davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-23
THUNDERBOLT STROKE
A RARE OCCURRENCE

It is ten times more likely that you
VIII be burned or scalded 10 death than
that you will be slain by a thunderbolt.
80 say the statisticians. Yet fear of
lightning received the heaviest percent
age in a recent census Of fears taken IL
Europe. Men, like animals, are more
likely to be struck when standing in
groups than when alone, and they are
more likely to be struck VIII en- under a
tree or beside barbed-wire fence than
anywhere else. More than half the per
sons killed by lightning were under
trees when struck.
The great depression suffered Just be-
fore a thunderstorm is due to the fall
ure OF the nervous system 20 respond
quickly to the rapidly varying electrical
Potential OF the air and the quickly
changing conditions of temperature, hui
nudity and pressure. Lightning photo
graphs on the skin, where red figures
appear representing ferns and trees in
intricate form, often show themselves
after lightning stroke. These forms
nave given rise &c ideas regarding the
reproduction OF scenes in the neighbor-
ing landscape, and they have been re-
Gently explained by Prof. Elmer Gates,
or washington. He allowed electric
sparks TO impinge upon Photographic
plates, and has reproduced these figures
IN what ne terms electrographs, some
OF them showing beautiful fernlike
forms.
BY aid Of surveying instruments ar
ranged at two stations connected telc-
phonically there were measured a num-
Der OF thunder heads. which were COM
pared with other class Of clouds and
found TO be by far the largest Of all
vaporous forms floating in the atmos-
phere. Several were seven miles and
more IN height, the apexes touching
points ten miles above tae earth. At
least one thousand million volts is said
TO be required to send lightning from
thunder head a mile high.-Exchange
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-23
Another Object Lesson in Gas
EXtOrtiOn.

Today's object lesson in the meth
DDS of the Gas Monopoly comes to
The Times in the form of a letter
from a Washington business man
who has had experience. The case
parallels SO closely another ex'
ample Of extortion which was re
GENTLY exposed in these columns
that it seems to enforce the con
clusion that the gas companies
make a regular business Of thus
holding up defenseless customers
whenever they don't show fl Mt, and
of dropping the effort whenever
they act ugly about it.
S. W. Pierce, of Vienna. Va, a
former Washingtonian, told in an
interview how the gas company
tried to hold him up for the gas
bills of another man, charged TO the
property rented by Mr.. Pierce. II
was not till Mr.. Pierce started a
damage suit against the gas com
pany that the latter dropped its eff
fort to extOrt; then, in its anxiety
to avoid a legal proceeding of the
sort, the company paid Mr.. Pierce
the damages he asked and furnish
ed him q high-class article of
apology.
Today's case is rather worse than
that of Mr.. Pierce. It is the case of
the Gas MonC poly trying 70 steal
peoples deposi s which are required
TO be made before gas may be turn
ed on, and compromising that effort
in petty parceny by forcing them
at the same time to pay gas arrear-
ages left by other people, before
the supply of gas can be secured
The letter tells its own story:
Editor Times: The communication from
s. W. Pierce, OF Vienna, Va, con-
corning his experience with the Gas
Company, when he resided N this city
some years ago, IS almost parallel
case with my own; the difference beIng
that when l removed from ny former
residence-where had been paying
regular monthly gas bills for several
years-I notified the company that
WIS about to vacate the house. ard
asked for the deposit I had advanced
they asked for the dePOsit receipt. ard
which had got misiaid or lost, and
consequently being unable 70 produce
il they refused 10 pay back the cash
which was my due at final settlement.
Now the question naturally arises, do
they keep their books correct, and II
50. why DO they insist upon receipt
so liable TO be lost in years Of timer
Upon moving . another section Of Ire
city, I found tlat I would need gas
again and applied to the company for
II IN my new proposed location. but was
told by them that there was an unpaid,
back gas bill due from the former &C.
cupant, and they refused to turn on the
Gas unless 1 would pay 1t or sign an
agreement TO that effect
This Of course, I refused to do, or
to advance another and additional do
post. and 50 notified the owner OF the
house that I would not rent It under
such conditions; SO, rather than have
the house stand unOccupiec the prOprle-
tor paid the back gas bill. So seeing
that l was determined to stand by my
rights and not be bluffed into paying
others bills, they turned on the gas
without insisting upon another extra
and additional deposit, although the
monthly charges have been exceedingly
high and irregular, varying from 81
To 81 per month, I. A H
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-23
SECURING COAST
FOR MEN IN WRECK
Boatload of Passengers Dis
appears When Vessels
Collide.

