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Newspaper
Mesa Free Press
Location
Mesa, Arizona, United States of America
Date
May 20, 1898
Page
2
A playful, fragmentary column comments on legal quirks in French trials, a Denver saloon offers antiwar prints with drinks, and quips about oceans, a Hamburg astronomer, whisky trends, air ships, American bicycles in Germany, and Spain’s pride in a brisk, satirical tone.
A brief note compares the modern folding bed with sensational newspaper correspondents, noting a shared label yet different realities. The bed folds away, while the similarity ends there.
A London Spectator poet sparked mockery in the English speaking world with the remark I try to remember the future. The piece questions how many suffer disaster due to carelessness in futures planning.
An Eastern advertiser used a picture of a campaign rooster with a slogan claiming its hen laid eggs sold at 16 for 25 cents a dozen. Authorities say the male image implies fraud and may arrest the advertiser for deceptive practice.
Cadiz Kentucky exposes Miss Beatrice Cunningham who has published a novel and is promoting sales by giving a kiss with each copy. The quirky promotional stunt could drive a strong customer response and boost early orders.
The anecdote recounts Oscar Wilde quipping that England treats its prisoners so badly she does not deserve to have any. The remark reflects Wilde’s wit about justice and national circumstance.
A Plain Dealer note from Cleveland recalls a man who says his cigar cost a dollar, yet his wife feared gas leaks and telephoned for a plumber. The anecdote mocks home safety panic and miscommunications.
A bachelor philosopher remarks that men desire a girl after they see her holding a nickel the conductor gave her and her purse open. He says such a girl is fit only to kiss a pug dog. The writer notes that bachelors are not always responsible critics.
A little girl spots a mouse triggering mass panic as children flee the classroom. Teachers call a fire drill and alarm sounds while parents fight to reach their children, all for a single mouse. Rash ridicules the fear.
A watchmaker who filed for divorce a year ago has been arrested thirty five times since then at his wife's prompting. He has spent most of his time in jail awaiting trial on numerous frivolous or trumped up charges. He is physically run down and wishes the prosecution to end immediately.
The piece notes English losses from Cuban devastation and English capital funding Cuban public works between 1878 and 1894. It states cotton and tobacco estates are mortgaged to Britain and that no dividends on these securities will be paid until peace returns to Cuba.
It notes a surprising lack of competent engineers to operate motive power on new ships. Officers face heavy responsibility with many instances of mental and physical strain, yet there are enough commanders and lieutenants but not engineers. Competent engineers cannot be secured easily.
Widespread concern grows as nations mobilize resources and citizens brace for possible war. Officials warn of escalating tensions, while security measures expand across borders and economies strain under precautionary programs.
The piece notes that conflict thrives where commerce flourishes and reports vast armament plans. England seeks 120 million dollars for war ships, France 100 million, Russia 70 million, Germany similar sums, and the United States from 50 million in regular army and navy bills.
Obituary notes B. K. Bruce as a leading black American figure second only to Douglass. Details his rise from slavery in Virginia to Oberlin education, Mississippi planter work, county schools, sheriff, state offices, and U S Senate. Also credits his role as Register of the Treasury under Garfield and McKinley.
A decision in England links football violence to manslaughter, ruling that game rules cannot override the law when death results. The judge notes players may be judged by whether they follow accepted play, with football portrayed as dangerous despite safety measures. The piece comments on politics and amid the sport’s rising popularity.
A digest of late events notes a Santa Cruz quake, North Port fire losses, and a Vancouver blaze. It cites the Monterey naval reserve offer, a Santa Cruz powder explosion inquiry, and Spanish spy doubts. Tacoma and San Francisco items cover ships, theater fires, and neutrality. Public notices include immigration data, Mexican meeting bans, Paso Robles growth, Bakersfield rail work, and school board scandals.
Reports from Montevideo to New Orleans describe guard deployments and civic changes as the Spanish American War progresses. Highlights include Dewey's decisive victory, ship blockades, repurposed rail rates for troop mobility, and Studebaker Bros supporting enlisted workers with payroll backing for families.
Edison announces automated mining approach to extract gold from ore as low as 1.25 dollars per ton. He says no human hands touch ore or briquettes, machines run at full capacity with about 250 staff including machinists and engineers. He also seeks a New Mexico land grant for rich gold ore and a waterless extraction process.
A Southern Pacific brakeman relayed a claim that three Spaniards aboard the Overland near Benicia plotted to harm Governor Budd in connection with his volunteer actions against Spain. One conspirator reportedly said if they could not seize the governor they would target another.
The governor and police were informed of suspicions as lards to San Francisco are discussed. The governor downplays the issue, though his friends view it as potentially serious.
J Newton Fowler arrives in El Paso with news of the lost Tiofa mine in the Sierra Madre. He reports discovering a shaft beyond a wall in a canyon with rich gold specimens and a Mexican government reward of 15000 for the find.
The Duquesne property at Washington Camp Pima County Arizona advances as a paying proposition with a large double compartment shaft under construction. The International Mining congress calls for assembly in Salt Lake City on July 6 to form a permanent body to press national mining legislation and promote industry growth. Representation is by thirty five governor appointments plus five from mayors and exchanges.
Washington notes that Japan has proclaimed neutrality in the conflict between the United States and Spain. Japanese press view Spain's defeat at Manila as signaling Spain's fate in the Far East.
A Russia issued neutrality declaration amid US Spain war. Italy faces half a billion lire loss if the conflict lasts a year. Bread riots surge in Madrid as wheat scarcity tightens. San Angelo store looted with eight arrests. Foggie’s crowd torches tax office. Reina Christina sinks with its captain. Madrid posts civil service to military authority as Gen Daban assumes control with troops on patrol. Deshnew statue planned at Chabarowski to mark Siberian exploration.
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