08 Jan 1897
Page 1
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This newspaper page contains 25 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Weekly Call
Location
Troy, Illinois, United States of America
Date
Jan 08, 1897
Page
1
The Weekly Call notes the US operates about twenty times more electric railroad miles than Europe, highlighting America's rapid transit growth. It mentions Nansen's Arctic ark found with a first rate houseboat tied to Polar exploration praise for the ship designer.
Sacramento now receives a 15000 volt current from a plant 30 miles away after previously getting a partial supply over 24 miles of wire. The city has shown that long distance current transmission is practical and economical in every way.
Cotton is moved in large lots by rail from the south to San Francisco for ocean shipment to China and Japan. This marks a new departure in commerce and promises to greatly benefit cotton producers by expanding markets and improving prices.
The text notes that ten dollar notes display Charles H. McCormick and Eli Whitney rather than statesmen. It emphasizes that the nation owes gratitude to inventors beyond public figures, urging recognition of innovators who shaped industry and daily life.
A fragment describes Nexson Morris, a beef industry figure, provoking a steer with a cane and fleeing. The text warns he and allies have acted freely with beef, and suggests a coming reckoning may leave him exposed by a narrow margin of safety.
The article argues that the American worker earns higher wages and greater profits for employers due to superior skill, speed, and ingenuity. It contrasts the intelligent American using modern methods and machinery with the European worker still employing old techniques, likening the difference to a thoroughbred with a pneumatic sulky versus a plugged horse in a country road.
The text argues that Spain's proposed reforms for Cuba would accomplish nothing. It says Madrid and Washington reports misrepresent the shape of reforms, warning the Spanish cabinet to avoid wasting time. It notes the United States would be displeased and Cubans insulted if asked to accept proposals that amount to nothing as Cubans seek independence.
Gren Panvo says Americans are inferior to Spaniards but a group of fifteen Texans held off two squads of Spanish troops for six hours. The Spanish squads suffered fifty dead and wounded before the Texans were overwhelmed.
The article notes ongoing military buildup across Europe despite calls for arbitration and peace. Emperor William seeks more soldiers though his force stands at 584,000, France plans to add about 160,000, and Britain readies further enrollments. The nations may not seek war but aim to be ready if one comes.
A Washington report states that almost all foreign diplomats oppose Cuba, calling the stance fashionable. Sir Julian Pauncefote supposedly signals British sympathy with Spain while the French ambassador shrugs, the Austrian envoy hopes for Spain, and the German representative remains blind to Cuba's significance.
The Boston financier Henry L Pierce left an estate valued around two million dollars for charitable and religious institutions and about one million for his business and employees. The will portrays him as wealthy yet prudently minded in distribution, resembling a Dickensian Christmas tale.
Ashes of Kate Field moved to Gen. Charles B. Taylor in Boston. Mrs Ella Castle cured after hospital treatment in Philadelphia. Mrs Nertiz R Craven gravely ill in San Francisco. Havana dispatch notes Weyler's column returning. Editor McCullagh of St Louis Globe-Democrat dies after window leap. Ambassador J B Eustis hosts New Year reception in Paris. Ex mayor Pingree becomes Michigan governor. Andrew W Swett dies at 75 in New York area. McKinley’s mother improving ahead of inauguration trip. Frank S Black inaugurated New York governor.
Reported jailings of Jane Gaines and Lizzie Williams for attempting to poison a Maryland farmer's family. Mixed maritime and rail disasters include the Allan Line steamer Scandinavian collision near Cape Cod and a fatal Allentown crossing crash. A Jersey City ferry fire, a Spanish steamer foundering, and a Sevier County murder of a prosecutor provide a grim panorama of December incidents.
Western China reports a severe famine with scores dying as a large portion of Chuan Tung on a Kinsha river bluff collapses in a landslide flooding the city area and drowning about thousands of starving villagers. In Langdale County Wisconsin Henry F. Strauss, 72, commits suicide after defalcation note for 3700. In Cambridge Massachusetts Samuel Whitaker shoots wife Catherine then wounds himself. motive rumored rum. In Pepin Wisconsin ice boat collision causes serious injuries and wrecks both vessels.
The Madrid Imparcial cites Prime Minister Canovas stating no U S intervention in Cuba and no reforms until the revolt is confined to eastern provinces. Reforms will occur soon in Puerto Rico. Also notes a counterfeit $10 note warning from W lazen.
Telegrams note an informal London conference on bimetallism with five government representatives, led by Senator Wolcott for the U S. Other items include U S bond redemptions, no new revenue cutters, ship turret plates for Iowa, bank reserves and loans shifts, mill restart at Bloomington Pa Bethlehem Iron, and nickel steel for future warships.
Invitations issued for Illinois inauguration of Gov Tanner and new state officers in Springfield on Monday January 11. Program includes civic and military parade at 10am, formal sessions at noon, public receptions, and an inaugural ball at 9:30pm with tickets available at local hotels and the statehouse. Gen J N Reece leads chief marshal, with Illinois National Guard brigades and multiple bands participating.
The State Horticultural Society elected President T. E. Goodrich Cobden Vice President F. D. Voris Neoga Secretary H. M. Dunlap Savoy and Treasurer Arthur Bryant Princeton. The state president and vice president along with division leaders form the executive committee. Prof S A Forbes Champaign entomologist urged enacting a law to exterminate the San Jose scale in Illinois.
State Superintendent Inglis informs county superintendents of statewide exams for University of Illinois scholarships. Examinations start Friday June 4, 1897, at the county courthouse. Each county may award one four year free scholarship. Preceding programmes outline exam content.
Dennis J. Swe ale, chief of the Chicago fire department, reports 5,674 fires in Chicago last year causing $1,280,920 in damage. This is $3,640 less than 1895. The year also saw reductions in fires, building losses, contents damage, and total insured loss to $82,905.
Gov Altgeld will relocate his family to Chicago on January 6 and establish his residence there the same day to stay within the 90 day limit for mayoral candidates. Democrats question whether he will seek the mayoralty after next spring. Andrew H Screffler 70, Joliet manufacturer and Joliet Manufacturing Co. president, died in Will County. Geo H Campbell hotel proprietor El Paso died recently. James B Crandall longtime Mound City attorney and oldest practicing lawyer in the area died recently.
Samuel Rogers, six miles north of Ramsey, was attacked while driving a shorthorn bull. He suffered serious injuries including a broken leg after being gored by the animal. Judgments by confession filed against F M Hall of Danvers in McLean County total about 5000. Coles County reports 318 marriage licenses issued in 1896 and twenty five divorces granted. William Oliver, a large landowner in Empire Township, McLean County, died at Le Roy aged 82. He emigrated from Roxx county, Ohio, in 184a.
The Engineering and Mining Journal reports 1896 US mineral and metal production valued at 653,311,468 dollars, down 3 percent from 1894 mostly in value. Copper and gold surged while pig iron and coal showed mixed changes. total coal at 193,351,027 short tons, with a 2.4 million ton decline from 1895.
The Boston Commercial Bulletin reports 1896 wool figures showing total sales 159,203,910 pounds, stock carried over about 55.6 million pounds, US wool clip at 38,208,783 pounds, and American wool output at 272,474,708 pounds. Domestic and foreign carryover total 150,402,080 pounds with a rise in stock versus last year.
Thieves forced open a rear door at Scudder Shop Co. on Illinois street last night and blew the safe with dynamite, but the stock certificates are nontransferable and cannot be used. No money was left in the safe. Efforts to identify the culprits continue.
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