31 Jul 1896
Page 1
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This newspaper page contains 26 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Lowell Daily Courier
Location
Lowell, Massachusetts, United States of America
Date
Jul 31, 1896
Page
1
The piece mocks public utterances by Geo. Fred. Williams and critics the silverite plan to flood New England with speakers. It notes a Worcester silver organ joke, anticipates November voting, and remarks on Massachusetts apple harvest and political stakes.
A farmer tries to sell a hotel keeper frogs legs, boasting large quantities. The clerk balks at a million, then agrees to 36, but the farmer reveals there were only six legs found, explaining the swing from a million to six by the noise. The tale ends with the farmer noting the misread crowd.
A note recalls a 1770 Paris fireworks disaster during Louis XV’s era when a burning platform caused crowd crushes and river deaths. Rumored toll runs high, with estimates around a thousand killed. The Dauphin and Dauphiness contributed a month’s income to relief, and Marie Antoinette visited affected families. Both incidents allegedly occurred on May 30.
London rumors revive that Queen Victoria may retire from the throne in favor of the Prince of Wales. Health is described as feeble and the Queen is said to stay at Balmoral or Osborne, while the Prince and Princess of Wales would occupy Buckingham Palace and Windsor. The last London visit reportedly included a farewell bow at the station.
Ex-Postmaster General Wanamaker returns to Philadelphia from New York where he attended a Republican National Committee session. He says Hanna-led talks shaped a campaign focused on unchanged Republican doctrine, urging united support forsound money and protection for American labor.
In Boston on July 30 the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Boston team 10 to 5 after a late surge. Duffy played second and contributed two runs, while Stivetts pitched seven solid innings before struggles in the eighth and ninth. The game featured 12 Baltimore hits and 5 Boston errors amid a dull finish.
In Boston on July 31 the trial of Mate Thomas Bram and Seaman Charles Brown for the murder of Capt. Nash, his wife, and Second Officer Bamberg of the barkentine Herbert Fuller opened in U S circuit court before Commissioner Fiske. Spectators filled the courtroom as manacles were removed from the defendants for the first time. Ex-U S Attorney Allen represents Brown and U S District Attorney Hoar prosecutes, reversing earlier plans to let an assistant handle the case.
Maj. McKinley told a Knoxville crowd that Republicans defend sound money and parity with the best nations, urging unity against currency debasement and favoring a tariff that funds government while aiding American labor, agriculture, and commerce. Princess Helene, Duchess of Sparta's baby is noted as Queen Victoria's twenty second great grandchild.
The steamship Ser via returned to the dock at 5 20 this morning after a voyage with the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company aboard. All are reported well and enthusiastic about the reception planned in Boston with a parade and event attended by the Governor and Mayor followed by a banquet and speeches.
Two masked men entered George Hetzter’s saloon on West Sixth Street and demanded money. Hetzter refused and was killed after four shots rang out. One robber was wounded by Hetzter’s pistol just before the fatal shot. the wounded man, identified as Thomas Carter of Cripple Creek, was captured and said he responded to the disturbance.
New York July 31 Michael Lehmaier dies in hospital after being shot by his wife's brother Charles A Johnson. Police say Lehmaier was morphine addicted and the shooting was linked to this habit.
The sailing vessel S. D. Carlton under Captain Amesbury, leaving New York April 23 for Shanghai, is reported aground on Pang Jang reef at Batavia. She leaked badly but there is hope the ship may be saved.
A dispatch from Aberdeen South Dakota reports a disastrous storm that laid waste crops across a six to eight mile wide and fifty to sixty mile long area. The losses are expected to reach into the thousands.
Melrose July 31 contractor Eveline relinquished his contract this morning all laborers to be paid in full and a satisfactory city contractor agreement expected to be reached between the city and the contractor
Kansas City hosted a meeting of sound money democrats with over 200 prominent business men who voted to repudiate the Chicago platform. The gathering took place July 31 and signaling a party division within the local ranks.
Los Angeles July 31 Wong Chee the Chinaman shot by Highbinders is dead. The men who fired were arrested and identified.
Atlantic City on July 31 reports 42 killed and 43 injured in last night's railroad disaster with a long list of names and injuries.
The article reports a collapse of the home textile market as Boott mills cut back and export orders rise. Treasurer Clark cites tight money, bank squeeze, and post Chicago platform uncertainty. Mills vary: Hamilton resumes, Merrimack prints stall two weeks, Middlesex and Collinsville idle. Notable wages amid the trouble show Lowell workers earning higher than southern mills, with mixed productivity gains and looming shutdowns at North Chelmsford.
An Rome Ga dispatch reports W S Southworth, agent for Massachusetts cotton mills, says the Lindale plant turmoil is over with 800 of 1000 looms active and weekly cloth shipments to eastern markets. He defends the use of two Negro workers for indoor tasks like oiling and shafting in emergency to keep the mill running, asserting no white workers were discharged. He notes occasional Sunday work for essential repairs, despite aiming to avoid Sunday labor.
Mayor Courtney issues a special Common Council meeting to review any business related to an investigation at City Hall. An order on the investigation was discussed at the last session but vacation season could interrupt it, prompting the call for a timely gathering.
Lowell carriers and routes reveal training methods for homers and carriers. Pigeons are guided by repeated trips in the same direction, building instinct to reach home from long distances. The Lowell Homing club, formed last December, aims to identify the city’s fastest birds with members owning about 250 birds and flights from Nashua to Montreal ending without returns.
County Commissioners weighed laying out Lawrence street from Lowell and Tewksbury line to Tewksbury boundary. Plan, led by Selectman Farmer, proposed 45 foot width with land takings on both sides to accommodate electric road tracks and traffic. Wigginville neighbors resisted, while others urged widening for Centre traffic. debate noted public convenience as the deciding factor.
Going out of town? Mackintosh coats serve as rain protection and a lightweight top coat. We offer Guaranteed Mackintoshes from 5 to 15 dollars, top coats from 8.09 to 20, leather cases, iron frames, linen lining, 5 to 7 dollars, and Garner percales now 50 cents instead of a dollar.
The grand jury has moved beyond the horse deal and will probe general City Hall business led by District Attorney Wier. New witnesses testified, including Overseers of the Poor members, several Councilmen, and City officials. Barker company reps may explain a $2000 valve burst at City Hall. Attorney General backs the DA. report awaited with anxiety.
Merrymaking by John Hancock Life Insurance agents from Lowell and Lawrence at Willow Dale drew about 80 attendees including invited guests. Annual event featured tug-of-war, baseball, and races won by the Lowell contingent led by an entertaining pitcher. Attendees included Supt. Walsh Chicago Supt. Sweeney Providence Supt. Bennett Pawtucket Supt. Brindle Woonsocket Supt. Jones Chelsea Supt. White Haverhill Supt. Spencer Lawrence and assistants Inspector Donahoe Pawtucket.
A girl who gave the name Julia Greenwood at the police station was identified as a runaway whose real name is Lambert. She claimed her parents were dead and she was destitute, but the tale proved untrue. Her father arrived this morning and retrieved her in Manchester.
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