davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-01

He returned in 1890 and In 1871 the posi-
ton of Secretary OF the Navy was offered
to him. but he declined ii. He did not
care for office. and it probably is just as
we'll that he did not. for he had more use
full work to do. Under his supervision
the sloop Princeton, the first naval vessel
of the United States to use steam, was
built.
In 1874 he had sailed in the Princeton to
carry the annexation resolutions to the
government of Texas. and in 1915, before
the breaking out OF the Mexican war. he
had been sent to the Pacific in the frigate
Congress to relieve Commodore Sioat,
comma nding the United States squadron
In those waters The government wanted
man of quick action on the Pacific coast
Just then and no one in the naval service
had such a reputation FOR quick thin King
and quick acting as Fighting Bob
declared Stockton got busy.
Los Angeles was the capital of Cali
fornia in those days. Stockton captured
San Diego. which had been taken by the
Americans hands: he defeated the enemy
at Rio San Gabriel and at La Mesa. and
August Is. 1S46. he took possession o.
Los Angeles. Having organized civil
government for the state. he appointed
Gen. Fremont, who had been co-operat-
ing with him, governor Stockton super
intended all military operations until the
province of California was coded to the
nlteu states.
Stockton returned home overland during
the following summer and received almost
many honors as did Gen. Zachary
Taylor and Gen. Winfield Scott. And
the Californians did not forget him. The
city of Stockton is named for him and
Stockton street in San Francisco like
wise. The legislature OF New Jersey gave
reception in his honor and rendered a
vote of thanks to him. and so soon as they
could do SO the people of New Jersey sent
him to the United States Senate. Those
were the rosy days for Fighting Bob
While in the Senate he got through the
measure by which f1ogging in the navy
was abolished, and he gave earnest at
tention to all propositions for coast de-
Tense.
A warrior from his boyhood, fearless as
man can be. his blood running riot when
conflict arose, a time now came when
Fighting Bob was Fighting Bob" no
longer, but he used every argument. every
plea every influence IN his power for
peace. 1t was a new role for the man Of
Mars, but perhaps the Quaker blood, so
long still, now ran stronger than the
other. He was one of the most active
members of the American party and was
delegate to the peace congress OF 1861
He lived to see peace-the peace that
came after the great conflict-and then, Oc-
tober Z. 1866 Fighting Bob" died in the
quiet old university village he and his
Quaker ancestors called home and which
the Stocktons for many generations to
come are likely 10 call home.
Copyright. 1909. by Richard Spillane.)
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-01
The Witty Duke.

A CHICAGO heiress was relating some
o her experiences during the Lon
don season that has just ended.
And at dinner III Belgrade square,
she said Il sat next TO the Duke OF
Devonshire. He is, of course, very
great swell. He has the manner of the
swells o. Du Maurfer, very bored man.
ner, and in a sleepy draw he saws witty
things.
"'I can scarcely believe, I said to the
duke. that in your maiden speech in the
house of commons you paused three
times and yawnei heavily"
oh. but you'd believe it. said he. If
you'd heard the speech.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-01

ana honest wOrkmen. ana is as SOou ~
day as the day It was finished 1t has
an air of peace and responsibility. of
ouietude and contentment well suited to
its Quaker beginnings and its university
surroundings. Queer cradle for the great
est fighting man that the American Navy
ever has known or probably ever will
know. Here was born in 1896 Robert
Field Stockton, the Andrew Jackson of
tie sea. Into his life was crowded enough
of adventure, enough of danger. enough
Of due1ing. enough of conquest to supply
a regiment of Dumas Practically single
handed and alone he took. at the point
Of his pistol, the vast territory that is
now the republic of Liberia. He con-
quered California and gave it to the
United States. Once he was under en-
gagement to fight duels with all the
British officers on duty at Gibraltar. He
threw hot shot into the gentlemanly ruff
fans of the Barbary states, and he scat
tered the pirates who in the first half of
the nineteenth century infested the Gulf
of Mexico. He loved nothing better than
a scrap. and particularly If 1t was with
an Englishman. He had reason to hate
that great man, Richard Stockton, the
Eigner of the Declaration of Independence
died as the result of the brutal treat
ment he received while prisoner in the
ttOnary war.
Of all the fighting men of America
Stockton probably was more of the aris-
tocrat by birth and training than any
other. More than one hundred years prior
10 the Declaration of Independence his
ancestors, who were persons of wealth
and position. had come from England
and purchased a tract of 6,00 acres of
land in what is now Princeton. They
were Quakers. and left England to es
cape persecution from the Stuarts. Rich
ard Stockton, the signer of the Declara-
ton, was one OF the greatest lawyers
OF his time. He was so great man
that when he went abroad long before
the revolution, every Difference and honor
was Shown to him in France and Eng
land. Richard Stockton, son of the sign
or and father of the naval hero, was for
forty years the leader of the bar in New
Jersey. and Joseph II. Choate OF the
first quarter of the nineteenth century.
The law had no attractions for Robert
Stockton, Fighting Bob he always
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-01

