I I tl The Omaha Daily Bee. ESTABLISHED JUNE 19, 1871. OMAHA, rillDAY MORNING-, MARCH 1, 1901 TAVELVB PAGES. SINGLE COPY EIVE CENTS. r f STILL IN THE TANGLE Senatorial Situation Shows No Sign of Being Unraveled. THOMPSON AND MEIKLEJOHN IN TIEUP Vote Showi Exiitencs of an Undemanding Between Them, CAUCUS AT PRESENT IS POWERLESS Membora Decline, to Attend Iti Meetings Under Oiroumttancei. WILL TAKE TIME TO AD)UST MATTERS Hotly Adjourns Until Tn rutin' In Hopes of ArrnnKlnir Mnmn fort of itu Agreement Amnnir the DIs aattatleil Members. nnliots- au, :io. :ti. nr. :i7 J 8 T 7 7 H jrt nt it 2S. , -II , H , tl , in ;is. rt:i. i :in 7 4 H S ii 1:1 1 U r. 4it :i u y :i 4 . . Ill 111 1 U r r :i:t ti t :m i j i: in in :tn its n ii 4 a .Alien Mergp Croonse C'tirrlc Dletrleu Ilnrrluirtnit , , llnliirr ...... llnrluu Hitchcock ... . IIItiHuntr Klnknltt Martin ....... Meiklejohn .. Metenlfc Mnrlnti JlonriTBlcr ... Thompson, I). Thompson, AV. iWctltereltl ... J. 1 n j a r.r. 1 1 . . n . . it . . mi .. ii . . . . 7 . . ill in n VJt 1 1 n m 7 4 :it as ti . . 17 13. HS II. HI IT 14 in :ir :m :i7 is nr. :u t LINCOLN, Feb. 28. (Special Telegram.) The ballot for United States senator today disclosed no material chango beyond the withdrawal of Meat! from Thompson, u toto which Douglas county had been giving tho Lancaster candldato almost from tho first. Trorapon of Lancaster wont to each of tho Douglas county t members with an unac cepted offer to trado for another vote for Thompson and then had himself recorded for Mr. Iloeowater nnyway. Mlskcll, who yesterday complimented Frank Wothornld again voted for Mr. Rosowatcr, making his showing fifteen for tho day. Mclklejohn took Johnson hack from Crounte, going to SI. Otherwise there was nothing of spe cial significance disclosed. I)y strange ac cldont throe thlrteens carao out simultane ously on tho senatorial drawing, Currle, Hlnshaw and Hitchcock each having thir teen Votes to their credit. Tomorrow for the first tlmo Senator Bteclo will preside over the Joint conven tion, Lieutenant Governor Savago having moved up to tho governor's office by virtue of Governor Dietrich's departure to attend the McKlnley Inauguration at. Washington. 'mi ciin Up In (he Air. The controversy that has arisen over the binding effect of a nomination on those participating In the caucus haH practically brought tho caucus to n standstill. Speaker Bears' ruling that no ono Is bound so long us less than slxty-sovcn are In attendance means that until this question Is settled nothing can bo accomplished, nnd tlmo du voted to caucus balloting Is waBted so long as certain members Assert that they will not nbldo by tho result If particular candi dates aro nominated. "I do not feel like spending any moro tlmo In tho meeting,'' declared ono repub lican member, "until I find out whether It Is ii caucus or n circus, and I think this sentiment Is shared by others who aro Just ns tired of such continued tomfoolery, al though they do not want to say so right out." Tho member speaking was not a Douglas county man, either. When tho caucus adjourned last ulght tho question of Its binding force upon those participating was still under discussion aud unsettled. Convinced thnt no headway could ho mado by attending whllo this vital matter was undotormlncd tho Douglas county repretentatlves pursued tho same course tonight as last night aud remained an ay. So many worn tho other absentees that tho caucus was merely called Mo ordor to ndjourn to Tuesday night. Tho roll was not even called, but a count showed forty- ono members present. Tho list 'of legls latlvo Invalids Is lengthening, Hrown of Otoo being seriously ill, Marshall and Bponcer nro also under tho weather, whllo Baldrlgo and Walker, as Is known, have been confined to tholr respeutlvu homes (or somo time. Thnnion-MellleJohu It r In I Ion. That Thompson has boon straining every energy to build up Mr. Mnlklojohu as a senatorial companion 1b no longer dls KUlsrd. Tho fact that they wcro working together despite repeated protestations to tho contrary has been evident almost from tho start and tho oxtont to which their co-operation has been carried can be Kauged by tho fact that on today's ballot twenty of Metklojohu's thirty-four votes conio from tho Thompson following and overy ouo of them, with two exceptions, from South Plattu constituencies. On tho other hand Mr. Melklojohn has mado a solemn pledge to tho representatives of the Elkhorn and Union Pacific that ho would at no stage enter Into nny combination with Thompson or trnnsfer any of his votes to Ulm not there of tholr own accord Whether thla pledgo has been mado with a mental reservation to be broken when the Melklcjohn column comes within roach of tho wlro remains to bo scon. Somo oven go so far as to assert that all tho rail roads nro united on Melklojohn aud dis united only on Thompson, and that If they could get tho mucus nomination for Meik lejohn with Thompson, they would elect Metklejohu in Joint session and leave Thompson to flounder In