davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-27
New York Central Trains Will Operate
One Mile ADart.

BY the normal danger system"
which is gradually being installed on
the New York Central between Buffalo
and New York. the, capacity of the
road is to be increased by placing the
blocks closer together. The block sys-
tenn keeps trains three miles apart as
the blocks are that long, and but one
train at tine is allowed in a block
The normal danger system per-
mits train to run but one mile apart
Signals are placed at tn end of every
mile. They are worked electrically,
the train itself making the connections.
which throws the signals to the stop
position if they try to enter block
occupied by another train
With the trains running at about
three times the frequency under the
new system as under the old, the ca
pacity of the road will be multiplied
by three. A four mile section of the
road between Lyons and Newark will
be equipped coon, and shortly after
the first of the year a section of ten
miles between Rochester and Chill
junction will be likewise equipped
Fewer men will be needed under the
new system to operate block switches.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-27
A HOLE IN HER HOSE.
Union Pacific Train Took Cold and
Rassengers SOUGHT Shelter.

Abilene, Kan, Dec 27.-The east
bound passenger on the Union Pacific
due here at 4:23 a. m. did not arrive
until S:25 this morning, four hours
and Is minutes late. Eager to make
up lost time, the fireman had steam
registering high, in fact, too high, as
the hose connected between the en-
CINE and mail car burst west of
here. This cut off the steam from all
the cars, and soon became cold. The
passengers hustled into their over
coats or whatever garment they could
nab onto" and began to go through
gyrnnastic drills. Some paced to and
fro in the cars, others wildly swinging
their arms through the ozone, and still
others displayed their ability at the
buck and wing dance. The train stop
ped here for repairs. The conductor
came to the rescue by saying that it
would take some time to repair the
hose and that the depot was at their
leisure. Immediately there was a
scramble for the vestibules and all had
soon disembarked and were enjoying
the warmth of the depot. The hose
was fixed in Is minutes and the passen-
gers being thoroughly thawed out, the
traind moved on.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-27
HObOes Becoming Serious Nui-
sance to Trainmen.
Steal Rides on Freight Trains
and Can't Be Found.
ARE MANY CRIMINALS.
Train Crews Sometimes Capture
Handsome Rewards.
Other Items of General Interest
in Railroad Circles.
ARE MANY CRIMINALS.

Did you ever stop to think of the
large number of tramps who daily
elude the trainmen?" asked a railroad
man after completing a run into the
city and while a new train was being
made up. If you didn't and do not
know, you would be surprised to learn
how many of the hoboes are daily car
ried without the knowledge of the train
crew." says an exchange.
The conversation between the rail
road man and an acquaintance took
place after seeing three Weary Willies
alght from train in the yards.
See those fellows getting off up
there?" he continued. Now there is
no telling where they get on, nor where
they rode. They have been riding
without the brakeman or conductor of
the freight knowing they got on, not
withStanding the train was probab bly,
worked many times in search of no
boes. And this is a daily occurrence.
There's another thing connected with
this hauling of tramps. Some of the
most notorious criminals of the coun-
try have occupied places on the train
and eluded the crew for hundreds OF
miles. Probably among the number
was a murderer, upon whose head there
is a big reward. Criminals in travel
ing, invariably beat their way and Of
not. of course, in position to know
whether they are wanted by the auth
critics somewhere. If they did, it is
likely many important captures would
follow and the railroad man would re
ceive some handsome rewards.
"Trainmen, as a rule. are good al
remembering a mans description and
often assist officers in locating criml-
mails. I have known of several import
ant captures resulting from informa-
ton furnished by railroad men, but
they never care for it being known that
they offered any assistance in the cap
ture of the person wanted. The typical
hobo resembles a criminal. and ma
jority of the old timers are not much
better. They have been OF the road
for so long, mooching an existence and
livinr from hand to mouth, that they
will resort to almost anything in order
to obtain a piece of money. They rob
ench other and expect to be robbed if
it becomes known that they possess any
cash, but still they will work togeth-
er in beating somebody out of some
thing.
Whenever a squad of police officers
raid a gang of hoboes in the railroad
yards there is always some charge that
can be preferred against them and a
conviction secured. They are guilty
4oS some offense, ranging from murder
to petty larceny. While it is always
difficult to prove any serious charge
against one of them, unless an officer
has the dope if the facts were known
some sensational catches would be
made. And some important captures
have been made too, if it was known
at the time who the tramp really was"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-27
What YouG Get?

