davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-08

She then had her way with the foreign
invaders. She used pretense of defer
ence In dealing with them. but when finally
they were clear of the country she
vented her rage what Christians still
remained, and from time to time unex-
planned and unpublished massacres indi-
cate that the ferocious old lady had lost
nothing Of the detestation she has always
harbored for foreigners. especially Eng
lish. French and Germans.
Makes Nephew Emperor.
In 1875 the baby emperor died, and
again there rose suspicious that poison
had aided his way into the realms Of bliss.
Far from being surprised over the
sudden death. the dowager was appar-
emily prepared. for she grabbed her nephew
Tsai-tien. then three years old and took him
to the throne room and pronounced him en-
peror, and none dared dispute her will.
Under the title Of Kwank-hsu. this weak
ling has since remained nominal ruler Of
China, but he has only been permitted to
have what authority she deemed safe. and
in 1900. when. after the Boxer riots had
made the partition Of China seem proba-
bilfy and a strong hand was needed at the
helm, she announced that owing to his poor
health the emperor was untitled for par
I ticipation In active affairs and that she
| would administer the government of China
herself. there were no murmurs OF discon-
| tent over this decision. Had there been
| enough heads would hav fallen to silence all
opposition in brief order.
And yet despite her adherence to archaic
| ideas Of power the venerable empress has
| shown herself able to keep in touch with
| modern ideas.
| She greatly admires Americans-in fact.
they are the only foreign people who do
not come In for violent hatred. The part
Secretary Hay played In preventing the
partition of China by the allies perhaps has
! much to do with this.
She has shown preference for Americans
in many ways An American girl, Miss
Kate Carl. was permitted to paint the pOr-
+! trait Of the empress that went to st. Louis.
and another American girl, Miss Mary Rey-
nolds. was picked by the empress to edu-
cate her nephew.
Kwang-hsu will be lucky II he can hold
China together as his INSCRIPTIONS but
clever aunt has.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-08

with her cherished dream OF being
China's ruler. But she did not show her
true attitude. Against her desire for pa
cifc measures was ranged the Prince Of
I. powerful but fanatical statesman.
who declined to temper his hatred Of Eu-
rOpeans by the least pretense Of cunning.
The prince and Tzu-hsi waged bitter
warfare for control of the emperor. and
just when 1t looked as though the prince
would get the better of the woman the
emperor conveniently died. though it has
always been suspected that human agen-
cies contributed materially to his mys-
ferrous and still unexplained finish.
I-tchou was succeeded by his son, Tsai-
tchaon, whose mother. Tsi An. should
have been the regent but the purposeful
Tzu-hsi was the real ruler. and the
Prince of 1 soon had 1t made clear to him
that unless he wished to lose mis- valued
head he had better cease opposing the
autocrat of the country.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-08

y IN history mas ABOUT run us
u course. The Empress of China
is to abdcate in favor of her
nephew, who now Is nomlnally
the emperor
This slave girl, who by sheer force Of
beauty and craft assembled to the throne Of
nation, whose subjects comprise more
than one-third of the worlds population.
can only be compared with Queen Eliza
beth or Catherine Of Russia in the des-
potic power she has welded. But the
dominion of these queens never even ap-
preached hers. Napoleon in the zenith of
his glory never controlled as many people
as she.
and intrigue The tiny Tzu-hsi-only five
feet tall-during all her long period Of
control has faced rebelions. and has had
to Outwit the designs Of foreign nations
who sought to coniscate her fecund realm.
No minister of state stood at her elbow
to guide her strokes of diplomacy. All
that she has done has proceeded from her
own cleverness. No human being In our
generation. II in the worlds history. has
ever been more absolutely invested with
supreme power of dictation.
Those emperors whom she has permit
ted to occupy the throne have been but
the rnerest puppets in her hands. thesin-
struments to carry out her tryannical will.
For fifty years she has been the dominat-
ing force Of the most populous country in
the world, as well as the oldest Of existing
nations.
Truly a great event will it be when
Tzu-hsi lays down the scepter.
Shrouded in Mystery.
The long life Of this monarch she is
now seventy-three. has been shrouded in
almost impenetrable mystery. Many Of
her own ministers have never seen her.
for most Of her conferences of state are
held while she sits behind a screen. where
she can see without being seen. 1t is said
that only once has a camera ever caught
her features. and only once has her por-
trait been painted. Both Of these conces-
sions to modern customs have come within
the last few years when even the palace
of the empress felt the wave of modern
thought that has been sweeping over the
world.
The Chinese hold Tzu-hsi in most awed
reverence. They never speak of ner acts,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-08
EARLE WON'T BE FREE SOON.
Wife May Find Trouble Getting 6
Divorce in France.

