner OF Seventh and X streets.
Williams has queer life story, much
Of which has been verified. He n a
British subject. having been born at
Chatham, Ont, Canada, July 3. 1893.
and having come to tho United States
to 1--we after he was twenty-one years
old He never has been naturalized.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-03-03
HoPes R0oseyeIt WI HeIp Him.


This case OF mine has been before
Congress for the past twenty years.
and yet expect and hope that some
time / shah set my rights 1 would
have had them by this tina. II Presi
dent Mckinley had lived. but / an
hopeful that President Roosevelt VIII
have the case reopenSd and have this
monty given to me The amount 10
date, with interest. is So. og0. Mean
while Tm going right ahead. worlzInr
with my pushcart. Winding nv own
business and frying 20 be a good and
respectable citizen"
CaDtsin Williams GAYS his mother
was free woman. but that his father
Was a slave who had run away from
Virginia and gone to Canada to live.
There the elder Williams became q
leader OF the Underground RAILWAY
Tor fugitive slaves. operating between
Derc--s- Mich, a1g1 Canada. He often
had as many as fifty fugitives on his
farm at one time
Williams has strange ideas for one
OF his race al the present dav. He
believes that the North did wrong 70
take the slaves away from the South
erners, whose "chatteis.~ he declares
they Were by right
Coz made the negro black and in
terior to the white race ne saws.
and intended him TO be the white
mans servant II the negro was
treated as the Lord wanted him 10
Pc treated. there would be no race
question; but as long as the politicians
can make money out OF him he viii
be between the devil and the deep
sea
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-03-03

T h e stranger
eyed Williams mar
rowIy and said,
81 am Quantrell
and ] want 10 tcll
YOU that what
have sen today Is
what I never ex
pected TO sea
Niger command
ing white men. As
long as the Y8a-
KEGS .aut you IN
command OF white
people. I viii not
modest YOU; but
Will let them sec
what a niger can
DO In taking care
81 them.
With that Guam
t r e II suddenly
wheeled. dashed
for his horse.
mounted 1t and
rode swiftly away.
looking back M
the surprised cap
tain over his
shoulder.
In telling Of this
dramatic incident.
Williams says:
Shortly after
that. I Received
letter from Sec
retarv OF War
stanton that I
was 90 consider
myst2 under ar
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-03-03
Cots Furlough Prom Butler.

tOn August 8. I vteat 10 General Sen
Butler, who had been criticised for not
Going very efficient work before tie
battle OF Petersburg. stated my case
and asked FOR a fGrloUsh and a pass
home. The genera, gave it 10 me.
and I went TO New York. never return
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-03-03

ordered to City Point and VIC then
marched to the wharf 10 board The
steamer Keypott. When We get down
10 the dock. refused TO board the
vessel. because was mortified and
angry to think that tho War Depart
ment had issued orders reducing me 20
the rank OF first sergeant. on account
% that Qusntrell incident.
DID not consider that 4 had en-
listed TO be sergeant. and as a
sergeant l refused 10 20 aboard ship.
Colonel lei Brown. seeing me re-
iuse 10 20 aboard. had nc seised and
taken across the gang plank We
lanaed at city Point and took part
IN the terrible bsttle OF Petersburg.
Va. where 81 entire Confederate rnci-
ment was destroyed by Yankee mine.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-03-03

Tex. TO take that town when we met
Coufederates who did not oppose Us
and explained that the war was over.
We then occupied Fort Brown and
other camps near Brownsville until
ordered home for our discharge.
Would 1t Had Been Mine Enemy"
Would IL had been mine enemy
" no came a secret way
iOh- but The door that waits a friend
Swings open to the day
There stood no warter at my gate.
To bid Love stand and stay)
Would IL had been mine enemy
in open figli- and great
HainSt the beloved who goes armed
Ia strength invielate
Or breads lest IN bis hands me bears
The craven blade of Hatc2l
W culd 10 had been mine enemy
Who Knocked TO see me low
Better ali anger than this thought
Love left TO scar me so.
Ally heart was naked TO his hand
His hand who gave the blow)
-Theodos Garrison. IN the Censury.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-03-03

