davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1911-02-06
STACKS OF CoFFINS AND
 PITS FILLED WITH BODIES.
Of Victims of the Plague Burned Sat
 urday at Harbin.

Harbin. Manchuria, Feb. 5.--Already nearly 5000 bodies iof victims of the plague have been burned or buried in the outskirts of Harbin. Forty eight hundred of these came from the Chin csc town and Q thousand from the Russian quarter. Yesterday sixteen stacks of collins and seven pits, filled with bodies and oiled logs blazed out side the town.
 The mortality among the physicians and the hospital attendants is high considering the means taken for their protection. and doctors, nurses and orderlies are succumbing to the dis ease. The sanitary authorities hope soon to test serum of their own manu- facture from the Manchurian bacillf, as the foreign importations have prov ed ineffective.
 The happenings in Europe in the seventeenth century when the black deathH swept through the country are being repeated here. Fears bordering on panic have gripped the Chinese. At first they defied the medical officers, end kept their sick and dead hidden, sor the purpose of carrying out 'the ancient funeral rites. Now it is brother against brother, father against son.
 The stricken one are forced into the streets to starve or freeze, or to fali perishing from the swift and deadly sttack the plague makes upon it's sictims. Passersby avoid them but sometimes those engaged in sanitary work, masked and bandaged, reach them before they die and cart them to the pest house, or, if they are dead. to the funeral pyres. Not infrequent- ly an outcast is to be seen, kneeling and making his last obeisance before the crave of an ancestor. in sight of a pile of bodies, of which he is soon to become one.
Norwich bulletin., 1911-02-06
A SOCIAL ScOURGE MORE
 BLIGHTING THAN MORMONISM.
Cardinal Gibbons Speaks Strongly
 Against the Evils of Divorce.

Baltimore, Feb 5.-In his sermon delivered at the cathedral this morning Cardinal Gibbons spoke strongly against the evils of wivorce, saying in part:
 If Christianity is the highest type of civilization-and who can deny it?- then is it not true that we are retro grading instead of advancing on cer- tain lines?
 There is a social scourge more blighting and more destructive of fam fly life than Mormonism. It is the fear fully increasing number of divorce mills throughout the United States. These mills, like the mills of the gods, are slowly but surely grinding to pow der the domestic altars of the nation. Husband and wife are separated on the most fimsy pretexts. And as if the different states of the union were not sufficiently accommodating in this re- spect, one state has the unenviable distinction of granting a bill of divorce for the mere asking Of it on the sole condition of a brief sojourn within her borders.
 "A lady prominent in social life once said to me in Newport: do not recog- nize any law, human or divine, that can deprive a husband or wife of tha right to separate and to enter fresh espousals when they do not live in har- mony together
 You speak, I replied, of your rights, your privileges. But, you have not a word to say of your duties and obligations
 "Ah, brethren, if men and women had due consideration for their duties and responsibilities their rights would take care of themselves. There can be no rights where there are no corre- spending obligations. There are nc rights against the law of God.''
Norwich bulletin., 1911-02-06
Flames Break Out
 In Oil Storehouse
ERIE RAILROAD COAL DOCKS WERE PARTIALLY DESTROYED.
LOSS FooTs UP s225,ooo
New Jersey Waterfront, at Weehawken, Scene of Threatening and Spectac- uiar Blaze Sunday Noon.

New York, Feb. 5.-The New Jersey water front, shaken last week by dis astrous explosion at Communipaw, was the scene at Weehawken today of a threatening and spectacular fire.
 New York Fireboats Give Aid.
 The aid of New York fireboats. five Standard Oil towboats, as many mora Erie railroad tugs, the entire Wee haWken department, and several com panies from Hoboken was necessary to prevent northwesterly wind from driving the flames along the docks through small forest of shipping.
 Several Explosions.
 The fire broke out soon ofter noon in wooden extension of a brick store house in the Erie railroad yards. The structure was filled with 10000 barrels of lubricating oil owned by the Vacu- um Oil company of Rochester, N. Y. All was destroyed. Several explosions occurred and great clouds of smoke poured up into an otherwise clear sky, furnishing 8 remarkable sight on the New York side of the river. Thousands of persons made ferry trips to get a closer view of the fire.
 Cause of Fire Unknown.
 The Erie railroad coal docks were attacked and were partially destroyed and by night the fiemen and tugs had saved the down river property. The loss of the oil is estimated at $150,000 and on the railroad property $75,000 The cause of the fire is unknown.
Norwich bulletin., 1911-02-06
Was Willing at One Time to Withdraw His Candidacy if Shepard Would Too
MURPHY WILL STAND BY HIM
Sheehan Made Public Last Night Long Letter in Which He Defines His Postion-Whoever Wins, He Says It Cannot Fail to be Said that He Has Been Flee ted by Tammany

