THE OMAHA DAILY BEE ,
EIGHTEENTH YEAJR. OMAHA. MONDAY MORNING * DECEMBER 24 , 1888. NUMBER 193
Total Destruction of n. Largo Mis
sissippi Rlvor Stoamor.
NEARLY FIFTY PEOPLE PERISH.
The OfllociM of the Slcnmer U'nrinly
PrnlHrd lly tlio Surviving I'jis-
for Their llwivcry
niut HrrolHin.
Tlio "Kuto Ailntnn" llnrnrd.
MF.Mi'itt , Dec. S3. Tlio passenger steamer
Kato Adams burned this morning near Com
merce , Miss. , forty mlles south of this city.
She was oti route to Memphis and hud about
two hundred people aboard. The nro , which
caught in some cotton near the forward end
of the boilers , was discovered about 8 o'clocic.
The passengers wcro at breakfast and when
the alarm was given , they all made a ruslt
for the forward deck. At the tlmo the
btcRincr was about two hundred yards from
the Mississippi siilo of tlio river , and her bow
was at once headed for the shore. 1'ilot Joe
Harton was on watch , and ho remained he
roically at his post tin til she was safely
landed. Harry Uest , second clurk ,
who was seated at the table when
the alarm was Riven , had brought
nil the ladles and children forward and as-
Blsted them ashore. Captain Mark H. Check ,
who was on the hurricane deck , remained
there giving his commands until the stage
plank was safely lowered. Tlio llro by this
tlmo had spread all through thu cabin , nnd
ho was compelled to retreat to the rear , and
climbed over the rails and descended to the
cabin. Hero ho found Chief Clerk Glanker ,
who had made an effort to save the money
and papers of the steamer , which were in the
Hafo. Ho managed to grab the money and
had a narrow escape from death in the burn
ing cabin. Captain Cheek assisted several
passengers in securing lifo preservers , and
when it was no longer possible for him to
remain without being burned ho , too , jumped
into the river and swam ashore.
There were about twenty-live cabin pass
engers who wcro saved , along with the
white passengers. On the lower dock , how
ever , u fearful panic seized the crew and
deck passengers. Those who were cut oft
from cscapo from the bow were com polled to
lump overboard to save their lives. The
stem of the burning steamer hud swung out
into the river , and when an effort was made
to launch the yawl it was capsized by the
crowd whiiMi lllled it , and many of its occu
pants were drowned. They were mostly
colored men. but there were thrco or four
women in the crowd.
Tlio lest , so fur as can bo learned , are as
follows :
Qnouai : Coiimrr , third clerk , aged twenty-
nine years , who had launched tlio yawl and
was trying to save ttic colored women on the
lower deck ;
Jon PoiiTKir
ANi nnw Misuse ;
MoNiton JACICSO.V ,
JIM Nm ox ,
"SnNATOK" COLF.MAX ,
HILLYAUP HouCN , of tho. colored cabin
crow ,
LBK PISI.BT ,
FHANK WHI.LS.
In addition about fifteen deck passengers ,
four of whom were white men , were also
drowned. In this list of tinknown were three
colored women and their children.
The burning steamer drifted away , after
lying at the bank for twenty minutes , and
Jlontcd down the river , her hull sinking at
the head of I'eters island , four miles below
Commerce.
The Kato Adams wns owned by the Mem
phis & Vicksburg Packet company. She
was built in 1682 and cost $102,000. She was
the finest and fastest steamer of her typo on
the river , and her owners this summer spent
$20,000 in repairing her. Her cargo- con
sisted of 1,101 bales of cotton , 1,900 sacks.of
cotton seed , b7 bags of seed and a good list
of sundries. The cotton was consigned to
Memphis merchants and was fully tusurcd.
All the passengers and crow arrived at
Memphis this afternoon at 0 o'clockhaving
taken the Louisville , New Orleans nnd Texas
railroad train at Uobihsonvillo , which station
is eight miles distant in the interior from
where the disaster occurred.
Citizens of Commerce rendered the passen
gers and crew every assistance in reaching
Hobmsonville , convoying them there in wag
ons and every conceivable vehicle that could
bo sccurrcd. There were 107 from the ill
fated steamer that came to Memphis , Captain
Cheek defraying thu expenses of all these
who did not have funds. The passengers and
crow lost nil their clothing and effects , and
some made their escape to Bhoro from the
burning steamer cmlcshabillo , but wore pro
vided with clothes by the kind citizens of
Commerce.
Tlireo of the colored cabin crow who wcro
rescued from the water died afterward ,
Their names appear in the list already given.
The water being very cold , benumbed the
limbs of these who lumped overboard , nnd
to this is attributed the great loss of life.
All speak in the highest terms of tlio cool
ness nnd bravery displayed by the ofllccrs.
Captain , clerks , pilots and engineers all rc-
mulncd at their posts until the last , and it
was through their oITorls and courage that
the lady passengers were safely taken
ashore.
Mr. John Woods Harris , who was a pas
senger. Jumped from the stage pliuilc before
It bad been lowered , and was internally in
jured. Mrs. Dr. Harris , of Lucoma , also
sustained a spraiacd nuklo by falling from a
cotton bale In descending from thu cabla to
the lower ileclc.
Colonel J. M. Hunter , of Louisville , who
was a passenger of the ill-fated Kato Adams ,
gives a thrilling account of his experience on
board the steamer. When the alarm was
given lie was at breakfast and hastily re
paired to his stateroom to save his effects.
lly the tlmo ho had secured his valise ho
found escape by way of the how rut off by
the Jinnies , which spread with liglitniim-llko
rapidity. Ha saw at a Blanco that it was to
bo death or swim , so ho disrobed himself , se
cured a life-preserver and jura pod over
board , and after struggling in the water
for ton minutes succeeded In reaching the
shore. Ho had nothing but his underclothes
on. nnd secured clothing from these on shore.
Colonel Hunter says that while ho wan in
the rear of the cabin ho saw a colored woman
throw thrco children Into the river and then
lump in herself , and all four were drowned.
Mrs. Harry Fields , a lady p.issrnger , said
to an Associated Press reporter , that she
tried to jump ashore from the beam of the
steamer , but failed , and foil to the lower
dock. A negro man , who was close behind
her , followed her example , and , llko her ,
( ailed to reach the shore and fell near her.