ROTTERDAM, Jan 23.-Boats are
securing the Holland coast for d missing
boat load OF passengers, that disap-
peared when the Great Eastern rail-
ways steamship Amsterdam was
beached, following a collision with the
British steamship Administer in a fog
of Nieuwe waterwedge Tuesday night
The Amsterdam's passeLg ger list was
lost, ana It is consequently impossible
to tell just how many are missing. The
vessel is believed to have carried about
sixty men. women. and children. be-
sides the crew, and the lost boat is be-
Iieved to have had about twenty aboard.
Of whom the majority were passengers
and a few women
The Administer was net badly dam
aged in the crash, but the Amsterdam
suffered so severely that it put in at
once toward Maassluis and was run
ashore.
The Administer was bound from Rot
terdam for New York.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-23
DoCKSTADER'S MINSTRELS
COMING TO NATIONAL

Lew Dockstader Will be in washing
ton next week with a aii1strel show
that is said to surpass anything he
has ever offered. This is net 30 much
in point OF numbers, special scenery, or
other appurtenances. but it is In the
special features Of his production this
season. Doekstader himself is appear
ing in a playlet called a Dull Day in
the White House" The minstrel runs
the Government for d single day and
his telephone communications with
other centers Of political activity are
said TO evoke screams Of laughter. Neil
O'Brien comes forward with another
feature this year, appearing IN a playlet
called "QuIck Lunch" He also has a
song to take the place OF his famous
Mandy" song. It Is called Bother
Nothin' -
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-23
wine, Woman, and Song

Mortimer NJ. Theses Wine, Woman
and Song" company. which contributed
so largely TO New YOrk's merriment
for more than 800 performances last
season. will be tho Offering at the Ma
Jestic next week. The scenic and cleo
trical effects are said to be magnificent.
The piece is fun OF tuneful music,
catchy songs, bright lyrics and witty
dialogue and keeps the audience in one
continuous round OF laughter. The
Broadway Quartet" and the original
American Pony Pallet" are the fea-
lures Of the attraction. The usual
matinees viii be ven on Monday, We'd
nesday and Stature v.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-23
NEGLIGENCE At FIRE
PUNISHED BY CHIEF

Because he failed to get a stream os
water on the fire at PrObeys Company's
carriage repository, 3443 Prospect avenue
northwest. January Z. Lieut.. E T.
Martin. Of Truck Company No. 5, will be
deprived by the Commissioners Of his
day eff for a period Of ninety days. re-
duced four numbers in rank. and warned
to give more attention u his duty
According to Chief Belt. this fire re-
suited IN damages amounting TO s., 80.
and had Lieutenant Martin performed
his duty properly, a great deal OF dam
age would have been averted
Negligence Of this kind, said the
chief, constitutes a serious offenSs and
cannot be overlooked. In fact Il would
warrant dismissal"
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-23
aDeadwood Dick, at Academy.

AZ last the hero OF our boyhoOd days
has found his way to the stage, and
when ''Deadwood Dicks Last Shot, -
which is to be the next attraction at
the New Academy, comes to town, We
will have a CHARGE to form his acquaint-
anCe again. This time Dick IS sur
rounded by a number Of new characters.
lOvable and otherwise. in an entirely
original melOdrama. The production Is
by A. II. Woods. The play, which IS
eight see mes. ''Oeadwood Dick figures
IN a number of hair-breadth adventures
and escapes.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-23
Partisan Widows at GaHsrH.