INK tn my company. somehow ] lost
this PASS. but they do not seem 10
believe ne at the war Department.
was anxious 10 get % work and did
not spend much time thinking about
my docanert. once I was out OF the
lines.
We'll By 1850, was working as
foreman for Captain Chahin. at Par
kefs Landing. when I noticed in the
papers thar they we're 10 give the
soldiers ali their back pay and bounty
so wrose 70 George r. Lemon. VINO
az that time had law cffice at SIS
Sixteenth street. this city. and Cap
tain Chaf'ln also wrote 20 hiua. After
q few weeks I received a letter from
Mr. Lemon stating that | had bet
ter not push tho case. as there were
some serious charges against me at
the War department.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-03-03
Charms From south America.

The lansuour OF The Spanish type Of
beauty can be found in the South
American embassies. where the span
ish type predominates. Jet black hair.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-03-03

July u. 1864 On July 10. was ordered
with another company 10 Chicaso. ana
upon my arrival there. was oriefed
with my men TO Washington.
On arriving in this city NE were
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-03-03

from Williams military record and to
grant him an honorable discharge.
~ ~
Enlists as Grants Cook.
Williams says that in 1861 he enlisted
as Gen. u. S. Grants personal cook.
and that he was in al tho battles
Grant took part in up to 1862. when he
went 10 Chicago. where he began TO
teach sunday school for tho colorcd
people that were fiockihg there at the
time.
In November OF that year the Cox
ernmcnt began to enlist great many
colored men IN the army. Most of
williams Sunday school scholars ex-
pressed their Willingness to join the
army. provided williams also would
enlist.
on the last day OF November, 1863.
Williams and his little band OF pupils
went TO Captain Pomrey. the muster
ing officer. and were enrolled in Cci1-
pany T.. Twcnty-ninth Colored Infan-
the company Nevertheless. williams
now claims he never was properly
mustered In.
Shortly afterward tho company was
ordered to quincy. H.. where the col
Ored troops then were stationed. on
May 1. 1864. the colored soldiers were
ordered TO the frontal except Com
pany i. Captain williams was com
manded to hold VIA protect the city.
y -
Trouble Mt Quincy, Ill.
While at Quincy as commanding
officer. williams had some trouble
with the butchers OF the city, who re-
fused 10 sell meat to the negro
troops. He finally compelled them to
yield. saying that n they continued to
refuse to sell meat to his men. he
would arrest them and place mcn IN
charge OF tho shops who would show
a proper spirit. Eo then put tho city
under martial law.
1t was shortly after this incident that
the captains spies Informed him that
Gen. w. C. Quantrell. the guerilla chief.
was at Jefferson city with 1900 men.
ana It was expected that he would
cross the river and sack and burn
Quincy. as he had done 70 Lawrence.
Kan, In his memorable raid IN August
or the preceding year.
captain Williams was preparing 70
defend the city against another such
fearful massacre. when It was reported
70 him that a stranger Wa at the lines.
requesting TO sec the commanding Of
officer.
Tho captain. who was mounted on a
borrowed artillery horse. Just outside
his tent, bade his men admit the
stranger.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-03-03

Guerrilla Chief Rode Into Camp incOg-
nito and Escaped as Soon as He
Had Disclosed His Identity
to colored Captain.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-03-03
Would 1t Had Been Mime Enemy. /"

March 8. 1907
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-03-03

from Williams military record and TO
grant him an honorable discharge.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-03-03
His Meeting With OuantreII.

Then there came riding toward car
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1907-01-29
LETTER FROM ROOSEVELT
Governor Hughes Guest Of Honor Of In
stitute OF Social Service.