The ucgro gathered her in his arms and car
ried her to the bank and thus saved her from
being burned to death , as nho was unable to
uiovo. tin. Holds Is positive W. A. Cov-
ington , a planter of Hosedalc , Miss. , pur-
ishod in the Humes.
It is reported that a negro murderer , who
was being brought back for trial , perished on
board the steamer. He was liaudcuilcd , and
the ofllccr In charge of him made his oseupo
nnd loft the negro In a helpless condition ,
and he was burned to death.
The greatest excitement prevailed In Memphis -
phis when the Jlrst news of the disaster
reached horo. it cumo about noon In the
shape of a private telegram from Robinson-
vllle , and said 120 lives had been lost. Later
accounts were mnru reassuring. It Is Impos
sible to dellnitcly ascertain how many lives
really wcro lost , but a conservative estimate
Places the number at not less than thirty-
live. It uiuy possibly reach llf ty.
1'rairlo I'lrc.
lUri.iOrrr , Dak. , Deo. C3.--A prairie flro
tarted Just southwest of hero late yesterday
nnd spread rapidly before a brisk northwest
wind which was blowing , A largo tract was
kpon burned over and much loss is fa.irnd.
The duui KO cannot now bo estimated. Many
farm bulldlnsa are in the liuo of the lire.
Y ( HtOUM ) .
Several Moro l/lves Saoriflcril In tlio
I'reneli-Kvri'solo l-Viul.
Loniviu-n , Ky. , Dec. 20. [ Special Tele
gram to Tin : BEI : . ] A terrible affray bo-
twdcn the French nnd Evcnolo factions oc
curred a week ago yesterday at Hindmnn ,
the seat of Knox county. Hindmnn is 10G
miles away from any railroad , and news of
the affray reached hero to-day. On n change
nf vcnuo the case against B"n Franklin
French , Hob Promt , Anderson Coldlron ana
Torn Smith , alins "Hod Mule , " indicted by
the Perry county grand jury for the assas
sination of Joe Hvcrsolo , leader of the liver-
sole faction , and his friend , Martin Combs ,
had been taken from Perry county to Hind-
man. French and nil his friends were re
leased on bond at Hindmnn. The French
party gathered there heavily armed. Many
of the Kversolo faction wcro also present , In
cluding John and Andrew Sloan , brothers ,
and lifelong friends of the Evcrsole party.
Lewis Hays , Sid llavs nnd An
drew Hays , three brothers , and "lied.
Mule" Smith , members of the French
party , were together. They met the Sloan
brothers , nnd at once picked a quarrel with
them. The French party drew their pistols
and drove the Sloans ofl the street at the
niU77les of their weapons. Smith and the
Ilayses followol the Sloans until they
reached a point where they had every nil-
vantage , Smith and his companions at once
oocncd Jlrc upon the retreating Sloans.
They took deadly aim and their bullets
counted , At the llrst discharge John Sloan
fell , mortally wounded. Andy was also hit
several times , but ho managed to keep his
feet , although ho was so weakened that ho
was barely able to run. Knowing they
could soon overtake Andy , the members of
the French party advanced to where John
was lying bleeding to death. His body was
Ililed with bullets , and his brother received
the same treatment , both men dying within
a few moments.
As soon as this crime was done , all four of
the murderers slowly withdrew from Hind-
man. Not the slightest attempt was made
to arrest them.
About a week preceding this two other
witnesses against French and his compan
ions were killed , but the news of their
deaths was not received until to-day. The
two other victims wore Hichard Vance and a
man whoso name has not been learned.
They wcro warm friends of the Evorsolcs.
Hiding along together in the edge of Perry
county , they wore shot from ambush and in
stantly killed.
On the day following the murder of the
Sloan boys , "Shooting Ike" Combs , French's
llrst lieutenant , went to the homo of Hop
Davis , in the cugo of Hrcathitt county.
Combs nicked a quarrel and was instantly
killed , as Davis filled him with buckshot.
This was the eighteenth man killed in the
feud. Hoth factions r.ro up in arms , and the
judge has refused to attempt to try the cuso
unless ho is protected by militia.
AHTKMUH WARD'S WThU
It is Declared Valid by a. New York
Com I.
Nnw YOHIT , Dec. Si ) . Charles F. Browne
( Aitemus Ward ) , having left property in
this country , and also legatees hero , Judge
Barrett , of the supreme court , yesterday
signco a decree establishing the validity of
the will , in order that the bequests might bo
made. Tlio will was executed on February
'JO , ISO" , at Southampton , England , where
the humorist died. After making n few
minor bequests the residue of the property is
lolt for life to the testator's mother. After
her death the greater portion of the principal
is directed to bo devoted to founding an
asylum for worn out printers in the United
States. At the death of his mother the testator
tater directed that the children of John G.
Gerry , of Wntcrfonl , Mo. , should receive
§ 1,000 each. Hcnco the application to have
the will probated here , after it had been duly
probated In England.
Tlio Annrclilsts Did Not. Meet.
CHICAGO , Dec , 23. The reported anarchist
meeting this afternoon did not take place.
The hall which was to bo used is controlled
by the Plasterers union , and the renting of
it to tlio Arbeitcr liund was done without
their knowledge by the janitor. The union
this morning sent a' committee to Chief of
Police Hubbard to arrange a course of action ,
assuring him ttie plasterers had no sympathy
with the anarchists. Mr. Kraft , attorney for
the bund , was present , and to him Chief
Hubbard reiterated his determination that
the meeting must not bo hold. The plaster
er's committee then returned to the hall and
notillcd the janitor not to open it. About 2
o'clock fortylor fifty members of the Arbeiter
bund , under the leadership of Albert Cnrrlin ,
arrived : pid demanded to know why the liall
was not opened. Their curiosity was grati
fied by n lieutenant off police , who was pres
ent. Tnelr attorney then advised them to
make no further attempt to hold the mcnt-
Ing , saying the action of the police was just
what they had been wanting to help out
their cuso in court. They soon dispersed.
Late tills evening it is learned that mem
bers of the Arbeitcr bund outwitted the po-
licc.after all. When they left the vicinity of
the Plasterer's hall in accordance with a pre
arranged plan , they went to a quiet saloon
on West Hundolph street and held their
meeting , perfecting uu organization. Before
adjournment some members proposed the
names of Mayor Hoche , Chief of Police Hub-
bard and Inspector Bon field as honorary
members of the bund. The proposition was
unanimously curried.
nnd Sulciile.