The attraction at the Gayety next
week will be Weber s. Rush's famous
Partisan Widows company, who will
present big, bright musical comedy.
entitled Stolen Sweets" in two acts.
together with a good oliO. Stolen
Sweets is said to be filed to the brin
with song hits. musical speciaIties and
good, wholesome comedy situations,
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-23
yankee Doodle Girls.D

T. ". Dinkins' Yankee Doodle Girls"
viii be the attraction at the New
Lyceum next week, and very delight
full form OF amusement is promised In
the two musical playIets that are pre-
sented. The costumes are all said to be
new and comfortable, and the feminine
contingent above the average in good
looks.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-23

It is said that some men can make
fortunes out Of the sale OF dead horses.
II remains to be seen whether Repre-
sentative Maynard OF Virginia is an
equal success with the jamestown Ex-
position.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-23

These are hard d. ys for the followers
or Thespis. Down South they lynch EN-
II the show doesn't measure up 10 all
that is claimed for 1t by the press agent.
IN Kansas City they indict 'ern II they
appear on Sunday. and now in Evans
vile. Ind. they have 70 present a GER
tificate OF morality from Anthony Com
stock.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-23
20 Conceit ID Manner.

He adopts no conceited manner merely
because he has smudged out the radi-
RnCe OF the rainbow, He does not arise
on the floor Of the House and yell
loudly with glee because he has robbed
the flowers OF their beauty
Verify. the man who made the ties of
James Francis Burke could paint the
lily, gid refined gold and teach the red
oest rose how 70 bloom.
And the House OF Representatives,
knowing all this. assemblies each day,
and viii not be comforted until its ex-
pectant eyes have been charmed with
the new revelation in cOlOrs beneath
the chin Of James Francis Burke.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-23
THE REcALCTTRANr FURNACE.

When father rises with the dawn,
Then there are lively goings on.
Our angry sire
Awakens all his kin end kith
The while he tolls ana wrestles with
The furnace fire.
Dad gives each knob a lusty shake,
Declaring he will later take
Proceedings dire
OF course. he gets his nerves awryk
It's tough 70 be defeated by
The furnace IRE.
The furnace IS a sturdy foe,
1t worries poor old father so
That In his ire
Some day he'll likely Take stand,
CO out and buy gas heaters. ana
The furnace fire!
Houston Chronicle.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-23

To save trouble il would be just as
wei to make any Job we pick out for
our ex-Presidents optional We can
conceive Of some ex-Presidents who
would rather run for President than
have any other job we could give them.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-23
NO HoUSEKEEpER.

so you're married, eh?'' said the old
friend OF the family. AZ hope you've got
a good housewife.
We'll" replied the young benedict,
she's only been a 'fashIonable-hotel-
wife so far, and l guess she hopes to
continue so. Philadelphia Press.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-23

1t is now In order for one Of those
maligners of women to declare it was
to be expected that two-faced cloth
would be popular with them.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-23
SLABS THE FACE
Of NAN He FINDS
CALLING ON WIFE
Windsor Mckay, Car
toonist, Objects to Race
HorSeman.