tho quagmire tin less ho could secure fusion support to re place tho nntl-Thorapson soceders, Thompson Trie to l?iilnln. Tho Stcole letter to Vlco Chairman Payne of tho republican national committee, set ting forth In detail tho rcasous for tho walkout of the caucus as given to tho papers yesterday, has forced Mr. Thomp son Into print In a carefully prepared statement In his local organ, tho Evening News, tho supporting arm of the Lincoln Journal, which protonds to be lighting him with tho othor arm. Ills statement reads as follows; Mr. Thompson has always met the charge against him by nn unnuullfled de nial that ho had anything to do with nny agreement. Ho was asked this morning by the News If ho had over mado uny such admission to Mr. Hteele, He said, In sub tanco: "Tho only time tliut I have discussed the matter with Mr. Steele was u few weeks ago In tho governor's office, within a few feet uf Mr. Dietrich und within lilii hearing. 1 did not then or ut nny tlmo say to Mr, Steele whnt he says In his letter to Mr. l'ayne I did. I havo spoken to the. governor about tho matter nnd he state thut my (Continued on Third age ) CONDITION OF THE WEATHER Fnlr; Colder, aim esterilnyl nr. licit. 41 41 TO TAP THE GOULD PURSE (.'on nt mill Cuitutess llonl Cnn't Mte tin n I'ii I try llunrter Mil lion it Venr. (Copyright, 1001, by Press Publishing Co,) PAP.IS, Fob. 28. (Now York World Cablegram Special Telegram.) Comto and Comtesso do Cnstollano will sail for New York Saturday on tho steamship La Cham pagne. They Intend to stny In the United States n month. Tho object of the visit Is said hero to lio Count Ilonl's deslro' to negotlato u private loan with members of tho Gould family. Ho has declared openly at his clubs that ho can't exist on tho paltry $250,000 a year which the American rourts havo placed nt tho disposal of Goorgo Gould, receiver for the Comtesso dc Castellano's fortune, as the limit of her yearly allowance. Count llonl has been successful beforo In raising tho wind In Now York, but tto determined stand taken by the Gould family toward him In tho recent litigation make It Improbable, that they will open tholr purso to him. Count llonl hopes ho will bo nblo to negotlato a Inrgo loan on long terms to tldo him over tho period during which creditors will got tho major par.t of his wife's $800,000 Income. It Is said thnt the countess Is hopeful, for her part, to Induce nor husband to remain r year or two in America, as his extravagant tastcB would then bo of necessity bo curbed. Sho Is anxious to avoid nlso the hostility which tho recent court proceedings havo ovoked in tho nrlstocrntlc circles In which she moved. BRINGING HOME THE DEAD Transport Indiana Arrlvrn from I'lilllpplnrN Mllli IIoiIIfh nf Wiir Victims, SAN FRANCISCO. Feb. 28. The trans port Indluna brought from Manila tho bodies of fifteen soldiers who djed In tho Philippines, as follows; Lieutenant J. Morrison, Jr., Fourth cavalry; Lieutenant Louis I. Smith j Prlvato Herman Hueblcr, Company C, Forty-second Infantry; Hans Cofford Company D, Fort'y-slxth''lnfantryi 1'. A. Fitzgerald, Company K, Thirty seventh Infantry; Arthur K. Glenson, Com pany K, Forty-sixth Infantry; Guy A. Price, Company K, Thlrty.flftli Infantry; Louis 13. Silver. Company F, Fourth Infantry; Samuel Twcek, Company C, Thirty ninth infantry; Leonard Wcnzel, Company 11, Third Infantry; Charles Smith, Company D, Thirty-ninth In fantry; Goorgo W. Halcn, Twelfth Infantry; Corporal Herbert Hawcs, Thirty-fifth in fantry; Elizabeth C. Wygant, wife of Lleu tennnt Wygant, Third Infantry; Fred L. Gregory, lato of tho Thirteenth Mlnncsqta, volunteers. " The following deaths occurred during the voyago; V. A. nrondcr. private, Forty third Infantry; William E. Candy, prlvnte. Thirty-third Infantry; James McLaughlin, private, Seventeenth Infantry; William Kicks, private, Twenty-sixth Infantry: Claronco E. Crolghton, private, Thirty-third infantry; William D. Gregory, corporal, Thirty-eighth Infantry; James Dunn, Com pany n. Engineer corps; M. E. Matthews, private, Company A, Third cavalry. SCHWAB TO BE PRESIDENT Ilclirvrtl thnt Hp Will llr Chief Ki t'outlvc of Xvw Steel C'nr jiornlluii. NEW YORK, Feb. 28. A news associa tion of this city today says: It Is prac tically settled that President Schwab of tho Carnegie Steel compnny will bo selected ns president if tho United States Steel cor poration, nnd there Is Heml-olTlclal author ity for the statement that Elbert H. Gary, president of tho Federal Steel company, will be named for the chairmanship of tho executive committee. Until today It was generally bolleved that Mr. Frlck would bo placed at tho head of this committee, but the chango In tho program Is said to bo duo partly to Mr. Frlck's statements to friends that his other Interests would not nllow him to glvo sufficient tlmo to tho duties nt that Important position. It ap pears" to be settled that F. T. F. Lovejny of tho Carnegie company will be secretary of tho combined company. OFFICERS ARE GIVEN PLACES irpiirtiiirni iriiui