davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14

all assuring, as to the strength of these for
midable creatures, and their peculiar prefer
ence for the flesh of human beings when
young
We had noticed that the door Of the hnt
was crazy concern, loosely hasped, and with
an-untastened paddock on the outside. Inside,
It's only protection was a wooden bar, which
shot so easily in its grooves as to suggest that
a strong-snouted animal could easily nose the
door off its hinges.
Upon communicating our fears to our host,
we produced upon his grim visage the near
est approach to smile that we had yet OBJ
He seemed entirely at his ease, as if by
reason of his having been introduced to the
comfy of the animal world, made free of
their guild, he knew their freemasonry, and
by reason of this mystic element was per-
mtted to dwell undisturbed in their midst.
l cannot aver-such as that one day he came
home and found an old alligator asleep on his
hearth, enjoying, the warmth of the hot earth
as applied to the pit of his stomach; how
that rattlesnakes had frequently crept in
through the interstices of the logs; and how
that almost every evening, after dusk, at GER
tain times of the year, wolves prowled round,
especially accommodating the tree in the top
branches of which hung the deer's meat and
the dead game the spoils of his rifle.
When our protector knocked the ashes out
of his pipe, he informed us that we must be
stirring with the dawn. He would take us
in his canoe distance of ten miles, whence,
by crossing a narrow tongue of land, we
might reach a steamboat landing.
With lively personal interest, we watched
his preparations for the night He tried the
wooden bar placed across the doorway. The
logs were put together on the hearth. He
then bade us wrap ourselves as well as we
could in our buffalo-robe, put out the lamp,
and then. folding his buffalo-robe around him,
he lay full length on the floor, near the hearth,
and was soon fast asleep.
embers, started and shifted as they hunted in
their dreams. The brands on the hearth
cracked, the flames leaped, wavered, and
remained in the hut.
Wearied as l was, could not sleep. The
external noises grew louder and louder. The
allgators waddled up and down the slight
acciyity upon which the house was built.
could distinctly hear the paddle, SLID and
serape of the unwieldy brutes
Then arose their below, loud and dreadful
Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14

enough to chill the marrow; again their slap
ping paddle as they came shifting nearer. 1
seemed almost to feel their horrid breath.
Then the noise of another alligator sound
ed on the other side of the hut. l was sure
that heard the door rattle At one time no
fewer than four of these ugly reptiles were
prowling round our little sanctuary.
profoundest of slumbers the audible proofs
of which had in them some obscure consola-
tion, for ] could not but reason that a man
who could sleep under such circumstances, and
sleep soundly, could not but be assured that
there was no real ground for alarm.
So the event proved. Confused thoughts
of rattlesnakes, aligators, wolves, steamboats,
that devoured, and rattlesnakes that coughed
and padded, clOuded my brain till ! fell oil
INTO an uneasy slumber, gradually deepening
into utter inconsistencies.
When we awoke, our host was standing in
the open doorway, drying himself with a
strip of canvas after his matutinal wash in
the river.
lie had put his can of water over the fire,
and, bruising some coffee-berries between two
stones, made us a not unacceptable beverage.
Biscuits, cotfee-without either sugar OF milk
and the considerate relics in the iron pot
from his last nights supper, made our break
Never shall I forget the beauty of the
morning scene, the soft light in the eastern
world seemed hushed. Nothing but the liquid
flow of the river was to be heard
We were soon on board the piroque, and
were rapidly drifting down stream. The dis
tance was quickly accomplished, and connec-
tion with civilization rapidly made; but shall
never forget a night spent among the ALI
gators.
Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14
A Night Among Alligators

