davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-02-26
President Roosevelt Sub
mits Special Message
to Congress
ON DEEP WATERWAYS
Declares Report of Commission
Deals With Subject of Great
est Importance.


special message accompanying the pre-
liminary report of the inland water
ways commission the contents of
which were made public some time
since. The president states that un-
usual care has been taken in prepar-
ing the report. and says the subject it
deals with is of the utmost importance
to the present and future of the coun-
try.
Text Of McssHEv.
The message follows:
TO the Senate ard House of Rrpre-
scnativCS:
] transmit hcrpwth Preliminary
Report from tho Inland Waterways
Commission. which was appointed by
me last March in response to II wide
spread interest and demand from the
people. Tho basis of this demand lay
In tho general ana admitted inability
of the railroads to handle prnnptly
tho traffic Of tho country. and cspr
cially tho crops Of the previous Fail
This report is we'll worth your at
tcntiOn. It is thorough. conservative,
sane, and Just. IT represents the ma
turc Judgment Of body of men ex-
ccptonally qualified. by personal ex-
prriCnce and knowledge of conditions
throughout the United States. 10
understand and discuss the great
problem Of how hest To use our water
ways In the interest of all tho people
Unusual care has been taken to secure
accuracy and balance of statement
If the report errS at all It is by over
conservatism. It contains findings OF
statements of fact. n number of spcri
fic recommendations and an account
of inquiries still in progress. and it is
based i'm part on statistics and other
information contained in a vOluminous
appendix. The subject with which II
deals is of critical Importance both II
the present and the future of Our
country.
Rivers Poorly Developed.
Our river systems are better adapted
to the needs Of the people than those
OF any other country. In extent, distri
button. navigability, and case Of use
they stand first. Yet the rivers of n,
other civilized country are so poorl,
developed. so little used. or play s,
small part in the industrial life o
the nation MS those Of the United
States. In view of the use made .
rivers elsewhere. the failure to use on
own is astonishing. and no thoughtful
man can believe that it will last. Th
accompanying report indicates clearI,
the reasons for ii and the way +
end it,
The Commission finds that il wa
unreguated railroad competition whicl
prevented or destroyed the develor
mcnt OF commerce on our inan,
waterways. The Mississippi, our great
est natural highway. is Il case in point
At one time the traffic upon it wa
without a rival in any country. TIL
report shows that commerce wa
driven from the Mississippi by tn
railroads. While production wa
limited, the railways. with their cor
venicnt terminals, gave quicker an
more satisfactory service than tn
waterways. Later they prevented tII
restoration Of river traffic by keepin
down their rates along the rivers. r,
coupling themselves by higher charge
elsewhere. They also acquired waite
fronts and terminals to an exten
which made water competition impo.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-02-26
GETS POLICE PROTECTION
italian Physician at St. Louis Ordered
by Black Hand to Give $500.

IIdTTdN FHySICIdH DIT ots LOUIS OTUtTGu
by Black Hand to Give $500.
St Louis, Feb. ga police guard
has been stationed at the home of DIR.
Julius F. Menesterina. a prominent
Italian physician. who is the recipient
Of a BLACK Hand" communication,
written in Italian. demanding $500, and
threatening the physician with decapi-
tation if he fails to comply.
Universal Suffrage Gains.
Copenhagen, Feb. 26.-The univer-
sal municipal suffrage bill passed its
third reading in the landsthing today.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-02-26
What Congress Should Do.

The various uses Of waterways are
now dealt with by Bureaus scattered
through four federal Departments. At
present. therefore, ii is not possible to
deal with q river system as a single
recommends n policy under which all
the commercial and Industrial uses of
the waterways may he developed at
the same time. To that end, Congress
should provide some administrative
machinery for coordinating the work
of the various Departments so far as
II relates to waterways. Otherwise
there will not only be delay, but the
people rs whole will fail to get from
our streams the benefits to which they
are justly entitled.
The Commission recognizes that the
cost of Improving our inland water
ways will be large. but far less than
would be required to relieve the con
gestion Of traffic by railway extension
The benefits of such improvement will
be large also, and they will touch the
daily life of our people at every point
uniting the interests Of all the States
and sections of our country. The cos
and the benefits should be equtably
distributed, by cooperation will
the States and the communities, cor
porations, and individuals benefically
affected. heartily concur in the Com
missions recommendation to this end
Such cooperation should result il
united effort in carrying out the grea
duty OF improving our inland water
ways. While we delay, our rivers re
main unused, our traffic Is periodical!
congested, and the material wealtl
and natural resources of the countr.
related to waterways are being stead
lily absorbed by great monopolies.
Schemes of Corporations.
Among these mononolies. as the re
,GOntinued on Page Ski
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-02-26

