„ . : Jt ,3U
\ f A A 1-V A
PANAMA'S COSTLY DITCH
A Quarter of a Billion Expended and the
Work Not Half Done.
Ar.MV OF LABORERS AT WORK
Tonr of the Cntinl and n Description
at HIP Ktciivnllon fining On
.MllllonaVnntril nud
rut-tune * Mnde.
( Copyright , 1533 , by rrank O. Cnrpfnter. )
PANAMA , March 7. 1803. For the pail
three > oars 3,000 men liaro been steadily
working hero on the Panama canal. There
re 3COO negroes at work here today , and a
remarkable amount of cutting , dredging and
building up of earth works lias been ac
complished. I have gone over the route of
the canal and ha\o tnkrn a number of
photographs of the work as It Is InMarch ,
1S9S. This morning I went on the cars out
to the Cutcbra cut and watched 800 men
working there , and was told that there vvere
2,200 emplojcd within three nillM of where
I stood. Tau Culebra Is , jou know , the
highest point on the canal route , The scene
was abusy one. Long trains of Iron cars
loaded with rock and clay moved over the
canal tracks , carrying the excavated
materials and dumping them on the banks.
Immense steel dredges , each at tail as a two-
story house and tun times DA big as the
larnc.it thrashing machine , gouged out rocks
and gravel , and catching up loads of this
heavy material In big Iron bucket * fastened
to tno endless chains , carried them high
into the air and poured them out Into ears.
Hero thirty Jamaica negroes were drilling
holes In thu rock for Immense charges of
dynamite , and from an ay over there at the
right cauie tliu boom , boom , boom of the
explosions of another gang a mile away.
At the station of Cmperador , a few miles
further on , seven enormous < lreJges were
cooping up rock and raising It In buckets
each of which would hold more than a big
barrel. Connected \\lth each dredge were
trolley lines , upon which the loaded buckets
wore carried In the air off to the points
iwhoro the rock was needed. There wore
other trains of Iron cars hero drawn rapidly
along by scroechlng locomotives , ami 1,000
negroes were digging down rock , loading cars
And drilling for the blasting. I had lettere
from the chief olllclals of the canal here at
Panama directing that everything was to bo
shown mo , and I was able through these to
got some Idea of the condition of affairs to
day. There Is no doubt but that the work
now ( being done Is honest , economical and
effective , and also that If the present com
pany had enough money It could com
plete the canal. As to just how much they
need I have not been able to ascertain. I
asked the chief of construction today what
amount ho thought was nccci'ary. He
shrugged his shoulders and raised his
hands and his eyebrows as he replied : "A
great sum ! A great sum ! "
THE CANAL 'ROUTE. '
Dut before I further describe the work _
that Is being done now , let mo give you
the story of the canal In a nutshell. The
Isthmus of Panama Is much like the neck
of an hour glaw , of which North America
and South America arei thu two globes. It
Is a wonderfully slender and an exceedingly
tough pleco of land. It Is about as long
os the distance between Washington city
and Uoaton via New York , and ranges In
width from 118 miles to about thirty miles.
Low mountains run Irregularly through It.
It has plateaus and plains , and near the
coast awampa and morasses. Where the
canal Is being cut the distance from one
coast to the other as the crow flics is prob
ably not more than forty mllrs , but the
railroad line Is forty-seven rr.llfts long and
the route laid out for the Panama canal Is
otlll shorter. Same of the mountains of the
isthmus are over 1,500 feet high. Along the
line of the canal the highest elevation Is
at the Culebra ridge , the point that I visited
today.
The canal begins at the port of Colon , or ,
as you may call It , Asplnwall , though
Colon Is the name used here. Colon Is not
far from the mouth of the Chagtcs river , on
the little Island of Manzantllo , and at the
terminus of the Panama railroad. Starting
hare , the line of the canal runs through the
\alley of the Chagrea. cutting the streaii
In many places , until at about fourteen
miles or more the ground rises Irregularly
until It teaches the top at Culebra. There
is all told about twelve nitlea of deep cut
ting to bo done , and thence to the sea the
excavation Is comparatively easy. There is
much worse rock on any of our railroad
lines than that of the Culebra. One diffi
culty Is In taking care of the waters of the
Chagres river. This Is now about 300
feet wldo and two fcot deep. It looked lit
tle more than a creek when I passed along
it yesterday , but in the wet season It some
times rises thirty fcot In a night and bears
long everything In Its floods. This river
and the big excavation are the engineering
problems of the canal. De Lcsscp'i Idea was
to hold tuck the Chagres by a big dam and
let it out gradually. The Chicago engineers
who made the Chicago drainage canal and
who are now in Nicaragua said while hero
the other day that the Chagrea could be
cosily controlled , and also after looking over
the entire route of the canal ventured the
tatcmcnt that the building of a sea level
or . lock canal here was feasible.
WHAT THE FRENCH HAVE DONE.