NEW YORK, September 6-When asked
his opinion about the chances Of Mrs Earle
getting a divorce in France to carry out
her agreement with her husband. who has
found a new affinity, Frederic R. Coudert.
jr., the lawyer, Of 2 Rector street. who is
an authority on international law, said
yesterday that she would find many diff
culties In her. path when the case came
before the French courts.
France is not the country he said ''to
go to for divorce, as the laws are very
severe. In the first place the husband
must be domiciled in France and have his
matrimonial home there. Under the French
law the wife has no legal residence except
at her husbands home. When she leaves
1t to seek divorce the Judge of the tribunal
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-08
Open Season for Halfbacks.

CHICOPEE, Mass. September THE
first foot ball accident of the season
has been recorded here. Within a minute
of beginning the first foot ball practice
Yesterday the collar bone of Fred Griggs.
eighteen years of age, of the Chicopee
High School eleven. was broken in mass
play.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-08
Absence Of Homesteaders Permitted.

The commissioner of the general land Of
flee has issued special instructions to the
local land officers at Minot. N D., modify
ing the regulations concerning applications
to make homestead Communication proof 80
as to permit the absence of homesteaders
from their claims in certain necessary
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-08
Fervid Race Talk Among Methodists.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
BURLINGTON. Iowa. September THE
proposition to appoint race bishops so that
each race In the Methodist body shall prove
a bishop of its own nationality was de-
feated by a practically unanimous vote at
the Iowa Methodist conference today. The
discussion was fervid and Senator TilIman
was arraigned for his attitude on the race
question.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-08

Four men were killed in an explosion that
wrecked the Gelatin storehouse of the Cali
fornia Powder Company at Oakland. Cal.
Buildings were shaken and windows shat
tered in the town of Pinole. few miles
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-08

K. B. Combs Of Stafford county. Va, has
been appointed storekeeper gauger in the
Internal revenue department by Collector
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-08

ALF a century Of rule by wom-
an whose career has no parallel
II IN history has about run It's
course The Empress of China
is to abdicate in favor of her
nephew, who now Is nomlnally
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-08
Rate Cases Up This Week.

Judge Pritchard of the United States
circuit court of appeals will reach the city
Monday. and on Tuesday he will begin
term of his court here. 1t Is al this term
OF the court that the passenger rate cases.
ordered by the state corporation commits
sion and which are being opposed by the
roads. will come up for hearing The
state Will be represented by Attorney Gem
eral Anderson. Senator Daniel and John 9
Eggleston. formerly assistant to the at
torney general. and now engaged in private
practive. Allen Caperton Braxton. who
assisted in the cases at Asheyille Is In
Europe. and will not return In time to
participate IN the cases. but will take a
hand In the appeal so the Supreme Court
OF the United States. 10 which the cases
will Co. regardless of which side is sue
cessful in the pending litigation In the
meantime. awaiting a final decree. the
roads have agreed to put the rate into
effect.
The Virginia marshes are filed with
sora. and already the gunners are sending
the birds 10 market They are just be-
ginning 10 come. and the price Is 10 to
81 doZsn. Within ten days to two weeks.
however. the price will be less than half
those charged now. The birds are very
large and fat this year. besides being plen-
tifui. The season has been one that has
served TO put the birds In fine condition.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-08

should actually develop In an appreciable
quantity. For the present he is content to
await developments.
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-12-26
Christmas Was Observed Very
Quietly in the City. Yesterday

The Christmas carols were under the
direction of Clarence KInsey and the
committee on arrangements was W.
S. Hamilton, Carl Frame and F. E.
Nichols.
The parts Of Kris Kingle was taken
by Mr.. Harry Engle and a better man
for that part could not have been
found. He caused great amusement
among the children and grown folks
as well.
Santa Claus Sure Enough.
At the close of a programme Of
songs and recitations at the Presby.
terian church on Christmas eve, San.
ia Clans made his appearance through
a chimney built Of bricks, and caused
no end Of commotlon among the chill.
dren. Later when the chimney,-was
torn down It was discovered that the
bricks were but limitations and each
was filled with candy and nuts, each
child received brick. A feature OF
the evening was the presentation of a
handsome chair. to the Sunday school
superintendent, Mr.. ]. Walter Barnes,
by the teachers Of the school. Mr..
Barnes has served as superintendent
for eighteen years and the gift was
the reward for faithful service.
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-12-26
united mine
WORKERS SEND
GIFT 4 ] OF $1,000
GENEROUS GIFT FOR
{ M0H0AGAH RELIEF FUND