NEW YORK Jan. 23.-Sheepshead
Bay Gossiped yesterday over reports
that Windsor Mckay, a cartoonist. and
MS vile had separated and that the
artist WIS to sue William Muir. the
horseman. fer alienation of his wife S
affections. The report gained currency
several days ago, partly in consequences
OF an assault alleged 10 have been COM
mitted on Muir by disguised men as he
was leaving the Mckay cottage in East
Eighteenth street, near Voorhees, ave-
nue.
The McKays have lived in sheepshead
Bay several years. Mckay belongs to
local clubs. Mrs. Mckay IS a pretty
brunette OF French extraction. Both
are popular. They have two children.
little girl and Bob eleven, the orig
inal of Little Memo" The Muirs have
q cottage on Neck road. They have no
children.
"AIl Bosh," Says Mckay.
There Is no truth in that report. "
said Mckay last night at the Her
mitage on Broadway. Il have not sep
arated from my wife. nor have 1 any
idea OF suing Muir for alienation. It's
all bosh. 1 am living here because
was too much upset by gossip 70 work
at Sheepshead bay.
"Au there IS to the Whole story is
this, some nights ago / went home and
found Muir at the house. I slapped
the fellows face and ordered, him out.
lave been told ne was acting as
Mrs, Muir's racing commissioner. Too
much money, I thought. vas bet on the
horses.
I didn't hire anybody black up
and assault Muir after b left our
home. / don't believe an. BODY at
tackled him. Mrs. MuiF was with him
IN our house when / ordered him out. -
Mrs. Mckay was seen at Sheepshead
Bay in the company OF Mrs. Muir. She
made similar denials.
Just Because He CallsS,
Mr.. Mckay slapped Mr.. Mdrs face
and ordered him from our house." she
said. because he didn't think Muir
ought TO be calling on me while he was
away. Ny husband raised . rumpus.
It's all over"
Mrs. Muir said at her home:
My husband called at the MCKays to
show them a scandalous anonymous
letter w had received. There were III
the house at the time Mrs. Mckay, q
Mckay children.
1T is true that two bIacked-up men
assaulted my husband Just after he
came out Of the McKays. He gave
them both a good licking. though he
weighs only 131 pounds.
There's not the slightest speck Of
truth in the gossip about Mr. Muir and
Mrs. Mckay She IS my dearest friend.
She Is beyond suspicion. Mckay says
he's not jealous OF her. but / think he
is. / have tr!ed 10 see him twice since
the outbreak, but he has refused TO see
me"
No Record Of Assault.
The Sheepshead Bay police have no
record OF any assault on Muir on the
street by anybody, nor IS there any re-
port on the station house blotter of the
alleged unpleasantness at the Mckay
cottage. According 10 q report IL was
two hackmen rvhO. at somebody's be-
hest, set upon Muir.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-23

Talk about the finding OF that lost
cargo OF whisky fails to create much ex-
element II is too easy 10 find whisky
that hasn't been lost.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-23

If we can't have more policemen on
the force let put on some dogs.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-23

Mayor Mcclellan has decided to have
a public hose hearing. There is a good
deal OF hose IN New York that the
public can't help but hear unless II is
color blind.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-23

1t really makes no difference to US
whittier diamonds go up or como down.
We aover count the cost OF absolute
necessities.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-23

edge OF the lovely works of art that
abide at his throat for a day and then
give way 70 newer and greater glOries.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-23

of him, because he always has been
and always win be, world without
end
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-23
James Francis Burke Tie Star;
Change of Color Smart Thing
And a Joy to Nations Capital
Pittsburg Representative
JuggleS Scarfs That TWit-
ter Eyes of Congress.
From Delicate Lavender TO
Burnt Orange His
Fayorite Change.

Members Of the House have a new
delight.
They are basking in the sunshine Of
the ties that radiatei enulgence from
beneath the chin Of James Francis
Burke. Representative from Pittsburg.
James Francis Burke adorns himself
with neckwear that makes the gor-
geOusness OF the Gardens OF Paradise
seem dismal and sere. Beside his ties.
the splendors OF the rainbow pale and
fade away. lis crayats are a riot OF
color. They are living things that catch
and fasclHate and juggle the staring
eyes OF an admiring Congress.
No tint was born to blush unseen in
the ties OF James Francis Burke. No
color Is so elusive that the haberdasher
cannot capture il and imprison It to
decorate the space beneath Burke's chin.
No hue is so unusual that IL must not
dwell in the ties That are the despair
of the ~artIst and the wonder OF the
nation. They are dreams OF variety
and visions OF combinations to which
the key was never made. They remind
the spectator OF the glitter OF fine gold
that lies on the highways Of youth. OF
the soft splendor OF moonlight nights
IN Venice, OF the dreamy vistas Of green
forests, Of the flames that radiate from
the lannon's thunderoUs mouth, and OF
the lights that dance In the hearts OF
precious stones.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-23

Henpecked husbands won't find much
encoura gment in the fact that a woman
In New York was arrested and fined for
wearing trousers. The police clurht
her with the goods on.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-23
DIARY Of WOMAN
TELLS HER MOTIVE
FOR KILLING BRADY
Little Book, Like Mute
Witness, TeStifies of
Two Wrecked Lives.

