davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-25

connected in parallel and fred by
means OF a current from the electric
light PLAINTIFF firing being done at
noon time while the lahorers are not
at work or after five o'clock In the
evening. A warning whistle is blown
for five minutes before the blasting
begins. The greatest number OF drills
used at any one time in the Cut was
three hundred and seventy-seven. of
which one hundred and fifty-six were
well and two hundred and twenty
one tripod. With this number about
ninety miles OF holes can be drilled
In n single month. 1t is estimated
that pound OF dynamite has been
used to every cubic yard of material
blasted in Culebra Cut
Curious Freaks OF Explosives.
Whenever an accident occurs there
is, of course. H. thorough investigation
and some rather curious freaks in the
working of explosives have been dis
covered at these Investigations. For
instance. on one occasion the dyna-
mite gang was preparing to set off
about twenty-five tons in the Cut. All
of the holes had been charged except
one, aud the leading men were at
work on this when the whole thing
suddenly went off and dynamite took
! it's toll from some of the best men in
the squad. It Was first thought that
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-25

quantity of explosives has to be used
at the Ancon quarry, for the rock
needed in the concrete at the Mira
flores and Pedro Miguel locks is quar-
rled there. The rock Is loosened by
dynamite and then e1cavated by steam
shovels and loaded upon cars and sent
down to the crusher plant. Prema-
ture explosions Of dynamite have oc-
CURED at the quarry several times
and at least dozen men have been
killed and scores injured.
Many Fatalities in 1908.
Forty deaths from dynamite explo-
sions were recorded for the year 1903.
This does not include the individual
fatalities and shows only the death
rate from unpreventable causes. The
worst of these occurred at Bas Obispo
on December twelfth. 1903, when
there was a premature explosion OF
twenty tens Of dynamite in Guile
bra Cut with the result that twenty
SIX men were Killed and forty in
jured. on May twenty second. 1908,
lightning caused the explo ion of tw a.
ty-siX tons. killing two men and
wounding several. In speaking of the
death dealing occurrences one of the
memb ers Of the Canal Commission re-
Gently declared that the most rigid
rules had been made In reference to
the handling and preparation of ex-
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-25

the current passing through tho wire
from the generator had induced 4
current in the fuse wires which had
not been connected with the genera
tor when the explosion occurred. but
on investigating 1t was found that the
fuse wire was SO small that the gen.
orator current did not induce sum-
cient current in the fuse wires to set
off the charge when the two wires
were only an inch apart, SO. OF course,
some other cause had to be found.
Finally someone suggested that the
water in the holes be examined, and
when this was done 1t was found that
this was slightly calculated and conse-
quently acted upon the paper Of the
! dynamite cartridges and liberated the
nitro-glycerine. 1t was learned that
the first hole had been charged near
| ly week before the last hole was
reached. which gave the calculated
water plenty Of time to reach the
! nitro glycerine. A charge had been
exploded on the opposite side of the
Cut and this conclusion had been SUI
flcient to set off the nitro-glycerine
after it had been liberated by tho
action of the water. 1t was found
by experiments that the calculated
water could not nberate the nitro
gycerine unless 1t had several days
to act. This investigation resulted
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-25

reared by white Folks" and her as
soclatIons we're such that her little
son must necessarily be free from
that Vicipusness so often found among
the blacks where their children have
been allowed to run wild and grow
up in the sfums OF the big cities.
This little boy was adopted by the
Mac Leans atld H. Vas placsd i've In
charge OF Vincent In fact he Is
NtneenCS very oEsa and from the first
moment the two Eazed upon each
othAr their hearts were stirred and
Vincent and Black Bill. from that day
to this. became inseparable and de-
voted ompanions.
OF course the little black boy ac-
companied Vincent TO the Farm
There startling surprise awaited
each. Mr.. Mae Lean had seemingly
secured the country for pets with
which 10 amuse his little son. He
wanted him to take to country life,
and every animal one would find an
we'll regulated farm was at Black
Point. but the majority OF them In
miniature form. Vincents shaggy lit
tie Shetland pony 10 one OF the shay
giest and tiniest that money could
buy. and he went into ecstacies over
his new pet the moment he saw II.
The pony was saddled and bridled and
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-25

