davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-17
OF FIVE,
NEGRO CONFESSES
Crimes Began in 1896, Says
Man Condemned to
Be Hanged.

CLARKSBURG. w Va. July IL
Sentenced to be hanged today for the
murder Of BeuIah Martin. a neEress. at
Gypsy. W Va, in March, 1905. Frank
Johnson, a giant negro, has confessed
to ministers that he has murdered FIVE
persons since 1896. and gives the names
Of three Of his victims. His victims
were:
Edith Hannah. at 81 South Peoria
street. Chicago. in 1864; Marion Blue. OF
Shippensville. Pa, 1906. Beulah Martin,
negress, OF Gypsy w. Va. IN Man ch.
1898, white man, name unknown. at
BIossbUrg, Ala, in 1896; woman. name
unknown. at 132 South Seventh street,
SteUbenVile Ohio. in 1907.
JOhnsOn's confession has been taken
down in writing. The negro was born
in Georgia and says that his real name
is Edward Walton. He refuses 10 dis
Cuss the details OF the murders. John
son shot and killed Beulah Martin be-
cause she refused 10 elOpe with him
He escaped 20 the hills. followed by
a posse of 400 people. The negro bar
ricaded himself in a barn. where he
held out against the posse a day and a
night.
Johnson seriously wounded three OF
the attacking party, but when Sheriff
Flanagan threatened TO dynamite the
barn, the ncg-O surrendered
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-17
FASSETT TELEGRAM
DROPPED BY JURY
Operator Not Held for
Changing Anti-Gambling
Bill Dispatch.

The grand jury has dropped its in
vestigatiOn of the sO-calIed Fassett-
Cassidy tempered telegram. which was
blamed for the first defeat Of Gov
ernor Hughes anti-race track bin in
the New York Legislature 1t has beer
decided that although the telegram was
altered by an employee Of the telegraph
company, there is no law which makes
such action a criminal offense.
The District attorneys office has had
the matter under consideration fc-
months, but nowhere in all the books
could anything be found that would
make Julian Timberlake, the yours
House Of Representatives operator
who, in a tkoughtIess moment. insert
ed the ominOUs word mot" criminally
responsible for the act.
And so the incident that once created
great excite ent and for a while deep
mystery. is closed. The insertion of
that little worG not" but the work OF
a single moment. for weeks was the
subject Of many columns OF news.
Detectives were called In and there
were dark rumors. A deep plot. 1t was
whispered haG been laid to defeat the
New York gOvernOr-a blow IN the dark,
and the gumshOe men glideG around,
running III CALGlGEr ana tapping lllclI
fOrcheads sentetiOusly. Several other
employees OF the Western Union were
implicated BY the rumOrs ard visions
OF = vast conspiracy stalkcd about.
Then young Undertake. who is only
seventeen years of age, made a state
mCut through his counsel. J.. Wilton
Lambert, in which he admitted having
inserted the word because ne overheard
some Of his superiOrs talking over the
race track bill, and remembered that
one Of them had expressed wish that
IL would be defeated.
Representative J. Sloat F6ssett, a
member Of Congress from New York.
filed a telegram in the House Of Repre-
sentatives telegraph office asking SEN
ator Cassidy to vote for the bill. Cas-
Sidy's vote was the deciding one, and
when mot" was inserted in the tele-
gram he voted against it,
Although the District Attorneys Of
fee when IL started its investigation,
was certain that forgery had been COM
mitted, the grand jury evidently did not
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-17
HONEST AMERICANS.

A German manufacturer on his first
visit to the United States was the guest
OF a l1insman in New York. He eX-
pressed surprise when, a few days after
his arrival, he saw a number Of men
help themselves to papers at an unat-
tended newsstand. where some men laid
down the exact price OF their purchase,
others walked away without paying.
He was told that the last named group
were customers who paid once a week.
but that no one ever failed to pay. To
demonstrate his contention that most
people are honest I'm this country" the
Americanized German took his visitor
that day TO a restaurant where both
were unknown, and when they had
finished their luncheon the host went to
the cashiers desk with his check and
said he had no money with him. but
would pay the next day. The cashier
gave the couple a hasty glance and
said: ''All right; III take a chance. %
and the men started for the street At
the door a right-abOut-face movement
was executed. the check was paid a
good cigar was handed to the cashier.
70 whom the plot was revealed, and the
German exclaimed, 'GrOssartig, Elk
change
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-17
GEORGIA CONVICTS
SUBJECT OF PROBE
Legislature to Investigate Charges
OF Leasing Prisoners Against
Jail Board.

