davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-21
WRIGHT's OWN STORY.
He Can Not Understand the Accident
That Wrecked His Aeroplane.

New York, Sept. 21.-Orville Wright's
own story of the tragic fate which be-
fell his aeroplane at the FIT. Myer test
ing field resulting in the death of Lieu
tenant Selfridge and dangerous injuries
to Mr.. Wright himself is told in a dis
patch received in this city.
According to the story he is at a
loss to account for the real reason for
the fatal termination of what had
promised to be a record breaking flight
The immediate cause was plainly that
one of the propellers struck a guy rope,
he says, but he is unable even now, to
understand how it could have hap
pened.
Il knew it was dangerous to have
those propellers revolve so that they
would be likely to hit anything" said
he but We tried to make them hit be-
fore-tried to force them to hit. They
would not. They held plenty of clear
ance. 1 don't know how they hit that
time-how they came to get there. But
they did. Somehow that propeller and
the wire came together. The propeller
hit the wire twice-lightly, then hard
I heard it. I heard the crash. 1 did
not look back. I did not know what
was happening. Selfridge looked back
I saw him. 1 don't know what he
saw. I thought it was the transmits
sion that had given way. I thought
the propellers were ripping the ma
chine to pieces.
''Then we commenced to spin around.
That was the unbroken propeller urg-
ing us onward. lieut. off the propeller
pulled the cortland We lost head
way. The rudder was out of commits
sion. 1t must have swung to one side
-useless-as soon as the wire got loose
from the tail. We can't stay up with
out headway, so when the machine
swung around in a circle and the rud-
der would not work and the engine was
stopped thought it was grinding us
to pieces-I could not see-we began to
drop. I heard Selfridge say oh, Oh.
1 expected to right the machine. It
was falling edgewise. The only way to
get headw was to fall-we didn't fasi
far enough. 1t started to right Twen :
ty feet more-and it would have right
ed We did not have the twenty feet.
That's all.'' .-.--
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-21
TWO TOWNS BURN
Gagen and Woodboro, Wis.,, De-
strOyed by Fire.
1t Started in the Woods and Ad.
vanced Rapidly.
OVER 1000 PEOPLE
In Each Place Compelled t.
Flee for Life.
Many of the Inhabitants Not
Yet Accounted For.

Rhinelander. Wis, Sept. 21.-The
towns of Gagen and Woodboro were
destroyed by forest fires yesterday.
The fire started in the woods yester-
day morning and quickly reached those
towns. Men, women and children
fought valiantly to save their homes,
but without avail.
Gagen and Woodboro. each had
about 1000 residents and nearly all are
homeless.
Burned out of their homes the peo-
pie began fleeing from the fire which
grew more dangerous with each min
ute. women carrying children in their
arnas ana men and boys with packs on
thelr packs ran toward Rhinelander,
many falling PROSTATE in the heat. only
to be helped on by the stronger refu-
gees.
Nearly all of those burned out at
Gagen reached Rhinelander last night
and were cared for. But few of the
Woodboro people are here and it is not
known what has become of all of them.
The fire is a fresh one and not a con-
t1nuation of the fires which did so
much damage last week.
When the blaze started the wind was
from the west, and it was feared that
Rhinelander, with it's homes for 1000
PDA7OiS' was uoOmed also, but
change In the direction of the wind
probably has saved the city.
CltiZens have decided to ask Gov
ernor Davidson to order out the state
militia to assist in fighting the flames,
which because of the condition of the
dry woods threatens to destroy the
forest. 1t is feared the wind may
again shift and the mayor and chief
of police believe the danger to Rhine
lander is not yet over.
Hundreds of men have gone out from
the city to fight the flames, but reports
received from those returning say they
have made little progress.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-21
RAvAGED BY CHOLERA.
st. Petersburg Reports 155 Deaths in
Twenty-four Hours.

