I"HE BEE: OMAHA. SATURDAY. DECEMBER 8. 1917.
! Snowfall Cools
Burning Euins
In Stricken City
(Continued from Fuse One.)
nurses and medical supplies, arrived
here today from Moncton, Truro and
Windsor. Other special trains have
been sent with injured persons to
Windsor and other places where there
are larpe hospitals.
Smoldering ruins and piles of de
bris of demolished houses continue to
give up their dead victims of yester
day s explosion m such numbers as
to surpass any disaster on this con
tinent in recent years.
Number of Dead Uncertain.
Estimates of the number of dead at
2,000 or more appeared to be borne
out by the rapidly filling morgues
and increased numbers of deaths re
ported from hospitals, private homes,
churches and schools where hundreds
of injured are being cared for by
their more fortunate townsmen and
members of relief parties from near
by cities. The exact number of dead,
it appeared certain today, might never
be known on account of the many per
sons entire families in some in
stances of whom no trace ever will
be found other than charred bones in
the ruins of their homes.
Loss Staggers City.
Dawn found the city still staggering
under the frightfulness of its losses
in human life and hundreds who had
stood all night in lines formed at
improvised morgues continued their
vigil with alternate expression of
fears and hopes on their faces. Oth
ers besieged the hospitals for news of
the missing, and meanwhile relief par
ties continued their work of succor
among the injured whom they found
in the devastated Richmond and Dart
mouth sections of the city. Aid from
the outside in the form of tons of
supplies gave early evidence that fears
tf a food shortage were unfounded
and left city and government officials
free to direct the rescue work in
which soldiers, sailors and police are
being assisted by bluejackets from an
lAmerican warship in the harbor. .
" Over the flame-swept area of Rich
mond, of approximately two and a
half square miles, many searchers con
fined their efforts today to making
sure that all of the injured' were re
moved o hospitals.
Newspaper Man's Experience.
William Barton, former telegraph
editor of the Montreal Gazette, now
traveling auditor for the Canadian im
perial munitions board at Ottawa, re
lated today his experiences during
the explosion, which occurred while
he was at breakfast in the Halifax
hotel.
"In 10 seconds it was all over," Mr.
Barton said. "A low rumbling, a
quake shock, with everything vibrat
ing, then an indescribable noise, fol
lowed by the fall of plaster and the
smashing of glass. In such moments
the human mind does not hesitate; a
cry went up, 'A German bomb!' A
ruh for the door, headlong down the
hallway amid falling pictures, glass
and plaster, to the swinging doors of
a few seconds before, now ripped
from their hinges, through great pro
jecting triangular pieces of glass to
the street. Here I found myself with
a burden. How she had come into
my arms I do not know, yet here she
was, hysterically shrieking, 'Oh, my
poor sister, my poor sister.'
Giant Smoke Cloud.
"Outside overhead a giant smoke
cloud was moving northward; danger
seemed over. I crossed the road, laid
my feminine burden on a doorstep
and returned to the hotel. My aid,
for I was unscathed, was possibly
needed far more there. I made my
way upstairs to the rooms of two
friends. The rooms were vacant, but
normal, even the glass unbroken
and few panes of glass remain un
broken in this area. Once more I
was in the street, meeting my com
panions on the threshhold. They, too,
were unscathed.
"Our plans were quickly made. We
were off to the immediate vicinity of
the disaster, for, among many theo
ries, we accepted as most plausible
the blowing up of a munition ship.
Towards Citadel hill wc wanded our
way and the further we went the more
horrid the aftermath. The improvised
stretcher met us on all sides, con
verging into the main thoroughfares
from the highways and byways. The
wounded were everywhere, but most
of these unfortunates could hobble or
walk; we kept onward.
- No Panic Among Soldiers.
"Our hurry-scurry had let to the
armory. Here the khaki-clad men
were already on parade, many of the
soldiers showing wounds bound with
handkerchiefs.
"As we passed they were already
on the niarclr toward the more de
vastated area. The order had gone
forth 'commandeer all vehicles, auto
or horse.' A cordon was drawn across
the streets and passengers were
forced to alight and resumed their
journeys afoot. There was grim
work ahead."
