davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening journal., 1910-12-28
ACCUSED SLAYER
OF VETERAN HELD
COrOner'S Jury Recommends
That John StigeTS be
Kept in Custody

WEST CHESTER, Pa, Dec. 2S.-
John stigers, aged u years. who had
been arrested in Lancaster, on the
charge OF the murder Of Richard Mer-
Ger, Civil War veteran, whose body
was found with wounds probably pro-
duced by hatchet, in his home at
Grove, has been required to be kept in
custody by the coroner's juhy.
The jury rendered verdict that
Mercer came to his death at the hands
of persons unknown, but that sus-
picion pointed to Stigers. The jury
recommended that he be held pending
further investigation.
Deputy Coroner Lewis Baldwin, OF
Cain, assembled his jury at the resi-
denco of George Hoffman, foreman
short distance from the scene Of the
crime. Doctor Scattergood, Of West
Chester. testified to the nature and
result of the wounds upon the slain
man.
John Sigers, the accused man, ad-
mitted under the crOss-examinatior
of District Attorney Gawthrop that he
had been at Mercer's home on th'
Monday afternoon that Mercer wal
slaln He said he went there to bic
Mercer good-by, as he, Sugers, IN
tended to leave the section.
He declared Mercer was alive an'
well when he left the house, and tha
he walked to West Chester, where h'
slept in an outbuilding that night.
Mercer's will was prohated. and III
leaves all his property, consisting o
house and six acres Of land, 20 th
Grove Methodist Episcopal Church i
trust. 2 portion Of the income 10 b.
used in the payment of the pastor
salary
Evening journal., 1910-12-28
new SHERIFF HOLDS
BACKAPPOINTMENT

Up TO the present no appointments
have been made by Sheriff James
Logue who goes into office on Mon
day next He has two deputies to name
in Wilmington aud one for the conn
try districts.
Register In Chancery Joseph G. Jolls
and Register Of Wills Francis N. Wal
ker will make no change in their Of
fice forces.
Recorder OF Deeds A. V. L. George
Is not yet ready TO announce his ap-
p0intments. 1t Is understood that one
OF the present clerks win take charge
OF the deputy's work while new clerk
win be temporarily appointed
At the session OF the Legislature It
Il probable that bill will be pre-
sented providing for a new clerk TO
have charge os the registration OF
deoths, births, and marriages recorded
IN the office. II was reported to-day
that the nevF clerk 70 be named for
the Office next week 0buld likely cSme
from New Castle hundred.
Evening journal., 1910-12-28
GREAT AUTO CONTEST
IS NOW WARMING UP

limited number OF votes but that kind
Of candidates are not the kind that
win. Friends soon tire OF assisting
those who do not appear inclined 20
help themselves
Strong characters in this day and
time are those who make up their
mind TO do a thing and then go and
do t. They don't expect results un-
less they make the effort The candi-
dates of energy and determination,
those who make up their minds not TO
be defeated, are the ones that may be
expected to be among the leaders on
the last day.
Those who won bonus votes under
the offer that has just expired have
reason to feel gratified, but they
should not relax their efforts. The
prizes are not won yet The contest
has more than four weeks yet to run.
Those who are now in the lead cannot
retain their advantage IL they relax
their efforts and other candidates con-
tinue hard work.
/ The spirit of winning is just now
getting thoroughly into the system of
many candidates who have heretofore
remained passive, and the contest may
be expected to move with dash from
Evening journal., 1910-12-28
WILSON MAKES
REPLY TO SMITH
Repeats That He Understood
Newark Man Would Not be
Candidate for Senator
WILL LET PUBLIC DECIDE
ON TRICKERY CHARGES

