davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1912-01-14

J Steele lays the greatest blame for his un-
doing Upon his arrival in Philadelphia
Steele was met by w. II. Wickham, Of New
York, who offered him s1,O00,0O0 for the
McClintock farm. johnny" accepted ana
received $40, 900 to bind the bargain. With
more than sl,OOO,OOO dangling before his
eyes Steele and his friend Slocum, 70
whom Steele had given the power OF at
torney started out to paint the town. Ihey
did it. all al Steeles expense.
While in the Quaker city Johnny cathr
I'm contact with the managers OF the SIKH
& Gaylord minstrel show, which was then III
sore financial straits, and decided to fnance
the concern. John W. Gaylord, member
of the minstrel company, tells an interest
ing story of Steele that throws some side
lights Oh the character of the oil king that
have never before been published
"Yes" declares Gaylord. 'Coa Oil
Johnny was my particular friend during
his palmiest days. Johnny saw our show
perform in Philadelphia, got stuck on the
business and bought a onc-third interest in
the show. We went on the road, did
monstrous business, turned people away and
were prosperous.
Reaching Utica, y. Y, Johnny gave
supper for the company that cost him
81. 600. lie then conceived the ideal Of trav-
cling by his own train. and accordingly
purchased an ehGine, sleeper and baggage
car. Dates for two weeks ahead were can
cclled. and we went junketng, Johnny
footing the bills. At Erie we had a $500
supper. and so 1t went. II was in Ph!la-
dolphia that johnny bought his first hack
lit. h.. cd IN
driver. our dates being cancelled, Johnny
indcmnifcd us for the loss. estimating the
probable business receipts upon the basis
of packed houses.
I'm Chicago he gave another exhibition
OF his eccentric traits. He leased the
Academy Of Music for the season, and we
did a big business. Finally he proposed a
benefit for Skiff & Gaylord, and sent over
to rent the Crosby Opera House, then the
finest in the country. The manager sent
back this lnsoont reply:
I'VE don't rent our house for an Internal
"niggcr show
Johnny got warm under the collar. He
went down to the Office. in Root Cady's
music store.
what will you take for your house and
sell II outright he asked Mr.. Root.
'''I don't want To sell was the reply.
".In give you a liberal price. Money Is
no object flashed back Steele
'Thcn Johnny pulled out a roll from hts
yalisc. counted out $4,000 and asked Mr..
Root II that was an object Mr.. Root was
thundcTstruCk.
"Oh. II you're that kind of man you can
have the house for benefit free OF charge.
This benefit was big success The re-
New-York tribune., 1912-01-14
CARNEGIE ON THE STAND.

"In the most heated session yet held by
the Stanley steel investigating committee
at Washington, Andrew Carnegie testified
that he had recommended the appointment
OF Philander G. Knox, former attorney for
the Carnegie company, as Attorney Cen
eral that neither Mr.. Knox nor any other
attorney had ever talked TO the ronmaster
about the Sherman law, and finally that
the day OF active competition In big bust
ness had passed. Mr.. Carnegie advocated
an industrial commission to control prices.
1t Is pointed out by those conversant with
the circumstances of Mr.. Knox's entry into
the Mckinley Cabinet that the impression
produced by the testimony Of Mr.. Carnegie
Is not an accurate one. As a matter OF
fact, President McKinleys desire to have
Mr.. Knox as his Attorney General was
based on close friendship OF twenty five
years standing. Mr.. Carnegie told the
committee about q deal with Mr.. Rookie
feller whereby he obtained control OF Mr..
Rockefeller's iron ore holdings in the Lake
Superior region al a rate Of Is cents a ton
holdings which, when turned over TO the
Steel Corporation later, formed a large part
Of the assets valued at S00,O0O,O0O. Mr.. Car
negie laughed like a schooboy as he re-
ferred TO the business triumph he had
achieved over his fellow millionaire
New-York tribune., 1912-01-14

ton of the clearing house idea extended 10
include a central organization. The report
includes a bill to make effective the plan
as IL now stands, and to repeal all national
banking laws which would conflict with its
operation. IT is proposed 10 incorporate the
National Reserve Association with a capital
equal TO 20 per cent Of all the banks which
become members Before the association
can begin business slOOcoO.OoO in cash CAPT
tai must he paid in. All national banks
may become members, as may all state
banks and trust companies which conform
TO certain standards of reserve and capi-
talEation. The reserve association would
become the fiscal agent OF the government;
hold deposits OF the government; take over
for cash all the present outstanding interest
bearing public debt; issue circulating notes;
establish uniform rate OF discount; hold
the cash reserves OF subscribing banks, with
provision for their use for only specific
purposcs rediscount commercial bills for
the banks, and perform all the functions OF
great national financial institution. The
United States Is to be divided into fifteen
fir ancial districts. Zach of these is TO have
branch association, which associations
will compose the central organization. BY
an elaborate method OF electlng directors in
the district branches and in the central or
ganization the commission believes 1t has
made impossible the so-called Wall Street
control as we'll as control by any set of
individuals or combination OF banks. No
one district can elect more than three Of
the thrty-nine directors on the main board.
New-York tribune., 1912-01-14
Constant Reader Tells Him
What He Missed In Last
Weeks Papers.