ATLANTA. Ca. July 1z-Georeia-s
convict system is to be subjected TO
legislative investigation. This morning
the lower house Of the Legislature
unanimously concurred in the Senate's
resolution providing for this Investiga-
ton
The action Of the Legislature is the
direct outcome Of a campaign OF crit,-
cism wsged against the administration
OF the present prison commission, and
the methods employed ia disposing OF
the States prisoners to Iessees by a
local paper.
Georgia's convict lease system has
long been a subject Of cundeu- alton by
various writer's throughout the country.
many OF whom have some on record rs
saying the system is worse than any
form Os slavery
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-17
WORLDS OLDEST TREE.

The London Globe recently published
an article on The Worlds Oldest
Tree" which was reprinted in several
American papers. The writer said that
the grand-daddy OF all present trees
was TO be found on the Isle Of Cos.
on the coast of Asia Minor. was esti-
mated TO be considerably more than
$500 years old and had a circumference
OF 321z feet. In a letter to the Tribune.
Ivy I. Lee. head Of the publicity de-
partment of the Pennsylvania railroad.
disputes the Globes statements. 1T is
evident" says Mr.. Lee, that the writer
Of this note was not familiar with the
big trees of California. a large number
of which are probably more than $500
years old. and II is certain that the
oldest and largest OF them-nameIy, the
Grizzly Giant in the MaripOsa grove
near Yosemite Parks upward of SOol
years Old. Calculations TO this effect
have been made by eminent scientists,
and there is probably no doubt of their
correctness. Not only is this great tree
and many OF its companions of such
great ags, but IL shows no tendency
toward decay. The trunk OF this tree
IS moro than 100 feet in circumference. .
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-17
WHY MEN LIKE WIDOWS.

a widow knows how to sympatEize-
how to make his stay so pleasant that
when he does tear himself away his
sole desire is to return.
She knows how TO touch the sympa-
thetic chord to make each ones psrtic-
ular pride vibrate.
Every man feels mare OF less pleased
with himself if he gets off at the table
what he considers a wise or witty re
marx. II his neighbOrs respond he feels
proud and is dOubly pleased, but if they
only smile the tone of self satisfaction
dies away pianiSSimO- Now a widow
understands the WittiCiSm- His most
platitudinOuS remarks are sure TO start
a symphony Of smiles on her counten-
anCe.
AS for him-she NAV say anything
she pleases-if she is fascinating
widow, he never knows what she says,
but only hears the music of her voice
as If her words were the text and her
voice the melody OF an Italian opera
Chicago Journal
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-17
TOday'S Vital Records
Births

James J. and Bessie 3. Hemmersly.
boy.
Frank a and Eva II. Wesley. boy.
George =. and Mabel W. Nandergrist
girl
Charles L and Martha Rupert, boy.
Reuel and Edna Phelps. boy.
Raymond +. and Mary B. Oden. boy.
Benjamin and Anna kuperstein. boy.
Thomas and Minnie Hanley girl
JOHN L. ana Resale Gibbons. girl.
Albert r and Mamie I. EdmOnston,
boy.
James T. and Isa T. Cavanaugh. girl
Dennis and Mary COpperthite. girl
Minrod and Mary r. Anderson, girl.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-17
SMOOTH WORK.

Il see you have that wonderful cook
who was in the Jlnx family for so
long"
Yes, isn't she a drcam2"
Indeed she IS. but how did you come
TO get herr I have heard her say that
no amount Of money could move her 10
leave Mrs Jink2"
Promise not 20 tel2"
Certainly"
We'll my husband has a pull at
the city nall and ne had her police
man moved over onto this beat"
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-17
NEW ARABIAN NIGHTS.

4 struggling author was once dream
ing of the time when magazine publish
ers would come TO him and fight fer the
exclusive rights 10 his writings at 81
per word.
But I shall spurn them" murmureG
he. AT the same time launching a Wig
OrOus kick which wrecked his type
writer.
II cost him S235 to get the machine
repaired.-Exchauge
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-17
Deaths.