Beautiful Gifts and many of them,
and you're happy. Good,-But
remember-that sick liver and
slow torpid bowels-nake the most
beautiful gifts lose their beauty
-CASCARETS will clean up the
bowels-make the liver act-every-
thing look better. 81
cAscARETS-Iocb ox-week's treat
meat Ali druggists. Biggest seller
In the worid-mfllion boxes month.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-27

See ]. THOMAS LUMBER co. for
lumber and DEWEY PORTLAND CE-
MENT. Guaranteed the best manu-
featured
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-27

134 miles, and from Fort Madison, Ia,
to Kansas City, Mo-, ard from Kansas
City to Newton, Kan. When the gap
between Chillicothe and Fort Madison
is laid the Santa Fe will have $50 miles
of track run by telephone.
Orders have been issued by the gem
eral manager to change the system
from Newton south through Wichita,
Wellington, Winfield, Arkansas City,
Ponca City, Guthrie, Oklahoma City
and Purcell and arrangements are be-
ing made to change the gulf lines into
Galveston. Telephones have supplant-
ed the telegraph wires from Barstow,
Cal, to San Diego, Cal, on the Santa
Fe coast lines and by 1925 the entire
Santa Fe system will be operated by
phone.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-27
HER HAIR IS STOLEN.
Woman Is Knocked Unconscious and
Robbed of Locks.

st. Louis. Dec. 27-Mrs. VIM. j.
Ehlen, % years old, whose five feet of
heavy blond hair has been the envy
and admiration of ST. Louis women
for years, was knocked unconscious
by an unidentified man as she was
leaving her home for church Sunday
and her hair was chopped off close
to her head with a razor. She was
dragged unconscious into the hallway
of her home and lay in that condition
for an hour before she was found. Her
condition is serious. This attack was
the third in two weeks. She was ap-
preached on the street on the previous
occasions by a man who made an offer
in money for the hair and then at
tempted to clip off two braids with
scissors.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-27
TRAIN OF WIRE AND NAILS.
Twenty-Six Cars Through to the Pa
cific Coast

To the American steel & Wire com
pany belongs the prestige of having
founded the new Western Pacific road
with its first solid train of through
freight. This rain consisted of TWEEN
ty-six cars of wire and nails, destined
for the Pacific coast. 1t was not only
the first solid train over the Western
Pacific road, but it was the first solid
train of wire and nails ever sent
through to the Pacific coast The
train was made uD at the America
Steel & Wire company's mills at Joliet
and was turned over to the Chicago &
Alton road there and moved over that
road to Kansas City where it was
turned over to the Missouri Pacific
and from hat point it will be taken
to final destination over the Gould sys-
tenn.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-27
BORROWED FREIGHT TRAINS.
Former Owner of Central Branch
Made Good IMPRESSION.

A good story is told about the sale
of the Central Branch by Colonel
Pomeroy of Hill City to Jay Gould,
says the Osborne Farmer. The road
was built by Pomeroy. who found that
he had white elephant on his hands.
line, Pomeroy rounded up all the
freight cars on the line and borrowed
every car he could locate and trans
formed them into dummy freight
trains. Frequently the party on the
inspection trip were side tracked
while long. numbering freight trains
rushed past. Mr. Gould was impress
ed with the immense amount of bust
mes sin evidence and didn't hesitate
purchasing the railroad.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-27

woman Miss Anna Hedges by appointing
fore entering upon her important duties will travelling En-
recently was member OF the faculty of the Pratt Brooklyn
the University Of New Zealand commissioner United
capable
be ointrnert
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-27


of
$50 90 10000
displacement These
New York city rises 700 feet The combined of the Olympic
sides the historic conflict of the Spanish and
this Columbus world
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-27
MORE SANTA FE TELEPHONES.
Phone Train Dispatching on $50 Miles
by january

BY the close of 1910 the Santa Fe
railway will be operating it's freight
and passenger trains from Chicago to
Purcell. Okla. and probably further
tenn of dispatching is now in opera
ton from Chicago to Chillicothe, ILL.,,
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-01-23
Refusal was Right.

