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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (March 27, 1897)
THE OMAHA DAILY BJSE : SATURDAY , M AH Oil 27 , 1897. THAT JOHN BROWN LETTER A Secret of History Bevoaled After Thirty- _ Seven Years , ATTEMPT TO FORESTALL THE RAID Atuni ) in out Informal Ion of ( tic I'ro- juuin nf .liilin llrimii rtirnlNhcil the Hocrrtnrj- " \\nr A Clint tilth tlio Author. After thirty ueven j cars of secrecy the facts bout the famous John Brov.n letter have been made public , relates the Now York Sun. Investigation as to the authorship of the letter at the tlmo led to nothing. Sus picion pointed In half a dozen different direc tions , none of them the right one. Conjec ture on the matter lias formed a part of every work dealing with the events Just prior to the civil war , and the letter bade fair to become an American historical mys tery ; but now , with the content of the author of the letter , cx-Llcutenant Governor B. P. Guo of Iowa has cleared up the mjstcry and told the story of the writing of the letter In tbo Midland Monthly. Ills brother , David J. Guc , a well known portrait painter of New York City , Is the man who wrote the letter. After the Ill-fated raid of John Brown the letter wco published , and In the Investiga tion by a" committee of the senate of the United Statin In December , 1S50 , Into the matter of the raid and attack on Harper's Terry It was prominent ! } brought forwaid The committee was made up of Senators James M Mason of Vliglnla , Jefferson Davis of Mississippi , G. M. Fitch of Indiana , Jacob Collamer of Veimont and J. H Doollttle of Wisconsin , and the efforts of the majority of the senators were dliected toward Impli cating prominent republicans and abolition- lets In the north in the ln tlgution of the raid The attempt failed and a bomb was Hung Into the camp of the pro-slavery men when It was developed In the course of the Investigation that the letter hid been In the hands of the secrotaiy of war , John B Tlojd , a VUglnlan and an ardent southern sympa thizer , nearly two monthH before the raid took phco , and that ho had made no effort to slop the plans of Brown's men , Tim LETT-UK. The letter reached the Department of War In an envelope marked "Private" and stamped with a Cincinnati postmark , al though It was not miglnallj mailed at Cln- natl It was read , as follows , to the en- atorlal committee "CINCINNATI , Aug 20 Hen. Mr Flojd , Secretary of War , Washington , D. C Sir I havu lately received Information of a movement of so great Impoitance that I feel It my duty to Impart It to von without delay I have discovered the existence of a secret organization having foi Its object the lib eration of the slaves at the south by a gen- otal Insurrection The leider of the move ment Is 'old John Brown. ' late of Kansas Ho has been In Canada during the winter drilling the negroes there , and they are only waiting his word to start foi the south to assist Iho slaves. They have one of their leading men ( a white man ) In an armory In Maryland ; where It Is situated I have not been able to learn AH soon as every thing Is icady those of their number who aic in the northern states and Canada are to como In small companlcu to their rendezvous , which Is In the mountains of Virginia. Thcj will pass down through Pennsylvania and Maryland and enter Virginia at Harper's Ferry , brown left the north about three or four weeks ago , and will arm HID negroes and strlko the blow In a few weeks , so that wlmtovar to done must bo done at once They have a In go quantity ot arms at their rendezvous and are probably distributing them already. As I am not fully In their confidence this Is all the Information I can Klvo you. I dare not sign my name to this , hut trust that you will not disregard the warning on that account. " snpurn'AHY FLOYD-S EXPLANATION. Before the committee Secretary Plojd tes tified as follows. In explanation of his hiving disregarded so definite a warning : "I received this letter last summer In Vlr- clnla. My attention was a little more than usual attracted to It ai-d I laid It away In my tiunk. I receive many anonjmous let ters and pay no attention to them. I Co not know but that I should have paid atten tion to this , notwithstanding It was anony mous , as the wiltor seemed to bo particular In the details ; but I know there was no aimory In Maryland , and supposed be had gene Into details for the purposa of exciting the aluim of the secretary of war and hav ing a parade I was satisfied In ray own inlnrt that a scheme of such wickedness and mitra-o could not bo entertained by any o the cTtUens of tbo United States I thought no mo < > of the letter until the rad broke out Then I Instantly remembered It and Sieved the Hi t Intelligence that wo re- ' ' be true because eclved from Harper's 1'ciry o cause ) I recollected the contents of the letter I had shown the letter to nobody , except mombcro my fainllJ. until the outbieak at a Harper's Terry. Immediately after the outbreak : the letter was hunted up and pub ? l"bed The object In publMilng It was to thu the raid had more significance show ? nn a mere local outbreak , and that the rou try might be put on g.urd . again. . * m- ' concerted movement I had no 'thing like a mean * of konwlng who wrMo the letter A centUmian In Cincinnati whom 1 knew wrote fo mo or the lettei believing that the hand- ivrltliiK might bo traced The wilier was BOdiscovered , but they had stiong SUSP " clou "hat a ccitaln poison somo.vhere in , oiu u.u . , . . .o IW'l ' ussuii detec- vvero at work trjuifi to tratu It to Us believing tha If men author , the sliivoiy tl oy u mid nnd him ly > < - " ' 1)p i mpflllcd ted of Iho pcmonH fiom whom d Selcsu tlio names ho li-arnrd the facts nienl.onod . In tbo 1 loyd letlri and evidence could thus be secu.od . o inpllcato prominent iibollUonl.sta and re- nubile-main the conspiracy Suspicion wab dlVcted Wlitt Hugh Forte , , John 11.own . . nat Edward Hami ot tne drllll master , aga - . an unknown Gin- Cl c In natl awotle , ng-.lnst d nut reporter "who hn.l . procured the Into - to nation fiom a Hungarian refugee ho had fought under mown In Kansas. " > a } ' rcc ly aBalnrt John IMwln Cool ; of Irown'o