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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Nebraska) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 26, 1907)
v V- l&lattsmoutb oucna 'V VOLUMK XXVII lVLATTSMOUTII, XKHItASICA, TIIUKSDAV, DKCKM I5KK 4J;, li()7 3- 11 L 41 CMJ KILLED IB IVuUUA. Loss of Life in United Stales Coal Shafts Three Times Greater than That of All of Europe RIGID MINNIG LAWS ARE NEEDED Startling Report of Experts Investigating the Appalling Catastrophes of the Past Seventeen Years Washington, December ID. Special to the Journal. The coal mines of the United States are killing three times as many men per 1,000 employed as those of most European countries. In the last seventeen years 22,8-10 men have given up their lives in the mines of this country. As many violent deaths have occurred in the mines d;iring the last six years as eleven years. The number ; during the nrecedinir of fatal accuienis eacn ; vear is now double that f th year ! l: s:r. In liter. r.h;i men were killed or in- j jured in the mines, the killed number ing 2, (Mil and the injured 4,8'M The facts have been gleaned by gov ernment experts acting under orders from Secretary Garfield to investigate the nature and extent of mine accidents particularly those resulting from ex plosing, and also to make suggestions as to how mining conditions may be improved and accidents prevented. The Secretary's request for informa- tion was sent to Director Smith of the The bulletin shows that in all Euro Geological Survey last June. Carrying pean coal-producing countries the out- out the suggestions Joseph A. Holmes, j chief of the technologic branch, and i i others, made a number of examinations i deaths per l.oow miners, instead of in of the more dangerous coal mines of ; creasing, as in this country, has under Indian Territory. , gone a marked and decided decrease. Experts in Many States i This decrease has been due, the bulletin In addition, the nature and causes of says, to the effect of mining legis a number of disastrous coal mine ex- 1 lation. W. S. Soper's Father Very Sick W. S. Soper received a message last evening from his brother at Beloit, Kansas, telling of their father, J. F. Soper, being very sick, with little hopes i leaving only a little work of that char of his recovery. The elder Mr. Soper I acter to do on the chimneys and pillars who is 72 years of age, is afflicted with ; for the porches. The centractors have heart trouble, and has been sick for ! been favored with good weather this some time. Mr. Soper has been having j fall, which they have taken advantage trouble a-plenty, during the last year. ! of, and with a continuation of weather Last spring he was very sick for some time, and just after he had gotten so he was able to go again, the house in which he was living caught fire and burned, and it was with the greatest ' difficulty that he was gotten out of ' the burning building, and this trouble ; coming now, makes misfortunes close together. It is hoped by the many friends of Mr. Soper here that his fa ther may be improved by the time he j reaches his bedside. Will departed for Beloit on the late train last evening. ! Three persons are now employed at the Soper gallery, who are abundantly I nhff to rare for nil Vmcinoca pvpn in i the absense of Mr. Soper. the largest number of lights so that the entire city could be lighted and equity ; done every one. Another Round Oil the Ladder. To a great extent the location of the On yesterday, our young attorney W. lights were made, while some points C. Ramsey, climbed up another round i are 3'et undicided, and others are under on the ladder of progress. He was ad- consideration, but it is thought that by mitted at Omaha to practice law in the ; the time for the next meeting of the federal district and circuit courts of ' council, the committee will have de Nebraska, now presided over bv Judges i finitely arrived at a conclusion as to William H. Munger and Thomas C. ! Munger. Again the Journal extends to Will, heartiest congratulations over ; this, another well deserved recognition of merit in a young lawyer. Returns to Plattsmouth. Nelson J. Murray, who some time since moved to Marino, Colorado, where he was engaged in beet farming for sugar producing, and where he has been located for the past two years, re cently sold his farm there and returned to Plattsmouth, coming in Wednesday, and has been visiting with his father at Mynard, was in the city this morning, shaking hands with his many friends. aster plosions in several been investigated. of In the the states have bulletin is- sued today, Holmes's statement that an increase in the number and seriousness of mine explosions may be expected to continue, has already proven fateful, for since the words were written the country has been startled with the news of three explosions, costing nearly 500 lives. Holmes says that this increase in the I in the number of accidents has been due j in part to the lack of proper and en- forceable mine regulations: in nart to the lack of reliable information con- corning the explosives used; and the conditions under which they can be used safely in the presence of the gas and dust encountered in the mines; and in part to the fact that in the develop ment of cohI mining, not only is the the number of miners increasing, but many areas from which coal is being taken are either deeper or further from the entrance, where good ventilation is more difficult, and the dangerous accu mulations of explosive gas more fre quent. put has increased greatly during the years, but the number of last ten Have the Walls Finished. The brick work on the Masonic Home is progressing finely and is now nearing completion, the walls having been done, anything