Every one has heard of thu Panama canal
scandals. The truth Is worse than an > thing
that has been published. I will , further on ,
glre some ntorles which I have heard here
of the extravagance. ] and frauds of the first
companies , when champagne flowed like
water and gold was almost aa plenty as
copper Is In some parts of Montana. Within
lest than ten jcars they spent more than
$265,000,000 , and millions of this were almom
openly stolen by contractors. At the same
time the work that was done remab.a , and
It the canal Is sold
to other parties or com
pleted by the Trench It will not have to be
Talking It Over.
When a party of
middle aged wom
en get together
alone , a common
tlicme of conversa
tion is their phys
ical ailments. It
would be better if
these discussions of the ailments peculiar
to women took place twenty years earlier
in life. If n little of the prudery of mod.
em society were banished , j > o that young
women talked these subjects over among
themselves , there would be less suffering
inonirwomen in middle life.
Good health is the best endowment that
human being c.ui have. Good general
health anionjT women is largely dependent
upon good local health in a womanly way.
Through ignorance and neglect it has bo.
come such an ordinary , common - place
thing for women to puffer from weakness
nd disease of the delicate and important
feminine organism , that many women have
come to look upon these troubles as an
unavoidable inheritance. This is a mis
take. All troubles of this ntttire may be
cured in the privacy of the home , without
undergoing the obnoxious "examination ! ! " of
end "local treatment" insisted upon by
the nvcrajre physician. Dr. Pierce's Fa
vorite Prrf.crintton Rives health , elastic
strength ami vitality to the sensitive orgara
concerned. It allays inflammation , heals
ulceration mid frees from pain. It tones l >
the nerves mid build * up the nerve centers.
It makes n woman healthy and stroncr , and
thus prepires her for healthy wifehood ,
capable motherhood and a safe transition $
at the change of life.
" 1 w-int to testify to the frrc-U benefit derlTcd I
from usJng l > r J'i-rcc' rawrile. Prencrlptlon. "
write * Mn II. Mason , of Mr > ! - rtviUc , Wyo
ming Co.Jf V "I comintnccaujiuc It about
three months btforc confmcmejtt. With my
former confinement I suIeml ( jrrrvtly , while thu
cue was coninnratitrely - . owluar
> i-aiy. to the UM
efilie \vdumcsitl" '
done g ! t > . About twenty mite * ot th *
canal Ls practically completed. Tbe fourteen
mllci at tbe eastern end have boon- some
what filled up by the Chagrea river , but &
slight dredging would make this part ot the
work clear. I visited U last week and eaw
that nothing had been dcco for jcar * . Then
there Is about six or eight miles finished
at tbo Pacific end ot tbo canal , ind the
dredges arc now at work there deepening ( ho
harbor. Tbli Is now work and It ot now
Interest. The present company b.is Just
completed a wharf 1,000 feet long at this
point , and It Is stated by them that within
a comparatively short tlmo ships will be
able to salt up to thla wharf and tracsfer
their freight direct to the Panama railroad
cars. This new wharf It really a very fln
structure , It is made of steel , with a steel
roof , which Is supported by steel pouts.
Traveling cranes run by engines move along
a track on the cdgo of the wharf , and the
heaviest of articles can be lifted by them
out of tbe stcainera and swung down to the
doors ot the cars bch u-d. At present all
ships have to anchor far out In Panama bay ,
and goods and passengers arc brought In by
lighters. I am told that ivher this now
harbor h dredged out reduced rates for
through freight will be charged on the rail
road , and that all attempts will be made
to get ships to land here Instead of sailing
about Capo Horn or through tbe Straits of
Magellan ,
ONE-THIRD OF THC CANAL FINISHED.
. The French chief of construction who
showed 1110 over the Culebra cutting today
told me ho considered the canal more that )
halt done. This Is probably a rosy vlow of
the work , atil I am told by others that ono-
thlrd would be nearer the proper figure.
The old company worked eight years , and
during much of this time had an average of
10,000 men In its employ. It spent a
quarter of a bllllcci dollars and excavated
about C5.000.000 cubic jarJs of earth and
rock. Then the bubble burst , and this
new company was formed. They have spent ,
I am told , only about $5,000,000 , and have
made a big cut In the work for the money.
At Culrbra the cutting at the deepest point
Is now about 225 feet , and sevcnty-flvc feet
of tli's was done by this company. The top
of the ditch looks higher as you stand In
the cut than a twent-i < ory Now York flat ,
and the ravine shows the Immensity of the
work. The new company are now very
nearly out of money. They are preparing
for a anal commission from Paris , which
will probably be hero before this letter Is
published. Everything la being painted up
for the occasion , as the future of tbo cannl
largely defends upon the report of the com
missioners. If It should be favorable It is
said by the French hero that enough money
will be raised to complete the work , but If
not It will piobably bo given up or sold.
The estimates of amount required to com-
plcto the work range all the way from
$73,000,000 upward , and It Is probable that
$150,000,000 Is somewhere nearer the proper
figure.
COULD UNOLn SAM IBUY OUT PRANCE ?
