'ptettamoutb
SEMI-WEEKLY EDITION hlGUT PAGES
VOLUME XX VIII
PLATTSMOUTII, NEBIIASK.A. MONDAY NO MEMBER 22, 190b
NO 87
lilt TIMES OF THE IIIDEPEIIDEIIT
TELEPHONE GOLlPil OF OilA
Their Trouble. However In No Way Affect the Plattsmouth
Telephone Company.
The morning Omaha papers ton
tain a statement showing that tht
troubles of the Independent Tele
phone Company of Omaha are mul
tiplying and that mechanics liens ag
gregating $15,610.15 have been filed
against that corporation by com
panies which sold them automatic
telephones aud cable. A chattel
mortgage was also filed In the office
of the county clerk by tho presi
dent of the company for $3,300,000
payable to the Title Insurance and
Trust Company of Los Angeles, Cal.
The chattel mortgage covers all the
property of the, company. The
troubles of the company have been
on for months and several schemes
of reorganization have been pro
posed and it is believed the present
proceedings are another step in that
direction.
The Independent ,Company of
Omaha is the long distance connec
tion of the Plattsmouth Independent
Company. General Manager T. H,
Pollock of the local company when
asked this morning as to whether
proceedings In Omaha interested his
company, replied that it did not in
any sense except as to the physical
connection of the two companies
which was all the interest the local
had, and which was in no wise im
periled by the troubles at that point.
There was no financial connection
whatever between the two com
panies and there would be no inter
ruption of that. The Omaha com
pany will undoubtedly be reorgan
ized and placed upon a sound finan
cial basis and there would be many
extensions made so as to make the
plant cover the entire territory em
braced in Omaha, South Omaha and
Florence. To do this required addi
tional capital and these moves wore
all in that direction. The Platts
mouth Company would continue in
the future as in the past to keep
its long distance connection with the
Omaha company and would benefit
and profit by Improved service to be
given the public by the proposed
reorganization.
In connection with the Independ
ent business an interesting deal was
closed yesterday by which the Lin
coln Independent Telephone Com
pany purchased the Grand Island In
dependent company. This is one of
the best and strongest exchanges in
the state and its acquisition by the
Lincoln company materially strength
ens that company, as well as the In
dependent interests in the state The
exchange Is a new and modern one
with a large list of subscribers and,
added to. the Lincoln company's Hat
aids largely In increasing the pat
ronage and field to be covered by
local and long distance lines. The
Lincoln company is the connection in
that city of the Plattsmouth Tele
phone Company.
BLOWS
UP AT LUII
1,1
ISSOUHI PACIFIC
II
sue will provide means for improv
ing the Gould system."
Hereafter That Will be the
Trade Mark of the Old
M. P. Systen.
A change Is being made all over
the Missouri Pacific system in the
Bomenclature of the road. Hereto
fort everything In use on the system
as borne the familiar trade mark
f the road seal with cross ties and
rails and the words "Missouri Faci
le Railway." . This has been the
sign used in their advertisements,
on their stationery and on the paint
ad signs of the road. The new sign
will read "Missouri Pacific-Iron
Mountain" and the system will be
known as the Missouri Pacific-Iron
Mountain system. The signs on the
windows of the offices in Omaha are
sow being changed by the painters
and the lettering of all their sta
ttonery is being stamped over with
the new name. The occasion for
this is the adoption of the Missouri
Pacific of the consolidation system
in use of other roads and the re
organization of all their lines under
ne general head. The Missouri
Pacific lines Include the Missouri
Pacific proper, the Wabash Rail
road, the St. Louis, Iron Mountain
k. Southern, the Texas & Pacific,
ttie International & Great Northern,
he Denver & Rio Grando, the Col
orado Midland and the Western
Pacific with their feeders.
Tied Up On Jury.