>Gontinued on Page six.l
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1908-02-22

OF prima donna, reiteratfng that the
last chance to see, hear and get 50
much for the money, was approaching
One of the articles sent to the pa
pers for publication was entitled IA
Day at the Agency of the Five-Twenty
Loan
It's drift was to show the wide ex-
tent of country from which letters
came subscribing for bonds, and that
many of the subscribers were women
Another article was entitled AN
Hour at Jay Cooke & Co.'S Into this
was worked the substance of the Best
Way" broadsfde.
Little incidents in the experience of
the agency were worked up into other
entertaining articles, and all were sent
gratis to the newspapers.
Mr. Cooke thus covered every city,
town and farm with his literature, and
appealed directly to every man or
woman who had $50 or 500 in boarded
money
The newspapers in small hamlets
and villages, especially in the west,
were urged to call to the support of
the government the farmers, and this
they did, until stockings were emptied
and treasure was taken from caves
and rafters and spread out in local
banks to be forwarded to Mr.. Cooke
at Philadelphia
Branch Offices of Jay Cooke & Co.
were opened in all the large cities, and
much of the advertising in them was
done under the name of the local
agent, as Philadelphia was not name
to coujure with In finance in some
places, like New York, for example.
Mr.. Cooke actually went so far, aft
err the capture of New Orleans, as to
advertise government bonds there, and
to- open an office for their sale. He
sold them, too, the soldiers being the
principal buyers, thus lending the gov
eminent the money with which to pay
their wage
Secretary Chase had been unable to
place these bonds in any market at
discount Jay Cooke sold them at par,
and with the proceeds the government
was able to carry on its military OPP
erations in the most critical period of
the war.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1908-02-22

man leap from the back window of the
Occidental Is that true?"
The missionary nodded.
Good; then come along with me.
I intend breaking the back of this
lynching business right here and
now"
He strobe directly across the street
to the steps of the Occidental, his
clothing scarcely more than smolder-
ing rags The crowd stared at him
sullenly; then suddenly a reaction
came, and the American spirit of fair
play, the frontier appreciation of bull
dog courage, burst forth into a con-
fused murmur, that became half a
cheer. Brant did not mince his
words.
Now, look here men, If you want
any more trouble, we're here to ac-
commodate you. Fighting is our
trade, and we don't mind working at
it. But l wish to tell you right now,
and straight off the handle, that you
are simply making a parcel of fools
of yourselves Slavin has been killed,
and nine out of ten among you are
secretly glad of it, He was a curse
to this camp, but because some of his
friends and cronies-thugs, gamblers
and dive keepers-accuse Bob Hamp-
ton of having killed him, you start in
blindly to lynch Hampton, never even
waiting to find out whether the charge
is the truth or lie You act like
sheep, not American citizens. Now
that we have pounded a little sense
into some of you, perhaps you'll listen
to the facts, and ii you must hang
some one. put YOUR rope on the right
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1908-02-22
wHEEEER's coRDIALITx.
Invited an. Old Friend to Smoke and
Lost a Valuable Military Paper.

On the afternoon of February f.
1864, if l remember correctly, I was
in command of battalion of my reg
iment, which, with other troops, oc-
cupied the summit of Tunnel hill, and
my battalion was thrown out as
skirmish line beyond the deserted
camp of Wheeler's cavalry, writes
Capt. Henry Raymond, in National
Tribune. About dark [ was relieved
by Col. Mihalotzy, and remember
standing in the road and transmitting
to him such orders as L had received
and such information as 1 possessed
as to the number and position of the
enemy in our immediate front, then
bidding him goodnight A few hours
later it was announced that he was
killed. 1t was,said at the time that in Civ
ing an order in rather loud tones he
was heard by the pickets of the enemy,
who fired shot in. the direction of the
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1908-02-22