Yonic , Dec. 23. A man named Henry
D. Schoomakcr shot his young wife some
time last night , twice in the head and once
in the breast , and then killed himself in
stantly wltli a bullet through the br.iiii. The
two wcro found in their flat in Brooklyn
this morning in bed , clasped in each other's
arms , covered with blood. She was still
breathing but ho was dead. Ho was but
twenty -tlireo years old , slio a year younger ,
and they had a fourtoon-months-old baby ,
who was away from the house at the time.
Tlio wife will probably die , Insanity seems
to bo tlio only explanation of the deed.
Colonel Schoomakcr , the father of the
young man , received the Jlrst intimation of
the deed In the following note this noon :
"Mamma nnd Henry come down as soon as
possible. If you find the doors locked , force
the front parlor door. HAUIIY. "
This note had boon loft at the district man
ager's ' oftlco Saturday ovcning , with Instruct
ions to deliver It at 11 o'clock the next morn
ing. Instantly , when the note was received ,
a member of the family wont to the flat , '
whcro they saw what is told above. Colonel
Schoomakcr said that his sop. had been siclc
for a few days and his mind must have been
affected ,
Railway Conductor ; In Session.
PUOVJDUNCE , It. I , , Deo. 2:1. : Thrco hun
dred members of the Grand Order of Hall
way Conductors attended the union meeting
to-day. Grand Chief Conductor Calvin L.
Wheston , of Cedar Hapids , la. ; Governor
Taft nnd Superintendent Gardiner , of the
Now York , Pennsylvania & Ohio road , de
livered addresses. A business mooting of
the savcral local divisions was then hold.
Koutlno business , mainly of a private nature ,
then followed. The next annual meeting
will be hold in May next.
Appointed General
ST. Louis , Deo. 33. The Globe-Democrat
announces that W. B. Doddrldgc , superin
tendent of the Missouri Pacific lines In Kan
sas and Nebraska , has been appointed gen
eral manngcr of the St. Louis , Arkansas ft
Texas railroad. Onicinls of the latter road
decline to verify the report , and Mr. Dodd-
ridge himself is rujwrted as suylni ; ho knows
nothing about the matter.
Slu.ini hii > Arrivals. |
At Now York The Ohio , from Llvarpcol ;
Lachampagnc , from Havre ; the Canada ,
f rom Londun ; tbo Alexandria , from Mcdl <
tcrranvun ports.
IS THERE ANYTHING IN IT ?
Rumor That Harrison Will Cnl
Sherman to the Cabinet.
A VERY COMPLICATED AFFAIR.
An Army OIHcor'n Hcscttlnji Sin
Curious Plight or Two WIs-
coiuln Members-Klect llivcr
nnd Ilnrbor Bill.
WASHINGTONHunmu TUBOMATU Bun , 1
f > 13 FouiiTBr.NTiiSrunK , >
WASHINGTON , D. C. , Due. 23. I
A gentleman , who ought to know , if any
body does , nnd whoso name would give the
story credence anywhere , assured mo this
afternoon that ho had positive knowledge
that General Harrison had decided to np
point Senator Sherman secretary of state
lie did not give mo the source of his informa
tion , but 1 could easily guess It. Ho told mo
also , that there would bo no other caOInc' '
ofilccr taken from the senate.
A letter over the name of Senator Quay ,
which was telegraphed to the eastern papers
from Fargo , last night , is n cheap fake , and
the senator declines to take any notice of it ,
not even to give it u contradiction.
A COMl'I.lCATIIIJ CASE.
There is a curious state of things at the
arsenal near this city. Captain John F.
Mount , of the Third artillery , has been in
the habit of drinking too much , liquor , ami
Colonel Gibson , commanding that regiment ,
threatened , not long ago , to have him hnulod
up before the court martial for drunkenness.
Captain Mount promised reformation , as he
had repeatedly done before , and as n guaran
tee of good faith wrote out his resignation ,
wliich ho authorized Colonel Gibson to hand
to the secretary of war in case ho should over
bo found intoxicated again. According to
the agreement , Colonel Gibson handed the
resignation to the secretary of war on the
day after Thanksgiving. It was forwarded
through the regular channels and was ac
cepted by tlio president. The llrst Cap
tain Mount knew of Colonel Gib
son's action was when ho was re
lieved from duty. Ho then called on the
secretary and the president and protested ,
claiming that he had not been intoxicated ;
that he had not violated his pledge , and that
Colonel Gibson had acted in bad faith In pre
senting' his resignation. Now comes a
question that has never been raised in the
war department before. Captain Mount's
resignation having been accepted , he is no
longer an ofllccr in the army , and he cannot
bo restored by the president , because the
latter cannot reconsider bis llnal act in ac
cepting the resignation. The only thing
that can bo done is to send Mount's nomina
tion to the senate and have it confirmed. On
tlio other hand , Captain Mount , in order to
do this , must show that Colonel Gibson has
done him an injustice , and that makes it
necessary for him to Hie charges against tlio
latter ofllccr and have them tried before a
court martial.
NOT XATUItAMZKI ) CITIZENS.
Somehow the democratic olllclals of the
house arc not half so emphatic in claiming a
democratic majority in the next house as
they were a few weeks ago , in spite of tlio
fact that the four districts in West Virginia
seem to have been stolen by thorn. The suc
cess of the republican candidate in Cali
fornia , who seemed to have been defeated at
one time , and the assurance that the delega
tion from that state will contain flvo repub
licans , wns a bad setback for them in the be
ginning of the week. Now they have dis
covered that without resorting to the fraud
ulent methods which they inaugurated in
several of ttio southern states , the repub
licans will bo enabled , possibly , to prevent
the seating of the only two democrats
who claim election in Wisconsin.
The point raised by the Mil
waukee Herald , that these two democrats ,
Barwig nnd Bricker , are not entitled to
seats , because thcyuro neither native , natur
alized , nor the sons of naturalized citizens , is
said to bo well taken , and republicans are
determined that the two men shall not bo
sworn until they have produced satisfactory
proof that they are citizens of the United
States. The democrats nro trying to offset
this serious drawback to the seating of the
Wisconsin men , Dy citing the case of Kcnro-
sentative White , of Indiana , who hail to light
for his scat in i.pito of ttio fact that ho fought
for the union. But they forgot that nearly
every member of their party voted against
White , so that there is no sentimental reason
why tlio Wisconsin men should not stand
solely upon their merits. The idea that the
naturalized German-Americans will oppose
the refusal to grunt ccrtllicatcs to these men
is absurd , as all naturalized citizens uro
equally interested in seeing that all members
of congress are citizens of the country.
