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About Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 26, 1901)
MR , J , J , HILL MAKES APPEAL , Announces Union Pacific Old-Secure Control of the Northern Pacific , Magnate Explains Purpose of Northren Securities Co. Is to Make Himself and Morgan Dominant. \f \ St. Paul , Minn. , Dec. 24. President J. , J. Hill of the Great Northern rail way and of the recently organized Northern-Securities company , has giv en out the following statement to the press : "I have been absent from Minnesota more than two months and during that time there has arisen a wide dis cussion throughout the state of what has been generally called a consolida tion or a merger of the Northern Pa cific and Great Northern railways and inj this 'discussion statements have meen made which are so widely differ ent from the facts that I feel called upon to make a conservative state ment of just what has been done in the past and what will be done In the future. "When the Northern Pacific failed and the banking house of J. P. Morgan & Co. reorganized It , myself and my 'friends were holders of a large amount of that company's securities. After the reorganization was completed we bought about $26,000,000 of the North ern Pacific stock , both common and preferred. Some of this stock was afterward sold , but a large amount has been held from that time to the present. "About a year ago the Union Pacific company bought the Huntington and other interests in the Northern Pacific and at the same time made an effort to get control of the Burlington. 'PRELIMINARY MANEUVERS. "With these lines in the hands of the Union Pacific interests both the Northern Pacific and Great Northern would be largely shut out of the states of Nebraska , Kansas , Missouri , South Dakota , Iowa , Illinois and Wisconsin , except by using other lines of railway , some of which were in the market for sale and might at any time pass under the control of or be combined with ' the Union Pacific interests. We then , with the Northern Pacific , made pro posals to the directors of the Burling ton to buy their entire property. When this transaction was about being clos ed , the people who represented the Union Pacific company , and who had previously tried to buy the Burling ton , asked to be allowed to share with us In the purchase of that com pany. This proposal we refused for the reason that it would defeat our ob ject inj buying the Burlington and further it was against the law of the several states in which the longest mileage of the Burlington was locat ed. T-J "At that timeagainst 'the opposition rfcpso ( f the most southern lines , both the Great Northern and Northern Pacific had put into effect a low colonization rate and were carrying daily thou sands of people into the northwest , many of whom were coming from Kansas and Nebraska , along the lines of the Union Pacific. This movement was at its height in the month of April and after we had closed the deal for the Burlington , and the Union Pa cific undertook the boldest effort that' was ever made in this country and bought $60,000,000 of the stock of the Northern Pacific in the markets of Europe and the United States. I was In New York at the time and after Messrs. Morgan & Co. were aware of the action of the Union" Pacific people it was found that together we held about $25,000,000 of Northern Pacific common stock by right of a contract made with the preferred stockholders when the company was reorganizd and the stock Issued , had the privilege of paying off the preferred stock at par on the first day of January of any year until 1917. Messrs. Morgan & Co. then bought in London and New York about $16,000,000 of the common stock of the Northern Pa.cittc. At the same time the Union Pacific interests , hav- ' already so large an investment , bid the stock up until there was the largest stock corner ever known , the common stock in three or four days went up to $1,000 a share. I explained to my , friends how that , with control of th"e' Northerh Pacific , the Union. Pacific would control the entire north west and of the west from Mexico to the Canadian line. So great was ' the e'ffort to get this control that one of my friends in London who owned j two millions yof Northern Pacific comj j mon was offered and refused $14,000,000 for his stock. UNION PACIFIC WON. "The result was that Messrs. Mor gan & Co. and ourselves owned $42- 000,000 out of $80,000,000 of the Northj j ern Pacific common , with the privilege of'paying of $75,000,000 of Northern Pa cific preferred. The Union Pacific people owned $37,000,000 of the com mon and about $42,000,000 of the pre ferred , which was a clear majority of all the stock of the Northern Pacific HAY INTENDS TO HOLD POST. Washington , D. C. , Dec. 24. In view of the repeated publications of late to the general effect that Secretary Hay is about to 'retire a statement is given with "full authority touching this sub- substantially to the effect that Secretary Hay does not now contem plate retirement from the cabinet. This statement applies , not only to the present moment , but to that Indefinite Deriod fixed by the conclusion of the ineffqtiations necessary to the con- -3 _ \ .and claimed the exclusive control of the