New York, Jan 2s.-Governor
Hughes was the guest Of honor at 4
banquet at the Waldorf-Astoria to-
night given by the American Institute
Of Social service, which was the il
augural feature of the first information.
al exposition Of safety devices and in
dustrial hygiene, which will be held
this week and next in the American
Museum Of Natural history.
Doctor Josiah Strong, president OF
the institute, presided.
The exposition will be opened for
two weeks. Display of safety devices
will consist Of machines or devices in
operation, safegnarded elevators,
windlasses, cranes, and hoisting ma
chimes, safety lamps and explosives
and devices to procure safety from
fire, etc.
'rhis letter from President Roose-
welt was read:
"My Dear Mr.. Strong: wish could
be present at the opening Of the expo
sition Of safety devices and industrial
hygiene to be held under the auspices
Of the American Institute Of Social
service.
GAS modern civilization is constant
ly creating artificial dangers to life
Eroh ond hoaI+b ~ ia irnnnrativa IIDOn
us to provide new safeguards against
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1907-01-29

Some sensational testimony for the
prosecution was brought out in the
cross-examination of witnesses. Tie
question at issue concerns the right OF
a United States soldier to kill man
outside Of federal property, who IS
suspected Of having committed Il
crime within government property.
A Jury was procured today and, just
before adjournment OF court the prose
cution finished its case.
The defense, as outlined to the jury,
sets up that the theft Of copper from
the arsenal would be proved; that wit
nesses for the prosecution contradict
ed themselves: that the fatal shot was
fred after repeated warnings to stop:
that Crowley would have escaped had
he not been shot just when he was
and. finally. that this win be proved
by Crowley's dying statement
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1907-01-29

the new perils. In legislation and IL
our use Of safety devices for the nro-
lection Of workmen we are far be.
hind European peoples and in conse-
quence in the United States the cas-
ualities attendant upon peaceful in
dustries exceed those which would
happen under great and perpetual
war. Many, even most of these cas-
ualties, are preyentable, and it Is not
supportable that we should continue
a policy under which life and limb
are sacrificed because it is supposed
to be cheaper to MAIN and kill men
than to protect them.
Wishing you all success in your
efforts believe me,
Sincerely yours,
THEODORE ROOSEVELT" HI
Governor Hughes among other
things said: 'It is a shocking thought
that the wage earners Of the country.
who by their daily toll make possibls
the industrial prestige Of which We
boast, should be subjected through ig.
norance or indifference to unnecessary
peril. The interests o. labor are tn
interests OF all the people and thu
protection of the wage Garner in the
security Of his life and health by every
practicable means is one Of the most
sacred trusts OF society"
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1907-01-29

readiness for further orders.
Emperor William has ordered that
"a full repot Of the disaster be sent
to him.
Experts calculate that the rescue
work will take one week.
Up to o'clock this evening ~
bodies has been brought out and Sc
corpses were known to be under
ground. Only SO live men have been
brought out and Of these the doctors
say at least 35 will die, as they are
frightfully injured through having
been hurled against the walls of the
galleries by the force of the explosion.
Az official report given out this even
ing says the number of dead cannot
exceed 100.
Immediately after the explosion,
rescue workers were hurried from all
the adjacent mines and boldly entered
the Reden shaft in great numbers. The
work of resuce has been greatly ham
pered by the poisonous gases coming
from the explosion and a fierce fire
that broke out Immediately afterward.
This caused efforts at rescue tot
suspended, and the workers had to be
ordered out Of the mine.
After all the rescuers had reached
daylight, according to one version, u
second terrific detonation was heard
underground. But according to anoth-
er report, many Of the rescuers were
still below when the second explo-
sion occurred, and it is estimated that
the casualty list FROM the two explo-
sions reaches a total of 300 men.
It is regarded as certain that the
lowest levels Of the mine are complete
ly wrecked,an the inspectors are
deliberating upon further measures to
get control Of the fire. The miners
are discussing the advisability Of food
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1907-01-29
Several Hundred