itors, after having heaped it with smoking
food, himself feeding leisurely from the pot.
When the meal was over, our host, having
spread for himself another buffalo robe upon
the other side of the hearth, produced his
pipe-a red clay bowl with bamboo stem
and slowly filling it with tobacco, began to
smoke, dreamily watching the wreathing cloud
of fragrant fumes.
The conversation that ensued need not here
be repeated: Suffice it to say that we learned
that our entertainer was an Englishman, FROM
the county of York, who, in consequence of
liberal views on poaching matters, had thought
between himself and his native village.
Here, deep in the backwoods, he lived a
Robinson Crusoe kind of life, miles away
from human habitation, supporting himself
with his gun.
1t was a strange, lonely life, and in truth
ne was strange, taciturn, half-savage man,
at war with civilization, yet not without some
kindness of heart, as shown by his friendly
treatment OF us helpless Youngsters thus
thrown In his way.
During the course of the evening we mad
been conscious of a growing babel of sounds,
which arose on all sides in the great dark out-
side, world, and which deepened in intensity
as the night wore on.
day, are, at night a perfect pandemonium.
Near at hand the whip poor-wil and his larp.
er relative, the chuck-will' 's-widow, predomin-
ated a strident chorus of frogs.
ne nuniDer OF IneSe latter performers was
legion. Every now and then a hoarse bel
low, as of some mammoth bull that, slum-
bering, had been awakened by intolerable
agony, came from the aligators that abound
ed In the surrounding swamp.
A roar louder than ordinary, close at hand
followed by a blowing and a snorting. no2
unlike that the terrier makes when he Is s1re
that the rat is in the hole, that he has covered
with his nose, was heard, apparently but a
few inches away from our heads
The two hounds were stretched asleep up-
on the hearth, but the sound reused them.
Shaking their heads till their ears tapped,
they again settled down as if quite safe with,
Our host SO far relaxed the rigor of his taci.
turnity as TO tell us that the noise outside
was from a bull-alligators who, in all proba-
tor chiefly lives on fish, he prefers dogs when.
ever he can find that Wand swimming in the
river.
Our host added some other stories, not at
Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14
CONTINUED FROM pAGn FOUR

until they We're roared down by the deep voice
"A match was struck and pine-knot kin
died., Heaping some dry wood upon the
hearth, the hunter speedily had a blazing
tire, whose ruddy glow. showed up distinctly
the rough interior of the house.
There was scarcely any furniture. rude
table stood in the centre; a box, something
like seaman's chest, bundle in the corner,
an iron pot, frying-pan and one OF two articles
OF crockery, made up the household gear. We
were too thankful for shelter to be critical.
The floor was of clay, hardened and dry
One OF the first acts Of our protector was 70
unrol bundle from the corner and spread
upon the floor a buffalo robe, upon which be
bade us sit
Then he gave us some biscuits, with which
we dulled the pangs of hunger, while watch
ing with lively interest the mans proceed
ings.
From the blazing fire he lit rude lamp,
which he hung from the roof. Then he pro-
dueed his iron pot, and sharpening his knife,
with the pot in one hand and the knife in the
other, went out into the darkness.
he soon returned with water from the
river in his pot, and in his hand a piece Of
terward learned, he kept hung up by rope
and pulley in neighboring tree.
The pot was set upon the fire; the meat,
cut into pieces and powdered with salt nut
into it, and with it some tomatoes, which had
been grown in the rough garden in clearing
near the house; a handful of meal was add,
ed, making savory compound, which to us
hungry boys seemed delicious supper.
T The serving of the meal was primitive.
There was but one plate in the establish.
ment; this the owner reliquished to his Wis.
Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14
- 4 LIVING HAMMER

which the hammer-head took hold of the line
can be imagined when tell you that 1 found
some OF its teeth sticking in the woodwork
Of the boat"
The writer spent several months of each
year on the Island of Catalina. During the
summers large numbers Of hammerheads were
seen, and several killed in very remarkable
fashion.
Some gentlemen were walking along beach
at what is known .es the lsthmus, when they
discovered large school of young sharks,
close in shore, One of the party Thought ne
could catch one, So taking off his. shoes and
stockings, he ran into the water and succeeded
in catching a small fellow by the tail. The
next moment he was almost jerked on TO his
face by the powerful fish, that writhed about,
bending its body into curves, then strengthen,
ing out, jerking him this way and that, and
utterly refusing to be captured =, IL.
fisherman noticed that the shark utilized ITS
curious head to good advantage, dashlnS IL
into the sand, and using the prolongatlons
to hold on by, but they did not prevent lts
The bammer-head is found in various wa
ters. and in the Atlantic is known to be very
fierce One caught near Cape. Cod, some
wears ago, was found to contain the body
of sailor; and they have figured In many
struggle in which human lives have been
sacrificed. ..,.
The fish often engages in encounters with
others, seemingly for the mere pleasure OF
fighting. , r,
The captain of a whaler related the fol-
lowing: L.,or hood
shark. or rather two of them, for several days
They generally kept forty or fifty yards a1stern,
dashinp forward when anything was thrown
overheard, taking it and returning to their
station again. One day the lookout hailed me,
and said if wanted to see fight come alott.
eve were lying in almost a dead calm the
sails Tapping to and fro, and as went alott
the water was so smooth that the smallest
objects could be easily seen. AS soon as l
gained the top the man told me that the two
Sharks had tackled some big fish, and were
chasing it about the ship; and, sure enough,
in moment up came fish, certainly twelve
feet long, and right behind the. biggest ham
mer-head sliding along kind of on its side,
and lust showing its ugly mouth:
"The fish ahead was fast swimmer, and
easily escaped, dashing off SO suddenly that
I thought it was all over, when the lookout
suddenly pointed astern, and there was the
big fish, coming like shot, and L saw now
that it was a swordhsh. .
"The shark had dropped. astern in ITS old
place, and was slowly moving along, entirely
unsuspicious of danger. On came, the de-
stroyer, now sinking little, and then with
a tremendous spurt it shot upward, and be-
fore the shark could move to escape, the
sharp weapon went through it as a pin would
90 through a piece of cardboard, lifting it ,
moment, struggling and writhing, almost fully
exposed; then it sank back, and, by series
of side-twists, wrenched the weapon out and
The shark was mortally wounded, and
rushed about for few minutes, swimming
on its back and side, and finally sank to be
devoured by others
Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14
Color Blindness Among Girls

