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Newspaper
Topeka State Journal
Location
Topeka, Kansas, United States of America
Date
Feb 17, 1898
Page
5
A garbled account mixes a door meeting with a mysterious man, a claim of a political question, and later a city workhouse incident where Harry DeLong loses fingers to escape labor. The text shifts to advertisements for cures and medicines claiming quick relief for pain, eczema, kidney issues, piles, and colds, featuring several vendors and directions.
Fragmentary wartime notice reports alleged Spanish treachery causing an explosion at harbor. References half mast flags, suspended business, and pending naval inquiry to calm public, with mentions of a funeral and casualties.
A 19th century naval inquiry reviews spontaneous coal bunker fires on ships like the Maine and Atlante, weighing torpedo or accidental causes. It notes past wrecks such as the Missouri and Doteret, and follows public interest as officials reveal names and fates of missing officers Jenkins and Merritt amid ongoing investigations.
Washington reports a political clash over the Maine disaster and its gravity prompts calls for investigation. The controversial attitudes reflect party lines and public pressure as lawmakers debate actions and responses amid rising tensions with Spain.
Public figures faced with questions as calls for a full inquiry grow. The public seeks light on disturbing events, urging authorities to investigate and disclose the truth behind the reported horror.
Mrs J J Turner, mother of Keyes, writes of her son aboard the battleship Maine in Havana. He describes ambitions from shipboard and notes American sailors. Companions expect the Maine to be recalled from Cuban waters amid fear of trouble as two large Spanish warships loom near the harbor. She seeks guidance from Washington as suspense tightens.
Lee did not call Havana February 17. Gen Fitzhugh Lee and Vice Consul Springer did not thank Blanco for aid. The Mexican Attusan XT suffered damage after the explosion, its mooring lines washed away. Boats were sent, and American sailors aided at Machina wharf. Wounded include Thomas Andrusey Latrell Galley Jake Londay and A Fal. Four more unnamed injured. Stretchers provided by volunteers and Cross Society. Maine smoke stacks fell at 11:30 p.m. Three sailors escaped, then reached safety.
The London press discusses possible treachery in the disaster involving President McKinley. Dispatches from Washington quote Roosevelt and others asserting foul play, while British papers praise Captain Sigsbee and note McKinley’s cautious stance amid cross-Atlantic sympathy.
Havana reports describe officers stating the Maine’s magazines were closed and the ship turned over to Captain Sigsler. The blast occurred at 9 43 PM, with rescue efforts by Spanish cruiser Alfonso XI and City of Washington. Many wounded were evacuated to hospitals as wreckage and chaos followed.
The Maine's officers and crew engaged in rescue actions after the disaster. A Spanish naval officer named Capt. lantie claimed the sinking ship's responsibility lay with him, while Capt. Sigs and Capt. Slexbee offered varying accounts and refused to discuss the cause. Chief of Polar Plaguery and an American interpreter joined the on board inquiry during the crisis.
Ensign Breckinridge drowned after being washed overboard from the torpedo boat Cushing near Havana. The Reneca carried his body to New York where Lieutenant Ward and Mr. Hines arranged transport to Kentucky. A naval escort of 14 marines accompanied the proceedings to quarantine and onward to the Jersey City pier.
Still expects peace as Spanish officials express regret over the U S battleship incident. The queen regent showed emotion at Hogans while Spanish sailors and authorities are praised for their conduct. General Woodford receives official sympathy messages as Madrid trusts McKinley’s policy will keep harmony.
The St James Gazette questions whether an explosion in the fore magazine caused the disaster on the submarine craft and notes English discipline may be lax on American ships. It posits a submarine mine or torpedo as a possible accidental or deliberate cause, hinting at Spanish or Cuban orchestration against the United States.
Aspen Colorado February 17 Col Ed F Browne wires Governor Adams offering to furnish a dynamite battery if war with Spain occurs. The unit would consist of 100 miners with long experience in handling explosives.
