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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (May 27, 1887)
SIXTEENTH YEAB. OMAHA , FKIDAY MOBNING , MAY 27. 1887. NUMBER 343 HORRIBLY HEARTRENDING , Investigation Makes the Late Parisian Fire More Frigbrful Each Hour. HEAPS OF BROILED HUMANITY. The Gaycftt Spot in thn World a Chnrncl llouso Prolmbly Over iiOO Durncd DIstrcHs- IIIK Scene * ) . Details of the Fire. PAIIIS ( via Havre ) , May 20. [ New York Herald Cable Special to the BBK.-- ] The Opera Comlquo was totally burnt last evening. The fire caught In thu curtain from a row of gas jets In the files. Two thousand people were In the theatre. The performance was "Mlgnon. " At exactly a quarter before nine thu curtain was just about to fall at the end of the first act. Mile. Margullllcr , who , as Phllcnc , was singing a wait/ song to chorus accompaniment , suddenly ceased and disappeared. Shu had stood In front ot the cottage at the right of the stage , overhung with trees , when showers of glowing cinders began falling about her. 'Ihe Instant she vanished Monsieur Taskln , who sang Lothario , stepped to the front amid the fall ing embers nnd said : "Don't move ; Its nothing. " In the stalls and pit wlieio the danger was most evident , thu audience began rapidly but quietly to leave the house. In the galleries where the magnitude of the lire was not visi ble the people remained seated. By the time the stalls were emptied the house was full of smoke , and the entire 'stage ablaze. SCKNK.S OF TElinOH followed. The screams of ladles mingled with tlio shouts of the people upon the stage. The frantic crowd trampled over each other , pretty women In full evening dress , the do- llclous toilettes of Worth and Felix Ron If , rushed pcll-uiel ! with the shop girls and cocottcs , and came pouring out like an ava lanche Into place Bollcdlcu. Cloaks and wraps , of course , were loft behind. A cold rain came down steadily , but luckily not a breath of wind. Other scenes of panic or-currcd In rue Favaro. where from the stage entrance bevies of figurantes and ballet girls half diessed came tearing into the Btreots.followed by the chorus of Ringers , scene shltters and carpenters. No one know that the lire had not been fatal to hundreds of people In the galleries. The police and firemen declare that most of the people es caped. The officials report seventeen killed , 110 wounded. Ono scene shltter , a young looking man with a bushy black beard , was dragged from the ( lames suirocated and bleeding from a bad gash In tlio head , and brought Into the ultra fashionable cate Ang- ialso , corner of Boulevard des Gallons and rue Mcrivaux , and iilnced on a dining table , where ho died in about five minutes. Six Rtout tirnmen made a gallant charge , axes In hand , through the ( lames and rescued the Iron safu containing the receipts , which they carried to the editorial rooms of the Uau- lols near by. The consternation on the boulevards reached the climax about 10 o'clock. At least 100,000 people blocked all sheets leading to the burning thcatic , while the firemen , in bra/en helmets , aided by a battalion of the Thirtv-first regiment , kept back the ciowd and aided the wounded to the police station on rue Richelieu , where thomllltary ambulances stood In readi ness to convoy them to their homos. In the cots at the police station 1 saw tlireo figur antes , pretty young girls , Ivlng dead , their clothing burnt oil' them , their chests and arms black from the ( lames. TIIK NU.MHKH OK IKAD In this police station was seven. Eleven wounded men and women were lying about ctoanlnz with pain , while the doctors were hard at work doing their ben to rc.suscltato those partially suffocated. There were pres ent at the opera many Americans , but none , fortunately , were Injured as far as known. Chas. A. Duvivior , 4' ) Broad street , NewYorK , was with his son. Ho gives a graphic account ot the efcapo of the audi ence : "Wo arrived early , secured seats , sat through the little opera 'D.i lo Chalet' that preceded 'Mlgnon. ' When the curtain rose after a long wait the first act of the opera moved oil' brightly nnd cheerily. Toward the nnd of the act wo noticed pieces of burn ing canvas falling from thu ( lies. Wo con cluded the safe thing was to get out. As wo were passing along the aisle , Taskln , stand ing amid the sparks , beseeched the audience. to remain seated. His courage was magnifi cent , but his judgment was faulty. When my son and I readied the foyer the stage was a mass of ( lames. Screams began to resound on all sides and the foyer iillawlth smoke. Wo did not wait for coats , saw nobody descending the stair way leading to thu galleries and I believe the jam had already occurred thereon. I be lieve everybody in tlio paitlcrro escaped alive , thoiurh many were badly bruised , but am equally sure many people suifocated In the naileries. BCENKS OUTSII1K were pitiful In the extreme. Friends and rela tives were separated in the mad crush. Ladies wearing elegant evening toilettes were fran tically begging the firemen and onlookers to save relatives and friends. When we saw wo coulu not render further assistance , wo came to Hotel do Lantheneo. " W. J. Ayres. of Now York , had a lucky es cape. With his wife , daughter and N. E. Rutter , ho occupied the thlul box from the stage on the lett side. Ho was greatly disap pointed at being compelled to take this box , which was the only ono obtainable , but It turned out to bo a lucky purchase. Miss Ayres noticed the actress looking up ; then other actors glanced upwards evidently alarmed. What seemed to bo a ball of tire fell to the stage. Mr. Ayres , looking up , saw thu flies already a mass of ( lame. Hu sprang to his feet ready to take his family out , but the actors advanced to the front of the stage and asked the audience to be calm , as there was no dancer. Ayies says ho and the whole audience were perfectly quiet for two min utes , losing most precious time. Then thualr draught carried a sheet of ( lame downward Iromthu files , curling out Into the theatre like a liquid cascade. Thu lire descended , burnIng - Ing the canvas , which , dropping , drove thu actors from the state. As Sir. Ayres turned to take his wlfo out ho noticed the whole au dience rising together , rushliu like A limit ) OK STAMPKUKl ) CATTI.K toward the doors. In half a second the the atre was a mass of struggling animals , shriek- In and howling with fear. Women weie already being trampled upon even before Mr. Ayers could turn around. In a jiffy Aycrs took Mrs. Ayres , Rutter took Miss Aycrs and rushed out of the box Into the corridor , then to tlio passage leading to the sldo door. The passage was nearly empty as Ayers got there , but thu rush of despeiato men began