From what I gather hero from a variety
of Insldo sources I believe that the French
are tired and sick of the Job , and that within
a short tlmo they will either drop U or ,
what Is more probable , take hi some other
nation or corporation outside of France to
help them. The dlrectqr In charge , I am
told , recently said that If the French chose
to glvo It up he had parties In Now York
and Chicago who vvero ready to put up the
money to complete It. Franco has no faith
whatever In the Nicaragua canal scheme
as a national undertaking on the part ot
the United States. She believes It is all a
matter of political buncombe , and If our
picscnt commission should really do any
thing and congress should follow with
legislation , there will be a change at once at
Panama.
One of the most sensible talkers as to
canal matters among the men I have m t
here Is .Mr. R. O. .Ward , the civil engineer
and roadmastor of the Panama railroad.
Ho said to mo last night : "The canal pre
sents no problem , financial or mechanical ,
that cannot be overcome. The trouble Is
that the machinery they "have " here Is
old and defective according to modern
methods. It will do the work , but In the
most expensive ways. There have been
many new Inventions since the canal was
begun and tens of millions of dollars
were spent for these machines. The Chicago
engineers said It was only * question
of good machines and good work , and If I
had to finish the canal myself I should
first find a big hole and bury all the
machinery they are now using In it and start
anew. 1 believe It would be cheaper In the
end. We now have dredges that will scoop
up rocks such as thcao quarried for buildIng -
Ing houses , like dirt , and with the right
tools work can be done at a low cost. "
"How much will it coal to finish the
canal ? "
"It la all guesswork , hut I bmlove that
1150,000,000 would make a sea-level canal
hero , and I think a soa-lovel canal would be
far hotter than any lock system. If the
French would give up the Panama canal 1
should like to see Americans buy It and run
It. U U certainly the shorten ! and , I be
lieve , the cheapest place cu the Isthmus foi
a canal , and hero you can tell just about
what It would cost. The Frentb have paid
the expenses of the experiments ; they have
done a great deal of work , and sooner 01
later I believe there will bo a canal here. "
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ROTTING AWAY.
Mr. Ward's remark about the antiquated
machinery of the canal la founded on somt
very bitter facts. Machinery which cost
millions upon millions Is now lying along
the line of the canal , rotting and rusting.
There are oxpenaho dredges which cost fortunes - a
tunes now utterly worthless. Enough car :
wheels to equip a trunk line of railroad are
scattered from one end of the Isthmus to tin :
other , and the rotten trucks. If their piece *
could bo put together , would make a train .
half way across the lithmus. The variety
of wasted machinery and rotting property
Is Indescribable. I crumbled up wooden
car beds with my finders and walked a of
rnllo or eo on discarded and runted ma
chinery near the Atlantic mouth of the canal.
I saw sheds filled with coatly but now
comparatively useless engines , and cs 1
looked at the evidences of waste and ex
travagance all about mo I could not help
thinking ot the thrifty peasants or tht
Woolen -Stockings of France , as De Losseps
u.ied to call them , from where the most of
this vast sum came. The French ofllrtals
poured out money hero for ,3 , ears. They
bought .everything by wholesale. When the
old corarHny stopped work they had on
band , among other things , 150 floating der
ricks. 180 tonboata and launches. 6,000 Iron
dumping wagons , 190 miles of railroad track
foe the canal work and over 10,000 cars
This , you must remember , was scattered
along a distance not mu ti greater than that
between Now York and Baltimore. The
>
had built beautiful cottages . ,
on every hill '
and sightly plac from the Atlantic to ( lib
Pacific. There were 5,000 buildings along
the line of the canal aud some of these are
occupied by negroes today. They had con
structed quarters for 30,000 workmen. They
had 120 ctcam pumps , 200 rcaervolro anci
mere than 100 miles of water pipe. Most
of thl * stuff Is useless now and a vast amouil
has been thrown ankle , as the freights arc
so hlfih that It would not pay to carry U
away. The officials
made money out o !
nearly every contract and the nicco the )
bought the moro they made. So when a car
or train ran off the track or fell down an a
embankment they let It He and used sime
ot the surplus remaining. You can see mich
ovorturnevl cars at almost any point on
the old works ,
WHEN MONEY FLOWED LIKE WATER.
Those were the dajs when money was the
cheapest of all things here. Loads ot It
were carried across the Isthmus on the cars ,
anl men niaJo fortunes In a month. Eiffel , an
the man who built the big tower , had one
ccntract which netted him 13,000.000. New-
York paitlea. Including Henry B. Slav la anO
the American Constructing and Dredging
company , had contracts amounting to $20.- at
000.000. The Amerlcaca did honeot work
too. and made fortuua. Common engineers
took contracts and got rich. I heard tojaj
ono man who was down on bis uppers
when his emplojcr. a New York con'ractor
discharged him ail worthless. When the con
tractor returned to Colon be found this fel
low going about with a black valet holjlug
umbrella over him and apparently verj
rojperouj. lleing asked how he bad got let
along , the man replied : "I am a rich man
now. You see , I tcok a contract to fill a hole and
along the line of the ca.'ol. and was to ge
$10,000 for the Job. Another man had a
cculract to cut down a bl'l for $150.000 , and
charged htm $50,000 to put his bill 'n my
hole. It gave me $100,000 without spending a
cent. Another man measured up a part o ;
the Cbagrce river In a section of hU exca
vation contract and by a collusion with thi e
French accountants made a fortune. House ,
wlilcii you could put up at bouit ( or $5,00. . I.
wore charged for hero it $25,000 and J50.COO.