St. Petersburg, Sept. 21.-The cholera
continues to increase rapidly in ST.
Petersburg. The efforts of the auth
critics in stopping the sale of liquor
between Saturday and Monday and
the other preventive measures taken
have had but little if any effect in
checking the spread of the epidemic.
Between noon of Sunday and noon
of today the municipal hospitals re-
ported $50 cases and 155 deaths, and
the addition of the statistics from the
military and suburban hospitals for
this same period will swell this total
to truly formidable proportions. There
are "a cases of policemen alone in the
Saminoffsky military hospital
Dispatches received here from three
provinces report 48S new cases and POI
deaths in "a hours.
The police here today summarily
closed several restaurants that had vi
olated the order against the sale of
spirits.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-21
CRANE MAKES STATEMENT.
1t Is Designed to Set at Rest Rumors
Regarding Hitchcock.

Chicago. Sept. 21.-Senator Crane,
of Massachusetts, today made a state
ment which effectually disposed of
the widely published story that his
visit to western headquarters of the
national Republican committee pre-
sages a reorganization and the sub
ordination of Chairman Hitchcock's
authority to that of other Republi-
can leaders. In order that there
should be no misunderstanding con-
cerning his visit to Chicago at this
time Senator Crane dictated the fol-
lowing:
II came here at the especial re-
quest of Chairman Hitchcock with
whom I am. as a member of the ad-
visory committee associated and who
wished to consult with me regarding
the campaign. Mr.. Taft whom 1 re-
Gently met at Cincinnati. expressed
himself as being thoroughly satisfied
with Chairman Hitchcock's man
agement of the campaign"
To a representative of the Asso-
ciated Press Senator Crane charac-
terized the rumor that Mr.. Taft is dis
satisfied with the management of
the campaign as being unworthy of
notice. He said however, that in
view of the various stories printed he
anticipated being questioned by
representatives of the press, and he
had decided therefore to issue a
brief formal statement.
Senator Crane will return to his
h1me in Massachusetts, tomorrow and
Chairman Hitchcock will return to
the New York headquarters where he
has a number of important engage
ments for Wednesday. When Chair
man Hitchcock arrived today in Chi
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-21
HARD BLOW TO PARIS
Business Frustrated by Burning of the
Telephone Exchange.

Paris Sept. 21.-PariS is practically
prostrated commercially today as a re-
suit of the fire that last night de-
stroyed the central telephone building.
In addition to the total interruption
of the telephone service between Paris
and the provinces and foreign points,
the department of posts announced
stroyed a large number of the long
distance telegraph wires which were
strung under the telephone headquar-
ters. Consequently the telegraph SER
vice to England, Belgium, Austria, the
northern part of France and the
suburbs of Paris is seriously affected
and it is impossible today to handle
the business of the department. The
department is making herculean en-
vice, especially for the stock market,
the operations on which are greatly
hampered by the lack of communica-
ton as well as for the great depart
ment stores. hospitals, hotels, banks
and newspaper offices, theaters and th5
police and fire stations. 1t is trying
also to re-establish the lines with for
eign countries.
The partial paralysis of these essen
tial methods of communication is caus-
ing immeasurable damage to the
muItitudinous business activities in
France itself and between France and
foreign countries and the resultant
financial loss will be tremendous. The
20, 900 local circuits burned out un-
fortunately were located in the heart
of the city and their destruction has
thrown confusion into the great ar
teries of trade and commerce and
placed a sudden demand upon We
hicular transportation which the cabs
and omnibuses can not meet.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-21
MAKE NO EXCUSES.
Comptroller Tells Bank Examiners to
Resign Instead.

Washington, Sept. 21.-"I say to
you emphatica1ly that your work must
be improved. Embezzlements have
failed of discovery, defalcations and
dishonesty have been concealed from
you and in many cases you have fail
ed to correctly or even approximately
estimate the value of the paper and
the securities held by the bank"
This was the declaration made to-
DAY by Comptroller of the Currency
Lawrence o. Murray in addressing the
conference of national bank examin-
ers representing practically all of the
territory east of the Ohio. The con-
ference which is being held behind
closed doors, is expected to continue
several days and is the first under the
comptroller's call of September 9, de-
signed to discuss the bank examiners
work with view to radical improve
ment. Later Mr. Murray will hold
conference with the western examin-
ers. probably at Chicago.
Today's discussion was along the
lines of securing better methods. Mr..
Murray in his speech said that some
of their reports to him indicate that
few examiners do not realize the OBJ
legations of the office and indicate
hurried work. He said examiners
should call upon two or three mem
bers of the board to go over the en-
tire discounts of the bank with the
ready to accept assignment anywhere
in the United States and that if you
are unable to discover the true condi-
ton of a bank do not send excuses,
simply send in your resignation and
your commission for cancellation
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-21
HIS MULE MUST HELP.
Bryan Proposes to Offer Him as a
Prize to Secure Votes.

