Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 26, 1888)
I THE OMAHA DAILY BEE EIGHTEENTH YEAJR. OMAHA. WEDNESDAY MORNING. DECEMBER 2G , 1888. NUMBER 195 1NFLAMINGGOTTON A Duplication of the Kato Adams Steamboat Horror. ON THE EVE OF CHRISTMAS DAY. The John H. Hanna IB Totally De stroyed by Firo. DEATH JOINS THE MERRYMAKERS The AwfAil Sociuonco of a Night of Pleasure. BY THE RIVER AND THE FLAMES. The Pntpil VoHsel'H I'nHseiiRCrs KltlitM Itnrncil All vo or Drowned by Jump ing Overboard A Similar CntnHlronlio nn the r/tctflu ConHt. A Torrlhle CtirlHtinns Kve. NEW OKI.RANS , Dec. 25. The stcnmboal tohn II. Hanna , from Ouehltn river , will thirgc number of passengers und a cargo ol .1,000 bales of cotton on board , burned lasl night at Plnquomlnc , La. it is stated that of 100 persons on board at thu time of the dis aster , only fourteen are known to be saved. The John H. Hanna was built in Madison , Ind. , in 1ST3 , and hailed from Louisville , Ky. She was of U77 tons burden , She was valuot : nt$18)00 ( ) , and Insured for f 12,000 in local and foreign companies. Captain J. W. Hanks , president of the coin- pany , says the latest advices ho has are to the effect that the steamboat left Monroe , La. , on Sunday at 0 o'clock. Upon bclne questioned us to the number of passengers on the Hanna , Captain Hanks said ho thought it was small , as there was little travel in that boctlon at present , A special from Plaquemino says the burn ing of thu steamer John H. Hanna last night , near that place was ono of the most terrible river disasters that over happened in south ern waters. The loss is very heavy. About thirty persons perished in the llamcs , and a large number jumped overboard and wcro drowned. Among the lost are Captain James fi. Holmes and First Clerk Samuel H. Powell. Their bodies have been recovered. Captain Holmes' body was terribly burned. One of tlio deckhands who escaped says thcro weru about one hundred persons on board and that only about a dozen could be found alive. The engineer and pilot were saved. All who escaped were burned more or less severely. It was just before Christmas day was being ushered in that the line steamer was coming down the river. Several of the pas sengers were seated in the cabin having a merry time and with no thought of the im pending catastrophe. Many of the crow and passengers were asleep when the lire broico out and spread with indismbnblo rapidity. The details of the sufferings and dcatli of tome of the passengers are harrowing in the extreme. The boat had reached a point which was but n short distance above town when a negro roustabout near the boiler room ran out to the deck nnd shouted that the boat was on lire. John Cullcn , a stoker , was near the place at the time , and seeing the flames bursting forth from the big tiers of cotton near the boiler ran hastily to the engine room and gave the alaun , Engineer Merrinian took in the situation at a glance , and at once sounded the alarm by blowing the steam whistle and ringing the bell , in an instant the flames shot through the cabin nnd over the sides of the cotton , enveloping the entire boat in fire. Clerk Powell was up stairs at the time , and When ho saw the flames , herocally ran through the sm'oko which filled the cabin and tried to nrouso the sleeping people. Ho kicked at the doors , und In a short time almost everybody was awake. Then con fusion worse confounded appeared , and frantic people ran to the different exits to make their escape. Hut the boat was piled high with cotton and the passageways were filled with smoke. Many dropped before they wcro able to get to the forward part of the boat and were dead when the steamer went down. As soon as the fire was discovered En gineer Merrinian set the steatu pumps to working and tried to battle with the flames , but the lire swept through iho boat like u blast on a prairie , and the engine room was soon in flames. Thou , to add to the conster nation , n steam pipe burst and filled the place