forces vvho v\aa etild to Imvo talked too much.'nnd against Ulchard lloalf , tlio poet , vvas nn nraoclnto of mown at SpiIng- dale. Not the falutoit Inldlng of the real authorship of the letter waj gained. IOWA'S 1'AUT IN Tlin IIAII ) . Just beforn tlio writing of tlio letter. It nitmt he remeiubeicd , John Drown had been at Sprlngilalo. la. , which la laigtly n Quaker 8 ltlfinent , and had mndo man ) warm friends umong tlio QtinUers , who were strong aboil- tlonlfilB. Several young men or thu village hid Joined rn\vn'B little arm > . In August , 1859 , a short time atler III own had left the nlaco tlin'o JOIIIIB men ot Hock Creak , la. , drove over to Sprlngdalo to visit Moses Var- noian old Quaker friend of thelrw. ivery- body In Sprlimilalo wab talking of the mya. lorlouu expedition of "M John Hrovvn , nnd the three visitors , who were B K One , David J Quo nnd their cousin , A. I. Smith of Buffalo , licard much tlmt roused tl.olr curlcslty Th lr host , however , scorned concerned and uneasy when any mention of the expedition vvas made. Ho i > iobabl > know mqro about It than any other person lu thu town. Finally , on tlio day when the > ouns men v\cra to ru- turn , ho called > oung Smith nsldo nnd went out for a walk with him. During the two hours tliat they were gone the old Quaker riivfalcd all that ho Ic.ictv of tlio proposed raid to tlio voting man , " 1 tell theo this In ronfldrnce , " ho nnlJ. _ l' > et theo can use It ni > ecoms best to theo. Something must be done lo BJIVO the Ilvi'a ot thneo men. I can do nothing I cannot be tray their confidence , nor cau I see them go to death , and take n coureo that will cause oilier bloodshed. " "VVImt ran I do ? " cried Smith , "In what wav can this bo stopped ? You have Influence with John Drown , Can't jou dissuade him ? " "All that Is In my power I have done , " replied tbo old Quaker. "Ho believes that he Is ordained to overthrow slavery in this country. If I thought he could do that I would bid him go In Clod's name ; but what eood can coma of tlila shedding blood T HU whole band are martjra In spirit. They know to what fata they go. Hovv can I betray - tray auch menT I pray God I have not done Irremediable wrong in telling tbli to theo ; but something rmmt bo done , ami I am bound and helpless. Thee must devtie some plan of naUng the lives of there men , thco and thy friends. Consult with them , and do an the Lord given thce light to do. " PLANNING TO STOP IT. Late Into the night the three young men dlecuraed the problem of stopping the raid without harming old John Brown , Moses Var- ney having Insisted that no harm must como to his friend They were all voting , David Quo , the youngest , being but 23 jenrs old , and Inexperienced In public life , and In their hands was an event of tremendous ) Impqrt. How far the national destiny depended upon their decision , they , of course , did not even faintly suspect. Had they been endowed with the spirit of prophecy their course might have been more emphatic , but they were Btrhlng only to save the lives of a handful of men embarked on a quixotically deadly enterprise , and th y could not see the shadow of the coming war cloud. Pew there were , and those the wisest of public men , who saw It then. Confronted with so hard a problem to bo worked out In PI brief a time for they realized the necessity of haetc they decided that the wisest course to pursue - sue was to send two letters to the secretary of war from different poatofflcea warning him of thn contemplated raid. Both letters were written In the little log cabin of the Guo family at Hock Creek , and were mailed In the morning. A. L. Smith wrote one , David J. Guo the oth r. It was neces ary that the mailing of the letters should IMS sol arranged as to preclude the possibility of their being traced to their source , as the writers desired above all that nothing should come out to implicate the Sprlngdnlo pcoplo. In any foreknowledge of the raid To spfir the Department of War It vrnn thought advisable to give the name of the leader , already known throughout the count ! y for Ills assaults upon the Institu tion of slavery and his activity In the under ground railway. Furthermore It was agreed that no names or clues should bo given In the letter through which witnesses against John Brown and bis men could be secured Stnlth'tj litter was dated Philadelphia , Au gust 18 , 1S59 , and Inclosed In a stamped envelope , which was addressed to the sec retary of war nt Washington. This envelope velopeW.TJ Inclosed In a larger envelope directed to the postmaster at Philadelphia It was mailed at Wheatland , five miles from Guo's cabin Whatever became of It Is not Known or whether It over reached Its desti nation In his testimony Secretary Floyd Eaja that ho frequently received anonymous letters , to which ho paid no attention , men tioning one- from Philadelphia , which may or may not have been A b Smith's letter No mention was made by Mr rioyd of a letter corroborative of the famous letter. PHECAUTIONS TAKEN Tills was David J Cue's production. The Inclosing envelope was addressed to John B Flojd , sectotary of war , Washington , D C , marked private , stamped , put Into an other envelope addressed to the postmaster at Cincinnati , O . and marked nt Big Hock As etutotl In 3ccretaiy Flojd's testlmonj' , the letter reached him In Virginia , having been forwaulcd. Had he heeded It emancipation would haw had a different slogan and John Brown's soul would hardly have gone march ing on to the jmtslc of what became the greatest of the northern war songs There Is no occas.tu. for rehearsing here the events th-xt led up to the hanging of the leader of the desperate and heroic cause Such Is the true atory of the famous John Brov n letter This account Is taken from the Midland Monthly , amplified by what D.ivld J Guo told a Sun reporter , who called on him In his etudlo last week. Mr. Quo Is a small , slight man , with a clear cut , icso- lute face , who looks'inauy years less than 1e"s ! bems little changed his age , bO veais. > fiom bib photograph taken a jcar after the writing of the letter , largely because he wears much the same style of beard now as ' "It seemed , " said ho to the reporter , "that