Fourth of July 1898 Celebrates Two Major Victories
The nation rejoiced as news arrived that Rear Admiral Sampson destroyed Cervera’s fleet at Santiago, easing fears after the Cuba campaign. Simultaneously the first Philippines expedition reached safety, with Manila surrender expected, making the Fourth of July uniquely triumphant.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Maine
Santiago
California
Gulf of Mexico
Sampson
Cervera
Cuba
Philippines
Manila
United States
Fighting Joe Wheeler in Cuba Remembered Hero of War
Dispatches from the Cuba campaign chronicle General Joseph Wheeler famed as Fighting Joe. He led from the front, rode to locate the enemy, and despite fever demanded to stay near the action. At times he was too ill for the field but remained at the head until nightfall, then hospitalised as the campaign pressed on.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cuba
Joseph Wheeler
Joe
Wheeler
Tropics
Rough Riders Rise From Cuban Invasion Chosen for Duty
Two radical extremes of American citizenship merged in the Rough Riders organization, the first volunteer force to shed blood in Cuba for their country. They pressed through a nearly pathless jungle, enduring extreme heat and thirst as they fought for the cause.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
America
Rough Riders
Americans make heroes from plainsmen and society men
Sun and finally ambushed twice their number of Spanish soldiers, entrenched and supplied with deadly machine guns, were the hardy cowboys from western cattle ranches and the petted sons of eastern millionaires. Side by side they withstood bullets like veterans and charged the enemy, sending them fleeing from the field.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sun
West
Western
Plain
Carpetbaggers in Arkansas politics debated in press
The Arkansas Gazette defends New Richmonds and other newcomers, arguing they are lawful Arkansans who have invested, built homes, and cast their lots with the people. It rejects branding all foreign-born or Georgia Mississippi or Kentucky migrants as carpetbaggers and urges welcoming permanent residents with equal citizen rights.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
South
The
Arkansas Gazette
New Richmonds
Arkansas
Georgia
Mississippi
Kentucky
Tennessee
Alabama
Ice for the Poor in Kansas City Urges Civic Action
The Kansas City Star advocates a Nathan Strauss style ice for the poor scheme and questions municipal adoption. It suggests cities supply essential goods at actual cost to curb mendicancy and foster self respect. The piece compares private charity with city led provision of life necessities like wood and coal.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kansas City
Nathan Strauss
New York
Strauss
Kansas City Star
Waterworks battle warned in Siloam Springs paper
The Siloam Springs Republican warns readers of a waterworks controversy. It accuses a council of being pressured to accept a tin horn plant and urges delaying acceptance until proper mains and pumps are installed and the system becomes serviceable. The editorial cautions Mena to avoid similar risks with stove pipe mains and ram pumps.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Siloam Springs
Republican
Arkansas Democrats Back Home Now to Support State Ticket
The piece notes many Arkansas Democrats have gone to the war while enough remain to back Dan Jones and the rest of the state ticket in September. It argues that victory rests on the right kind of judges and election commissioners to arouse a majority.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Arkansas
Dan Jones
Gazette
Seaport City Printer Controversy Sparks Outcry
The Port Arthur News laments city actions granting a fifteen year old boy a contract as official printer, accusing council members of stinginess toward experienced locals and calling officials small minded for limiting profits of long running newspapers. The letter condemns the policy as penny wise and pound foolish and mocks city leadership.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Port Arthur
Gulf Coast
Port Arthur News
Mena Aims To Be Southwest’s Premier Educational Town
A call to unify for Mena to become a leading educational town in the Southwest. Promotes central location, high altitude, healthy climate, pure water, and refined residents as strengths. Encourages community support and cooperation to advance local education and town development.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mena
Community minded printing versus public notices
An editorial urges local merchants to avoid costly yellow poster notices for weddings, parties, funerals, and political announcements. It argues such notices should be kept out of the donor printer’s paper and printed elsewhere to support the town’s broader interests and fair competition.
Victory at Santiago Looms Over War Prospects
The text argues that a U S victory at Santiago would shorten the war and reduce the chance of foreign entanglements. A defeat, it suggests, would prolong hostilities and risk broader conflicts, while victory should prompt Spain to seek peace and minimize interference with U S affairs.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Santiago
Spain
Uncle Sam
Editorial Attacks Democratic Leaders in Congress
The July New Time prints a scathing arraignment of Democratic leaders in Congress and beyond, arguing their criminal stupidity will wreck the party unless repudiated. Editor Adams of the New Time is prominently on the offensive, drawing wide attention.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New Time
Congress
Adams
The
Oldest national flag at 121 years in use this year
The flag of the country stands as the oldest active national banner among major nations, marking 121 years of continuous use this year. It reflects enduring symbolism and long-standing national identity valued across the realm.