Louis Dunkak, ' one tf Avoca b
best citizens, came to town this week,
called here by some legal matters
and he suffered a terrible misfor
tune. The sheriff landed him on
a Jury and for almost forty-eight
hours ending this morning at eleven
o'clock, he was compelled to serve
the state. He didn't expect to be
in such demand when he came in
and he was somewhat disturbed at
being tied up for such a length of
time. He was one of the members
of the jury in the Mefford-Zoz case
Louis returned to his home this af
ternoon and vows that in the fu
ture he will be chary of coming to
Plattsmouth when court is in ses
sion.
George Towle, one of the regular
panel, and a rattling good citizen of
Wabash, returned to his home this
afternoon after spending the week
on the jury.
Dan McNeely of Elmwood, one of
that city's good citlens, who is also
a member of the Jury panel, de
parted this afternoon for his home
at Elmwood, being one of those ex
cused until next week. Mr. Mc
Neely formerly lived in this city and
has many friends here.
Missouri Pacific Bond.
A special from New York, under
.date of November 11, says: "The
long delayed new financing of the
Missouri Pacific Railroad company
was announced today. At the an
ual meeting of stockholders Janu
ary 18, 1910, authority will be ask
ed to issue $175,000,000 five per
ent, fifty year gold bonds. Of this
sum, 29,806,000 will be offered to
stockholders at $95 for each $100,
tar value. ' The bonds have been
underwritten by the banking firm
f Kuhn, Leob & Co. The bonds
will be convertible Into stock at
par after September 1, 1912, and
until September 1, 1932, and re
deemable at $110 on or after Sep
tember 1, 1917. The understand
ing in Wall street Is that the Goulds
have given up control of the West
cm Union Telegraph Company, to
the American Telephone and Tele
graph Company, so that they may
devote more attention to the Mis
souri Pacific and alllod railroad
policies, and that the sew bond la-
Will Move to Murray.
L. U. Upp, the Avoca .real estate
hustler, was in tho city over night
on business, departing this morning
for Omaha. He gave the Journal
a pleasant rail, and while here in
formed us that he had purchased
M. G. Churchill's property In Mur
ray, and would remove to that vil
lage the first of the month. Mr.
Upp works at barbering when not
busy at selling real eastate. He is
right in judging Murray to be a
good business point, and wo trust
his change of location will prove
beneficial.
Woodmen Panro
The members of the M. W. A.,
together with their families, will
enjoy one of their pleasant dances
on next Wednesday evening, Novem
ber 24. The dance will take place
at Coates' Hall and Is limited to
members of tho order with their
families. There will be good music
and a general gooa time held as tho
Woodmen always enjoy themselves
on such occasions. Don't forget the
place and date, Coates' Hall, No
vember 24.
Eireman Killed and Engineer
and Brakeman Injured.
Ty the explosion of the boiler of
engine No. 2046 of the Burlington
road yesterday afternoon at Lincoln
Fireman C. R. Meacham was killed
and Engineer George A. Pierce ahd
Drakeman M. H. Upton injured, the
former perhaps fatally. The acci
dent happened near the west end of
the Burlington yards at 2:05 p. m.,
almost at the A street crossing. En
gine 2046 was bound west with an
extra known in railroad parlance as
77's extra. The explosion demol
ished the engine and hurled the
boiler to a distance of 403 feet, the
boiler striking the ground twice and
turning over, something remarkable
in the history of boiler explosions.
There was no clue as to what
caused the explosion save the fact
that the crown sheet of the engine
was burned, and Indicated that the
boiler had gone dry and that water
had been turned into it. This would
have resulted In the' explosion. Per
sons who witnessed the explosion
said that the boiler rose straight
from the trucks of the engine to a
distance of fifty feet in the air and
turned over twice striking the
ground and making two rebounds.
