Crawfordsville Daily Journal, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, 16 August 1890 — Page 3

GREAT

rr,llS

Plate'

WAR

BY FRANK R. STOCKTON,

SSH? —author ok

ironclads. If this vessel, that r.slv carried 110 guns, or at least, „.,1 none, could bo crushed, ca[uuk, or in any way put out of the it is probable that tho dangerous .r ,l nautical machine would not ivu):Un iu these waters. If it re1 must bo destroyed by torpo

wero exchanged between tho -11'acllsh vessels, and in a very short .•!cv wero steaming toward tlio reit ivas a dangerous thing for two .. ei iin. tr tl::e to come closo enough :i. for l«Jth to rani an enemy at tlio time tint it was determined to otic risks and do this, if possible the destruction of tho repeller was k.jjly tlio first duty in hand. the two men-of-war rapidly apariitxl Iie]ellor No. 1, they kept up a :i.iv tiro upon her, for if in this way c.julil damage her, tlio easier would thi-irtask. With a l!rm relianco upon dik-acy of tlio steel spring armor, tha a-i-'whief felt no fear of the -v's shot and shell, but ho was not at tv-.iling tliat his vessel Bhould lio for tlio consequences would ,Uv bo disastrous. Accordingly .• wait for tho approach of tho two

i-vt stKrjps seaward, be signaled t!:C' other'erab? •\V!:::i Crab 13 made its appoarancc, its little blael jots of sinoko as si-wereu tlio signals of tho director-in-h:. t!ii.' commanders of tho two I3rit-

Tissils were surprised. They had .i ::.ed that thero was only one of ttrango and terriblo vijerni^ {ujd fjpj/ist that alio would bo afraid to .k'j Lcr [•eculiar attack upon ono of

Locuu.-e while doing so sho would hirsolf to tho danger of being run mi: by tho other. But the presenco of these almost submerged engines of itr-ctiou entirely changed the situa-

Iiut tlio commanders of tho British wore brave men. They liad started jndowii die strangely armored Amer:i craft, and run her down they would, they could. They put on moro 6tc:un 1 wait ahead at greater speed. In ch a furious onslaught the crabs might •t Jare to attack tliem. But they did not understand tlio n»r.or the powers of theso enemies, less than twenty minutes Crab A had 1 luild of one of the men-of-war, and ab of tlw other. The rudders of ill wore skittered and torn away and bile tho blades of ono propeller were u.-.!:ed to pieces, the otlier, with nearly

If it- rJ-u'L wasdrawri out and dropped to tiie fceaiL Helplessly tho two menraid fell upon the waves. In o!»-!nnoo orders from tho ro r. »-!i oral) hold of ono of the U'J'!od vesnela uixl towed It near tiie of tlio harbor, whoro it was left.

Ti.i city was now in ostato of feverish iirat. which was intensified by the •t tliat majority of tlio peoplodid not '."irstaad what hix] happened, while '•o' to wlumi tlii:i had been inado plain ill not ixmipiviiead why sucli a thing Mild Il'ivv allowed to liappcn. if 1 "-T majesty's ships of war, 'juipjol k:.il rouly for action, had Bailed tof vlw liaricr, and an apparently tnenemy, vtthout firing a gun, •i'l i'it tJnun into sucli a oondition that it}' •vere utterly unlit for eervico and u--i U% kwtxl Into a dry dock. How •ul'l tlio iviTninent, tho municipality, iiruiv, or tlio navy, explain this?

Tiie ansiety, tlio excitement, tho nertlosiro to know what liad luippened, 1 wlat might bo expected next, spread to every part of tho Dominion reached hv telegraph.