IllVKIt AND IIAUIIOR I ILL.
Opinion is divided as to the course of the
senate towards the river and harbor bill
when that measure shall reach the upper
house of congress. It is probable that it will
pass the house ; ifcxt week , but tlicro is under
stood to bo a tacit understanding on the part
of the members of the senate committee on
commerce that no bill of the kind shall be
reported from that body at this session ,
owing to tlio great size of the appropriations
contained in the bill approved last fall.
There are several important public works in
course of construction which will suffer
by delayed appropriations , and some effort
will bo made to provide for those on the sun
dry civil bill , but owing to the determination
of seine members , who have "pork in the
barrel , " as they express it , to oppose every
thing of this kind until they como in , it. is
not likely that any appropriations will bo
made for river and harbor works if the sen
ate committee refuses to report the regular
bill.
THE WASHINGTON TOST SOLD ,
Mr. Stilson'Hutchins , who has been trying
for several months to sell his paper , The
Washington Post , has at last found a cus
tomer in Mr. J nines Elvorson , the proprietor
of the weekly story paper known us tbo Sat
urday Night , and the Hltlo weekly for chil
dren , known as Golden Days. Mr. IClvor.soa
is u man of great wealth , and has hud a resi
dence In Washington for some years. It is
understood that ho will employ an entirely
new Bluff of editors and reporters ,
NATIONAL HANKS.
Tha members of the house committee on
banking and currency are not a llttlo dis-
countered and disgusted over their failure to
impress cither house with the necessity of
legislation on the banking business. The
Wilkins bill , providing that national banks
may have n circulation to the full par value
of the bonds deposited with tbo treasurer ,
although reported unanimously from the
committee , placed upon the calendar , made a
special order , taken up and discussed two or
tiireo times , and now resting as unfinished
business , cannot receive action. Chairman
Wilkins himself says that there is so much
prejudice against legislation which in any
way favors national batiks and that there arose
so many demagogues In the house who con
tinually misrepresent the truth In regard to
tha banking business , that It is next to an
Impossibility to secure any action , The Wil
kins bill would put Into circulation a good
many million dollars more money , and would
therefore have a tendency to rcduco the in
terest which borrowers must now pay. The
bill proposes to give the brnks It ) per cent
more circulation without having to pay any
thing for It , and on this ground the anti-bank
men In the house howl. A member of the
committee trnid , of the probabilities of legislation -
lation upon the national banking question uy
tlio next houbo : "There will bo nuine Im
portant legislation , and therj is no doubt of
it. If we intend to maintain our present
system of requiring national banks to Issue
circulating notes and secure them by n de
posit of United States bonds , there mubi bo
haw bonds Issued , for the high premium de
manded by the present Issue of bonds and
the liucliiatlon or the market make the circu
lation of bank notes very undesirable , and
the banks art reducing their circulation to
the ailulumm. The m-dlt of a national bunk
Is based upon the credit of , the government ,
and there cannot bo any excuse for rcfus
ing to allow tbo' banks to Issue
circulation for the full par value of the bonds
deposited. Tlio old excuse of only giving OJ
per cent of circulation has boon wiped out.
If the value of the bonds depreciate It will
boon account of the depreciation of the gov
ernment's credit , and therefore the bank
notes themselves will In the same deproo de
preciate. It is my impression that the future
federal banking laws will cither permit the
dcposite of a nominal sum with the treas
urer ntul do nway with circulation or wll
provide for the issuance of nen
bonds nnd circulation to Iho full
liar value of the bonds deposited. There Is
no money In the connection national banks
have with tlio federal government. The
only reason a bank Is made national Is be
cause it is considered safer , having- all the
safeguard ! ) of the federal government
thrown about It.
IIULMONT'S. MISSION.
A New York democrat In the house says
that Perry Belmont goes to Spain on n diplo
matic mission , which Is Intended to occupy a
considerable period of tlmo. Ho Is to at
tempt the negotiation of a now commercial
treaty and to patch up our shipping relations
with Spain. Ho says that when General
Harrison goes into the white house Mr. Belmont -
mont will not any moro than have gotten
well started at his work , and pressure will
bo brought to bear to have him retained
till his negotiations are completed. Ho an
ticipates that Mr. Belmont may bo in his po
sition a year or moro after the 4th of March ,
AfC'lIIIME TO IIMlUnitAES IIAlllllSON.
One of Mr. Cleveland's appointees in the
postofllce department who has charge of a
number of employees , says : "During the
Jlrst three wceKs which followed the election ,
there was an arrangement attcuiptcdJn se
crecy whereby moro than half of the men
appointed by President Cleveland nnd not pro
tected by civil service rules , were to resign
their positions on the 4th of March and walk
out of their ofllccs. Thousands of post
masters wcro to bo in the scheme , and were
to vacate their otllccs promptly on that day.
There were a number of chiefs of divisions
in the departments here who were In the
lead of the scheme , and If It bad worked as
well during the second as the llrst week of
the movement , it would have been a success.
Tlio idea was to embarrass President Harrison
risen to the fullest extant at the beginning of
his administration. You will remember that
this kind of an arrangement was talked of at
the beginning of this administration , and the
republicans wcro to go out in a body. After
a largo number of men had promised to com
ply with the programme , a few of them
weakened , and the whole business fell
through. FEHUY S. HBATII.
THIS CLH.YIIAXOH RHCOUD.
The Financial TransiictionB ol * the
Past Week.
BOSTON , Mass. , Dec. 23. [ Special Tele ;
gram to the Bun. ] The following table
compiled from dispatches to the Post from
the managers of the leading clearing-houses
oftlio United States , shows tlio gross ex
changes for the week ended December 23 ,
18S3 , with rates per cent of increase or de
crease as compared with the amounts for
the uorrcspondliigwcekin 1SS7 :
Total $ l,030l10'Jf ! > 82l.3.
Outside Now YorK.
SWINDLED BY A SMOOTH YOUTH.
An IHinolB Farmer Ijoses $22,000
Tliroimh a Now Vork Sharper.