I drover out thla afternoon to th Paclflo
mouth ot the canal past a bis frame cottage
not m good as many a $6,000 house la the
suburb ! of Boston , which I wa told coil Us
owner $100,000 , and as we passed by It a
resident banker ot Panama , who ha long
done business here , and whose guest I was
for the time , e ld : "Tho same tone who
built that house constructed this throe mllea
ot road en which we are riding , and what
do you think It cost ? "
"I can't guess , " eald I.
"It cost Just 4600,000. Oh , those were
flush times. Everybody made money then.
Interest rates were 10 per cent a month
and tbo profits were enormous. We had
Sarah Ucrnhardt and other actresses from
Paris to play for us , and one time I remem
ber Sarah got GO.OOO franca for ten por-
formancM. Panama was then- almost as
wicked as Paris. "
THE WOOLTON STOCKINGS OF FRANCS.
Yes , they were flush times. Flush tlmea
among the rich contractors In Paris as we ) !
as with the asoclato contractors here.
Shiploads of costly machinery were found
useless , but moro of the same kinds were
sent on , 1'arls shared In the profits. Nearly
$5,000,000 were paid to subsidize the
French newspapers. The majority In the
Chamber of Deputies was bought with $0-
000,000 , and a member of the cabinet got
$00,000 for services rendered. This all came
out when the bubble burst and "the woolen
clockings , " the .Trench peasantry and middle
classes , awoke to fi..1 their gavlngs
gone and their canal stock worth nothing.
They were the same people who had come
to the front and paid at the demands of
Germany $1,000,000,000 In settlement of the
Franco-Prussian war , and now when they
had again grown well-to-do many foynd
that they were penniless. It la from these
same hard-fisted , economical , patriotic
citizens that Franco will have to get the
great part of the money to finish the canal.
They have been badly bitten once , when their
own trusted De Le < ! seps , the hero of Suez ,
was at the head of affairs. Will they risk
the same thing again when another $100,000-
000 or so are required ? They may , but I
hould say they will not. The canal mav
o built. It probably will be built , but that
Vance alone will build It docs not now seem
mong the possibilities.
FRANK 0. C.VRPDNTER.
Ante Room Echoes
Masonic circles are livening up consider
ably. Particular activity Is displayed In con-
necflon with two big meetings that will
ako place during the latter part of next
month. One is the annual convention ol
ho grand commander/ the state and the
ither iu the eleventh annual reunion of the
\nclcnt and Accepted Scottish Rite for the
Southern Jurisdiction ot the United States.
The former begins on April 21 and will be
n session for several days. The reunion
commences on April 20 and lasts for four
a > s.
The preliminary announcement of the
icottlsh Rlto mooting has Just been Issued.
Vll degrees from the fourth to the thlrty-
ocond inclusive will bo conferred and the
lasses promise to be big. Twelve of the de
grees will bo conferred with the full ccrcmon-
ea of the rite. Candidates are not required
r expected to take all the degrees at this
eunlon. They may. If they prefer , take
Imply the degrees of the Lodge of Pcrfec-
ion and Chapter of Rose Crolx , or they
may take the degrees of the Lodge of Per-
cctlon , Chapter of Rose Crolx and Precep-
ory , leaving the omitted degrees to bo re-
olved at some subsequent time
The wjork done at the annual reunion , bo
ng principally designed to accommodate
hose living at a distance , and who cannot
at tend'tho many meetings neccontry to con-
er the degrees in the usual manner , will be
conducted in such a way as to render U
agreeable and full of Interest for all , and
give duo effect to the beautiful ceremonial
f the rite.
The local members of the rite are already
naklng preparations for the meeting. Ro-
icaraals are being held cc every Monday
and Thursday night * and will continue until
ho reunion begins.
The funeral obsequies which were held on
Saturday , March 12 , by the Knights
Cadoah over the bodies ot Dr. Rogers and
W. I. Gilbert were rendered with the fol-
owlng official staff : James Gilbert , pre
ceptor ; 'Mlllard ' F. Funkhouser , flrst subpre-
ceptor ; Lee P. Funkhouser , second subpro-
ceptor ; Claud Talbot , chancellor ; Ed Augus-
Ine , tercoplier ; S. Roper Crickmore , draper ;
Luther M. Kuhns. orator ; Harry Kirkpatrlck
naster of ceremonies ; D wight L. Holmes
first deacon ; Burt U W'llcoi , second deacon
V. I. Agnew , secretary.
The ceremony has been performed In this
state and city thrice during the last four
years. U was hold the first time la the
atato In the Centenary Methodist Eplscopa
church at Beatrice cci May 14 , 1894 , over
bo body of Captain Lee P. Gillette , grant
custodian of the grand lodge of Nebraska
The first time the services were held 'n ' this
city was over the body of Fred J. Borthwluk
of St. Andrews' preceptory In August , 1894
Saint John's lodge Is taking active atopa
to assist in the national Masonic fair ani
exposition to be held In Washington foe two . '
weeks , commencing on April 11 , to ralac
fund for the construction of a Masonic
cmple. In the erection ot the proposed
building It is the Intention of the fraternltj
o make it an architectural ornament and a
astlng tribute to tho' grandeur of tbo fra- H.H.