so quickly that the crowd Pressed between Mr. and Mrs. Ayres and Rutter with Miss Ayres. Mr. nnd Mrs. Ayres were pushed out before thn crowd like corks In a stream. Rutter and Miss Ayfes were caught In the crowd , swayed with it , crushed , lifted up , sot down , but gradually working towards the door. Miss Ayres told me her feet did not once touch the lloor or a etep on the staircase. Her mother not a moment before had walked without difficulty , hence It will be seen how suddenly the terrible rush for tlw door began. At the toot of the stairs a curtain hung across the passage. Hero a burly Frenchman pushed the curtain aside and de liberately seized Miss Ayres by the shoulder with Ills right hand and attempted to twist her around or down so that ho could trample her out of his way. Mr. Rutter grabbed the staggering girl just In time to save her from the feet of the crowd , but struggling to pro tect her , could not stop the brute who pushed past unpunished. Finally , out of breath , crushed and exhausted , the whole party mot aL'aln uninjured In the street 1 found the paity t Hotel Benda. uaar the Herald otHee. still sitting up , talking over the es capade. Mr. Ayres tolls me lie feels certala the tire burned unnoticed a long time , as from his position In the box lie could see the whole files aflame realty before the alarm was given to the audience. When he reached the street and before he found a cab , ho noticed the street already filled with ( moke. Before he had driven a block he . poked back ana saw the ( rout of the theater n flames. Kortun tely the party got out- sldo the door before the worst of the crush began , hence escaped a nervous shock. A TALK WITH AN ACTIIKS9. I saw Mile. Margullller at her residence , No. U , rue Saint La/are , at midnight , sur rounded by friends. Excellent artist that she Is , she'reenacted while speaking , the dreadful scones of the evening. "Ah , my poor theatre. I loved It BO , " she exclaimed , tragically. "It f'-cmed a part of mo. 1 was In the scene with the choristers when the lire bcian. 1 had finished the duet with Monsieur Soulacrol when ho said to me , raising his eyes , 'look , wn arei afire , have ourself without delay. ' I loft the stage In ho midst of the scene , but notwithstanding ; ast my eyes over the auditorium where al- eadv the people weresprlngingto their leot , jlimblng over the stalls and rushing rear- , vanl.vltli cries of terror. I hurried tothe green room where t Imped to find com- ades whom I could accompany to Jin stage entrance , but It was descited and almost daik. The loneliness terrified me. but L tried to collect my thoughts. I remembered hat a corridor running parallel with rue Merlaux ended In an exit reserved for the administration. In two seconds I was face to face with that door. It was fast. I knocked violently with bleeding knuckles , but without answer , At that moment I was illeil with a terrible aiiL-nlsli. 1 was caught .n a trap. 1 was lost. My retreat across the stage was cut otr. 1 felt that behind mu were unknown horror . 1 knew not where to turn for aid. Already the corridor was full of smoke which chased mu. Then In sheer helplessness and desnalr 1 shrieked. A voice 'W'o will . ' without answered , save you. The door-was burst In and I fainted. I came to In a cafe on the Moilvaux. Then , after a 'Ittlu time 1 camu home. I am sure that nianv unfortunate people have been lost. Oh ! 1 am sosorrv , " nnd rolling her great eyes heavenward , she looked all she said. IlAIHNO KIHEMEN. While-watching the firemen from the cafe Anglalso , I noticed a daring liieman rush up a ladder placed against the tottering patt of the top story , front wall. The roof had already fallen and part of lifts wall had gone with it. The remainder , a semi-detached piece , lulled out from the neighboring buildIng - Ing , held almost solely bv the mortar. The llames 'Played above and below and on one side. Up went another fireman with a line ol hose. I could almost see their clothes shrivel in the Intense heat Their hats glistened In the light of the llames. The crowd below yelled and shouted applause almost as wildly as if Boulanger himself had turned fireman. The water spouted from the hose and put the llames nut and the fire men went back into self-made darkness. At about 10 o'clock two men who had been driven by thu llames to the roof jumped from the top ot the chimney Into the rue Favarc and landed a mass of jelly. They proven to bo two employes of the theatre. I had an Interview with al. Taskln , who was singing the role of Lothario when the lire broke out. Taskln said : " 1 said to the audience the moment I saw the llames , 'don't move : it's nothing. ' I then went to the room of M. Carvalho , the director of thu Opera Comlque. It was so hot In the passage way that 1 thought I should roast to death. Witn a violent push of mv shoulder 1 burst through thu partition. It was then that 1 was slightly wounded by a portion of a burning beam that fell on mv arm. Having broken down the partition I reached Carvalho's room , nearly suffocated , but lound that thu firemen had already taken him away sate. I returned and aided two figurantes to get safely out by the exit on rue Merlvaiix. I think the number suffo cated will not be known for several days , for I saw many apparently lifeless bodies In the galleries. " DAYMOHT SCENr.3. The bodies of the ballet dancers who lost their lives by the burning of the Opera Comlquo last night are lying in a heap of ruins of the theater. The firemen assort that many bodies arc lying in thn upper galleries. The number of persons killed greatly ex ceeds the previous estimates. Excited crowds surround the ruins , which are guarded by a military cordon. Many distressing scenes are witnessed. 4 p. in. Twenty moro bodies have been received this afternoon from the ruins of the Theatre Comlquo. The remains of three men and two women have been found In a stage box. It Is ascer tained that many bodies lie burled In the debris In the upper galleries. The govern ment has proposed to close several Paris theatres because of their deficiency in exits. Late tills afternoon the bodies of eighteen ladles In full dress were found lying together at the bottom stair case leading from the second story. These ladles all bad escorts , but no remains of men were found near them. The walls of the theatre bozan fallIng - Ing this evening and the search for bodies has been abandoned for to-day. The library attached to the theatre was en tirely destroyed with its contents , including many valuable scores. Six thousand cos tumes were burned In the wardrobe. I'lio work of searching for the bodies was re sumed to-nlifht , and a number more were exhumed. The official statement says lilty bodies have already been