ni'vrrni lor l our Yt'iirV St-rvli't" nltli Adjutant and IiiNprctor tlcneralN. WASHINGTON, Feb. 28. The following named olllccrs today were detailed for duty for four years In tho adjutant Kcncral's and Inspector general's department, under tho provisions of the net of February 2, 1001: Adjutant General's Department Majorx J. H. Dorst, James Parker, W. E. Wilder and 8. Fountain of tho cavalry, Majors H. P. Strong. L. V. Cnzlarc and Sidney W. Taylor of tho artillery, Majors A. C. Sharp, H. A. Greene, J. G, Ilallance and C. Crano of tho Infantry. Inspector GeucrnJ's Deportment Majors E. D. Thomas, Cunllffe, H. Murray and Peter S. Hemus of tho cavalry, Majors .1, M. K. Davis and Ucinsey D. Potts of tlin artillery. Majors, F. A. Smith, Alfred Rey nolds and .'nines A. Irons of tho infantry, PROUD LOVER'S PITEOUS END Html it 1'Trri'ii i;kh' troou kmi for a .Miirilt'i' Prompted by infatuation fur I.I 1 1 1 ti it CoNtlmr. COLU.MI1US, 0., March 1. At 12:09 this morning, In the olcctrocutlng chair, Ilosyln Ferroll pnld tho ponalty for murdering Charles Lane, a fellow employe of tho Adams Express compnny on tho Pennsyl vanla road. Ferrell while In tho chair muttered only: "I have nothing to say." Ho had previously confesucd his guilt and explained his deed by stating that he was mado desperate by a need of funds for his approaching marrlago to Miss Lillian Costlow. The young woman has repeatedly vlBtled him during his Incarceration. LOCKED IN DEAD ARMS l.ovi'm AVIinse l'nrrnt Onpiixv Mnr rltiK Sliutit One Another lu Dentil. PUEIILO. Colo., Feb. 2S. A special to tho Chieftain from La Junta, Colo,, says: The bodies of Louis llurch nnd Addle Taylor, both 18 ears of oge, residents of La Junta, were found In an abandoned house a mile north of town. They were locked In each other's arms nnd each had been shot through the head Pnrentnl opposition to their marriage caused tho double lulclue. ForccnstfKsBkkn : Trm lirTSsLBKni Hour. 'TI1KIIii R n. in . 'Syl' ' ' ' ' ti. m .'Ill H tl. Ill WWb.- f. i ii. iii nr. ti vTmtn.. in II II. in IIS 7 i. iii?K... 4!i 1- III Ill S p. in It) ii p. iii :im PROGRAM IS NOW COMPLETE Committee Hat All in Beadincts for the Coming Inauguration, VETERANS DECLINE SECOND INVITATION Iti'Jrrt Orcrnr'n rouiprnnilnlnsr Siir- Krnfloii That KnHi Post Mend it JJrpulntloii WnrkltiKiuen Ar range fur Visitors' Comfort. WASHINGTON, Feb. 28. Tho Inaugural committee has cumploted every detail of the ptogrnm. Events to mark President Mc- Klnley's second Induction Into office have been outlined ns follows: March 4: 11 a. m. Gathering of high government officials, diplomats nnd especially Invited guests In the senntc chamber. 11:50 h. m. Inauguration of Theodore Roosevelt of Now York as vice president of tho United States. Ceremonies In tho son- ato attended by tho president and a distill gulthcd company. 12 m. President McKlnley takes tho oath of offlco In the presence of tho assembled multitude. Delivers Inaugural address. 1:30 p. m. Inaugural parade moves from tho capital up Pennsylvania avenue. 7:30 p. m. Illumination of the court of honor In front of tho Whlto House. 7:45 p. m. Dlrplay of ncrlal fireworks from Washington monument grounds. 8 p. m. Doors of pension ofllco open for reception of guests of tho InaugurAl ball. ft p. ni. Inaugural ball opened by Presi dent McKlnley. Drillt'nf ory to All llrnnclirs. Tuesday, March C: 10:30 n. m. Dedicatory concert at pension offlco In honor of tho United States array, by Mnrluo band. ! p. in. Dedicatory concert at pension of fice In honor of tho United navy, by Marine bnnd. 8 p. m. Dedicatory concert at pension office In honor of tho states of the union, by Marino band. AVcdnesday, Mnrch 6: 2 p. m. Dedicatory concert nt pension office In honor of the congress of tho Uuuca States, by Murlno band. 8 p. m. Dedicatory concert nt pension office In honor of tho vice president nnd speaker of the bouse, by Marine band and grand chorus. Ilnuar In In II, This Time. Tho Inaugural ceremonies proper, for the first time, will bo conducted by a Joint committee of senate and house, the custom heretofore belug to leave the conduct of tho Inauguration entirely In the hands of ine upper body of congress. After the delivery of his Inaugural ad dress tho vice president will administer the oath to tho senators-elect. At noon the oath will be administered to President McKlnloy by Chief Justice Fuller In front of tho main entrance to tho capltol, whero n ntand for this pur pose hns been constructed. The president will then deliver his Inaugural address. Ho wilt tako his lunch at the cnpltol be fore heading the brilliant Inaugural parade up Pennsylvania avenue to the executive mansion. General Francis V. Greene ivlll head the parndo as grand manhal. Presi dent McKlnley will fdllow, escorted by troop A of Ohio. The body of the parado Is divided Into two grand divisions, military and civic, nnd will bo n notablo pageant In many respects, A company of volunteer troops from Por.to Rico will form a part of the first brlgado and bo