like we have had in the past, they will soon have the wing enclosed so that the interior can be completed during the winter. Light Committee Meets. Wednesday evening the light com mittee of the city council met at the council chamber to consider the ap portainment of the lights, which are to be installed in the early spring. In some of the smaller wards, the mem bers of the committee coming from there very graciously expressed an inclination to allow the largest wards where the location of most of the j lights will be. j j Wedding at Weeping Water. j Asoeeial from Weenimr Water, un- der date of December 20, says: At high noon Wednesday, in the M. E. church, Miss Nora Badgley of Weeping Water, and Mr. Doras D. Cox of Milford, were united in marriage, Rev. G. H. Moulton officiating. A large company witnessed the ceremony. A wedding dinner was served at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Badgley and a reception was held at the same place in the evening. The couple will soon be at home on a farm near Seward. IS Has a Handsome Display. V. V. Leonard, the photographer, has a fine display of pictures in the windows of his store room below, where he has his gallery. All lovers of the beautiful in art will find a feast for the eyes by taking a glance at the windows as they are dressed. Pictures of all kinds, with the varying seemes of life, and beautiful, and but a hand ful of the works, which his studio up stairs reveals. HOW NEBRAS KA FARED In Committee Jobs Poard Gets What He Desired. A special dispatch from Washington to the Omaha World-Herald, under date of December 13, says: Representative Pollard, who has been working hard to get on the committee of agriculture, has been gratified today to have Speak er Cannon announce him as a member of that committee. His selection for agriculture, which has come to be a highly important committee, was the feature of today's committee assign ment. As far as Nebraska was con cerned, Mr. Pollard served on two un important committees last congress. This congress agriculture is his only committee, but he is well satisfied with it. Representative Hitchcock was made a member of the three committees, In dian alFairs, irrigation of arid lands and Pacific railroads. Representative Boyd was assigned to eelections. No. S, invalid pensions and private land claims. Representative Hinshaw is assigned to Indian affairs, patents, and merchant marine and fisheries. Wilson of Illinois and Judge Hinshaw are the only repub licans now on that committee who are opposed to subsidy legislation. Representative Norris is assigned to the labor committee, to public buildings and grounds and the committee on elec tion of president, vice-president and representatives in congress. Representative Kinkaid is appointed to Pacific railroads, irrigation of arid lands and education. Among Iowa members there were some important changes. The Iowa delegation was not pleased over the fact that Representative Haugen of the Fourth district was not made chairman of the committee of agriculture. He ranked second on the committee, Henry of Connecticut being first. Speaker Cannon took Henry off the committee and then jumped Scott of Kansas over Mr. Haugen's head to the chairmanship. Mr. Haugen could have had the chair manship of war claims, but did not want it, and was made chairman of the committee on expenditures in the in terior department. Judge Birdsall was given a place on rivers and harbors and on railways and canals instead of mer chant marine and fisheries and judiciary, which he served on last congress. Rep resentative Cousins was made chairman of foreign affairs, and Iowa's hold on the house was considerably strength ened. Lived Here Many Years. P. Wright of Lake Chalan, Wash R. ing, came in this morning, and is visit at the home of his wife's father, Mr. Isaac Hopkins, of this city. Mr. Wright has just been to Minneapolis where he took two cars of apples from his home in Washington. They were some of his own raising. He started with four cars but fearing that the weather might be too cold in the northwest, concluded he would leave two of them in store in Idaho, while he brought the others through. Mr. Wright says that he got through without encountering any cold weather, and found a fine market for his fruit, it bringing him $2.50 per box, each containing about a bushel. Mr. Wright came to this place in 1868 and lived here and in the western portion of the county for many years, removing to the northwest about eight years ago. He speaks in the highest terms of the west as a fruit growing country. He expects to visit here a few days before returning to the west. , . f. ucyaiiiui uic uuiii. E. M. Godwin, in company with his daughter, Miss Molly, departed this morning for an extended trip to the south land, where they will spend their Christmas Holidays. They will stop at Kansas City, and then proceed to Texas, where they will visit at Austin, Ft. Worth and Galveston and probably may touch at Temple, Texas, where they have relatives, George Brinklow and family. Mrs. Godwin and Mrs. Brinklow being sisters. A GOOD WOMAN LAID TO REST A Sheaf of Ripened Grain, Gathered For the Other Home. Yesterday at the Methodist church, at 2:00 p. m. was held the funeral of the late Mrs. Schermerhorn, who passed away, last Tuesday. Mrs. Schermer horn was an old resident of this county having came here in 1875, and where she had lived ever since. She was born in Bloomfield Maine, and was the mother of five children, the most of whom are residing in this vicinity. Some two years since, this good woman was smitten with paralysis, from which she has never recovered; she has been patient in her affliction, and at all times grateful for any act of kindness, which has