The unfortunate fireman was
hurled backward by the explosion
into the tank and nearly every bone
in his body broken by the force of
the explosion. In addition he was
frightfully scalded and lived but a
very few moments after the acci
dent. Engineer Pierce was at his
place on the right hand side of the
engine, and was hurled through the
cab window a distance of eighty
feet. He sustained a broken thigh,
several severe injuries to the face
and head and was badly scalded. In
addition he was suffering from in
ternal injuries and when picked up
was unconscious. He was taken to a
hospital at once and at an early hour
this morning had not recovered con
sciousness. Attending surgeons do
not hold out much hope for recov
ery. Brakeman Upton was either on
the engine tank, the fireman's seat
or on the first car back of the en
gine. There are many conflicting
stories as to his whereabouts when
the accident happened but the story
that he was in the engine cab on
the fireman's seat seems to have the
most credence. He was hurled
through the air a distance of fifty
feet and was badly cut about the
face, head and arms and also sus
tained a fractured knee and broken
arm. He was scalded to 'some ex
tent but not so much as Pierce. It
is believed he will recover, although
his condition is admittedly serious.
The men were all well known
among railroad men running Into
and out of this city, Engineer Pierce
having been In the employ of the
Burlington for twenty years. He
had worked his way up and was
considered one of the most careful
men in the employ of the company.
Meacham was also well known here
as was Upton and 1 both men had
many friends. All three of the men
were married men, Pierce living at
1108 T street, Lincoln, Meacham
living at 818 Vine street and'Upton
at 1220 M street.
An Investigation by the coroner of
Lancaster county is under way and
every effort will be made to fix re
sponsibility. Supt. Blgnell for the
company stated that nothing was
known as to the cause except that
indications were a dry boiler and a
dropped crown sheet was the cause,
however he did not express any defi
nite opinion.
Such accidents are rare in the his
tory of railroading and when they
happen they can usually be traced
to lettlug the boiler go dry. Nearly
everyone In this city remembers the
arcident which took place In this
city many years ago when engine 12
blew up while being fired up In the
round house and killed and crippled
a number of men. There were many
conflicting stories afloat at that time
as to the cause of the disaster In
eluding tho theory of a dry boiler,
but It was never settled to the sat
isfaction of everyone Just what did
cause the disaster.
Promoted to Chief Clerk.
Wymore, Neb., Nov. 18. L. E.
Caldwell, for several years master
mechanic's clerk here, has gone to
Lincoln to be chief clerk for Gua
Johnson, who was recently promot
ed from master mechanic at this
place to assistant superintendent of
motive power. F. R. Walrod of
Beatrtce has taken his place in Div
ision Superintendent Lyman's office,
made vacant by the promotion of
Charles Hanson.
Kl MESEIi IIAS A CLOSE CALL
FOR HIS LIFE YESTERDAY flU!
While Unloading Heavy Timbers From Car He is Caught by Fall-
ing Timber and Thrown to Ground With Great Force--
THE riEW BRIDGE
: ACROSS PLATTE
Articles of Incorporation Will Be
Filed As Soon As Mr. Duff
Reaches The City.
It was expected that articles of
Incorporation of the new bridge
company across the Platte river to
Sarpy county would be filed yester
day, but owing to the failure of R.
A. Duff to get into the city In time
this was not done. Mr. Duff Is tour
ing Iowa In his auto and the bad
roads have delayed him. He is ex
pected in at any time and on his ar
rival the articles will be signed and
filed. He Is to be one of the heav
iest stockholders in the new enter
prise which can be considered prac
tically assured.
The name of the new corporation
is to be the "Plattsmouth Auto and
Wagon Bridge Company," a title
which advertises Plattsmouth. In the
case of many companies of this kind,
the town or city building them re
ceives no recognition In the title
but some vague, indefinite title is
adopted which does not do the com
munity any good. The men back
of this enterprise realize that Platts
mouth is the chief beneficiary of It
and they determined on the start, to
put in the word Plattsmouth ' bo
everyone would know where the
bridge was. "' ' ;'
The company Is to be incorporated
for $25,000, divided into shares of
$25 each and as soon as ten per cent
of the capital is paid in work will
start. It is expected that the work
can be gotten under way within a
few months at the outside and
speedily rushed to completion. The
new bridge will be built east of the
Burlington bridge at Oreapolls, and
will be a strong and substantial
structure capablo of standing the
spring floods and resisting the ice
Thorn os Liadsey and wife and
children were passengers this after
noon for Murdock, where they will
2uak a. visit of several days with
relatives.
In District Court.