New York, Feb. 5.-Charles F. Mur- phy of Tammany Hall made his first definite statement on the United States senatorship situation since his deciara- tivn that the organization was agalnst Edward M. Shepard, last night, when he said that he will stand behind Will liam F. Sheehan to the end, and that he believes the caucus nominee Will eventually be elected.
 He is the candidate of the party, and do not see how he can withdraw, said Mir. Murphy at his home in East Seventeenth street, soon after arriving in town from Albany. T am positive that he will be elected. l believe that the so-cailed insurgents will vote for him when they realize the harm that they are doing in the party.
 Have you any assurance of the in surgents shifting to Mir. Sheehan2" Mir. Murphy was asked.
 .I have talked with only one of them" he replied, "but I believe that they will eventually realize that party regularity Is the best thing for them and the party. MT. Sheehan was the choice of the party caucus. Ninety per cent of the democratic members of the legislature voted for him in the caucus, and that makes him the party's candi- date.
 there was & chance of MT. Sheehans s withdrawing. He said that Just before she caucus Mir. Sheehan was approach, cd with the proposal that he retire from the race for the good of the party" He agreed to do this, according to MT. aIurphy on condition that Mir. Shep- ard would also withdraw. The latter refused, said MT. Murphy, and there fore Mir. Sheehan decided to stick
 "Is there any possibility of Mir. Shee- hans retiring now?' MT. Murphy was asked.
 'sI do not see how he can or that there is any reason for his doing so,' he replied Tt Is a question now of the minority yielding to the majority, and why should the majority yield to she minority anyway?'
 Murphy BIames Shepard.
 DO you believe that MT. Shepard could be persuaded to withdraw his nAmeT' - say this, however. that if there is any situation MT. Shepard and his friends are responsible for 1t. MT. Sheeha7 was willing to prevent his name going before the caucus If Mir. Shepard would do the same. l also want to make it clear that there were no promises ex- tsting between MT. Sheehan and my sell. The fact that he was willing to withdraw all during Friday, Saturday and Sunday before the caucus shows this. He was selected by the caucus as the party's candidate, and 1t was my duty to see that he was supported
 Mir Murphy seemed most desirous that this point be brought out. He was most emphatic in his declaration that he Is standing behind Mir. Sheehan simply because he is the nominee of the caucus.
Norwich bulletin., 1911-02-06
NO YELLOW FEVER ABOARD
 u. S. GuNBOAT MARIETTA.
Coxswain Miner Died of MaIarial
 Fever, Says Quarantine Officer.

On Board U. s. Gunboat Marietta, by Wireless, via Key West, Feb. 5- That there is no yellow fever aboard this gunpoat was asserted positively today by Joseph I. Porter, superinten- dent of the state board of health and port quarantine officer at Key West who visited the ship this morning and made 8 careful diagnosis of the sus- pected cases.
 The quarantine officer assured Com mander Cooper that the suspected cases were only malarial fever. After an examination of the fever chart of Coxswain J. H. Miner, who died aboard ship last Sunday at Puerto Cortez. he said that, while the chart was typi- cal of yellow fever the case could have been one of another fever.
 Dr. Porter informed Commander Cooper that he could haul down the quarantine flag and could anchor at Key West. The ships officers, he add ed, might go ashore. The ship is still in quarantine however. Many blue jackets have received wireless mes sages from anxious relatives and Com mander Cooper has permitted them to send wireless replies to their homes assuring their parents and friends that there is no danger.
Norwich bulletin., 1911-02-06