Northern Pacific railway and through that ownership control of one- half of the Burlington. When it was known that these preferred shares could and would be paid off , and be fore annual election , mutual negotia tions resulted In Mr. Morgan giving them a representative on the North ern Pacific board. When I was ad vised of my election I notified them that I could not legally act.as a di rector of the Northern Pacific and Great Northern at the same time , and I resigned after the first meeting of the board. "Several of the gentlemen who have long been interested in the Great Northern railway and its predecessor , the St. Paul , Minneapolis & Manitoba , will be among Its largest sharehold ers , but not the holders of a majority of its stock , whose ages .are from 70 to 86 years , have desired to combine their individual holdings in corporate form , and in that way secure perma nent protection for their interests and ra continuation of the policy and man agement which has done so much for the development of the northwest and the enhancement of their own proper ty in the northwest and elsewhere. Out of this desire has grown th Northern Securities company. It be came necessary ( in order to prevent the Northern Pacific from passing un der the control'of the Union Pacific interests and with It the Joint control of the Burlington ) to pay off the $75- 000,000 of Northern Pacific preferred. The enormous Amount of cash requir ed for this purpose from a compara tively small number of men. made it necessary for them to act together in a large and permanent manner , thro the medium of a corporation , and the Northern Securities company afforded them the means of accomplishing this object without the necessity of creat ing a separate company to finance the transactions for the Narthern Pacific ; while , at the same time , the credit of the Northern Securities company would'be much stronger , as it would also hold a considerable amount of Great Northern and other securities. OBJECTS OF THE COMPANY. "The Northern Securities company is organized to deal in high class securi ties , to hold the same for the benefit of its shareholders and to advance the interests of the corporations whose se- cutities it owns. Its powers do not include the operations of railways , banking , mining , nor the buying or selling of securities or properties for others on commission ; it Is purely an investment company , and the object of its organization was simply for those holding its stock to continue their irespective interests In association together and to prevent such Interests from being scatered by death or oth erwise ; to provide against attacks as have been made upon the Northern Pacific by a rival and competing in terest , whose main investment was hundreds of miles from the northwest and whose only object in buying con trol of the Northern Pacific was to benefit its southern properties by re straining the growth of .the country between Lake Superior and Puget Sound and by turning away from the northern lines the enormous oriental traffic which must follow placing on the ocean the largest ships in the world. "The foregoing is a brief and abso lutely correct statement of the whole subject , and its truth can easily be verified by the state of Minnesota and any other state or person having suffi cient interest to investigate the facts , which' are all matters of record. "Now , as to the effect of what has been done upon the public interests ; let me ask a few questions , which I want every candid and honest man to answer for himself ? "Did the Union Pacific people with their railway lines extending from Omaha and New Orleans to California and Oregon through the several states In the middle west and south purchase a majority of the stock of the North ern Pacific company for the purpose o faiding that company and increasing the growth and prosperity of th northern country , or was it for the purpose of restricting such growth and aiding the'development of their enor mous interests hundreds of miles to the south ? "Did they purchase the Northern Pacific and its interests in the Bur lington for the purpose of building up the Asiatic trade between the north ern zone lying from St. Paul and Min neapolis to the Pacific coast or in order to control the oriental trade for their own southern railway lines through their own seaports over their awn ships ? PLEA TO THE NORTHWEST. "In defeating their control of the Northern Pacific and regaining it in the hands of those who had built it up and with it the entire northwest , did we injure or benefit the people of the northwest ? "Did I by inducing my friends to hold their Northern Pacific common stock and act jointly with. Messrs. Morgan & Co. , when this stock was selling at $500 and $1,000 a share , thus preventing the Union Pacific .from coritroMng * the northwest , injure or benefit every interest , agricultural , business and otherwise , of the entire country between Lake Superior and the Pacific ocean ? 