It would be well for the much-disputed matter - tor of the letter to bo cleared up , and when my brother wrote to me asking If I had any objections to the secret being made public I replied that I was perfectly w lllng that that closed page of history should be opened. Moses Varncy Is dead. A. L Smith Is dead My brother and I were the only living per- ons who knew about the letter , and neither of us could see any reason why tbo secret with ua. " should die _ _ ICHV WEST A UUtJKH IM-ACE. Pow American" I.Uc There- Grent JIurU 't for I'rult. A man who recently has returned from Key West , Fli , tells the Chicago Chronicle tint the first Impression n stranger gets of that place at the present time Is that the city has gone on a perpetual holiday spree Bunting files from almost every housetop , and the colors are about , evenly divided be tween "old glory" and. ithe emblem of the Cuban republic. Peopl ? of all classes and ages wear pins or othsr symbols bearing the motto "Cuba llbio , " and if Uncle Sam would only nod consent oc say nothing at all about It the 15,000 patriotic Inhabitants of this seagirt Isle would skip acioss the channel and tack the queen of the Antilles to the star-spangled banner without anj more funs "Castillo del Mono , " or Moire castle , is only eUhtjseven miles from the government dock at this point , and our swift cruisers , could cover the distance In a little moiu than four hours. The defenses of Havana are obsolete and out of date , and a Cuban colonel , now here , a member of Gomez's staff openly de'claies that anv ono of our armored ships could pnss the fort and take the > city without dllllculty , that Is , as far as the land defenses ale concerned This far southern cltj1 , lying almost within the tioplcs , Is the only town of Importance below Mahon and Dlxon's line that was never under tbo stars and bars of the con- fedcracj- . The population Is about evenly divided between white Cubans coloied Cu bans and white Bahamians. There are not moio than a score of real Amerlcin famllteD resident on the bland , but notwithstanding this fact the great mass of the people are loyal to the union fiist and to Cuba next It Is curious , though true , that of all the houses , , dwellings , stores , hotels and other buildings that dot Ihe Island fiom ono shore to thu other , not one of them has a chimney or anything that will answm the purpose of a chimney. Handsome residences and lowlj hovels are allkn In this lospcct , and from an eminence ga/lng out over acre * of roofs on nil sides , one Is at once stuick with the want of something to complete the sjmmetry of the picture Wood and e'oal or fuel of any Kind are unknown quantities , as. the tropical atmospheie furnlshfs lit all times of the year all the boat requited , and for cooking purposes fitlcka of caibon are iued , which ara sold by pcddluis , who hawk their wares about tbo sticcU. There are few stoiej , as wo understand such things , and u markets. Slgnboarda In Spanish will tell jou where a baibor shop Is located or where to buy coral ornaments. There ore not moie than a half do/on real stores conducted on the American plan In the whole | t > lund Instead of a market there Is a , dally auc tion near the goveinmunt dock , where every thing In the way of provisions , Ininltuio and fruit Is knocked down to the highest bidder. Bnnanas , alligator pcare and pineapples are the cDinniouest articles of purchases , and here ships from Jamaica , Cuba and Nassau , In the Bahamas , unload their cargoes and dtaposp of them at ruinous rates rather than lisle , a voyage at this time of year to more north ern ports. Quick ealc-t , and small profits Brent to be the prevailing Idea with them As a consequence ! Key West Is , perhaps , the greatest banana and pineapple market In the world , On almost any day ono can secure an ennrmouH bunch of bananau , ripe or green , at fropi 10 cents to 15 cents , and can cart a.vay all the luscious pineapples ho carce to puichaso at 1 cent , 2 cents or R cents each Ulicctly opposite to the harbor docks , on the further aide of the Island , and facing Cuba U a laigu dancing pavilion called \M BrUa , where Monday and Friday nights and Satur day afternoons public lUncei are held. It has large , broad verandas overlooking thu sea , which make Ideal promenades , and u commodious dancing hall lUtbln , where those who desire can trip jhe. light fantastic to their hearts' content , upon Ihu pajment of a small fee , The very bc t people attend theao dances , and many go simply for the promenade or to fiinoko or chat with frlondi , but uhould anyone step even to much as a too upon the dauilng floor a dark-skinned Cuban Is Immediately at hand with a prof fered hat Into which a coin must be dropped , There must bo at trast 5,000 refugees In Key Weal , noncombatnuts and exiles from their liomei , who dare not return under the present Spanish rule. Aid who mutt await the solution of the war problem one way or the other before they can return and re- ume their peaceful occupation ! , HONORS THE DIVINE SARAH Now Year' Fete MiTdo a Mosf Notable" and Artistic : Event. PARIS PAYS TRIBUTE TO BERNHARDT Minn Helena II. AVIUoit Write * n ClinrniliiK I'fttcr Concerning the Utcnt1iloh Sot llic Ilient- rlcnl World The following letter , descriptive of the ceremonies of the Sarah Bernlrardt fete In Paris last Now Year's day , It Is bollovcd , will bo of general Interest to readers of The Dee. It was written by Helena U. Wilson , a young girl who Is at school at Halncy , near Paris , to her father , George W. Wil son , whoso Nathaniel Uerry In "Shore Acres" was so much admired by patrons of the Crelghton theater last week : " "Thero are In France , " says the Paris Figaro , 'certain persons who candidly bo- llovo that the Legion of Honor should re ward all genius , no matter of what sort. The talent of the actor , for example , Is a source of great credit to our country. No ono any longer disputes It. On the con trary , nothing eccms inoro natural than to find the "cross" upon the breast of tlioso who have made us laugh or cry In Inter preting , and often enlarging , the thoughts of our best authors , and who have berne so prominently , outside of France , the stand ard