Saarbruck, Prussia, Jan. ga FIRE
damp explosion occurred about
o'clock this morning in the Bildstock
shaft of the Reden mine at st.
John-om-saar, opposite this town. Up
to 2 o'clock this afternoon the bodies
of 164 dead miners had been taken
out Of the mine, IL men dangerously
injured had been rescued and mO,;,
than hundred miners are missing.
There were about 600 men working
in the shaft when the explosion oc-
cured, but half of them were not in
the parts which were wrecked. The
rescue corps Is working desperately
in efforts to reach the men, and it
is hoped that some of them will be
found alive. The scenes at the pit
mouth, where the families Of the min
ers gathered, were most distressing.
The Reden mine is owned by the
Prussian government.
The disaster occurred 1890 feet I'M
derground and one and quarter miles
from the floor Of the shaft. It Is the
greatest mining catastrophe eve"
known in the Saarbruck region.
About 600 men entered the mine
for the day shift, but about 400 Of
them escaped through the BilderstecK
shaft, which communicates with the
Reden underground. At late hour
tonight 1t was uncertain how many
were still in the mine, the reports
being conflicting. The entrance to
the galleries underground is blocked
with dead horses.
Most Of the bodies brought to the
surface are mangled beyond recogni.
tion.
The mine inspectors this evenin ;
ordered the rescuers to return to their
homes, but to hold themselves in
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1907-01-29
FRANCE ALSO HAS ONE.
Three Men Killed by Explosion i,
Levin Mine.

Three Men Killed by Explosion in
Levin Mine.
Lens, France, Jan. 28.-An explo-
sion reported to involve the loss of
many lives occurred in coal mine at
LEVIN, in the Courriers district. The
explosion was caused by fire damp.
An official investigation has been
made, however, and it is declared that
all miners who were down at the time
of the explosion have returned to the
surface.
Arthur Lamedin, a member of the
chamber of deputies, who descended
into the mine, confirms previous re-
ports that only three men lost their
lives, and declaration to this effect
has been posted. The crowd, however,
continues to show excitement and
when this poster was read there were
cries of "they said the same thing at
Courriers.''
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1907-01-29

not therefore form the subject Of ex-
tortion.
File Brief on Appeal.
The attorneys for Mayor schrnitz al
ed in the supreme court today their
brief in support Of the application for
writ of habeas corpus.
One of the main points raised is that
what Schmitz is said to have extorted
from the restaurant keepers is not
property in the legal sense. It is
maintained that the law does not look
upon saloon licenses and the profit
therefrom as property. It is also set
forth that man may legally threaten
to do what he lawfully may do.
Under other sub-heads it is pointed
out that the indictment does not state
that either defendant is public ofilcer
or that the property exorted was taken
under the color of theft.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1907-01-29

the toll of 5 cents ton. He stated
that up to June 1, 1901, all transconti-
mental freight had come into this city
through Oakland and had therefore
paid this toll to the state board Of
harbor commissioners for the use Of
the water front. In June, 1901, the
Southern Pacific completed it's division
connecting with the transcontinental
line at Los Angeles, and interstate
freight was brought into the city by
this division. Although it does not
cross by ferry, such freight neverthe-
less is mulcted 5 cents ton.
In his opening statement, Peter r.
Dunno, for the railroad, admitted that
the case, as stated by Mr.. Mann, seem
ed bad for the Southern Pacific, but
claimed that the "whole statement
turns on complaint Mr.. Mann seeks
to make showing the inconsistency
of the company. propose to meet
that fairly.
Freight rates." said he, "are regu.
lated by the cost of water transporta.
tion. Rates must be higher to inter.
mediate points in order to pay costs =
He added:
In putting the rate as high up as
the traffic will bear at water points
the company simply takes what II
can get. Years ago, Mr.. stubbs, who
pioneered this rate basis, made con
tracts with merchants for handling
traffic and fixed rates by computing
cost of shipment by water, marine in
surance, interest, state toll, plus
something for superior equipment. The
state toll is part of the tax to be in
cluded, even if no freight crosses the
state wharyes. The company is moi
collecting the state toll as state toll
but an aggregate rate, including what
water carriers pay. The water compe
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1907-01-29

San Francisco, Jan. 28.-Arguments
of attorneys in the Rueff- ff-Schmitz case
were begun today before Judge Dunno
The court admonished the lawyers to
be brief, and Attorney Barrett then
began his argument for the defense.
It was stipulated that the argument
should apply to all the indictments,
except number 3O3, which is now be-
fore the supreme court on an applica-
tion for writ of habeas corpus. At
torney Barrett took up the morning
session, his argument being that the
demurrers to the indictments should
be sustained on the showing that the
charter is void and that the licenses
which are assumed to have been paid
for by the French restaurant keepers
did not constitute property and could
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1907-01-29
FAVORlTE ARGUMENT GIVEN NEW TURN
Water Competition in Case Of San Francisco Shippers Made
Basis for Higher Freight Rates.

