davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1909-02-17
sELF-DEsTRUcTloN LEAGUE
IN ST. PETERSBURG SOCIETY
Strange Clubs il Existsnee-The Tt
ger and Hunter Club

London. Feb. 1.-THE Daily Nails
St Petersburg correspondent declares
that neurasthenia is claiming an ever
increasing number Of victims in all
sections OF st. Petersburg society. A
surprising number Of people tired of
life. seek death by various methods.
Persons Of fashionable society journey
10 Finland and fling themselves into
the romantic Imatra rapids. Strange
clubs and societies are I'm existence.
One of these is styled Tiger and
Hunter" Two members draw lots to
decide who will be the tiger and who
will be the hunter. A silver bell is
hung around the tigers neck and the
hunter Is given loaded revolver.
Both enter darkened rooms and the
spectators take refuge I'm safe cor
ners.
The hunt begins. The hunters eyes
are bound: he is allowed six shots
guided BY the sound of the bell. II he
fails to hit the tiger. the roles are
reversed and the hunter becomes the
tiger. This continues until blood
flows.
Another society has champagne
evenings where one among twenty
bottles is drugged with morphine
Sometimes in single night there are
numerous secret suicides, for which
there Is no plausible explanation. Civ
ing rise. says the Mails espondent
to the suspicion that the victims be
long to the same league of self-de-
struction
Norwich bulletin., 1909-02-17
EXPLOSION IN ENGLISH MINE,
1870 LIVES LOST
Rapping Heard from Some of the En-
tombed Men.

Newcastle, England, Feb. ia ter
rible disaster has occurred at West
Stanley, small mining town twelve
lives have been lost There were two
explosions at four o'clock this after
noon in the West Stanley couiery,
which employs 400 men. Nearly 200
OF the men were in the pit at the time
and uD to a late hour tonight none
Of them have come to the surface. al
though rappings have been heard, and
it is supposed that these are from
some Of the miners who escaped death
from the explosion and the fire which
followed it.
Almost Immediately after the explo-
sion flames burst through the shaft
scorching the workers at the pithead,
and blowing out the fencing and ap-
paratus at the entrance to the mine
The flames spread rapidly and it was
impossible for the rescuing party to
descend into the workings. Thousands
of anxious people gathered at the
mouth Of the pit, but for hours the
fire burned furiOusly. At midnight it
was still impossible to attempt a res
cue and it will be many hours before
the entrance is cleared
An explosion involving twelve lives
occurred at the same colliery in 1882.
Newcastle, England, Feb. 17.-At
1.3O O'Clock this morning 1t was Off
cially known that only 1876 men and
boys were iE the Dit at the time of the
disaster. Others had taken lamps, but
did not descend into the mine. The
SHAFT has not yet been cleared.
Norwich bulletin., 1909-02-17

questions were being hurled at tho
president-elect.
Il would just like 10 see you take a
few kinks out OF him" he remarked 10
the correspondents, smiling. as he ad-
vanced and took hold Of the lapel OF
the Taft coat. This does me good"
Then, addressing Mr.. Taft, the presi-
dent inquired: Am ! going to see you
tomorrow, WHIP"
There were a few questions" Mr..
Taft admitted he would like TO talk
over at the White House I'm the morn
ing, and an engagement was made.
Then the president slipped his arm
through that of the big Of1ioan and led
him down the steps OF the executive
offices. and the two conversed for some
minutes after which Mr.. Taft step
ped into his automobile and the presi-
dent started for his walk.
General View Of Canal Situation.
Before leaving the White House Mr..
Taft explained that the report OF the
board OF engineers was intended to
give general comprehensive view Of
the canal situation. The members of
the board are to make a supplemental
report later to Colonel GoethalH. which
VIII deal with a number Of purely
technical engineering questions, such
as the amount Of cement to be uued In
various lock constructions. the lock
machinery. and such matters. n was
stated upon authority that President
Roosevelt heartily approved the report
Mrs Taft will take an early train for
New York tomorrow. and Mr.. Taft viii
leave in the afternoon for Cincinnati
Norwich bulletin., 1909-02-17
THE INCOMING ARMADA,
HAMPTON ROADS PROGRAMME
Wsrship Procession Will Be Over Ten
Miles in Length.