of our national art. Among theao art ists Mine. Sarah Ucrnhardt and M. Cotiuo- lln the elder sblno with exceptional bril liancy. Why have they not been decorated ? The answer Is simple Because Mine. Ucrn hardt Is n woman and M. Coiiuclln has been the chief figure In several unfortunate dis putes. All things considered , however , should the sex of the ono and the humors of the other rightly be allowed to Influence the Importance of their creations , the con tinuity of their efforts and the Inestimable work they have accomplished both at home ami abroad ? Yet no ono dreams of bestow ing the cross upon M Coquelln , and In or der to furnish a possible reason for decorat ing Mine IJcrnhardt , M. VIctorlen Sardou , In his toast at the great actress' recent banquet , reNrred with special emphasis to her qualities as a bencfactiess Perhaps we shall e\entually eee Sarah receiving the cross solely for her charities who Knows ? HUR POSITION IS SKCUHE. "Whether Mine Ilernhardt gets this much talkcd-of decoration or no , she will IMC none of her greatness In the cjcs of the adoring Trench public. Today she holds u more enviable position on the Paris stage than ever before , and whatever else may be said of the testimonial tendered her last month , It Is at least proved bevoml a doubt the unfailing popularity of a womin whom 500 v alecs acclaimed as one ! That testimonial menial , by the way , was a very unique affair , and one that would probably novel have been gotten up for madame outside of Paris , or , at least , outallo of France. It was eo very theatrical and so apparently arranged with an eve to effect as to appear ridiculous according to American Ideas. "At the 'gay capital , ' however , It was quite a different matter. For weeks the fete had been hralded as something of the utmost Importance. When It was ovei everybody agreed that 'never had Sarah fat they persist In calling her here ) lookeJ more glorious , ' and that her 'day' was the biggest triumph of the season In short , both of which opinions may be safely modified , especially since It is rumored that the whole affair was arranged and executed by none other than the divine Sarah in per son. How rather amusing It Is to Imagine Mme. Bernhardt In faultless attire , calling from door to door with a neat packet of tickets hi hand and repeating the following humble request : 'Won't jou pleas * sub scribe to my entertainment , ma'am ? ' or still better : 'Kindly take this ticket , sir ; you will get your money's worth , I assure you. ' "Regarding the event seriously , however , from a French , point of view , a few de tails , following the order In which they occurred , may not prove wholly unlnter estlng. " 'Half past 12 , luncheon at the Grand hotel , ' so reads the program of the day , and long before that hour the not too ex tensive court of the famous hostelry Is a busy scene of going or coming carriages and bright conversation as an occasional group of merry girls from the American colony go laughing up the broad marble steps Each arrival proves a source of un failing entertainment to the curious crowd of outsiders , who , taking advantage of the con fusion. have entered the court and are oc cupying every available corner or doorway. "Meanwhile the happy few have ascended the first landing and are entering the vast salons reserved for them. Here a half hour and the exchanging - or so Is given to promenading changing of greetings and Impressions ; graceful women , and men who have writ ten home of the most beautiful thoughts In the French language , pass and repass each other In c. bewildering was ; for the time bolng the very air breathea wit and beauty1 "Presently the big doors at ono end of the salons are thrown open , and guests and subscrlbeis slowly descend the stairways to the Sallo de Zodlanue , where the banquet table present veritable models of beauty In arrangement. Ono Immense table curv ing like a horseshoe or rainbow , Is magnifi cent with a green velvet canopy above it the fringe of gold and the rich embrolderj ropresentlng. 'Lovo vlctoiloin over Time. ' This Is the board of honor. Perpendicularly ni ranged , are six other tables , each con veniently accommodating 100 poisons and all of which are speedily occupied WHILE WAITING TOR SARAH. "It Is a fine assemblage , and one cannot help believing that the woman Is a queen Indeed , who can bring together such ropio- scntatlvo men and women as tniBo to do her homage. The actress hemelf , however , IB not jet arrived and consequently the table of honor Is vacant , but touud all the others the guests are grouped according to their fancy. Near the center are seated the play- urs of the Theater de la Renaissance , who thus place themselves In order to bo near their fellow-aitlsto and lo share In her an ticipated triumph nspcclally prominent for his splendid nlivslquo 13 Albert Darmont , Sarah's leading man , whoso role of the duke In the new piece , 'Loreuzacclo , ' though not of the strongest , la at least a graceful and artistic one , "To the left Is a convention of nearly all the well-known actresses In Paris chatter ing nice so many magpies anil looking as if they had Just stepped fiom the fashion books. Their Interest and aviunatlix In the occasion seem very sincere and , oddly enough , not ono dlsigrecablo or spiteful re mark Is heard during all dejeuner. Decid edly , they are on their good behavior. "Over on the right Is a veritable English and American colony , whose gay little un- Lonventlonalltles are translated to admiring Frenclmiin , by the very prettiest bursts of laughter Melancholy Is apparently not much In favor In that corner. Nor In any other , for that matter. Scarcely Installed , evin > body begins chatting with everybody else , mid from ono end of the hall to tbo other shoots a volley of sharp repartees and clever Jests 'In the mldet of this merriment there Is a bUdden movement of heads and a silence that Is qulto intense. Then the whole as- Fcmbly rUni and six hundred pairs of eyes are Immediately glued upon the same spot. At the top of the stalrcaue Joining the Salic do Kodlaquo with the II rat landing' stands a slender flguro all In white It ls Sarah ! "As soon as over they ueo her , 'tout lo