he pressed upward, sheltering his
eyes with uplifted. arm, and seeking
passage where the scarcity of under
brush rendered the zone of fire less
impossible He could see scarcely
three yards in advance, but to the
rear the narrow lane of retreat re
manned OPEN Standing there, as
though in the mouth of a furnace, the
red flames scorching his face, Brant
followed his hands for a call
'Hamptoni" The word rang out
over the internal cracking and roar
ing like the note of trumpet
"Ay! What is it?" The returning
voice was plainly not Hampton's yet
it came from directly in front, and
not far away.
who are you? Is that you, Mar
shal?"
''Thet's the ticket" answered the
voice, gruff1y, AN just as full O. fight
es ever
Brant lifted his jacket to protect
his face from the scorching heat.
There was certainly no time to lose
in any exchange of compliments.
I'm Brant, lieutenant Seventh cav
airy" he cried, choking with the thick
ening smoke. MY troop has scatter
ed those fellows who were hunting
you. I'll protect you and your prison
er, but you'll have to get out of there
at once. Can you locate me and make
dash for it? Wrap your coats around
your heads, and leave your guns be-
hind"
An instant he waited for the an
swer, fairly writhing in the intense
heat, then Mason shouted, "Hamp-
tons been shot, and I'm winged lit
tie; l can't carry him.
Brant ripped off his jacket, wrapped
it about his face, damned a handker.
chief into his mouth and with prayer
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1908-02-22
CHAPTER XIV.
The Rescue of Miss Spence

The Rescue of Miss Spencer.
While Hampton fingered between
life and death, assiduously waited
upon by both Nadia and Mrs. Guffy,
Brant nursed his burns, far more Sc
rious than he had at first supposed,
within the sanctity of his tent Glen
caid meanwhile recovered from it's
mania of lynch law, and even began
exhibiting some faint evidences of
shame over what was so plainly a
mistake And the populace were also
beginning to exhibit no small degree
of interest in the weighty matters
which concerned the discriminating
love affairs of Miss Spencer.
Almost from her earliest arrival the
extensive cattle and mining interests
of the neighborhood became aggres-
sively arrayed against each other; and
now, as the fierce personal rivalry be-
tween Messrs. Moffat and Mcneil
grew more intense, the breach per-
ceptibly widened While the infatua-
ton of Rev. Mr. Wynkoop for this
same fascinating young lady was
plainly to be seen, hts chances in the
race were not seriously regarded by
the more active partisans upon either
side
The regular patrons of the Miners
Retreat were backing Mr.. Moffat to a
man, while those claiming headquar-
tiers at the Occidental were equally
ardent in their support of the pros
poets of Mr.. Mcneil 1t must be SON
fessed that Miss Spencer fiirted out
rageously and enjoyed life as she
never had done in the effete east
CTO BE CoNTINUEDo
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1908-02-22
SYNOPSIS.

A detachment of the Eighteenth in
fantry from Fort Bethune trapped by
is a stranger who introduces himself by
the name of Hampton. also ellis the
a majority of the soldiers are killed dur
Ing Ing three rec, days siege Hampton am Ton, and
They fall exhausted on the plains: A
company of the Seventh cavalry, Lieut.
and the girl stop at the Miners Home in
Gleneaid Mrs Duffy. proprietress. Hamp-
hs-the Kid She shows him her moth
er's picture and tells him what she can
she shall live with Mrs Herndon- IN aida
a9e nops AWAY IRON Mrs fa Pap ts
go back. and to have nothing more to do
with him him Hampton plays his last zane
that he has quit, and then leaves Glen
Giencaid to teach its first school Miss
Spencer meets Mazda. Rev Wynkoop,
Sada snd e@f Brant again MEET %ifh
out his knowing who she is. She informs
h him Of II the Coming Bachelor club bs in
meets Silent Murphy. Clusters scout. He
Sae at the
CLUBS ball among the admirers OF Miss
Ger but she is not his acquaintance Of p the
day before. She tells him of Nadia, and
to- the baToom M aEin fam ne fd is
Miss Spencer: Brant accompanies Nadia
informs hin him as as to who she is. and that
she is to meet Hampton. Brant and
Hampton meet. Hampton informs the
lieutenant that his attentions to Nadia
must cease, and proclaims authority
over her that Justif1es the statement.
Brant tells Hampton of the presence of
Silent Murphy. and of the fact that Red
Slavin receives government messages for
him. Miss Spencer called Bob Hamp-
tor Tells him of a red-faced stranger
mistaking her for Nadia. Brant inter
views Red Slavin. Finds that he is ex-
trooper in the Seventh cavalry. 1t was
Slavins and Murphy's testimony that
before Of ed
Robert Nolan, then captain in the Sew
enth, of the murder of Maj. Brant, Sr
Hampton attempts to force a confession
from Slavin. Slavin insists it is Murphy
he wants, and Murphy had left In a
scuffie Slavin is killed by knife thrust
Hampton SurrenderS to Buck Mason,
marshal Mob attempts to capture him.
Mason and his prisoner escape to a hill
and defend themselves Mob lights fire
to burn them out Brant tells Nadia that
he loves her She tells him there is an
insurmountable barrier between them
but that she does not fully understand
it, Brant and his troop rescues Hampton
and Mason from the fires set by the
mob Brant carries the unconscious
gambler through the lines of fire
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1908-02-22

