davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-12-31
CHICAGO.

The general state of trade teStifes
to well-sustained recovery. although
new demands in the heavy industries
dc not appear with the promptness ex-
pected. This delay does not detract
from the outlook, as the requirements
are known to be accommodating Trad
ing defaults again are large, but the
volume of payments through the banks
makes a gratifying exhibit. Retail ac
tivity in Christmas and general mer-
chandise would be of ampler proper
lions were the weather more seaSOnable
Early buying, however, has been I'M
usually strong and the prospects
brighten for a satisfactory aggregate.
Interior advices indicate that stocks I'M
dergo rapid depletion, and this has in
duced frequent recorders. Wholesale
lines have a rather light house trade,
as expected at this time, and attention
is now given to inventories. Mail or
ders for spring and summer wares
show increases.
Failures reported in the Chicago dis
trict number Al, against 40 last week,
% in 1907, and % in 1906. Those with
liabilities of more than $1,000 number
IS, against 13 last week, u in 1907,
and in 1906.-Dun's Review of Trade.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-12-31
CASTR0'S MEN BUSTED.
Vice President Gomez Forms Own
Government.

Vice President J. Vicente Gomez, to
whom General Cipriano Castro handed
over the presidency on his departure
for Europe, has established a new gov
eminent ~in Venezuela. He has re-
placed the old ministry, the leader of
which was DR.. Jose de Jesus Paul, min
lister of foreign affairs, who has been
the one figure outside of Castro him
self in the negotiations that eliminated
in the OuSting of Minister de EeuS and
the severance of diplomatic relations
with Holland. with a new BODY of men
who represent various factions in the
state and who have figured prominent
~ in various ways in the political his
tory of the country.
Not only has DR.. Paul disappeared
from the counsels OF the nation, but
Dr.. BaldO. who now is travelling in
CaStro's suite abroad, also has been re-
moved from his official position as min
lister of education. Secret advices re-
ceived from Caracas, where the strict
est censorship is being observed, indi-
cate that the whole of Venezuela has
been in a ferment ever since President
Castro sailed, and that the crisis was
reached a few days ago when it be-
came necessary for Acting President
Gomez to take decisive steps, which he
did by eliminating from his cabinet
those who were closely affiliated with
the Castro rule and under the Castro
domination
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-12-31
MISSOURI GUSTS OIL TRUST.
Standard of Indiana, Republic and
Waters-Pierce Fined $4,000 Each.

Declaring that the Standard Oil Com
pany of Indiana, the Republic Oil Com
pany of Ohio and the Waters-Pierce Oil
Company of Missouri had conspired and
combined to mOnopoliZe the oil bust
ness in the State, the Supreme Court
of Missouri has issued a decree GUST
ing all three from the commonwealth
and filming them $4,000 each.
The decree against the WaterPierce
company is tempered by the prOvisO
that it may continue in business if by
Jan. II, 1909, it can show to the court
that it has taken steps to operate as
an Independent concern and has salts
fed the judgment against it. The other
companies are given until March 1,
1909, to wind up their affairs in the
State.
The decision, which was unanimous
on the part of the seven judges. and
was written by Judge Woodson, is so
sweeping that Attorney General Hadley
and Governor Folk hail it as the end
of illegal commercial combinations in
Missouri, and the former asserts that,
in conjunction with the decision OF the
Supreme Court of the United States in
the tobacco trust case, it will affect sim
liar suits in other States.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-12-31
PHTIC C&.h
@DLITlelANS