.ernlty throughout the United States. It wil H.H.
30 built with especial reference to the pres H.A.
cnt end future needs of the Masonic fra A.
ternlty. and will serve as the future homo
the Masons ot Washington and the abiding
place of all members of the craft through
out the United , States temporarily riojoum- |
Ing there.
The members of the lodge and their foml
nine friends are solicited to contribute by
making donations of cash , merchandise ,
needle or fancy work , articles manufactured ,
works of art or any character of contribu
tion which will assist In making the fair a
success. All money and othev contributions
are to bo sent to fho secretary of tbo lodge , Is
Samuel D. Caldwell , 1G03 Capitol avinuo ,
hU city.
Independent Oriler of Fort-nter * .
The movement to consolidate ull the local
courts ! s meeting with favor and It Is moro
than probable that In the next few weeks att
the order will bo represented In thla city
I'll
with ono big flourishing court Instead of three
bodies. The different courts have all con
sidered the matter and are actingfavorably. .
The report of the Joint commltteee will be
made soon.
A Murt of companions , the feminine aux ofhav
iliary of the order , was to have been organ hav
ized on last Friday evening , but the inclun- cf
ent weather kept the attendance down to cfThi
small numbers. As a consequence the or
ganization was postponed to next Friday Ing
evening. At that tlmo the three courts of
foresters In the city will 'be Invited to meet in
together and they will be entertained with the
program. The affair will take place In and
the Continental block , for
Ind
Fraternal Union of Anierlpn , ate
Banner ledge No. 11 held one of Its most theme
enjoyable sessions last Thursday evening. mo
Claude and MrJbcl Msson favored the lodge
with three very cnjoablo numbers on the
mandolin and piano. This was followed by ma
address from P. J. Barr on the "Political on
Customs ot Canada. " Ing
The h/indsomo banner won by Banner
ledge for gaining the most members during
the latter half of 1S97 has been delivered the In
the office of Supreme President noose and
will bo presented by him to the lodge lu the
near future.
A very Interesting program has been prom- the due
Ucd for the regular monthly social ot Ban
ner ledge on Thursday , March 31.
( Inter of S eottl h ClnnM.
Clan Gordon No. C3 enjoyed a pleasant to
social sesvlon at Its last meeting. Sones end
were sung by Clansmen Jamleson and Kerr of
several members made speeches. Secre a
tary Llndsa ) gave an account of a trip from
Londcn to New South Walea. Great dolngi
will bo on hand next meeting , April 3.
lt > al
Ou last Frldiy night the first lodge ot
this order In the city was Instituted at Pat
tenon hall with seventy-five charter mem
bers. Tbe meeting ws called to order by day
C. Barlght , who explained th principles
01
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polished and carved a very neat artistic Same style ,
Bed SprittgS A very fine suit larpe bevel mirror 30x24 inches only 6
top drawers of dresser and commode are drawers , no
pencil weave steel spring swell front size of dresser base 22x43 cabinet ,
with tightning attach inches extra larpo commode
ment usual size 19x 33 inches price 6,50
price 3 pieces . $22.50 ,
$3 our , price
Wo show the largest assortment Wo have
them in all
of dressers suitable for iron and bra s the latest
beds in the city consisting1 of thu latest style oak ,
dcsifrns in all the popular finishes see bird'e-oye
Carpet , Sweepers our inexpensive , hand decorated , cnntnol maple or
dressers , the prices will surprise you.
The farapus Bissell at $3.00 , mahogany
Odd dressers
in
82.50 . . . $2.00 range CA iin from thcso
and.i . prices from nJU UJJ prices up.
ORCHARD & WILHELM CARPET CO.
ot the order. The following officers were
sleeted : A. A. Buohinarf. P. ; T. H. Morton ,
V.T. . P. ; Ray C. Wagner. S. ; John T. Smith ,
T. ; Sirs. J. F Wagner , 0. ; Miss Anna Kleck-
ner M. : Mrs. Eva Wcltzel , O. ; Joe West , S.j
J. T. Wagner , Lee McQrlcr , Robert Bailey ,
Llbblo Hummell and Mrs. A. A. Buchanan ,
T. ; Agnes Boland , M. ; Ed Taylor , captain
of the i degree team. The meeting concluded
with a danco.
.VoblcM of the Jlymtlc Shrine.
