17 Feb 1898
Page 1
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Newspaper
Middletown Daily Argus
Location
Middletown, New York, United States of America
Date
Feb 17, 1898
Page
1
Reports from the scene indicate over 250 sailors killed with wounded survivors voicing strong suspicions about a Spanish plot. The incident has sparked intense debate and calls for investigation among naval authorities and local communities.
Key West reports from February 17 describe the Olivette bringing wounded and survivors. Sailors blame a Spanish plot while captains and officers urge a naval inquiry. Purser Denison details the forward magazine explosion and the ship breaking apart within minutes.
Consul General reports the Maine disaster in Havana has claimed 260 victims with casualties spread across officers and seamen. Fire lit the harbor as the ship sank with cellulose fuel aiding the blaze and a dawn reveal showed a wrecked mass. Flags went to half mast and business paused as authorities assess the catastrophe.
Secretary Long said the Havana harbor Maine disaster likely resulted from an accident and not enemy action while Captain Sigsbee awaits a full report. He noted the lack of a determined cause and the high caution of naval experts amid calls for investigation and public concern.
Madrid officials and newspapers express sympathy after the Maine loss. Spanish leaders inform the queen regent and minister Woodford of the tragedy, pledging relief and commending rescue efforts. Admiral Belknap speculates a torpedo as a possible cause while denying coal fire as the trigger.
New York dispatch reports Dr C E Pendiewn overheard claims of wires around the Maine and a possibility of immediate dismemberment. Philadelphia notes Lt Nixon suggests spontaneous combustion could have caused a magazine explosion while New York questions impact and cautions on blame.
In Wilkes Barre on February 17, John Fern testified near the scene at Lattimer that eight men lay dead along the road after the shooting. Deputy Frank Clark allegedly kicked him and held him for nearly an hour. Edwin Strauss testified Deputy Turner said he shot nine and killed five, statements echoed by Joel Smith. Frank Fordish, shot seven times, showed five wounds in his back and elsewhere.
The packet reports Mr. Gladstone departed Cannes for England yesterday. Other notes mention New Jersey legislature adjourning until next Wednesday and Paris operations on Mme. Sara Bernhardt. Gouverneur Voorhees travels to Washington as Hobart guest.
In Albany on February 17 the Republican senatorial caucus voted at midnight to make the biennial session bill a party measure. The tally showed 27 ayes 3 wages 6 absentees with three senators Malloy Ford and Highie voting against. Absentees included Wieman Pavey Burns Lexow Qrackett and Lamy. Coggeshall Balnes and Daly voted by proxy with Charles Davis presiding and Grant as secretary-treasurer.
At the miners convention session resolutions urged officers to convene a joint eastern conference of operators and miners to adjust wages and hours. A meeting was set for March 22 to form a price and labor hour scale and to consider forming a convention of miners. The company store system was condemned.
Bridgeport Conn Feb 17 The Fairfield county grand jury returning after four hours deliberation handed up an indictment against Antonio Demorimo of Stamford for stabbing and killing a man. It also brought a bill of indictment against Owen Murphy of South Near Walk for vitriol attack disfiguring Jeanne Koesella.
A blaze swept through a large pottery block in Westerly, destroying multiple businesses and causing heavy losses to owners. Fire crews fought the flames for hours, with estimates of damage reaching into the hundreds of thousands.
The second great storm of the month sweeps New England and New York with 40 to 56 mph winds and heavy snow. Vermont and Maine report about 18 inches of snowfall while Boston Harbor endures gale force winds and ships tied up. In New York City a 48 mph gale topples wires, churns bays, and blows down the gilt cross from St Theresa's church spire. A boy, George Manning, is killed in South Boston by a gate blown outward by the wind.
February 17 report from Meriden Connecticut notes high wind blew off a burial vault roof segment from Meriden Bronze Company. The brick building’s ell suffered debris causing an estimated $5,000 in damage and several workers narrowly escaped injury.
During a fierce windstorm in Clinton Massachusetts on February 17 the rear walls of the four story Cannon theater building collapsed. No injuries were reported and damage awaits formal assessment by a structural examination.
A burning fire at the Philadelphia and Reading freight station at Front and Noble streets destroyed the building and a large stock of goods both incoming and outgoing. Loss estimated between 100000 and 125000 dollars. The company carries its own insurance.
A New York report says Willie Zeller known as Eddie fled toward the Kiondike after allegedly taking $32000 from his father. His father’s attorney requests police arrest as he heads toward the “lane of gold” amid the missing money case.
A private telegram from Geneva announces the death in that city of Mrs Coxe widow of the late Right Reverend Arthur Cleveland Coxe bishop of Western New York. The report states she died suddenly in the summer visitation.
Feb 17 Cairo reports a wedding witnessed at a United States agency with a Reverend officiating. The groom is Jerome of New York and the bride is Hastmngs Mire. Ten years for Wanna... honor lacks clarity and several names appear mangled.
Elred Wall widow of Theonas Wall died at 110 in Greenwich on February 17 from pneumonia. She retained her mental faculties until a few days before death and is survived by two children.
Private telegram from Nanaimo B&B 2 reports the steamer Queen has arrived from Skagway Alaska with confirmation of the loss of the steamer Clara Nevada. The message notes the vessel’s fate and implies ongoing search or salvage efforts.
In Washington on February 17 the House opened debate on the bankruptcy bill as the Maine disaster dominated attention. Navy committee chair Boutelle offered a resolution of regret, while senators discussed coast defenses with calls for higher fortification spending and opposition from Morrill to Hawaiian annexation.
TRENTON Feb 17 The New Jersey grand lodge of the Knights of Pythias held its annual sessions last night electing officers Grand chancellor De Witt Cobb of Trenton Grand vice chancellor Somers Champion of Atlantic Highlands grand prelate John P Dexheimer of Orange grand keeper of records and seals George E Pearson of W bury grand master of exchequer John Patrick of Rutherford grand master at arms John H Conger of New Brunswick grand inner guard P Hall Packer of Seabright grand outer guard Ty S Shanley of Jersey City supreme representatives Charles W Bilbourn of New Brunswick De Witt C Bolton of Paterson and Ralph Donath of Jersey City
Fourth class postmasters have been appointed as sole laws. The list includes Charles A Clapp in New Hampshire Marlow, Lee Ju Palmer in New York Hague, Lafayette P Budd in Schultzeville, and Lafayette Winfeld J. Iuther in Pennsylvania, among others.
Thomas Moran gate tender for the Reston and Maine railroad at Hust Barrett, near Everett, was killed by an express train yesterday. Moran, 48, unmarried, stepped onto the track to view an approaching train, but snow blinded him to its closeness.
In memory of Marshall Newell killed on Christmas Eve in Springfield Massachusetts a permanent memorial will be erected at Harvard. A new gate to the college yard has been suggested but its rotation has not yet been determined.
A freight train and a special Ware train collided at Quincy station on the New York New Slaven and Hartford line during a storm. Both engines were derailed and thrown from tracks. Engineer Frank White was injured, badly shaken and internally hurt.
The Compagnie Generale Transatlantique steamer Flachat bound from Marseilles to Colon was wrecked at Anaga point Tenerife. The captain, second officer, and one passenger Weresaren were among those lost. thirty-eight crew and passengers are dead.
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