in his heart, leaped forward into the
seemingly narrow fringe of fire in his
front. Head down, he ran blindly,
stumbling forward as he struck the
ore-dump, and beating out with his
hands the sparks that scorched his
clothing. The smoke appeared to roll
higher from the ground here, and the
coughing soldier crept up beneath it,
breathing the hot air, and feeling as
though his entire body were afire-
Mason, his countenance black and I'M
recognizable, his shirt soaked with
blood, peered into his face.
Hell, amt it,'' he sputtered, but
you're a dandy, all right
is Hampton dead?"
Il reckon not Got hit bad, though"
Brant cast one glance into the
white, unconscious face of his rival,
and acted with the promptness of mil
itary training.
Whip off your shirt, Mason, and tie
it around your face" he commanded.
Lively now.''
He bound his silk neckerchief
across Hampton's mouth. and lifted
the limp form partially from the
ground. Help me to get him up
There, that will do Now keep as
close as you can so as to steady him
if l trip. Straight ahead-run for it,''
They spranS directly into the iurid
flames, bending low. Brant's hands
grasping the inert form lying across
his shoulder They dashed stumbling
through the black, smouldering lane
beyond Halfway down this, the
ground yet hot beneath their feet, the
vapor sitting. but with clearer
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1908-02-22
CHAPTER XIII.


Totally exhausted, the two men
dropped their heavy burden on the
earth Mason swore as the blood be-
gan dripping again from his wound,
which had been torn afresh in his eff
forts to bear Hampton to safety. Just
below them mounted trooper caught
sight of them and came forward He
failed to recognize his officer in the
begrimed person before him, until
called to attention by the voice of
command.
Sims, if there is any water in your
canteen, hand it over Good; here,
Marshal, use this. Now, Sims, note
what l say carefully, and don't waste
minute Tell the first sergeant to
send a file of men up here with some
sort of litter, on the run. Then you
ride to the Herndon house-the yellow
house where the roads fork, you re-
member-and tell Miss Nadia ellis
tdon't forget the name) that Mr..
Hampton has been seriously wounded,
and We are taking him to the hotel
Can you remember that?'
Yes, sir"
Then off with you, and don't spare
the horse
He was gone instantly, and Brant
began bathing the pallid, upturned
face.
You'd better lie down, Marshal, -
he commanded. You're pretty weak
from loss of blood, and 1 can do all
there is to be done until those fell
lows get here"
Ins Is minutes they appeared, and
fveS minutes later they were toiling
slowly down to the valley, Brant walk
ing beside his still unconscious rival.
Here and there down the street, but
especially about the steps of the Occi-
dental, were gathered the discounted
vigilantes, busily discussing the affair,
and cursing the watchfuI, silent
guard. AS these caught sight of the
little party approaching there were
shouts of derision. The sight and
sound angered Brant
Carry Hampton to his room and
summon medical attendance at once"
he ordered. Il have a word to say to
those fellows
Seeing Mr.. Wynkoop on the hotel
porch, Brant said to him: Miss
Spencer informed me that you saw
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1908-02-22
CHAPTER xxlI.-continued.

