Rensselaer Democrat, Volume 1, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 May 1898 — GREAT LOSS OF LIFE FEARED. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

GREAT LOSS OF LIFE FEARED.

Waterspouts and Torccdoes Play Havoc in Arkansas. Waterspouts and tornadoes have played havoc at Van Buren, Ark., and done hundreds of thousands of dollars damages. Three BWuses were blown down at Rudy, and it is- reported that Winslow, a summer resort on the top of Boston Mountain, is entirely gone. Two bridges on the ’Frisco Railroad over Clear Creek have been swept away and the road abandoned. The Kansas and Arkansas Valley Road had a two-mile washout and 300 yards landslide. The Arkansas River is twenty-five miles wide in places and is four inches higher than it was in 1892, which was the highest on record. Boats have been busy in the bottoms rescuing the inhabitants.

Everybody is agreed that Spain began hostilities by firing Minister Woodford. Advice to Gen. Weyler: Go to Cuba, young man, and blow up with, the country. If Spain can do it she would better trade a little of her “honor” for gunpowder. How lucky is it that Steve Brodie has never thought of burning his bridges after him. “Roosevelt's Rough Riders” will teach the Spaniards the three r’s in the curriculum of war. And now Missouri is said to have formed a mule trust. It’s a new idea to have any trust in mules. The powers in the Orient are just now examining a prize package labeled ‘.‘China, handle with care!” While the land forces may be slower to get Into action, it's expected the warships will do lleet work. There's no doubt about it. The wonderful performances of this Holland submarine boat are out of sight. The Somers, having been held by British authority, will doubtless spend its summer's vacation at Falmouth. ___ , If it costs $1,500,000 for two modern battle ships to fight an hour Spain would better make a bee line for the nearest pawnshop. If, as Ohauncey Depew says, “the birds have built their nests in the cannons’ mouths*” the Spaniards will do well not to go birdjiestiitg.