titor pays this toll, so we are compell-
ed to charge this toll in our rate"
When Mr. Mann offered to place iu
evidence facts in regard to the rout-
ing of freight across the continent,
Mr.. Dunno objected.
"1t looks to me-" said Mr.. Dunno,
"as though counsel on the other side,
like Don Quixote, were fighting wind
mills"
Mr.. Mann intimated that what Mr..
Dunno considered "Windmills," his
clients regarded as robbery. He went
on to state that committee OF mer-
chants had called on j. G. Stubbs To
protest against the toll and had mott
fed him that unless it was discontin-
ued the matter would be laid before
the interstate commerce commission.
The railroad refused to do so until
the supreme court made them.
Commissioner Lane claims San
Francisco as his home city, and being
well informed on the local situation
takes an active part in the examination
of witnesses. Mr.. Mann made state
ment of his case, and General Freight
Agent Luce of the Southern Pacific
was witness. He was asked If the
Southern Pacific divided the whole
amount received with connecting lines
or retained the wharfage collected and
divided the remainder.
He replied that the toll charge Of
| 5 cents per ton was not divided. Some
statistical testimony and arrangements
for filing briefs in the case completed
the session.
| Commissioner Lane said that ora
argument before the commission sit
ting en- banc at Washington in June
would be heard if the parties desired.
The merger question will be taker
up tomorrow.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1907-01-29

San Francisco, Jan. 28.-Interstate
Commerce Commissioner Franklin K.
Lane today began an investigation of
the complaints of jobbers and manu-
facturers that the Southern Pacific
company is collecting toll of 5 cents
a ton on all freight received here.
whether it comes over the wharves or
not. The state charges this toll on
goods passing over the wharves, but
it is alleged that the railroad company
collects this toll from shippers, even
on freights that come up the coast
road and that never reach the wharves.
The jobbers and manufacturers claim
that this toll should not be collected
by the railroad, when it is not paid
by the railroad to the state.
Mr.. Lane will also continue the in
Quiry into the facts of the Hartman
merger.
Among those who have arrived to
attend the hearing are J. G. stubbs
vice president of the Hartman lines
and traffic director of the Southern Pa.
cifi,c and other companies; Attorney
G. A. Severance of st. Paul, and r
S. Lovett, one of the Southern Pacific
legal advisers in New York. The hear
ing opened at 10 o'clock in the rooms
of the United States circuit court OF
appeals.
When the sitting began H. D. Pills
bury asked permission to intervene
in the hearing on behalf Of the Santa
Fe, and permission to do so was grant
ed by Commissioner Lane.
Seth Mann, attorney for the Pacific
Coast Jobbers and Manufacturers as
sociation, presented the complaint
against the railroads in relation te
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1907-01-29
MAN SUICIDES
John W. Joyce Blows Out Ills Brains in
a Saloon.

By way of long distance telephone
last evening The Gazette learned that
John w. Joyce, well known in the
vicinity Of Meeteetse, Wyo., had COM
mitted suicide there Sunday evening
by shooting himself in the head, the
act taking place in the saloon of
Henry Pool of that city at a late hour
that evening. He walked up to the bar
and, calling for drink. quickly drew
a revolver out of his hip pocket and
without any warning pulled the trig-
ger. Death was instantaneous while
his brains were scattered over the
walls of the saloon.
Joyce had resided in the vicinity of
Meeteetse for the past seven years,
coming there from Denver, Col He
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1907-01-29

had been connected with a number Of
the mines in that vicinity and at one
time was the owner of a large ranch
in the Wood river country. He hal
been drinking heavily for some tina
past and, becoming financially en-
barassed. had been on q protracte.f
spree for the past three weeks.
Joyce was about 40 years OF age ara
as far as can be learned was IN
married.
At the coroner's inquest held II
Meeteetse yesterday afternoon. the
jury, according to the evidence.
brought in verdict that the deceased
came to his death at his own hands.
The body will be buried there this
afternoon.