recovered. M. Revelllon. speaking in the chamber of deputies this aftornoo ; ) , estimated that at least 200 persons lost their lives In the fire. Already 150 missing persons have been in quired for by relatives. They are supposed to have perished In the flames. The bottom of the theatre Is. flooded with water to a depth of five feet. Many bodies have been fouad floating in the water by thn firemen. A TKHimil.K D1RCOVEKV. The consternation was increased to-night by a terrible discovery , similar to that made after the burning of the Brooklyn theatre In December , IblO. At 11 o'clock pompiers working with picks came upon a mass of hu man remains , from which they dragged forty corpses. There are many more now who certainly are In the debris of the theatre. Following are the latest official figures : Total number of bodies found K3,28 of whom have been identified , 13 severely wounded , CO slightly wounded , and 100 uilsslng ; that Is to say , whose relatives and friends have re ported to the police as having eone to the Opera Comlque Wednesday night , but who have not turned up. This brings the total list of casualties up to 2 0. Crowds stand round the police stations eagerly gazing at the face of each newly unearthed victim with the hope of finding a father , or mother , or brother , or sister. The streets ate filled with women In tears. No Ameri cans are among the dead , nor wounded , nor missing. Owing to the courtesy of the pre lect of police , Mon.tieur Uragnon , 1 was per mitted to be present at the ghastly work of extricating the bodies of the victims from beneath the ruins. Nearly all thn bodies are those of well-dressed persons. Most all still have on their gloves. Many bodies are. twisted Into strange , weird shapes , and some seemed broiled as If on gridirons. Under the debris of a narrow stair case I saw a group of seven corpses , whoso charred and blackened members were intertwined In almost Laocoon coils. One of these was that of a woman whose face was literally roasted like an orerdode piece ot beef. In her ears ellstened a pair of largo solltalro diamond earrings. The right arm was fractured and the left arm was wound about a smaller corpse apparently that of a uirl twelve years oldprobably her datighetr. The other corpses In this croupe were so black and so mangled that this was almost Impossible to say whether they were the remains of human beings or of animals , A few yards distant were the remains of a young basket girl the limbs still clothed with rose colored tricots that made her look as If still living. .No part of the body was burnt nor did It bear traces of any wounds. Death had been evi dently caused by suffocation for she had torn from her skirts a handful of gauze which the poor girl had crammed Into her mouth in a vain effort to keep out the smoke. It Is now 2 o'clock in the morning. The sky Is black as Ink but there Is no rain. Soldiers of the Uardo Republlcalne , in dark blue uniforms stand guard over the ruins , keeping back the crowd of several thousand silent but curious spectator , and allow no carriage to pass through tno Boulevard des Itallcns. Every , ten or fifteen minutes the ghastly remains itt some newly unearthed victim is borne silently on a stretcher lacross the boulevard to the police stations on the Hliuu Dronet and Rime Richelieu , near the National Library. Strong disinfectants per meate the air , and occasionally comes the whlll of a sickening smell of burnt human fleili. The gayest street of the gayest city in thu world has been transformed Into a charnel - nel bouse. _ . Destructive CouOajtration. LONDON , May 26. Ur. Hatch from Bt Petersburg , Elves the particulars of a de structive conflagration which occurred near there on the 24th instant by which sixty houses were destroyed. The tire was incen diary. Tlio. los.s amounts to soyeral million rubles. NKW Y011K PIUK. Sixteen Hundred Horses Durncd to Death Several Lives Lost. NEW YOIIK , May 27. 3 a. m. Flames broke out at 1:30 : In the south end of the Belt Line stables , on Tenth avenue , between Fifty-second and Flftp-thlrd streets. The building was entirely destroyed , with 1,600 horses and nearly all the cars In the building. Two blocks of buildings arc also In flames. The stable was a live-story structure and covered a square block. There was no chance to save the books of the com pany. Only a few cars were saved. At 2 o'clock the walls of the bulking fell In with a crash , sending millions of sparks and blaz ing pieces of wood In the air. Engines from all over the city were summoned. The heat from the flaming building was so great that several firemen and two policemen were prostrated. The flames , aided by strong winds , leaped across the wide avenue and commun- cated to the whole block on tue east side bo- ween Fifty-third and Fifty-fourth street. The block was composed of six-story tene- nent houses , out of which the terror stricken jcople poured like a swarm of bees , praying , lighting and cursing by turns. The scone of .error was indescrlble. The bttllnings burned rapidly though the fronts facing the [ i venue were of brown stone. By2,0thoy : were completely gutted. The ( lames spread to the entire square block over to Ninth avenue from Eleventh avenue , to which the stables extended. At 2:30 : a. m. the next block below tad caught lire and was blazing fiercely. The trcets In the vicinity for blocks away were tilled with frightened , crying , woe-stricken enants , tUolng from the ravages of the llames. The fire attracted thousands of spec- ators. The loss to the Belt line people Is not less than 810,000. It Is estimated now bat the entire loss will be over (1,000,000. The .encment houses were thickly peopled , every oor having from four to five families , all were poor people who will lose their prop- llorty. 