moiidu' bureta Into a great roar of bravas which seemingly BO surprises madame that elio remains quite motionless and even for gets to glvo her admirer * one of those grace ful Inclinations of hers. A moment later she lecovirs herself and begins to descend. The stalrcako la a spiral one , mid so con structed that tbo actress alternately appears and disappears after a fashion that , to say the leust , Is a bit startling. However , uho reaches the Una ) step In safety and , followed by VIctorlen Sardou , begins he ; * triumphal march nrroea the hall ; now clasping to the right mid left the bands extend ! d her , now stopping to embrace a special friend , and all the while never once foigettlng that gracious urn lie which seems such a cliarmlng 'I thank you , ' for everybody , AFTER LUNCHEON IS SDRVED. "On approaching tba table of honor she U Impetuously seized and embraced by A whis kered and cyo-Rlasscil Individual , In whom no ono would oven for a moment recognize M , Coqnolln , the elder , her foinicr compan Ion of etago and glory. "This amlAhta little eccno untied , Mme. Dcrnhardt nits down , nn extreucly dcllcato figure. In a gow n of w hltlsh-gray , embroidered In silver and edged with the very narrowest band of sable. "At her right Is VIctorlen Sardou , at her loft Henry Bauer , and among tliose grouped about her Francois Coppee , M. Coquclln , Ludovlo Halovy , Armand Sllveslro and Man rlco Bernhardt with his wife , both looking tearful , but happy. "Thankfl to the excellent service , lunch eon Is not over-prolonged. < l t last the champagne glasses are filled and M , Sardou rising proposes the toastJnjvorJs that are at once slmplo and eloquch 7 ' 1 leave to the poets , ' he en ) s , 'IJio honenof glorifying bet ter than I would know how to do the tragic genius of this unrivaled artist whom wo feast today , this true crMtrlce of every role she nss.i > s , this undlsputAl Sovereign of the dramatic art , who Is hailed 'as such by the entlro world. My part U more modest. To all tlioso who have aeon her * portray so many vivid emotions upon thu stage , It linn not been permitted the plea ira.ot viewing her In the Intimacy of her hums , surrounded by her children and her friends ; nor , having recognized the tragcdlepric ; has It ah\a > s been possible to behold her ( lie kind , benovo. lent woman. It Is to her In the latter ca pacity that I wish loiiR-Hfe and prosper ity. And I ratee.my glass to the health of ono who la both the great and the good Sarah. ' r "Thlu little speech la applauded to the echo , not only by the men , but nUo by the women , the warmth ol whoso enthusiasm , especially at the last phraao , Is truly Infec tious. "Mine. Dernhardt then rises and In a votco softened by agtUMon utters the foi lofting simple words. 'With my heart full of gratitude and cmotloc. I can only say to jou all * I thank jou , I thank you ' "Moro applause , and after listening to a hymn competed and dedicated to the actress by MM. Gabriel Plcrilo and Armand SII vcstrc , the company rises from the tables , Mme. Bernhardt , attended' by a small cor tege , again mounts the curious stairway and presently everybody Is prepared for the drive to the Theater do la Porto Saint Mnr- tln , where the second halt of the program Is to be carried out. SCDND AT THE THEATER , "What an Immense crowd Is gathered be fore the theater ! mounted jnunM" * ! "innlB maintain the peace , but , generally speaking : , every one Is qulto onlcrl > uiiu u- . . . 0 . . _ . . unpltasant occuis than a llttlo crowding , which , under the circumstance- perhaps Inevitable. And how brilliant Is the audi ence gathered within the wills ! Absolutely all Pails of arts and letters , not to mention the social set , have come to show theli appreciation of this cxtiaordlnary actress Noted among many were : Victor Mnuiol , the Princess do Monaco , the Dulto and the Duchess dc Rohan , Mme.Mnhoii ! > o Daudct , Mine. Scgoud-Weber , 'Gyp , the authoress , and Plcno Deconscelle , a vety popular per sonage Just now , by the way , and nil be cause of 'L.cs Deux Gosses , ' which has Just run through Its 350th icpresentatlou at the Amblgu. "It Is very nearly 4 o'clock when the cur tain rises , disclosing tin ; third act of 'Phedre. ' Nobody pajs much attention until Sarah enters , but then after the great artiste has sighed as only &hc cau sigh , has pleaded as only she can plead , and has uttered the famous avowal as only she can utter It then the ovation Is so tremendous , so prolonged , that the theater scums actually In danger of tumbling down not that the Ucinhardt fanatics would have cared much Just at that moment , I fnncj- . " 'Phedro' Is followed by the fourth act of 'Homo Vanquished ' bj Mr. Parade. In this the actress appears with white hair a disguise that by no means proves unbe coming. As the great audience had before been thrilled by the p.ibslonuto transports of the tempestuous queen , so now Is It t > oft- ened to tears at the misfortunes of the poor blind Postumla. Better acted It could not have been , and Mme. Bcruhardt might well place this character among her very greatest triumphs. "Et malntomant , come9tli2 _ most Important event of the dnj nn event of so delicate a nature , that the slightest hjtcji may prove fatal ; in a word , the actress Is about to be honored by the poets. "Once more tlio curtains are drawn aside. Beneath a graceful canopj of palms , Sarah , still In the costume of I'liedrc , Is discovered on a throne of flowers. At Itio rear , serving as a backgiound , is a curtain of red and white camellas SeveraK'wynen , artistically costumed , are grouped about her. To the left stand the five poets , MM Francois Coppee , Eugcno Kostand , CatulleJlendlea , Andre Thcurlet and Edmond Harancourt. The left sldo of the stage Is occupied bMio artists of ths RenalEoance their eyes fixed on Sarah , and with a total forjjqtfulncss of self as refreshing as It Is generally rare , on such occasions. SALUTED BY "First , Paul Flxler Is announced , who reads a letter to Mme. .Bernhardt from the Students' association. 