been tendered her. During the latter few months she has lived at the home of her daughter, Mrs. C. E. Wo man, who has cared very tenderly for her aged mother. In the death, the grim reaped has gathered a sheaf of well ripened grain for the Lord's use, a life full of good works and replete with noble deeds. The life this noble woman has lived should be an inspiration to all, and those who are prone to be discouraged with this world and its ways. She was pa tient through suffering and gave good advice to all the kindly admonition, given by the example of her life, was such that all who knew her should have been the better by her acquaintance. The services were conducted by the Rev. A. A. Randall, who spoke of the good effects of the life of rectitude which must follow in the wake of those who have known the one that has passed on before. The interment was made in Oak Hill cemetery, where the dust shall rest until the awakening trumpet shall sound. Bryan cn Taft In the latest issue of the Commoner, VV. J. Uryan m an editorial discussing i the president's declination and presiden tial candidates proposed by republicans, will say: "The president has cleared the politi cal atmosphere by reiterating his deter mination not to be a candidate for a third term. It ought not have been ne cessary to speak again, but some of his over-zealous friends were casting re flections upon his good faith by an nouncing that he would be a candidate if his party demanded it. The president could hardly feel complimented at so light an estimate being placed upon his declaration, and it is just as well that he set the matter at rest. There is no doubt that some of his enemies were declaring for him in order to get into the convention, and once there, could have thrown their influence against his policies after his refusal to be a candidate. Now the fight will be a straight-out one between the republican reformer and the standpatter. That is, it will be as straightout a fight as can be made for such a reformer as Secre tary Taft has proven himself to be a very weak one at best. If the presi dent threw his strength to Senator La- Follette, who stands for aggressive re forms, it would be a pretty fight, but the president probably feels that very little reform can be hoped for from republican leaders, and he therefore selects Secretary Taft as the reformer who will excite the least opposition among the representatives of predatory wealth. "While the democrats will be glad to know of the president's fixed purpose not to be a candidate, their opposition to his candidacy was not on account of his popularity, for it is not at all certain that he would have polled more votes than any other republican, but Presi dent Roosevelt's candidacy would make it impossible for the democrats to se cure the support of Roosevelt republi cans. The natural fight is between the democratic party and the reactionary element of the republican party, for in such a fight the democrats can take advantage of the educational work that President Roosevelt has done, and the issue ought not to be in doubt. Senator LaFollette would poll the radical strength of the republican party but would lose even more than President Roosevelt would among the standpat- ! ters. Secretary Taft will, if nomina ted, straddle the issues and seek to hold the two wings of the republican party together. He cannot hope to hold all the radicals that the president would hold or that LaFollette would hold. Neither would he alienate as many of staddpatters. With him as a candidate the aim of the democrats would be to show that he does not stand for any reforms worth mentioning, and that his administration, if in line with his utterances, thus far would be colorless. It is fortunate that the third term issue is removed from politics, it wouldfor have distracted attention and prevented a consideration of the economic reforms about which the country is now think ing. That the president has acted wisely no sincere friend of his will deny, for he has nothing to gain by another term and a defeat would be tlisastrous. Those who have insisted upon his nomi nation in spite of his declaration have thought more of the party than they have of the president, and it is not cer tain either that they accurately guage public opinion, for the anti-third term sentiment is a real sentiment and one not to be lightly considered." CHAMP CLARK PICKS BRYAN Republican Dissenfion Means Democratic Victory A special from Pittsburg, under date of December 18, says: "It certainly looks as though Bryan would get the democratic nomination, and further more, he will be elected if the republi can leaders don't stop quarreling among themselves. The republioan party has not been so split for many years. "President Roosevelt's third-term decision certainly means that he will not again be a candidate for the presi dency if there is any meaning to the English language, and with the party split into two factions, the one headed by Taft and the other by Uncle Joe Cannon, Foraker, Hughes, Knox and others, there seems to be every chance of victory for the democrats." Regarding the movement of the navy. Congressman Clark said: "Sending the fleet to the Pacific is all right. If I believed that no foreign nation objected to its going there, 1 would not favor the risk and expense of a long trip, but because I do believe ! that certain nations do object, I am in favor of sending it to the Pacific waters and keeping it there as long as we see fit." Another Case of Car Stealing Yesterday Wm. Holly, the clothier, received a shipment of shoes from Chi cago, and in one case there was an empty box. Some miscreant had ab stracted the contents and placed the box back in the case. The shoes were of the famous brand handled by Mr. Holly, the "University" shoe, and re- j tail at ?4.