davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1909-11-13
ny ARTHUR ". DUTTON

g UBMARINE mines, loaded with
heavy charges of high explosives
have long been recognized as con-
stituting one of the most formidable
methods Of defending a harbor against
the warships of an enemy. The expert
ehces of the Russo Japanese war
proved the value Of mines to he even
greater than had been previously sup
posed
1t is comforting to know that the
hafDor of San Francisco at a weeks
notice may be so quickly strewn with
submarine mines Of latest design as
10 make the entrance OF hostile fleet
practically impossible Nor could the
mines be removed, they were i'm the
Caimanera river Cuba during the
Spanish American war, by our vessels
until the formidable batteries ON shore
were reduced captured-itself a
tremendous undertaking.
From a line well to seaward, beyond
the Golden gate, to another line, or
rather series of lines, well within the
narrows, the entire area OF navirable
waters is laid off into fields, each with
It's previously determined location
Every detail has been worked out in
advance; the exact location OF every
set of mines, of every cable. has heen
liked In magazines on shore the mines
are ready to be planted at the shortest
f.
ing steamer Colonel George Armistead
is in comission all the time i'm the bar
Dor, and there are several companies
OF coast artillery at the Presidio
trained and constantly drilled in the
planting and operation of the mines
me whoie machinery of the submarine
mine system of defense has been pro-
vided, and it requires but an order from,
headquarters to have the work proceed
like clockwork
submarine mine is nothing but a
large metal buoy containing a charge
OF about 200 pounds of either dyna
mite or guncotton. The explosion oe
such charge against the unarmored
under water hull of warship would
tear such frightful hole in it's bot
tom that it would sink in a few mo-
ments, or, even if the watertight sub
divisions of the hull were most eff
fectlVe, the inrush Of water would be
so great that the vessels stability
would be so altered that it would
capsize, as did at least two Russian
Warships in 1904. Indeed several
warships on both sides. during the
Russo-Japanese war, were DESTROYED
with much loss OF life during that
struggle Prior to the battle of Tsu-
shima, more warships were lost bv
the explosion of submarine mines than
by gun fire, and it is the general be-
lleI that not a single one was lost
prior to the battle named, as the re-
suit of the explosion of an automobile
torpedo fired from a torpedo boat in
spite of the claims of the torpedo boat
men.
The mines are anchored in fields.
or clusters, composed of lines Of mines
in series. Each mine is moored to
the bottom by n mooring chain at
tached to mushroom anchor Lead
ing to each mine issa wire cable which
is connected with what is known as
mining gallery, on shore, from which
the mines are operated.
The San Francisco call., 1909-11-13
OUR SUBMARINE WAR DEFENSES

the operator In the gallery on shore
presses a button and there is fright
full explosion. 1t would be a miracle if
the ship or ships in that square sur
vived.
AS already said, if the operator
chooses, he may render all the mines,
or as many as he likes. liable to explo-
sion by contact. All he has to do is to
press another baton or swing another
switch and the mines become so fixed
that the instant they are heeled over
by q vessel striking them circuit is
closed and they5are fired automatically
Mines placed in the navigable chan
nels ordinarily frequented by vessels
are commonly so arranged that they
may be rendered harmless or the re-
verse at the will of the operator on
shore. This is in order that our own
vessels may enter and leave port freely
without danger
Mines placed away from the fire.
quented navigable waters, yet in places
where an enemy might steal in, are
generally left as contact mines.
The usual submarine mines of the
United States army are spherical in
shape. At the top there is a shackle
by which the mines are raised or low
cred by the mine planter The moor
ing cable and the electric cable ares
attached to the bottom.
In places where there is heavy cur
rent, either tidal or other, a cylinder
is often inserted between the two hem
ispheres composing the mine, in order
to overcome the effect OF the current
by giving the mine greater size. It is
important that the mine should not be
visible to the enemy until he is right
upon 1t, and at the same time it must
be near enough the surface to strike
the enemy's hull, even at high water.
Great nicely is used in adjusting the
mooring chains, SO as to observe these
two requisites.
The only remedy for an enemy
against submarine mines is to raise
them or to explode them by counter
mining. But In San Francisco in ad-
dition to the heavy guns OF the main
fortifcations, there are batteries of
smaller rapid fire guns whose arcs of
fire completely cover the mine fields
Should an enemy's boats attempt to
raise the mines or to countermine they
would be met with whitening fire from
these protecting guns. Indeed, the
only way the mines can be overcome is
by capturing the surrounding fortifca-
tions and there are few seaports in the
world so strongly fortified as San Fran
cisco Is now. A direct attack from the
sea could not by any stretch of the
magfnation be successful. The only
way to capture San Francisco would
be from land, for there are no fortifica-
tions protecting the city from a hostile
army attacking from the land side.
Lately the war department has detailed
officers to prepare system Of interior
Notifications for San Francisco, Oak
land and all the circumbay cities so
that when war is threatened. earth
works may be thrown up systematically
and quickly.
The preparation of the submarine
mines, their galleries and protecting
batteries is in the hands of the corps
of engineers of the army, but after
they are all equipped and ready, their
operation is intrusted to the coast ar
tillery corps.
The San Francisco call., 1909-11-13
What the Evening Wore