1 $ J3\very clever and well written , and calls forth much applause "When , next , the poet , Francois Coppee , In a clear , deep voice , begins reading his son net , the actress rises , and remains thus , in a. charming attitude of attention throughout Aa he finishes , M. Coppeo approaches Mme Bernhardt , and Is about to take her hand but this , she will not permit , Inotead , pre senting her cheeks , which he salutes accoid Ing to the French fashion. "All quite simply and seriously , tlio foui other poets read their offerings , and each re celvcs his fitting recognition , while as for Sarah , there she stands , her hands on her bosom , her lips trembling In an effort to sinllo and her oyca full of tears , which with out the slightest doubt , come straight from her heart. A rain of flowers , cheers three times renewed , so the day ends. "It haa been entirely successful of courao upon this madam's vvonihlppors may be safely congratulated ; now It only remains for thorn to place the cross of the Legion of Honor upon their Idol's breast and theli mission In this world will be > completed' "Ono thing was too apparent to go un noticed , and that was , the sphlnx-llko si lence of the Ccmedle Francalse , 'They might at least have sent a line or a flower to theli old associate , ' some ono remarked , 'for their own sakes. If nothing more. ' As It Is , every body knows which Is ( ho grumpy sldo of the house , and grumpy people are not generally much In favoi ; so Sarah gains. If anything , by their ill humor , for who docs not know that under such circumstances , to be a pub- lar martyr la to bo a popular ono ? ' The most astonishing results In healing wounds have been shown by Salvation Oil. Tiinr bToi.i : A IMI.I : . Dofalc'atloiiH null niiilirzxlrnii'iilM Ilc- conlcil In tlu > V.rur m > 5. The aggregatestealings of men who violate late public and private trust ? by defalcation and embezzlement , are probably much greater every year than those of thn burglars and highway men put together , Iho record of stealings during 1805 , as compiled by the Insurance companies which guarantee employers against the dishonesty of their employes , and the publlu against the dishonesty of officials , shown that the sum of 19.465,921 was obtained. The cases of embezzlement reported numbered 210. Of thcoa fourteen etolo more than J50.000 , twenty more than { 100,000 , ono more than { 500,000 , and one more than $1.000,000. City and county offlclaU stole { 1,393,975 , banks lost $3,99G,970 $ , agents embezzled $1.- 045,875 , forgers obtained $341,500 , building and loan associations $179,578 , postmaster * stole $32,815 , and tbo miscellaneous defalca tions amounted to f2,170,7S2n Now York led With defalcations amounting to $2,388,816 , wbllo the stealings of that sort In Delaware uero the smallest , amounting only to $1,100. \ For Infants anl ( Children , j i Sllflfr. llBlli Pozzoni's Complexion ! POWDER produces a soft and beautiful oklnt I It combine * every elejutnl of beauty naa purity. NAVIGATING THE PLATTE Joyless Experience of n Grew on the Father of Shallows. BUILDING AN ISLAND IN A NIGHT An Incident of tlio liO'n Hclnlril for the llciioflt of AVonlilllcul - irnturN In Cnttiiiilnin anil , Mulnlty. I was In Columbus , Neb. , a short tlmo ago nnd while there I heard somn business men talking of the feasibility of building some largo Mrgt-fl or flatboata to float some ol the Immense corn crop of that section dowr the Platte river to a southern market , be lieving It could bo done much cheaper than shipping by rail. Their Idea was to star us the water vvas going down , Just after the usual high water , the last of May and firs part of June , Thirty jcars age. I had some experience In trying to navigate the Platte and although a long tlmo ago , that stream still continues In Its hnblta ot long ago , The first state legislature of Nebraska granted to the Torres ! City Terry company a charter to operate a ferry across the Plntto between Forrest City nnd Ashland. Hon Qcorgo N. Crawford and Matt Shields were at the hcail of the company , and after con siderable parleying , they purchased ot Elder Stiinn the boat so famous In Us day , the "Slilnn's ferry , " nnd In June of 1SG7 Captain William II Crawford , with n crow ot three men , "tried and true , " and the writer as cook ( till then not tried , but ) , started from Columbus down the Platte with the boat their destination being PotTcst City , a dla- tanco ot 175 miles by the river. SHOUT LIVED JOY. The boat had been rigged with long swoop oars , one on each sldo , and each end. The boat vvns sixty foot long and sixteen feet wldo , nnd It was found Hint It drew three Inches of water. In the center n tent WT ; set up for cooking , eating nnd sleeping npait- ments After getting Into the channel the boat made goad time considering Us un wieldy size. Wo were In great glee nt the prospects of a quick nnd pleasant trip ; but , oh , jo deceptive Platto1 We had made a run when suddenly the boat stopped , and the current whirled the boat mound and around. Wo were stucK on a bild n snag The boat had run about half way ever It before It stopped and there wo re mained for sixty-three hours , when In the morning of the third ih > the river began to rise and wo floated off. For ten or fifteen mlles we lloatcd along wlthoti. uny troubla when we sighted an Island , and , ns all hands were tired from their efforts to get off Iho enag , It was proposed nnd adopted to tie- up until the next morning So the bolt vvas tied up near the loner end of the Island , which vvas but a sandbar with a growth of w Illovv s. WELL GROUNDED. Well , the next morning at daybreak th * captain called his crevv , and when they emerged from the tent the nearest > \ater to bo Been was about 200 jards distant. The boat bnd formed nn eddy nnd the quick sand soltled nml formed a bar , aud there wo staid for two weeks , nil efforts and fcchomcs bilng useless until some qulck- nllver vvas brought from Omaha. By this tlmo a person could pick his way from shore to shore dry footed , as the waters had sunK , leaving a bridge of sand none too safe , but bj avoiding the quicksand holes vvr could walk across It. A few fcft from tin uppnrsldc of the boat several holes were dug about two feet deep and several drops of quicksilver placed in each In about th'c hours tlmo the sand all about us w.is working as though it contained animal