gladiators square on for battle to the
finish. and the boy stands by until
the Anal flutter Of victor or van
pushed to SEQ that fair play ruled
Every oHee In awhiae hts
bulldogs mix It UP and Vincent Ia not
In the least afraid to step into the
thick Of the fray to separate the COM
batants should he see that the weaker
of the two - getting the worst Of the
conflict. This love Of sport u further
evidenced by the races arranged by
Bill and himself. Vincent on the pony
and Bill In the goat cart or vice versa,
complete the entrants for some OF the
stirring finishes that are seen about
the farm.
Mother Looks to Future.
In discussing her boy, recently,
Mrs. Mac Lean said: much has been
said and written about Vincent, much
Of It true and . great deal Of It pure
y nctional. I've have but one hope
In view. and that to make the boy
strone, healthy clean and xhoIAsomes
We want him to be just like any other
sturdy, American bay. Il matters NOT
@hsthsr ~ VIII hass = fretuns whss
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-25
Ioaox0g The Ho7sC VIII Ly5aa0712s1n r.

in an order being issued by Colonel
Goethals to the effect that all charges
must be exploded within twenty-four
hours after they are loaded. The rule
has been strictly adhered to and since
premature explosion of dynamite in
the Cut The temperature Of the
holes must be taken before the dyna-
mite IL placed therein. After n pre-
mature discharge year or two ago
It was found that heat was generated
in the holes by the oxidation Of ma
terial below the surface when ex-
posed to the air by the drilling Of
holes for explosive charges. This
rule. too, has aided in the prevention
of sudden blow-ups.
Another cause OF death from dyna-
mite has been the failure Of some Of
the charges to explode when tho 9th
ers 30 OF. Several times these un-
exploded charges have been struck
by steam shovels with the Inevitable
result-death to tho men working
the shovels. The steel buckets COM
ing In sudden contact with the rock
and dynamite cause the explosion.
The writer recalls that on one &C.
casion while riding on the pay car In
the Cut an accident OF this sort hap
pened on the level directly above the
car. but fortunately the dynamite
merely fissed and did not explode.
It was some time before tho engineers
could md q remedy for this, but Il
was finally noticed that when the
charges were fired parallel they were
never known to miss IRE. 10 this sys-
tenn was adopted.
How Dynamite Is Stored.
In the early days of the Canal
building the dynamite car was run
directly into the Cut and unloaded
there. but after awhile this became
dangerous owing to the number Of
dirt and sand trains which were con-
tinually passing to and fro In the big
ditch. At present 1t Is stored In
houses along the top of the Cut. Red
flags are placed all around these
houses and they are guarded by man
besides. A large amount is stored In
the house near Empire. At this point
the dynamite squad carry boxes con-
tanning fifty pounds down a flight Of
one hundred and ninety-seven steps
and then across tho Cut to the oppo-
site side. They must avoid the dirt
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-25
Tz1cg1E Dr1Y11S No pe<oazf

was to have chickens no must learn
go take care Of Them, feed them and
gather the eggs each day. The hours
Vincent and Bill spend in the chicken
yard are by no means the least In
teresting these two while away in the
course OF the day. Each Of the boys
pullets and sroosters Ia named and
each answers to it's name when VIM
cent arrives at the run. If he is In .
far distant part Of the grounds and
hears the cackle Of a hen he knows
at once which OF his pets has laid an
egg and he goes scampering to the
hen house to take It proudly to the
house.
A True Sportsman.
That Vincent II . true son Of his
father, inheriting many Of the sport
ing proclivities OF the elder Mao Lean,
Is attested by his fondness for game
chickens There are q number Of
game roosters that strut about the
stable yard and Vincent loves nothing
-hettar- than TO SEES txo IS These HttIe
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-25