3:30 : a. m. A telephone message from the scene of the disaster says It Is believed a arge number of lives are lost. 3:4r : n. m. The fire Is believed to bo under control. Seventy-five dwellings , mostly ten ements , a soap factory and brewery are among the buildlncs burned. Another In Cincinnati. CINCINNATI , May 27. The street railway stables , near the site of the Brighton house , are burning. It Is thought they will be to tally destroyed and n large number of horses burned. Loss between 8100,000 and 3200,000. LATER The fire Is now under contiol. Only about half of the stable Is burned , and most of the horses and cars were saved. The loss , It Is thought , will bo as large as Crst re ported. Strikers Talking Civil AVnr. tfowi/j fu/it / tSSJlni J.iinci Cordon ISennett. ] RRUSIKLS , May 26. [ New York Herald Cable Special to the BEE.l The acting committee of the Belgium strikers has writ ten a letter to Beernacrnt , chief of the cab inet , saying the cattle bill makes the cup of bitterness over the brim. The letter calls upon the minister to grant universal suffrage , amnesty to the colliers condemned for last year's outrages , the withdrawal of the cattle bill and a revision of the constitution. "If the minister does not answer satisfactorily before next Sunday , " adds the letter , "bo answerable for the civil war which will en sue. " The government decided to-night to call out two classes of militiamen. The Ghent strikers appear bent upon coming next Sunday or Monday to Brussels to dem onstrate. Benefit performances for the victims of the Paris Opera Comlque will shortly be organ ized here. BRUSSELS , May 26. The public prosecutor has ordered the enforcement of the law against the sale of arms with a view of check ing the trade outrage. A Tory Attack on Pnrncll. DUMI.IN , May 2 < 5. The Express , conserva tive , accuses Paruell of cruelty to ono ot his Avondale tenants named Kennedy. The paper says that although Kenn dy has been a tenant on the Irish leader' ! estate for nine years , Parnell has coerced him Into exchanging the fanithe has occupied and Improved , for a tract of Inferior land. In addition to this , Parnell , the paper says , has refused to make a 25 per cent reduction In rent requested by Kennedy , and has sued him fora * year's rent duo only sluco April , The Hungarian Diet Adjourns. PESHI , May 26. The Hungarian diet \Vas closed to-day by Emperor Francis Joseph. In his closing speech the emperor gratefully re ferred to the patriotic self-abnegation of the deputies in providing forthe safety of throne and monarchy despite an unfavorable con dition ot finances. French Politics. PAIUS , May 26. It is reported that Frnycl- net finds it impossible to form a btable min istry and that he will again decline to under take the task. The chamber of deputies voted a credit of 200,000 francs for the relief of the sufferers by the Opera Comlque fire. The senate agreed to a 10 franc purtax on sugar. It is now definitely learned that Froyctnet has informed President ( Jrevy he cannqt form a cabinet. The president's three re publican croups urged President Grevy to remove General Boulanger from office. Canadian Import Duties. LONDON , May 20. "Various British cham bers of commerce and other associations propose to issue a protest against the Import duties on iron and seeel Imposed by the Can adian government. A Conspiracy Crushed. CONSTANTINOPI.I : , May 20. It Is reported that the sultan dismissed a number of offi cers holding high positions in the palace who were discovered to be engaged in a conspir acy to overthrow him. Oil Conduits Destroyed. ODESSA , May 20. Nobels and Rothschild's petroleum conduits near Batoum have been destroyed with dynamite. The outrage Is said to bo the outcome of trade jealousy. DIsmarck'H Rheumatism. BEHLIN , May 26. Prince Bismarck has been suffering from muscular rheumatism , and bis physicians nave advised him to take complete rest A Dead Earl. LONDON , May 20 , William Brabagon , earl of Meath and baron of Ardee. died to-day. He was in his eighty-fourth year. Off For Homo. LONDON , May 20. Count Herbert Bis marck has left London tor Berlin. A Rich Old Captain. ST. PAUI- May 20. "Commodore" Will- lam F. Davidson , an old Mississippi river steamboat man , died this evening. Ho leaves a wife and two children , and an estate worth 11,000,000. Steel and Iron Pool. 1'iTTSnUHO , May 26. At a meeting of the steel and lion manufacturers to-day a pool was formed to regulate prices. Three Men Cremated. WILKEHBARRE , Pa. , May 26 , Three men were fatally burned by a eas explosion this afternoon in blope No. a al Nantlcoke. Governor Hill to Entertain Grnver. Ai.BANV.-N. Y. . May 26. President Cleve land and wife will be tha guests of Governor Hill , at the state executive mansion at Albany , on their return from their trl > - < * - ) Adirondack * . BENKLEMAN'S BIG "BOMB , " Sscretnry Lamar Benders an Adverse De cision On the Townsito Ownership , CLEVELAND GETS COURTEOUS. The Fishing Party Leaves A. Strln- Bent Cattle Qunrnntliin Tlio National Drill Army News Western Pensions. ncnklctnnn "Unstcd. " WASHINGTON , May 20 , [ Special Telegram to the Hun. | Secretary L.uuar to-day do- cldecl the case of the occupants of the town of Bcuklcman , Neb. , vs. James A. Erwln , involvinir tlio town site claim. The following Is the decision sent to Commis sioner Sparks to-day : "i have considered the case of the occu pants of the town of Bcnkleman vs. James A. Erwln as presented by appeal of the former from a decision of your olllco dated November 10 , 18b."i , affirming the action of thu loc.il land otllcors at McCook , Neb. , re jecting the application of the county Judgn of Dundy county In behalf of . ald Inhabi tant ! ) to iilo a town site declaratory statement for the cast half of the southeast quarter of section IS , township 1 north , range 37 west. Said application was rejected for the reason that at the date when It was offered said tract was covered by soldiers' additional entry No. 3,076 , final certllic.ito No. .170 , in the name of James A. Erwln , upon which a patent was Issued February 20 , ISSH. and de livered March 7 In the same year ; that when said entry was made on June 10 , IbSi ! , there was nothinz of record to show an advcrce claim to the land ; that no action was taken by anv adverse claimant after the allowance of said entry , and prior to the Issuance of said fateut , attacking the validity of bald entry , and that , since said patent was regu larly Issued , your office had no jurisdiction to allow said application. It has been repeat edly said , and may now be considered a rul ing of this department , that the Issuance of a patent for a tract of land exhausts the juris diction of this department , except , perhaps , as regards proceedings looking to a recom mendation of the Institution of a suit In the courts to set aside and cancel the patent , where the same has been Improperly issued . Upon the authority of the case cltod. ( the de cision appealed trotn must be , and It Isheroby affirmed. " The President Smiles. WASHINGTON , May 20. fSpeclal Telegram to the BKI : . | For the first time since his in auguration , President Cleveland entered the Baltimore & Potomac depot to day by the front door. He walked right over the star which marks the spot where Oarlield fell , and bowed cor dially to everyone In sight. The charming face of Mrs. Cleveland , beamed out pleas antly on the crowd , ivnd 8he responded with smiles and nods to the greetings of the assem bled people. If Mr. Cleveland had adopted a policy of friendliness to the populace when ho first came hero , be would have had far less cause to complain of the treatment which ho has received. As it Is , ho has come to his senses rather h\te , and