BY United Press Leased Special Wire.
NEWARK, N. j.. Dec. 2S.-Governor-
elect Woodrow Wilson replied In part
to James Smith, Jr., today, in a state
ment telegraphed to the Evening News
from ST. Louis. Mr. Wilson states
that the reply Is with reference only
to paragraphs from Smiths statement
Of yesterday which were telegraphed
to him by the News.
Mr.. Wilson's statement follows:
81 certainly would not have all
lowed my name TO go before the con-
vention that nominated me had I not
believed the gentleman who told me
that Mr.. Smith would not be a candi-
date for the Senate spoke for Mr..
Smith. / had every reason to think
that he did
"I will not name him, because he
( Is a man whom / very highly esteem,
and upon whom | do not care 20
bring the modification of being drawn
into this now very public matter.
81 am quite willing TO go with Mr.
Smith before the Court Of Public
Opinion on the charge Of attempted
ltrickery aud deceit.
IF the gentleman of whim ] have
spoken did not speak for Mr. Smith,
I IN what he told me. why did Mr..
Smith corroborate what he had said p!
He himself told me exactly the same
thing when he came to my homo
a few DAYS after the election. Ho
told me in the plainest terms that
before the election he had not de-
sired to go 10 Washington, had not
/ felt equal TO seeking or occupying the
office: but that he was now feeling
stronger and did desire It. He was
evidently referring to something ne
knew l had known.
"Mr Smith has a singularly dis
torted recollection Of that conversa-
ton. did speak as his friend
/ felt very friendly toward him indeed
and wish that ! might have been per-
mitted to serve his real interest IN
this final decision Of his public ca
reer.
81 pointed out TO him the deep dis
credit that would fall upon him II h'
we're himself TO take the senatorship
Finding him utterly contemptuous ol
the primary and toward Mr.. MARITIME
finding that he insisted that the Stat
would be disgraced should Mr.. Mar
tine, rather than he, represent 1t II
the Senate, tried to point out 70 hin
in all kindness the only course tha
Law open 70 him In the circumstance
if he would win the respect o
thoughtful men.
~ told him that feeling as he did
the only honorable course open &
him was to come out and say that h
was not himself a candidate AM
would cooperate in this choice Of an
man whom general opinion nigh
agree upon as representing not spec
ial interests, but the opinion ant
character of the State.
Il was suggesting course for him
not choosing one for myself. My Owl
duty has been plain from the first. H
told me that he did not know Of an
such man in the State who ha
any claim on the party comparabl
70 his own.
"I hope that I need not say agai
that / proposed no compromise cand
date and no compromise Of any kin
for myself ! was foolishly tryin
/, to advise him; | was not making
choice for myself
p (Signed) Woodrow Wilson,
Evening journal., 1910-12-28
JAPANESE PLOT
STIRS CAPITAL

By United Press Leased Special Wire
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2S.-Acute in
terest was taken in military circles
here today I'm the reported discovery
OF a japanese plot TO place mines in
Mauila harbor, although all the high
er Var Department officials denied
that any official advices had been re-
ceived.
Major General Wood expressed the
opinion that the searching OF japanese
houses probably was conducted by the
civil authorities, as the laws regard
ing firearms and explosives are most
rigid. He declared his belief that
General Duvall would have reported
to the department if the situation
were serious.
About the clubs, however where
army officers talked unofiicially. men,
who have served IN the Philippines
discussed the reports with intense in
iterest. Many freely expressed the
opinion that the Japanee had been &C.
cretly at work IN the Philippines fol
several years.
Evening journal., 1910-12-28

this time on. There will be no
"slackening" ON the part of those
candidates who have entered with the
proper determination-thos who do
not like the word defeat
AS the result of Saturdays rush.
the Contest Department will require
several days in which to check up and
issue the regular and bonus votes.
Candidates are asked not to be inn
patient about these And Il Is not
necessary to notify the Contest De-
partment of the clubs due as a COM
plete record OF the subscriptions turn
ed In by every candidate has been
kept and candidates will be credit fog
everything turned in
Ballots dated December 20 will be
received at the Office of the Contest
Department until midnight of Thurs
day. Out OF town candidates mas
mail in their ballots and the postmarh
will show whether they were mailed
on time The date on the ballot Il
changed today the new date Of ex.
piration being January 5.
Evening journal., 1910-12-28

now, and the army Of contestants who
are striving for the forty-two hand
some JOURNAL prizes are on the
move again.
The contest has been much talked
about and much thought about, but T.
is just now reaching the point where
It promises to monopolize the atten-
tion of the entire state of Delaware.
Thee are about six hundred popular
people, who have been nominated and
there is not single one of the large
number who has not a more or less
large number of loyal supporters.
Many of those already nominated
have so far done very little for them
selves but have depended upon their
friends entirely for votes. Those
candidates who are making the best
races, however. are those who entered
the contest with energy and determi-
nation to do all possible TO help those
who are helping them. These are tho
candidates who will be in the lead on
the final day.
A receptive candidate may get 4
Evening journal., 1910-12-28
VOTE SELLERS
PLEAD GUILTY
One Thousand Indictments in
All Expected in Ohio
County
THOSE WHO CONFESS
ARE DISFRANCHISED