T!ie military authorities In chargo of pie defenses of tlio city wero as much and ajujized by what had liaj pcat-l as any civilian could possibly be. But ihoy hail no fears for tlio safety of J*" I "^'i for tho enemy'B vessels could [vssillv enter, nor even approach, f'V 'lnr',jr- Tho fortifiaitions on the P^v.'.ts mounted ^iins much hejivier tlum t'w nuin-of'-war, and shots from ifUM.' I.nil from an elevation might sink »i:. thoM3-Imder wat-r devils." But

''wni

0:1

tlio forts, they relied upon

Mr Mmiralilo system of torjxxloes and ••'!.-uiiiij l«tteries. With tlieso in po -i i!i ready for action, as tliey now ri it was ini[xssiblo for an enemy's ":1. floating 011 tho water, or under it. uiter U10 luirljor without oertain donictjon.

liiilU-tins to tliis effect wero posted In ,lL •.

an(i

sornew liat allayed tho jxspu-

ru"xi'-'t,

although many [XKiplo whe

ef,r'l 'utt

,n'g'it

l„, ov,jning

happen next,

tmiris for tho interior,

'a^ht tiie news of this extraorilinary i.ur m"h cabled to Europe, and thencc

ti 11''1,10

United Suites, and all over

1 1

1 I

a a

j...t 1 disl^liuved, and in no quarter "T-t |l

,""r,-'«»«lily

understood, for it

Ixjnie in mind that the methodi ''i-lation ejii]iloye«l by tho crabs were fli'-in' 1

eVt*'" ,l-)

v.^.0,i

tl'oso board the

vsst'i-s-

lj"t everywhere there

the gre.'itwt desiro to know what "JuM bo done next. ,.,1 (^''-tieral opinion that the twe f. ir"*" 1

nssci-s u"iro

merely tenders

iuL habmerg^i ,naclliacSt

which )l|u]

r't- i-'°Having flml 110 guns, t'n*,?lCU

an^' act'vo

part in tho combat,

thm- 'iS ,evcr"reason to beliovo tliat ..." ,P.ro intended merely as bomb proof '-9.BhlD3j or their formidable conanrtA.

SYNDICATE.

,rn (iiuNUE:" "Amos Ivri.IT tic riT- Ills Adsicititiovr K::rEi.it x(-E8." "Tiie IJkb-

,,k Dux:" "The Chwstmas V.'kiick"Tpik. Lai.v mi r::i Tiueii:" "MI: I-ate Mus. NRI.I.:" "The IIIMIUehth Man:" "'I'm: Cast- .:, im Away ok Mits 1.1:1'ks and Mus. Ai.ksiii.M:,'' I "TUB III saxtes:" Ktc., I-T\ '--J.'. 'V.!'

•:ul won plainly proved that ordin.1 ,t aii tiiL'll hail no elToct upon -aft, I'"1 it had not lieen proved could withstand the rams of

A3 tlieso KUDmergeu vessels coufil not attack a town, nor rcduco fortifications, but could exerciso tlieir jower only against vessels afloat, it was plain enough to see that tho object of tiie American syndicate was to blockado tlio jvjrt. That they would lie able to maintain tho blockado when tlio full power of the British navy should bo brought to bear upon them was generally doubted, though it was conceded in tho most wrathful circles tliat until tho situation sliould be altered, it would bo unwiso to risk valuable war vessels in encounters with tho diabolical sea monsters now lying off tlio iwrt.

In tlio Now York offico of tho syndicate there was great satisfaction. Tho news received was incorrect and imperfect, but it was evident tliat, 60 far, everything had ,«nc well.

About 0 o'clock tho next morning Ropoller No. 1, with her consort half a mile astern, and preceded by tho two crabs, ono on either bow, approached to within two miles of tho harbor mouth. Tho crabs, a quarter of a milo ahead of tho repeller, moved slowly, for between them

MAP OP C.VS'AJjtAN CITY AID ninnnnr A, XI. iL a Scarabieus B, Crab A: C, Repeller No. 1 D, uuw tort E, old fort F, city j. island 11, Island.

they boro an ImnieiiRO net, thrco or four hundred feet long and thirty feet deep, composed of jointed 6teel rods. Along tho upper edgo of this net was a series of air floats, which wero so graduated that they wero sunk by the weight of tho net a few feet below tho surface of tlio water, from which position they held tho net suspended vertically.