4 ~
Z CHARLESTON. Dec. 26.-The ma,
stional organization Of the United Min,
Workers. has contributed $1,000 to-
wards the relief fund for the Monon.
gah sufferers. Secretary Ben F. Nor,
ris, Of the local organization, received
a telegram from National Secretary.
Treasurer W. B. Wilson, from the
headquarters at Indianapolis, stating
TINT $1,000 had been donated and ask.
Ing to whom 1t should be sent. Norris
Immediately telegraphed the secre-
tary to send the money to j. e. Sands,
of Fairmont, treasurer OF the general
relief fund.
This donation was purely an act
Of charity on the part OF the national
organization, for the Monongah min.
ers being unorganIzed. It was under
no obligations to render assistance.
The action Of the national organization
has been followed by donations from
many OF the district organizations
throughout the State and in other
States. District No. II. with heal.
quarters in this city. has given $500
TO the relief fund, the money being
put in with that Of the other organiza.
tlOns in the city 49, lrE
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-12-26
I BY L. N. payls.l

Y MONoNGAH. w. Va, December &c
"A merry Christmas! No not mer'
ry Christmas. but bountIful one. is
the better way to describe the day at
Monongah. It would be impossible
to make merry in so many homes OH
which the heavy hand Of inevitable
fate had so $ ddenly fallen. The man.
tie OF fsorrow has wrapped the. inmates
OF many OF them IN It's somber
folds but the hand OF charity
has been willingly extended and gen.
tly the curtain has been drawn baci;
letting food OF sunshine and
hope Into these very homes to the full.
est extent. The report that the Car.
negie hero fund had provided s35, ,000
for the relief fund, approximately 500
to each stricken family. was gootl
Christmas cheer. but no act Of chart
ty or work OF the relief committees
has been more gladly received than
the distribution OF the many things
that Santa Claus brought the little
ones OF Monongah. The work was
too much for him, so he had the as
slstlance of Mrs. c. W. Watson, who
took personal charge OF the dIstribu.
tion OF the Christmas presents. Mrs.
Watson was assisted in this work by
Mrs. J. Ed. Watson. Misses Lucy and
Elizabeth Watson, Miss Helen Tuttle
and Miss Lucille Ruckman and Master
Edwin Watson. This committee OF
assistants to Santa Claus prepared
over three hundred packages, each
package containing toys, dolls, me.
chanical toys, games. books. fruits.
candies, nuts and most everything
else that would be appreciated By the
children. No trashy toys were given,
but substantial ones that will be OF
benefit for some time to come. The
dolls were all neatly dressed. the sew.
ing being done by many OF the ladies'
soc!ties OF Fairmont. Some OF the
dolls were is inches in length for the
larger girls. while many smaller ones
were given to the smaller ones, with
rubber dolls for the infants.
The committee put In all day Tues.
day getting names and packages ready
and by night fall they were ready for
the distribution, which was in charge
Of Col. T. G. Price, with n delivery
wagon. His journey was not by any
means an easy one as the sections
of Monongah are widery scattered ov-
er the hills and old Santa was late
in finishing his visit to the last house.
Red Row. Hill No. 8, Wahoo. West Mo-
nongah with Its afty odd houses where
only two male survivors are to be
found, were all visited and all shar.
Continuek or
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-12-26
Tragic Death
Aged L dy
MRS. EPHRiAM AsHcRAFT BURN.
ED YESTERDAY AND DIED
AT MIDNIGHT.