The Jury in district court which
had been wrangling with the case
of Mefford vs. Zoz from near Green
wood, brought In a verdict, giving
the plaintiff John Mefford a verdict
for one dollar which carries with
it 'the costs of the suit. They were
out almost forty-eight hours, thirty
three of which was in one stretch
The amount sued for was $85 which
was asked for tools alleged to have
been taken from the plaintiff's well
boring machine while the same was
being held by the defendant for
money due him. After receiving the
verdict of the Jury Judge Pemberton
excused the members of the regula
panel, who had served on the case
until next Monday.
The Herold-Coates damage case Is
still -dragging Its length along be
fore Judge Pemberton and a Jury
and Is being stubbornly contested
The defendant W. W. Coates was on
the stand all morning and was given
a fierce cross-examination by Mat
they Gerlng, counsel for the plain
tilt. There was a constant stream
of objections by counsel for the de
fendant and much wragllng bO'
tween th attorneys in the case
There will be Beveral othejr witness
es to be heard for the defendant
and the case may possibly get to
the Jury sometime tomorrow.
In Clerk Robertson's office a case
has been filed entitled Dolly Trotter
et al vs. Frederick R. Harris et al, It
being a suit to partition lands bo
longing to the Sarah A. Gardner estate.
Among tho good citizens of Lib
erty precinct in tho city today 'in
terested in the drainage election is
noticed George Everett, John E. Mc-
Carroll, R. D. Stlne, L. J. Hall, O
W. Eaton, Matthew MrQulnn, and
Andrew E. Taylor.'
Prom Friday's Dally. ,
An accident which came near cost
ing Frank Kalesek his life happened
about 4:10 yesterday afternoon at
the work on the new Burllneton
sewer. Kalesek Is employed as a
laborer in Foreman Savengren's gang
and In company with several others,
was engaged In unloading brldgo
timbers from a coal car. These
timbers were very heavy and were
to be used in cribbing under the
tracks. The car which was loaded
high above the sides with timbers
standing at its highest point some
twenty feet above the ground, was
standing on one of the storage
tracks west of the main line and
several hundred yards south of the
depot
Four men were on top of the
timbers with cant hooks and like
tools engaged in pushing the tim
bers off the car onto the ground.
Kalesek was one of these and had
given a timber a roll which turned
over and started on its way to the
ground. As it turned, some nails
of spikes which were imbedded in
the timber caught the unfortunate
man by either the pants or over
shirt, spectators cannot say for cer
tain which, and whirled him through
the air In its wake. He was turned
completely over three times in his
descent from the car and lighted
upon the (.round underneath it. As
he came down he fell across a rail
on an adjoining track, his legs be
ing that part of his body to He
squarely over the rail while the up
per part of his body was on the outside.-
The timber followed him to
the ground and fell across his body
first, fortunately striking one end on
the ground and easing the force of
the blow which fell under his
stomach. The timber then slid down
the body across the legs as it set
tled to the ground pinioning Kalesek
beneath it.
Foreman Savegren and his men
at once removed the timber from
Kalesek who was groaning and, ap
parently seriously Injured. Having
seen the accident and observed the
manner In which the timber had
struck Kalesek, Foreman Savegren
was fearful of internal Injuries as
the body across the stomach, hips
and bowels had been caught by th
first force of the falling timber and
seemingly crushed. He at once sum
moned a dray which was standing
near and had the unfortunate man
taken to the surgeon's office whire
an examination was made, disclosing
him to be painfully bruised but with
no bones broken. Later It was de
termined to have him taken home
as the attending physicians were of
the opinion that he had not sustain
ed as bad Injuries ns thought. They
were of the opinion that his injuries
were not in themselves, dangerous
and that with proper treatment he
will recover.
That he had a narrow escape from
fatal injuries and possible death, Is
freely admitted. Had the timber
caught the legs as they lay across
the track they would have snapped
In two like straws, while had hla
body fallen across the rail and the
timber have caught it he would
have sustained a broken back almost
beyond preadventure.