Shells Whiz Through Air.
It was established today that it
was 25 minutes after the collision
before "the explosion occurred. At
the first shock houses rocked, vessels
broke from their moorings, bits of
shells whistled through the air, build
ings fell upon their occupants, shrieks
and moans rose for a second above
the awful din, and in all parts of the
city men, women and children ran
into the streets, many of them insuf
ficiently clad. Then fire broke out in
a hundred places.
'People Fled in Terror.
Orders were at first given that
'everybody should flee to the south
of the city, and in a sho-t time Bar
rington streets resembled a road of
Belgium or Serbia when the inhabit
ants fled before the Germans. Every
variety of vehicle was pressed into
service for the tick and infirm. Men.
women and'children, some carrying
hastily snatched belonging, hurried
along the pavements and overflowed
the streets. Stores were deserted,
houses forsaken, and the entrance to
Point Pleasant park was soon black
with human beinps, some massed in
groups, some running frantically
back and. forth. The wildest rumors
were ia circulation, and every bearer
of tidings was immediately surround
ed. The stories lost nothing in the
telling.
When later flying automobiles
brought the 'good word that the
danger was undtr cowtrol, the crowds
returned to find their homes a mass
of wreckage or in ashes, and rela
1 lives dead or wounded.
Report 2,000 Killed.
Fires are still burning in the sec
tions of Halifax which were devast
ated by yesterday's disastrous mu
f nitions ship explosion. A heavy snow
storm set in early this morning, ser
iously impeding the work of rescuing
the injured and recovering the bodies
of the dead.
Truro, N. S., Dec. 7.-Xo accurate
statement of the numbtfr of persons
killed and wounded. as a result of the
blowing up of the Fr nch munitions
steamer Monte Blanc in Halifax har
bor yesterday after collision with the
Belgian relief steamer Imo was avail
able, early today. Estimates made by
hundreds of survivors who came here
during the day and night varied from
200 to 2,000 killed. The property
damage, chiefly along the water front
and in the manufacturing, wholesale
and residential districts; will reach
several millions of dollars.
A telegraph operator sent here from
Halifax by the Western Union Tele
graph company said today that he
saw the bodies of several sailors of
the United States navy who had been
killed by the explosion yesterday.
The report that the military hos
pital at Rockhead, close to, the nar
rows, had been destroyed and all the
patients killed, has proved untrue.
Scratches and cuts from flying glass
were the worst injuries suffered by
the patients, with two exceptions, al
though the building was virtually
wrecked.
Red Cross Sends Supplies.
Washington, Dec. 7. Arrange
ments for dispatching a third relief
train at 11 a. m. today from New
York to carry supplies and assistance
to Halifax were made by the Red
Cross. Railway officials are assisting
and will push the train through as
fast as possible.
John F. Moors will be in charge of
the Red Cross relief work in Halifax
All supplies will be directed to him
and the work of surgeons, nurses and
social workers will be under his di
rection. Surgeons and nurses are be
ing rushed to the scene in three
trains.
From Boston a medical base hos
pital, consisting of IS physicians and
30 nurses, has been ordered to Hali
fax with a full corps of surgeons and
nurses, wli6se work will be supple
mented by that of an organized body
of social workers. The train from
New York will not arrive there be
fore midday tomorrow.
Liner Nieuw Amsterdam Safe.
New York, Dec. 7. Word that the
passengers and crew of the Holland
America Line steamer Nieuv. Am
sterdam is safe in Halifax was re
ceived at the local offices of the line
today.
Eye Witnesses Describe Horrors.
St. John, N. B Dec. 7. Eye wit
nesses of the Halifax, explosion reach
ing here today told details of the hor
rors through which they passed. In
the party were 14 young women stu
dents from Mount St. Vincent's
academy.
Esmond P. Barry, St. John postal
clerk, was at Richmond during the
worst of the catastrophe.
Die Like Flies.
"It was terrible," he said; "people
dying in our car like flies. Some of
them came to the place with noses
shot off, eyes put out, faces slashed
with flying glass, limbs torn and dis
torted. On one occasion while we
were working around a wrecked
building we could see a little baby
fifty feetoor more underneath a burn
ing mass, crying for aid. We could
not get within 30 feet of the child and
had to watch while it burned t - death.