OTTAWA , III , , Doe. 23. Lester Taylor , a
wealthy farmer residing near Millingtou ,
has been swindled out of $22,000 , by a smooth
tongued young man , who was arrested In
New York this wcoK.i The youth pretended
to bo the only son of wealthy and distin
guished parents , nnd said that his guardian
was attempting to cheat him out of his in
heritance. Ho wanted to learn funning , as
his wealth wns mainly in lands. His
confederate in Now York , pretending to bo
Ills attorney , sent for money from tlmo to
time to prosecute the suit against the alleged
guardian , and without security the farmer
loaned the youth 81,000 at a lime until ho
finally disappeared. Ho has been arrested
in New York.
The Haby Dead in tier Anns.
Nuw Youiv , Dec. 23. Mary Molntyro , a
young unmarried woman , arrived at Cnstlo
Garden yesterday on the steamship Enypt
from Liverpool. She carried her four-
months-old baby in her arms. She was de
tained , to bo sent to Ward's island. The at
Mention of Dr. Schultz , who stood near the
woman was attracted by the extreme pallor
of the baby's face. Placing his hand on thu
child's face ho lookud inquiringly at the
ivoinan and said : "How long has your baby
jccn sick ? " ;
"It's not sick at all sir , " the mother an
swered ; "It's been asleep for two hours. "
"Tho child's dead , my good woman. Is It
lossiblo you did not know It ) It has evi
dently been dead ftw several hours. " The
ivoman started back in affright , and would
lava lot the baby fall 'if the doctor hud not
caught it In his arms. fAn examination dis
closed the fact that the baby hail died of ox-
> osuro. i
_ _
A Dyniimltoi Kxploslon.
WIIEKM.NO , W , Va. , Dec. W. This after
noon n dynamlta magiulno at Mount Pleas
ant , O. , exploded , wrecking windows and
njuring buildings. The shock : was felt and
ho report heard hero and all around , It is
cportcd that several .persons were klllod ,
Oetulls are meagre and 11 full report will bo
mposslblo bcforo Monday.
Tncro wore , In the magazine. 210 kegs of
lewder and ten eases of dynamite , A four-
con year old boy , Charles Glcck. with two
other boys , went In smoking. The other
joys ran boforu the explosion , Young Gleck
vas literally blown to atoms. The other
joys wcro badly hurt. Seventeen men were
badly Injured. Nearly every house within n
nile was blown to pieces , mid farther -away.
severely injured , The names of the injured
md killed can not bo obtained to-night. A
itindrcd yiuds away were thirty toim of dy-
iiimlto in a case , which was not exploded.
Khoolc Up tin Paw Ji'ii crH.
UOCIIKSTIIII , N. Y. , Doc. 83 , Tlio New
'ork Central express train was derailed at
Churchvlllo to-night and a number of pas-
cngers shaken up.
TlioVnuther Indications.
Nebraska and 'Iowa : llaln , turning Into
snow , colder , wind * becoming northwesterly.
i ir'ulr , colder , ioncrly : ! ) windu.
THE SUPREME COURT OF IOWA ,
Juat Half n Century SInce Ita Organ
ization.
INTERESTING REMINISCENCES
The Klrsl. SosHlou hold In n Bmnl
Itonm or n t'rlviiti ; HoHldonuc nt
The Present
Quarter * .
Fifty Yonrs Apo.
DCS MOINT.S , la. , Dec. 03. [ Special to
Tnr. I5li : : . | The supreme court adjournci
Its announcement term yesterday , and wll
meet for the hearing of cases early next
month. The fact that It Is Just half a cen
tury since the supreme court of Iowa was
organized , has called attention anew to the
history and standing of the court. Perhaps
no man in the stnto is moro competent to dis
cuss the history of Iowa institutions than
Prof. T. S. Parvin , of Cedar Uapids. Ho
has given special attention to the collection
of historical data of various kinds , and is en
abled In this way to furnish a vast amount
of interesting information. In a recent inter
view ho recalled the organization of the
court fifty years ago , and alludes to it with
the moro interest from the fact that ho was
himself admitted to the bar at that term of
court. It convened , says Prof. Parvin , at
Uurllngton , November 12 , 1S33. That place
had been selected as the capital ol
the territory by Governor Lucas.
It was then a little town , withou ta church or
school house or a public or private hall. So
the ofllcera of the court secured permission
for it to meet in a dwelling house , in the
sitting-room , a small otio about sixteen feet
square. It was a raw and chill November
day when the thrco gentlemen who had met
to organize the llrst supreme court of Iowa
gathered around the table in that little room.
Each of these men was destined to take high
rank in the world hereafter , nnd exert a great
inlluenco upon the alTairs of the young
territory and future stato. The chief jus
tice was Charles Mason , of Liurliiigtou , who
had graduated at West Point with line schol
arship , and then turned to the law. Thomas
S. Wllsou , the second member of the court ,
had come from Ohio but two or three years
before , and settled at Dubuquo. lie had won
great success in his short residence in Iowa ,
and was looked upon as very worthy of a
place on the bench. The third member was
Joseph Williams , appointed from Pennsyl
vania , and so popular with everybody that ho
was called by everyone "Joe" without regard
to the dignities of his position. The gentle
men were aged thirty-one , thirty-live and
thirty seven respectively , and composed the
first territorial supreme court. The United
States marshal was General Francis Gefion ,
of Dubuque , but formerly United States
marshal for Wisconsin , bcforo Iowa was
taken out. Isaac Van Allen , of Hurlington ,
was the UnitoJ States district attorney. The
court appointed Thornton Hayless , of fJur-
lington , clerk , and Charles Weston , of Dav
enport , reporter. Van Allen shortly after
died , mid President Van IJuren appointed
Colonel AVat-son to succeed him.
So much for the personnel of the court
itself. The usual formalities over , the court
announced that it was ready to admit attor
neys in waiting and dispose of the only case
before it an appeal. This was a criminal
case , the territory of Iowa against somebody
who had been convicted of stealing a rifle.
There wero'twenty lawyers waiting to bo
admitted to the court nt its Jlrst session , fifty
years ago. They wcro the following : Will-
lam U. Conway , secretary of the territory :
W. H. Starr , H. W. Starr , J. W. Grimes ,
David Horer. M. D. Browning , S. W. Woods ,
Isaac Van Allen , all of Uurllngton , except
Conway , who was from Davenport ; Philip
Viele and Alfred Itich , of Fort Madison ; G.