han be eIected?" but 'Shall this state continue firm believer in representa- tive government"
 Gives His Position in Letter to pr.
 Mann.
 Mir Sheehan defined his position in a long letter made public here tonight, but dated Albany, February f, and ad dresed to Dr. Matthew D. Mann of Buff falo. Inasmuch as his letter followed hard on the heels of Mir. Murphys in terview last night, he was asked today if ke could confirm that interview, and if the text of his letter had been shown to MT. Murphy before it was given out.
 Say for me-" answered MT. Sheehan, that I do not think MT. Murphy's in terview requires comment or ampllfi- cation from me at present. think 1t covers the situation in itself.
 AS for my letter to Dr. Mann, MT. Murphy knew that was to make pub lie a letter tonight, but not to whom it would be addressed or what 1t con- tained."
 Tt may be taken for granted" was suggested that you have shown the letter to some of your friends and that they have communicated it's tenor to MT. Murphy?''
 q have shown the letter to some of my friends agreed MT. Sheehan, but I have very grave doubts if any Of them have communicated it's tenor to MT Murphy. So far as my knowledge goes, NIr. Murphy has not beeen ac- quainted with it's purport in any way. Contradicts J. Sergeant Cram's Asser-
 ton.
 Mr. Sheehan's letter reviews the whole field of his candidacy from tue beginning. He writes that he did not decide to seek the nomination until %5arz 41Ir nal1 nf- ing J. Sergeant Cram, who asserted that MT. Sheehan's candidacy was de- tern1ined at Rochester in convention week. And he adds that, having made up his mind, he then sought the aid of MT. Murphy personally, not through the suggestion of any interests put because he knew he could not be nom- mated without it. Mr. Murphy told him, however, that he (Sheehan) was not first second or even third cholce of Tammany@H Hall, and he exptalns that he won over MT. Murphy only by demonstrating that he could muster more votes up the state than any oth- CT candidate.
 '"The votes l am now receiVlng out side of Greater New York, 'he says in his letter, represents more than one half of the total democratic represent ation from up state districts.
 Whoever Wins It Must Be by Tam
 many Votes.
 'rThe interests" and MT. Sheehan' s attitude toward them come in for men tion It is true, says MT. Sheehan, that he has represented corporations as their attorney, but none of them he urges, with two conspicuous excep- tions, has done any interstate business. He did not serve the interests twenty years ago at Albany, he writes, and Ii he has not served them since in private busin ess, why should it be supposed he would serve them at Washington?
 Whoever wins, he pleads, it cannot fail to be said that he has been elect ed by Tammany, for Tammany con troIs 69 votes and the remainder of the state but 46. Representative govern and representative government must fall" is his last word when the mi nority and not the majority rule."
 Mir. Sheehan left for Albany today. MT. Murphy had gone before him.
Norwich bulletin., 1911-02-06
MISSOURI CAPITOL BUILDING
 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.
The Structure Completely Destroyed
 Joss Estimated at a Million.

Jefferson City, Mo-, Feb. 5.-The Missouri capitol building was de- stropel by fire tonight and many of the records in the governors and other state offices are lost.
 Lightning struck the cupola of the dome shortly after seven o'clock and the flames spread to the roof of the house of representatives on the north side of the structure. In less than a half hour it was apparent that the building was doomed.
 The fire soon reached the roof of the senate chamber, but the efforts of the firemen to check it proved unvail- ing
 The records of the house of represen- tatives were destroyed while those of the senate we're saved. In the state treaSurers office more than $20,000 is in the vault, supposedly fireproof and may be recovered when the debris is cleared away. There was no insur- ance The total loss is estimated at $1,000,0 ,000.
 The capitol was erected in 1888 at a cost of $350,000, and in 1887 it was remodeled at cost of $25,000. While it was built of stone the roof covered with much infamnlabie material.
Norwich bulletin., 1911-02-06
POSTAL SAVINGS BANKS.
Postmaster General Hears Eneourag- ing Reports from First Months Operations,

Washington, Feb. 5.-+If the neces- sary appropriations were available I would establish postal savings banks tomorrow in five hundred additional cities and towns of the United States"
 This statement was made tonight by Postmaster General Hitchcock in view of report thus far received concerning the first months operation of the pos tai savings system. The reports are most gratifying to MT. Hitchcock and to the other officers of the postal saw ings service. They are regarded as demonstrating that the new system has passed the experimental stage.
 The total deposits in the 4S existing postal banks for the month of Jan uary will amount to approximately s60.0 .000. This is an average of about S1.20o. Assuming that this average will be maintained throughout the year, the aggregate annual deposits will be close to three-quarters of a million dollars.
Norwich bulletin., 1911-02-06
OBITUARY.
Lieut.. Hugo Francis EngeIs