Smith was telling Jones a story.
"Well, the evening wore OH
"Wore@ interrupted Jones facetious-
ly. Did it? What did II wear?"
We'll" said Smith, nettled at the in
terruption, but equal to the occasion
"if you must know, it was the close Of
a summer day"
The San Francisco call., 1909-11-13

really sort Of umbrella. The word
parasol is from the word meaning to
prepare, to be ready to ward off, that
is, preparation ready to ward off the
sun. Few articles are in more COM
mon use nowadays than the umbrella,
both for rain and sun.
The San Francisco call., 1909-11-13
And the ParsOn Passed On

"And what are you here for, my
friendT' asked the visiting parson OF
an inmate of a reformatory.
"'Cause l can't get out, thank you"
replied the victim.
The San Francisco call., 1909-11-13

the operator In the gallery on shore
presses button and there is fright
ful explosion. 1t would be miracle if
the ship or ships in that square sur
vived
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-01-07
For Better Roads.

The Mitchell Auto & Supply Co.
circulated a petition for a meeting
to be held to form an organization
for the Improvement of the roads
around the city and between sur
rounding towns, and the meeting was
held Monday evening at the auto
mobile house, with j. f. Wells as
chairman and L. e. Stair secretary.
Mr.. Wheeler stated the object of the
meeting was to make an improve
ment owe the roads of the county for
the benefit of all who travel the
public highways. The organization
will be known as the Dawson County
Automobile Club, with the following
for its first officers: President, Hen
ry Swindler; vice president, D. B.
Miller; secretary, L.. E. Stair;
treasurer, c. w. Johnston; directors,
s. e. Morris. o. L. Branson. Mrs. G..
A. Dawson. DR.. j. G. Mccartney, VIM.
M. Smith and G. W. Johnston were
appointed to circulate a petition and
secure the signatures of people who
use the roads to become members
of the club. The next meeting will be
held at the automobile house Jan.
II.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-01-07
Bargains in Used steinway Piano

I1tIStluS III OSSu oSSlINGy 4 huAaOSs
If you know anyone who wishes
a very good piano at a moderate cost
he will be interested in the fact that
just at the present time the we'll
known music house of Lyon & Healy,
Chicago, have a large salesroom en-
tirely filled with used Steinway Up
rights. These Steinways embrace a
wide variety of styles. All of them of
course, are genuine Sideways, and
all of them are in fine condition, but
there is a great difference in the
cost.
Besides these instruments Lyon Il
Healy are also now Offering at a
great Rebuilding Clearing Sale, the
pianos formerly owned by the
Thompson Music Co., the HeaAy
Music Co., and the big Thearle
Piano Co., as we'll as their own stock.
You can secure a fine instrument at
30 to 40 per cent less than usual
prices.
These pianos will be sold either for
cash or upon very easy monthly pay
ments. Freight on an upright piano
is only a matter of a few dollars.
All of these instruments are fully
guaranteed to be exactly as repre-
scented. The opportunity to secure
one will undoubtedly be taken adj
vantage of by the shrewd buyers
in this vicinity.
A letter to Lyon & Healy, 10
Adams street, Chicago, will bring full
particulars.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-01-07
Auction Sale.