New York, Sept. 21.-William J..
Bryan has offered the mascot mule
presented him by the Agricultural So
ciety of Minnesota as a prize to the
county showing the largest percentage
of increase in the vote for Democratic
electors over the average vote for
electors in the last three campaigns
The offer is contained in a letter from
the presidential candidate to Chairman
Mack. The letter from Mr.. Bryan
reads as follows:
THE Agricultural society of Mime
sofa presented me with a mule as a
mascot for this campaign, and after a
consultation with the newspaper repre-
sentatives sojourning at Lincoln he
was named Major MINI A. Mascot
MINI for Minnesota, "A for Agricul-
tural society. The title of Major was
given to him in honor of newspaper
representative who volunteered to be
the first to ride and who for br1er
space of time was in close proximity
to the mule He has since been ridden
and 1 think will be safe for riding by
election day and is broken to work.
Desiring to make this mule valuable
to the party I propose that he be Of
fered as a prize to the county showing
the largest percentage of increase In
the vote of electors over the average
vote for electors in the last three cam
paigns, on condition that the county
shall turn the mule over to the pre-
cinct securing the largest gain, the
Democrats of that precinct to vote the
mule to the Democrat in the precinct
who in their judgment, has con-
tributed most to the increase IN the
precinct.
''If this plan is satisfactory to you
please make the announcement and let
the mule do his part in getting out the
20
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-21
LOOK OUT FOR CHOLERA.
The Government Is Exercising Extra
ordinary Precautions.

Washington, Sept. 2.-With cholera
increasing both in the Philippines and
in Russia the government authorities
here are watching the situation abroad
with great interest Extraordinary
measures have been taken with a view
to suppressing the outbreak in the
Philippines as far as possible and to
prevent the spread of the cholera out
of the Russian ports from which i'm
migrants leave for this country.
Quarantine officials at United States
ports have been put on their guard and
consular officers at Russian ports are
making careful inspection. The con-
sui general at st. Petersburg has been
asked to advise the government
promptly of the situation and the state
department has cabled consuls at ports
where Russians leave to detain immi-
grants there five days in accordance
with the quarantine rules, before leav-
ing for this country. An officer has
been selected to proceed to Libau to
inspect vessels leaving that important
port.
Governor General Smith, in a dis
patch to the insular bureau, says that
up to o'clock this afternoon there
were 35 cases in Manila, and that cold
rains today may result in more cases.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-21

cago he proceeded at once to his
rooms at the auditorium annex
where he was met by Senator Crane.
They had brief conference there
and then went to headquarters in the
Harvester building and Senator Crane
made the announcement quoted 1t
was stated in addition that Judge
Nagel, of the executive committee
western headquarters in the absence
of Chairman Hitchcock just as he has
in the past.
In relation to the general criticism
that the Republican managers have
been slow in getting the campaign
started Chairman Hitchcock said that
the plans being followed were agreed
upon several weeks ago, at which
time it was announced that the gen
eral speaking campaign would not
begin until October 1. He declared
that all of the members of the execu-
tive committee in the west and east
had agreed that this was a wise
policy and that they had seen no rea-
son to change their minds. That
there would be period of i'm
patience was foreseen by the Re
publican managers said Mr.. Hitch
cock, and it created no surprise or
CONSERVATION at this time. The chair
man said the campaign would go on
as originally planned.
Celebrating upon the apparent
iHdCllNllieS OL l16 MI.
Hitchcock dealt with conditions in
states which had late primaries or
conventions. He called attention to
the fact that Michigan has not had
it's convention and that there is
conference in West Virginia tonight
between the opposing factions which
named candidates for the governor
ship to decide upon a candidate who
will be acceptable to both sides. If
consideration is given to these con-
ditions. he said, no fault will be
found with the fact that the opening
of the national campaign had been
delayed.
Colonel William G. Ransdell, of
California. sergeant-at-arms of the
senate, who will have charge Of the
Taft special train when the Re-
publican candidate speaks in the
west, arrived here today to confer
with Senator Dixon, director of the
speakers bureau. Col. Randsell ac-
companied Presidents Harrison and
Mckinley on a number of western
trips, taking charge of the trains.
1t was announced at headquarters
today that w. E. c. Brown, of Mis-
souri,, had been appointed assistant
director of the western speakers
bureau. It was decided today that
Governor Hughes Indiana speech
would be made in South Bend, next
Monday,
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-21
HAD LOST HIS MONEY.
Alexander Starbuck Commits Suicide
at Age of 83.