Boston, Feb. 5.-The death of Lieut.. Hugo Francis Engels. who was official interpreter during the negotiations leading to the treaty of Portsmouth between the Japanese and Russian en- voys, was announced at the Aassachu- setts general hospital today.
 Lieut.. Engels was born in Silesia, Germany, about 73 years ago. He fought in the three great battles of the Franco -Prussian war of 1S70-71, and in one of these received his com- mission as lieutenant of the Fourteenth Hussars As a young man in Germany Lieut.. Engels secured the friendship of Baron Rosen, and this led indirectly to his appointment as interpreter dur ing the peace conference at Ports mouth. N. H. For many years he was employed here as an expert lithO- grapher.
Norwich bulletin., 1911-02-06
CORNELL STUDENTS IN
 BLOODY MIX UP WITH POLICE
Twenty Students Had Their Heads Cut and Bruised by Night Sticks.

Ithaca, N. Y., Feb. 5.--The first clash which Cornell students have had wit hthe police in several years oc- cured early today after an all night celebration of the completion of mid year examinations. Twenty students were injured. The hilarity began at a performance at a local theatre where egg throwing and cat calls finally forced the management to close the show.
 The students then formed in line and marched to a moving picture show where admission was denied them. An affray with half a dozen police off cers aid three theatre attachees fol- lowed in which twenty students had their heads bruised or cut by blows with the officers night sticks. r Three alleged leaders were arrested but were afterwards paroled for a hearing tomorrow, in the custody oi the proctor. The proctor is an inno- vation at Cornell. He tried last night to quiet the students by a, speech al the theatre but his effort went fol naIlPht
Norwich bulletin., 1911-02-06
FOR ELECTION OF U. $. SENATOR
 BY DIRECT VOTE.
Governors and Legislatures of States
 Urged to Act at Once.

Washington, Feb. 5.-The recently organized National Progressive Re- publican league through Senator Jona- than Bourne, Jr., of Oregon, president of the league, sent telegrams to the governors and legislatures of various states today asking them to bring pressure to bear upon their respective senators In favor of the joint resolu- ton providing for the election of sen ators by direst vote.
 The telegram is as follows:
 The joint resolution proposing an amendment to the constitution pro- viding for the election of United States senators by direct vote will be enacted upon by the United States senate within few days. It is not certain that it will receive the nec- essary two-thirds vote. It Is certain that ninety per cent of the people arc in favor of it. Will the senate repre- sent public sentiment upon this Ques- ton, Do you know how your sena- tors stand? If their position is ira doubt wire and write them. Bring the force of public opinion to bear up on them It is a critical time. Tcur influence may determine the result. Wire them today"
Norwich bulletin., 1911-02-06
TWO MEN DRIVING IN CARRIAGE,
 ONE SHOT THE OTHER.
Andrew Shell Will Be Taken to Filing
 ton Today for Hearing.

Son1ers, Conn.,. Feb. 5.-Andrew Shell, who shot Edward Kelner in the head Saturday afternoon, gave himself up to the authorities today and will be taken to Ellington for 8, hearing in the morn ing. Shell would make no statement as to why he shot Kelner.
 The two men were driving in a car riage when the shooting occurred, the bullet from the revolver, which was of 22 calibre, struck Kelner in the back of tine head iuhicting d serious. but probably not fatal wound. His condi- tion tonigt is not considered serious.
 Kelner is employed on the place of Mrs. Rose Stephenson. as was She'll until a week ago, when he was dis charged, following a quarrel with Ke. ner,
Norwich bulletin., 1911-02-06
600 CANDLE POWER LIGHT
 FOR POINT JUDITH.
New Buoy will be Placed Today It is
 Expected.

Newport, R. l., Feb. 5.-Point Judith. one of the most important points along the route of coastwise and trans-At- lantic vessels which has been un- marked at night by the usual light for nearly 8 week, will be designated by tomorrow night with one of the big gest buoys on the coast. The light house Tulip attempted today to place a new buoy, weighing twenty tons but heavy seas forced the vessel back to harbor here. Tomorrow morning she will go out again.
 The new buoy is an unusually large one, lit by gas, of 500 candle power and will burn without re-loading for eight months. The other buoy was re- ported last week by Captain Kelley of the steamer Georgia as being unlight- ed
Norwich bulletin., 1911-02-06
SUNDAY TRAGEDY IN A
 NEW HAMPSHIRE HOTEL.
Member of Prominent Philadelphia Family Held on Charge of Murder.