'Had we sold our $20,000,000 of the structiori of ' 11 Isthmian canal. Also it is stated with equal positiveness and authority that President Roose velt has In the strongest terms ex pressed to Secretary Hay his earnest desire that he shall remain in the cabinet , of which he forms one of the principal 'props. Thus , according to the statement , the secretary's inclina tion and the president's desire run together , and there is no foundation for the reports to the effect tbat Sec retary Hay Is to leave his post. Northern Pacific even at $300 a share amounting to $60,000,000 , or nearly $40- 000,000 more than Its present value.anc transferred to the Union Pacific con trol of the entire country betweec Canada and Mexico , what law ol Minnesota would we have violated Could wenot legally have put the money in our pockets and let the country that it was to be dominated by a parallel and competing railroad ? "Why did Governor Van Sant sit still from May until Novemberwhile a majority of the stock of the North ern Pacific company was controlled by a parallel and competing railroad company , In clear opposition to law , and wait until myself and friends have by our efforts and with our own money relieved the northwest , 'not as a rival parallel or competing railway , But doing what we clearly have the right to do , as individuals , or work ing together for greater uermanency and security as a financial corpora tion ? "Has there ever been a case in the history of this country when _ men have dropped their money profit and stood as firmly by the interests of the communities which had grown up with their own and largely by their own efforts and capital ? "The public is Interested in having a good railway service , and at fair and reasonable rates. The past is gone and speaks for itself ; I can speak for the future , and have no hesitation whatever In saying that the increased volume of traffic , both through and local , will enable the companies to reduce their rates in proportion to the volume of such traffic , and that in the near future the public will have a chance to see for itself this feature of what I have said. The development of the country will increase with a greater increase in population between Minnesota and the Pacific. No merger or consolidation of the Northern Pa cific and Great Northern Is contem plated. Each company will be oper ated separately in the future as in the past. $ "I greatly dislike to discuss my matters In the newspapers , but during my absence an attack has been made upon myself and friends which has been persistently supported by both political and rival interests. All I ask is fair play , and let time determine whether the public wil Ibe benefited or Injured by what we have' done and will continue to do. "JAMES J. HILL. " WESTERN EVENTS IN WASHINGTON. Washington , D. C. , Dec. 24. The comptroller of the currency has ap proved the Western National bank of. New York and , the Commercial Na tionalbank of Chicago as reserve igents for the Farmers' National bank af Red Cloud , Neb. A postoffice has been established at Pollock , Campbell county , S. D. , with Richard G. Parrott as postmaster. The following rural free delivery let- : er carriers have been appointed : Iowa W. J. Miller , at Pleasantville ; Dharles B. Sezring , at Boone ; Charles 3. Smith , at Knoxville ; W. M. Squire , it Council Bluffs ; Robert Johnson , at ) gden ; Fred H. Hummell , at Nicholas ; 3. S. Henderson , at Paullina ; Fred A. Bell , at Agency ; Roger H. Ballard , at ? erry ; John Steele , at Portsville ; W. 2. Fuller , at Clareton ; Milo C. Corbett , it Gretna. Postmasters appointed : Iowa ChillicotheWapello county , A. 3. Bellman , vice J. A. Pinegar , re- iigned ; Mark , Davis county , R. D. Andrews , vice D. T. Edwards , remov- : d. Nebraska Amherst , Buffalo county , N , J. Clark , vice F. B. Beck , removed ; IVatertown , ' Buffalo county , A. L. ritch , vice W. E. Dickman , resigned. South Dakota Ludlow , Ewing coun- y , Amanda Macy , vice Carrie McCuh- : e'y , resigned ; Terraville , Lawrence : ounty , T.H. . O'Connor , vice O. W. lurlbut , resigned : Rural free delivery service will xbe istablished on February 1 as follows : Iowa Gundy Center , Grundy coun- y ( additional service ) , with , three car- iers ; length of routes , sev.enty-seven niles ; population served , 560 ; carriers , Jeorge Hodge , Abram Delong and D. 3. Kirkpatrick ; postoffice at Ivester to > e supplied by rural carriers. Nebraska Scribner , Dodge county additiona Iservice ) , with two carriers ; ength of routes , fifty-three and a half niles ; population served , 1,100 ; carri- irs , oJhn Ziegler and Frank H. Lewis : ) ostoffices at Ridgeley and Webster o be discontinued. Stanton , Stanton : ounty , with three carriers ; length of outes , seventy-seven and one-fourth niles ; population served , 1,375 ; carri- irs , Arthur Axen , J. M. Mitchell and " . H. Banter ; postoffice at Bega to be liscontinued. West Point , Cuming : ounty , three carriers ; length of outes , seventy eight and " three- ourths miles ; population served , 1,775 ; : arriers , J. W. Rich , Theodore Krien- : e and I. E. Gehris ; postoffices at Jermanville , Aloys and Bismarck to te discontinued. * Bob Evans at Navy Department. Washington , D. C. , Dec. 23. Rear Ldmiral Evans , who has just returned rom Tutuila , Samoa , made a short to the navy department.