Cincinnati, Sept. 21.-Alexander
Starbuck, aged SO years. former presi-
dent of the Cuvier club of this city.
and widely known as an advocate OF
measures for the protection of game.
shot himself fatally at the government
building here today. Although once
wealthy, he had lost his money, was
in poor health and in fear of insanity.
Stopping in the midst of his reading
of an affectionate letter from a niece,
Mrs. Richard Hoffman of Santa Mon
lea, Cal, Mr.. Starbuck took a new re-
volver from his pocket and fired into
his brain the bullet that caused death.
One of the notes left to friends was
dated September IA, and read:
ITO whom it may concern: Why
old age, sickness, threatened insanity
enough to make the tired soul seek
the immortal dawn
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-21
FORAKER DOWN AND OUT
Eliminates Himself From Work of
the Campaign.

Cincinnati, O., Sept. 21.-Senator j.
B. Foraker has eliminated himself
from participation with Mr.. Taft in
the political rally of the National
League of Republican clubs to be
held here tomorrow. His action was
made known to Mr.. Taft in the fol-
lowing letter addressed to the candi-
date and made public by the senator:
Cincinnati, o., Sept. 21.-"My Dear
Judge: Having read in the news
papers that some of your friends and
you are in doubt as to the propriety
of my speaking with you at Music
hall next Tuesday night, / have con-
cIuded not to attend the meeting. 1
take this action not because I deem
the answers I have made to Mr..
Hearst's charges insufficient nor be-
cause of any lack of loyalty in your
cause, but only because I do not wish
to do anything that might injure the
cause or embarrass you personally.
Very truly yours,
81. B. FORAKER"
To John Hays Hammond, president
of the National League of Republican
clubs, Mr.. Foraker sent this letter
which which he also made public:
"I herewith inclose a self-explana-
tory letter that I have just sent to
Judge Taft
Senator Foraker said on giving out
the correspondence that his action
was entirely voluntary, and that he
had received no direct communica-
ton from Mr.. Taft regarding the
situation
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-21
AN ACRE BURNED OVER.
Chelsea, Mass, Is Visited by Another
Disastrous Fire.

Chelsea, Mass, Sept. 21.-NearIy an
acre of wooden buildings on the north
side of the Boston & Maine tracks
in this city, which escaped the con-
fagration of April ri. were swept
away today by another disastrous fire,
entailing a loss of about 100000.
The bounds of 1he FIRE were West
Third street, the Boston & Maine
tracks, Everett avenue. and Carter
street.
The principal buildings destroyed
were: Atwood & McManus box fac
tory: Pope & Cottle Lumber yard: Lee
Brothers shoe factory and seven tene-
ment houses.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-21
TO MAKE COURSE SAFE.
Six Government Vessels Will Go
Around the Horn.

New York, Sept. 21.-Six sturdy lit
tie ships will set sail today from
Tompkinsville Staten Island, for a
journey of 1900 miles, which will take
them through the Straits of Magellen
and up the Pacific coast, practically
the same voyage taken by Uncle Sam
battleship fleet. voyage that amazed
the nations of the world. The fleet
consists of three lightships and three
tenders and their mission is to make
dangerous parts Of the Pacific ocean
safe for mariners.
Captain Albert Mertz, United States
navy, is in command.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-21
QUARANTINE STOCK YARDS.
Believed Ten Head of Cattle at Rosalia
Infected With Texas Fever.

