davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1908-10-20
Hancock County's New Court House

the breaking Of the fly wheel are
somewhat vague by the opinion ex-s
pressed ,by Manager Ayres, is gener-
ally accepted, His opinion is that i
break in the generator occurred and
the big 1y wheel increased In speed
until centrificaI force was brought into
play and the break resulted.
Still Hot,
The sections of the fly wheel found!
about the premises were still hot fol
several hours after the accident, al
though the section found In the room
Of the Foraker home was not hot
enough to burn the floor. Last night
is one that will be remember Id Keo-
kuk for some time and those who
heard the loud report and who were
called to the scene more quickly than
others will retain the thoughts
through a longer time to come.
Second Accident.
During the night portion of the
roof fell in, landing upon the crippled
switchboard and adding further Ia
the wreck OF the plant
Before this had occurred but part
OF the switch board had been damaged
and it was hoped that by putting IN
temporary repairs that the power de-
partment could be put in commission
by noon
The weakened walls. caused by the
break, caused a large portion of the
roof to cave in during the night, the
debris falling upon the remains of the
switch board, and until the rubbish
can be cleared away and the addition.
al damage done to the switch board is
ascertained, no opinion could be given
out as to how long it would take to
make the necessary repairs.
Strange Phenomena From a Distance.
The appearance OF the cataclysm
from a distance was strange one
and suggested the coming of hard
rain storm to spectators.
DR.. A. b. Hughes, who was return.
ling from seeing a patient at Montrose
was at Sandusky when he saw a dark
cloud followed by flashes of lightning
and he stopped and put on his buggy
/ curtains.
Mr.. and Mrs. Arthur Collins were
/ coming in from their home on Bel
KNAPP boulevard when they saw
flashes of lighting and hurried to ge
in out of the rain.
i The lighting was the sudden in
crease i'll intensity Of all the lights Ii
4 the city. Everybody in Keolluk AM
i Hamilton who uses electric light
saw the glass bulbs suddenly get in
!; tensely bright much like the lime
4 light of a streopticon. Electrician
. expected them all to burn out with
pop. and they became so dazzlin
bright ii was almost impossible I
look at them.
A Mysterious Cloud.
The people at distance saw nc
only the lights IN one room, but a
the lights of Keokuk instantaneous
!. flash up with dazzling brilliancy all
: there were enough of them and tn
(. brilliancy was SO marked, that the il
!. creased light from all over town We
: reflected from the sky like lightnin
and looked like lightning.
DR.. Hughes insists that there was
small, dark cloud arising from Il
u edge of the river. at what was h
horizon from Sandusky and that
i watched II intently, fearing hal
d rain out of it. He describes it in
Q way that suggests the smoke cloud
II the time the Mooar powder works G
ploded. What caused this is diffict
to explain; it may be that the firem;
% happened to put on fresh coal ju
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1908-10-20
Entire Family cremated.

LEXINGTON, KY, Oct. pa dis
patch from Paintsville says that Geo.
Stafford, his wife and three children
were roasted to death in fire that
destroyed their home. They were
prominent
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1908-10-20
AMMONIA DRIVES
OUT THE STUDENTS
Five Hundred Harvard Students For
ced Out Of Building by Res
ervoir Burstjno.

BOSTON, Oct. 2O--Five hundred
Harvard students fled from Randall
hall yesterday afternoon when the
ammonia reservoir at the ice plant
burst, flooding the building. Suffocat
fumes filed the building. A dozen
but were rescued by the flremen.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1908-10-20
VIII Ask Roosevelt to Lecture.