W. and J. H. Teas , of Mt. Pleasant : S. C.
Hastings , Stephen Whbher , It. P. Lowe ,
nnd I. C. Day , of Hloomington , now Musca-
tine ; Stephen Hcmpatead and 13. It. Po-
trikin , of Dubuque ; Charles Weston , of
Davenport , and T. S. Parvin , then of IJur-
lington. Of that number , which included
fifteen statesmen of high standing In the
state and nation , but three men survive
Hastings , now in Portland , Ore. , Weston in
Philadelphia , and Parvin in Cedar Hapids ,
Such was the llrst court. The court of to
day , in its present surroundings , is a quite
different body. It meets in the elegant
chamber in the new capital , with its imported
frescoes for the ceiling , Its soft deep carpet
to tread upon , the magnificent carved ma-
liogony bar , and all the other appointments
which wealth tastefully expended can sup
ply. The present qu irtcr.s of the Iowa su
preme court are pronounced by good judges
to bo tbo finest in the country. Instead of three
the court now consists of live members , of
whom Judge Sccvors is chief Justice , his
term and oflice expiring with this year. Each
judge has an opportunity to be chief Justice ,
if ho serves his full term , as that distinction
comes by rotation to each member of the
court In the last year of his term. Judge
Heed , the congressman-elect from the Ninth
district , has jiot yet resigned , as ho wants to
havn a taste at least of the honor of being
chief justice , and as next year (1SS9) ( ) would
bo his year for that place , he will hold on
until the January term of court , over which
ho will preside. That term will sco
for the first time , Judge Granger sitting
on the bench , ho having been elected at the
last election to succeed Judge Sccvers. Tlio
court now is located permanently nt the cap
ital. Each Judge has a room assigned him
there , and ho can sleep there if ho chooses ,
and stay in the building all the time , except
to go out for bis meals. Each of the terms
of court brings a larcro number of lawyers
from all over the state , and they como also
Frequently to consult the line law library in
the state house. It is very complete in re
ports and text books , ami ranks fourth or
fifth In the United States In this respect.
IJnt Few Soldirr.i Anioiit ; Thorn.
DCS MOINJS , la , , Dec. 2y , [ Special
o Till ! Hm : . ] Some tlmo ago Colonel
Consignor , department commander of the G.
A. H. , for Iowa , decided that the old voter-
ins who might belong to the G. A. H. and bo
bund among the evicted settlers on the river
ands , ought to bo looked after especially by
heir comrades. So ho wrote to the com-
minder of the G. A , It post nt Fort Dodge ,
isklng him to Jlnd out the names of all the
old soldiers , who had been evicted
tnd sco if any needed assistance ,
etc. After a thorough Investigation
10 finds that there are very few union
soldiers among the number , and , to his sur-
irlso , finds a larger number of ox-am fud-
: rate soldiers among the evicted settlers
ban union veterans , It was not suspected
hut so many u.v-rubols had couio north to
owa to live , but there an ; evidently u good
nuny in the state.
Triton
ANAMOSA , In. , Dec , 21 , [ Special to Tun
Jii : : , ] Hctwecn Christmas nnd Now Year's
lay Warden Uurr , of the Anamosa penl-
entlary , expects to go to Mt , Pleasant for
wenty-two criminal Insane inmates now in
ho hospital thnro , who will hereafter bo
cept In tjio building , now about completed ,
or that class at Anamosa , Two will also be
cut from Independence , and three or four
rom the prison at Ft. Madison.
There arc now 227 convicts in the prison.
V year ago tbo number was 280 , a decrease
) f I- , ' . Two years ago ut this tlmo there were
10 , nearly 100 more than utthe present time.
J'hu largest number on the rolls at any ona
line In iho history of the Institution was in
April , ItaSH , when tlicro were ,12(1 ( men and
vomen in durance. The decrease at Ft.
Madison is in about the same proportion ,
Will Have n Hoiinlon.
DKS Moisr.s , la , , Dec. 23. [ Special to Tim
JKB.J When the Iowa sheriffs mot lierc the
ther day it was found that so , era : of the
party had belonged to the Thirty-ninth Iowa
Infantry , but had never had a reunion since
the regiment was mustered out nt tlio close
of the war. Tno regiment was organized ii
1M2 in the counties surrounding this
city , and Hon. 11. .1. K CumniliiRs.of Winter
set , afterwards meinocr of congress from
this district , was the first colonel. Ho re
signed and Colonel Kedlleld of Dallas i-ounty ,
succeeded him and was killed at Atlanta
P.iss , In October , 1SU. ( The regiment be
longed to the fourth division of the fifteenth
nrmy corps , under Logan. The survivors
who were here lust week derided to hold a
reunion hereafter , and thuy Invite all former
members of the regiment to correspond with
the secretary , John Slmnloy , of this city.
It is probable that that a permanent associa
tion of survivors will soon bo formed.
.Mr * . DI tt Atiiulttod. !
CiAinos , In. , Dec. 2t : , Mrs. Hertlm Hig
gle , who has boon on trial hero some days ,
charged with poisoning her husband , was ac
quitted to-day. When the verdict was ran-
dcrcd Mrs. Dipglo swooned and is now ron-
Ilned to tier bed , completely unstrung from
nervous reaction.
Undi'd .Mnrllul Trouble < by .Suloldo.
DCS Moixr.s , Dec. 23. Mrs. John Stone ,
residing near Albion , who had her husbaml
arrested Thursday for boating her ami
then sued him for divorce yesterday ,
drowned herself In the river Friday night.
She was the mother of six children ,
11UY1M5 STHKIOT HAIMYAYS.
A Syndicate Nojjotliulnn For St.
and Idttlo liock ICnnilH.
ST. Louis , Mo. , Dec. 23. A Now York
syndicate is negotiating for the entire south
ern and southwestern street railway system
of this city. The lines involved in the deal
nro the People's and the Union Depot , and
the syndicate is said to bo represented by the
banking house of Nowcomb Hros. , Now
York. The property has been thoroughly
examined , and it is reported that an offer has
been inndo that Is now under consideration
by Presidents Seullin and Green , of the two
railways. The roads have valuable fran
chises and are doing a profitable business ,
A change of motor Is contemplated on both
lines.
LITTI.I : Hni'ic , Ark. , Dec. 23. Tlio Chicago
syndicate that purchased the street railway
system in Memphis nnd St. Louis are nego
tiating for the Little KoeU street railway. A
sale is likely to bo made shortly.
SnnrlcH From the Cnnlo.