'Have you anything in the way of news
with which to fill an absolutely vacant
mind?" asked Busy Man as he met Con-
stant Reader last night.
For a starving mind" said Constant
Reader. Il recommend first the solid, sub
stantial political news Here's some of t:
"The Democratic National Committee
meeting in Washington voted that the
Democratic National Convention of 1912
should be held in Baltimore on June 25, one
week after the Republican National Con-
vention, which is TO be held in Chicago on
June IS. There were four other cities
among the applicants for the national meet
ing-St. Louis, Chicago. Denver and New
York-and their claims were backed with
unlimited oratory and limited amounts of
cash. The Baltimore delegation by waving
before the meeting a certified check for
10000 supplemented by an ironclad agree
ment TO decorate and arrange the hall for
the convention, at an estimated cost of
$4,000. had the best of the argument and
captured the prize. On several votes with
reference to the seating OF aspirants 10
membership in the committee, William j.
Bryan was Overwhelmingly defeated. Mr..
Bryan breathed fire and threatened TO APP
peal to the 6,5cO,OOO people who voted for
him for President II James NJ. Guffey OBJ
New-York tribune., 1912-01-14

British Columbia. during the early morning
hours Of September Is last. was arrested in
this city. He Is John Mcnamara, alias
Australian Mac of San Francisco.
There is a report that lawyers represent
ing Harry X. Thaw, now an inmate OF
Matteawan Asylum, viii within the next
few days apply TO one OF the Supreme Court
justices in the 9Th Judicial District for a.
writ Of habeas corpus In his behalf. IL IS
understood that Mrs. Mary Copley Thaw,
the mother OF the patient, will make the
application for the writ.
After a spirited skirmish in which the
bidding began at $4,000, Bernard Quaritch.
the London dealer. captured the Hoe copy
Of the Gutenberg Bible for 1880 al the
third session Of part two of the Robert Hoe
library sale. at the Anderson Auction Gal
leries Arthur Hoe. the eldest son OF the
man whose library Is now on sale. made
determined effort to capture the book. Ills
final bid was $4,000.
Cook. MINI, broke the cold weather rec
ord Wednesday. with SS below. All ther-
mometers there burst at that figure.
After one and one-half years OF inces-
SAINT search and discussion. the board ot
trustees OF Princeton University, at their
annual January meeting, elected Professor
John GrIer Hibben, OF the class OF g. as
president Of the university, TO succeed
Woodrow Wilson who resigned on OCTOBER
90 1910, to become Governor OF New Jersey
New-York tribune., 1912-01-14
News of the Past Week Is Here
d RecapituIated for the Busy Man

tained membership. However, the Nebras-
kan was overruled by vote of 30 TO IS.
Opposition TO the treaties of arbitration
with Great Britain and France took new
turn in the Senate by the introduction OF
the Lodge resolution of ratification. which
removes from the domain OF contention the
question whether or not the Senate was 10
impair its constitutional powers and makes
clear that the approval of them calls for
no such sacrifice. 1t is expected that with
the adoption Of the Lodge resolution. re-
moving all doubt as to the Interpretation Of
the treaties, a sufficient number Of Demo-
crtaic votes will be obtained, despite the
inclination 10 make the question party
issue. to bring about their ratification.
Robert Bacon resigned the post OF Amer
ican Ambassador to the French Republic
His action is due solely 10 his determina-
ton to return TO the United States and
fulfil in the most thorough and active man
ner his duties of fellow OF the Corporation
of Harvard University, TO which position
he was elected in place of Judge Lowell,
deceased Mr.. Bacon will, of course, re-
main at his post in Paris until his sue
cessor is appointed.
New-York tribune., 1912-01-14
----1----
BARE-LEGGED SOLDIERS
The Philippine Constabulary Are
Fierce Fighters.