Men, women and children were lying
in the streets and hundreds must be
buried beneath wreckage."
J. C. Gillespie, a train conductor,
said that at Richmond fully SO per
cent of the buildings collapsed. Ba
bies were lying in the streets dead.
Ernest Cameron, a Canadian Pacific
telegraph operator, and all his family,
were killed.
U. S. SOLDIERS IN
FRANCE RECEIVE
"FOURRAGERE"
(By Associated Press.)
With the American Army in France,
Thursday, Dec. 6. The first Amer
ican unit to receive th coveted "Four
ragerc" (a French military decora
tion worn on the- left shoulder), in
the colors of the ribbon of the cross
of war, is Amercian sanitary section
No. S. Notification of the award was
announced at headquarters today.
The section previously had received
two ofliciarcitations. A general order
from General retain stated they were
for "splendid conduct before the
enemy." In forwarding the communi
cations the chief of the French mil
itary mission attached tothe Ameri
can army added:
"This glorious distinction is a merit
ed reward for the brave men com
posing the section, who on a famous
battlefield have given evidence of the
fraternity and solidarity between the
soldiers of France and America, united
in the common cause."
Inofrmation as to the exact nature
of the section's services was unavail
able at headquarters tonight.
You can secure a maid, stenogra
pher or bookkeeper by using a Bee
Want Ad.
EH
I have a wonderful stock of the
newest winter styles for both men
and women. Clothes that you'll be
proud to wear. Nobody will know
that you bought them on credit
because my methods are confiden
tial. 120 South 15th St
Bell-an.s
Absolutely Removes
Indigestion. Druggists
refund money if it fails. 25c
Don't Forget Sporting Goods When Making
Up Your Gift List
Full Assortment of All Paraphernalia Here
randeis Stores
Men's Fur Caps for Christmas Gifts
Alaska Seal and Near Seal Caps, all sizes, at
$4.00, $5.00, $6.50 and up to $12.50
Arcade
Bigger Than Any Cold Weather or Storm
Hart Schaf fner & Marx
OVERCOAT
The best Overcoats, in the World-American
made and Burberry English made
The materials are selected from the
products of the best known weavers.
From Great Britain come the Yorkshire Tweeds, hand woven
Highland Cheviots, Carr Meltons, Crombie Fleeces, Irish Duffles
and Friezes.
From America the famed Worumbo and Hockanum weaves;
Soft Vicunas, Worsteds and Shetlands.
Fur Lined Coats Raglan Overcoats
Fur Collar Coats Belted Overcoats
Short Town Ulsters Double Breasted Overcoats
Great Storm Coats Big Warm M otoring Coats
Trench Overcoats Chesterfield Overcoats
For dress-jor street-for business--or sports
$20, $22.50, $25, $30, $35, $40, $45, $50
$30, $75, $85, $90, $100 and up to $250
Young Men's Exclusive Snappy Styles
" The ultra-fashionable that make men look young and give them the smart style -that
goes with being young. Dressy Clothes,, Sporty Clothes, College Styles, Busi
ness Styles; perfectly tailored, in best fabrics and colorings.
$15, $18, $20, $22.50, $25, $30, $35 and $40
' "
"Real" Styles for Hard-to-Fit Men
We have made a specialty of fitting men who
are hard to fit and have done away with the idea
that some of them had that they had to take what
they could get, rather than what they wanted You
choose the style and pattern and we will fit you.
Large men, tall men, short men, thin men ALL
MEN. -
$20, $22.50, $25, $30, $35, $40 and $50
To the Wearers of the O. D.
Your needs and desires are
paramount. To serve you fully
and with complete satisfaction
officers of every rank and pri
vates as well that's the mission
of this Military Shop.
Men now on furlough will find
a half hour well spent in "dressing
up" their uniforms here.
Copyright Hart Schaducr & Mm
Kingley Trousers, at $3, $4 and $5.50
are very good investments these days. Worsteds,
Striped Worsteds, Fancy Cheviots and Cassimeres.