LONDON' , Dec. 2'J. John Bright sat up in
his chair half an hour to-day.
LONDON , Dec. 21. ! Advices from Mozam
bique say the Portugese defeated Horgas on
the Upucr Zambesi.
KOMI : , Dee. 21. The chamber of deputies
yesterday , by u vote of ITfi to ! ! 2 , p.issed a bill
authorizing a credit of 1 l.r > ,000K0 ( ! lire for de
fense.
XvN'ZiiiAit , Dec. 2:1. : Tlio sultan has issued
a decree proclaiming that murderers shall
forfeit their lives ami thieves shall lose their
loft bunds.
Hnussni.s , Dec. 23. Oftlcial dispatches to
the government conllrm the report of the ar
rival -Stanley and Entin Pasha on the
Arunhimi river.
LONDON , Dec. 23. Lawrence Ollphnnt , a
well known writer , died this afternoon at
Twickenham. Tlio enuso of death was
cancer of the lungs.
Si'AKiM , Dec. 23. Arab deserters say there
is n strong forco-of rebels nt llundoub , and
many bodies of natives killed In the recent
light are being conveyed to that village.
XANZIIUII , Dec. 23. Owinir to the protest
oftlio British representative here , the sultan
has cancelled his order for the wholesale
execution of criminals ,
The German warship. Loipsic , has cap
tured another show , with 140 slaves.
of a Shoe Store.
Gmxn ISLAND , Neb. , Dec. 23. [ Special to
THE BEE. ] Thieves broke into the Bank
rupt shoo store last night and carried of
about $200 worth of goods. A gang has
been working the town for the past month.
There is hardly a store that has not been
visited. The police have not yet been able
to get any clew to them.
UH | Tcniu Kan Away.
GUANO ISLAND , Nob. , Doc. 22. [ Special to
Tin : Bcc.J C. P. Hargenson , a farmer liv
ing about nine miles north of Grand Island ,
was thrown from his wagon and seriously
injured while going homo from town yester
day. His team wns frightened , ami became
unmanageable , running away and throwing
him to the groundHo was discovered soon
after by a neighbor , who picked him up and
carried him home. His loft arm was broken
and he also sustained internal injuries.
School Toucher Kvonerntcul.
CncioiiTON , Dec. 23. [ Special to Tin :
finr. . ] Considerable feeling has been ex
cited hero recently with regard to the public
school. Two or tlireo parties have taken it
upon themselves to criticise the actions of
the principal of the school , and through thu
papers to cast insinuations upon him wliich
were injurious. To-day , however , the school
Doard came out with a paper , signed by the
full board , completely exonerating the prin
cipal from any blame in the matters re
ferred to.
_ _
Ai'rcHted While at Chnrcli.
MiNNii.vrous , Minn. , Dec. 23. [ Special
Telegram to Tun Bii : : , | There wns no llttlo
surprise among tlio congregation at the
Seventh Day Advent church on Fourth
avenue south and Lake street when Inspector
specter John Hey walked in during the
service there yesterday morning and arrested
a prominent member , J. W. Hobbins , Mr.
[ Bobbins deals in dirt and has an ofllco in the
Uoston block. At church ho became ac-
liiaintcd with Catharine Hornslflin and she
ntrustcd her little property to him to bo
Handled us he thought for her bust interest.
but after a tlmo the trusting old lady found
out that Hobbins could give no account satis
factory to herself of a certain Hum of ? 125 in
trusted to him , nnd yesterday slio caused his
irrostona charge of embezzlement. Hob-
bins waived examination in the municipal
court , and was held to the grand jury in
j200 bonds , which wcro furnished ,
- < *
The I'rnpoMlilon AVan Accepted.
Toi'KiCA , Kan. , Dec. 23. [ Special Tele
gram to TUB lJm.J--Tho reduction of 10 per
cent recently made by the Atchison , Topeka
t Santa Fo railroad In the salaries of olllo-
als and employes of that system , did not ex-
end to train men , but It is learned to-day
hat the conductors oftlio entlro system have
voluntarily submitted a proposition to the
nanagemont of the railway , that they are
ready and willing to assume , without extra
lay , such additional duties and responslblll-
ICH in the handling of the train service as
vill enable the company to make a reduction
of fully 10 par cent in the oxpensu of this do-
urliucnt. The proposition lias been ac
cented and the new arrangement goes into
effect about January 1.
Why the Tiucdlt Itew.ifd WIIH Halted.
CIIICAUO , 111. , Deo. 23. The reason why
Mrs. Snell raised the reward for the capture
f William Tascott , the murderer of her hus-
mnd , from f20M ( ; to fiO.OOi ) , h because it has
icon discovered that the fugitive fled with
rust deeds and notes aggregating in value
early $ . 100,000 , Thesa papers , which were
tolcn from the sato In iho Sncll hnuuo bo-
ere the murder , are of suo'i ' value to the es-
ate that thu administrator > " unable to
rneo trie humlro.tH nf loans old man Snail
nude buforo his death. It in said that the
vldow will ulliinatcly increase the reward
o f 100,000. _ _
K filed Hli VHV.
Hvni-'Ufi - ! , N. V. , Dec. 23. To nijtht Wil-
am Crossloy shot and killed his wife , and
hen blow out his brains with a revolver ,
SEVERAL BLOODY BATTLES
Fought Between Contending GhloO
tnins in the Stunonu Islands.
THE CAUSE OF THE CONFLICT
Said to Bo tlio Action of the Gormntt
Ouvermiipiit In Trying to l < Wua
nil Unpopular King on
tliu I'conle.
IntliMt Itrtutrm I'Yoin Kmnon.
SANTiuxrisro , Dec. SJ. A special correspondent
pendent of the Associated Press at Apia (
Samoa , writes under date of December :
Slneo last advices , two battles of import
ance and numerous skirmishes have taken
place between the forceiof Mnlictoa-Mutaafa
and Tamaosc , the rebel chief , and pretended
king. About 12. ) moil have been killed and
1M > wounded. The state of affair * seems duo
to the continued action of tlio Germans , who
Insist that Tamacso shall bo king , although
two-thirds of the people have elected Mallo-
toa-Mataafa as their choice , while thu Ger
mans oppose him , knowing ho would not
consent to their supremacy on the Island.
On the afternoon of November 0Mutnafa's ,
army began an nttnek on Tamacso's stockade -
ado in the bush , and after a sharp light the
rebels were driven out and up the side of tlio
mountain , whcro they throw tip a stockade.