Emma Y. o. COnuors, . years, 1890
South Capitol street
Frances Fugitt. 90 years. go 1 street
southwest.
Herriet Z. Graham. CA years. aos2 North
Capitol street
Elizabeth Emmner. y years. 600 r street
northwest.
Lissette Stein. 3 years. National Luth-
eran Home.
Norman F. Wrenn. &c years. 1861 Mint
wood place.
AdoIph Opertz. months, go Fourteenth
street southwest
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-17
Died

II5ITT-Departed this life July . 1905.
FRANCES j. FCGTTT. widow ~ the late
Albert s. Fugitt, ga her siNty-frst year.
Funeral services at chapel. Congressional
Cemetery, saturday. July IS, 1905, az
O'Clock p. M Frieuds and relatives In
yIted 20 attend II
GORHAM-On Thursday. July 70. 1865. az
$50 O'Clock D. IA. at West End. Va,
FRANCES JANE GORHAM, aged a years
and I month i
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-17
Marriege Licenses.

Albert J. Mailer, Washington, and
Florence NJ. LUX. Cbicago. III.
John Barry and Anna Wright, Balti-
more, Nd.
ROwlett Knight and iona 6. Miller,
Chevy Chase.
Alexander HCllOweI. Great Bridge, Va,
and Sue &. Boyd. ROseland. Va
Albert y. Smith and Elizabeth G. Lord,
MeTriCk, Long Island. y. y.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-17
CHURCH NOTICES.

Zion Church. TSf Nor
W. Smith, y. ID. pas
II a. m-5 evening. $50
3 p. N. Subject NOM
o. Christ Profitable On
feet OF evening. The
Honest Debt Paying d"
seats n Come % the
II
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-17
A FOUNDER.

Life is only a gloomy sort of a rris-
on"
mo wonder you think So"
why should I think 50 more than
your
ct have not spent my life beating the
bars as YOU have. Exchange.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-17

TRINITY 4. n. 4.
ton 81 NV Rev IT
tor. service morning.
p. m Sunday school.
ing. THE Religion
both Worlds" Sub
Religious Duty OF
Strangers Welcome
-aily.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-17
Opinion on Discounts.

In reference TO a protest from the
contracting firm against the 3 per cent
discount. Comptroller Traceweu says
the Public Printer cannot withhold the
amount from the voucher because the
discount period has long since expired,
and then adds
In this connection. and as a matter
Of personal opinion. / may say that /
do not attach any very great impOr-
tance 10 the insertion Of discount
clauses inCOntracts or proposals and &C
ceptauCes. based upon prompt payment.
or otherwise. The statute requires com
petition in O~dcr that the Government
may have tle benefit thereof By award
ing contracts 20 the lowest respOusiD bic
bidder. II iG expected that disbUrsins
officers viii make prompt payments OF
the bills OF contract and other creditors
Of the Government upon the submission
Of regular vouchers. regardless OF
whether there is any provision for dis
count. II Is safe TO assume that when
a company, firm. or Corporate con-
cents 10 q certain discount IL a ranges
It's schedule Of prices accordingly, 50
that the usual profit may stiu be
made"
The vouchers call Tor S426.3I and $595.2s,
respect iVeIy- These decisions are most
impOI,6nr when considered in COnneC-
Jion with Che report of the many pur-
chases made from the Audit Supply
System without competition.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-17
He HELPED

Whisky is being downed in Ken
lucky. all right"
That's right, 7 dOwned my share q
il while I lived there"
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-17
| STILLINGS CONTRACT
DECLARED INVALID
lContInued - - -

IN good faith and without knowledge
that the law was not being observed By
She purchasing officer
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-17
Warns Against High Price.

Warns Against High Price.
The only theory on which payment
can now be made is that OF a fair
value for the goods furnished regard
less Of the proposal and acceptance II
YOU are Of the opiBion that the vouch-
cred supplies are excessive IN price
I would advise you 10 pay what you
consider the articles 20 be worth and
what they might have been procured
for from other dealers
Under existing circums tances, If ]
were 20 hold that payment OF the
voucher could not now be made, the
creditor would be forced into the Court
Of Claims to recover the value OF his
goods l9d and used by the Govern
ment
without establishing a precedent
for n tuTa cases where the law has been
violated in the ma tier OF purchases.
IL appears that the Government viii
not be injured by the payment. OF @
reasonable value TO be determined by
yourself
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-17
Special Notices.
Biggest and Best
Equipped Print Shop

JUDD q DETWEILER. Inc,
-EE BIG PRINT SHOP. CO.. uth -
fyL---F
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-06-03
PLACES OF INTEREST.