An intelligent physician has discovered
that color blindness is very rare among qirIs,
though it is common among boys. From this
fact he draws the conclusion that in most
cases color blindness is due to a want of
early education in discriminating colors. Girls
are taught to become familiar with every
shade of colors, while boys receive no instrue-
tion whatever on the subject Hence, bows
frequently exhibit an ignorance in eolors
which is confoundeed with true color blind
ness, but which girls rarely show.
Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14
Ants as 6lters 2

Ants are terrible fighters. They have very
powerful jaws, considering the size of their
bodies, and therefore their method is by bit.
ing. They will bite one another and hold
after all their legs have been bitten off by
other ants.
Sometimes six or eight ants will be clinsing
with a death hold to one another, making a
peculiar. spectacle, some with leg gone and
some with half the body gone. One singular
fact is that the grip Of an ants jaw is retained
even after the body has been bitten off and
nothing but the head remains.
Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14

'I expected" said the fisherman, "that the
shark would make dash away, but you can
imagine my surprise to see him bound just
a few feet and then rush at the boat, seize
it in his big mouth just at the bow and shake
it like bulldog 1t fairly lifted the bow
out of the water" continued the man, "and
Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14

made me nervous TO think that if 1 should
by any means fall over, the monster--for he
was at least twelve feet long---would. take hold
of me as readily as he would a fish.
again and again he robbed me, and finally
] determined to retaliate. / had a small, fat
bottomed boat astern, and taking my har-
Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14

came to the conclusion that l had all
wanted of that kind of shark fishing. l struck
the creature in the head with my oar, giving
it as powerful blow as could, and then it
dashed away. breaking the harpoon rope and
taking the iron with it; but l can assure you
/ was glad to get rid Of it. The power with
Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14

poon OF spear, I got in and arranged my rope
so that / could cast off at short notice. The
next fish ! hooked l pulled up SO quickly that
fore he caught it, and, as he rose, grabbed
the harpoon and let him have it, casting off
the line Immediately.
Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14

- world: vet such was the fortune of
a friend of the writer one day on the island
of Santa Catalina, thirty miles from the main
land, well out in the Pscifc, about whose
rocky points flows the warm japan current,
the Runo siwo.
On the northwest side of the island there
is a deep harbor, cutting well into the land,
with fine, hard, sandy bottom, frequented
by great variety of large fishes.
Many curious shells live in the sand, and
in search of them my friend was wadng along,
without paying any attention to his surround
ings, when suddenly he realized that he was
in the midst of a moving mass of dark objects.
He was some distance from the shore, and
between it and himself the water was fairly
bubbling with these objects. Suddenly one
shot by his feet, and he saw it was young
shark, but quite large enough to nip good
ly piece from his leg; so thinking discretion
the better part of valor, he sprang forward
making for the land.
The splash and noise alarmed the fish, and
they began to rush this way and that, like
sheep, and the wader soon found himself walk
ing, or rather running, on sharks
They dashed between his legs, tripping him
up. Now he was on one, now two-slipping
sliding, while the sharks thrust their ugly
heads out of water and snapped at his feet
when stepped upon, and made the shallow
waters of the little bay boil and foam
There was not much danger, as the fish
were young ones; but to see man racing
over the backs of hundreds of sharks was
novel sight, while the experience is one which
the wader will not forget for some time to
come.
These sharks were all what is known as
hammer-heads, the head having on each side
a very curious prolongation, which has the
semblance of a hammer. On the ends the
eyes arc situated, giving the animal most
peculiar appearance and one not calculated
to inspire confidence; in fact, the hammer
head is the ugiest member of the shark
tribe, attaining large size and being totally
unreliable in every way.
You. can't tell what a hammer head will
do" said Catalina fisherman. "They are
sometimes very timid making it almost i'm
possible to approach them, and again we
cannot fish on account of their ferocity.
"They seem to come in" he continued.
"about the middle of September in greatest
numbers, and are always hungry. / was
out fishing, one day, when suddenly I heard
a noise alongside scraping and showing
against the side--and, looking over, 1 saw
big hammer.h head making off with my entire
string of fish. This was aggravating enough,
but L soon found that the big fellow had
taken up his position under the boat and
every time pulled up fish, he made dash
after 1t. either taking it all or the line and
sinker. """
cat first I did not mind it, and then it
Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14
Copyright by James Elverson.