Tangier Temple Is preparing for a big
ceremonial session In April. A large class
of unregenerates are looking oround thla
oasis , seeking' an entrance to the tents of
the faithful , and1 they must be accommo
dated. The Illustrious potentate Is now In
New York casting his eagle eye around for
something now wherewith to make the nov
ice feel at hoT.o. The 'temple Is also making
preparations to entertain the women on next.8t
Friday after Its regular monthly business
session. ! Cards , music and refreshments will
bo the order ot the evening. The nobles ore
expected to turn out en masse and make
the flrst "ladles' night" a grand success.
Ilornl Highlander * .
Dunbar castle was instituted at Wlnslds
loot week with the following officers : John
Agler , P. I. P. ; Frank McElreth , I. P. ; J. L.
Nelaon , C. C. : T. S. Benscr , W. E. ; A. B.
Cherry , S. ; Robert Lucas , T. ; Edward Lucas ,
W.H. . ; George Lucas , S. ; George Husted , H. ;
H. R. Seelo , G. ; Bert Brewer , F. W. C. ;
H. Denser , S. W. C. ; H Workman , C. ot A. ;
. Benscr , F. P. C. ; M. Tcmpleton , S. P. C.j
. B. Cherry , 01. D. . T. P. C.
*
Knlplitn anil I.aillt'x of Security.
The second meeting of the newly organ
ized Omaha council No 415. Knights and
Ladles ' of Security , will bo held tomorrow
evening at M > rtlo hall.
Srrrvt Society Note * .
Omaha grove No. 1 , Woodmen circle , will
give a masquerade ball on Wednesday evenIng -
ing at Thurston Rifles' hall.
Washington lodge No. 27 , Degree of Honor ,
Isam enjoying a revival at the present time
and oindWates are moro than flowing In.
On March 1 the membership was 212. On
last Tuesday evening the team exemplified
the work for Ak-Sar-Ben ledge No. 173. On
Tuesday , March 29 , the ledge will glvo a
dance and social In Myrtle hall. A targe
attendance Is anticipated.
iMiornssio > Ai.s DO TIID Tn UII.VG.
Stork Operation * on n Comparatively
Small Srnlp.
NEW YORK. March 19. The movement
stock prices durljg the week fieema to
have been due to professional maneuvers
board room traders as much as anything.
Thi Cuban question Is still the overshadow
Influence In thesiock market , but Its
true Index Is seen In. the largo falling off
the volume of dealings rather than in
movement of prlcds. Large operators
the general publlp ore out of the market
Iho tlmo being , although there were
Indications of further" Tfquldotlon of long
ntock at the high , prices of the week. With
supply of floating ) stock reduced prices
moved easily on llplit , transactions. The
furloua buying of Mon&ay was evidently th *
covering of shorts who1 had oversold th
market on Friday qnd | Saturday preceding
the belief that there , would be some alarm-
development in the Cuban question over
Sunday. An attempt to contlnuo tbo up
ward movement on Tuesday was successful
the morning , but/was-totally , undone In
afternoon. Wednesday's advance wan
helped by the hopeful prospect of a settle
ment of the northwestern rate war and by
recovery of Spanish 4s abroad , which was
, however , to assurances that the April
coupons would bo paid , rather than to Im
proved political outlook. The subsequent
weakness was duo to the prevalent disposition
discount the likelihood of dangerous de
velopments In the Sunday Interval a tb
ot each week approaches. But rumor *
a plan of compromise with Spain caused
sharp rally late on Friday , leaving prices
substantially higher all around than on Sat
urday.
Ilmponilciit O > rr I.ouir Jllnom.
PADUCAH. Ky. . March 19.-T. II. Pur-
year , one of tha city's leading men , a large
tobacco dealer and banker , who was Iden
tified with many industries. Phot himself to
and died an hour afterward. Ho be
came despondent over protracted lllntss and i
recent business reverie * . I
WAGES OF HIGHWAY ROBBERY
Slim Fay for a L.nr Time Contract Under
Directions.
FIFTEEN YEARS FOR ONLY TEN CENTS
Judge Slnunnfth Sentence ! Chnrlci
Ucndrlck * to the Penitentiary
for a Lonir Term to
Slake an Example.
Some wecka ago Judge Slabaugh made the
statement that so long as ho occupied the
criminal bench of the district he proposed
to make an example of every highwayman
convicted. He stated that Instances ot high
way robbery were too frequent and that
whatever lay In his power he proposed to
do to rid the city ot the gang * Judge
Slabaugh has kept his promise and baa sent
ono man over the road for a period of fifteen
years , although the defendant secured but
10 cents from his victim.
On the night of December 11 last , Cbaun-
coy Wllcox was going to his home and when
only a few blocks from the business portion
tion of the city , he was met by lena
highwayman , who commanded him to hold
up his hands. Wllcox thought that tbe com
mand was Intended as a joke and started late
tc argue the point with his assailant. The
tcai
argument , however , was cut short by the
highwayman , who sent a bullet through ono
olV Wllcox's arms. After being wounded ,
Wllcox made a great outcry and escaped.