life , and at the end of six hours It had cut tbn band nway so we wire once more afloat. We ran onto bars several times befoie wo reached our journey's end , but with the aid of quicksilver we could get off with only a few hours' delny. Wo were from the llth day of June to the 3d day of August making the trip. On that trip I saw sand bars fotmctl covering several acres within in hour , nnd again , when floating In , the chan nel with eight or ten feet of water run Into water onlj six to eight Inches deep , with no euiieiit ; and a half a mile below again strike the current where It would come gushing up from Its subterranean channel. I do not think that the grain merchant of Columbus would find that kind of navigation very profitable. JAY. iK btriinsrc About ThlM. A discoverer of useless facts states that a Bank of England note twisted Into al kind a rope can suspend as much as 329 pounds upon ono end of It , without hurting the note There Is nothing very novel about this , says an exchange. Financial statlatlcb have often shown that the biggest commer cial houses have been able to hang for ninety days on an ordinary promissory note , not twisted Into a kind of rope , and printed on a mighty poor quality of paper at that. Somt-thliiK of it SinoKiT. Harper's na < s.ir : "Havo jou ever been to Naples , Smith. ' Yes ; twice. " 'Is ' Vesuvius ns fine as It Is said to bo ? " Pretty flno ; j-cs , qulto its line as It Is said to lie " Listed n fire it minj- years , eh ? " It Ilia Inile-ed " 'What Impiesscd you most about It ? " Oh , well , I think puislbly that It's smoked foi two centuries , and Isn't In bad shape , after all. Have a cigar. ' " i fe * J. The Many Fail , 4. f * One Succeeds : 4 * J Licbiff , the great chemist , * V * ? succeeded in making that scientific - § * . entific marvel , Extract of Beef , -ju the essence of all that is best * J In beef. The makers of * J * f $ $ Liebig | ICOMPANYSl i\j jExtract of Beef | * * succeeded , over thirty years j * $ ago , under his direction , in * J * tjo making this product so perfect * na to secure hia endorsement J * and the right to use hid signature - turo on every jar. . . There haia bxn mtnr Imitations. ffl * moatlr failures , but oune approachffi 2 Jnetlio J.loblaCoHiMNY's tor pur- * Wj ItBUuimtli and line tlarur , KM DUFFY'S PURE MALT WHISKEY All Druggists. MADE ME A AJAX TAHLUTS IHMITIVHLY CI1HK atAcriom IHtraitt-y Mntt Mem brAbui * and other 1'ico.uwi'utnl I nil I- cmtloni 'Ilitu iiuttUla anil turtlu . . iixtorelxrol Vitality In old or JounK. and ef y , flt * man for itudibaloow or luurriane TSvSw > Prevent Imanltr nnil Cx > n umpllou If .kea . lu time 7hefr UM * taliowi ImiiKplUto fuiprGre. _ .eut uuj eflecu a CUKU wliore all o'bora fall In ilit upon liuTlnii tha genuine AJax Tablets Tlior hkTucuioil Hioui uiUouJ will ours juu. He ime t positive written ituurantt > e to effect n euro In eiicli take or refund tiiu money. PrlcuCO ceiice per hackuy , or > li f ck iiiM ( full treatment ) far tlU > , vi mall , la plafa wrni per. upon retelnt of prtcu. Cirpuur fr e A IAX PRMPfYv CO J UniUr.i.1. , nJr\'Y IvCiMCL/I Vw , * * | ik | j , III , For ale la Omaha by Jamm J-orijrth , WJ M. Uth street , Kuhn & Co , Ulh and PoucUi BtmU , DOCTORS THEY MAKE CURE WHERE HIE COMBINED BROMIDES AND OTHER WELL mitD REMEDIES PAIL Remarkable Testimony from Physicians of High Repute. When ) ou connlder the conservative nml non- conunlttnl innnncr a reputable | > hvslolnti mnkex public ulntcmcntB In mallera iierlnlnlng lo his profe < lon , > ou cnnnot help but wonder nl the frnnk nnJ postllvo terms used In the follow Ing letters from phjrlclnn * , nil of whom stand high ns connervnllvo ami successful members of tliUr profession. I'hvslcLins nrc nnlnconlslle to pnl- cnt nnil pronrlelnrj medicines anil seldom. If ever , pu.irilbe or endorse them Thousands of ph > slclnn hnvo Known of I5r. Chnrcot'fi wonilcrfiil prescription jcnrs before It was compounded for the public nt Inise , nnd In prescribing It now thoj pnj trllnile to a brother plivslchms ( the Inlo Ir Jcnn Mnrlln Charcot ) , who cnjojed the dlsllnctlon of beltiR the Kitnt- o8l authority of this century on mrvous dis eases The riencli KOVeminent recoinlzed his Rront nldlllj nml fame by maUlns him u Chc- vnller of Iho J.cRlon of Honor , n , lender of Ihe rnoully of Mtdlclnc In I'arls , ind In 1S02 oslnb- llshed fop him especially n chair ot nirvoiiH dis eases Ihe Rnal lie pltnl 1) hiHtpctilero wan for > oai' the oceiie of Ma labor nnd mlccis i.s Dr Clnrcot's Koln Nervine Tnldrta li the losiilt of n Ufa study mill c\ierlciue , 'I hey nru I'tn- lilmtltnll ) iironoiinri'd b > lindlniulcd | nuthnrlty in mi Infullahle cmc for dli > eii < eii uf the mnvniis Kjstem If > ou nre n victim of any nrtvutii ill'onltr > "ii cannot afford to niRlrct It a ili > , n tntnl collnpsc of Imilth nnd vlKor rrny lemlt If > ou nro feilhiK 'not Just rlKht" Iheiv In a UUI80 for It th it phould ho trim died Oet n beef Kola Ncrvlnp 'lahlots lit > our neiiest druRRlst and bi'xlll tuMiiK thrnv today U he ; will hcncnt ) oti vvo ( ,11111 untie It , nnd may ta\c Sou f I oin n spoil of slrKiaKS Oil. A. C. SI1I2IIWIV , Hotel 1'cllmni llivston , Mn s , ono of the b"sl knuvvn plijslcl in In New IliiKhind , writes. 'S nm puscilhliiK Ur ( "liatrnt'i Koln Nervine Tali- lots for NirvoiiHiioxi Insoinnln , Djppiiisi I ami Xcnrnl li with exct Ih nt le tiltH I hive no hesitation In elating that they r * Infalllhla In nil rnrms of nervous dlea cTheir InvlgorulIiiB proptrlles me wondeiful"A "A P Shervvln M. D" nit. n. fit VMC i'o\viM. , ' I Union hlock , coiner I'ourth and Cedar streets , ht Paul , formir surgeon In the U S armv , | widely Known a nn < \ of the most siiccehirnl | ih > slchins and FUIKODIIS In the noithucft , wiltos under Unto of Jnn 14th , 1MP7 : 'Toi m > nrl > a acteil na a Ionic I conxhlcr > uur ( Clurcot ) Kol i Tiblcts to my pittlents Am now puimied lo submit the names and nildrrprcil of.thlity-Fevtii cast ; ) cured of neivous inaladlta , tvvthtv nuiitlj benctlte < l nnd Kcvcnteen nnim whom thu rtintil ) acted ns a tonic I COIIR ! lei > ou ( Ihaicol ) Kola Tablets the host remedy over oflired lo Ihe public as n proprlelnry meillclne , and fnr su perior lo Ihe prisirlptlons