Copyright by James Elverson.
ITO wade along, knee deep, in search
of Shells and suddenly find yourself
surrounded by sharks from three to
INI9gl four feet in length is not one OF
- the pleasantest experiences in the
1rnrld unt such was the fortune Of
Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-01-10
POSTMASTER BOYENTON
BACKFROM WASHINGTON
He Has Nothing to Say Concerning
His Fight for Reappointment.
But Looks Cheerful.

postmaster William II. Doyentor
returned yesterday morning from
Washington, where he spent several
days in connection with his fight
Tor reappontment rs postmaster OF
Hampton.
Mr.. Boyenton declined to discuss
me situation and absolutely refused
10 say a word for publication. He
Is apparently satisfied with the out.
look, although he had nothing to
say concerning the appointment. Mr..
boyehton said that he has not the
slightest idea when the appointment
will be announced.
Former Congressman Harry Libby,
who is oposng Mr.. Boyenton, is
still in Washington.
Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-01-10
MR.! KIMBERLY DENIES
SHERWOOD INN RUMOR
says He Has No knowledge of Any
Movement to Tearing Down
His Hotel.

According to a message received
at Old Point Yesterday from Mr..
John b. Kimberly, who is in Wash
ington, he knows nothing of the
report to the effect that the Sher.
wood Inn will probably be ordered
torn down by the War Depart
ment.
Mr.. Kimberly talked with those
around Old Point over the long dis.
lance telephone and is reported as
saying that there is absolutely moth
ing to the rumor so far as he is
aware. lie has been in Washington
since last week, but according 10
those near to him his visit TO the Can
i'll City has been another purpose
ana has absolutely nothing to do
with anything in connection with
tearing down the Sherwood Inn. It
is expected that Mr., Kimberly VIII
reach Old Point this morning from
Washington.
Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-01-10
The Charming Woman

is not necessarily one of perfect form
and features. Many plain woman
who could never serve as an artists
model, possesses those rare qualities
that all the world admircs; neatness
clear eyes, clean smooth skin and that
sprightliness of step and action that
accompany good health. A physically
weak woman is never attractive, not
even to herself. Electric Bltters re.
store weak women, give strong
nerves, briGht eyes. smooth, velvety
skin, beautiful complexion, Guaran.
teed at the Ideal Pharmacy soc.
Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-01-10

Manager Win Clark, of Roanoke
VIII make many changes in that club
as only few of the old players wiz;
ne retained. Clark is living at Nor.
loik ana Is looking for Youngsters who
can run, throw and bat.
Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-01-10
KEROSENE EXPLOSION
CAUSED SMALL FIRE
The Saloon of Miss NJ. f. Haversy, in
Phoebus, Narrowly Escaped To.
tai Destruction.

Ere due to the explosion of kero.
sene oil stove in the saloon of Miss
NJ. H. Flaverty. corner Curry and
Mellen streets, Phoebus, did about
$500 damages and caused considera.
bic excitement in that section last
night The explosion occurred short.
~ AFTER O'Clock, and the Flames
spread to the ceiling most rapidly.
me alarm was hurrledly turned in
ana the Phoebus firemen responded
with their usual promptness. One
stream OF water was soon playing on
the flames, which were extinguishod
after about twenty minutes fighting
by the firemen.
me loss is covered by insurance.
Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-01-10
Live Oak Camp, Woadmen Of World,
to Hear Slate Manager.
GREBLE HALL TOMORROW
Excellent Program Has Been Arrang.
cd for the Occasion, Which Includes
Addresses, Music. Recltations and
Other Feasures-e. A. schmeIz New
Councillor.