Uncle Sam has in his army some thou
sands Of little brown men of the mid
Pacific. who approximate all grades Of civ.
ilization and lack Of II and who are weil
typihed by the accompanying illustration.
which shows the Philippine soldier in the
course Of being transformed. A year be-
fore this picture was taken these men were
wild in the woods. with nothing but q
breechclout in the way of clothing They
have advanced to a stage where they take
great pride in their caps and coats. but
still refuse TO adopt the trousers and shoes
A year later. however. they will be found
as fully equipped as is their captain. shown
In the foreground.
The Philippine constabulary, of which
these men are part. is now little more
than 5000 strong. including officers and
men. To be exact there were 4,130 men and
296 officers at last report. This constabu-
larry had It's origin in the Filipino scouts
that were organized during the war Of oc-
cupation. The scouts readily adopted the
methods Of the Americans and showed
themselves easily amenable to discipline.
With them as basis, the force has been
gradually increased until members OF the
constabulary are to be found In nearly all
parts OF the island. and have come TO be as
much depended upon 10 keep order as are
the American troops.
The Filipino boys are taken when they
know nothing Of the English language and
little OF civilized life. They are provided
with shelter and food and get small wages.
There is a scramble TO get into the service.
BY nature these Malay Mongolian races
are great imitators. When they see a thing
done once they can come near repeating
II. They are deft and adaptable. SO the
life Of a soldier, the drills and the various
duties are absorbed almost intuitively. Soon
the wild men Of the bush are well drilled
soldiers.
The Filipino is being found 10 be an
excellent fighter. There have been in
stances when led by an American officer
these troops have charged fortified post
tions with resulting death percentage as
high as 40 and have refused to give up the
charge. There is something Of the Jap
anese fatalsm in them. and they are un-
afraid in the face Of death Their influence
| is doing much 10 Americanlze the Philip
pines.
New-York tribune., 1912-01-14

co,nts wsre $4,000, and more were turned
away than could gain admission.
..Iobrrv was a prince with his money
poo saar him spend as high as 100000 in
dav That was the time he rented the
Continental Hotel, in Philadelphia, and
,,a,tod N buv the Girard House. He went
20 ,h. Continental and politely said to the
cIarr. .Will YOU kindly tell the proprietor
that Mr.. steele wishes TO see him?'
".No. sir said the clerk the landlord
is busy
"Iobnnv suggested that he could make It
pay the clerk TO accommodate the whim
The clerk became dsdainful and Johnny
tossed the beilboy $50 gold piece with the
request The result was an interview with
the landlord. Johnny claimed that he had
been III treated and requested the sum-
mary dismissal OF the clerk The pro-
prietor refused. and Johnny offered to buy
the hotel The man said he couldn't sell
because he wasn't the entire owner. A
bargain was made to lease 1t for one day
for 5000. The cash was paid over ana
Johnny installed himself as landlord. He
made me bellboy, while Slocum officiated
as clerk.
THE doors were thrown open, and every
guest in the house had his fill Of wine and
edibles free of charge huge placard
was posted in front of the hotel: Open
house to-day; everything free. All are
welcome II was q merry lark The whole
city seemed to catch on and the house was
full When Johnny thought he had had
enough fun he turned the house over to
the landlord, WHO reirstated the odious
clerk Johnny was frantic with rage. He
went over to the Glrard House and tried
TO buy It. He arranged with the pro-
prietor to buck the Continental by making
the prices so low that everybody would
come there. The Continental did mighty
little business as long as that arrangement
lasted"
While Johnny was away from his oil farm
II dwinded In production, and Mr.. Wick
ham declined TO purchase it. Then Johnny
came to himself-temporariy When he
hurried home he had very little money and
no self-respect. Reared in Christian
New-York tribune., 1912-01-14
Memorial to Barry,
Real Father of Navy