Two nights later , as Nels Nelson was going
to bis bomo in the west part of the city , he
was met by a highwayman and also com
manded to hold up his hands. Nelson put
up a fight and was shot at a couple of times ,
after which he disgorged the entire amount
of his wealth 15 cents. The robber very
graciously returned 6 cents of this amount
and kept the balance. After this Nelson
was told to depart , which ho did at a rapid
pace.
pace.Not
Not feeling satisfied with tbe work of the
night , the highwayman proceeded to Thirty-
sixth and Kama in streets , where be lay In
wait for a victim. The victim came along
In duo time In the person of Nels Nelson
Nelson got off the car at Thirty-sixth street
and was going along , merrily whistling some
air , when ho was surprised to see a man
step out from the shadow of a tree and point
a revolver In his face. This was accom
panied by a demand for money. Nelson
tried to argue and received a bullet wound
In his arm. This angered him and jumping
at the highwayman , ho knocked him down
and commenced to pummel him In the face.
This work he continued until tbe fellow
cried enough. Then ho let him up and leadIng -
Ing him to a grocery store , put him In the
custody of the proprietor until ho telephoned
the police. Upon the arrival of the officers ,
the man was taken to the station , where ho
gave the name of Charles Hendrlcks. Tbo
next day ho was Identified by botb Wllcox
and Nelson as the man who assaulted them.
Ho was held to the district court and there
ho was convicted of the crime of highway
robbery. A motion for a new trial was
overruled and yesterday morning Hendrlcks ;
v as brought up for sentence. In passing sen
tence , Judge Slabaugh dwelt upon the
enormity of the crime of highway robbery
and said that lie proposed to make an
example ot every highwayman brought before
forehim. .
Hendrlcks Is a roan about 25 years of age ,
slight In build and has every appearance of
being a laboring man. Questioned concernIng -
Ing his past , he said that It was a matter
that was of no concern to the public and
that It wan probabtethat his frlenda would
never know ot his fate. He said that
Hcndrlcks was an assumed name.
of Iluy HiirRluri.
Clarence Ami > t > erry , a boy of 12 years ot
age , was before Judge Slabaugb and admitted
that he broke Into Marsh's grocery store and
carried away a lot of cigars. Ho was senl
to the State Industrial school. Two othet
boys of about tils ago Albert McCUncy aod
Harry Brown admitted that they were there
but pleaded that thla was their flrst offcnec.
Their previous good record saved them , ant
upon agreeing to report once month aid
glvo an account of themselves sentence was
suspended during good behavior.
Qcorgo Russell , a boy 16 years of age ,
admitted Itmt bo broke Into the offices of J.
B. Watklns and Ocorge A. Hoagland , but
contended that ho was forced to do so at the
point of a gun held by some man whom he
met upon the street. Tbo judge listened to
the etory , and as several parties said that
Russell bore a good character he was allowed
to go under a suspended sentence , agreeing
to report monthly to tbe court.
R4MMI 91
Five Yearn In tinI'onltontlnry for
Iltirarlnry Hl Pate.
Ralph Messersmlth , who for a number of
years has been a terror to peaceably Inclined
cltlzcna of the city. Is to bo put out ot
j harm's way for a tlmo at least , as he baa
| I been convicted of the crime ot burglary and
has ( been sentenced to a term of flvo years
in the penitentiary.
Ever since he was a mere boy Messer-
smlth has been mixed up with gangs that
have committed petty crimes. Ho has served
numerous jail sontcncca , but until now lias
managed to keep out of the penitentiary.
Tbo crime ot which ho was convicted was
the entering ot Baldwin's etcce en North
Twenty-fourth street. Therefrom ho stole a
quantity of goods that were found in a house ,
near by. Some of his pals turned state's
evidence and although an alibi was attempted
the evidence was overwhelmingly against
him and the -jury brought in a verdict of
guilty.
Criminal Court \otrn.
Joe Plckett , charged with larceny from
the person , was arraigned and pleaded not
guilty.
Joseph Collins No. 1 , convicted ot bur
glary a few dajs ago , wo * sentenced to a
term ot five years In the penitentiary.
David Watson , who admitted that ho stole
a harness , was sentenced to twenty days
In the county jail. This was his flrst of-
tense.
(
Daniel Coylo , who pleaded guilty to steal
ing a small sum of money from Patrick
Murphy , was given a term of fifteen dajs
In the county jail.
The motion for a new trial In the case
of the State against August Kaatner. con
victed of the murder of Officer Dan Tlede-
uan on the night of Juno 8 , 1897 , was to
lave been argued , but It took a short cut
and was passed for the tlmo being. The
attorneys on both sides will file briefs with
Lho court , and then If It Is the desire to
ire-sent arguments , concent will be Riven.
The briefs are to bo filed by Wednesday of
next week.
WCKIChV WIIUAT M.VHKKT IIKVIHW.
May Holila Firm , Tint 1/onn
Are Wcuk.