New York reports the Spanish armored cruiser Vis caya with a crew of 484 men is expected to arrive in New York at any time on a courtesy visit. This comes as a reciprocal gesture for the Maine's earlier voyage to Havana, which ended disastrously.
The Tribune Washington special reports warnings of the Maing disaster reached Washington some time before it occurred and were apparently ignored.
The Prince and Princess of Wales sent a message to the United States ambassador conveying horror at the accident to the Maine and expressing profound sympathy with President and Navy Secretary, and the American nation.
London february market shows indifference as money tightness and Maine disaster cool new orders. American railroads begin brighter but traders wait for Wall Street to confirm. Prices rise modestly from parity levels as Spanish securities firm on accident-based reasoning.
Captain Edmund L. Zalanski, inventor of the dynamite gun and explosives expert, says the Maine was not blown up from within. He cites accidents and careless acts eliminated from navy and army, noting magazines were locked and a prior accident era is past.
A jumble of notices from Topeka covers speeches by Frank Bristol in Washburn chapel and a school board candidacy by John T. Chanzy. Uptown chatter notes theater plans for Mme Barabini and Bethany college, plus local social headlines, a bank of minor incidents, and several public figures.
Governor Leedy issued executive clemency extending pardons to R. T. Webb of Wilson County, shortening punishment and restoring rights as part of the new clemency action. Webb’s pardon was announced today amid broader clemency measures.
A burst of letters from users across the country extols the Pyramid Pile Cure as a cure for piles, claiming rapid relief after short use. Readers note strong improvements and recommend the remedy to others despite warnings about barbarous surgical operations.
Webb, jailed eight months and fined 800 dollars for liquor violations in Neodesha last September, is seeking a pardon as his health declines. Letters from local citizens and merchants claim the conviction stemmed from partiality and "expired work," noting Webb paid monthly to run a joint and was targeted along with others.
A historic polemic argues the Maine disaster was caused by Spanish treachery, urging accountability for Spain and the U S government for prior Cuban war debates. It asserts Spain’s long history of cruelty and calls for decisive action to avenge the loss of life aboard the battleship Maine.
Arsenic poisoning killed Gallatin Democrat editor Guy Leftwich last Sunday. His 14-year-old daughter Maris testified that he accused her of giving poison. Evidence suggested the poison was placed in the coffee intended for his wife, with relations between Mrs Leftwich and stepdaughter strained and only the couple likely to drink the coffee. The coroner’s inquest returned a verdict that death was from poison administered by a person or persons unknown.
A vintage promotion extols Diamond Dyes for home use promising ten cents colors one to five pounds of fabric. It claims strong color fastness, easy usage, and that dyes won’t wash out with typical washing, while urging careful adherence to package directions for cotton wool and wool blends.
Transfers include WW Bender to Wilson Thomas on property at Harrison Street, Dunlap to Preble for 800 dollars, Bailey to George Noble for 37 acres in section 6, and Geo Wendell to Laura James and related undivided interests and quarter-section descriptions. Also Simey Ot to Mary Baid for north half of a tract, with additional notes on adjacent parcels and boundaries.
An advertisement touts Grain-O as a delicious nourishing drink to replace coffee. It claims Grain-O tastes like the finest coffee when prepared but has none of coffee’s injurious properties. The ad suggests Grain-O aids digestion and improves health and energy with a small cost. It notes availability from grocers and cooling by those who have tried it.
Local items from North Topeka include church society meetings, visitors, and social engagements. Mrs A J Berry and Mrs Paramore host a dinner, the Ladies Aid Society meets, and Mrs L A Dabb entertains Sunflower club with a Valentine party. A few errors note a theft attempt at Gem bakery and a funeral for Mr Hunstberger after a coroner’s report.
Readers praise Chamberlains Cough Remedy as effective when other products failed. A Glenville Pathfinder quotation extols its virtues and urges suffering humanity to try the remedy, noting three key benefits and recommending it for relief.
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