| will sell at public auction to the
highest bidder, 3 miles west, and
one-half mile south of Loomis, 5
miles west and six miles north of
Mitchell, on Wednesday, January
Is, at 10 o'clock a. M, the follow
ing described property: Nine head
of horses, ranging from 3 to 10
years old and of good weight; sc
head of cattle including 3 COWS, 10
two and three year-old heifers and
calves; 4 yearling steers; 2 yearling
heifers; Is calves. Farm Machinery
Two good lumber wagons; disc
seeder attachment; cultivator;
FOUNDER harrow; gang pillow; sulky
pillow; 16-inch sulky pillow; hay stack
Success incubator $50 egg. brooder
and 250 chicks. A quantity of mis-
cellaneous goods, including shot
guns, single buggy and harness,
sewing machine and tanning mill.
Free lunch at noon.
Terms of Sale.-All sums under
$40 cash. On sums over $40 time
will be given until Nov. l., 1909, on
notes bearing 10 per cent interest
with approved security.
Kirkendall & Judge will be the
a~uctioneers. Bert n. Beaumont,
clerk.
Clay p. Young, Owner.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-01-07
After Five Years Illness.

May Michaels the only daughter of
Mr.. and Mrs. John Michels. died this
morning at / o'clock, aged IA years,
her death being due to an abscess on
the lungs. she has been i'll for the
past five years, and which came from
a fall she had in the Jim river at
that time while attending a picnic.
After falling in the water she did not
have an opportunity to put on some
dry clothing for several hours and
as a result sickness followed, which
terminated in lung trouble. Mr.. and
Mrs. Michaels took their daughter
south a year or two ago in the hope
of benefitting her health, but she ap-
peared to be as we'll here as there. She
has been a very patient sufferer all
the time, and her parents did every
thing possible in their power to
secure relief, but seemed beyond hui
man aid. The death of the young
lady is a very sad one.
The funeral services were held
over the remains of May Michaels at
the Holy Family church Monday
and were attended by a great
many friends of the family. the vast
auditorium being filled. Surrounding
the casket and on the altar were the
floral tributes from those who felt
a great sympathy for the parents,
and the offerings were numerous and
beautiful. The services were conduct
ed by Father Mccarthy, who observ-
ed Requiem Mass, at the close Of
which he paid a loving tribute to the
deceased girl. During the Mass John
Mclaughlin sang a sacred solo. "Pray
for the Dead" that added to the i'm
pressiveness of the services. The re-
mains were laid to rest in
the Catholic cemetery, and the
following young men acted as
pallbearers: Dennis Coughlin, Ed
ward Kearney, George Reihsen, Hen
ry Scheurenbrand, Edward Vassar,
Joseph, Judge. Much sympathy will
be rendered Mr.. and Mrs. Michaels
in their bereavement. The following
out OF town friends and relatives
were present at the funeral: Mrs.
Joseph Bingenheimer and son, JOS
eph, OF Creighton. Neb., Mike Michels
of Dubuque, Ia, Mrs. r. d. McCarty,
of Milwaukee, Wis, and Miss Louisa
Weiss, of Bridgewater.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-01-07