Inasmuch as Dan Lament stood by his side to-day , the Impression rapidly spread that Dan had helped him don the mask of cordiality solely lor political effect. Southern Militia Fools. WASHINGTON , May 20. | Special Telegram to the BIK. ] The' Vlcksburg southerners who made such arrant fools of themselves during the parade yesterday by withdrawing from the Hue ot march because the colored company from Virginia had been assigned a place In the line ahead of them , went still fur ther to-day. They have formally withdrawn from the drill and It Is said have started for home. By this course they forfeit all rights tea a share In the prizes. There was an excellent chance for them to capture the first prize of 85,000 , but now they wll ! have nothing. Their action has caused great amusement as well as chagrin. The northern companies from Minnesota , Michigan , Iowa and New York were sandwiched In among colored troops all along the line , yet there was not oven a protest from any of them. Tney are willing , too , to resign all claim to prizes If the colored men prove better on the drill field than they. The Vlcksburs men's action Is looked ngon by democratic politicians as exceedingly unwise from every possible standpoint , and politically as suicidal. An Illinois Company Withdraws. WASHINGTON , May 2ti. The weather was superb , and to-day was Industriously devoted to competitive drilling. Company II , Sixth Illinois , \\as entered for competition , but withdrew on account of the Illness ot one of Its officers. The rifle competition began this morning at the Washington arsenal. The contests were at 200 and 800 yards. Lieutenant Pol lard , ot the Washington Light Infantry corps , led with a score of 85 out of a possible 100. In the competition tor military prizes two commands took part. Battery A , of ttio Indianapolis Light artillery , came first and the men acquitted themselves well , very few mistakes being noted. The First Light bat tery ot the Wisconsin National guards , Cap tain SOliverU showed { great precision. In the zouaves competitions the Cfilcagoaus were greeted with loud applause. They per formed but few fancy movements but In wheeling , marchln ; , bayonet nr.d back marching , bayonet and skirmish drill , showed great proficiency. One of their feats , the scaling of a twelve foot fence , was pei Imps , the most difficult' vet attempted on a drill ground. The Memphisiaiis were warmly erected In their turn. Their firing and their sKhmlsh drill wore little short of perfection. Kaiu prevented other competi tion. _ "Western 1'enHlons. WASHINGTON , MaySO. [ Special Telegram to the BIE. : ! The following pensions were Issued to Nebraskans to-day : Minor ot David F. Hamilton , Omaha ; Lucy Cirponter for widow of David F. Hamilton , Omaha ; Caleb L. Cannon , Jcssup ; Isaac 15. Hayes , Byron ; Increase for William II. llubbell , At kinson. The following pensions were Issued for lowans to-day : Clitrlssn , widow ot Dennis lloldon , Burlington ; minors of I/avid W. Hamilton , Cottage Grove ; minors of James M. Connor , Warrensburg ; Esther A. , 'mother of Hudson M. Gohen , Splekardsvlllo ; Henry Erne , Mil- lersburg ; Uobert Elklu/Fulton ; John Klune- man , Uuttenberg ; Uenjamin D. Ketcham , Centervllle ; Sylvester U. Rhoados , Marshall- town ; John E. Drake. Sanborn ; Gottlieb Green , Council Bluff * ; Increase. for John Gunning , Toledo ; Abel M. Harper , Irving ; Allner B. Power , Manhattan ; Nathaniel S. Ervin , Erllne ; William Neal , Newton , the latter being a reissue. Quarantining Scotland. WASHINGTON , May 8. The treasury de partment has received information of the prevalence of pleuro-pneumoula to a some what alarming extent In Scotland among neat cattle. To-day Acting Secretary Thom son issued a circular to customs officers pro hibiting , until further notice , importation of neat cattle and hides of neat cattle from Scotland. _ _ Stringent Quarantine. WASHINGTON , May 20. The commissioner of agriculture has declared a rigid quarantine against Cook counfy , Illinois , and certain counties in New York and Maryland. Those orders have been certified to by the governors of all the stated and territories , and all warn ings will be given to railroads against a breach ol the quarantine. Army Nows. WASHINGTON , Alay M. [ Special Telegram to the BEE. t Forty recruits urn ordered to the Fifteenth iniantry in Dakota. Army leaves Major Vaa Buien Onboard , turgum , one mouth from June 1 ; First Meu- tenant Stephen C , Mills , Twelfth Iniantry , eight months. A further extension of army furloughs- Sergeant Andrew Keofi1 , company 0 , Fif teenth Infantry.thrco months ; Corporal John Rebstock , company 11 , Twelfth Infantry , tlneo months ; ( It'iieral Service Messenger Michael Norton , headquarters , department of the Missouri , Fort Lcavenworth , ono month ; Private Edward Schmidt , troop 11 , Second cavalry , two months. * IjAXSDOWNUIN OTTAWA. 2nthusla8tto IlcccptlonTha Gov ernor Cicncrnl's Speech. OTTAWA , Ont. , May 20. Governor Gen eral and Lady Lansdowne arrived In To- onto this afternoon. The demonstration was the grandest ever seen In this city targe deputations from the cltl/ens' commit- on met them and an enormous procession es- : orted them through the streets to Curlier iquare , where 2,000 school chlldien on a largo stand sang a chorus of welcome. The address i'f welcome felicitated the governor general or the regard and esteem in which 10 Is held in Ottawa ; rulers to he prosress the city has made during his erm of office , and expresses the devotion of Jie city to the queen. The governor gunerat ; after thanking the clti/cns tor their magnif icent welcome , said : "Of myself you nave spoken in terms which 1 feel reflect the good will which exists between us , rather than my own deserts. 1 am afraid , however , oven upon thlsassnmptloii , I cannot entirely account for the extraordluaiy reception wo 'lavooncounteied at the hands of your pee ple. " Alter referring to the quietness of former receptions he asked "How are wo to > xplaln the change which has taken place ? \Vo have had such reception as. 1 will ven ture to say , has never been accorded any gov ernor general before. " lie could not account tor all this upon the theory that the puipose lor which ho absented himself for a few weeks had been such as to merit such cxlui- berant marks of approbation. In all places where he had stopped ho bad encountered similar oubursts of loyalty to the qifeen and good will and kindness toward himself. I have made Inquiries , " ho said , 'and ' endeavored to arrive at seine ex planation of the facts , and I am given to un derstand the explanation is this , that since wo last saw you an invasion of Canada has taken place , and that the invasion has not been successful. 