FARMINGToN, Dec. &c. 30 Mrs
Ephriam Ashcraft, an aged lady re.
siding at Pennington, died at her
home at midnight last night from
burns received on Christmas day. Nn
one was in the room with Mrs. Ash.
craft when her clothing caught tirc,
but it Is thought she had attempted
to reach something from the mantle
She had been in poor health for a long
time and this together with advanced
age, rendered her unfit to cope with
the flames and she was. found lying on
the floor, with her clothing mass ..
flames. Dr.. Trach was hastily sum.
moned and rendered medical assist,
ance. yet but little hope for her re.
covery was entertained. her death re.
sulting at midnight. Funeral services
will be held at the home place at nine
o'clock on Friday.
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-12-26
Railroad Men
May Strike
VOTE COMPLETED TODAY BUT
RESULT WlLLENo BE AN.
NouNcED IMMEDl.
ATELY.

Try s. W. Press Association.)
+ PtTTSDURG, Penn, Dec. 26.-As
the result Of a vote completed to-day,
1t Is possible that about $4,000 union
men on 65 different railroad lines, ope-
rating east Of the Mississippi river and
In eastern Canada, may go out on
strike ncxt month. The ballots will
settle, primarily, whether the railroad
unions shall unite in one great fei-
Grafton, rather than to strike, but fa.
yorable action in the matter OF CO.
operation will probably be followed
by concerted demand for an increase
In pay. The Order OF Railroad Condue-
tors and the Brotherhood of Train.
men are working together in formu.
latIng demands, which will be pre-,
sented to the different railroads sim.
ultaneously. The firemen and engi.
neers are also balloting.
The result Of the vote will likely
not be made public until next week:
Local lodges have been instructed to
have the poll in the hands OF union
chiefs to-day, On Saturday four mem
bers of the executive committee, two
from each organization, will meet il
the Sherman house, Chicago, to can
vass the vote. Should the vote be IA
vorable the demands will follow upor
the railroads next week. II the de
mands are not complied with, It is de
clared that nearly all OF the 65 rail
roads will be tied up at once. The
movement Is apparently more nearly
concerted than any made by the rail
road unions in years. Radical chang
es are demanded and increases in pay
In all branches Of the railroad service
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-12-26
HELD ON THE CHARGE OF MURDER
BOUNTIFUL I BUT NOT MERRY
CHRISTMAS AT MONONlAEI

, ed In the hospitality Of the charitably
inclined people, who have in no way
stinted the Monongah people. In this
work Mrs. A. J. Ruckman, who has
been SO deeply interested and SC
painstaklng In her work Of relief, lent
valuable assistance. sne did not rely
entirely on the census for the names
OF the needy ones, nut made per
sonal house to house canvass OF the
nefghborhood to make perfect the fist
of names and with her precautlon Il
is hardly probable that single per
son was missed.
In addition to the work of this com
mittee. Mr.. J. NJ. Hartley sent thirty
baskets well ladened with the best
things the season affords, which add.
ed cheer to many OF ,ne homes. The
. Fairmont Coal Company also provided
Christmas baskets for each OF the
families that $ ffered loss in the
mines, each basket containing chick.
en-, oysters, cranberr!es and everything
+. that would tend to make me Christmas
dinner wholesome and inviting.
No Tree But Plenty to Eat.
Billy Herman, bright eyed boy Of
twelve, whose father was John Her.
man, the boss driver, whose body was
one Of the first to be moved from mum.
Der six was asked this morning, "How
was Chrtstmas?" He replied "AIl
right, We had everything We needed,
three chickens, one cooked for yes
terday, one for today and one for to-.
morrow, box and basket all filed
with Christmas presents. toys, fruits.
candles, ETC., with three automobiles.
We never had SO much before" Bill
ly's mother has three other children
to care for, two little girls and a baby
boy.
It was ascertained that It had been
the custom to have Christmas tres
at this home each Christmas, but this
formality was dispensed with this
year. The hand that had cut the cedar
from the hillside for the many pre-.
clous Christmasses was no longer able
to perform this duty for his little ones,
but was folded across his peaceful
breast in the new village of the dead
where he lies with, the hundreds Of
his fellow faborers.
The customary religious services
were held at the Monongah churches
and midnight mass was Observed as
usual at the Catholic Church on Christ.
mas eve, but the sad eyes and suukea
cheek gave evidence on the face Of the
mourning congregation that this OBJ.
seryance OF mass was different from
any other ever witnessed before, and
it Is the prayer of every Christian
Pa5e Eight.
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-12-26
Mysterious
Christmas Gift
INTERNAL MACHINE WITH BOT
TIE OF DANGEROUS LIQUID
RECEIVED.