Library Of Congrss-Open a. n. to 10 p. u on
secular days; from p m 20 10 p N on Sundays
and certain holidays
Public Library-Opsn a. n 70 ?. n. holidays.
10 A. n % 10 p M. sundays 20 70 2. %.
Executive Mansi0n-Open 70 a. "a. 70 p a.
United States Capitoi-Open a. N. 20 20 .. n.
United States Treasury-Open a. N % D. m
State. War, and Navy DepartInents-Open g. m
70 ?. N. The original Declaration Of Independ-
ence is IN the library Of the State Department.
Uuited States Patent Once-Open 9 a N to 2
2. N.
United States Pension Bureau-ODcn a n TO 4
p. m
United States Post-ofHce-Opcn a. n. to I'd N.
Washington City Posc-ofice-Opeu all hOurs che
Dead Letter Of1cs is in the city poSt-ofHceJ
Nauoual Botanic Gardens-Open 5 a. m 70 5p, n.
Fish CoumisSion-Open a. n. 70 80 p. m
Amy Medical Muserm-Open a. ~ TO 40 D. n.
National Museum-Open a. m TO $50 ,. n Tin
crding holidays.
Smithsonian Iustftution-Open r. m 70 $50 p.
m Including holidays.
Agricultural Department-Open a N. TO 80 ?. m.
Bureau Of Engraving a1d Printing-Open 3 g. m
70 $50 p n.
Washington Monument (5s5sl feet IL height)-open
$50 a m. 70 $50 ?. N Elevator runs from q. m
until 1 p M
m. in winter a N. 20 p. N. in summer. Sun
days-l%e ?. m. 70 2. IT.. excepting rnid-sum-
mcr. Admission free On Tuesdays. Thursdays sat
uTdays. snd Sundays; other days. &c admission.
Government Printing Ohce-Open 10 e. N to
p n
Navy Yard-Open 9 a. N. 70 $50 ?. N
southwcrth Cottage. 35th ST. and Prospect ave-
~ THE SUBURBS.
Geological Park-Open ali day.
Rock Greek Bridge and Park.
Chevy Chase, kensington. and Chesapeake Beach.
Naval Observatcry-Opcn A. N. 10 ; D n
Mount Vernon (the home and tomb Of Washing-
ton)-Open II d. II 20 1 p. N.
Arlington National CemeteTy-Opcn all day.
Fort Nlyer Military Post
Falls Church and Fairfax Court House
United States Soldiers Hone-Open 9 a n. 70
sunset
Cathedral Grounds. TennauytoWu road-open
q. 10 p. N
Cabin John Bridge. Catholic University. and
Alexandria.
Great Falls Of the Potomac
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-06-03
WILLPURCHASEFIV SQUARES
Government to Acquire Sites for
Departmental Buildings.
Property Lying Between Fourteenth
and Fifteenth Streets, PennsyI-
vania Avenue and the Mall.

II was said yesterday at the Treasury
Department that Secretary Cortelyou
would almost Immediately start the pre-
liminaries toward acquiring for the gov
eminent title to the ground included In
the i've blocks bounded by Pennsylvania
avenue. Fifteenth street. the Mall, and
Fourteenth street
Congress appropriated S2500.00O for the
purchase Of the property included IN
these five squares, and designated the
Secretary OF the Treasury as the agent
OF the government TO make the purchase
Inc act empowers him to inaugurate con-
demnation proceedings II the property
cannot be acquired at private sale.
While the question was before the SEN
ate the District Commissioners submitted
to a committee Of that body an estimate
OF the value OF the ground and improve
ments. which was placed by them at
s.. sS5. 600.
II Is thought probable that when II
comes TO the point OF getting agreements
to sell the property from the owners. the
aggregate will exceed the amount ap
propriated by Congress. and in case con-
demnation proceedings should place a
larger valuation upon the property than
the available appropriation, II would be
necessary for the Secretary 10 report
back to Congress his failure 10 acquire
the property. asking for a larger sum
with which to make the purchase.
The plan usually pursued by the gov
eminent in acquiring property for public
use Is to plot the squares in question.
ascertain the names of the owners. COM
municate with them as 10 the value
placed by them upon their holdings. and
purchase at private sale where that is
possible.
The clause in the building bill author
ling the purchase OF the property makes
no provision for any building or build
ings to be erected on the five squares
named, but it is understood that the
space will be utilized fol new buildings
Tor the Departments of State. Justice.
and Commerce and Labor There is
thought TO be sufficient room in the ter
ritory to be purchased for three large and
handsome structures suitable for the pur-
poses mentioned
The time necessary to accomplish the
transfer of title of the property to the
government is problematic 1t might be
done in six months, If all the owners
were agreeable to the sale and should
receive what they think their holdings
worth. If the matter must be accom-
pished through the agency Of juries Of
condemnation, it will take much longer.
A fair estimate of the time necessary TO
secure the recording of the titles in the
government would be two years, and II is
likely that it will not be accomplished in
less time.
The number Of buildings, their design
and cost, to be placed upon the property
when acquired. is left to the future ac-
ton Of Congress.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-06-03