of Ihe av crime doctuh In cases of nervous debility or bioKm down constllfltlons from OXCOKSPS or overwork This bt-lnt ; all unsolicited testimonial based upon tht- extenslvo u e of jour tablets foi almost u > ( .ar , 3011 mo UEC It us jou lllco D 1'rink Powell , M. D. nit. IIIMI\ : . Tbcicnit , I I Clininplaln bulldlnt , " , 120 State St , ( "hlcaKO , writes ! "I have bi.cn uslnK Ur Chnrcot's Kola i Nervine T-iblpts In cases of Nervous Dypci la nnd cases vvherc a general Ionic , lo the lurvous sjstem Is required I nm very well pleised wllh ihelr action nnd from my uxperlcnce think they are superior to Anything of the kind In the mnrKet. Ilenrj b Tucker , II. D " 1)11. A. 1' . MINhll.VI.I , , I Vlroquo , Wls , a successful phjslclnn widely known thioimhoiit his stale , writes : "I liuve u ted Dr. Chnrcot's Kola Ncivlnc lahkls In three cases of ncivousness with loss of appc. tltc nnd Iniomnln nnd Inability lo perform men * i tal work of nny dcacrlpllon All three of lh i cases nro very much benefited , In fuel nay they feel IIR well n they ever did In thrlr life I fhnll lice them In. more cnses when they nro ln ilkntcd A 1' Mluslmll , M , D. " vr , virus OAMI ; : cuiui > . DII. in\v. r. AVHITK , < J Somerset stieet , lloston , Manx , wrltex : "I hive li ed Dr ninrcol'n Koln Nirvlne Tnbtrti In tvvo cnfes of Olioira ( St Vltus Dunce ) nna have met with e\ccllenl results Would lionrN II ) itcoinmcniV m > Irothu lli > slclnns who hnv * ouch rases to give then ? tnblctn n fair trlnl IMvvnld Thlte , M D. " nn. n. r , iu\ismii. , rnlrmoiml. Mo. , writes ns follows : "I hnv * il ed IT rhnrent'H Koln Nil vine 'InblcU ( per. Kiimllj ) In IFpepsla , Insomnia nml Vnlvulu dlrcnre of the limit with ilIIIUill htiathlnir , falntnesH nnd fntlxuc from the xnine Aftir uslni ; about one-half box the i > ) miloms | nro inpM ! ) btnhltii ! iivvov nnd I biRln lo frel llko a mvv nun , nnd do not doubt mj earl } lecovery. I hnvo picscilbid them In inns ot Nourtlvln nnd Insomnia with excellent nxiiltn I feel that I cnnnol praise thorn eiunmh and think Oed for puttlni ; mo In the wnv of unliiK them "Dr i : C lllnlitdcll " nit. w. c. n.vine , SI , Deniborn SI , ChlenRO , wrltis"I hnvo used , with Bruit KIICHIS , Dr Clinrcot'n Kolfc Neivlne Tnblets and recognize Ihun ns very v iluiihle nddllluii to our lemedlm for Ihe euro of Dsbpepslu and Ncivotls 1'rOHttntlon "vV I' Clark , M U. " mi. K. . \ . w 1:1111.1 , , Spooner AVIs , willes "I am uslmr Dr Char- cot H Koln Neivlnc Tiblets In n fevire nnd ni- Riuvnted cum * of NitiiitRthuila nnd Chronlo Unsliltls 'Ihey nlv dnliiK the woik tlml tht > ro in Un dl bio.alien and other \vtll tiled limedlca fnlhd to do I am sitlslled that the } are n pnltnt i < mid } In ncivous puistiatlon nnd nil forms of Niiiinntlietili 1' V. Avcilll , SI D" nn. s. i , . tm.ivitn , 19 TrPiiiont How , Huston , Mass , writes "I have UFcd Dr Chuicnl Kola Nervine 'InliU'll In Nervous K\hauttlon NatiFca and Inability to pleep Ihej li.ive vvoiliid like a clinini III re- MorliiR visor nnd piodii IIIR Meep 'Ihelr sus taining propullts ate mubt siitl rnctois "Dr H I , Mill ml " Acin : < ; : i. vim : TO rmi , MIU : A nit. i : . v. m.ACM iv , Buffalo Onp H D , Coroner for Cil ter County and U H I'enslon nxnmlnlng 8uuton , writ * si Afttr receiving the box of Dr Cli ircot'n Kol i Nervine Tablets I took them mvxelf nnd must nay I have m.\ti tiiltin nnjtliliiR fm sears that did mt ho much ROO 1 M > nervous psstem was consldtrnblv debilitated , cnund by constant practice , Irreuular meals and lo s of Fleep , also Olnonlo Itliiiinritl in Since t iking them I feel like a youiii ; mini My IIRO In tdxts-tlutu youro , have bet n In prncllre fur foils sears 1 con- elder them a npocillc In the above dlvenses , hiva cinlrixd half n doren boxi's IhroiiKh our dnig Klst. Iruly and frateinill } sours , "i : . V IlHchly. SI D" The above Is n fair Kimple of hundiods of simi lar tellers from itpulnblu plijslclanii testlfslnc to tlm wonderful health RtvlnR propel lies con tained In Dr Chnrcot's Kola Nervine Tablets. A phsslclan. In muUliiR it public statement , stakes hla profeslon il leputntlon on It , Can nnsthlnR be slrotiRcr ? V > e ch illeiiRc any icm- cds In the world to mnkc buch u Ebon Ing Sold by all drucRNts or mnllcd direct , fifty cents nnd SI per box Krniku Chemical ami Mfir Co . La CroBse , WIs. "CUPIDENE" MANHOOD RESTORED. This ( treat Vcgelabla VltullzertUoprcucrlp- tlouof a famous 1'ronch physician , will quickly euro son of all ner vous or dLsi a-SL'S of tbo geiicratlvo orciuiB , such ns Lost Manhood , Insomnia , I'alns In the lluclt , ticmliial Kuilsslons , Norous Debility , I'implcs , Unfltncss to Marry , hxhaustliiR Drnlns , Vnrlcorolo nnj Constipation. Itstopsnll losses bydny or night , 1'icvcnli nukk * ness of Ulschargo , which If not checlcnl leails to Spprmntorrhicu and BEFORE AFTER all tha horrors ot Impotencr. < 'IIl'II K.\rc.amc3lUuUver ! ( , the AND kidneys and the urinary orennsof all Impurities , CDPIDENE Btrcngthcns and restores small weak orpnns. The reason Riifferen nro not cured by Doctors Is bccuuso ninety per cent uro tronblert wilt ] Prontnlldii. COI'IDnNE Is thn only known remedy to euro without un opt ration , woo testimoni als. A written KiinrinH'orlven and money returned If Biz boxen does not cucct a pcriiiaULUtcurix fUOOa box , six for } 3 00 , by mall. Bend for riiEK circular ana testimonials. Address 1 > AVOI. jnEDICINE CO..P.O. JioxSU7C.Banrrt-iolscoCnl , Jfyers-Dlllon Drugs Co , S. D. Cor. 16th and Fainam Sts , Omaha. Lesson No. 4. You can't make news , but there is a difference whether you get ALL or only HALF of it. There is also a differ ence whether you get it TODAY or wait for it till TO MORROW. The Evening Bee prints every day from nine to fourteen columns fresh matter that did not appear in its morning edition of the same day. Here is comparison , just to show how it excels a comparison showing the actual amount of fresh news mat ter that did not appear in the morning editions : Thu dl Hoi-unco . | 02f 1)1 ) f STj | ToiiF 5JOJ The Evening Bee , therefore , prints an average of over three columns , or about half a page , more fresh news mat ter , than the Evening World Herald. IF YOU WANT ALL THE LATEST NEWS - READ THE BEE -