1 learn that the Invasion was In some respects icirarUable. 'i'iiu in- v.idlug force was not numerically strong , but madfl up In Intrepidity for Its weeklies * In numbers. It appears , moreover , to have taken at thu outset of Its operations a step which Is , I believe , not unusual with skilled strati- gists. It seized the possession of telegraph wires through which Information of thu most startling character was liberally poured Into the country. I understand a further ob ject was to overrun the country and above all things to put to ( light a certain high offi cial of the state of whom , unless 1 misunderstand what has taken place to-day , the people of Ottawa are anxious to get rid or. There appears to have been a weak point In the arrangement. The Invaders were completely misled by their Intelligence department. Thar had been assui d that the moment they showed themselves there would be a gieat rising of the natives. Well , a geneial rising took place , but unfoitujiately it was on the wrong side. Now , thn end of all this has been that 'the Invasion' Is over ; that Canada Is still a part of the Biltlsh empire ; that the governor general Is still her majesty's repre sentative , nay , more , 1 think we might also say that but tor the events which 1 have de scribed , ho would not have received the mag nificent reception accorded us by the people of Toronto which you have followed up this evening. These events will have their effect , not only in Canada , but on the other side of the Atlantic where the conduct of your people Is being closely watched , ana I think 1 . am justified In saying that the moral which will be drawn will be twofold first that the Canadian people do not look with an ap proving eye on sneli Interference with their own alTairs , and secondedly , that as long as an public officer does his duty he is likely to bo supported bv your people. 1 trust If these- events have occasioned any difference of opinion or bitter feeling that bitterness will dot be allowed to end. The governor-general closed with warm expres sion of thanks. The horses weio taken from his carriage and a large body of youug men drew him to Rldcau hall two miles distantnt a trot. The demonstration continued some time. ninclc Eje For Latisdowne. OTTAWA , Ont. , May EG. In the commons to-day the loyalists had prepared a motion to commit parliament to thoendorsemont of thu governor general's welcome homo from the west Mr. Small of Toronto moved that the house take a recess In order to give the mem bers an opportunity to take part In the re ception to the governor general. Mr. Blake , leader of the opposition , took objection. Tiiu ministerialists lecelved this with jeers but it was sufficient to kill the motion. The house of commons adjourned at 5 o'clock to meet Lord Lansdowne , Sir Charles Tuppcr asking the opposition not to object. CORROBORATING AMES. Directors Blame the Government For the U. P.'H Trouble. BOSTON. May 20. Betore the Pacific in vestigating commit tea to-day , F. Gordon Dexter , who has been a director of the Union Pacific for twenty years , testified. His evi dence corroborated Ames' version of the condition of the Union and Kansas Pacific roads prior to the consolidation. Ho was satisfied Hint acquiring the Kansas Pacific was very Important and a good thing for the Union Pacific to do. His judgment was that It was to the advantage of both roads , but he was not sure It wan to Gould. Judge Dillon Incidentally testified as to certain suits brought against the company , including that in connection with the AmetrFlsher con tract. After recess the examination of Mr. Dexter was lesumed. He was asked as to his judg ment on the result of the policy pursued since 1T3 by the Union Pacific In connection with the construction of branch lines and the investments made by It in branch toads. Dexter replied : "Although wo made hero and there mistakes , there Is no question about the general policy being good. 1 would advocate the pursuance of the same policy In the future. " To his knowledge , ho said , no dliector or officer ot the road was Interested in any coal operation of the company for private profit. The witness said Gould's Ideas about the duty of a di rector were sometimes peculiar. Thu only thing the Union Pacific suffered under was the uncertainty attending Its relations with the government. Ho agreed with President Adams that It would bo belter for the road to pay the cross sum Instead of making pay- menton the net earning. E/.ia H. Baker , another director , thought the action of Gould as a Union Pacific man at the time of the consolidation very proper. Ho know of no intention of the directors to abandon the road to the government. Adjourned. The Bnptlata. SPIUNOFIEI.D , 111. , May 20 , In the after noon session the following Baptist offi cers were elected : President , Samuel A. Rozee.- , Pennsylvania ; secretary , Benjamin Griffith. D.D. ; recording secretary , Howard Gcndall ; treasurer , Charles H. Banes. There were 772 delegates present at the publication society meeting , thirty-flight states and terri tories being represented. The Woman's Baptist Foreign missionary society also met this afternoon. The correspondlnz secre taries of the east and west also delivered brief addresses. The enrollment committee reported thirty- eight states and territories represented , twenty-four llfo managers present. 114 llfo members , 170 annual members and 400 visit ors , a total of 71W. The finance committee's report was adopted. Rev. D. I ) . Prosper , of Kansas , presented a resolution declaring un alterable opposition to all forms of the liquor tralllo for beverage purposes. At thu eve ning session able and eloquent addresses on the subject of the day were delivered , after which the anniversary of the publica tion society ended. Regatta 1'ontponcd. CKDKK HANDS , la. , May 20. The execu tive committee of the Iowa Rowing associa tion has postponed the annual regatta at Spirit Lake to J uly "C and 27. Entries close July 20. UMTI2I ) IMlKSItVTKIUANS. C3 At Last the Organ Cnn Lcjjnllr 1'onl Forth. PimADKt.ritiA , May20.