Georgetown.
NJ. L. Igoe, of Illinois, was declared the
winner OF the faculty prize OF 500 at the
debate Of the Georgetown University Law
School. in CASTOR Hall Mr. Igoe and
Thomas F. O'Mara, Of Indiana. spoke
afiirmatively on The question: Resolved,
That further material increases In the
United States navy are undesirable"
The negative team was composed OF
E. McHenry Gallaher. of Maryland. and
Erwin R. Efier. Of Ohio.
In announcing their decision, the judges
awarded the honors to the affirmative
side.
Each speaker was literally applauded
by the large audience, and the arguments
advanced by the respective debaters were
greeted with cheers.
Adequate Naval Force.
The principal argument presented by the
speakers for the affirmative was that
the United States has at present an ade-
quate naval force. They contended that
the four most formidable world powers
are unable, by conditions, economic and
otherwise. TO wage war against this
country.
Mr.. Igoe. in closing his speech, said the
creation Of a great navy would be an in
vitation to the other nations 10 fight. He
said q large navy would centrallEe too
much power in the executive branch OF
the government
1t was oontended by the negative de-
baters that WIZ IS never improbable or
impossible. and the United States should
have a large navy II for no other reason,
than to protect its thousands Of miles OF
unprotected coast line. Mr.. Gailaher held
that Japan was a menace to our country,
solely because OF its navy.
Erwin R. Efler who made the closing
argument for the negative team, argued
that the international peace was not yet
assured and the United States ought 70
large 10 protect those countries affected
by the Monroe Doctrine.
John T. Buckley. OF the senior class,
presided. The judges were Daniel w.
Baker. United States district attorney OF
the District Of Columbia Hon. William
L Penfield. former solicitor Of the State
Department, and George w. Scott. libra
rian Of the United States Supreme Court.
The reception committee was:
George c. butcher. chairman; K Ralph Burton.
James Burns. John Costello. Vincent D. Helnessey,
Edward LaBosSicre, Thomas Lynch John A. Nash
Pedro TuasOn Eugene Waters. W. Griffin Nludd.
Andrew HiEgns David Z. Casey. Daniel Q. Aiul-
loney. Frank G. Douglas. Martin F, Connolly. Hugh
Barr Albert + Mccarthy. 5. +. Beach Michael NJ
Doyle. and George c. Bowie.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-06-03
DAZzLED BY A GREEK
Annie Nay COgswell Lis
tened to His Stories.
TALKED OF GAY WHITE WAY
She Is Missing aAd So Is the For
eigner, and the J,rscy City Police
Have Been Asked to 4, 'rrest the
COupIe-StOre Account sweIied to
Make Her More Attractive.

oazzled by the glowing descriptions OF
the Cay White Way and the Joys OF
Coney Island, wildly described for her
benefit by one Of her mothers boarders.
Annie May Cogswell, sixteen years old,
ran away from her home. at ia Third
street northwest, yesterday morning BY
this time she is probably enjoying some
Of the pleasures described.
Last winter there came 70 board with
Mrs. CogswelI a handsome Greek, known
as Pete Vacelina. He had lived in New
York, and other large eltiesNof this coun-
try. as well as in Europe. He was also
well supplied with money.
In the picturesque language. the Greek
described the beauties 20 be found in
Gotham. With a few clothes, such an at
tractive young woman as Miss Cogswell
would prove one OF the brightest stars
twinkllng IN Broadway
Girl Began to Think.
When the fascinating Greek announced
his intention Of visiting New York. the
girl began TO think Monday morning the
maid visited a department store where
her lmily runs an account and bedecked
herself in choice spring suit. Merry
Widow" hat, and other articles.
Then she disappeared. The Greek
boarder was gone. The daughter was
gone. The mother put two and two to-
gether, and called on Inspector Board
man, acting superintendent Of police. The
officer thought as did Mrs Cogsweu. and
a telegram was sent TO Jersey City. ask
ing the officials OF that city 70 hold the
runaway daughter and the Greek At a
late hour last night nothing had been
heard from the Jersey police.