AT st. Louis prominent Populists. who
had been led into the Democratic ranks
and other radicals in that party were call
ed to conference to plan united action
through a radical political party, to es-
tablish the rule of the people.
Congressman Theodore E. Burton of
Ohio las been tentatively offered the sec
rctaryship of the treasury, in Tafts cab
met, but has not decided whether he will
accept. His friends in Ohio want him
TO be a candidate for the Senate.
J. j. Sullivan of Columbus, who was
appointed judge of the Nebraska Supreme
Count by Gov. Sheldon, has filed his res
ienation. Gov. Sheldon accepted the res
ignatlon. Judge Sullivan took the oath
of Office and served one. day, He declined
to issue a statement explaining his resig-
nation.
The statement of the expense account
of Robert NJ. La Follette's presidential
campaign committee has been filed at
Madison by Alfred 7. Rogers, law part
ner of Senator La Toilette and member
of the Republican national committee.
According to the statement contributions
aggregating S17629.1O were received TO
carry on the campaign of La Toilette for
nomination for the presidency, and an
equal amount was expended
The announcement that President
Roosevelt had insisted upon the immedi-
ate appointment of John d. Pringle. edi-
tor of the Labor World at Pittsburg. to
be appraiser of that port, with a $4,000
salary, has disturbed the regular Repub-
lican leaders of that part of the State.
DR.. Charles P. Neill, commissioner of
labor, in a short time will be reappointed
to his present position by President koose-
welt DR.. Neill was made commissioner
Of labor by President Roosevelt in sue
cession of Prof. Carroll D. Wright. who
accepted the position of president of Clark
university at Worcester, Mass.
Chairman Hitchcock of the Republican
national committee will name the chair
man of the committee to have charge or
tac ceremt MES at the ina1gura ton of Mr..
Taft.
Indiana gave Taft a plurality of TO-,
T31: Kansas gave him 81, 957. South Car
DINA is as strongly Democratic as ever.
1t gave Bryan 2,2S9 votes and Taft only
3,S47.
Labor union men have made a strong
nlea to have W. w. Williams retained
as State labor commissioner of Mime
sofa. but Gov. johnson has refused to re-
consider his order appointing w. E. Nc
Even of Duluth in Williams place.
Treasurer Sheldon of the Republican
finance committee filed at Albany the list
of 1880 contributors to the Taft cam
paign fund, showing the total amount of
their contributions to have been 81 ,035,-
36S.27. In addition to this there was
collected and turned over to the different
State committees for local use, $500, $50.
The largest single contribution was S11O,-
600, given by G. P. Taft, brother Of the
President-elect. In the $4,000 class are
Andrew Carnegie and ]. 2. Morgan. Pres
ident Roosevelt is down for 81 900.
Daniel j. Keefe of Detroit, president
of tne Longshoremen's Union. has been
appointed commissioner of immigration by
President Roosevelt.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-12-31
NEW YORK.

Holiday trade shows further expan-
sion and most cities report buying Of
this character equal to or slightly in
excess of last years. In some sections,
particularly in the South. holiday trade
rs not so good as in 1907 The larger
centers are doing well and armies of
shoppers are in evidence. but many
small cities report a relatively light
business and demand shifting to cheap
er lines.
In regular retail lines unSeaSonably
warm weather has been Il drawback.
Wholesale trade is quieter. except for
some hurry orders to sort up depleted
stocks.
Inventories and stock takingS vat
now till after Jan. l. Reports from
leading industries are of gradual gains
and slow progress back to normal.
There are some orders for steel rails
from railroads, and the tin plate mills
are buster; there is a better supply Of
water in New England and paper mills
are running more freely: Eastern shoe
manufacturers report three months or
ders ahead, and there is more demand
for lumber. some of this on account of
railroad buying, with firmer prices for
yellow pine.
Business failures in the United
States for the week ending Dec II
number 80, against 29S last week. 500
in the like week of 1907. DIT in 1906,
go in 1905 and 249 in 1904 Business
failures in Canada for the week num-
Der 81, against 90 last week and 40 in
this week of 1907.--Bradstreets Com
mercial Report.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-12-31
Friday.
SATURDAY..

Cupid joined 567S fewer Chcagoans
in 1908 than fell victims to his wiles in
the twelve months preceding.
In view of 800 curb brokers, II. B.
Suydam was shot in struggle with an
inventor in his Office in New York City,
following a demand for money.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-12-31
TRADE AND INDUSTRY.