- ex- > ects to remain in this city until the md of February , when 'he will go to he east toassume command of a di- ision of the Asiatic squadron. - Reports Delarey In Dispatr. ' London , Dec.24. The war office has : ome into possession of a cipher tele- : ram purporting to have been sent by he Boer commandant , Delarey , stat- ng that he could not hold out longer han January. According to. the corre- pondent of the Times at Pretoria , Jelarey is believed to be forty miles lorthwest of Klerksdorp , with about 00 men. The war office Is taking a nore hopeful view of the war than it ias taken at any previous time. . A - - - . . * t LONG TURNS DEWEY DOWN. Approves Finding of Facts art Opinion of the Full Schley Inquiry Court , Declines Sampson's Application for an Inquiry as to Who Comman ded at Battle of Santiago. Washington , D. C. , Dec. 24. Secre tary Long has finally disposed of the Schley case so far as the navy de partment Is concerned , by acting upon the 'findings and conclusions of the court of Inquiry. He approves the findings of facts and the opinion of the full court. He approves the majority opinion where there Is a difference in the court. He holds the court could not have entered Into the question of command at the battle of Santiago. And finally he accepts the recom mendation that no further proceed ings shall be had. The secretary also has declined the \application of Admiral Sampson's counsel to enter upon an Inquiry into the question of command and has notified Admiral Schley's counsel of that fact as a reason for declining to hear them on that point. Secretary Long's approval of the ma jority report was as follows : "The department has read the testi mony in this case , the arguments of counsel at the trial ; the court's find ings of fact , opinion and recommenda tion ; the individual memorandum of the presiding member , the statement of exceptions to the said findings and opinion by the applicant ; the reply to said statement by the judge advocate of the court and his assistant , and the briefs this day submitted by coun sel .for Rear Admiral Sampson trav ersing the presiding member's view as to who was in command at Santi ago. ago."And "And , after careful consideration , the , findings of fact and the opinion ) of the full court are approved. "As to the points on which the pre siding member differs from the irfajoi'- Ity of the court , the opinion ofthe majority is approved. "As to the further expression of his views by the same member with re gard to the question of command on the morning of July 3 , 1898 , and of the title to credit for the ensuing vic tory , the conduct of the court in mak ing no finding and rendering no opin ion on those questions is approved indeed , it could with propriety take n6 other course , evidence on these ques tions , during the inquiry , having been excluded by the court. "The department . approves the rec ommendation of the court that no fur ther proceedings be had in the prem ises. "The department records its appre ciation of the arduous labors of ' the whole court , JOHN D. LONG , "Secretary of the Navy. " The text of the secretary's letters to Admiral Sampson's attorneys and to Admiral Schley follow : "Navy Department , Washington , D. C. , Dee. 20 , 1901. Gentlemen : In view of the department's approval , this flay" of the recommendation of the jourt of inquiry , in the case of Rear Admiral Schley , that no further pro ceedings be had , and of the fact that the question of command was exclud ed from consideration by the court , the department will take no action upon the brief filed by you in behalf of Rear Admiral William T. Sampson. Very respectfully , "JOHN D. LONG , Secretary. " "Navy Department , Dec. 20 , 1901. Sirf Referring- the department's etter of the 20th inst. you are advis ed that action today has been taken upon the findings of the court of in quiry in your case and upon the mi nority opinion of the presiding Tnem- jer and a copy of the order indorsing such action is herewith transmitlle'ci. " " * * J for your information. "In response to your request of Ihe 18th inst. , heretofore acknowledged'/ that , if a protest should be filed by- Rear Admiral W. T. Sampson1 relative to the question of command of the naval forces during the battle of San tiago and credit 'for the victory won in that battle , you be accorded an op portunity to present through your counsel oral arguments against such protest you are advised that a brief on this subject has , been this day filed by Messrs. Stayton , Campbell and Theill , counsel for Admiral Samps&n. In view , however , of the department's approval of the recommendation of the court of inquiry that no further proceedings be had and of the fact that the question of command was ex cluded from consideration by the court , no action will be taken on said brief , and reply to that effect ( copy inclosed ) .has this day been made to counsel for Admiral Sampson. "A copy of the report of the judge advocate of the court and his. assist ant upon your communication of ' the 18th inst. objecting to the approval" of the findings of the court is also here with transmitted. Very respectfully , "JOHN D. LONG , Secretary. " "Rear Admiral W. S. Schley , U. S. 