an nttrnctlvo fcaturo of tho parndo, as will n largo detachment of sailor.) and marines. Vrtrrnn Still Decline. Representatives of tho various veteran organizations, who, through General Daniel E. Sickles, declined to participate In tho Inaugural ceremonies because they were dissatisfied with the placo assigned them In tho parade, havo nlso declined tho offer of Grand Mnrshal Greeno to send a guard of honor of twenty men from each local post to net as nn escort to tho president., Tho veterans declined to havo nny part In tho ceremonies unless this Invitation wore extended to all members of the veteran or ganization, both local nnd visiting. Tho Inaugural hall, which will be hold In the great court of the pension build ing, will bo tho social feature of the oc casion. Lnrgo amounts of money arc being expended In floral nnd other decorations, and tho eommltteo having this part of the program in chargo havo no doubt that this great room will ecllpso In point of beauty and brilliancy anything Washington' has over seen. Culilnrt Members to Itmlgn. President McKlnley has decided to re quest tho resignations of all tho members of the cabinet, to tnke effect March 4. On Tuesday ho will renominate them nil with the exception of Attorney General Griggs, who thus far has resisted the president's Importunities to remain at the head of tho Department of Justlco for another four years. It is known that vMr. Griggs has finally decided that his business Interests are such that ho cannot nfford to remain and has so informed the presldont. Ho will remain In office, howover, until about April 1. Tho local worklngmon expect n general Influx of worklngmen from tho states nr.d will establish a bureau of Information nt tho corner of New Jersey nvenuo nnd C Btreets, near the naltlmoro & Ohio dopot, for tho purpose of advising them where meals and lodging may be had at reasonable rates, nlso as to any othor points on which Information may be desired. Indlniis mill Com'Imijn In Pnrnilt'. ST. LOUIS,, Feb. 28. Znch Mulhall'u fa moiiB Cowboy band of thirty-ftvo pieces is enroute to Washington to participate in the inauguration ceremonies. Ilealilcs tnklug tho band Mr. Mulhall has with him a dozen Choyonno braves. Mr. Mulhall and Vice Presldont Roosevelt nro warm friends nnd Mr. Mulhall Is desirous of showing his re. gard. PLACES LEE ON RETIRED LIST Order Is Ukuril ut W'txv Depart iiiiit Iti'tlrliiK 111 tit ii ml (.rnerul Wilson. WASHINGTON. Feb. 28. An order was Issued nt the War department today placing Ilrlgadler Generals Wilson and Lee on the retired list of tho army. Mot ements of Orriiu Vrisels, I'eh, as. At New York Sailed La Gascogiie. for Havre; itiirin. iur uremen. Arriveu uovlc, ironi i.iverpiiui. At lloston Arrived Ivernla, from Liver pool. At Rotterdam Arrived Potsdam, (mm New York. Sailed ftaatendam, for Uou logno und New York. At Liverpool Arrived Majestic, from New Ytirn. niiiipu ifoiBenianu, ror I'lilla delnhln: Commonwealth, for lloston. At Queenstown Arrived Wnesland. from Philadelphia, for Liverpool. Railed Ger manic, from Liverpool, for New York. At Genoa Arrived KaUerln Mnrla Theresa, from New York, via Nnnles. At Hamburg Arrived Pennsylvania, from ISew i ora, via tniwrrp. At Southampton Sailed Westtrnland, from Antwerp. At the l.liard- Passed L'Aqultalne, from jsew lorKniur nuvio. KILLS TWO AND BURNS TRAIN Collision Xenr MoKeesport, t'rnntjl- vnnln, Itesults In Double , Disaster. PITTSnURG. Feb. 2S. Two tlcnd, three badly hurt and n passenger train burned Is tho result of n head-on collision between passenger train No. 16, southbound, und n local freight on tho Pittsburg ft Charles ton railroad tonight nt Coal Valley, flvo miles from McKccsport. Dead; FHANK WHITE, engineer. MILTON S. THOMPSON, mall clerk. Injured: C. Shaver, fireman, badly scalded and bruised. Charles Stroud, baggagemaster, bruised and burnod. Michael Kullck, Scbocnvlllc, passenger, back hurt. Nouo of tho other pnssciigors was hurt beyond minor cuts and bruises. Imme diately after tho collision the" passenger cars took flro nnd wcro destroyed, only ono car escaping. Tho train In collision were the Unlontown express, southbound, and the local freight, coming toward Pittsburg. The local was standing on n siding delivering freight ut tho time. For somo reason, ns yet unex plained, tho express, instead of keeping to tho main track, shot oft onto the Hiding nnd telescoped the other train. All ut tho victims wcro of tho express train, which carried between fifty and sixty passengers. The engluemcn of tho freight Jumped when they saw tho collision was inevitable BLACK DAMP BLOCKS THEM Hxprrlent'ntl .Men Wnrlclim- In llln- inoiiclvllle .11 1 ne lo lteeover llmllcs Held In C'lieeU. SALT LAKE CITY. Feb. 28. A special to tho Tribune from Dlamondvlllc, Wyo., sayi: Up to 3 o clock this afternoon no effort was made to open No. C level. At that hour Superintendent Sneddon, accompanied by AssUtnnt Superintendent Thomas Young and Inspector Parks, entered the mine nnd unsealed tho sixth entry, and