arrested and cast into a dungeon by
the British officer in command. also be-
ing fiogged and grievously abused. He
was rescued from the prison by the
to obtain any redress. The captain of
the Boston merchantmen then challenged
the British officer. but his challenge was
received with the contemptuous inquiry
that a British officer would fight the
captain of a Yankee merchantmen"
Stockton tried to get redress for the
Boston captain, but was repealed in a
manner that provoked him to fighting
pitch. He challenged the Englishman.
and when they met put a bullet in him.
The manner in which the British officer
acted on the field led Stockton to declare
that even in the duel he had shown a
cOwardly spirit. One of the seconds
thereupon remarked that If Stockton did
not apologize he would have to fight all
the officers of the regiment. Stockton
said he would be delighted. He said he
would assume that the seconds remark
was a challenge from all the officers of
the regiment. and that he would accept
it. Before Stockton could shoot up the
interfered At his suggestion the COM
mander Of the American squadron for
babe the officers of the Erie to go ashore.
This did not end it, however. The squad
ron sailed away, but a few months later
the Erie returned. Stockton got after
the Englishmen again. and received a
message from the British captain that
he was ready to give him another meet
ing. Safe conduct was guaranteed to
Stockton, and the British officer pledged
that the duel should be on neutral
ground, and that it should not be in
terrupted.
When the principals and seconds met,
however, the English party began max
ing numberless objections which excited
the suspicious OF the Americans. Soon
the Americans saw the guard coming to
arrest them. The Americans forced the
British to place their man, the men ex-
changed shots and Stockton wounded his
antagonist. Then Stockton had to turn
his attention to escaping
The guards who were coming to arrest
him had blocked the only route OPEN
Stockton overthrow them and hurried
away. Further along the path he en-
countered a Dragon. Dragging the dra-
COON from his horse, Stockton jumped
up and rode at a gallop through the main
street of Gibraltar down to the shore,
where his sailors were awaiting him.
Feeling that he had been deceived by
the British officers, and that their con-
duct in ARA nging for his arrest was con-
temptible. Stockton branded them as a
lot of knaveS.
The tension between the men on the
squadron and the troops on shore was
strained to the utmost. and 1T only was
after great efforts by the commander of
the squadron and the governor of Gibral-
tar that truce was arranged and the
sailors and the soldiers could meet with
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-01
effect of the Guerriere's first broad

the effect of the Guerriere's first broad
side.
He went to the extremity of the bow
spirit and remained there while two broad
sides were fired. He came back and said ::
''They are firing wildly Let's go to work
and knock in the cabin windows of the
pirate" During the remainder of the half
hour the Spitfire, with her thirty two
FOUNDER. poured in raking fire. until the
guns of the Algerine were silenced. When
she struck her flag she proved to be a
ship of the Algerine admiral He was
was killed on the Spitfre and only -Four
were wounded on the Guerrero
Some of the things that the Americans
did in that war with the Rarbary pirates
are almost beyond belief. In one engage
ment with the Algerian brig that had
sought safety in shallow water Stockton
took men in small boats and boarded the
corsair. capturing him after a terrific
hand-to-hand fight. Up and down the
Mediterranean went the American SQUAD
ron, and every time one of the Algerian
vessels was discovered it was destroyed.
So vigorous was the action of Decatur
that the Dey of Algiers. the Pasha of
Tunis and the Bey of Tripoli sued for
mercy, and ever afterward respected the
Stars and Stripes
For four or five years after the Algerian
war Stockton was on cruise. first in the
Washington and later in the Erie.
X X
In those days the American navy was
a stranger in European ports. and the
British, smarting under the defeats of
the war Of 1912, We're very savage toward
Americans On one occasion the Erie
dropped anchor in the bay Of Naples An
italian came aboard and solicited employ
ment in transporting things between the
ship and shore He presented. according
to custom. his book of certificates show
ing what other men-of-war had employed
him Among these certificates was one
given him by an American naval officer,
beneath which a British officer had writ
ten contemptuous and opprobrious cpl
tibet
Stockton was furious when he read
what the British officer had written.
Learning that the officer was aboard one
of the English men-ofwar in the bay,
Stockton sent him challenge. The Eng
lishman seemed disinclined to fight. ex-
cept at long range with pistols. but a
duel was finally arranged. Stockton shot
the English officer in his leg. The Brit
Usher dropped. yelling, I'm hit. I'm hit,
Are you satisfied Stockton said he
was not, but finally agreed TO let the
matter drop IL the Britisher showed
proper courtesy to all Americans there
after.
When the Erie arrived at Gibraltar
the captain of a Boston merchant YES
sci came aboard and complained of the
treatment to which he had been sub
Jected. There was a regulation I'm Gibral-
tar that at night every one should carry
a lantern. The captain did not know
this, and walked a hundred feet or so
ashore without light For this he was
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-01