They were again driven out from hero.
Tumaoao's loss Is two killed and twelve
wounded , and Mataafa's four klllod and fif
teen wounded. Mntuafa's wounded were
taken to Apia , where British Consul
Coctlogan , Untied States Vice Consul
liluclock , Captain Lonry of the United
States steamer Adams , and Captain Polly ,
of the British steamer Lizard , erected hospi
tal tents in front of the llritish consulate for
the accommodation of the wounded ,
notice was also sent that Tamusoso's '
wounded would bo eared for , but none of
these were brought to the hospital touts ,
being taken to T.imasoso's fort on the hill ,
where their won mis were looked after by
surgeons from the German tnnn-of-wnr.
The United States Steamer Nlpslo , Captain -
tain Mullen , arrived hero November 7 , to
relieve the Adams. November 10 , the Gor
man steamer Lnbcuk arrived from Sidney ,
bringing Dr. Htiaghc , the now German coii
stil , to relieve Consul Becker. A schooner ,
armed by the Germans , continued to mnka
daily trips from Alia to Salnafatn , carrying
ammunition for the use of Tamaseso's men ,
Brandies , the Gorman who is tlio rebel
king's advlbcr , giving it out to the rebel sol
diers in large quantities.
November IS , the German man-of-war Ail-
dler appeared off the harbor and the German
consul came ashore and demanded that Ma-
taafa comply with the Gorman's order to
leave his encampments , on account of al
leged depredations , which Mntaafn denied.
Ho said no one rould regret the war moro
than himself , but ho did not intend to stop
lighting. All ho desired was that foreign
nations should not interfere , but allow the
Samoans to settle the trouble themselves.
The following day a meeting of the German ,
American and British consuls was held , but
wns devoid of results , the Germans insisting
upon upholding Tumnscso.
In the afternoon of the Wth the opposing
forces bad a sharp light at Snluafato ,
Mataal'a's men driving the rebels out of two
forts. A number of Tamasoso'H men wcro
killed and wounded , and Mataafa lost flvo
killed and eight wounded. The German gun
boat Ebur arrived November 21 , and the next
day proceeded to Suluafala.whoro she will bq
stationed some time. The Nipsio followed
her and will also remain temporarily at
Saluafata. Immediately on the arrival ot
the Ebcr , she sent ashore a notification to
Mataafa's to leave German
men ground be
fore tlio following day , or they would ba
forcibly driven away , and also ordering them
not to attempt to pass over German
lands. Mataafa's mnn having gone up thq
coast after capturing the forts , found them
selves unabloundcr this order , to return anil
Tnmaseses ia oneo more In possession of thq
forts. The Germans claimed largo tracts ot
lands , said to belong to the Samoans. On
this tlio German consul instructed the cap
tain of the Kbcr to llro upon any of Mataafa's
men who ventured upon it. Tamasesos ,
however , was given free range of this
grodnd , and notified that ho would bo pro
tected by the Ebcr.
November 27 , Captain Lcary , of the
United States steamship Adams , sent a let
ter to the captain of the liber , protesting
against his action , and adding lie was not )
aware that any foreign powers had
acquired territorial rights in Samoa , and any
intprfuronro with either ot the war parties
would bo regarded as an unjustifiable act of ; ,
hostility. No reply wns received to this
letter.
On the afternoon of November 2(1 ( Tnma-v
seso's men rnmo out to meet Mataafa's forces' '
and wcro repulsed with the loss of several
killed and many wounded. Tlio morning ol/ ;
the following day an attack wits begun by
Mataafn's men on Tnmaseso's fort , which ho
bad built in three sections behind u splen
didly constructed stockade. The light
lasted from early morning until dark ,
and when it ceased Mataafa'B meif
had secured possession of sections 2 anil
! ) of the big fort , whllo Tamnscso's party
was still in possession of the first , or strong *
est section. Tlio two sections captured have
been taken and rotakcn llvo Union and tha
slaughter on both sides has been fearful.
Mataafa's loss was S5 killed and a great
number wounded , many fatally. Of the
killed , 'M had been beheaded by Tamuscso'a ' <
men. Fivu high chiefs were among tbo
killed. TnninscKo liiul about fifty killed and
many woundc.il. U is a matter of much dini-
culty to ascertain lilspxart loss , as none but
Germans iiro allowed to visit Tnmuscso'a
stronghold , and the Germans arc not on
speaking terms with Americans or Kngllsh. '
Mutnafa'n wounded were taken to Afia ,
where they wcro tondcrli cared for by sur
geons from British and American war ves
sels , aided by the wlfo of the British consul ,
whoso ceaseless efforts to aloviato the suffer
ings of the wounded , elicited much admirnJ
lion. Since this battle , no lighting of any
importance has taken place. King Mataafa
md his people arc very anxious to have tha
stands either annexed by the United Btatns ,
or have a protectorate established , even if itj
jo only temporary. ,
* }
HoliDi'i ] nnd Hilled an Old Holdlor.
DAITOX , Ohio , Dec. 2U. Shortly after darlc
ast evening , Theodore Trnmponau , ugotl
seventy years , an inmate of the National
Military homo , was found murdered near tha
gates of the homo , Tratnponnu drew $90
tension yesterday. When found Inn pockets
were empty. Another Boldlcr was robbed
his evening near the spot by a negro , Tbd
legro Is believed to bo the murderer olj
J'rauipc'iiau , who was killed by a heavy blow
on thu forehead , i
An I0v I'ol'ociii.ui Hnluitlu * .
KANUA& CITY , Dec. 3l. ! Ux Captain of Po-
ice Charles Ditsch wan found dead thla
nornlng in the Union cmnutcry. lying on hla
laughter's grave , with a gnastly wound in
its head , while n murderous looking rCf
volvor told the rest of the story. lie ha4
uhargu of the funds of the Police Unllef as
sociation and the Kiiirlile m supposed to ba
dui * to his being short in hla act-omits.
Attended ( Jliurcti.
IsmiN.iroi.is , 1ml , , Dec. -Ger.eial
Mrs. Harrison , accompanied by tholr
ex-Senator Saum'.ors , attended divine ser
vices this morning at the Pirnt Presbyterian
church. The evening was spent at homo , no
me but the family and visiting rcmtlvca
being present. During the holiday
General llarrituu will auii/end hit
