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Newspaper
Monticello Express
Location
Monticello, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Dec 23, 1897
Page
1
The Express notes a Fast Friendship, Maine resident who has kept a daily diary since January 1, 1870, never missing a day. A 200 pound kite passenger is described as a novel aviation oddity. Mother McKinley’s birth in 1809 and marriage in 1829 are recorded with family life dates. Governor Cooke of Connecticut denies wooden nutmegs were ever marketed. States face sparse gold discoveries this year.
Some eastern colleges weigh Latin proficiency for applicants. The writer dismisses this as absurd and argues the real test should be whether the applicant can play football.
An assistant postmaster in Ohio who pasted a joking weather bulletin faces possible penalties under a law setting fines from 300 to 500 dollars and imprisonment for tampering with weather reports. The jest about summer snow turned into a cold wave for him personally.
An Alaska steamer allegedly caught by a takan wind blown 50 feet onto land suggests progress toward solving aerial navigation to the Klondike. To an outsider not versed in current experiments, the incident marks a step nearer a solution to the problem.
A Kansas society journalism feature prints a list of young men refused by the bride along with wedding presents. The practice, framed as legitimate news, mirrors coverage of both saved and fatal outcomes in social affairs.
The Scientific American claims elevators kill more people annually than steam boilers. The American Machinist notes a ripe field for a safety device that reliably prevents elevator fatalities.
The piece notes signs of a widespread religious fervor in central and western Asia. It states Mohammedanism gains vigor from the enduring crescent in Constantinople and predicts the submission of those worshiping toward Mecca as European civilization nears Asia’s coasts.
Secretary Gage cites eight ships and 317 crewmen who logged over 73000 miles patrolling for expeditions and blocking blockade runners. He notes American measures exceed the Spanish cordon in effectiveness. The piece also praises the public sympathy sparked by President McKinley’s mother’s death and notes three postwar presidents from Ohio, Grant Garfield and McKinley, who reached the nation’s highest office while their mothers were alive.
Congregational churches reported last year total contributions of $9 000 584 for expenses and benevolent causes, about 14 63 per member, while Presbyterian church totals reached $13 298 151 nearly 13 per member. Banking sector faced distress with 71 voluntary liquidations and 38 failures. 44 new banks formed, narrowing overall bank count to 3 610 with capital around 631 488 005. A regional union of Central American republics advancing Nicaragua El Salvador Honduras Guatemala and Costa Rica, toward near central administration while preserving internal autonomy.
Orders direct Selena to cruise after passing Suez to the Ned sea up the Euphrates and into the Persian Gulf to show the American flag where unseen for years. The aim is to protect citizens and convey a gentle hint, not bully.
Imports of gold exceeded exports by 7 million dollars while silver imports totaled 11 million and exports 52.55 million. Merchandise exports rose 85.9 million with imports up 68.5 million. William W. Thomas Jr. of Maine named minister to Sweden and Norway and Namilton King of Michigan named minister to Siam. Pelagic sealing bill bans sealskin imports from all sources.
The week ending the 17th saw 329 business failures in the United States, down from 812 the prior week. Clearing houses reported combined exchanges of 1.868 billion dollars, up from 1.552 billion the week before. Dan Creedon lost to Id McCoy in New York for the middleweight title in the fifteenth round. A gasoline stove explosion in Holyoke killed Mrs Armelia Cogel and two-year-old Alfred Kewell. Ex-congressman Charles L. Childs died in Pittsburgh. Glass workers in Pittsburgh gained a 15 percent wage raise. Dinah Sutton, a former slave and New Jersey’s last owner, died in Paterson at 105.
A wave of fires and accidents causes large losses and fatalities. In Grand Forks an hotel and two groceries burn, totaling 400000 dollars, with A C Mowe and wife killed. Kellner family children perish in a dwelling blaze. Murderers hanged in several states. fires claim notable losses in Chicago St Louis and elsewhere. Earthquakes, rail wrecks, and political events accompany the widespread tragedy.
In Elk City Kansas John Straus is dead and his two sons near death from drinking coffee laced with rat poison. In Repton Alabama a locomotive explosion killed engineer John O Connor fireman Jack Clipper and two trainmen John Johnson and Henry Vickery. Snow blankets Nebraska with two feet of accumulation across most areas.
The king of Greece and the sultan of Turkey have ratified the peace agreement. German cruisers Cefion and Deutsch land sailed for Chinese waters as part of postwar movements.
News items note Santa Clara insurrection gains, Gen Gomez evasion of engagements, the US supreme court adjourning to January 3, and no presidential appointments during holiday recess. Also recorded are a fatal gambler's act in St Joseph, a train wreck at Altoona injuring several and demolishing 50 cars, and a fire at Danville causing $100,900 loss with a clerk perishing.