Washington, Feb. 16.-Nhen the feet
enters Hampton Roads next Monday
and is reviewed by President Roose-
welt II will form a procassio over ten
miles In length, and the review by
the president win occupy two and a
\half hours. The president. after re-
ceiving Rear Admiral Sperry, the rear
admirals commanding the divisions Of
the fleet. and the captains OF each Of
the battleships on board the MaFfiower
at .. m, and addressing them, Will
go aboard each OF the divisional fiag-
ships Of the fleet, and address a rep
resentation OF the officers and crews Of
the four ships forming each division.
who VIII assemble on their flagship.
In this way he win reach all the men
Of the feet Indirectly. For him to
visit each vessel would occupy too
much time. and Rear Admiral Sperry
devised this plan. There will be twen-
ty-six vessels. including the auxiliary
YanlIton. The different divisions OF the
feet win steam eight hundred yards
apart and each OF the vessels will be
spaced four hundred yards apart The
flagship Connecticut viii reach the tail
of the horseshoe. where the presidents
yacht, the Mayfiower. will occupy the
same position she did when the feet
departed, at exactly II a. m. The long
single column viii pass the MayhOwer
ana take up POSITION IN the roads. II
will take two and a half hours for
the entire fleet to pass. At L30 p m.
the vessels will drop anchor either in
a two or three column formation. The
barges OF the admirals OF the fleet
will visit each ship OF their respective
divisions and pick up the captains OF
the fleet. They will then steam along
side the Mayhower reaching there at
,. m. Accompanied by the COM
mander In chief. the president will
leave the Mayhower at 2.30 p. IN. and
proceed TO the Connecticut, spending
25 minutes there, and then go to the
Louisiana. the flagship of the second
division. arriving at 3.05 p. m. He
will visit the Georgia. flagship OF the
third division at 3S5 .. m, and the
Wisconsin. Of the fourth. division. al
4.05 .. m. The president will reach
the Mayfower on return at 40 p.
ns., and that vessel viii then steam
for Washington
Norwich bulletin., 1909-02-17
ARGENTINA FINDS TROUBLE
IN SECURING A LOAN
pf $4,000, ,oOo-shipbuildIna Companies
Insisted on Conditions.

London. Feb. 16.-Argentina, accord
Eng TO reports current on the stock ex
change here, in her effort to secure a
Joan Of s6o, 900 900, Is being confronted
with the difdculty that the great
financial houses are insisting, as
condition for underwriting 1t, that the
Shipbuifding companies in which they
are interested must be given the con-
Eracts for new Argentine fattleships.
II Is said that Argentina first went to
France TO secure the money, but hay
ing asked the shipbuilding companies
Of the world, including three Ameri-
can concerns, to tender bids. she could
not agree in advance that the ships
v7ou1d be built in France. Argentina
then came to England, where one bank
made the saiae stipulation, and nego-
fiatisns are row 90 ne ON Retwesn an
other British firm and Commission
consisting Of Admirals Garcia and
b,ogos and Ca' tain Montes the naval
Rttache to the Argentine legation here,
Ehich is 10 colFder the tenders. The
4nenlbers OF tie commission will visit
British shipyaeds before making their
report They have been invited to go
40 America, but Vt Is doubtful il they
Will have time.
Norwich bulletin., 1909-02-17
Connecticut
General Assembly
LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION REso
LUTON TAKEN FROM TABLE
THE PEESIONlNG OF TEACHERS
Mr.. Quintard of Norwalk Anxious to
End Session by June First-Tells
How 1t Can Be Done.

Hartford, Feb. 16.-The senate was
called to order at 1890 by Lieut. Gov
ernor Weeks. Prayer by Chaplain
Sexton.
Teachers Pension Bill.
Senator Luther. the chairman of the
committee on education, requested the
use of the senate chamber for We'd
nesday afternoon, when the commit
tee will have a hearing on the bill
relating to the pensioning of teachers.
He said that the hearing will be an
important one and it is expected that
Ex-Governor Utter of Rhode Island
and Mr.. Matthews of New York will
speak. On the motion of Senator
Heineman the request of Senator Lu-
ther was granted.
Changes Of Reference.
On the motion of Senator Fem
house bill No. 600. concerning conspir-
acy, referred in the house to the com
mittee on the judiciary. was referred
to the committee on labor
Bills Nos. 633 and 635, concerning
blacl1listing and boycotting. were also
referred to the committee on labor. on
Senator Fenn's motion. The house
had previously referred to the COM
mittee on the judiciary.
Senator Bradford moved that the
Dill III reference TO the East Lyme
Power Co. be referred to the commit
tee on interpretations. Lieut. Govern
OF Weeks informed the senator that his
motion was too late, as the bill had
been sent to the house
Trustee of Schools for Boys.
BY Senator Holzer-For the ap-
pointment Of Zalmon Goodsell trustee
OF the~COnnecticut Schools for Boys
Senate apDOintmanfs
Time of Meeting.
Senator Blakeslee offered a resolu-
ton that hereafter, unless otherwise
ordered, the senate shall meet on
Tuesdays at u o'clock and on We'd
nesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at
11.15. Senator Blakeslee said his pur-
pose in offering the resolution was to
expedite business and to enable sena-
tors to attend committee hearings so
that people may be accommodated.
Senator Holzer suggested that the
time on Wednesdays Thursdays and
Fridays be fixed at 11.2O.
Senator Chase said the house had
fixed the time at Ills and the senate
should do the same.
The resolution Of Senator Blakeslee
was passed.
At $50 the senate adjourned to
Wednesday at Ills.
Norwich bulletin., 1909-02-17
People Have no Heart for BusineSS--CrOwdS at
Churches where Masses are Celebrated
OVER 200 LIVES LOST IN THEATRE FIRE
Holocaust Due Caeessness and nexperence of Opera
tor of Moving Picture Machine-Latest Reports In
dicate that no Americans Pershed-Narrow Escape
of American Consul, MIR. Morehead.