When the Republican members OF
the State Senate unanimously voted
to confirm the appointments OF that
official dead duck, Governor Harris
10 places which of right belonged to
the patronage of Governor Harmon,
and thus make possible the triumph
of the scheme Of the Republican tate
bosses to hold on to the offices when
the people had voted them out, they
forfeited all claim upon Democratic
Senators. Certain goody-good Re
publican members OF that body, who
allowed themselves to be used in this
nefarious deal undertook to get con-
troll of the Senate Committee on
Finance, the most important commit
tee Of that body, and appealed to
Democrats to aid them on the ground
that the committee, as constituted,
would be under the control of George
B. Cox. The Democrats very prop
erly refused to go to their relief,
telling them, in effect, that inasmuch
as they permitted Cox TO dominate
their state convention, dictate nCm'-
nations and were protecting him
from investigation in Cincinnati, that
they night stand his control of the
committee. The goody-goods made a
great cutlery but nobody, especially
Democrats, pays any attention TO
their plants Batavia Sun.
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-01-23

needed invoice of all the states
property in the care and keeping Of
state ofIHda's and state institutions.
The Governors disclosure through
his message that no inventory has
been kept of the property in the adj
jutant generals department is sensa-
tional indeed and indicative of other
discoveries likely TO result from the
change of administration If only the
governors hands can be unfettered.
His prompt action in requiring an in
ventory to be made ny the new ad-
iutant general of all the property
in his custody, is an earnest of the
kind of business administration Jud-
son Harmon proposes to give the
people of Ohio that for which they
voted when they elected him to tho
office of governor.
Governor Harmon's message Is Tree
from friTs and ornate rhetoric. II
deals with the business of the state
in a business-,ike way that means
business. and responds TO the needs
of the state AMI the wishes of the
DeODle
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-01-23

Chicago, June 22.-'Herman Billek,
convicted Of numbering six members
of the Vzral family in Chicago, will
not hang for his crime. Governor
Deneen yesterday commuted his SEN
tence TO life Imprisonment.
Bl.el1 was to hang next Friday, this
being the third time date had been
set for his execution. From the first
he has maintained that he would
never suffer death on the gallows.
Among his other accomplishments
was that of palmistry and he in
sisted that he could not find the gal
lows mark In his hands.
His case has gone through all the
courts, and finally, upheld by all OF
them, his fate rested IN the hands OF
the pardon board and the Governor.
The pardon board refused to inter-
fere and tremendous pressure was
brought TO bear upon the Governor
Al priest in Chicago took up Bil!ek's
case and many societies also took
a deep interest In the affair.
Blllek charged that married
daughter of his victims had poisoned
them but this was disproved, Every
artihce known to law was employed
20 save him from the scaffold. His
little daughter was paraded In the
press and on the platform TO excite
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-01-23
Business-Like Message
That Means Business

Ihere can be no quibble about
what Governor Harmon means in ms
message to the legislature Like his
inaugural address, and his straight
forward communication TO the senate
requesting that he be relieved of the
encumbGances upon his administra-
tion imposed by the confirmation OF
lhe lap-oyer appointments OF the re.
tiring Republican governor. this mes.
sage touching the present needs of
the state goes direct TO the point of
each subject discussed, in the pain
spoken language of real statesman
ship.
In urging that the investigation OF
Cincinnati be resumed and pursued
to the end, Governor Harmon exp,Od-
ed silly bugaboo which carping
Republican and undertaking news
papers endelRored 30 attach to his
administration in the very begin
ming. Not only does ne lay bare
sufficient reasons why the probe
should be thrust to the very bot.
tom of the Cincinnati political cess
pool, but he boldly declares that as
"the persons affected by the investi-
CATION had sufficient interest TO Igo
TO the expense of litigation TO stop
II so the public certainly has an equal
interest in having 1t go on" The
same clear note rings Through his
recommendations for further inYesti
cation at the state house.
Other recommendations made by
the governor will inure TO the bene-
fit Of the state II nodded into clear
and conlcrete legislation along the
lines suggested. He states his reason
at length in favor of creating tax
ing board to supervise all taxation
matters now attended to in perfume
tory way by various boards compos-
ed ex-ohlciO of certain atate officials
for an equitable adjustment of taxes
levied on corporate interests set
forth In the message, and for much
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-01-23
JAP WAR SCARE BRINGS
TWO MORE LEv|ATHANS
Burton aud Other Opponents of Naval Expansion Policy
Beaten in House by Yellow Peril Talk-Redicules
japan War Talk but House Listens to Appeal of
Supporters of Presidents Program and
Votes the Batteships.