This net, wliich was intended to protect the rejx ller against the approach of submarine torpedoes which might be directed from tlio shore, was anchored at each end, two very small buoys indicating its [xxsition. Tho crabs tlien falling astern, ltopeller No. 1 lay to, with tho sunken net between her and the shore, and prepared to project tho first instantaneous motor bomb ever used in warfare.

Tho great gun in tho bow of tho vessel was loaded with ona of tho largest and most powerful motor bombs and the spot to bo aimed at was selected. This was a point in tlio water just inside of tho mouth of the harbor, and nearly a milo from tlio kmd on either side. The distance of this [Kiint from tho ve®el laying caleiikiiovj, t-.'.e cannon wes adjusted at tlio aii^io callod for by tiie soalo otf dist aicc» and levels, aud tlio instrument indicating rise, fall and direction was then put In connection with it.

Now tlio dlroctor-in-chief stepped forward to the button, by pressing wlifcli tlio power of tho motor was develoied. Tlio chief of tiie scientific ooqw thoti 6liowed him tho exact point ujion tin1 scale, whidi woukl 1*3 indicated ulien tlio gun is in its proper [Ksitioti, and the pii-ce was tlieji inowd u[xn its beartngs sc a« to approximate as nearly ae fiossibl.' this dinction.

The kxyw of tlio vessel now rose upon tho swell of tho sea, and tlio instant Uiat tlio index upon tho scale reiiched the desired iint, tlio director-in-eliief touched tho button.

Tliere was 110 report, 110 snioke, no visible sign tliat the motor liad loft tlio cant.on but at that instant tliere upixorcd, to tlioso who were 011 the lookout, from 11 fort about a mile away, a ist aperture in tho waters of the bay. which was variously described as from 100 yards to GOO yards in diameter. At that same instant, in the neigbl»ri ig headlands and islands far up tho shores of the bay, and in every street and building of the city, there was felt 11 sharp shock as if the underlying rocks h:ul lieen struck by a gigiuitie trip hammer.

At tlio rami.' instant tho sky above the spot wh«.-re tho motor h:id descended was darkened by a wide spreading cloud This was formed of that portion of the water of tlio bay which bad lieen instantanoous rtdsed to tho height of ilxut a thousjmd foot. Tho sudden appearance of tJiis cloud was even uioro terriblo tlian Uio yawning cluism in the waters of tlio Ixiv, or tlio startling shock, but it did not remain long in view. It had no sooner reached its highest, elevation than it began to descend. There was strong sea biw:^e blowing, and iu its descent this vast mass of water was impelled toward the land.

It (time down, not a.s rain, but as the waters of a vast cataract, as though a mountain lake, bv an carthquako shock, had lieen preci]utJited in a body u]«in a valley. Only 0110 edge of it reached the land, and lu re the seething (!•«.« 1 tore away earth, treus 111 id nx-ks, le.aving behiiul it gre:it ehasnis and gulliis as it descended to t.lie se.'u

Tho Ixiy itself, into which this vast body of the water tell, l»i amo a scene of surging madness. The towering walls of water wliich bad stood up all around tlio suddenly created aperture hurled themselves back in to the abyss, and down into tho great chasm lit the bottom of the liny, which h:ui lieen m.'ide when tho motor sent its shock along the great rnnb 1

beds. Down upon, and into, this roaring, boiling tumult fell tho tremendous cataract from aiiove, and tlio harbor bocatno ono wild expanse of leaping, maddened waves, hissing their whirling spray high into tlio air.

EHiruig theso few terrific moments other tilings happened which passed unnoticed in tho general consternation. All along tlio Bhorcs of tlio bay and in front of tho city tlio waters seemed to bo sucked away, slowly returning as tlio 6ea forced them to their level, and at many jointa up aiul down tho liorlxr then) wero submarine detonations and upheavals of tho water.

Tlieso wero caustd by the explosion, by concussion of every torpedo and submarine lattery in tho harbor and it was with this object in view tliat tho instantaneous motor Uinib had been shot into the mouth of the bay.