the example that is set them by the
women.
The regard paid to woman in society
depends very much upon the standard of
public morality. If she wishes to be
more highly respected and to have her
claims more justly considered. her best
means of accomplishing it is to labor for
the worlds betternent. So true is this.
mat you may measure the moral eleva-
ton of I. community by the estimate in
which woman is held. There is no excep-
ton TO this rule.
If wome.. NIX the drink. men will not
refuse 20 take 1t. + Won give men the
impression: that Yea TINT. Hey are better
company when tllei- rcng.:es are 1oosened
by drin;. and treat ii3st,naerance as a
joke, men viii regard Gi'ss.ration as a
paToorahle fault. l. .o'. are Mortified
because some poor fe.,os., whose first
step IL folly was taken under yo;.r di-
rect.on. gut who is row by drunkenness
made Unfit TO-. your society, YOUR incon-
sistency vii! plainly appeal anu men
Will see that It IS rot so much the drink
ing ha3it that Is concerned a. It's yu.-
gar!ty and g:cSsEJ.s.
VIII YOU mothers place termination, in
the way of your SON. VIE YOU sisters
make virtue difficult to YOUR brotherr
VIII YOU young women, who would mace
your keeping III tho lanes %. him yo,:
love, place in his HANDS the poison which
may find its waE tG his heart? VIII Won
wives continue to surround your husbands
with snares, so skilifullr covered that
they may fall into them almost una
wares?
! do not believe that the drinking of a
glass OF wine is sin, nor is the man or
woman who drinks moderately necss-
sarily sinner, any more thar the total
abstainer is necessarily saint. Intem-
perance implies a ruling passion, a de-
grading slavery and a power that has
gained the mastery.
Some men and women because of the
popularity Of their organism are not
sensibly affected by a moderate use of
the drink. that they are not drunkards
IS perhaps due to their temperament, and
the credit Is due to nature ard not 10
the man or tie woman.
distinguished English lawyer in a re-
cent lecture before the Medical Legal So
Getty OF London eontended that the
amount of drink which a man consumes
does not determine the question at what
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-01

tutions for nervous and mental diseases
wrote to me.
The medical profession knows only too
well the increasing tendency to tipping
among society women and its disastrous
results. Fully 20 per cent of the drug
cases among women come of first using
alcoholic stimulants; overindulgence at
fashionable dinners or other social func-
tons creates the necessity for a quick re-
covery from the induced debauch: NOR
phine or something of like nature is
taken; the inevitable consequences are an
increased necessity for stimulauts and a
repetition of the drug. Increased nervous
ness and mental degeneration follow Once
woman acquires a taste for stimulants
she is to large degree undone and a
hopeless wreck. Espec ally is this true
IN the higher circlss where sentiment
leads and society sanct onS'
The director in another inebriate insti-
tute adds this testimony:
For the last ten years | should esti-
mate tie increase Of drunkenness among
men to De at least 10 rer cent and .o1
more than men When once they begin
They are more reckless and go to pieces
sooner"
That women drink as freely and as
frequently as Tie men is a sight that
you can see for "ou.se,e in the fashion,
able cafes of our srea. cities. where
wealth ahounds ard beauty smiles
l speak from what 7 have SEEN as
have mingled In soc ETY.. / dare not trust
myself TO describe the things I have
seen am ng WoUe1. young and tender,
upon whose more imp, essionable temper
ament and finer cre* rization the de-
stroyer mad taken firm hold and among
women no longe.' ycurg. but whose soul
and sense were dead long before their
eyes were closed.
we'll known New York Judge in a re-
cent address said: Twenty years ago If
you took woman to the theater you
might ask her il she would have an ice
cream or lemon soda. nowadays you
just steer her to a restaurant and say 20
The waiter. Two Marhattans, please be-
fore you ask If she wants anything to
eat.
A New York police magistrate, some
time since, said to two women who were
brought before him charged with intoxi-
cation: You make up nearly a score of
women OF apparent refinement and educa-
ton who have been brought before me of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-01