i,arty and a disturbance has been
raised owe: the distribution OF the
offices in that the Hon. Dick Richards
wants his friends to be counted.
and he is bringing to bear III. t.
nuence of the Republican sca,ldi-
navian league to helr out in the
crisis. Dick desires the appointment
of DR.. Klavness, of Sioux Falls, on
the board of charities and correc-
lions. DR.. Klavness is a cousin of
Mr.. Richards, and he is a good boost
err of the Scandinavian League
which should be taken into consider
alton. The reform forces in Sioux
Falls, however, are not at all pleas
ed with the candidacy OF DR.. Klavi-
ness-his association with the re-
publican party, it seems, has been
of too recent a character for some
of the old line fellows in the queen
city. and they resent the candidacy
of DR.. .Klavness. The reform leaders
who we're in the conference at Sioux
Falls yer the distribution of these
positions did not reach any agree
ment in the situation and it may
have to be threshed over again
The newness of the position of DR..
klaveness for republican preferment
is no worse than that of Dick Rich
ards, for it has not been long since
that he was stumping the state with
a chart under his arm trying his ut
most to defeat the republican party
candidates., among whom are the
leaders of the party today. The ten
acity Of Mr.. Richards is pretty we'll
known, and there are a few gentle
men on the other side of the breech
who. it is thought, will stand out
just as long as Richards-so it
seems that there is to be trouble
after all in the reform forces. We
cannot understand, however, why,
as republicans, men who have per-
formed their duties in a splendid
manner, that Messrs. Thomas, Pow
ers and Upton should be removed
from the board, OF why any n of
them should be removed. There has
been no change in the politics of the
state-the republicans are still in
power. Why then is it necessary for
Dick Richards to come forth with a
candidate for a place on the board
when there is shown to be no nee
essity for a change. Mr.. Richards
great efforts directed in the way of
reform are becoming apparent now.
While the breach in he party has
been healing up to a great extent
we are inclined to think that the
move of Mr.. Richards will not have
a tendency to get it any closer.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-01-07
THE PRESIDENT HEARD FROM.

Congress indited some resolutions
calling on the president to explain
what he meant about the secret
service illusions in connection with
members of the house of represen-
tatives and senate. The members
Of the house feltss that their honor
had been touched with the reference
made by the president when he
said that the congressman feared
investigation by the secret service
men, and since then the congress
mel have been pretty we'll worked
MP over the situation. Congress ask
cd for some information about what
the president meant, and he gave
It to the inquirers with sufficient
force As to satisfy them-it is
thought. According to the presi-
dent, congress misconstrued his al
legations, in that he did not refer
specifically but in a general way. In
asmuch as congress saw fit to spear
the president he took occasion to
put some of the members of the
house on the spit, notably Speaker
Cannon, Smith, Sherley and Tawney.
the latter three leading the debate
In the house, and Sherley going so
far as to say that the secret-service
men should not be permitted to in
vestigate a member of congress. The
president did not hesitate to reiter-
ate his former statement that con
Gress did a great service to the
criminals of the country when it
restricted the appropriation and
thereby made it impossible for the
secret department to continue its
work IN the lines that have been
laid down during the Roosevelt ad-
mi~nistration. The president spoke
his mind pretty freely in his answer,
and the people of the country are
with him. 1t is not felt that con
gress ought to have placed restrict
ions on the secret service depart
ment and thus make it impossible
for certain work to be done that
II really demanded in the interests
Of Justice. It is possible for the
congressman to place themselves
above suspicion, and avoid n pos
sible ENHANCEMENT whereby the
secret service department would be
called upon to camp on their trail
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-01-07
LOOMS

LOOMS, Jan. 6.-S. F. Bonham's
father, of Lancaster, Wis.,, is visit
ing at the home of his son S. F.
Bonham and with other friends also.
Mrs. James Barr of washington
Springs, is helping take care of her
mother, Mrs. Jos. Gilfillan ST., who
is very low, we are sorry to say.
Mr.. Albert of San Francisco, CAL,
an old time friend of John Blen-
dauer, is visiting at the home of the
N. c. Temple and wife, of Spring
field, Ohio, are wishing at the home
of her mother, Mrs. Henry Pool, also
her brother, Will Pool and Mrs. Add
Mewhither. They have not mot for
% years.
j. S. Daniels, of Mitchell, visited
Friday night with H. H. McLain.
Charles Clark returned Monday
from Elk Point. Master Loran Clark
accompanied him home and is visit
at the home of mis- grandparents,
Mr.. and Mrs. Will Clark.
Mr.. Cramer, of Illinois. is a pleas
ant visitor at the home of T. S.
Barber and William Austin.
There was a pleasant new years
party at the home of w. H. Com
stock, Jan. l. All reported a pleas
ant time.
Dick Atchison, who bought out
Elma Marsden's livery and dray
line, came and took possession Jan.
L. We wish Mr.. Atchison success.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-01-07