Il really would enjoy accommodate
ing you, Cotton" he said, coolly, feel
ing much more at ease, but / never
fight personal battles with such fell
lows as you. And now, you other
men. it is about time you woke up to
the facts of this matter. A couple of
hundred of you chasing after two
men, one an officer of the law doing
his sworn duty, and the other inno-
cent of any crime. | should imagine
you would feel proud of your job"
Innocent? He'll"
That is what 1 said. You fellows
have gone off half-cocked-a mob gen
orally does. Both Miss Spencer and
Mr.. Wynkoop state positively that
they saw the real murderer of Red
Slavin, and it was not Bob Hampton
The men were impressed by his evil
dent earnestness, his unquestioned
courage. Several voices spoke almost
at once.
is that right"
''Oh. say, 1 saw the fellow with his
hand on the knife"
After we git the chap. well give
them people chance to tell what
they know
Brant's keenly attentive ears heard
feet.
I rather think you will he said.
confidently, his voice ringing out with
sudden authority.
He stepped back, lifted a silver
whistle to his lips, and sounded one
sharp, clear note. There was a grow
ing thunder of hoofs, a quick, manly
cheer, a crashing through the under
brush. and squad of eager troopers,
half-dressed but with faces glowing
in anticipation of trouble, came gal
Looping up the slope. swinging out into
line as they advanced. their carbines
cleaning in the sunlight. 1t was
prethly. sharply performed, and their
officers face frightened.
Very nicely done, Watson he
said to the expectant sergeant DE
ploy your men to left and right. and
clear out those shooters Make q
good job of it, but no firing unless
yen have to- 81
The troopers went at it as If they
enjoyed the task. forcing their FESTIVE
horses through the thickets. and
roughly handling more than one who
ventured to question their authority.
Yet the work was over in less time
than it takes to tell. the discounted
regulators driven pell-mell down the
hill and back into the town, the eager
cavairymen halting only at the COM
mand of the bugle. Brant, confident
of his first sergeant in such emergen-
c., merely paused lops enough to
watch the men deploy. Id then press
ed straight up the his: alone and on
foot. That danger TO the besieged
was yet imminent was very evident.
The black spiral of smoke had be-
come an enveloping cloud. spreading
rapidly in both directions from its
original starting point. He arrived
finally where the ground was charred
black and covered with wood ashes,
still hot under foot and smoking. but
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1908-02-22

Ffe Elk FITS ripe Whit tne OfocF.
sound, which shot proved fatal. His
death was deeply regretted, as he was
widely known and very popular in the
cid First division, and was a most
capable and valuable officer. He had
seen service in the old country, and l
believe was a Hungarian.
Another incident recurs to me as
happening on this same expedition.
On the evening of the second day out
Lieut.. Robert Ayres, adjutant of the
Nineteenth United States, was cap
tured while posting pfckets and taken
before Gen. Wheeler at his quarters on
listed MAN in the company of en-
gineers stationed at West Point, while
Wheeler was cadet at the military
academy Wheeler recognized Ayres,
and treated him In tine most friendly
manner. Ayres, at the time he was
brought before Wheeler. had in the in
side pocket of hrs coat an order from
division headquarters which would
have given Wheeler valuable informa-
ton as to the number of federal troops
on the, advance and the route to be
taken Wheeler handed his prisoner a
pipe and invited him to take smoke.
Ayres took the pipe and turned around.
order, folded it into a narrow strip.
lit his pipe with it and threw the
remnant into the flames.
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1908-02-22

breaths of air blowing in their faces,
Brant tripped and fell. Mason beat
out the smouidering sparks in his
clothing. and assisted him to stagger
to his feet cnce more Then together
they bore him slowly Dc below the
first fire-line
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1908-02-22

Many man thinks he Is conscien-
tious. when he il only self-conscssu<-
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1908-02-22
Good. for Once

Ma-Johnny got home from school
an hour earlier than usual today
Pa-Why, was he seEt away
Ma-No. he just wasn't kent ip.-.
Cleveland Leader
Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1908-02-22
A Common siqht.

The Lady-Why didn't you speak TO
me on the car yesterday?
The Mani didn't think you saw me-
The Lady-Why, I stuck out my
tongue and made all kinds of faces at
yous
The Man-Oh, is that what you
were doing? l thought you were adj
justing your veil-Cleveland Leader.