stabbed or turned loose In paddock or
Per t5ut~ TIT" goat has the run
OF the place. and SO attached has 1t
become To Vinclut that 1t follows-h him
about like a dog and incidentally
lords it over the pack OF dogs that
are always romping and rollicking at
the heels OF the Millionaire Baby.
Only the house Is barred to the goat.
but every once In a while 1t runs the
gauntlet. slips through the guard Of
footmcn and maids and clatters
through the house bleating Justify for
Vincent and Bill.
Vincent, early IN his stay at the
Farm, evInced Il lively interest in
poultry This became so pronounced
that Mr.. Mac Lean had a chicken
house and run constructed which was
to be Vincent's very own. This was
stocked with rarest foul, and the poul-
terer of the farias WAS ordered to In
s.ruct Vincent along correct and sane
lines in the care. and keep. of his
chickens. The boy Was told that II he
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-25

he comes of age or not. for when he
reaches mans estate he will have been
so trained---if our plans do not mis-
carry---that he win be perfectly able
to start out In life and earn = living.
II necessary. Just what his future
will be rests with him Whatever
channel his talents lie In those talents
will be cultivated and given full
scope. Above ali things no must be
normal. He II not spoiled bit and
We intend to see that hs - kept %.
We are no different from other par
ents, I suppose. In that We have fond
dreams for the hoyt futura. We may
be more fortunate than some mas
much - the very best instructors that
money can procure will be engaged
for the boys training through the va
rious STAGES Of beyhood. He shall Sc
iect his own college when he % old
enough to take an interest In such
things and by that time We believe
/ he viii have evinced . lively interest
In sports and will elect some neid In
which ~ feel sure he viii excel
We can't deny that our whole lives are
conferred in this youngster, and 70 far
he has never given ~ . moment Of
anxiety"
IAsheP II Proud OF Him.
Mr.. Mac Lean II just a. practica
in his views for the future OF the Bill
lionaire Baby ~ the mother.
What Am, going to make Of
hfm7" he asked. ''Why healthy,
sturdy normal boy. OF course. and
then a useful man. He 10 q husky
little fellow and he likes everything
that 4 normal American boy ehoule
like. He 10 fond Of horses. and tina,
is especially gratifying to me. foi
horses are my hobby. Any boy WHIT
takes to hofses and sticks to them for
his diversion II safe, for then there
are fewer chances Of his bsing weaned
from the healthy outdoor life to that
, Of tho all-nisht cafes tHAt have
played such havoc With tia yonnA
sons Of wealthy parentA He has
all the pets any boy could de
sire. ana w intend to let him run
just a. wild 1t Black Point Farm
~ he cares to. In fact No took that
place for him. and that he enjoys
exerr. observation-disclosures.
never be doubted by anyone who sses
him At play with HI little nssFs
chum." Z
black Bin hikes the Black Point
Farm, too. He admits that II has
many advantages over the old South.
ern plantation whore hs frst saw thu
light OF day and then. too. playing
valet to . Millionaire BABY gtves him
Advantages that he did not posseH
when, = . basetootsd littl6 piccA'
ninny, he was content to live In :
little log cabin and cali Il home. Now
Bill's quarters are just - comforta.
| 49, - .>~~ -
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-25

trains and be careful not to stumble
over the numerous railway tracks or
to trip over the rocks which are AL
about
Narrow Escapes.
On one occasion the writer was
standing on the Empire bridge whicn
crosses the Cut Watching the men
fllling the holes preparatory to the
noon hour blast The men were gar
ry.ng tho dynamite down the s,eps
when one Of them stumbled. Two
men standing nearby started TO run,
hut the man grabbed the handrai
and steadied himself, still holding the
oox Of dynamite on his shoulder. IT
muAt have frightened hts companions
for they all rested . few moments.
being careful to sst the boxes down
very carefully. At another time tar
Their down the Cut one Of the men
carrying dynamite started to cross.
AZ he did 20 q dirt train hove In
sight and stopped directly In front OF
him. The dynamite man wAs In
hurry. 10 he climbed on one OF the
cars and was about to 81 on on the
other side when the train started.
This meant, perhaps. bsing carried
miles away from hD WORK. ne WAs
afraid to jump with the box ON his
shoulder %, he calmly tossed the box
Oh tho car and Jumped. after II.
cry Of horror went up from those who
saw It, but nothing happened. 20 the
negro picked up his dynamite and
went over to the holes Here he was
met by tho foreman, who rave him
lecture which he u likely to re-
member.
Out In the Pacific channel they are
blasting the rock under water BY U.s.
OF floating drill board. This has
three huge drillers which make the
holes, and after these holes have bee1
prepared for the blast the drill board
moves back and tins sxpiosivs = - OF
by electricity ana dynamite exploded
under water does not. however, make
an especially spsctaculAr appearance.
OF course. there - . great sptashing
OF water but rocks rarely ~ about
a. they do when II II exploded on
land.
It makes one shudder to think OF
the horrible death OF the men who
are paying the toll to dynamite as
the great Panama Canal - being con-
structed.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-25