Bank Superintendent Schaefer of Min
nesota asks for two additional examiners
at a cost of $4,000 a year.
The Southern States Association Of
Commissioners Of Agriculture has united
with the manufacturers and feed dealers
to secure uniform laws governing stock
foods.
Seyenty-ive of the principal theaters
between Chicago and San Francisco have
now been brought into the theatrical syn
dictate controlled by Klaw & Erlanger.
The city council of Marshailtown, Iowa.
has taken up the war begun some time
ago by Mayor Ingledue on the local light
company and has under consideration an
ordinance reducing the price of gas to
81 per thousand feet.
The Leonidas, a new mine near Eve
leth, has begun shipping ore. twenty-six
cars having been sent out The amount
of ore in prospect in this mine, as report
ed by its owners to the State tax commits
sion, is 4,324, 382 tons.
The First National and National City
banks of New York, the former controll-
ed by Morgan and the latter by Rookie
Teller, are to be associated in the public
Offering of a $75,OOO,0OO Brazilian loan,
to finance the coffee valorization scheme
projected by the State of Saopaulo of
Brazil. As security, 100000 bags of
coffee stored here and abroad, worth ST.
600 600. will be named. Saopaulo agreed
to engage in no further coffee corners
during the life of the bonds, which extend
to 1919. bearing interest at per cent.
Comptroller of the Currency Murray,
in his annual report says that the bank
ing power of the United States is ST..
GAP, 7O5,274
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-12-31
MAIL FINES ABOLISHED.
Railroads Expect to Save Money as
Result of Federal Order

Thousands of dollars will be saved to
the railroads of the United States annu-
ally on account of the new order issued
by the Postmaster General. 1t eliminates
from the regulations of the department
governing the transportation of mails the
requirement that the roads shall be fined
for failure to maintain schedules on mail
trains. The order also provided that the
roads no longer shall be required to make
out and forward to Washington the vol
luminous monthly reports showing in de-
tail the full performance of each mail
train that is delayed over thirty minutes
at any point on its route. The order
was received with great satisfaction by
the railroad officials, who long have con-
tended that the regulations of the Postal
Department were unreasonable.
Heretofore a fine Of 10 per cent of the
earning capacity of a mail train, based
on its contract remuneration, has been i'm
posed on the road for delay of thirty
minutes or over at any point on its route,
the fine being based on the distance trav-
eled while the train was that amount be-
hind its schedule
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-12-31

given under a guard of half a dozen
militiamen with drawn revolvers, While
squad of other militiamen with
loaded rifles were stationed in the
court room. Fehringer entered the
court room under a guard OF
troops. cool and apparently thought
less of his danger, while the crowd in
the room strained toward him anu was
restrained with difficulty, even under
the guns of the militiamen. The Sc
crets, oaths, passwords, leaders name,
as well as the places and times of meet
ings of the marauder bands were eX-
posed in full by the witness before he
left the witness stand. He positively
identified four of the eight men on trial
as members of the band that murdered
Captain Rankin and implicated all of
them. Judge Jones presided at the trial.
Fehringer stated that there were
thirty-fiye masked men in the party
that made the assault on the two men.
1--WE took them out and walked them
up the slough. Garrett Johnson talked
to them and said that every time he
thought of their taking money from us
and using it to buy shares in the COM
pany we were fighting he felt like
shooting them. When we got to the
tree we threw the rope over the limb.
AS the rope was pulled Bob Huffman
shot him. Several more shots followed.
and Mr.. Taylor, who had been sitting
there, jumped into the slough. We
shot at him and | struck match to
see if l could find him. Some one took
stick and poked around in the water.
We thought he must be dead"
The cruel whipping of Mrs. Emma
Johnson, because she would not drop
the divorce suit against her husband.
was also told by Fehringer. Without
a show of emotion he told how the
woman was dragged from her home and
dashed until she was unconscious
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-12-31

The cooperation of all hospitals in New
York is sought in the establishment OF a
clearing house for the sick
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-12-31
\QZzZ9 &MUS/
9P95RT