A roundup of brief items notes post office profits from unclaimed money orders, American ownership of French crown jewels, Canada’s banking deposits, and a New York clothing pioneer's death. It cites British capital in British Columbia, large fruit crop expectations for Colorado, and a $50 000 memorial plan for General McClellan.
Dec 20 reports from Ilavana detail the execution of Col. Ruiz by insurgent leader Aranguren after Ruiz sought autonomy. A court martial ordered his death by machete, with Aranguren standing apart. The event signals heightened war brutality and undermines government terms talks.
Flora Sweet aged 40 admitted shooting her mother Elvira Sweet aged 60 in the breast with a revolver during a quarrel in Susquehanna Pennsylvania. Elvira died within half an hour. Flora claimed temporary insanity. Elvira said Flora had long suffered ill health but she was not to blame.
Chris Merry and James Smith, charged in the death of Merry's wife, arrived in Chicago from Princeton Kentucky where arrested. They denied involvement when confronted by Joseph Hickey whose confession led to their arrest. They were jailed pending Tuesday examination.
Southbound limited train crashes into an open switch in Pontiac on December 20 injuring Fireman John White Bellington, Train Baggageman Sutton Chicago, and Engineer Jones Peoria. unknown tramp killed. freight and locomotives wrecked. Sutton may die. rolling stock severely damaged.
The American Federation of Labor adopted a resolution urging postal savings banks with the national banks clause struck out. It endorsed independence in politics, supported free silver at sixteen to one, and opposed the Gage financial bill to safeguard the greenback and national bank notes. Delegates abroad gain voting rights. federation HQ move was rejected.
A Madrid dispatch claims the Cuban revolt grows under General Parrado and General Blanco while Gomez evades battles. Havana mourns Col. Ruiz execution, and emissaries for autonomy are at risk. Maroto forces capture forty three concentrados and execute them. 18,000 men face starvation. Gen Pando calls for beef shipments to sustain troops.
Chicago December 21 grand jury indicted Prof. William Smith of Kirksville Missouri for burglary in the Dunning morgue theft on October 24. Watchman Henry Ullrich and teamster John Ludes were also indicted. The case centers on breaking doors and removing burial shrouds rather than body theft.
Milwaukee officials announce the new across-the-lake service will start December 27. The Shenango No. 2 car ferry will run round trips daily between Milwaukee and Muskegon, Mich., weather permitting, linking with the Chicago & West Michigan and through it to the Detroit, Grand Rapids & Western lines. The service connects with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul system on this side of the lake.
Notices of a ten per cent wage cut were posted in the Amory Jefferson and Stark mills in Manchester on Monday, affecting 11,000 workers plus Amoskeag crews for a total of 20,000 in the city. The employer will accept the cut. The China Pembroke and Webster mills at Sunook also announced the same reduction. These three mills employ 1,500 operatives.
London reports unconfirmed plans for part of the British eastern squadron to winter at Wei Hai Wei. Paris and Washington weigh reactions as France, Germany and Russia align. Chinese minister Wu Tingfang says Russian wintering at Port Arthur may be a temporary convenience and urges U.S. training aid for China’s forces.
Thomas Ikingston aged nearly 101 years died Monday at his son Paul Kingston's home Madison Wisconsin born Cork Ireland January 28 1797 came to America in 1832 married Elizabeth Good in Rochester New York 1838 they had 13 children five killed in a railroad accident at Waukegan Canada in 1853 He and his wife lived in Madison for 43 years
Illinois Central substitutes the parlor car with a composite parlor cafe car built for the Daylight Special between Chicago and St Louis. The elegant Empire style car features mahogany finishes marquetry gold ceilings Pintsch gas chandeliers Wilton carpet and a restaurant style cafe with meals served en route. A smoking room and cigar buffet complete the luxury, aimed at Hot Springs travel with an eight hour Chicago to St Louis run and smooth Union Station connections.
A canvasser extols a can opener in a witty exchange with a woman at the door. She rejects him for political candidacy proximity and slams the door after his circular riff, delivering a sharp joke about cannons and canters.
A. Salzer Seed Co. promotes its third annual Free Exhibition car tour through Wisconsin, northern Illinois and Iowa. The display visits principal rural stations, offering farmers a chance to see results from quality seeds and encouraging visits when the car reaches nearby neighborhoods.
A collage of vintage advertisements and misc quotes promoting Lane's Family Medicine’s daily bowel movement claims and general health benefits. It includes Homeseeker Excursion info via Missouri Kansas and Texas Ry led by H A Cherrier, plus theatrical and humorous lines from Chicago and Atchison papers and St Jacobs Oil endorsements.
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