nt 9 o'clock word was received that room No. 38 had been reached. It will bo Impossible lo tnke out any bodies until room No. 45 Is reached, which will be some time after midnight. About thirty experienced men are engaged In the search and some bodies may bo brought up lato tonight. The only trouble seems to be In pushing back tho black damp. To do this every room will be scaled and ah the entry from tho neteuth level to tho sixth level Is beyond tho placo whero tho fire occurred It Is the purpose, of tho re lief gang to take tho bodies out from the sixth level Into tho seventh level. It Is certain that the bodies will be found back of whero the fire originated. Investigation of the causo of the fire will not bo held until moro bodies have been re covered. Tonight only two bodies, thoso of the llonl brothers, remained In the morgue, nil others having been burled or shipped away. Tho Inquest will not be held until moro bodies havo been recovered. IN A MISSOURI PACIFIC MINE An Kxnloalon Oeeurii, Killing Three Men, InJorlne tltlirrs unit Dolus (rent OitniKKf. SOUTH M'ALESTEIt, I. T.. Feb. 2S. An explosion occurred Thursday at mine No. 5, ono mlln northeast of this city, which re sulted In tho death of threo men and the probable Injury to many more. Tho dead nro: STEVE DELUCAS. niHSTO UAItTO. W. II. WELCH. All threo men wero shotflrcrs and had Just gono Into tho mlno to work when tho ex plosion occurred. It is supposed thnt tho pit was overcharged with gas. A rescuing party is working heroically to reach tho dead men, but ns tho force of tho shock re sulted In great dnmago to tho mlno slow progress Is made. The mlno Is tho property of tho Osnga Coal and Mining company, which Is owned by the Missouri Pacific railroad. TWO COMPANIES HAVE ORDERS Illinois nllonal C ii aril nt MprlnRllelil nntl Tnjlorvllle I, eft in t.uesa Willi t Is l i, ST. LOUIS, Feb. 28. A special to tho Post-Dispatch from Springfield, III,, says: Considerable excitement has been oc casioned by tho fact that two companies of tho Illinois Natlonnl guard, Company II of Taylorvllle, nnd Company C of Springfield, both of tho Fifth regiment, hnvo been or dered to report nt tho nrmory bore, at S o'clock tonight. Tlio orders aro that the organizations report for duty. Adjutant General Heeco refuses to discuss thu mat ter furtlier than to sny, "It may bo to at tend a chicken light or a prize fight, or It moy be to ottend a social function." Tho Tnylorvillo company Is reported to be upon tho enrs already en route hero, TWELVE BULLETS ENTER HIM Indian Desperado .tlolilietl In n I'arni house for Ills Three llenrtless .Murders, HOLDENVILLE, I. T., Feb, 28. At 12:30 a. in. today Johnson Miller, a fullblood Creek Indian, was shot to death by a masked body of men. Miller was under ar rest for tho murder of Herbert McDado December 22. Ho wns arrested early yes terday morning near Wetumka and brought here, pending n hearing bofore the Unltod States commissioner. 'More than a dozen bullet holes are to be seen In his body. Seventy-flvo or moro shots were fired. Miller was a desperado and had com mitted three cold-blooded murdora within six months, besides numerous robberies. SLATER MIGHTBE MOBBED "SlleU's" Parents Heelt to llnre Him Tried Sometvliere Klse Than In Topekw. ATCHISON, Kan.. Feb. 28. The parents of "Slick" Sinter, tho man In Jail here on tho chargo of assaulting Miss Ocrborlck in Toroka n few days ago, visited him hero today nnd tried to make arrangements to secure for hlra a change of venue to Hutch inson. They nro afraid bo will bo tho vic tim of a mob if he returns to Topcka, It Is thought that tho chango of venuo may bo secured, but In any event Slater will havo to bo taken back to Topcka to answer the charge. PRESIDENT NASH CAN CONTEST Dlrcetors of American Smeltluu Com pany Authorise 1 1 1 lit to Flu III Any MIlKnliou. NEW YOUK. Fob. 28. At today's meet ing of tho directors of the American Smelt ing nnd Ileflnlug company, tho resignations of H. H Itogcrs and Leonard Lewlsohn were accepted. It was stated that the president was authorized to contest any threatened litigation ngalnst the company. NEBRASKA PENI1EIMTIARY IS DESTROYED If Tho Nebraska stntc pcnUontlnrjr wns dt'stroyed by Arc during tho ulght. Tho flames fttnrtctl about midnight lu tlin living apartments of the warden and spread rapidly throughout the main building. Thu emergency guard of the penitentiary system was quickly at work with lines of hose, but these proved lnelllclcut and a telephone message summoned the Lincoln lire department. All efforts to save the great stone building were unavailing. The convicts were hustled out Into the yard, armed extra guards stood sentinel on tho wnlls and the Lincoln National guard was or dered out. The loss to the state Is over ?:t00,000. The penitentiary cost ?:it2 000 originally, and there have been nddltlons nnd Improvements since. The number of Ininntcs nveraged 100. POSTOFFICES GET A CHANCE Oat on Battleships and Riiers Lwts Monty for Bnildingf. MERCER WILL SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY Ut, Kiltttiril Cn.let Gives Up Nnvul Career to lie llnitk Cnshler Mis souri Itlter Commission (illCN Ollt. WASHINGTON, Fob. 28. (Special Tele gram.) Tho cut In tho number of battle ships provided for In tho navnl bill and tho whittle Jn tho rivers and harbors bill, which passed tho senato today, will glvo Chair man Mercer nn opportunity to pass tho omnibus bill Increasing the appropriations for postoftlco buildings reported from his committee somo days ago. It Is tho Inten tion of Senator Fairbanks, chairman at tho committee on public buildings aud grounds, to offer tho bill as reported by tho houso committee ns an amendment to tho sundry bill, which will grently In sure Its passage. Chairman Mercer said ho hoped to get recognition from the speaker tomorrow to put the bill on Its passage. Should tho sundry civil bill get through tho senate, as now seems prob able beforu tho house nets on tho measure Mercer will devote his time to getting votes to concur In the senato amondraents, having nn understanding with Senator Fair banks as to the procedure. Tho bill pro vides Increases for Aberdeen, S. D.; Cres ton, la.; Cheyenne, Wyo,; Oiljaloosa, la.; Dubuque, la., nnd Salt Lako City, Utah, t'ndet Smith IteslKns. Plcrson D. Smith of St, Edward, Neb., who has been In Washington some day3, passing his time between the capital and navul academy nt Annapolis, whero his son, Catlot W.. It. Smith, Is nrst-classman. said today that ho had flntlly prevailed upon his son to resign from tho academy and ndopt a business life. The resignation of Cadet Smith has been accepted by flocro taiy Long of tho Navy department. Young Smith was tho successful competitor In an examination In Norfolk, Neb., chosen by Congressman Robinson of the Third dis trict In June, 1830, nnd since September of that year ho has been pursuing his studies at the naval academy. Ho will re turn at once lo St. Edwnrd to becomo cashier In n bank which hns Just been es tablished by Mr, Smith. Tho vacancy thus created by tho resignation of Cadet Smith, Representative Robinson says, ho will fill by competitive examination, notice of tlmo nnd placo to bo given upon his return to Nebrnska. llrltlKC Near Hiirllnctnii. Representative Hedges' bill to authorize tho Citizens' Bridge compnny of nurllnit ton, la., to construct and malntnln a rail road, wagon and foot passenger bridge across tho Mississippi river at or near Bur lington passed tho senato nnd now goes to thn nresldent for his slgnnture. Tho sennto passed tho houso bill retunu- Ing to Frank G. Simmons of Sownrd, Neb., excess postage paid on IiIb fraternal news paper. Tho bill now goes to the presi dent. Omiiha iv orlliern Hill. Congressman Robinson labored with Speaker Henderson nil day with tho view of securing recognition for tho bill for the Omaha & Northern railroad through tho Omaha and Winnebago agency in Thurs ton county, but the speaker is averse to granting recognition, on nccount of the opposition, which ho is afraid will defeat tho measure. It may no possinio to can tho bill up tomorrow and put it upon Its passage. John Peters of AlDlon, imod., arrived in tho city today. Mrs. ThurBton, assisted by lier sister, Miss Purman, held her last reception of tho season this afternoon. It was largely at tended by women In tho diplomatic and official circles. Kllmlnntes Missouri Commission. The rivers and harbors bill, which passed tho senate today, eliminates the Missouri River commission, which has had charge of tho work on the Missouri river since 1881. The secretary of war,' by tho bill, Is au thorized to contract and superintend all property heretoforo under the control of the said commission, which terminates its connection with tho government June 30. Improvements below Stoux Ctty havo been provided for to tho extent of $262,500, which Is to bo expended as tho secretary or 'war may direct. For building dams nnd con structing rcsurvolru on tho Sioux river In South Dakota, to Impound water In order to secure n permanent stage of water In tho Missouri river, $52,G00 Is appropriated, whllo $112,500 Is appropriated for use above Sioux City. tr Postmasters, These postmasters wero appointed: Nebraska C. W. Conn, Cameron, Hall county, vice A. A. Houghton, resigned; W. E. Aloxunder, Orchard, Antelopo county, vlco S. T. Sherman,' resigned; George John son, Waterloo, Douglas county, vice A. I. McDoifgall, resigned. Iowa A. L. Mathews, Lacrow, Lee county. Wyoming W. I). Taylor, Sunrise, Lara mtu county. Rurnl free delivery service has been or dered established Mnrch 15 at Fayette, Fayetto county, la. The route embraces soventy-slx rquaro miles, containing a pop ulation of 2,512. S. C. Clark, F. E. LoomU and M. Porter were appointed carriers. Ileeomes Presidential. The postoftlco nt Hubbard, Ia will be come a presidential office April 1, at a sal ary of $1,000. Tho name of the postofflce at Orsland, Duona Vista county, Is., Is cbunged to Rem brandt, with Georgo Brandold, postmaster; Keller, Roberta county, S. D., Is changed to Peover, with Rose D. Renville, post master. T. J. Lawson was designated a member of the civil service board for the postofneo at Hastings, Neb, I t DAVIS STORY OF WARDEN AtTnkenetl hy Smell uf Stunkn nnd Crneklliiu: nf (lie ltlfiKlnic Timbers. LINCOLN. March 1.