ERIE, Pa, Dec. 26.-Chief OF Police
Wagner made test OF the contents
of the bottle found in the Internal ma,
chine mailed to Archie Carr, 22os
Cherry street, this city, at the South
Erie sub-postoffice Tuesday.
He poured two drops OF the white
liquid on a piece Of wood and taking /,
to the open air touched a match to the
fluid. When the blaze reached the
stnff a sheet OF flame at least four feet
high shot into the air, proving the SO.
luton to be dangerous one.
The bottle is being carefully guard.
ed and will be examined by a chemist
today. Postal authorities refused to
make any statement simply saying
that inspectors are at work on the
case. 4.
Carr is employed as delivery man in
a local Department store, and Is in
poor circumstances. He Is married and
has three children.
Carr says he has not the faintesi
idea as to who mailed the package,
and that 50 far as he knows, he has
not an enemy in thesworld.
WHEELING, Dec. 2s.--A special
telegram to Wheeling last night from
Erie. Pa. stated that Carr was former.
ly resident OF Benwood. w. Va. The
Benwood police do not know such a
man.
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-12-26
JOYOUS TIMES
TUESDAY NIGHT

...# f..I4.H g (.
Christmas was quietly observed
while few large entertainments were
given, most homes were the scene Of
family dinner parties and reunions. In
many homes n wondrons Christmas
tree had sprung up during the night
which added greatly to the festive hol-
iday spirit.
Old Fashioned Christmas Tree. 1,
The old fashioned Christmas tree
at the NJ. P. Temple Tuesday night
was a decided success in every way
and was thoroughly enjoyed by both
young and old. Santa Claus arrived
during the entertainment and distrib.
uted an excellent treat OF candy be.
sides presenting each member OF the
school with pretty souvenir glass.
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-12-26
Father. Dead
REV. G. D. SMITH RECEIVED SAD
), MESSAGE THIS MORN.
K. ING. az. J

Rev. G. D. smith-received message
this morning from his home near Yves.
ton announcing the death of bis faith.
er, George Smith, which occurred last
night about nine o'clock. Mr.. Smith,
who was suffering from fnfrmtties due
to old age, had been dangerously III
for some time. and Rev. Smith had
been at bis bed side for more than
week, returning home on Christmas
eve. He left this morning for his
home to attend the funeral services.
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-12-26
Shooting Scrape
coLoRED MAN SHOT IN MELEE
At eRAY's FLATS LAST
.sfNe NIGHT Esi A,s% 4

Gray's Flats was the scene OF a
shooting scrape which occurred last
night. The hospital authorities at
Cooks Hospital were notified Of the
shooting by an application to admit the
wounded man to the institution. Tho
ambulance was sent Immediately to
Gray's Flats for the man. =
The victim, colored man, was
brought to the hospital this afternoon.
On examination 1t was found that he
was shot through the bowels. s 8
Photographic, hand colored, crayon
or charcoal sketches. while you walt
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, III
window OF Globe Book Store.
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-12-26
TWO BURNED TO DEATH

And Third Fatally Hurt In General
Store Fire at North Dover, Ohio.
NORTH DOVER, O., Dec. 2s.-Two
people were burned to death and i
third was fatally hurt in FIRE which
DESTROYED the general store and apart
ment house of J. B. currier early yes.
terday. The dead are Michael veltrle,
aged 50, who lived over the store, aud
Joseph, his son, aged 10. Mrs. Valtrie
jumped from ladder and was inter.
nally injured.
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-12-26
(By United Press. !

JACOBS CREEK, Pa. Dec. 26.-
Work OF removing bodies in the Darr
mine was resumed this morning. A
shift entered the mine at five o'clock.
In number twenty-nine entry, dis.
tance of two miles in the mine they
came across numerous bodies. PIT
cars were blown to pieces and heavy
timbers and iron were scattered abou;
the entry in confusion. The rescue
party believed the explosion must have
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-12-26
TEACHERS NEE IN MANI STATES
l08a BODIES HAVE BEEN
RECOVERED FROM DaRR MINE,

occurred at this particular entry. Pit
cars brought out at nine o'clock this
morning contained thirty.two bodies.
One One hundred and five have SO far been
recovered. Thirteen. additional iden.
tifications were made this morning.
The coroner's jury will be selected ID.
ter to-day for the inquest
JACOBS CREEK, Pa, Dec. 26.-A,
eleven o'clock a hundred and eight
bodies had been brought out. Thirty.
six were brought out to-day.