BERLIN. Oct. 20.A movement was
started today to issue a formal invi-
tation for Roosevelt to lecture before
the students Of Germany's univers-
tiles. the announcement he would
appear before the British universities
on his return from Africa started the
movement.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1908-10-20

CARTHAGE, ILL.,, Oct. co. Han
cock counJy's magnificent new court
3louse at this place was dedicat I'd to-
lay with very appropriate ceremon-i
ses and witnessed by a large crowd
Of people from all over Hancock coun-
" and adjoining territory. Keokuk
sent over a good sized delegation
Who inspected the building, as did all
,thers and were loud in their praises
If its beauty of construction and ar
angements. All the tax payers of
he county are delighted with the
ouilding and are not regretting the
expenditure of the money for such a
magnificent edifice.
The Old Court House.
e About the year 1880 Il committee
had been appointed from among the
members OF the board of commits
sioners to select a permanent site
for The county seat of Hancock conn-
ty and in March OF 1888 they reported
having selected the present site and
named 1t Carthage.
In 1886 work upon permanent
court house was started and the
building was completed by the spring
of 1899 In 1867 additions and i'm
prcvements We're made by building
on "a wing to the original structure.
The work OF tearing down the old
building and completed in the spring
of 1907
Many interesting and sirtorical
events have taken place within the
wallis of The old court house. Ii was
the headquarters for many political
meetings, rallies, and jubilees. Such
famous men as Lincoln, Douglas, In
gersoll. Brown and others have been
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1908-10-20
Hancock County's First Court
House

listened to within its boundries. It
was also the scene of several riots
and bloodshed.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1908-10-20
Has Three Children.

James Jones has been an employe
of the Electric Light company for sew
eraI years and previous to that time
was employed at the powder works.
He has wife and three children, the
children being the following: leila,
lge 10; Arby age Is, and Clayton, age
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1908-10-20

= ~ SS5~>eNH~t ~ SAAS AtAAAiAAJ ~ 49, -
the house some distance away was
probably the p,ost marvellous of all.
The six were in one room and Mrs.
Foraker was putting the children to
bed. With q crash they were blinded
for the time by glass, wood splinters.
plaster and other mater which was
heaped in upon their heads by a large
section OF the fly wheel which settled
not three feet from their very bed.
The heavy iron part crashed through
the outward wall Of the house and set
tied on the floor in the room adjoin-
ing. Two rooms of the house are a
total wreck, the kitchen also being
smashed to splinters. 1t is customary
for several of the Foraker children 70
sleep in q small folding bed in the
adjoining room and 1t was this bed
that was crushed by the heavy mass
of iron. Thus again are the members
|of the family to be Congratulated. The
family is composed Of the following:
Mr.. and Mrs Benjamin Foraker and
the following children: Thomas,
age ten Benjamin, age ffve;; Joe, age
three, and James, age one year.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1908-10-20
e. He is about forty-one years Of
Crowds Attracted.


electric light plant spread like wild.
ire. From 8 20 until IL o'clock the
plant was visited by possibly five hun
lred people anxious for some knowl-
edge as to the extent and severity OF
Il. The employees of the company
we're constantly beseiged by throngs
Of people, but they said little, and few
words could be drawn from them. The
seemed to be on the lips 81
every person and at time the plant
was so crowded that the coroner was
forced to give stern orders in order
that the way might be cleared and an
Investigation be made.
Service Affected.
Manager Ayres while on the scene
last evening stated that there would
be no arc lights in the city for sons
time but that the company expected
to be able TO furnish power for the
private concerns Of the city in a shor,
time.
The matters of lights, however, Ii
very doubtful The north end of the
which was badly crashed wa,
at the point where the majority O
wires enter the building and there
the wires for the most part are tori
down.
Bolbe WuId Not Talk.
. Head Engineer Bolbe, who is ;
man well advanced in the electrical
work, would make no statement las
evening concerning the incident, ex
cept That the fly wheel had broke. H,
seemed greatly unnerved as we're mos
of the employees Of the plant.
Telephones to Burlington.
Manager Ayres telephoned to Bul
lington last evening for one of Til
men from the Murray Iron Foundry
asking that. he be sent to this cit
in the morning to see what he coul
do in repairing things. A great e
fort is to be made by Electric Ligfl
company to right things as quickly a
possible and nothing will be left III
done and no expense will stand
the way to remedy matters iinm,
diately.
Much Money Lost
The destruction last evening repr
sents a large amount of money to til
Keokuk Electric Light company. Tt
big Flemming engine alone represent
an outlay Of about $4,000 and the tie;
on the building will bring this up co
siderably. The plant is such an &
tensive one that few people who ha,
not visited 1t cannot realize the dar
| age that such an accident can incr
Not only is much money lost, but Il
lost of an employees life.
It was about fifteen years ago tn
( a boiler exploded at the power pla
and an enploye, also by the name
Jones, and 1t will be remembered tn
another employe. James Sterrett. m
death. Since that time there has be-
no accident of any kind that h
caused much damage, and during ii
period the company has been rath
fortunate.
4 Under other circumstances it mig
4 have been that the entire plant wol
have been wrecked but as it was t
damage was confined to the west h
Of the building. u
j Somewhat Mysterious.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1908-10-20
Service Affected.
Holbe Wuld Not Talk.