Warren, N. H.. Feb. 5.---Wllile Frank l.. Whitcher, proprietor of the Hotel Messituke, was demanding admission today to the room occupied by J. Wal ter Shields of West Philadelphia, five shots were fired from within and when the door was forced, Christie Kenney of Lancaster, a lumber surveyor, was found huddled in q heap on the floor, dead. Three of the shots had entered Kenney's body, while the remaining two went through the partition and barely missed Whitcl1er. Shields is held on a charge of murder.
 ShiledS, who is said to be d member of prominent Philadelphia family, has been living here for about six months, on account Of poor health. He is 50 years old and unmarried
 asst night Landlord Whitcher of the hotel retired late, and some time after midnight was awakened by voices com- ing from Shields room. He found the door of the room locked and demanded admission, but the demand was refus- ed. As the sounds of unpleasantness continued, Whftcher sent for an officer and meanwhile remained in the corri- dor outside the room. A little later he says he heard the Philadelphia man declare that he had lost a gold watch and chain. A controversy followed and suddenly the shots rang out.
 During his stay here Shields is said to have spent money generously for ch. .,ty, and only recently sent to New York for 8 lot of footwear, which he distributed among the poor children for miles around. Since he was a child he had been accustomed to pass his summers here, but his recent visit was on account of an attack of typhoid fever, from which he has been recup- erating.
 At one time Shields was in the cloth ing business in Philadelphia, and is re- {r bow to1 ztnf | pocket which brought him considerable revenue. His father, now dead. erect ed the base of the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor
 The man dead, Kenney, was 40 years old and single. He and Shields had ben friends for a long time, and they were frequently together.
Norwich bulletin., 1911-02-06
THE NEW PARLIAMENT
 WILL BE A MEMORABLE ONE.
It will Decide the Status of the House
 of Lords.

London, Feb. 1.-The new parlia- ment which will be the first opened in state by George V and Queen Mary will be memorable also as the parlia- ment to decide the status of the house of lords, and probably thereby make the greatest change of a century in the British constitution.
 Parliament assembled last Tuesday but the state function was reserved for tomorrow. There are many import ant measures on the programme of the Liberal party-home rule for Ireland and possibly nome rule for all around. 2 the abolition of plural voting, discs tablishment of the church in Wales state insurance against mployment and illness on wholesale basis, and other extensive financial schemes, and possibly provision for the payment of members. But the question of the lords will dominate and precede all other matters, and until it has been disposed of such other projects as home rule and disesta blishment cannot be taken up.
 The governments immediate policy for dealing with the lords is embodied in what is termed the parliament bill, more commonly known as veto bilr' which the prime minister introduced in the last session. It practically wipes out the power of the upper chamber to kill legislation from the commons by providing that any bill shall be- come law which the commons has sent to the lords for three successive sessions Gin period of time not less than two years) and which has been three times rejected or not disposed of To insure the control of finance by the commons, and settle the issue which the lords raised when they re- ieeted the Lloyd-George budget, the bill provides that any money but which the upper chamber does not pass. with in one month after 1t is sent up from the lower house shall, with the royal asset, become law. The speaker of the commons is given final authority to decide whether any measure deals only with taxation, appropriations or loans and is properly a money bill The last and not the least important provision reduces the life af parliment from seven wears to five
Norwich bulletin., 1911-02-06
GORILLA KILLS A BULLDOG.
Entire MaIo Population See Revoitins
 Battle in Louisiana Town.

New Iberia. La. Feb. 5.--A revolting battle between d gorilla and an English bulldog, in which the gorilla was vic torioiis, vas fought here early Sat urday. with almost the entire male population of New Iberia as specta- tors. Much money was wagered.
 A pen 12 feet square and feet high with seats on sll sides. was arranged for the combat. The dog and gorilla were placed in the pen at midnight, and at 12.02.02 q. fn the dog was dead.
 The dog leaned a { the gorilla 1m- mediately after being placed in the pen. The gorilla caught the dog just as a man catches a baseball then bit quickly through the dogs skull, broke its back and tore it to pieces.