50 s, H., ~, 5,
az Tho Vol, naa ,ran,, -, "o '',',''',,,
nropron ror M nnh,in ,ns.a,,a,,om IS
n,,,sa'. ~. 49," ,,, ' ,1' Va
on,n,, rho ron,nra 80 ,,,n aooa,.,,,.
viii 10 nm od,roos H., az c,ata,,,a,,
,o,r ,,r - ,,,,,. ,.., I'm,
o,,,, - a., ,,.,,,.,
Me-. ~ 49,
the incominr ccunciilor " g crock.
EFT, r.. II. Clarke, George w. phllIjps
Moss Higgins, l., Il. Tinnor md /. ~
Watkins have charge ~ mo ,rro,,go.
monts.
After tho literary reatures Of tho
program and the installation core
monies. refreshments win na servnn
The camr has issued Il number Of
Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-01-10
PASSED HIS EXAMINATION.
Ahen Kimberley of Old Point, Will
BE Commissioned in Artillery corns

Allen Kimberley of Old Point, Will
Be Commissioned in Artillery Corps.
Word was received at Old Point
Yesterday that Mr. Allen Kimberly
mad successfully passed H.; examIna
t'on for commission in the United
states army and that he will be
assigned to the artillery corps. with
the rank of second lieutenant. Mr.
Kimberly, a graduate of the Virginia
Military Institute, is the son OF Post
master John b. Kimberly, and is
popular around Fo-,
Monroe. The official announcement
oil the success of Mr. Kimberly has
not been made, but there is no oues,
ton about his having passed both
me physical and mental examina.
'ion required by the artillery regu.
lations.
Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-01-10
MANY HELD FOR WRECK
Coroner Brings in Sweeping Yer.
dict on Terra Gotta Disaster.
OPERATORS AND CREW ALL GUILTY
Superintendent Galloway of the B.
& 0. Expresses, Surprise at the
Laxness in Their Duties Shown
by the Employees of the Road.
9 tBy Associated Press.)

N"hpiii-NNtI o4N, IL. u, Jan. J--Ine
coroner's inquest on the Terra Cot.
ia wreck of Sunday night. Decem-
her 80. tonight held for the action
OF the grand jury Harry Fl. Hide
brand. engineer of the dead" train
2l2O: Frank r. Hoffmeir, conductor
of the train; p. +. Dent, night train
dispatcher at Baltimore; William
Il. McCauley, division operator OF
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
B. l.. Nermllion, engineer of the 10.
cal train into which 212O crashed !:
George Nv. Maggie. conductor of train
&c; j. w. Kelley, Jr., trainmaster
OF the Baltimore and Ohio: and VIII
liam NJ. Dutrow, the telegraph or
orator AT Silver Spring. All the
men except Dent, McCauley and
Kelley were in the building where
the inquest was held and were at
once placed under arrest.
Just btfore the jury retired today
Charles w. Galloway, superinten.
dent of the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad, was asked by the coroner
if he had heard all the testimony
and he replied that he had. lie
was asked if he could point out
any rule which had been violated
by any witness in the case, Mr..
Galloway replied:
They have all been violated;
al: the rules relating to the move.
ment of trains" Mr.. Galloway saws
that in his opinion the engineer
and conductor of 2l2O, the dead"
train were equally responsible. He
was asked if he was surprised at
the disclosure apparently showing
iaNlty among the operators regard.
ing the rules governing their posi-.
tions
He said: Il am surprised at their
disregard of their trust. can
only say that in operating rail.
road you must depend upon the fl.
deity and trust of its employees.
They are lacking in that. | know
II they ares lacking in that. | know
nothing that will compensate for
it,"
The verdict of the jury was THAT
the deaths were caused by the i'm,
pact due to the act of Operator
William Dutrow in displaying an
improper signal to the crew of train
212O' ana directs that Dutrow be
held for the action of the grand
jury.
I The jury also held for the grand
jury the other men responsible in
lesser degree.
The jury arraigned the block
system on the Baltimore & Ohio
in not affording satisfactory precau.
tons to the lives and property of
It's patrons; arraigned the system
on the wages paid the operators and
signal men upon the road, ana said
That all block signal stations should
be Kept open twenty-four hours a
day and no additional duties be
given the operators aside from work.
ing the signals and attending to
their telegraphic duties.