Head Engineer Bolbe, who is a
man well advanced in the electrical
work, would make no statement last
evening concerning the incident, ex-
cept that the fly wheel had broke. He
seemed greatly unnerved as we're most
of the employees of the plant.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1908-10-20
Destruction TO the Building.

The destruction to the building Is
stupendous. The two end walls on
the right half of the building are al
most total wreck, while there is a
hole fully twelve feet in diameter in
the ceiling. At the north end of the
building both the wall and the ceiling
were crushed in. Deposited in a
heap with particles OF the wall at the
north end was the largest piece
of the fly wheel. This is fully
one thousand pounds in weight and
has buried beneath it many parts OF
the machinery. The ceiling is made
Rof cement and this was torn@loose by
the fly wheel also although it is not
though that any section of the wheel
when out through the opening made.
The large switch board was almost
totally wrecked and quite alittle ma
chinery in addition to the big Flem-
ming engine destroyed.
The big Flemming engine is of 500
horsepower. With the big fly wheel
revolving at rate many times fast
| er than the ordinary revolution, 1t
broke and the damage resulting as
above mentioned cannot be known to
any person to the fullest extent with
out a visit to the place or scene.
- ii s
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1908-10-20
Coroner Arrives.

coroner Arrives.
Some time after the accident Cor
oner Korschgen arrived on the scene
and after taking hasty review of
the situation empanelled a jury con-
sisting of the following gentlemen:
Messrs. Brerton, Scherer and Mitch
ell. In company with these three
gentlemen, Coroner Korschgen, and a
Gate City reporter, made a careful
and detailed investigation Of the out
ward conditions of the premises and
noted the condition of things. The
was careful one, dur
ing which the Foraker home was Wis
tied. 1t was found upon investga-
tion also that one of the large sec
lions of the fly wheel alighted nol
more than thirty feet from the Hur-
LEY residence, about three hundred
feet away. That these heavy pieces
Iof iron could have Travelled through
1.-THE air for a distance of three hun
idred and four hundred feet tell in q
/, few words the terrific force with
| which the wheel broke After the
coroner's investigation, L. p. Hawkes.
larrived and removed the dead man tt
his undertaking establishment.
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1908-10-20

Continued on page three.)
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1908-10-20

the breaking OF the fly wheel are
somewhat vague by the opinion ex-
pressed 4by Manager Ayres, is gener-
ally accepted, His opinion is that q
break in the generator occurred and
the big Ay wheel increased In speed
until centrifical force was brought into
play and the break resulted,
New-York tribune., 1908-07-05
@sooawoy &i9S @tsesA