(M per pair. The size taken 1 was a number nine. The case had been i ! opened the shoes taken out, then i closed, but in the closing the nails had ! gone awry showing the bunglesome ! job which was done in the closing of the j case. From the way the railway com- I pany has been after the car thieves it j would seem that they would be a little more shy of such propositions than they j have been. JOHN A. DONELAN DIES IN HOSPITAL Where He had Been Oper ated Upon For Ap pendicitis. A telephone message was received by A. W. White, from Omaha at about one s'clock this afternoon telling of the death of his son-in-law, John A. Done Ian, who went to the St. Joseph hospi tal for an operation, and who, after the operation, had been reported as progressing nicely, with hopes that he would be able to return home at the end of two weeks. Consequently the news of his death was a shock to his many friends, who had expected he was recovering rapidly. His case was one of much seriousness before the operation was attempted. Mr. White departed on the first train, going by the way of Pacific Junction and Council Bluffs, for Omaha, where he went to make arrangements necessary for the removal of the body, preparatory to the funeral. Monday's Journal will have more regarding the deceased. Buy a New Home. Engineer E. B. Thrall, although hav ing had a very pleasant home on North Third street, and one which is sightly and well appointed, has bonght another residence, where they will make their home. The place is known as the Shry ock plack, consideration being 1,500. They expect to occupy the new home about the first of the year. Henry E. Weidman has been living there and will remove to Havelock soon. This makes a nice home and will be very convenient to his work, which is in the switch yards of the Burlington. HARRY WHITE IN WRECK IN SOUTH While Three Japs Were Killed, Harry Escaped With out Injury. AIout three week since, while on bin way from Chania, New Mexico, to Dur ango, where he had been called by the Denver and Rio Grande, Railway, for which he is working, in the capacity f hosier at the first named place, Harry Whith, the son of Mr. ai d Mrs. A. White was caught in the wreck, which it seems almost impossible for one to have escaped without the Iosh of life. Harry who was Kent to Durango, to do some work, was dead heading, and whs sitting in the coupalo of the way car, the train in which ! was traveling was backing up. The train had just passed through a tunnel, ai d was hug ging the mountainside, which on one side the mountains (lighter than ono could see, while on the other Hide, whs a canon some 2,000 feet deep, and with only enough room for the track, on a narrow ledge of rock. Here the trains met, the one on which Harry wa riding" backing, and rounding a curve, while the other one having tvo engines was double heading with a freight. As Harry sat looking out of tie coupalo window lie cuw the other train round the curve, but a short distance away, giving no time to jump. When impact came, the forwatd engine w.is derailed and hurled into the canon 2,0U feet below, while the way car was re duced to kindling wood. Three Japs, who were rili;:g therein were killed out right, and a break man, who was sitting I with Harry had a leg broke, and othor j wise injured. Hairy was more fortu nate, for otherwise than Icing bruised j somewhat, :;i:l waving hi: clothes torn j bably he escape. 1 uninjurid Anyone i acquainted wit this route wiJl recall ! the place, it bej-.g ahoul a half from I the east end of the tunnel near Toitic j Pass, New Mexi. o. Mr. V. A. White ! his father had l. :;n! reluct King about ! the v reek so:r.e time : iii' e, through an jaunt of Harry's, Mr-, I. T. Cornell Colo. , to whom he for mending. Hut had not heard di- living at Alamos::, has sent his clothe; until yesterday he ?-i ctlv f rom Harry. &1RS. JANE ELIZABETH MARK Pcssec Away at the ficrnt cf Her San, WiS.'ian H. Mark, Hear Union. I'.orn May JK';0, in ire!;:nd. Died' at 4:10 p. m. on Vedne.: day, December IS, 1907, at the home of her son, Wm. H. Mark, one mile wwt of Union, Neb. j Deceased had been failing in health I the past ten years, due to -om; extent ! to her advanced :ge, and much of the time the past two years she has been confined to her bed. Six weeks ago she suffered a stroke of paralysis, and since then she was helpless, being un conscious the four days prior to her death. The funeral services were held at 10 o'clock yesterday at Wm. Mark's j residence, and the remains were taken to Otterbein cemetery north of Nehawka for intermens. The maiden name of the deceased was Jennie Elizabeth Askins. At the age of six years she sailed from Ireland with her parents, who located in Meigs county, Ohio, where 5he grew to woman hood and there she was married to James E. Mark, his death occuring in that county May 14, lfeTO. ' Their sur viving children are John Mark and Mrs. Annie Farley, of Meigs cdunty, Ohio; Mrs. Agnes Lowther of nlar Platts mouth, Neb., George Mark of n hawka. Neb., DJgar Mark of county, Neb., and Wm. H. Mark, ing a mile west.c this village mother Mark caine to this count 18 years ago and made her home her children since then. She kind and benevolent old lady for all her acquaintances had great and love, and her life since girlh been consistent with the teach the Christian church, with whi united in the day of her youth death of this estimable lady is bv all who knew her. and si pathy is extended to all of t ing relatives. Union Ledger Serious Jacob Adams, son ol while attempting wagon the other da$ on the endgate in su him and break his along as well as couJ is suffering consider jured member. r i 1 t rs r i to F I J j 1