Mexico City. Feb. 16.-Late de-
spatches from Acapulco where the
Flores theater was burned Sunday
night while the structure was crowded
at a gala performance given in honor
OF Governor Damian Flores OF the
state OF Guerrero. bring varying estl-
mates OF the loss OF life in the holo-
cause, They agree in declaring, how
over. that the dead will exceed two
hundred. while some place the figure
as high as $50. Most OF the dead were
chaFrrd and burned beyond recognt-
ton. so that it will take several days
probably to secure an accurate list Of
the dead.
All Business Suspended.
Acapulco is dazed by the catastrophe.
All business at the port has ceased,
fbe shops having closed. and the people
are crowding the churches, where
masses are being celebrated for the
dead. Subscription lists have been
opened throughout the state Of Guer-
rero and in Mexico City for the suffer-
ers.
Careless Moving Picture Operator.
The fire. which spread with incred-
ible rapidity through the immense
wooden and adobe structure, was due
10 the careIsssness and fnexperience Of
the operator of the moving picture ma
chine.
There was an explosion, a burst Of
fame which communicated to the bunt-
iug used for decorative purposes, and
in a few minutes the entire structure
was a mass Of fire.
Exits Turned Into Wall Of Fire.
The flames started practically over
She main entrance. The exits we're all
in the front part OF the building, which
was almost Immediately turned into
wall of fire, so that the people We're
trapped In the burning building. The
people, in a frenzied panic, tried to run
Ahe gauntlet of flames. but where one
escaped, scores Of others perished. As
nearly always in catastrophes Of the
kind the women and children suffered
most. comprising a majority of the
dead.
Norwich bulletin., 1909-02-17
NOTABLE GATHERING OF
CONNECTICUT MANUFACTURERS
Steps taken Toward Formation of a
State Association.

Bridge port Conn. Feb 1.-THE first
annual dinner Of the Bridgepo Manu-
facturers' associa tion at the Stratfield
tonight brought a notable gathering
Of manufacturers from all parts of the
state. and informal steps were taken
toward the formation of a state assO-
citation of manufacturers.
The after dinner speakers included
Herbert Knox Smith, chief of the bu-
reau Of corporations Of the department
of commerce and labor; Congressman
De Almond Of Missouri. end Congress .
man Murdock of Kansas.
Mr.. Smith confined his remarks to
the work Of his department.
There is going on now a tremen-
dous struggle for the control OF the
business machinery-the corporation"
he said. "On the one hand are those
hostile forces that by fraud and Spe-
cial privilege are striving to control
that machinery for their own selfish
ends: few, indeed in number, but tSr-
reaching in power. On the other hand
is the vast majority Of business men,
who by plain honesty. efficiency and
energy are striving to use our busi-
ness machinery for proper ends and for
justified success. The government
wants to see the honest, efficient man
succeed.
That is the problem Of the bureau.
We have met it by efficient publicity.
We have investigated painstakinely
certain great staple industries and
have laid the essential facts before the
public The work Of publicity must
go on. We believe that when we can
lay the facts Of proven evils plainly
before the people they will do the
rest"
Mr. De Almond declared that the
american manufacturer paid too much
attention to the home market, that he
had already and that could not b. tax
en- away from him. and too little to the
markets Of the far east and Of EdrOpv.
Congressman Murd'ck contrasted the
methods of the manufacturers Of the
east and Of the west. declaring that
the eastern men were behind the times
and u0uSt wake M
Norwich bulletin., 1909-02-17
CONSTRUCTION OF A TARIFF.
Msn Of Widely Differing Views Speak
at indianapolis Meeting.