nrississippi Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, MasSdcAu-
setts and Vermont-and two cities-Chlcago anu
Omaha-paid their respects TO MI br! !an l'-u"'
Tonight the special trains which they came
are bearing them rapidly 10 Denver
National Committeeman Daniel, of North
Carolina said to-day that his state Wouid give
Brvan it's solid supper; until he was nominated
He believes the Denver convention should ad-
journ the first day out of respect for ex-Fresi-
dent Cleveland He will oppose any resolution
calculated to stir up conflict, but thinks SUN
able memorial should be adopted.
Florida celebrated it's arrival with the an
nouncement that the delegation from that state
has yice-Presidential candidate in the person
of Governor Broward. Former Governor Jen-
nings made the announcement saying that
BroWard would receive the support of the Flor-
ida delegation at least the first ballot
Delegates from that state however do not take
his candidacy seriously.
The Alabama delegation was one of the most
enthusiastic which have visited the city EX-
Governor Cunningham and National Commit
teeman TcmIinson were with the delegation and
agreed that Alabama was willing TO have Mr.
BRYAN pick the Vice-Presidential nominee and
write the platform The delegation will be in
fuenced by whatever Bryan wants. said Gov
ernor Cunningham. "An of people are for
Bryan, and he will receive three-fourths of the
vote of the state"
The Mississippi delegation hurried from the
station and took car for Fairview in order. the
chairman said. ito give Mr. Bryan surprise
They are sClidly for Bryan.
William E. Gonzales editor of The Columbia
Is CO State" travelled with the North Carolina
delegation
We are wide open the Vice-President,
said he, 'and want to support the strongest
man. We had a fight on our hands In South
Carolina, but for Bryan We will not vote
for New York man for Vice-President simply
because he is New York man. but will accept
candidate from that state if il is shown that he
is a strong one Personally, l favor Judge
Gray"
New-York tribune., 1908-07-05
M1NY HURT IN EXPLOSION
Fireuorks of Indian Harbor Yacht
Club Go off in a Bunch.
[By Telegraph to The Tribune. ]

Greenwich Conn. July 4.-The greatest ex-
Citement prevailed at the Indian Harbor Yacht
Club tonight, when 81 900 worth of fireworks
exploded at one time. the rockets candles and
everything shooting in every direction into
crowd OF a thousand yachtsmen. their guests
and residents OF Greenwich who had gathered
to witness the display.
The fireworks out the town pier about
a hundred feet from the front of the clubhouse
and three pieces had been fired off when the ex-
plosion occurred. The pier packed so were
the piazzas of the clubhouse. while close shore
many private yachts filled with visitors
from New York City. Across the narrow harbor
were Z. c. Benedict and F. S Hastings and
their families seated on their verandas at Ind
ian Harbor and rockets even went there.
Women and children were trampIed on while
the fireworks hit the crowd they rushed away
one woman's hand was ripped open by a rocket
stick Another woman was picked up uncon-
scious having been trampled on Physicians
were quickly summoned. and automobiles of
which there were hundred near by began TAX
ing the injured away. So far as can be ascer-
tanned there were no serious injuries. but the
number injured was at least Several
OF the yachts and the clubhouses had narrow es-
capes from getting ahre
New-York tribune., 1908-07-05
TALK PERSISTS
Murphy Doesn't Want Gaynor. But
Would Take Him.
IBy Telegraph to The Tribune

Denver, July 4.-"No man can well re1use
position on the Presidential ticket
This statement, made by Josiah Marvel one
of the managers for Judge Gray, and the in
crea sing evidence that Bryan is determined 10
obtain the Delaware jurist for a running mate
if possible gave renewed interest to the discus
sion to-day of the likelihood of Judge Gray's
being nominated for second place. X j.
Reamish the other manager of the Gray Presi-
Dental boom insists that his principal VIII not
accept the nomination for second place and
tho two managers to-day addressed letter 10
the delegates urging that the ticket should be
GRAY and Bryan Privately, the authors OF the
letter acknowledge that they expect no results
from it.
Charles F. Murphy. the boss of Tammany Haii'
is ready to deliver the New York delegation to
Bryan on the first ballot but he wants his price
for it. Murphy has been talking with the bryan
men, and while he has not said great DEAL ne
has convinced them that he has nothing against
Bryan provided the Bryan men VIII 90 the
right thing by New York
The price demanded by Murphy is. in part as
follows: The Vice Presidency for some one who
will run well in New York City and thus swell
the Tammany pluralities as far as posslpie III
a bad year Second. the shutting of the McCar-
rem contesting delegates cut of the convention
Third a modification of some of the Bryan IDEAS
in the platform.
With his 1S votes tucked away in his inside
pocket Mr. Murphy went out to play soi1 THIS
afternoon with Martin w. Littleton Murphy
wants to make the best of bad situation by
getting everything possible out of 1t with MS
block of votes.
Murphy does not take kindly to Bryans sug-
gestion that the New York delegates present
the name of .Justice William ]. Gaynor for sec
ond place BRYAN wants Gaynor if he cannot
get Judge Gray. because he thinks that Gaynor
will cut into the Hearst vote and at the same
time lend dignity to the ticket. But Murphy
is hostile to Gaynor for reasons that ne does
not talk about. but which are discussed in Sc
cret by Tammany. men. He wants Bryan 10
name some other New Yorker for his running
mate Mr. Bryan's managers have been in
formed of Murphy's wishes and have commu-
nicated them to the Nebra skan. If Murphy has
to take Caynor he will, but he prefers some
one else The only thing attractive about the
Gaynor proposition is that McCarren after
being thrown out by the credentials committee
of the convention. would have to fall into line
and support the ticket
When Mr. Murphy seen to-day by
Tribune correspondent. he said:
There is no change in the situation. We are
all marking time and waiting for the delegates
to get here l have talked casually with some
of the leaders here. l have no candidate for
Vice president. Even if 1 had, 1 would not
say anything about him till have had chance
to talk with the delegates, who will not be
here till Monday"
Mr. Murphy's suggestion that he is leaving
things to the delegates will cause wide smile
on the Bowery, but it seems to go with the
Western delegates
New-York tribune., 1908-07-05
GRAY and BRYAN"
The Ticket Urged by the Deld7care
JUDGES Managers