lean missionary or an American con-
sui
The house generally took the ap
prehensive view. Finley OF South
Carolina, offered an amendment ell
mlnating the two battleships carried
in the bill 1t was beaten, two to
one, the vote being 100 to 80. Macon
of Arkansas, offered an amendment
for one lbattleship instead of two.
This was beaten on a viva voice
vote.
Representative Burton offered a
one battleship amendment in slight
ly different form. This one defeated
on standing vote, ia to 1903. When
Mr.. Burton demanded telers his
amendment was rejected by vote OF
1853 to 10S. OF the Ohio delegation
only Denver and Sherwood, Demo
Gratis, supported Mr.. Burton. All the
Ohio Republicans present including
Paul Rowland, voted for the two
battleships
III Idob lShNo VI uulh hluu Al
Burton has had pretty solid Demo-
cratic support. This was while John
Sharp Williams led the minority.
Yesterday Champ Clark, the new
Democratic leader, stood fast for bal
tleships, which marks new Official
policy for the house Democrats John
Shaap Williams worked for the Fin
icy and Burton amendments In the
face of Clark's position but Williams
drew comparatively small follow
ing. This important change OF policy
ON the part of the house Democrats
means a stronger and sitter support
for naval expansion than 1t has ever
received before, Until now the Re-
publlcans have had to carry this
burden. Champ Clark, I'm behalf of
the Democratic party, shouldered
half of It.
Though the house declined to fol-
low him, its members glve Mr.
Burton an ovation when he rclse
and cheered him frequently during
his speech. This was his first APP
pearance on the floor since his cleo
tion as senator and the ovation was
a tribute to the man rather than
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-01-23

Isn't it strange that the Republican
papers which falsely charge that the
Demountic senators were in ALI
ance with Cox because they declined
TO mix up in the row between Re-
pub'ican senator's, have said abso-
Htely nothing about Cox man be-
irly put on the house finance COM
mittee? A Republican speaker did
that It can't be blamed on the
Democratic minority in the house
-oOo-
Governor Harmon's message to the
Legislature demanding further inves-
tigation Of Cincinnati, was a com
plete recitation of the malicious Re-
publican falsehood about there being
a deal of any kind with Cox.
600
VIII the Republican senators get
"oold feet" on Governor Harmon's
demand for further Investigation of
Cox. as they did on the row they
started over the chairmanship Of
their finance committee? We shall
see whether there was any patriot
ism in their hullabaloo, or whether
Il was all pernicious partisanship.
-oOo--
The Democratic senators instead Of
being in dell with Cox over
Baker, offered to join with the Bur
ton senator's to get rid of Baker
if they would help undo the un-
righteous confirmation Of the Har-
ris lap-over appointments But the
Burton senators were not so willing
to right a wrong against IA Demo-
cratic governor as they wee to WIN
a factional fight providing they
could use the Democratic minority
to rake chestnuts out Of the fire
for them. SO they gave up their
fight against Cox after having mali
ciously lied about the Democratic
senator's That's the sum of the
whole matter. -rs-,-sr---
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-01-23
HERMAN B|L[EK SAVED
FROM THE GAL[OWS
Chicago NecromanCer Sentenced to Hang Next Friday
is Given Life Sentence Instead by Governor-Eud of
Most Strenuous Fight to Cheat the Galows-
Whole State Agitated-Bilek Poisoned
Whole Family.