Tho effects of tho discharge of tho motor Iwrnb astonished and even startled tlioso 011 board tho reiK'llers and tho tho crals. At tho instant of touching tho button a hydraulic shock was felt on Repeller No. 1. This wus supposed to bo occasioned by tho discliarge of tho motor, but it was also felt on tlio other vessels. It wus tlio same sliock tliat liad been felt on shore, but less in degree. A few moments id'ter there was a groat heaving swell of tho sea. which tossed and rolled tho four vessels aud lifted tlio steel protecting net so high tliat for un instant parts of it showed thejxiselves ubovo tlio surface liko glistening sea ghosts.

Experiments with motor tombs liad been made in unsettled mountainpus districts, but this was tlio first ond wliich had ever exerted its jower under water.

On shore, in tlio forts, and hi tho city, no ono for an instant supposed that tho terrific phenomenon which had just occurred was in any way duo to tho vessels of tlio syndicate. Tlio repellers wero in plain view, and it was evident tliat neither of them had fired a gun. Besides, tho firing of cannon did not produco such effects. It was tho general opinion ti thero had been an earthquake shock accompanied by a cloud burst, and extraordinary convulsions of tlio sea. Such a combination of elementary disturbances had never been known in these parts, aud a great many persons wero much moro frightened than if they had understood what had really hapP^od.,

about half an hour after tlio disfliargo of tlio motor bomb, when tho sea had resumed its usual quiet, a boat carrying a white flag left Iiepeller No. 1, rowed directly over the submerged net and tnado for tlio iiarbor. When tlio approach of tliis llag of truco was perceived from tho fort nearest tho moulii of die harbor, it occasioned much surmise. Had tho cartliquako brought theso syndicate knaves to tlieir senses? Or were they about to rnako further absurd and outrageous demands? Some irate officers wero of tho opinion that enemies like theso should bo considered no better than pirates, and tliat their flag of truce should be fired upon. But tlio commandant of tlio fort paid no attention to such counsels, and sent a dotaclimcnt with a white flag down to tlio beach to moet tho approaching boot and learn its errand.

Tlio men in tho boat had nothing to do but to deliver a letter from the dircctor-iu-cliicf to tho commandant of the fort and then row back again. No answer was require* 1.

When tho commandant read tlio brief note ho luade no remark. In fact, he could think of no appropriate remark to make. Tiie missive simply informed him tliat at ten o'- ck and eighteen minutes a. m., of lat day, tiie first boom from tho marl, forces of tho syndicate h^d boon discharged into the waters of tho harbor. At, or about two o'clock p. m.. tho second bomb would Ik? discharged at Fort Pile her. Tliat was all.

What tliis extraordinary mcesago meant could not bo imagined by any oflioer of the garrison. If the peoplo on board tho ships wero taking ndvtmtago of tho earthquake, and supposed that they could Induce British soldiers to believe that hjid been caused by ono of tlieir bonila, then wero tliev Idiots indeed. Tliey would flro their second shot at Fort Hlcherl This was iin|«xssible. for tliey had not yot fired their first sliot. These syndicate people were evidently very tricky, and tlio defenders of tiie port must therefore bo very cautious.

Fort Pilcher was a very lar-e :uul unfinished fortification, on a blufl 011 tho opjiosito sldo of tho harbor. Work liad txvn discontinued on it as soon as the syndicate's vessels had appeared off the port, for it was not desired toexjiose the builders and workmen to a |ossible bombardment. Tlio placo was now, tlierefoni, ahnost deserted: but after the receipt of tho syndicate's message, the commandant feared that the enemy might throw an ordinary shell into the unfinished works, and lie sent a lioat acroea the lay to order uwnv any workmen or others who might bo lingering about the place.

A littlo after 2 o'clock p. m. an instantaneous motor tomb was discharged from Iiepeller No. 1 Into Fort 1'ilcher. It was set to act fivo seconds after imjiact with tho object aimed at. It struck iu a oentral portion of t! unfinished fort, and having descril».l a high curve in tho air, descended nut only with its own moiivo ]ower, lut with tho force of gravitation, and |».'netrated deep into the irtli.