Wichita. Sept 21-No cattle was
loaded at Rosalia, a station on the
Missouri Pacific about forty miles east
of Wichita, Saturday, as the stock
yards there have been placed und ar
quarantine. Ten head of cattle in the
yards at that place are thought to have
the Texas fever, and as there are 5000
or 1000 head in that vicinity ready for
shipment no chaQces will be taken on
allowing the disease to spread.
J. B. Baker, state live stock in
spector. has been sent for to investi-
gate the diseased stock. The yards
were thoroughly disinfected and unless
the disease proves more widespread
than is thought they will be reopened
today
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-21
HAS 100000 MEMBERS
Odd Fellows Order said to Surpass
All Others.

Denver, Col, Sept. 21.-The dele
gates TO the annual session of the
sovereign grand lodge of Odd Fellows
were escorted this morning by the
military organizations of the order
from the Brown palace hotel to the
auditorium where an open meeting
was held. On behalf of the state and
city addresses Of welcome were made
by Governor H. A. Buchtel, Mayor
Robert w. Sperry, Grand Master Jo-
seph hewitt, and other officers of the
Colorado department of Odd Fellows.
Grand Sire E. S. Conway of Illinois,
responded for the order.
Following this preliminary exercises
the sovereign grand lodge adjourned
to Ell Jebel temple where the execu-
tive sessions will be held.
This is the strongest fraternal or
der on the continent" said Grand Sire
Conway today. "It has 100000
members and has not stopped grow
ing. 1t has A homes for the aged
and INDECENT and homes and schools
for dependent children. The order
has an annual income of $4,000, 900
of which $6,000,0 600 is spent in relief,
and a similar sum for lodge expenses.
This leaves a balance each year of So
000,00 which is added to Il reserve
fund that now amounts tC S5Q,009.000
There are 203 representatives TO
this convention, the larger states hav-
ing four and the smaller ones from
two to three"
John L. Nolan, depu.y grand sire,
who will succeed F.. S. Conway as
grand sire, is citizen of Nashville,
Tenn. He is Sc years old and has
been a member of the order since he
was 21. In 1888 he was elected grand
master of Tennessee, and two years
later became a member of the sover-
eien lodge
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-21
TAFT WIRES HITCHCOCK.
Says That the Chairman Is Secure in
the Place.

day sent the following telegram to
Frank H. Hitchcock, chairman of the
Republican national committee at Chi
cago, and made it public here:
do not be disturbed by publications
with reference to your management OF
the campaign or statements of an in
tention to supplant you in control. The
presence of Senator Crane here gave
rise to inferences which 1 attempted to
deprecate. I have every confidence in
YOU and in the success of your man
agement and welcome the assistance
as YOU do Of Senator Crane and of the
ancillary committee, but you are in
supreme control
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-21
Freerks Makes a Speech.

George w. Freerks of Wichita,
Democratic candidate for attorney
general spoke to five hundred enthu-
siastic Democrats at Germania hall.
SIG Kansas avenue Saturday even
ing Mr.. Freerks held an opposition
meeting during the afternoon in which
he talked against a merry-go-round
and his voice was not at it's best.
though his arguments were well re-
ceived and the meeting from the at
tendance standpoint was success.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-21
Can,t stop soldiers Paw.

Washington, Sept. 21.-The war de-
partment has declined to comply with
a request that an enlisted mans pay
be stopped for the purpose of paying
his family alimony prescribed by the
court 1t is held that no responsibility
such as is placed on officers under
the sixty-first article of war, rests on
enlisted men and there is no precedent
under which the failure on the part
of such persons to support his family
may be made the basis of a charge.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-21
rrogo win receive the Fqeet

Honolulu, Sept. 21-H. B. Miller,
American consul general at Yokohama,
arrived here today, on his way to the
United States. He says that the At
lantic battleship fleet will be received
at Yokohama by Is abattleships under
command of Admiral Togo.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-21
England Buys American Beef

London, Sept 21-The war office has
placed with a Chicago firm another
large contract for American beef and
the admiralty is negotiating for a con-
tract for the navy.