Indianapolis Ind, Feb. 1B.--Men Of
opposing political parties and whose
Siews on the construction Of a tariff
differed as widely as the tsnets Of their
parties. Sst sida by side as delegates
and Joined Ia tumultaouE applause to-
day as speaker after speaker in tina
fret national tariff commission coRTen-
zion vigorously denounced the present
bAFin and the method OF its eonstruc-
tlRn.
That the present tariff system has
fpeeR outgTUWn and that the United
Etates fingers decades behind the sci
entihc nlSthods Of European countries,
oFss reported almost as often As a new
@psaker addressed the delegates. That
&ae prompt establishment OF a non
partisan tariff oommission was the onH
~ FenSsdy for present conditions way
fepested as otter.
On the nature Of the cOrs mission; :
whether Il should be a permanent bu-
Cssu and an adjunct to the depart
fnsnt OF commerce and labor. an ap-
pointtYe commission, or one composed
of experts, the speakers difered as
apparently did the delegates, but Of the
argent need for it there seemed no
Rispute.
Former Governor Guild OF Aassa-
ehusetts, Senator Brown OF Nebraska
and Congressman RansaeH Of Louisi-
ans gave fhe varying view points OF
there sections. That there was little
conflict save on minor points was in
1Nstsa " their speeches.
Norwich bulletin., 1909-02-17
SMrchine the Ruins.

The search of the ruins, which has
now been going on for some hours,
has thus far revealed no recognizable
human form. Charred bodies, from
which legs and arms have been burned,
together with many dismembered
limbs. have been taken from the ruins,
and as there is no chance Of identify
ing these remains, all have been buried
in a. common trench by the municipal
authorities.
Roof Crashed Down on Entrapped
Audience.
The greatest loss of life was occa-
stoned. according to survivors, by the
fall of the roof, which crashed down
on the entrapped. people in what SEEM
ed a short time after the blaze was
discovered. Previous to this the men
in the pit had fought like demons,
striking down women and children in
their efforts to escape. The fall Of the
roof, however, stilled the screams and
groans of the fighting, panic-stricken
audience.
Firenasn PowerIese to Aid.
The hremen and the crowds on the
outside. who had been attracted to the
scene, could do nothing to help the
people in the burning building, and
were compelled to stand helpless and
watch the theater with its human con-
tents burn. After the first five or ten
minutes there were no cries heard and
there was no noise save that made by
the squirting and cracking flames.
No Americans Lost Their Lives.
Latest reports indicate that no Amer
leans lost their lives, though earlier
dispatches had said that several We're
killed. The American consul, Mr.. More
head. had been invited TO the perform
ance, but pressing business made 1t
for him to attend and prob
ably saved his life.
Houses Turned Into Hospitals.
Many of those who escaped We're in
iured in the panic or severely burned,
and many of the houses near the scene
were transformed into hospitals to take
care of these people.
Norwich bulletin., 1909-02-17

although three months have gone by
mot one line, not one syllable" has
come from that commission concern
ing that conference. Mr. Chandler
denied that any discOurtesy to the tx
isting commission is intended II this
commission is an innovation. as the
gentleman from Woodbury. called IT,
said Mr.. Chandler. it is in line with
the action Of Connecticut from colOniol
times. It has been ConnectiCut's way
to lead and let other states t1uuw.
his measure is far seeing aai hon
est and the labor in carrying out its
Pre- visions is a thankiess task for any
body said Mr.. Chandler He denied
that he desired or would accept a place
or the commission. (Applause.)
The question was on the suspension
Of the rules. A rising vote showed loa
in favor and 10 aga inst. and as tive
thirds vote is required the motion to
suspend was lost
On motion Of Mr.. Burnes t'e resolu-
tion took the regular course, being
tabled for calendar and printing.
The house adjourned at 2.05 10 mecl
at Ills on Wednesday.
Norwich bulletin., 1909-02-17
GENERAL ASSEMBLY NOTES.
New London Groton Ferry Petitions
ConsidereG-Highwsy Br. Se Across
the Thames at New London-other
Matters.
Especial to The Bulletin.)