-3:40 a. m. (Special Tulegram.) Tho room where tho flro orig inated was n kitchen for tho warden's apartments. It was located In tho upper story of tho main building, almost directly over tho ofllco nnd nenr tho cell house running down from tho west end of tho ynrd. The flames wero discovered by War den Davis about midnight. Davis said to a reporter for The Bee: "I retired early last evening and nt that time there was no fire so far ns I know In tlio kitchen or any adjoining room. About midnight 1 wns awakened by tho smoke nnd noise of burning timbers. I went out Into tho hall and Immediately saw that tho flames wero then confined to tho kitchen. "I cnllcd Mrs. Davis and Immediately notified' nil the prison guards and turnkeys. Wo soon had a stream running on tho flro from the pond back of the prlfon buildings and In tho meantime I had notified the Lincoln fire department. The flro had gained such headway that wo wero unable to check It. It continued to spread rapidly from tho tlmo I had first discovered It. Trusty Convicts In the Kllt'lirii. "I have no opinion to offer regnrdlng tho origin of tho flames. Several trusty convicts, who served ns such under former Warden Hopkins, prepared supper for my family In tho room nt C o'clock, but all of them retired to their colls early In tho evening. How tho tire started Is moro than I con tell." From tho kitchen tho llnmcs spread In nil directions, gradually eating their wny west ward through the new cell houso nnd oast ward through tho main building. Tho Lin coln tire department rospondod with hoso carts nnd steamers, and two streams from tho pond wero soon playing Into tho flames, with the effect, howover, of only tempo rarily checking their spread. After It was seen that the major portion of the building wan doomed to destruction, nil efforts were concentrated on tho cast end of thn main building, occupied by thu deputy warden, thn nbapel and containing n reservo cell room. Tho woodwork In this portion of tho building wns thoroughly soaked and the firemen finally succeeded In saving It. It Is impossible tonight to esti mate accurately tho probablo cost of the dnmago, but It Is thought at this hour that It will amount to $300,000. Compnny on tiunrit. Company F of the Nebraska National Guard left for tho scene at 3:30 under orders from Lieutenant Governor Savage, acting governor In tho absence of Governor Diet rich. Warden Davis took charge of tho Insti tution February 16. None of tho property was Insured. Warden Davis docs not anticipate that nny of tho prisoners will escape. Tho only posslblo way for them to get away would be through tho burning walls and theso aro well guarded. All bedding nnd extra cloth ing wns destroyed and It Is probable that until permanent quarters can bo provided tho convicts will havo to sleep In tents. AS TOLD IN BULLETINS These llrlef .Messages of the .Mk1i t'nrry the .etvs of the Stteep of I'lnmes, LINCOLN, Mnrch L A flro Is raging In ono of the buildings of tho stato peniten tiary, threo miles south of tho city. War den Davis has asked for assistance nnd tho Lincoln firo department, with a steamer and oovoral men, aro on the way out, LINCOLN, March 1, A telephono mes sngo from tho penitentiary says tho flro Is In tho main building. It started In tho living apartments of tho warden and Is burning furiously. Wnter has been turned on nnd if tho flames can bo held In check until the Lincoln department arrives It Is believed tho flro can be controlled. Tho prisoners In the cells arc In no Immcdlato dangor, LINCOLN, March 1. Tho fire Is spreading. All the ronvlcta have been taken from their cells and marched together to tho prison yard. Extra guards, with shotguns, havo been placed on tho walls to provent any attempt at escape. J.INCOLN, March l.(Spcclal Telegram.) Telephono report from tho penitentiary says tho Are Is about tho cell bouse nnd that the main building 1b doomed to de struction. The convicts are assembled out side under guard. Tho flro will bo very disastrous. Origin unknown. LINCOLN, Mnrch 1.