as an enemy Of the slave trade. Imme-
diately the whole party of head men. 1O(
or more in number. jumped UP, roaring
threats to kill Stockton.
There were no sX-shooters in those
days and no repeating rifles, but Stock
ton acted as calmly as If he was on the
quarterback Drawing two navy pistols
he handed one to the missionary and
said: Shoot that villain of a mulatto
if he opens his lips again" With his
other pistol he took aim at King Peters
head and sternly instructed the king 10
sit down and behave himself until Stock
ton got through talking with him or he
would be killed instantly.
King Peter and the whole party nearly
collapsed from fright at this one mans
daring.
And then and there. pistol in hand
Stockton practically dictated the treaty
by which Liberia was created and that
vast stretch of African territory opened
to free negroes.
Stockton was thirty years old when he
got back to the United States He had
honors enough for any man, it seemed,
so. there being no war nor prospect of
war, he wanted to resign from the navy
and enjoy life. But before he could do
this he was ordered to the West Indies to
rid the Gulf OF Mexico Of pirates.
For centuries the gulf had been in
tested with buccaneers. who had all sorts
of odd harbors in which to hide Lafitte
had his headquarters once at Galveston.
once at Barataria and once at Dry Tor
tugas. Some Of the Spanish freebooters
had their bases in the Bahamas. Within
six months Stockton had cleaned out
every known stronghold Of the pirates
and had sunk several pirate craft and
killed or captured dozens OF the sea rob-
bers
This work DONE his resignation was &C
cepted. He got a charter for the Della
ware and Raritan canal and built that
waterway. incidentally, he turned his at
tention to politics and horse racing. In
politics, of course, he was the stanch
supporter of Andrew Jackson. In horse
racing he was a good deal like the late
d. D. Withers, not much on the be ting
end. but great on breeding, and Immensely
proud when one of his home-bred colts
won a race.
He was a distinguished success on the
turf, too, although he did spend a large
sum on his breeding establishment. Among
the great stations he imported from Eng
land were Trustee and Langford. and he
also imported that magnificent broodmare
Diana. For nearly twenty years the
Stockton horses were prominent wherever
big race meetings were held in America,
and today the blood of the Stockton horses
can be traced in many of the great fam-
lies of thoroughbreds.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-01

l. S | y l; S S bars
q r / n X n < men.
Competition h a s
become so keen
that every line OF
business is begin
ming 10 shut its
doors absolutely to
the drinking man,
and only men of
steadfast h a b j I S
can find employ
ment. Thus. While
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-01

late. You think you have the right to
parade up and down public thorough
fare after night of dissipation. that
every one may see you. think that it is
horrible state of affairs" The women
were held in court until their husbands
come for them, then they were dis
charged.
Were the so-called higher classes of
society to discontinue the moderate use
OF drink, the effect would be TO render
drink questionable, for fashion is only
another term for public sentiment I
know how tyrannical fashion is and that
there are many persons who would rather
be out of the world than out OF the
fashion, but improbable as may be your
success in changing the general customs
by your protest, the improbahili.y OF your
success is no reason for being silent.
They who attempt nothing are quite
sure to accomplish nothing. Social
uSages can be more easily changed than
we a. first suppose If only a small
number in every community or social
circle. OF those who are raised by their
wealth and hospitality above the accusa-
ton of meanness and by their standing
above suspicion. so dreadful to endure
of being unfa shiona ble-if few such
people were to begin the change there
would be many to follow and a few years
would show great and general improve
ment.
1t is woman's Influence to- which We
must look for the change required. If
woman really wishes the change it will
be accomplished and If YOU faithfully
performed your duty, if your influence
We're heartily eSerted. I believe that the
whole great question of temperance would
be triumphantly carried. 1t is for YOU
women to say whether the drinking Gus
toms shall continue to increase among us
or daily become less.
Woman controls the affections OF man
and thereby molds his chara cter If YOU
could only understand the importanc of
your position and the greatness OF your
work as the educator OF the human race.
YOU would find enough to employ al your
faculties and to satisfy YOUR highest am
billions. In view of such great RESPONSE
bilty resting on you. have we not a right
as men and as patriots to demand that
YOU help TO elevate the tone of public
sentiment and SO advance the cause of
morality" Women are the law givers,
men are the subjects. Men are influenced
by the teaching they receive from and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-01

THIN half a mile
of the campus of
Princeton Cniver-
sity, New Jersey.
there is A simple,
solid, dignified old
dwelling W II | c h
many a millionaire
would be delighted
to own. 1t was
built $50 or 10,
years ago. in a day
of sound timbers
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-01

business competition is promoting So
briefly among men among women OF
leisure there has been within recent Years
an alarming increase of the drink habit.
The frequency with which respectable
women drink cocktails, whisky straight,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-01

precise stage of intoxication man may
be considered drunk. He says, for IN
stance that after injury TO the health. or
an attack of sun stroke. and III certain
cases of epilepsy. a single glass or beer
will convert an ordinarily quiet indiy d
ual into a bowling, fighting maniac. and
yet the magistrate who Furnishes the re-
pentant offender has often consumed
more alcohol with his luncheon than the
man or woman before him.