of Americas Revolutionary history. In 1903
he was elected a member of the society
for the Relief of Poor and Distressed Mas
ters of Ships, in IT'S was placed in COM
mand of the Black Prince. merchant YES
sci, and later the same year in command
Of the Lexington, newly fitted out by the
Continental Congress.
Brave and cool in action, full of faith
and patriotism, untiring energy and dauht-
less courage, Captain Barry was well htted
for the Office of commander in chief OF the
American navy. Early in April of l1i6 Cap
tain Barry won his first naval victory
bringing into the port Of Philadelphia the
ship Edward. This was the first OF long
series of successful encounters at sea. In
the winter of 1777-7S Barry, with four row.
boats, captured two ships and schooner
in the lower Delaware, with a lot Of stores
a large part OF which the captain sent 10
General Washington at Valley Forge, Dur
ing the early part of 177S, when in COM
mand of the Raleigh, ne was attacked by
more powerful force, but succeeded in
running his vessel ashore. Later he was
placed in command of the Alliance. so
named in honor of the unity existing be-
tween America and France, the best ship
owned by the Continental Congress, and
sent TO convey Commissioners Laurens,
Thomas Paine and Count de Noailles'
brother-in-law of Lafayette. to Paris. on
his return voyage he captured the Atlanta
and the Trepassy, and was severely
wounded.
In November. 17S1. he was intrusted with
the conveyance of Lafayette to France. He
had the honor TO fight the last battle of the
Revolution, in which he whipped the Brit"
ish frigate Sybil. His prizes for one
voyage alone sold in the French ports for
S2,310OO0. and helped to cause the British
merchants to petition for peace. While the
American fleet was compelled to lie idle In
the Delaware Commodore Barry recruited
a company and served in the battles or
Trenton and Princeton.
When independence was declared Barry
returned to the merchant service, where he
remained until 179i, when, our commerce
being threatened by Algerian pirates and
by the war between England and France,
it became necessary to organize naval
feet to protect il. The feet was placed in
command of Commodore Barry by Presi-
dent Washington on June 8, 1874
New-York tribune., 1912-01-14
OLD POINT COMFORT.

Old Point Comfort, Va, Jan. i3.--Guests
sojourning here from the big cities Of the
North. reading Of the bitter cold in their
home places. are congratulating one another
upon being at Old Point, where the air is
Just bracins enough TO send a glow TO the
cheek and make all outdoor sports exhil-
arating. every afternoon the courts both at
the Chamberln and inside the fortress be-
ing in demand
Mr.. and Mrs. s. L. Blood. Of New York.
who declare that a winter is never complete
without a month at the Chamberlin ar
rived Saturday. and were cordially greeted
by numbers of their friends who are So
journing here. II was in their honor that
Mr.. and Mrs. George +. Adams entertained
at cards on Thursday night at the hotel
Some weekend arrivals from Brooklyn
included Mr.. and Mrs Frank Dondera and
Mr. and Mrs w. z. Savage.
Recent arrivals at the Hotel Chamberlin
from New York are Mr.. and Mrs. 5. l..
Blood. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Alexander. DR..
and Mrs F. NJ. Myers, B. D. Robinson, q. f.
Watson. II. l.. Collier, Mr. and Mrs. NJ. Il.
Sloat, A. A. Peeler, Hr. and Mrs. \. w.
welch. Miss l.. Van Boskerck, Mr.. and Mrs.
John Garner, Mr.. and Mrs. ". B. Cass.
Dr. and Mrs. r. Reilly, ". O. Peace and
Mr.. and Mrs. J. Edward Calhoun.
New-York tribune., 1912-01-14
GOAL OIL JOHNNY"
Scuandered a Fortune, but Re-
pents in Old Age.
FOR YEARS A SPENDTHRlFT
But Nearly a Half Century of Re-
Election Has Made Him a
Contented Farmer.

Franklin. Penn, Jan. l3.-Quietly work
ing out his destiny on a farm near mere,
John w. Steele, widely known nifty years
ago as Coal Oil Johnny" the man to
whom riches proved to be bane. is re-
gaining his self-respect after hard fight
and has become a credit TO himself and his
family. After several decades of patient
labor the onetime oil king, now nearly
seventy years Old reviews his past with
regret tinged with certain quaint philoso-
pbv of lfe that somehow lessons the
enormity of his offences against himself
and society.
In the estimation of the public Coal Oil
Johnny stands as the representative type
of the spendthrift and oil region prodigal.
Coming into a large fortune before his
Judgment had matured and without any
one to advise him. he set out to see the
world, abandoning his wife and child and
friends: and he saw It, He saw II as lie"
have seen it before or since.
This young oil CrDsus, who had more
thousands than he knew anything OF, went
a mace that caused stories Of his eXtraNa-
gance to be spread far and wide. When
he had finished with the world Steele went
back to the soil not as an oil producer
but as an agrlculturist, and he admits thdt
he has received more pleasure welding the
hoe than he obtained in squandering his
fortune.
Johnny was born Of poor parents near
Sheakleyvillc. Mercer County, Pcnnsyl-
vania At an early age he and his little
sister went to Venango County to Hive
with an uncle and aunt Mr.. and Mrs. Nc
Clintock who had a large farm on oil
Creek. When Johnny was twelve years
old his adopted uncle died. a fe~ years
afterward oil was discovered. and Widow
McCIintock along with other land owners
in Oil Creek Valley, found that she was
encamped above an independent fortune.
Sne soon found herself rich woman. one
day while attempting to hasten fire by
means OF oil Mrs. McClintock was burned
TO death--the first victim OF the treacher-
New-York tribune., 1912-01-14