only daughter of u. S Sena-
tor Walsh. married Edward
!" II. Mae Lean, only son Of
Jonn X. Mac Lean, a fnulti-milloinaire
of Cincinnati and Washington, TWO OF
the most colossal fortunes in this
country were merged. The issue of
this union is Vincent Mac Lean.
chubby boy OF four years who nat
uraliy, was at once dubbed the Bill
lionaire Baby" Vincent bears up un-
der the burden OF this awe-inspiring
title with surprising fortitude, and 1t
must be said in his favor there Is M
tie in the department OF the richest
youngster In the United States 10 des-.
ignate him from other boys of MS age
and social station. He is an everyday
rough and tumble, roJlicking happy
little chap who goes about the even
tenor of his way without a thought Of
the grave responsibilities that are lr
store for him.
Just st present Vincent is revelling
in the joys OF farm life. for with his
parents he went sarly In the spring
10 the magnificent Black Point es-
tate which his parents leased and
which they Will occupy until late at
tumn.
Btu Enters Vincent's Life.
From the start the Mac Leans de-
termined THAI Vincent should be
reared with all the tender care that
ons or his Importance demands. but
at the same time both made up thelr
minds tina, a pampered boy with Wis
ions of untold wealth etsrnaiiy held
before him would sooner or later de-
yeiop INTO maynard youth. or else
into IN .HEurErabTe snob So 10 avoid
--s-.rsx ~ Either OF THESE CONTINGENCIES
they decided that they would harl
BACK TO plans SO often adopted by
bouthern born men and women for
the rearing of their children. Ali Of
N who were either born in the South
Or lived there, know that the ma
1ortty of children. from earliest In
fancy, have for their caretakers or
4 p,aymates little negro boy or girl,
usually the children OF an old fam
h iiy servant servant OF the old
school. Of course. The devotion OF
1haae little piccaninnses to their lit
y Ne wards ts little short OF idolatry.
EAsy would willingly lay down their
lives for their little charges. and this
H devotion h repaid by the tender re-
3 gard which the little master or mis-
trAas has for his black playmate
Hrs. Mac Lean found just ouch a
] Mttle piccaninny. His mother waa
\ - oiA-fAshicned negro who had bean
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-25

building or when some colossal
project was about 10 be undertaken
To-day great enterprises pay their toll
10 death IN different way, but they
pay II just the same. for the records
show that even the building of a sky
GeFaper almost invariably costs the life
OF one or more OF the workmen who
are engaged in its erection.
The building OF the Panama Canal
has been no exception TO this rule
and violent deaths from one cause or
another have been frequent occur
rsnces. The tons and tons of dynamite
greater number of fatal accidents
OF course. many of these accidents
are uEavoida bie--~smch things are
sure to occur in every great work Of
constructive engineering Although
the exact number of deaths caused
by dynamite has not been kept sepa-
rate from other accidental deaths, it
hundred during the past four or FIVE
years. The tremendous rock excava-
lions In Culebra Cut have necessitated
the continuous use Of dynamite In
quantities such as have never before
been used in single piece Of con-
struction work. The United States at
present holds the record as a user Of
dynamite. for more than sixty million
pounds have been exploded along the
Canal--aDout half the amount being
set Off In Culebra Cut alone. a great
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-25