CHICAGO , March 19. Met week's tradIng -
Ing In wheat was peculiar In that a steady
decline took place In July and the more
distant futures , In which trading for tbe
first tlmo became somewhat prominent ,
wullo May hold steady. Yesterday's closing
prices In that delivery showed l4 cents ad
vance and July showed a decline of 2'/i21/
cents , September and December also suffer
Ing. The strength of May during the weak-
uesa of the rest of tbo market was due en
tirely to Letter's support. Some firm new
was developed on Saturday by Letter's ap
plication for a marginal prlco on May con
tracts , concerning which there bad been
some agitation by heavy shorts , but the sellIng -
Ing was renewed Monday , nnd , though May
was held by Lelter at $1.01 , apparently the
"pegged" price , other future. ! declined. With
one or two minor actions tbo weakness con-
tlnued throughout Wednesday , Heavy ad-
dltlona to the contract stocks at Chicago
botb from regular and Irregular eourceo
was one of the meet Influential bearish fact *
and caufied a great deal ot selling. The
continued favorable wratt'.cr prevailing In
the winter wheat country also caused heavy
liquidations , especially In July and tbo de
ferred futures. Very little support was given
the market except In May by Lcltor until
Thursday , when the refusal of tbo Board of
Trade dlrcctoro to fix a marginal price on May
contracts started a demand from shorta and
turned the market upward. Friday the mar
ket was genuinely strong. Heavy short
line * wore covered on fears following th
r c nt ralci , 11 deliveries sharing In the
advance.
SHIP'S COT IN SAD PLIGHT
Terrible Tale Told on the Arrival of Ship
at New Ycrk.
BEATEN AND STARVED BY THE OFFICERS
Story of Cruelty \VltlcU U Altnoil
Ue unil ] | _
> tfllofOne of Tile lit
KIlliMl l > y the
Cniitnlu.
NEW YORK , March 19. The sorriest-look
ing crow that ever sailed into the harbor
of Now York came In on the British bark
Ancyra , 126 days from Hong Kong. Bruised ,
ilackcncd , weak from lack of food , iom *
having broken bones and others touched by
scurvy , they tell a story of hardship and
brutality. They charge even worco against
the captain of the craft , I. B. Morris , anal
say that as soon as they reach land they will
make affidavits of tbo facts to the British
consul. A reporter who went on board th *
vessel found several berths In the forecast ! *
occupied by men who called pltcously for
doctor. Most of them were covered
with unhcaled wounds and running
Korea and several with the elgM
ot scurvy. The men charge this state of
affairs to Captain Morris , the flrst mate , P.
C. Robinson ; the second mate , N. Cuneo , and
the boatswain , Edward Shellnur.
Alexander McCnusland said : "From thodajr
that wo loft Hong Kong we have been
strapped and beaten. I have , without provo
cation ' , been struck again and again by th
captain and second mate. Wo have had
no fresh vegetables , our dally rations being
two sea biscuits and a little meat. If wa
asked for better food wo were clubbed. I
Imvo seen every sailor on the ship struck by
ono officer or another. Tbo Implements
used were a chain , a long bamboo club. >
bucket , an oak club , the handle ot a mop or
broom. I have seen as many as five men
with black eyes at the name tlmo. Wo did
not dare to strlko back lest wo bo shot. "
Cdward B. Simpson said : "I'etcr Ilnnnen
was killed by brutality and starvation. Thi
second mate seemed to have a particular
grudge against him , and o did the captain.
They used to take turns knocking him about.
Then they would do It together. Hansen
finally got sick and feverish. Ho was cov
cred with black and blue marks and wai
weak from lack of food. The officers said
that Hansen was shamming. They went to
his bunk and called him , but ho was too
weak to get up , so the captain picked him
up.
" 'You're sick , are you , ' calling him vll *
names. 'D you , I'll make you sicker.
When I speak to you move , and move quick. '
Then the captain slammed him down on th *
deck again. Thin ho repeated three time * ,
cumltiK violently all the while. Hansm
groaned , but made no answer. In half (
hour ho wa * dead. This was last Sunday. "
The truthfuliiras of this narrative we *
vouched for by Fallora William Smith , Ed
ward Thompson , Plorro Daniel , Fred Land-
strom and Fritz Strcech , all of whom dv .
claroJ that they would swear to the fact *
an soon as they had an opportunity. Fred
Lantfstrom , who was also one of the bed-
ildden men , and whose right arm was In *
splint , said : "I have got three broken rib *
and I think my arm Is unc-lees. I have been
to sea for forty years and I never * aw of
ficers so brutal as those on this ahlp. W *
have juet been bullied and starved tha en
tire vojagB. I have seen scurvy before1 and
I know that Thompson has It. The French
man , Pierre Daniel , and McCausland hav *
every symptom of it. "
First Mate Robinson , who was In ch&rg * ol
the bark , the cgpliln be-ltig ebient , when
asked what ho had to say about tbe chirjes
ir.adti by the men , eald It wa * true he bad
been forced to strike the Frenchman and
others , but never when they did not need ( U
The crew were a quarreUomo lot and con
tinually fighting among themselves.
"How about tbo clrirgo that they did not
get enough to cat ? " aaked the reporter.
"I have nothing to eay ai to that , " U
Mr. Itoblnson evasively.
Captain Morris could not b found.
Arnold's Dromo Celery cure * headache * ,
10 , 2Sc and 60s. All drujgUU.