William Twiman a negro. who is con-
sidered insane. after numbering his father.
Turner Twiman. at their nome In Scots
willie. little village twelve miles southwest
OF Rochester. y. Y, shot dead deputy
sheriff. seriously wounded three other depu-
ties and slightly grazed an arm OF Sherin
Harley Hamil. the leaders In a posse OF
more than a hundred persons who endeav-
ored to effect an entrance into the Twiman
house, in which the mad black had barri-
caded himself Twiman held the constantly
growing force of besiegers at bay for six
hours. but q one-pounder. manned by a
squad OF naval militia and national guards
men. induced him 10 surrender.
The mutilated bodies of Isaac Futter-
man and Rachel. his wife, were found In
their small apartment, In Norfolk street.
In this city. Their daughter Etka was
placed under observation with regard to
her sanity, In connection with the case.
New-York tribune., 1912-01-14
Statue of Famous Fighter Who
Commanded Navy Under
Presid e mt Washington
Will Soon Be Erected
in National Capital.

Within the next few years there will rise
IN Washington, in one Of its most beaut-
full parks, a statue of Commodore John
Barry who, judging by his services and
the eminent creative qualities of his long
and patriotic career, was the real father
" the American navy 1t is more than A
century since Commodore Barry, who occu-
pies prominent place in American history,
passed to the great beyond. These pages
of history recite the deeds which alone are
a monument to that grand naval hero, but
the American government has seen ht
after long delay. to erect In the national
capital an imposing bronze monument as a
fitting memorial to the commodore who
made the early naval history of this coun-
try
Next spring a monument to John Paul
Jones will be unveiled in Washington.
There is little doubt that had there been
as little trouble in securing an acceptable
design for the Barry monument as Tor that
to Paul Jones. the two would have been
unveiled about the same time. There has
been considerable delay in starting the
Barry project, one design-that of Andrew
demonstrating been rejected after hav-
ing been accepted by the Congressional
committee because Of serious opposition of
the Irish-American societies. The design
finally selected is that of John j. Boyle, a
New York sculptor, whose work has been
approved by the National Fine Arts Com
mission as we'll as by the Congressional
commission,
Commodore Barry was born in the little
town of Ballysampson, on the seacoast of
the County of Wexford, Ireland, in the
year 1745 He bade farewell TO his home,
friends and country when only fourteen
years old. and nearly all of the remainder
Of his life he spent on the sea in the ser
vice of his adopted country-America.
Barrys name is emblazoned on the pages
New-York tribune., 1912-01-14
MOURNING CAUSES SUICIDE

"Grieying over the suicide of her son
sydney who killed himself In Philadelphia
about month ago. Mrs. Lottie Hyde Buff
hngton, wife OF Orr Burlington, a PhladeI-
phla lawyer. ended her life by shooting her
SELF at her home, No 7i6 St. Nicholas
avenue.
Twenty Chinese gambling places In
Chinatown were raded, and sIxty-six men.
picked out by a Japanese stool pigeon,
were arrested.
The putative leader of the gang OF bank
robbers who stole upward of $4,000 In gold
and Canadian currency from the branch OF
the Bank Of Montreal az New Westminster,
New-York tribune., 1912-01-14

Women. died In London. England. Thomas
Hedges Foggin. the oldest volunteer fire.
man in New York State. died at the home
Of his son. in Port Richmond. staten ISL
and He was ninety years old. George Cot
ton Brainerd died at his home. In Brooklyn
at the age OF sixty-seven years.
Bloomfield Brewer for nearly half a
century head Of Brewer Brothers. manu-.
featuring stationers. died at his home In
this city. Henry Batterman. for many
years one Of the foremost merchants OF
Brooklyn. died I'm that borough. Mrs Cara
felia Oakes Chickerng, widow of Charles
+. Chickering, the plano manufacturer, died
AT her home, In this city. Mrs. Melvna
Hammcrstein, the divorced wife Of Oscar
Hammerstein died from heart disease at
her apartment, I'm this city. Seeig A. VIM
cent, one OF the Oldest actors in this coun-
try. died at his home, in Central Park
West"
New-York tribune., 1912-01-14

young man and he soon lost all track Of
how much money he had.
Like all youths who suddenly acquire
great wealth. he had advisers by the score
They told him 10 save his money that
he would need 1t some day The retort
was that, since there seemed 10 be dispo-
sition on the part OF everybody to get It
away from him. he guessed he would spend
IL before n was stolen.
johnny started for Philadelphia, leav-
ing behind his wife. whom he had married
in 1852 and a baby son, lie took with
him Seth Slocum. the man at whose door