Sizes up to 52 waist; for dress or business wear;
made to withstand hard usage and well tailored in
every respect.
'fmtW v m It
M MkJ r, A
fw vir fry i p Va
Jfe4k Y
""-N& 0JA' -v-zs
" -it
' . . .aVV ..... s
Ch ristmas Ne ckwear
0 '
And All Men's Furnishings
It's an easv matter to buy gifts for men here because
stocks are complete and wonderfully well selected, and
you simply cannot go wrong, no matter what you buy.
All gifts here are practical, as well as pleasing.
Here is the most extensive line of Holiday Neckwear
for men that we have ever offered.
Special No. 1
200 dozen Imported Silk Neckwear, direct from
Switzerland; made especially for us; very fine and
heavy silk, in satin weaves; beautifully designed,
exclusive patterns, wonderful value, J gQ
Christmas .
SLIPPERS
FbrMei .
Special No. 2
Silk Neckwear, made especially for this Christmas'
season, large and liberal shapes, striped, Persian ef
fects and pronounced patterns; all extra fljl QA
well made and will give good service pivv
Special No. 3
Silk Neckwear, made from carefully chosen silks,'
selected from 'the best makers' stocks in New York
and made up after our own special designs, in large
open and four-in-hands, Cn and 7C
Silk Shirts, $4.95 to $12.50
Superb quality, in endless variety, in beautiful Silk
Crepe, Silk Broadcloth, Tub Silk and Peau de Cygne
exclusive patterns priced away below value.
Men's Shirts, at $1.15 Each
Made of fine quality Madras, Satin Striped Pongee
and Percales, soft or laundered cuffs, neat patterns and
assorted. designs; all sizes in this lot. Specially priced
for .Xmas.
75 Dozen Men's Shirts, at $2.00
Silk Fiber and Satin Striped Shirts; very special of
fering. All new patterns, in assorted weaves, of Fiber
Silk and Madras,' with woven satin stripes. Best buy,
at $2.00.
Silk Muff lers, 98c to $7.50
Comprising Silk Mixtures, Silk Fiber, All Silk, Silk
and Wool, Army Mufflers, in most any color or combina
tion desired. These certainly make splendid gifts.
at
Men's Pajamas, $1.50 to $10.00
In Pongee, Outing Flannel, Silk and Linen and All
Silk, in plain patterns and neat striped effects. All well
made and finished and a most complete assortment to
choose from.
Men's Gloves, at $2.00 and $3.75
Dress and Street Gloves, in genuine Mocha Capes, in
silk lined and wool lined, from the best makers. Warm
and stylish at the same time and a fine selection in this
stock.
Silk Hose, 50c, 75c and $1.00
In all the new shades for present wear, made of pure
Thread Silk and bought from the best makers- A good
line of colorings in this lot and very low priced at these
figures.
Men's Robes, $4.95 to $3&
Bath and Lounging Robes, made of fine Blanket
Robes, Fiber Silk, Silk and Satin and All Wool Blankets,
in all the most desirable patterns. Nothing is a better
gift to a man.
Main Floor, Men' Bldg.
Nothing gives a man
greater pleasure than a
gift of an extra pair of
Slippers it shows a
fine regard for his com
fort, as well as being a
most practical gift.
Felt Comfy Slippers, Liv
ingston style, in navy blue,
black, brown j0 25
and wine .... J,J
Felt Slippers, with leather
soles and heels, Hylo style,
in brown, gray dJ9 "7C
and wine
Felt "Comfy" Slippers, Ev
erett style, in navy blue
and oxford M QK
gray ,sl'uo
Felt Slippers, with leather
soles and heels, ' Opera
style, in black $2.00
and oxford gray v
Felt Slippers, leather Boles
and heels, Everett style, in
black only, $1,50
at ,
Romeos, in black and tan,
$2.45 and $2.95
Everett-, in black and tan,
$2.45 nd $2.95
Operas, in black and tan,
$2.45 nd $2.95
Operas, in red, gray and
green Morocco, $ QtJ
Operas, in tan 5 QC
alligator VO.VD
Main Floor, Men's Building