-2:50 a. m. (Special by Tolophone.) Tho entire cell houso at tho west end is destroyed. Tho main center building 1b gone. There Is a baro possi bility of saving tho cast, building, a cell houso without tho furnishings necessary to provide for convicts. This practically de stroys nil the building's used for tho pur poses of a prison. The entire prison proper Is In rulnB. The convicts arc horded In tho yard, A company of mllltla, or dered out by Lieutenant Governor Savage, Is being gathered together to prevent tho convicts' escape. WAS THIRTY-ONE YEARS OLD Orlicliinl Coiitra'.'t Price Three Hun dred mill Tttelvn Thousand Dollars. LINCOLN. March 1. (Special Telegram) The penitentiary was located at Its pres ent site by an act of tho legislature passed in 1870. A temporary building was erected Immediately, which yet stands insldo tho btockade. Tho present building was built by W. II. B. Stout, being completed In 1870, the original contract price being $312,000. Several additions havo been built since that time. The cast cell houae was built since 1801, at a cost of $10,000, It has been used as a chapel. Nearly 100 convicts now In prison will probably bo given quarters In tho unused coll house, If that part es capes tho Ore, which appears probablo, Firs Break. OntNtar Midnight and Sweep, Through the Gr.at Bulldingi, CONVICTS ARE HUSTLED FROM THEIR CELLS Lincoln Natioial Guard Summoned to Corral Thtm in th Friion Yard, EXTRA MEN WITH GUNS PATROL WALLS Flamn Start in Warden'. Living Apart- mtnti and 6waep Furionily, EMERGENCY BRIGADE UNABLE TO CHECK IT Oitj Department Enrriei Ont Iti Stiamcri, But Without Effect. LOSS TO STATE THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND Itu I licit HnlltllnK Wns Noted ns One nt the Fittest l'ennl Institutions lu the Country a ml Unused Four Hundred, LINCOLN, March 1.-3:15 a. m. (Special Telegram.) Tho Nebraska stato pcnlten tlary Is in ruins. Fire, which broke out shortly beforo midnight, swept through tho great stono buildings and burned them to thn ground. A company of mllltla Is leav ing on a special Burlington train to guard tho convicts, who havo been herded within tho stonc-walled prison yard. STARTS IN THE UPPER STORY lent firntva Ton Intense for the Con victs llutldlrtl In the Prison Vnrtl. LINCOLN, March L 2 a. m. (Special Telegram from Penitentiary). Tho flro started from an unknown causo In tho kitchen of tho upper story In tho main building near the cell houso nt tho west end. The guards and prison attaches fought tho flniiles, but wcro unablo to sub due them. An nlarm was turned In to ths Lincoln department at 11:25 aud the de partment responded. The celt housa Is practically destroyed and almost all of the main building. All of the convicts aro under guard In this yard, surrounded by buildings, but will be driven nut soon. At 2 o'clock the flames are spreading In all directions nnd driving ths occupants out of tho office. Warden Davis estimates the loss at not less than $300,000. The mnln building contained tho chapol, office, library nnd living npartmcnts of tho warden and officers. Company F of tho National guard U in readiness to respond. Acting Govornor Gilbert was tailed for at tho Lincoln hotel to order the company out. PROGRESS OF THE FLAMES Plenty of Wnter Applied lj- Scores r.f Active Men. Hut (he Prison Is Doomed from the Start. LINCOLN, March 1. Fire, which started lnbo living rooms of the warden of tho state penitentiary at midnight, seems cer tain to destroy the entire main building, togotber with tho cell house and other buildings. Just after 2 o'clock this morning a tele phone message canio saying tho room In which tho telephono Instrument was located was In flames and must be vacated. This cuts off tho only means of Immediate com tiunlcatlon with the prison, which Is nearly four miles from tho business district of the city. Between 1 and .1 o'clock, however, a message from a mombcr of the flro depart ment srnted that the penitentiary proper was doomed and that the lire was spread ing. Ileforo tho flames had gained n great headway Warden Davis gave orders to ro leaso tho convicts from tho cells and march them under guard to the prison yard and there plnco them under double guard, The removal was accomplished safely and with out disorder. Extra guards were also posted on the stockado walls, armed with shotguns, with orders to permit no escapes. Tho origin of the flro Is unknown, When flrat discovered the officers of tho institu tion immediately set to work nil tho small flro apparatus of the prison. Water was used In abundance, but as sistance from the city flro department wan called for nnd n steamer nnd hosecart were dispatched In response to a telephone mcs Bnge. A short tlmo nfter midnight Wnrdcn Davis said ho did not have tho II ro under control, but ho could not tell how' bad It wns. Ilurnlug In tho upper story and at tho front of the building, Its spread was slow. It was hoped that it could be con fined to the front of the building. Later the report camo that tho Are was a very bud one. At 1:10 a. m. tho city flro department arrived and began throwing water on tho wnlls. Tho flames had gained too gieat headway, however, and tho firemen directed tholr offorts to saving some of tho romott shop buildings. I)y request of the warden Chtof of Police Hoagland sent all tho available policemen to aid In preserving order. Later, as an additional measuro of safety, Lieutenant Governor Savage, acting In the absence of Govornor Dlotrlch, In response to tho sug gestion of tho warden, ordered out tho local company of stuto mllltla. Captain Ringer, with a majority of tho members, It, at the nrmory, and a Hurling' ton engine and coach will start with them at 3 o'clock. (