NEW YORK. Jan g. Searching
through the trunks Of Mrs. Mary Rob
erts, who was known as May Roberts
Clark, and who yesterday shot young
Frank Brady, an advertising solicitor
for the New York Evening Telegram,
10 death in the restaurant OF r. II.
Mays department store and then
killed herself, the police have found a
diary kept by the woman, which shows
she had been driven desperate, first BY
a husband who was given 10 drink and
later by a man who had won her loIe
and whom she expected to marry her.
The woman's husband was John Rob
erts. a former policeman who later
owned a saloon on st. Nicholas avenue.
but WHO is now believed 70 have moved
away from New York. With her seven
year-Old step-son the woman calling
herself Mrs. May Roberts Clark had
been living at p West 131st street and
Il was while searching through the fat
that the police came upon the diary
with the story OF her love for her
victim.
Diary Told Whole Story.
The diary told Of The woman's despair
over her husbands conduct. She de-
cided TO sell her household furniture.
Accordingly, she went 10 a newspaper
office to arrange an advertisement Here
she met Brady. He helped her sell her
goods, then made love 20 her. She was
persuaded to leave her husband and
furnish a small fat Since 1903. the
woman wrote, she had practically sup
ported Brady. giving him money and
buying him clothes. Within the last
few months he was confronted by hts
promise TO marry her. He deserted her.
Mrs. Roberts then bought a revolver,
practiced until she was a proficient shot
and then set out on her deadly mission.
She left a win, providing for the pay
ment Of $3.50 a year TO her stepson, Ray
mOnd J. ROBERTS. until he IS fourteen
years old, when he is TO receive $500 a
year. What balance is left he IS 20 re-
ceive on becoming Of age. The estate
amounts 10 a little more than $500.
The viii showed Mrs. Roberts maiden
name to have been Mary Mclean.
Learns BTady's History.
The police also learned a good deal
about the history OF Brady. Two Yeas
ago he was arrested on complaint Of a
young Harlem girl that he had as
sauIted her. He spent several days in
the Tombs, and was then released on
81, 800 bail. HIS case has never been
tried. He had been living with his
mother az $40 st. Anae's avenue
The mother, an aged woman, has
known Of her sens ENHANCEMENT with
Mrs. Roberts or Clark but IL Is said
he persuaded his mother he was sim
ply being pursued by an insane woman.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-23

Paris has just discovered = woman
who weeps greenish-blue tears. Thaw
lawyers will please take notice.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-23

Memo. for strangers at the Capitol,
Don't take Mr.. Fosters elevator.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-23

Now you can tell Hughes whose. Tut
tut and likewise pish tush.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-23
From Lavender to Burnt Orange.

Today the tie OF James Francis Burke
is delicate lavender, the whisper borne
across summer fields from a garden OF
viOlets. Tomorrow It will be a burnt
orange, the reflection that dances on
laughing waves when the sun drops
below the horizon. Each day there Is
a change Sometimes il Is the green
that slumbers IN the heart Of the ocean.
Sometimes It IS the blue that writes It
self on tropical skies.
The procession is Ceaseless, ever
changing and never rnonotonous- The
cOlors chase themselves beneath the
chin OF Burke from day To day Ike
the figures on merT!r- gO-TOund.
Cerulean. crimson, red, yellow, white.
pink. scarlet, purple and.topsz. they race
in terrible fascination through the ses-
sion Of Congress.
They are an education in COlOrs.
James Francis Burke wears them
with admirable nonchulence. HIS face
does not Indicate that he has any knOwl-
Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1908-04-16
From Butler Herald.

Miss May Stevens is spending the
week in Webster.
G.. w. Butler went to Webster
Friday to see his grandson.
Chas. Buchele and George Bueh-
Ter were in Webster on business Sat
urday.
The Potter automobile was here
from Webster the last of the week.
s. l.. Potter was one of the passen-
gers.
A big prairie fire swept down over
the hills west of here for six miles
Saturday and destroyed tons of hay
and some buildings.
The Gebur boys were fishing and
hunting at Blue Dog lake this week
and brought home nice lot of fish
and game. The Weber brothers
were also at the lake this week.