BY United Press Leased Special Wire.
WEST UNION. Ohio. Dec. 2s.-The
probe into the wholesale traffic in
votes IN Adams county, in which 747
men have already been indicted. as
sumed a more serious aspect to-day
when Prosecutor Stephenson announc-
ed that a ponitentiary cell awaits any
ono proved TO have not told the truth
I'm his confession TO Judge Blair
Tho court has been exercising great
lenioncy in furnishing those who hava
pleaded guilty, disfranchisement usu-
ally being the most serious part of tha
penalty imposed as work house SOM
tences have been suspended and the
fines paid by the politicians. This leni-
ency, however. Judge Blair today an
nounced will last only 80 long as he
finds that the indicted citizens OF
Adams county are playing square with
him. n n is ascertained that their
confessions have only been IN part or
that the confessors have withheld In
formation against others. who ara
guilty, the maximum penalty, he de-
clares. will be inflicted.
Frank Salisbury, who was cited for
contempt OF court was late yesterday
fined $50 and sentenced 10 ten days In
jail. The fine was later reduced to $40.
Judge Blair apparently having been
convinced that the man who had
prophesied that the courts life would
pay the penalty for tho invesdgauon
was merely idle talk
The grand jury to-day has between
40 and 150 indictments prepared,
which will bring the total number
CLOSE to 800.
The population OF West Union has
been practically doubled the past few
days by the large number of men who
have come into plead guilty and who
are Obliged to wait until their turn
comes. The hotel facilities OF the
village are crowded to their capa-
: city.
( The special grand jury has thres
l more precincts 70 go through before
f, completing the Investigation Of thi
I whole county This body viii thei
adjourn, probably Thursday and re-
!, convene next week. when the same
Al ground will be gone over again. Il
is expected the last three precincts
will produce about 100 indictments
bringing the total number above
p 1000
The second investigation may re-
veal more serious conditions thar
5 have been shown to exist thus far.
Evening journal., 1910-12-28
BANKER SANE, MAY
ANSWER STATES CHARGE

BY United Press Leased Special Wire.
NEW YORK, Dec. 2S.-Released to-
day from Dr. McDOnald's sanitorium
at Central Valley TO which he was
committed when he discovered that
the State was about to take charge
of the Northern Bank of New York
which he controlled, Joseph G. Robin
will probably be placed under arrest
to await grand jury action on certain
alleged irregularities in connection
with the funds of the bank.
In a telephone conversation with
District Attorney Whitemau, DR.. Nc.
Donald declared he had made an In.
vestigation of Robin and was conyin.
ced he was not insane.
Evening journal., 1910-12-28
PHILA. MERCHANT
KILLED BY AMBULANCE

BY United Press Leased Special Wire.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec 2S. .-R. VIM
der Johnson, of the firm OF Lawrence.
Johnson and Company, bankers aud
merchants, died IN Jefferson Hospital
early to-day from injuries sustained
when he was run down by an ambul-
ance owned by the Woman's Pennsyl-
vania Society for the Prevention OF
Cruelty to Animals. The accident oc-
CURED on Chestnut street, near EleV-
enth.
Thomas Dwyer. driver Of the ambul-
ance, WAS arrested, charged with reck-
less driving. He was held to await the
action of the coroner.
Johnson, who was So years old, was
a member of the Rittenhouse and
Quaker City Motor Clubs.
Evening journal., 1910-12-28
IDENTIFY DEAD MAN
A. gEVMnIrp

Simon Seymour, colored, Of No. 237
North Adams street, was the man who
fell dead at Front and Shipley
streets yesterday afternoon. He was
about 60 years of age. Heart dis
ease is believed to have caused his
death
The man had been talking TO sever
al companions and had just turned
away from them when he fell 10 the
sidewalk
Evening journal., 1910-12-28
LOSES LIFE UNDER TRAM.

An unidentified man who from ap-
pesrances is foreigner. was killed
at Csrrcroft station, on the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad, this morning. IL
is thought that he was riding on q
freight train and was jolted OFF. The
body did not have the appearance OF
having been struck by as engine
The body Is at the morgue. Moth
ing was found among the mans ef-
fects that might identify him a
southbound train killed him.
Evening journal., 1910-12-28
pOCOMOKE WOMAN INJURED.
Mrs. Fannie Ward Thrown From Car
riage Six Miles From Town.