Vincent, carefully supported by Bill.
started forth OH hts first ride. Later
the saddle was removed and the pony
was harnessed TO little cart which
was exclusively made for Vincent and
Bill. Vincent drove for the first time
in his young life and the thrills of
that ride are still among the-tnast
p,-nsuraoieT Of tt1e many he expert
enced at the Farm.
Vincent Gets "a Goat.
Long before the novelty of the pony
had worn off Vincent awoke one
morning 10 lind awaiting him rare
specimen OF goat correctly harnessed
TO a little cart with Bili standing at
its head ready for hts little master to
take his seat, pick up the reins and
sally forth for before breakfast ride
over the smooth roads of the Mac
Lean estate. From that moment Vim
cent was rent by conflicting emotions.
lie couldn't decide which WAS the
dearer to him--pons or goat--so to be
sure that neither was sighted he deci-
ded to divide play time equally between
the two. In a way the goat has the
better of the bargain and can steal a
march on The pnny-ia the race for
their little masters affections. when
the uony Is embarrassed ha IN either
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-25
TheAppalling ofLife
Through the Use ofDyna-
mite Caused By Prema-
ture Explosions and In
ability On the Part of the
Average Canal Laborer
To Understand the Real
Danger Of Handling 1t.

- WAY back in the da. c. the
Pagans II was the cuEtom to
sacrifice human lie just be-
fore the erection of great
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-25
Vincent, the Little Son of
Mr.. and Mrs. Edward R.
Mac Lean, Said To Be the
Richest Boy in America
Revealing intheF irstJoys
of Farm Life.

HEN Miss Evelyn Walsh. the
only daughter of u. S. Sena-
tor Walsh. married Edward
II. Mae Lean. only son Of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-11

of the gutter" in police court one morning while listening to talk made by Police Judge N. B. Feagin in sentencing an Irishman. She stated the institute now was taking care of 249 nc gro boys and girls who had no other home
 "rhe fair has been a complete sue cess, said President Brown last night We had good order. good shows. good exhibits, good free acts. There have been no thefts, no fights We have had some large crowds. The only thing we have not had that we should have had is fair weather, and that's about the only thing over which we had no con trol"
 It is stated the presidency of the fair association for next year rests be- tween a reelection of MT. Brown and election of George Blinn vice president this year.
 For the first time the fair this year was for two weeks. Before it has been for 10 days During the first week, which began September 2S, it rained continuous ly Last Monday. however, the skies cleared and for five days the weather was fair and brought out large crowds. esterday the rain came again. however, and the nights programme was aban- dcned.s
 Following are the awards made in the educational department. Roy Dmmtt. su- perintendent. making the list of awards for the fair complete published In The Age-Herald from time to time with the exception of the baby show, the awards for which will probably not be made for a week or two on account of the amount of work in scoring the many entries:
 Best general exhibit, Birmingham pub lio schools.
 Best exhibit rural schools. four or more teachers, first, Powderly public school second, Mulga public school. Best exhibit rural schools, two or three teachers, first. Springdale school, second Summit school.
 St<te schools, first, Alabama Girls Technical institute, Montevallo; second l State Normal school, Jacksonville. Industrial prizes High school division best piece furniture, first George Mat
 thien, Ensley High school; second, D. II
 Roberts, Jacksonville.
 Best charcoal drawing, first, William Bromberg. Central High school; second Gladys English, Ensley High school.
 Best finished garplent first, Ruth Pitts
 Ensley High school: second, Frances
 Sheldon, Ensley High school.
 Best cartoon, per&nd ink, first, Craw-
 ford Parker Central High school; second 1 Hayden Berry, Central High school
 Best mechanical drawing. first Marion Croswaite. Central High school; second | Will H. Davis. Central High school. Elementary schools, industrial: | Best essay Jefferson County's Natura Resources, first Graham Gambill; sec
 ond, John Towles, Martin school
 Best piece furniture, first, Claude Fun ! derburg, Powderly school; second, Restol Kirkland, Springdale school | Best specimen sewing, first, Margare l Blair, Powderly; second, Elsie James 1 Hartselle.
 l Best hand made basket first Mel Kemp, Maben; second, Charlie Barnitz | Martin school.
 Best drawing, first no award: second Elmer Erickson, Fairview school. Best school garden work, Fairviev | school.
 l Best penmanship submitted in copy
 book. first Troy Stanford Crews; second Rubie Mcleod, Bush school, Ensley. 1 Best composition book, first, no award
 second, Thema Evans, Bush school