'N. , Retired. " Forming a Match Trust. Berlin , Dec. 24. O. C. Barber , W. A. Smith of Glasgow , vice chairman of Bryant & May's ; George W. Paton , managing director of the Diamond Match company's Liverpool works ; J. H. Bartholomew and Mr. Graves , di rectors of Bryant & May's , met at Mannheim this week to consider the reports of theiragents , who have been negotiating- the absorption of the match factories of Europe. Some im portant concerns are not willing to sell on ttie terms'offered. . % . . . . ' 'UU ; , * . - . .4- MONSTER EXPRESS CO. TO ORGANIZE , New Tork.Dec. 24. The organization of a $100,000,000 express company , to take over all the express business ot this country is the talk of Wall street , of aiding that company and increasing color is given to the report by re markable activity in the stock of the Wells-Forgo company. The four big1 express companies have been working in harmony for axlong time , and since April last J. C. Fargo , president of the American Express company and A. C. Weir , president of the Adams Express company , have been members of the board of direct ors of the United States Express com pany. The Adams controls the Southern Pacific company and the National Ex press is controlled by the American. The basis upon which the companies would be absorbed Is as yet only a matter of conjecture , butIt has been pointed out that the present $48,000,000 of stock might be expanded to $100- MJO.OOO , and still pay 5 per cent divi dends .while at the same time carry * ing the $12,000,000 bonds of the Adams company. These bonds represent profit to the stockholders. They were issued as a 100 per cent dividend in 1898. Before that time the company had paid divi * dends at the rate of 8 per cent per an num. This was reduced to 6 per cent , but profits on investments held by the company have enabled it to pay an extra 2 per cent since December , 1900. Neither the Adams , American , nor United States company is incorporat ed. Each was organized as an associ ation under the laws of the state. The Adams was thus formed ni 1854 , the American in 1859 and 1868 and the United States in 1854. Wells-Fargo & Co. were incorporat ed under the laws of Colorado in 1866. DECLARES TRUSTS ARE A DEAD ISSUE. Chicago , 111. , Dec. 24. In a speech before the Bankers' club , Charles M. Schwab , president of the United States Steel corporation , declared the "trust is a dead business proposition , built on a trinity that would wreck any thing the restriction of trade , the in crease of prices and the throttling of competition. " In distinction from the trust he de clared that consolidation had for its guiding principles the reverse of this trinity , that instead of restricting it expanded trade by creating new ave nues and reducing the prices of com modities produced. For particulars h'e' discussed the United States Steel cor poration , pleadingthat it wa's with this consolidation that he was most familiar. "No one , " ' , lje , said , "has a clearer appreciation than myself of the evil that lurked in the trust scheme. I say lurked advisedly , because the trust is a dead issue with which we will never again be troubled. It was an experiment , and to that extent served its purpose. But it was found ed on misconception and promoted on lines of self-destruction. " * Mr. Schwab gave an account of the formation and workings of the United States Steel corporation , which , he said , pays to labor approximately $150,000,000 a year. This is equivalent to a mortgage debt of $3,000,000,000 up on the property , which must be paid in advance of the first mortgage bonds. He added : "I am heartily in sym pathy with President Roosevelt when he says that all the great combina- nations should be given publicity. " GENERAL FUNSTON IS A' FATHER. Oakland , Cal. , Dec. 24. A son has been born to Mrs. Frederick Funston , wife of Brigadier General Funston , of Kansas. Mrs. Funston returned from the Philippines a few weeks ago , and has been living with her parents here since. General Funston sailed from Manila for the United States last Sun day. He is due here about January S. Mrs. Funston was formerly Miss Edna Blankart. She was a music teacher of this city. Funston met her while his regiment , the famous "fight- Ing Twentieth , " was at the Presidio in 1898 , awaiting transportation to the Philippines. He proposed one day and they were married three days later. The next day Funston sailed away. His bride soon followed him to Ma nila , where she has been with him most of the time since. EDITORS ENTHUSE OVER SCHLEY. Columbus , Neb. , Dec. 24. Although his name was jiot mentioned , there was no question but that a pronounc ed sentiment for Schley as the next iemocratic presidential candidate pre vailed at the banquet of the newly ifjrmed Democratic Editorial associa tion last week at the Thurston hotel. At every reference to the admiral as > j. presidential possibility , those pres- snt applauded enthusiastically. Edgar Boward , who'was one of'the first men to mention Schley as a possible candi date , in a speech said that judging from the present conditions , Nebraska would have a considerable part , hot Dnly in shaping the platform , but' In determining the democratic candidate for 1904. ' " - ' At the first regular meeting of the new organizatiorip'to be held at Lin coln in February , it" is thought some. action will be taken on the question of boomirig Schley.