Hartford. Feb. 16-There was an ef-
fort to hold meeting Of the Windham
county representative on county mat
ters this afternoon. following the adj
journment Of the house. but as only
four or five members showed up at the
room assigned for the purpose, no
meeting was held. and another meet
ing will probavy be called for next
week Tuesday.
The joint committee on roads. bridges
and rivers met this afternoon 70" the
purpose Of assigning matters for hear
ing, and considered the petitions con-
cerning the New London -Groton ferr9.
among other matters. There are three
or four measures which relate to this.
among them the general proposition to
have the state take over all the ferries
over its waters. as IL has done i'm the
cases of the toll bridges which remain
ed two years ago.
Then there is a petition from Mayor
Armstrong for the reduction of rates
on the present ferry owned by the
Chappells. and a petition from the Sc
lectmen Of the town of Groton to be
allowed to start an Independent ferry
line. There is also a measure which
will give the right to New London and
Groton to maintain a highway bridge
across the Thames river at New Lon
don. The committee, Of which Mr..
Bushnell Of. Norwich is clerk. has not
absolutely settled on the date of the
hearing or these matters. but expects
now to hold them during the second
week in March-Or to begin them then.
The week previous will probably be
devoted to hearings on the various au-
tonlobile matters which have been in
troduced.
Among the resolutions appointing
judges which were before the iudfSiary
committee today were those of Harry
E. Back for Judge and James N
Tucker for deputy Judge of the Kill
ingly town court.and william H. Heald
judge and Michael D. O'Connell depu-
ty judge Of the Stafford Springs court.
They were considered at the executive
session Of the committee and viii
doubtless be reported favorably within
q short time.
Norwich bulletin., 1909-02-17
Senator'S Widow
On Witness Stand
HALF CARRIED, HALF ASSISTED
INTO COURT.
CO0PER-SHARP TRIAL BEGINS
Taking Of Testimony in the Carmack
Murder case-After a Few Questions
Mrs. carmack Became HysterieaI.

Nashville, Tenn, Feb. 16.-Filled
with dramatic incidents and marked
by scenes that bordered on the sensa-
tlonal, the first day of the actual trial
Of the Cooper Sharp case closed to-
night. Whether Col. Duncan B. Coop
er Robin ]. Cooper, and John Sharp
killed former Senator E. w. Carmack
in self defense or as result of a con-
spiracy is the issue.
Almost Carried to Witness tSand.
The taking of testimony began to-
day with every seat in the big new
court room occupied. Scarcely had the
attorneys been raped into order
Judge Hart has broken two perfectly
good gavels in the work thus far
when Mrs. z. W. Carmack, the slain
senator's widow, was half carried. half
assisted into the room. She was gown
ed in deepest mourning. She is pc
tite and slender. Her black veil fell
nearly to her feet Her knees gave
way as she neared her seat and she
was moaning as she was placed in the
chair. Her little son, Ned. Jr. aged 10.
stood by his mother, patting her shoul-
der and trying to keep back his tears.
The state called Mrs. Carmack as its
first witness. She was almost carried
to the witness stand, a raised plat
form, by her kinsman, Frank Lander,
who succeeded her husband as editor
of The Tennesseeean.
Became HysterieaI and Was Excused.
A few questions were asked her, but
she became hysterical and was ex-
cused.
Gave Defendants a Look Of Hatred.
As Mrs. Carmack was leaving the
stand, young New Carmack turned
squarely towards the defendants and
fixed upon them a look of hatred. Mrs
Carmack was followed on the witness
stand by Mrs. Eastman who seized the
revolver said to have been found near
the dead editors body and re-enacted
the tragedy. Her cross examination
was severe but only strengthened the
Testimony
Norwich bulletin., 1909-02-17
RATTLESHIP FLEET
WEATHERED SEVERE GALE.
Amateur Operators Bother Wireless
station-FIeet 1900 Miles from Cape
Henry.

Boston. Feb. 16.-The wireless sta
Jion at the Charlestown navy yard to-
night received a message from the bat
tleship feet stating that the vessels
had passed through a severe gale and
had been making slow time The ships
were proceeding ut about eleven knots
an hOur when the message was sent.
The feet was about 1,200 miles from
Cape Henry.
During the evening the CharIestown
station received a one thousand word
message in cipher. The message will
be given to Commandant Swift tomor-
row. The operator experienced much
difficulty in receiving the message on
account Of Interruptions by amateur
operators.
Norwich bulletin., 1909-02-17
Blizzard Ties Up Railroad Traffic.

Ballston \. Y. Feb. 16-The biz
zard which has prevailed here during
the past twenty-four hours has almost
tied up traffic on the railroads. Trains
are behind time and in most instances
are hauled by two locomotives. On
the Adirondack branch Of the Delaware
and Hudson three trains are Off the
track at Hadley. North Creek and
South Corinth. At the after place tie
engineer and fireman were buried be-
meath the tender, but escaped serious
injury.