gave a temperance lecture in tae NJ.
e. church Sunday evening.
Mesdames Rosenquist and MI
son, went to Mitchell on Sunday to
see a millinery salesman.
Mrs. Charlie Brown went to
Parkston on Saturday.
Mr.. and Mrs. John Clement. and
ALT. are expected to arrive Monday
from Canada where they spent the
Christmas holidays visiting rela-
tives.
Bert Tobin left on Saturday fo1
Springfield. where he will attend
school this winter.
Mr.. and Mrs. Jonas Nelson re-
turned home from Rock Rapids on
Thursday morning.
Miss Christine lcowley celebrated
her birthday anniversary on Sun
day by having a large dinner party,
which a great many of her young
friends enjoyed with her.
NV. w. N. NIdllOLi Glllcl ldlucO 4
very large audience in the NJ. e,
church by his talk on temperance
Sunday evening.
Mr.. Graves returned to his home
in Fulton on Saturday afternoon.
Miss Edith Trow journeycd to Nit.
chell this afternoon to resume he1
studies in music at ID. w. U.
Miss Ada Plotner is a guest at the
Commercial the past few days. Mrs
Plotner of Mitchell spent one day
last week with her old friend. Mrs
Tremaine.
Will Grady spent Christmas with
his daughter at Stickney.
Mr.. and Mrs. Gregory Meyers have
returned to their home in Lyman
county Sunday after a very pleas
ant visit with relatives here.
Miss Rinnie Nolt of Mitchell, who
is a teacher in the Minneapolis
schools, visited her brother, Sollie,
and wife here last week.
Miss Mary Esaak, Of Parkston, Wis
tied friends in Ethan last week.
Byron Swartz and Bernard Mel
schneider. of Parkston, attended the
party at the home of Mr.. j. M.
Evans on New Years night.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-01-07
ETHAN.

Ethan, Jan. 6.-Mr. and Mrs.
John Clement and brother ALT. ar
rived home on the afternoon train
on Monday after a visit of about
two weeks, the greatest part of
which vas spent in Canada. They
stopped in Chicago on the way home
and visited Mr.. Clements brother
who is a policeman in Chicago. They
were accompanied by a sister and
also a cousin of Mr.. Clements.
Horace Annis accompanied his
father to Mitchell on Monday and
returned Tuesday.
A. G. Drake returned Tuesday
from Canada.
Doc Brockman returned to Spring
field, Mo-, to spend the remainder
of the winter.
Mr.. Meyers, who has been visiting
his cousins, the Meyers boys, re-
turned to his home in Utica on Tues
day.
Miss Katie Craig returned to Alb
erdeen on Monday to resume her
studies at the Aberdeen Normal.
Jim Judge returned from Mitchell
on Tuesday.
Ed Flemming's brother arrived
from Chicago, Tuesday.
Miss Ada Plctner returned to her
home in Mitchell on Tuesday having
visited friends here for about a
week.
A Costume Ball. will be given
in Tobey's hall on Monday night
Jan. 18. Everyone is invited to come
and enjoy yourself.
Misses Grace and Myrtle Tobin
will attend school this winter at
Mitchell.
G. F. Drake has gone to Pierre to
attend to his duties at the capitol.
Not a very large crowd attended
the dance Monday night. the cold
being too intense.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-01-07
ETHAN.

Ethan. Jan. 5.-W. o. Champion
attended the State Educational As
ISOLATION at Aberdeen last week.
A very pleasant party was enjoy
ed on New Years night at the home
of j. NJ. Evans, the occasion being
the eighteenth anniversary of Miss
Genevieve's birth. A large crowd,
an oyster supper. music and games
made the evening pass all too quick
ly.
Rev. A. E. Carhart. of Mitchell.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-01-07
Mrs. Add Mewhirter and

Mrs. Add MeWhirter and sons,
Harry and Clarence, have returned
after helping Ora to get settled on
his claim at Quinn.
vid Smith, of Vivian, is visiting
relatives and friends in this locallty.
James Duncan and family of
Washington Springs, not long since
of Mitchell, are visiting at the home
of his brother-in-law. w. d. Allen.
The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-01-07
For Sale.

An improved farm of 800 acres
located 3 miles from the city Of Get
tysburg, S. D: A small set of i'm
provements, two good wells, 16O
acres fenced, 60 acres under cult
walton, all tillable, at $1,000 per
acre on reasonable terms. For in
write,
Box 316, Gettysburg, S. D.