Five seconds later a vast brown cloud apiearcd on the Fort l'ilcher promontory. This cloud was ne uiv spherical in form, with an apparent diameter of ulioiit a thousand y:irds. At the same instant a shock similar to that acco'npanying the first motor tomb was'felt in the city and surrounding country, but this was not so severe :it tlio other, for the second bomb did not exert it-s force u|on the underlying rocks of the region, as the first one had done.

The great brown cloud quickly bcg,'i.n to lose its sphericid form, part of it ler scending licavily to tho earth and part floating away in vast, dust clouds torne inland by the breeze, settling downward as they moved, and derailing on land, water, ships, houses, domes and trees an ahnost impal]able jowder.

When Uio cloud hail cleared awav

thero wero no fortifications, and ttio blull on which they had stood had disappeared. 1 art of this bluff had lloatcd a\\*ay on the wind and part of it lay piled in great heaps of sand on tlio spot where its rocks wero to liavo upheld a fort.

Tho effect of the motor bomb was fully observed with glasses from tho various fortifications of the port and from many points of tho city and harbor and tlioso familiar with tho effects of explosives were not long in making up their minds what had happened. They felt euro tliat a mine had been sprung beneath Fort l'ilcher, and they wero now equally confident that in tho morning a torpedo of novel ami terriblo power had been exploded in the harbor. They now disbelieved in the cartliquako and treated with contempt tho pretenso tliat sliots had been fired from tho syndicate's vessel. This was merely a trick of tho enemy. It was not even likely that tlio mine or tho torpedo had been operated from the ship. Theso wero in all probability under tho control of confederates 011 shore, and h:ul been explode.! at times agreed upon toforehand. All this was perfectly plain to the military authorities.

But the people of tlio city derived no comfort from tho announcement of theso conclusions. For all thai any tody knew tho •..•holo city might bo undermined, and at any moment might ascend in a cloud of minute particles. They felt that they were in a region of hidden traitors and bombs, and hi consequence of this belief thousands of citizens left their homes.

IT! HE CONTINI'KII. 1

A Safe Investment.

Is one which Is guaranteed to bring you satisfactory results, or in enso of failure a return of purchase price. On this safe plan you can buy from our advertised Druggist a bottle of Dr. King's New Discovery for consumption. It Is guaranteed to bring relief In overv case, when used for any affection of the throat, lungs or chest, such as consumption, Inllauiation of lungs, bronchitis, asthma, whooping cough, croup, ete„ etc. It is pleasant and agreeable to taste, perfectly safe, and can always be depended upon. Trial bottles free at Nye A Go's, drugstore.

Buttle Ground Camp Meeting. The .L. N. A. A" 0. liy., Monouitoute, will run special trains Sundays August 3rd, 10th and 17th, leaving Crawfordsville at 8:20 a. m., arriving at Battle Ground at a. m., returning leavo Battle Ground at OidO p. m. Fare81.05 for the ro :nd trip,

To the Sjlutdes.

Kound trip via Vandalia to the Shades 81.10, which inoludes hack fare. Tickets good to return 30 days.

Their regular ezcursion agent will accompany the special excursion train through to tho Falls, looking after every det«l and making tho most favorable arrangements for entertaining the party whilst there, presenting tho difl'ereut points of interest iu the most attractive manner.

Niagara Falls is a natural attraction one never tires of seeing, and the opportunity of crof-sinr Lake Ontaria by steamer from Lewiston, visiting Toronto, or making a trip down the St. Lawrence river, at the slight additional expense, should be improved.

Stop-over privileges will bo allowed at Lake Chautauqua on all excursion tickets.

Wo trust everybody who can possibly do so will mako their arrangements to join tho Big Four excursion August l'J.

For full iuformation in regard to tickets, sleeping-car accommodations, and all other matters of interest, call on agents of tho Big Four route.

Torre Haute Uncus.