sympathy. While his fate was still
in the grayest doubt his aged mother
died at her home here.
The Vrzal family Of eight persons
lived in one OF the poorer sections
OF Chicago and Billek, through his
necromacy, secured absolute domina-
ton over them. One by one members
of the family began TO die, but no
suspicion attached to Blllek. After
wards II was discovered that he was
throwing away the medicine pre-
scribed by physicians and substitute
ing some of his own. Two regular
physicians quit the case, and Billek
was finally accepted as the family
doctor. All members of the family
were insured for small amounts, and
It Is supposed this furnished the mo-
tive.
Jerry Vrzal, one OF the survivors,
WHO hovered between life and death
for long time, gave damaging tes-
timony against Billek, but later, after
he had been in consultation with
Billek, he repudiated this statement
and sought TO cast suspicion upon his
married sister. The case was one OF
the most notorious In the criminal
annals of Chicago Four courts de-
clared Billek guilty beyond reason
able doubt.
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-01-23
That "Blameless Majority"

The Ohio Legislature is putting the
Republican party OF the state i'm a
hole. The senate so far mas been the
storm center, but the house is wait
ing for a chance to do just as bad
ly. And their defense will be lust
the same-they couldn't outvote
those lonesome Democrats, as the
Republican majority is only about
two to one e.-Bucyrus Forum.
600
No change would have resulted
in the control of the senate finance
committee by the mere transpositlon
of names, as proposed by the twelve
Republican senators who objected to
Baker for chairman. Rathbun Is a
member of the committee, and the
disgruntled Republicans merely pro-
posed to substitute him for chair
man and leave Baker on the com
mittee. There's consistency for You.
The Democratic senators offered TO
help take Baker clear off the com
mittee If the twelve Republican
senators would help unite the hands
of Governor Harmon, but the Sane
titled twelve" wouldn't do il, which
Is further proof Of their insincerity
and inconsistency.
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-01-23

Washington, Jan. 23 "A convenient
Japanese war scare saved the Rooge
welt battleship program in the house.
The house voted for two 26,OOO ton
leviathans despite the opposition led
by Burton and Tawney. The two
deriled the Yellow Peril bogie.
"I am tired of these annual affairs
with Japan, which always occur
simultaneously with the considera-
tion of the naval appropriation bill"
sneered Tawney, Burton's version
was:
"This periodical war scare occurs
whenever we haVe a naval bill up,
but they all pass away as phantoms
OF imagination. We may trust the
traditional friendship Of Japan We
may trust the economic conditions
which make impossible any war by
Japan against western nations"
The house did not see 1t that way,
its members listened rather, 10
"Uncle Pete" Hepburn and Bourke
Cochran. Hepburn roasted Tawney
10 a turn.
1--WE can only conjecture what
may be done by the Japanese nov
or by the Chinese twenty years
hence" declared the Iowa states
man.
Cochran said no danger of war
with any Christian country existed,
"but," he added there is an actual
portentlous and constant danger
from out of the east
"We cannot diminish racial repul-
sion. When two races live together
one must admit or submit to It's in
feriority On the Pacific coast the
aliens (the Japanese) will neither
admit nor submit 10 inreriority.
Japan has coolies on the Pacific
coast We have no lhborers in Jap
an. Suppose coolie Is lynched OH
the Pacific coast and a Jajanese mob
rises against Americans In Japan. II
would not be a coolie but a mis-
sIonary on an American consul who
would be lynchei In Toxic. DO you
suppose we would submit 10 an at
tack in Toxic upon either an Amer
The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-01-23
the policy he advocated.

} the policy he advocated.
The amount carried in this bin
declared Mr.. Burton, sis greater than
the expense of the government at
the end of the fiscal year of 1861.
Deducting interest on the civil war
debt it is greater than the total
2nvernmen expenses at the end OF
the fiscal year 1878. Two battleshlps
this year are unnecessary. We nov
have the secoml largest navy on
earth and we are in the foreground
in naval efIiciency."
Referring 30 Hepburn's argument
that the last century saw four uneX,
pected wars, Mr., Burton said
the last century was one of WAR,
while this one was sure to see the
dawn of universal peace. lie spoke
of the mad policy of military ex-
pansion" and said A. would be but a
short time before economic prob
lens would compel a halt all over
the world. The congress, declared
Mr. Burton, will be remembered, not
for its vote on naval expansion bur
for It's appropriation to relieve the
sufferers OF the Italian earthquake.