-Clergymen from Malno to Texas and liom the Atlantic to the Pacific werti In attendance this morning at the opening of the Twenty-ninth general as sembly of thii United Presbyterian church of North America. Thcro were present about 3,000 delegates , comprising an equal number of ministers and laymen. The opening prayer was followed by the election of a new moderator. It was ono of ojpeolal Interest , slnco It Involved the "Instrument inusHj" Issue , over which thn church for some limn has been divided. Two nominations were nade Dr. Matthew McCormlck Gibson , D. ) . , of San Francisco , an earnest advocate of he organ , and Uov..I. ( ! . Carson , of Xonla , ) . , an anti-instrumental candidate. Tno an- iiial financial ropoit.s of the boards ol for- icn mission ? , church extension , education , reedman's mission mid publication were presented. Thn result of thn ballot was a decisive vie- ory for the advocates of the church organ , ud It Indicates how this question will bti Isposcd of later In the session. Rev. Dr. Jlbson iccuUed 12U votes and Rev. Mr. Car- ion 69. The only Important business during the ftcrnoon was the presentation of the lepurt f the permanent committee on reform , which was read nnd placed on thu docket. In t the committee declares the right basis of ill true reformers Is chilsttanity , Ketorma- lon built upon any other foundation will bo usound and unsettled. ' Tlio Millers Ground Their Orlat. ST. Louis , May 20. The Millers' National .ssoclation concluded Its session to-day , lesolutlons wore adopted that the merchant iiarlno should bo restored by the repeal of ho navigation law ; the subsldi/.lng of ship Miildlnjr , treaties with foreign nations , etc. ; irotestlng against and calling the attention t the statu department to the adoption of he heavy tax on Hour by Brazil , whllo wheat rvas admitted free.protesting ; against the liscrlmlnation on Hour In the Interest of wheat by certain railroads : also aealnst sack lour In favor of barrel ( lour. Buffalo was boson as the next place of meeting. The ifilceis tor tlio ensuing vear are : John ioshy. president ; C. H. Seybt , vlco preal- icnt ; P. H. McGtll , second vice president. The Brewers. UAT.TiMonn , May 20. The convention of ho Brewers' association resumed their la- ors this morning , and after listening to rc- iorts of various committees adopted a resolu- lon appropriating S" ,003 for assistance of ho brewers of Michigan , 55,000 for the irewcrs of Texas , and SU.OOO for he brewers of Tennessee , the money : o bo used in defeating the efforts > f the prohibitionists In those states. Nine housand dollars was alto appropriated for ho use of the publication committee. An fixtra assessment equal to ono year's dues , vas agreed upon to unable the board of trus ses to fight the. temperance fanatics in i-arious sections of the countrv. William A. Miles , of Now York , was elected president. Gooil Tempi urn Sleet. SAIIATOOA , N. Y , , May 20. To-day's ses- ilon of the right worthy grand lodge of Good Toioplars , and of thu English , or seceding body , was almost entirely given up to the discussion of the question of reunion. The matter came to a vote and the reim.'on was atilicd. The terms made .set forth provisions U length to prevent discrimination on account of race , sex or color. At the evening session a reunion took place. Members of the English branch en tered the loilgoroom in a body amid cheers arn applause. Big Butchers' Bnrbcono. CHICAGO , May 2fl. The National Butch ers' , association held a grand baibecue to-day at Cbetenham beach. Fltty beeves and a liundred lambs were roasted and ivlth bread fed free to the hungry multitude. The ag gregate weight of the meat wasiil.OOOpounds. The total attendance was fully equal to the number of tickets sold , nearly 40,000. American Tract Society. BOSTON , May 2(5. ( The annual meeting of the American Tract society was held yester- ilay afternoon. The old board of officers was re-elected with the exception of the secretary , Rev. Jeremiah Taylor. 1) . I ) . , being elected to that olllco in place of Rov. M , McCutter , resigned. Reformed Eplscopallnns. ADEM'iiiA , May 26. The eleventh bi ennial session of the general council of the Reformed Episcopal church continued to-day. The new canon on inarrlairo and divorce was taken ui > for consideration" . Atter prolonged discussion the subject was recommitted to thu committee on constitution and canons. Southern Presbyterluna. ST. Louis , May 20. The attention of the general assembly of southern Presbyterians was entirely occupied to-day by discourses on thu advisability of organic union with the northern church. A Judicial Itaco In Chicago. CHICAGO , May 26. As thu outcome of the charges of bribery made against candidates selected by the democratic central committee. for circuit judies , a number of leading mem bers of the bar met yesterday and prepared a petition asking Julius S. Grinnell , lugolf K. Boyeson and Richard W. Clifford , to make the race for judcea In connection with the republican candidates. Another meeting will bo held next Saturday to take final ac tion In the matter. The Old Fnrgo Insurance Company. MiNNKAi'OMB , May 20. The Evening Journal , Sioux Falls , Dakota , special says : People holding policies in the "Old Fargo Insurance Company" are holding a meeting to-day , to Investigate the condition of the company. The alleged company has assets of "fifty-live" dollars to pay liabilities , which are Sl'i'i.O'JU. The local officers hero claim that Secretary Lowell , ot Chicago , had uiadc away with 8100,000 belonging to the com pany. a A Horrible Mistake. ItocKYiu.i : , Mo. , May 20. The shooting to death ot John Yanderburg In the court room yesterday during the preliminary ex amination on the charge of outraging Jennie Anderson , Is now believed to bo a horrible mistake. It Is thought Yanderburg was cooking for a camping party four miles from the scene of thu outrage at thn time. The coroner's jury brought in a verdict of murder against the Anderson boys. Weather Indication * ) . ' WASHINGTON , May 2fi. Iowa Local rains , light , variable winds , slight changes In temperature. NebrasKa Generally fair weather , slight changes In temperature , vailable winds , gen erally easterly. The New York Aui ANY , N. Y.May 20.- The Veddar liquor tax bill passed the assembly this morning. It now goes to thu governor. Thn final ad journment of the leglslatuio will occur this afternoon. Editor O'Brien In Albany. AUIANV , N. Y. , May 2fl.