POCOMOkE. Md, Dec. 2o.-Mrs.
Fannie Ward. wife Of George w. Ward,
a lumber manufacturer, was seriously
injured yesterday. She was driving her
carriage about six miles from POGO
moke when her horse became un-
manageable. throwing her out on the
frozen ground.
She was hurried to the Peninsula
General Hospital.
Evening journal., 1910-12-28
Yorktown at Honduras.

BY United ress Leased Srecial Wire
WASHINGTON D. c.. Dec 2s.-The
United States gunboat Yorktown. or
dered to protect American interests
in Honduras, arrived at Amapala at
the west coast Of Hondu as today.
The commander reported to the State
Department by cable, saying he was
prepared to act whenever necessary.
Evening journal., 1910-12-28
Park Execnii,e MeeiInr.

Routine business occupied this
mornings session of the Park Execu-
tive Committee. No matters Of inn
portance We're presented to the body
and the meeting was remarkably
short.
Evening journal., 1910-12-28
DEAD MAN DROVE EsoISE.

LANCASTER. Pa Dec 2S--Wi.h death grin ue tarof
he Engineer Harry Beck the Psburs Express due here at
1925 to-day his shortly before he ns
trrvai Death heart disease Noticing tbat
speed the train had diminished when Within tvo
miles OF this ct ste0pad the plate
form to investigate found the pilot dead at his
Evening journal., 1910-12-28
nrroRrrD cHlsoEs AMONG RlmHOmEHs-

According a report % railroad circles A. y whitney Jr,
superintendent p. W. aaroad, ciaryland asson
to'De promoted superintendent Of ne rhie pha lcr
mnai division. Gamble Lauobe is 10 be- transferred from
superintendent the Baltimore division Of ih Northern cen
raI 10 superintendent OF the Maryland division. ON Of
French street station To-day know nothing Of ho
portel changes
Evening journal., 1910-12-28
UNIrFD sTATrs ArPTMs F0R NEUlRulTY.

By United Press Leased Special Wire
BLuETiELps Nicaragua Doe. as-poiermlned onoris by
The United states prevent tho embrohns of m Central Amer
leans IN nepent Honduran revolution became apparent
here to-day Estrada received circular aoe
from the state Department the United States appealing for
rlala no.tralllr-
Evening journal., 1910-12-28
WORD TO SOME OF
OUR NEW SUBSCRIBERS

Owing TO the rush OF subscrip-
tlon business IN connection with
the $4,000 contest ON Saturday,
several days WIN be required -
compile the lists and assign the
subscriptions TO the news agents.
This Will necessitate delay OF
a few DAYS IN starting the serv-
Ing Of THE JOURNAL 10 some Of
the new subscribers, and their in
diligence Is requested until service
begins.
Evening journal., 1910-12-28
Nnm Yenr,s nInner lnr Tlrnmnn.

The active association. OF the phoe-
nix Fire Company, will hold their an
nual New Years dinner on next Sun
day afternoon The feast will be
served at the engine house OF that
company. The principal dish viii be
turkey.
Evening journal., 1910-12-28

WASHINGTON, Dee. 2s.-The indi-
cations are that the weather viii be
unsettled tonight and Thursday In all
districts east Of the Mississippi river.
The temperature Will rise tonight IN
the Atlantic State.
Evening journal., 1910-12-28
MRATHER.

BY United Press Leased Special Wire.
WASHINGTON, Dee. 2S.-F0recast
I'LL ) y. m. O-mOrrOw.
For DelaWare-Falr and warmer to-
nights Thursday unsettled, brisk south
winds shifting TO northwest Thursday
morning.
Evening journal., 1910-12-28

the late bonus vote Oner
the amount of extra votes due them
slips for the scale vote, will be mailed
possible subscription must be
carefully will be few days before ch
mail BE patients certificates will
be plenty Of time
Evening journal., 1910-12-28
Determined Candidates
Will MOI Relax Their
Efforts Until Close
SPIRIT OF WINNING
NOW TAKING EFFECT

The list Of contestants will be
published tomorrow afternoon
instead of today. The Contest
Department is very busy check
ing up the subscriptions turned
In at the close of the bonus Ofier
and for this reason il was inn
possible TO prepare the list for
today.
Evening journal., 1910-12-28