Milwaukee is after the next bowling
congress and looks good to get it.
Percy Houghton has been elected foot
ball coach at Harvard for another two
years.
James r. Keene was the largest winner
on the American turf this season. He
won S2S2,075.
Cornell's track team will meet the Ma
rooms on an indoor track at the Bartlett
gymnasium this winter.
Tommy Burns, the Canadian, is not
only champion heavyweight fighter, but
he is champion of all weights as a inan-
cier.
The most profitable race horse in the
United States this season was Sir Martin.
He captured stakes to the value of SIS.-
$50.
In the relay run from New York TO
Washington nearly 1000 boys carried a
silver tube containing message from
Rudolph Foster to President Roosevelt.
Patsy Donovan, who has been let 20
as manager of the Brooklyn National
League team, will in all probability be
appointed manager of the Boston club
next year.
Fred Bradley of Boston was knocked
out in the fourth round of a boxing bout
with Al Kubiak of Grand Rapids, Mich.
at the West End Athletic Club in Phila-
delphia. He became unconscious and was
hurried TO a hospital
Mordecai Brown has gone to work as a
BUYER in the Chicago stock yards. The
three-hngered pitching wonder says he will
some day be out of baseball and wants
a profession to fall back upon.
Christy Mathewson, the famous New
York Giant, will coach the Harvard pitch
which have been under way for some time
have practically been completed.
Prospects for the resumption of boxing
in Chicago were shattered when Chief
of Police Shippy caused the arrest of prin-
ciuals and promoters of boxing match
given in the Illinois Boxing Club a few
days ago.
Walter Stefen, football ideal of the
University of Chicago and captain OF the
championship team that defeated Wiscon-
sin. was given the greatest demonstration
ever accorded a Midway athlete. The
demonstration was arranged at Handel
hall. where Steffen was presented with a
gold watch purchased by the student body.
c. X. G. Billings of Philadelphia, who
was once leader in Speedway sport and
occupied a very prominent position in
amateur road drivers and matinee circles.
has turned his attention to the use OF
horses. all trotters. under saddle for pleas
ure riding. and for this purpose he now
owns several of the best race trotters in
the country.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-12-31

TO be Jean Maths, a cafe waiter, "a
years old and a native of the depart
ment of SavOie. Medals of General
MERCER. the former Minister of War;
stamps bearing the head of the Duke
of orleans, a card of membership in
the Patrie Franchise and other Royal
list documents were found on his per-
son. During the examination Maths
boosted of being a Royalist and talked
confusedly Of having done his duty
and obeyed the dictates of his 'con
science" Quantities of Royalist reac-
tionary literature were found by the
police when they ransacked his resi-
dence.
The investigation reveals the fact
that Maths was in close relation with
the ROyalist organization, and this
gives color to rumors that he was the
instrument of a Royalist plot. Serious
evidence in this direction. however is
lacking up to the present time. and It
is more likely that he is only a crack
Drained individual seeking notoriety.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-12-31
FIRE IN NEW YORK THEATER.
Herald Square Playhouse Burns
Shortly After Audience Leaves.

Shortly After Audience Leaves.
Just after the curtain went down
on the last act of The Three Twins"
at the Herald Square Theater in New
York Tuesday night smoke began pour
ing from the wall back of the first bal
cony. There was q cry of fire and a
confused rush for the exit doors by
about 200 men and women left in the
house, who were standing in front of
their seats arranging wraps and coats.
They all got out safely, but not a mo-
ment too soon, for about three min
utes after the alarm flames burst
through the wall back of the balcony
and swept across the balcony seats. In
ten minutes more the whole rear part
of the theater, from orchestra to gal
lery, was ablaZe.
At midnight the fire was about under
control, but the theater was practically
Quilted. All the auditorium part was
gone and the flames had penetra ted
into the section back of the stage. The
girl members of the company were the
ittcI W ICtNC IlC DldCS hCOIllc VI Lutll
fed to Broadway and to Both street in
their costumes and ran into adjoining
buildings. Bessie Mccoy, the star,
tainted on the stage when she saw the
flames break through the balcony wall
Some of the other dancers carried her
off.
Had the fire burst through into the
balcony ten minutes sooner or even five
minutes, there might have been terrible
loss of life. But most of the audience
of 1000 or so of men and women were
out of the theater or in the lobby lead
ing to Broadway when the cry of fire
arose.
Lee Shubert, one of the lessees of
the Herald Square Theater, said that
the damage was about $4,000 to the
building and $4,000 to the interior.
The properties and scenery of THE
Three Twins" We're not injured
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-12-31
TORN BY GRAFT ARRESTS.
Conspiracy and Corruption in Deals
Involving Pittsburg City Funds.