-Edltor O'Brien and party arrived hero this morning. Thn party visited both branches of the legisla ture , and O'Brien made a few remarks In the assembly chamber. They lull for Montreal this afternoon. U | > Wreck * . WISFIEI.I ) , Kan. , May 20. Yesterday morning two Santa Fu trains collided ncai Wichita , and before they could get llagmnn out two extras from each direction piled Into the wreck. ' The details regarding the accl < dent arc meagre. liuld KnoblierH Fined. OzAitic , Mo. , May 20. Threoof the nine Bald Knobbers arrested last Friday were tried here j estorday. A veidlct of guilty win returned und each was lined If 100. * - * * * - * " ij -1 T n ) y fr-M MTtf lA\ _ \ _ FREMONT SHIPPERS KICK , Charges of Discrimination in Favor of Omabftj Made- Before the Oouiidissiou , AN INVESTIGATION PROMISED Judge Mason .Sets Forth the Objoctl ot thu Trip IJunoks Mohhcd at Withoo Struck By Lightning. The CnmtnlHHlott nt Frotnont. FiiKMONT , Neb. , May 20. [ Special it the BKI : . | The Nebraska railroad can * mission was In the pity yesterday , on a tou < over the Fiemont , Klkhorn A Missouri Yal ley road. Tney came In at 10:00 : a. m. ami remained until ftX : ! ) p. in. At 2 o'clock they held a meeting In the parlors of the End otcl to confer with business men and ship-/ eis , of whom a number were present , iidgu Mason announced that the purpose of le visit was to near complaints ot Injustice nd discriminations , If any existed , and to icot shippers and establish friendlier re- . ! atlon between them and the commission , lerctofore , ho said , there had been a prone- ess on the part of shippers to with- old grievances tluough fear of being sub- ected to still greater oppression from the allroads , but under the picsent law It would e madu decidedly unhealthy for any coiu- iany that thus sought to mote out punish ment to any ono who objected to their ncthods. The rights of the people , ho de- larcd , arc to be piotoctcd so far as the ati- horlty and power ot the commission goes. lo also said tiiat Kiotnont , with Lincoln , Is ntltled to Missouri river , or Omaha , rates nd the purpose of the commission Is to PS- nbllsh them peaceably If possible , forcibly It lecessary. The only complaints made hera veru against the treatment ot shippers by Ilia Jnlon Pacific road. Messrs. Moyer&Schur- nan , wholesale grocers , tiled a formal com ilalnt to the effect that they were dlscriml lated against by the road In favor of Omaha merchants ; that the same rates arq given on shipments to Grand Island rom Omaha , as from Fremont , which s forty-seven miles neater , and that thereby hey are al a disadvantage of from 4 to 10 : ents per 100 pounds. Other shippers com. ilalued of delays ot shipments of goodl rom this point , their customers west on tha Jnlon Pacific claiming ollontlmos that they ould get goods quicker from Omaha. The excuse given by the loeal agent has always ! been that cars could not bo obtained. The commission piomised to ascertain why cars Tor such shipments could be had at Omaha and not at Fremont. The commission left it fi:30 : for Hlalr , and will thence proceed up he Klkhorn valley. Quauka in a Qunndary. .1 WAHOO , Neb. , May 20.-Special | Telegram - . o the BISK. ] For several days two or three * quack doctors have been operating In this Iclnlty and succeeded In obtaining quite a If ar.'o amount In notes from the farmers fibout town , and were andcavorlng to sell ho same to-day , when their swindling ope- atlons were discovered. A mob was raised uul before the olllcers of the law could rescue < cue the villains they were roughly handled and made to give up all the notes and money hey bad obtained fioui their questionable ! iracticea. They were placed In jail for safu ceeplng until the proper charges can ba brought against thorn. Ono gave his iianu as Sabln and claimed to hall from Beatrice. Struck By Lightning. FAIRMONT , Neb. , May 26. jSpccial Tele- erani to the HF.K.I T. Kd elIII ) , living north of this city , while riding horseback on his way home nnd within fuur miles of his louse was struck by lightning , knocking him ' nsenslble. When his horse reached the barn Kdjolilll regained his senses and found ills ) mrso uninjured but that tho-skin on Ills ' hands and tace was burnt oil. . i Runnwny Fntnllty. WAHOO , Neb. , May 26. [ Special Tclo- ram to the BIE.J This afternoon Captain Warren was thrown from n carriage by a A > runaway team and seriously and perhaps 1 fatally Injured. J The Coronet Rntnrnn. 7 Nr.w YOIIK , May 20. | Special. Telegram to J thoBEK.l The Coronet , victor In the ocean race of 18S7 , returned to American waters yesterday. She passed the bar at Sandy Hook shortly after noon and anchored off Forty-third street , Brooklyn , at 3 o'clock. AS she came up thu bay nnd tliront'li thu Nar rows her appearance provoked a volley of salute trom sharp toned cannon on a score of " $ yachts In the harbor. Thu Coronet loft Cowcs on April SO , and was twenty-live days In com- Ingncross. She encountered head winds . much of the Mine and was hemmed In by ' { heavy fogs almost continually during the last ton days. The greatest run of 230 milog was made on May 10 , when a series of south west gales helped thu yacht along. - The Stocdmnn Statue Unveilnd , TOLEDO , O. , May 20. Fully twenty thousand visitors were In the city to-day and witnessed the dedication of the statue ot General James B. Steedman. The cere- m onles Included a giand procession and orat tion by Llentcnant-Governor Smith , of llll-t " ' " nols , who was General Kteedman's chief of ( ' staff. The statue was unveiled by the grand daughter of General Steedman and Governed Foraker , of Ohio , acted as president of tha day , Governor Luce and stall of Michigan were among the visitors. Uondlorn' Book-Kccplng. , CHICAGO , May 26. NIc Schneider resumed' ' his evidence In the boodle trial this morning , " It tended to show there were general Instruct tlons to his book keeper to double the price of all articles supplied to the county. Twi sets of books were kept and the witness ? stated that the Items charged hi the nevretf set were 20 per cent higher than In the old * Both sets ot books had been approved of by the committee of county commissioners. KnnsaH City Crooks. CHIOAOO , May 26 , Robert Rathburno file * a petition In the circuit court yesterday fof a writ of habeas corpus , which the court granted , making It returnable forthwith/ Rathburno Is held nn a telegram from Kansas City , charglii' ' him with grand larceny. It 14 alleged that Rathburno , in company wltU Lewis Wilson and Samuel Harris , robbed William T. Hollingsworth of Kansas City , ot $4,000 dollars in government bonds on the train coming to tills city. Thn Presidential t'art jr. Nr.w YOIIIC , May 26. The president and Mrs. Cleveland and party arrived at tha Pennsylvania depot in excellent health and * spirits shortly alter 0 o'clock to-night , and without alighting from the car were whlilcd away over the Susquchanna road towardg Albany. Judgment AuniiiHt Vanderbllt. BUFFALO , N. Y , , May 26. In the suit of Henry B. Haltins against William K. Vun- dorbilt et al , as trustees of the Now York , Chicago & St. Louis railway , a judgment foi O In foreclosure was ordered by the su court hero to-day. The Frisco Klects Oflloera. Nuw YOIIK , May 26. The board of direo * tors of the St. Louis & San Francisco rail * road met to-day and elected the following ofi ( icers : President , K. F. Wlnslow ; vIco-prcM Ident , John O'Day ; second vlco-pn ! ldcnt , Hcnrv L. Morrlll , and secretary and treas-4 urer , Thomas W. Llllle. Arrivals. Nr.w York , May 26. [ Special Telegram W thoHKK. ] Arrived Steamer Slate of Geor gia. tr.nn Glasgow ; steamer Rotterdam , front Rotterdam , and steamer Labourgognu , Havre.