Tho Indiana Trottiug and Pacing Hor.se Breeders' Association and the Terro 11 auto fair jointly furnish a groat nice programme. The purses and stakes are St,0011. Nominations to trotting and pacing stakes number 101, 1, 2, 3 and year-olds from prominent breeders in fi States. The purse races will lie fast. The Vandalia will run special trains August 28th and 2'.lth for this grand combined race meeting, horse show and fair, l'or premium lists, stables, space or privileges, address C. G. Oakey, See.., Terro Haute.

All Atio.inl lor Niagara.

The 1'ig .' will soil ticKets to Niagara Fails via tin' Indianapolis, Cleveland .V Buffalo on Tuesday, August 111. The limit of tickets will bo the same as last year. Kemember the date and inquire of George E. Kobiuson for particulars.

C. L.

H. J. WATSON, Agent.

Camp Meeting at Battle Ground. Come to the Battle Ground Camp Meeting where a rare musical, spiritual and intellectual feast Is offered each day of the session, July 31st to August l,Stli, inclusive. We assure you or greater attractions in oratory than have before greeted you at tills wonderful result. Thousands have visited it during campaign issues, and with its historical associations, the fatuous Tippecanoe Battle Field Site, you cannot fall to enjoy this great occasion. The low 1 ales offered by the "Motion" and the fine hotel accommodations that grace these beautiful grounds, will afford you the recreation you so much need, on reasonable terms. In connection with this session, tho Monon will also run Special Sunday tral!i3 August .trd.ioth and 17th between Michigan City, Bloomington and Battle Ground. For special rates, tickets and other information, apply to any agent of the Monon ltoute.

J. C. HuTcntxsoy, agent.

EX0URSI0N T0 NIAGA'EA PALLS

And Lake Chautauqua. Only $5.75 Round Trip With $1.00 Addition alto Toronto.

On August 19th the old reliable Big Four route (C. C. C. .t St. L. liv.) will run ono of their famous low rate Niagara Falls, Lake Chautauqua, and Toronto excursions, which have done so much to make their route popular with our people for yeard past. No other line in in tho country is vine such careful attention to excursion business or is as veil equipped to satisfactorily conduct 1 as the Big Four rout, and the large ni-abers who always turn out and go with their excursions each succeeding year shows the popularity of tiie liue Ov-er all other routes.

C. L,

OUR LEADING

IS ALWAYS BUSY REPA'RTNG

Clock.

Because, 1st—None but first-class and ex

perienced workmen repair them. 2n—The

work always gives satisfaction. I

and Diamonds on which

have a large selection of fine Watches

gains. not for 30 days, but for the next 365

ays As my prices are always at the bottom

always sell and do not have to make soecia,

sales to close out old and shop worn stock

Call and be convinced that he above are facts.

207 E. MAIN STREET. 3rd DOOR EAST OF ELETON'S BANK.

Columbus Buggy Company

THE BEST GOODS MADE.

The Canton and Other Good Makes. Call and Examine Them.

Tinsley & Martir

The Only Pcrfcct Vapor Stove in the City.

It runs with one-third less gasoline, requires less atieniioi-, anti does liner work than any other stove.

KITCHEN QUEEN

Are Smooili, Largs, Plain, Cheap and Durable.

We guarantee them to be equal to the "best. A full line of Fruit

Cans at the lowest prices. Call and examine.

Cohoon & Fisher.

BAYLESS

Is Still in the-

TraiisfcrBusiness

lie will answer all calls for

trains 01 otherwise.

Leave orders at 120 West Mar

ket street.

make special bar

J®..

mm I

I. A I A KTTI

Steam Dye Works.

], uliiS' and GomV Giinnivnt.« iii'atly ilvi.'il, I'li'itm'il iitid ivpafri.'tl. Ladii's' Dri-sst'B mul Clonks

I anil

clt'iun'il without ripping apart. Work don" on short initio'. Work Flrst-daei-. I'l-iovs Iioasonalilo.

All :ooils sent Ijv oxpt'i'ss will ri'ccivo prompt attention. Aiklnrss,

EMIL MUELLER.

No. 4 Curtis Block,%f*fe Lafayette, Indiana