Kalesek is a married man with
several children and has been hav
ing considerable misfortune of late
years. He has had sickness and
other troubles to contend with and
was in poor financial condition to.
sustain these Injuries. Several years
ago he had trouble with the Bur
lington and was discharged from the
shops here. Later he entered the
bridge and building department and
was ordered off the work on Instruc
tions from headquarters. Still later
he again secured employment and
not long since was transferred to'
Foreman 8ayegren' gang. He was
not a member of the Burlington
Voluntary Relief and was Ineligible
for admission into that organization.
It Is said he was a member of the
Modern Woodmen. ...
The condition of Mr. Kalasek to
day shows marked Improvement
and there is no danger but
now but what he will recover. A
further examination sliows that he Is
suffering principally from ' bruises
and that he has sustained no Inter
nal Injuries and that it is a ques
tion of but a short time when he will
be able to be out and at work once-more.
Frank Massle, one of the most
pormlnent ' citizens of Mt. Pleasant
precinct, was In the city today at
tending to some business matters
and also making a visit with friends.
Frank Is one of the prominent Dem
ocrats of his part of the county and
was well pleased with the outcome
of the fate election. His son Ilarlon
Massle, accompanied him to take the
examination at the county superin
tendent's office.
The Way One Woman Fixes Up
Small Family Matters.
Here Is the way one woman fixes
up small family matters, and the
story is well told by the Murdock
correspondent of the Ashland Ga
zette: "On re-entering his store room
Saturday evening, after a temporary
absence, L. Netl.el was surprised to
find the air full of dust and flying
pieces of merchandise. His first
thoughts were of San Francisco and
earthquakes, but ns the disturbance
seemed to be confined within the
walls of the building he groped his
way through the seml-darkncss,
overturned chairs, baby carriages,
sewing machines, etc., to tho front
of the room where he found a man
from the vicinity of South Bend and
his sister-in-law who lives in Mur
dock, engaged In settling a family
misunderstanding by the strong
arm of nature. Fortunately for Mr.
Netlzel financially and tho brother-in-law
physically there was a six
foot traveling man In the Btore who
had Interceded In behalf or peace
and prosperity, by holding the wo
man, thereby saving Mr. Neltzel con
siderable expense In the way of re
pairing show cases, etc., and saving
tho brother-in-law much physical
pain and the humiliation of being
beat up after having been knocked
down' by the woman. As Herman
Cast has not yet qualified as Justlco
of the peace,' onarrests were made.
Resolutions of Condolence.
Whereas, ft has plensed Diviue
Providence to remove from our
midst Brother Victor Anderson, a
member of Plattsmouth Lodge N.
365, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and
Whereas, In his death this lodge
loses one of Its most useful and
best of members, and this commun
ity one of Its noblest, most upright
and Blncere citizens, nnd his family
a faithful, kind and loving brother;
therefore be It
Resolved, by Plattsmouth Lodge
No. 365, Fraternal Order of Eagles
that this lodgo loses one of Its most
respected and unrlght members and
this community one of lts'best citi
zens and his family a kind and lov
ing brother; nnd hv It further
Resolved, that this lodge tenders
to the sorrowing brothers, sisters
and parents of our deceased brother
our deepest and most sincere sym
pathy; and be It further
Resolved, thut these resolutions be
spread at large upon the minute's
of this lodge, and that a copy there
of bo printed In the newspapers of
the city of Plattsmouth and that thV
charter of this lodge be draped In
mourning 'for the period of thlrtj
days.
JAMES REBAL,
JOSEPH HADRABA,'
J. E. McDANIEL.
Committee.
Mrs. Joseph Kahoutck and daugh
ter Florence, are visitors today in
P.k being passengers there this
Baornlnj, ,
l.'levalor (.'limine Hands.
Last Saturday R. C. Wenzel solii
his elevator, coal and Implement
!usiness to E. J. lletts and P. F.
Venner. Dick has almost grown up
lu the elevator business and hi
many friends will regret to see him
step out. His successors are well
and favorably known to the people
of Eagle and vicinity, both as citi
zens and business men and will be
right at home in this business, both
having had former experiences.
Eaglo Beacon.