- - ' . . . . Asks For Half A Million. t ' Cleveland , O. , Dec. 24. The McKIn- [ ey Memorial association is receiving encouraging reports from all over the country. Half million dollars is the sum fixed to be raised. An appor tionment of the total sum has been made among the states of the union , according .to population and location. The largest sum is asked of New i'ork , $150,000 ; Ohio's apportionment is (100,000 and the other states propor tionately less. North Carolina will be asked to raise the last amount , $1,000. , CDBA HAS HER TRODBLS. Maso's Men All Refuse To Enter ElectiH Day Set By Uncle San , Retiring Faction Take Exeptlow t War Departments Attitude and Charge Unfair Partisianship.v Havana , Dec. 24. The * supporters of General Maso In his candidacy for the presidency of the republic have decid ed to take no part in the coming elec tions , fixed for December 31. All the candidates of the party have with drawn and the Maso members of trfe provincial boards have been request ed to resign. These steps were decid ed upon on the receipt of a letter from Governor General Wood refusing to- grant the party representation on the board of scrutiny or an extension of the time to modify the voting list. At a meeting of the party leaders a resolution was adopted declaring that the central board is a coalition of partisans and that General Maso , after exhausting every means to insure Impartiality , rectitude and justice at the coming elections , has become con- . vinced that neither in official circles In the United States nor in Cuba does the Intention exist to see that the elections are carried out with suffi cient legality to reflect the real wish of the Cubans , who are desirous of independence and anxious lo freely- elect their first constitutional govern or. PRESS APPLAUDS MASO. It was voted to inform Secretary Root of the decision arrived at and also to publish a manifesto to the country. La Lucha applauds the withdrawal of the Maso candidates and says that without the guarantees asked from Secretary Root everyone knows that the election will be a falsification of the will of the majority. "The Maso coalition , " says La Lu cha , "should not lend themselves to the betrayal of the public will and should not co-operate in a policy . which tends to lay the foundation of the republic in a gigantic fraud. " Besides having the so-called conser vatives with him , Maso is said to > have a strong following among the blacks in the country districts , and it is intimated in Havana that this ele ment may not take kindly to the pres ent condition of things and may cause trouble. Maso's conservative leaders , however , say they have no fear. The Discuscion , the Palma organ , asserts that the withdrawal of Maso's supporters is due to the fact that they are a hopeless minority and the can didates have no chance of being elect ed. MAY TAKE UP THE SCHLEY CASE. . Washington , D. C. , Dec. 23. Pres ident Roosevelt is reported to have in terested himself in the attitude of the- navy department with regard to Ad miral Schley. He is alleged to have said at a cab inet meeting that while technically , he might not have a right to review the verdict of the court , he was of the opinion that as commander-in-chief of the army and navy he had a right f he cared to exercise it. It is quite certain Schley will carry his appeal up to the president when , Long's approval of the majority opln- on of the court shall have been offi cially announced. NEBRASKA FARMER MANGLED BY H06S. " i .Oakland , Neb. , Dec. 23. Lying un conscious in his pigpen , with hogs tearing at his still living body , J. Sandbloom , a farmer living south of here , was found by his son. The animals were apparently made mad by the taste of human flesh , for they were driven off with difficulty. They had eaten the right arm nearly off. off.Mr. Mr. Sandbloom was carried to the house and medical assistance sum moned , .but it is thought his Injuries will prove fatal. He is believed to have stumbled while on his way thro * the hog yard , and to have been ren dered unconscious by the fall. He is 58 years of age. RUMOR THAT AROUSES THE MASONS. New York , Dec. 23. The Press says in a leading news report that Charles W. Meade , general master of the grand lodge of Free and Accepted Masons , is hurrying to this-.city ovej\ . the New York Central road to take hold , with other officers , of a ques-- . tion more important to masonry than , any which has confronted it since1 1828 , when William Morgan met his * ' death. This question relates.it is saTd , ' " to the alleged formation of lodges flby ' expelled and clandestine Masons and' the alleged sale of Masonic degrees' to candidates. The grand ' lodge of' Masons of the state of New York will institute a rigid investigation of these reputed frauds , it is said. - - " Phoenix , A. T. , Dec. 24. A dispatch received here by United States Mar shal McCord , tells of the murder of Corporal Irish on a trail twenty miles from Fort Grant. Irish was a scout ; with headquarters at the San Carlos agency for 'Apache Indians. He was accompanied by Haskidistal , an In dian , who was employed by the gov ernment as a scout. HaskidistaTs whereabouts are unknown , but nativ * scouts are on his trail. It Is believed ; he has taken refuge among his tribe * * men. - .