Seven members of the Finance Com
mittee of Councils, including the presi-
dent of the Common Council, were ar
rested in Pittsburg charged with con-
splracy, corrupt solicitation and brib-
cry. The accuser is Tensard De Wolfe,
secretary of the Civic League of Ale
gheny County. which has been aiding
Mayor Guthrie in gathering evidence.
The accused are William Brand. presi-
dent of the Common Council: Jacob
Soffel, Jr., Hugh Ferguson. Captain
John T. Klein, w. H. Melaney, Joseph
c. WATSON and T. Oils Atkinson. All
are members of the Common Council
except Atkinson, who is a member of
the Select Council.
Informations were also made against
President W W. Ramsey and A. A.
Vilsack, cashier of the German Ma
tional Bank, by De Wolfe, charging
them with conspiracy. Mr.. Vilsack was
arrested and his brother furnished
$4,000 bail. President Ramsey was ar
rested also. 1t is alleged that the Ger
man National Bank gave the members
of the Common Council S17,50O.
WATSON, Soffel, Klein and Brand are
members of the Common Council known
as The Big Six" They have been OBJ
structing legislation.
So great a stir was caused by the
arrest that the boards of directors OF
a number of banks were called irto
extra session to conceal the banks
which are to be charged with bribing
the Finance Committee in order to be
selected as depositaries This is one of
the charges which will create the great
est stir because the banks will undoubt-
edly be dragged into the trials.
The charges against the seven men,
stripped of legal phraseology, are as
follows: That they offered brides to
obtain and influence the votes of num-
Der of members of the Select and Com
mon Council to secure the passage of
certain ordinances designating the de-
positaries for the funds of the city
bridge ordinances, bond ordinances for
freeing bridges, ordinances for filter
beds. the Heberton Street Railway or
dinance, resolution to pave Fourth ave
nue. with wood blocks and other resolu-
lions. The informations say the charges
referred to cover a period of two years.
The amounts of money the members of
the Council are said to have received
are fabulous. They are alleged to have
held up all city legislation against May
or Guthrie.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-12-31
ALL AROUND THE GLOBE.

Three men held up the East Side Bank
at Portland, Ore, and took $4,000.
Prof. W. ]. Knapp, formerly connected
with the University of Chicago, is dead
in Paris, France.
A library on the labor movement. own
ed by the late Henry d. Lloyd of Chi
cago. has been presented to the University
of Wisconsin.
Miners and operators of the Kanawha
field in West Virginia failed to reach an
agreement on Il wage scale at their con-
ference in Charleston.
Rupert Higgins. son of the director of
the Covent Garden Opera Company. Lon
don. was hurt in taxicab collision in
New York.
Dr. Simon Flexner of the Rockefeller
institute. New York. announced he had
discovered remedy to render man i'm
mune to tuberculosis.
Il. s. Balestier, a brother-in-law of
Rudyard Kipling, was not arrested at
Brattleboro, VT, as reported. but was
sued in civil case.
In the letter to the mining congress at
Pittsburg f. II. Hartman asserts that a
rev TlCH ihSh uo uoL OWN Ine fallr0auS
of the United States
Irvine Linehan ended an unhappy life
of twenty-five years by hanging himself in
his cell at the Harlem prison. New York.
He had been arrested. charged with burg
larry.
Fire of unknown origin broke out in
the three-story business block of Floyd
Teter at Belington. ". Va, in which are
the department store of A. Lazarus and
other business houses. Loss $4,000.
Col Silas McBee is said to be ready
to relinquish all claims on the property
of Mrs Baker Z. Edwards. formerly
Miss Sophie Harrison, at Buck Shoals,
n. c., for $500 Mrs. Edwards is said
to be opposed to a settlement on such
terms.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-12-31
EXTRA SESSION DATE.
Practically Decided to Call the New
Congress on March IS.

March 10 is the date upon which
Congress will be called in extraordinary
session by President Taft to revise the
tariff, according to unofficial advices.
The sixtieth Congress will expire by
constitutional limitation on March f.
1t is the expectation that Immediately
following his Inauguration President
Taft will issue proclamation conven-
ing the new Congress in special session.
Republican leaders believe, according
to a Washington correspondent. that
the new Congress will sit until late in
the summer While the tariff revision
bill to be reported to the House may be
passed in that body early in April, its
consideration in the Senate will be
marked by more mature deliberation.
It is believed that many weeks will be
consumed in debate upon the measures
in the Senate.