Polk County Sees Record Crops and New County Seat
Polk county shows excellent crops this year and inaugurates a new county seat, marking a period of growth. The report highlights strong yields across grains and produce, alongside civic development with the county seat relocation.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Polk County
Siloam Springs Celebrates 18th Anniversary
Siloam Springs marked its 18th anniversary with a pleasant gathering described as a nice time. Mena plans an August 19th celebration for its 2nd anniversary aiming to outshine Siloam Springs with a bigger, livelier town presence.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Siloam Springs
Mena
Four Topeka violators fined and jailed under liquor law
In Topeka Kansas four jointists were fined 300 dollars each and sentenced to 90 days in jail. Courts are to render similar decisions to enforce the prohibition law.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Topeka
Kas
Growth and Prosperity Foretold for Polk County
The county seat, a new court house, the college and the United States land office, all coming this season, promise a fine growth for Mena and prosperity for Polk county.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
College
United States Land Office
Mena
Polk County
County seat removal and new mills boost Mena prospects
Other enterprises will soon follow the county seat removal, the new court house, college, flour and lumber mills already set for Mena.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mena
Lumber Industry Growth Promises Prosperity for Mena and Polk County
Growth in the lumber industry is linked to brighter prospects for Mena and Polk County, signaling broader economic gains. The text emphasizes expanding wood products and employment opportunities across the region.
Construction Booms as Lots Sell and Homes Begin
Builders report strong demand with many lots selling and houses already underway. Mechanics are kept busy by ongoing projects and rapid progress across neighborhoods.
Mena Seen as Polk County Seat by Wide Local Majority
Local residents in Polk County overwhelmingly support Mena as the county seat. Opinion is nearly unanimous among community voices, signaling broad public backing for Mena’s governing role. The statement reflects a strong consensus across the county.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mena
Polk County
All good things come to Mena
The United States navy is part of the armed forces. This brief note mentions the existence of a navy within the U S military structure and references Mena as a location in the message.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mena
Notable World News and Local Oddities Across Years
England and France face Africa tensions with potential fallout. William Carver, 28 inches tall, dies in Clayton Illinois. Governor Leedy’s plan to raise two battalions of negro soldiers meets slow enlistment. Missouri State University and Columbia boast high war participation. Welsh cyclist Little Jimmy Michael loses to Eddie McDufee in Boston. Reed pardoned in Oklahoma for bravery. Leavenworth mine cave rescue heroism noted. Indiana Klondike hopefuls return worse for wear after thefts and mutiny.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Leedy
Kansas
Jimmy Michael
Boston
Eddie McDufee
Michael
McDufee
Barnes
Oklahoma
James Reed
Lansing
Leavenworth
Reed
Pawnee County
Shafter May Reassesses Assault on Santiago City
Cabinet members and Gen. Shafter agree an assault on Santiago cannot be wise with current forces. Reinforcements approach from Tampa, Pando’s 6000 Spanish troops add to defenses, and plans consider naval entry and troop transport to support a future action.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Wasuixeror
Santiago Catt
Lear
White House
Alger
Long
Shafter
Admiral Sampson
Santiago
Patch
Pando
Sampson
Santiago Bay
Tampa
Samtiago
Panda
Linares
Garcia
Lawton
Gen
Camp Alger
Ohio
Curtis W. Hard
New York
St. Paul
Ilinois
Massachusetts
Charleston
Yale
Ernst
Hales
Chickamauga
Savannah
Mobile
Santago
Inner
Has Sampson Entered the Harbor Report
A Playa del Este cable operator reports to the signal office that Sampson bombed Morro and Socapa and, this morning, succeeded in entering the harbor. He also mentions Pando and Hoyo as connected items in the same account.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sampson
Wasumetox
Playa del Este
Morro
Socapa
Pando
Hoyo
Also Mentioned on This Page
Mena Star
WI ST
Vows John, BR
ST. Orn
A. W. ST. Doht & Sons
Joe” Wheeler
England
France
Africa
William Carver
Clayton
Missouri State University
Columbia
Missouri City
D. C Campbell
Nathan Wild
Kokomo
Indiana
Klondike
Alaska
Chicago
Dyea
Campbell
Wild
Sing
Coban
Shat
Sampoon
Tower Bay
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!