Denver. Jufy 4.-Josiah Marvel and Richard j.
Beamish the campaign managers for George
GRAY, Of Delaware. today mailed an open letter
10 all delegates TO the convention urging the
nomination OF Judge Gray for President and
William J. Bryan for Vice-President- The let
ter. after a few words OF preamble, continues
as follows:
You have heard from Mr.. Bryans closest
friends forceful arguments for a ticket reaolng
Bryan and Gray. Let US place before your mind
q reversal OF that combination
GRAY and Bryan viii insure the electoral votes
Of New York New Jersey, Delaware, Connecu-
cut West Virginia Maryland, Indiana and Ok
lehou1a fof the Democracy and VIII bring INTO
the partv fold Nebraska Illinois. Colorado and
other Western states. It Is the one combination
thar is absolutely certain Of success
This success viii give 10 Mr.. Bryan an oppor-
-7,nitv 70 sit in the councils and 10 participate
in the administrative functions OF the national
Government Il will serve as a test for him and
his ideas a25d viii fanliarize the people OF TINS
nation with his ability an executive
II will make him the undlsputed head OF the
,arrv foar wears hence and will insure his
election Tor President al that time
The Gray men We're reinforced tonight by the
arrival of the delegation from Delaware includ-
ing I. Irving Handy, who will place the name of
fudge GRAY in nomination for the Presidency
The Delaware men were unanimous in declaring
that Judge Gray would be urged for the Presi-
dency and nothing else.
New-York tribune., 1908-07-05

men whose type is TOO we'll known in New York
to require description Many Western delega-
rions are still to come. but the advance guard
augurs Well for the picturesque character OF
those who are 10 follow. and the convention OF
1908 promises to bear about the same resem-
blance. to the Democratic conventions which
nominated Tilden and Hancock and Cleveland
as the "Sockess Socrates" from Kansas and
Senator Feffer bore 20 Bayard and Thurman
and Vest.
True 10 their promises the people of Denver
have dore everything possible to render the
stay of the delegates and other visitors in their
clean and beautiful city pleasant and the ira
ditional Southern hospitality viii have to look
10 its laures when compared with the breezy
entertainment which the mile high city Is
extending 10 all within its gates
New-York tribune., 1908-07-05
NEVER, SAYS GRAY.
VII Not Run for Tice-President
Under 4ng Circumstances.

Wilmington Del. July 4-Judge George Gray,
when again asked to-day whether he had re-
cefved letter from Democrats in Denver ask
ing If he would consent to take the nomination
for Vice President replied that he had received
no such letter, but said:
saw now that. whether / receive such letter
ar not ] will under no conceivable cireum-
.sacee accent such nomination If il should be
5 ssv this without intending IN any re-
eT'ecf 70 derogate from the high honor import
snce and dignity of the S:ce-Presidential once
,.,t ,ritb fun appreciation OF the same
an, controlled in this matter ny the same
,saSons that nave controlled me in what nave
ssid in regard to a Presidential nomination