The lull in the contest, caused by
the advent of Christmas and the at
tendant celebrations, is about Over
Evening journal., 1910-12-28

Every advertisement in this
paper is worthy of your
confideuce-Or it would moi
be here
The Lamar register., 1910-11-09

of no. while the American ship lost but five killed
and five wounded from crew of the size.
could mention a number of similar instances
which demonstrate my statement that at that time
able to shoot well, and have been
shooting better ever since. Not only the men of
the north. but the of the south. shot well dur
ing the Civil war: they shot well during the Span
fish war; and we can shoot half dozen times as
well today could during the Spanish war.
Never has the American navy made such rec
ord II Is making today. and has there been
our navy is now making for capacity to hit the
target That Is really the whole problem
to hit what you shooting at
We have not In the past built homogeneous
fleets. We build surplus of batteships and then
provide the men to man them. and frequently pro-
vide more than we have ships for. We build auxil-
iares and torpedo boats. II do IT at all. without
any regard to the relation which such craft should
bear to the battleship feet. and while have
built have in construction 20 battieships have
practically of furnishing tenders for them
under service conditions
When the battleship feet sent to the Pa
cic recently necessary to charter 40 foreign
ships to carry coal for It. II It had been found
necessary to send the feet around the horn in time
OF war 1t could not have been attempted because
We could not have furnished American vessels in
which to carry the coal.
Very few people realize the deplorable condition
we are in. as far merchant marine is con-
cerncd. II We had a large merchant marine we
could draw from It without having special auxil-
iaries for the navy. but are SO lacking in both
that It makes our present situation almost hope
less.
When the Spanish war broke out It neces-
sary to purchase GOLFERS and transports. One hun
dred and two vessels bought at a cost of some
thing over s17.0oooo0. but they cost a very large
percentage more than their market value and more
than twice as much as they could have been sold
for II they had been put the market at the ter
mination OF the war In other words. We paid out
millions OF dollars because had not provided
ourselves with suitable auxilIares for our battle
ship feet. We should have n navy adequate for
our needs; not only adequate in battleships. but
adequate In every other respect
The Lamar register., 1910-11-09

they would be as near as possible to the vantage
points TO be found only on the exposed bridge
ana from those substitute observation-disclosures OF
them located directly behind otherwise ada
cent to the bridgc-would direct the action Of the
battling armorclad
In order To enable the officers on the bridge to
be Mt all times closely in touch with all parts
OF the ship this elevated promenade is made the
nerve center OF elaborate telephone. telegraph
and signaling systems that afford instantaneous
communication with the engine and fire rooms
the ammunition magazines. all the different gun
stations" throughout the ship, and, in fact every
scene OF activity that has part in the complex
mission OF one OF these great fighting machines.
Tho telephone system a battleship is much
like the private telephone system in n great store
or mandatory but with the difference that
shpboard most Of the receivers of the pattern
which 1T close to the head. covering both ears
md strongly resembling those used by the hello
girls In telephone exchanges This special equip
ment is designed to shut out disturbing noises
and is very essential when officers and men may
be called upon to listen to telephone conversation
when the guns are roaring or against the opposi-
ton OF the various distractng noises always to
be encountered on shipboard.
Near the bridge of battleship In the wireless
telegraph station which Is one OF the newer yet
easily one OF the most important adjuncts OF the
upto-date battleship However. the wireless tclc-
graph is not used for Interior Communication
aboard the battleship but solely for the exchange
Of messages with other ships and with shore sta
graphs" shpboard not telegraphs at all.
MS the lay reader understands them, but
rather signaling systems. The most common of
these communicative systems is that whereby the
pressure OF button lever at one station n
battlcBhip-say the bridge-wIll cause a print
ed command to suddenly appear In Illuminated
form In distant part of the ship. For instance.
the movement of a certain lever tho bridge
Of the battleshp will Illuminated sign
to suddenly appear before the eyes of the engi-
neers. way down below the water line. reading.
Full Speed Ahead or Full Speed Astern" or
any other command which It Is desired to give.
By means Of this method OF signaling n command
can. II need be. be communicated simultaneously
to number Of different stations scattered
throughout the ship. Indeed 1t is by this expedi-
ent that the captain Of the battleship uni
formity OF action during target practise in
battle. In twinkng he send the command
Begin firing" or Cease firing" any other In
structions to each and every gun crew scattered
throughout the length OF the ship.