with scalding steam. Engineer Morri- man was forced to abandon his post , and ho and the Btokcrs and others ran to the side of thu boat nnd rushed through pell mcll tu save their lives. As soon as the smoke and flames began to start up the sides of the boat Captain Jollcs , the pilot , swung her around and headed the boat for shore. A full head of steam was on , and the boat soon ran into the bank. Ucforo Rho did BO , however , she was doomed. All her timber was furiously burning. When the steamer struck the bank she bounded away again and swung around , driftingdowu the stream as she burned. Then Captain Jollcs jumped out over the cotton bales and springing Into the river swum ashore. The sight was a wolrd one , viewed from the bank , and the tiwn was aroused. Float ing cotton , charred timber and other debris filled Iho river , and many people wore strugBllnu desperately in the water for tholr lives. Some of them wore able to Bwim ashore , but most of them were so badly burned or thoroughly ex hausted that they struggled but a few mo menta and sank to rise no more. As the burning boat struck the bank b ( the river the crow and the passengers , who had been ublo to roach the forward end of the boat sprang ashore , some of them with scorched faces und bruised limbs , and many tif them with scarcely any covering. Among those who managed to got off wore Captain Holmes-and Hob Smith , the unfortunate pilot of the lllfiucd White , who was a pas- scuper. Hoth men were burned nigh unto death , and the story of the manner in which they MinVjvil is most heartrending. When the captain jumped ashore ho was horrlhly burned , nnd hi his fr.mtlo dcslrj to ho relieved from thu pain ho was suffering , ho burled his face and hands In soft mud and bogged most pitcously for semi one to bnlp him. Smith was just behind ami wao laid out by the sulo of the dylui ; captain. Nothing could bo done for the suffering men , nnd the two tiled together on the river bank. I'laquomlno was not slumborinjf when the fire broke out , and when the discovery was inado that the Hanna was burniiife' , almost t'io ' entire town flocked to the river bank and vratchoii the vessel burn. The struggling unfortunates who reached the shore wcro taken care of , mid doctors and others came to their assistance nnd tried to nllovl nto their sufferings. The City nnd Centra hotels and private houses threw open the ! doors to tlio 111-fatcil people nnd fed nut clothed them until this morning. The snr vivors telegraphed accounts of the dlsnstc to their homes. No ono saw Clerk Powell , who dlsplnyci much heroism in waking up Iho passengers after ho had rapped nt the dbors , and it 1 quite positive that he was burned to dcatl nnd went down with the steamer. No at tempt was made to bavo any of the steamer' books and papers , and everything , togethc with the clothes of the cre\ nnd passengers , was lost , The boa burned rapidly after she rcachci the bank and in a very short time after tli alarm was given she had burned to th water's edge. The hull sank and nothing was left of the Hanna but the floating tim bcrs und the burning cotton. The crow of the boat wcro J. S. Holmes captain ; George 1'owcll and James Goraon clerks ; Lew Kawllngs nnd Henry Jollcs pilots ; J. H , Handlcy and J. C. Mcrriman engineers ; Daniel Carroll , Steward ; Saniue Uryant , llrst mate ; Mike Cussat , sccom mate ; John Gibbon , sailormnn ; IJen Duclo nnd Willie Hlggins , barkeepers ; two cham bermalda , Mrs. Memory nnd Mrs. Hunt Jimmy Handlcy and Charley Thompson , lire men ; John Kuckur nnd Tom Cullcn , stokers Among those that were lost are : CAPTAIN J. S. HOLMES , master of the boat. SAMUEL POWELL , chief clerk. HOH SMITH , pilot from Smithland , La. MIKE O'NEIL-night watchman , JOE CUANE. cabin watchman. MONUOE DECK , first cook. JACK DUFF , second cook. JOE HAUVBY , cabin boy. JIM WATSON , second baker. JOHN CUAFTON , carpenter. Among those who were badly burned arc DAK CAUKOI.L , steward. JIM O'Nr.iu , , deckhand. JOHN GinnoNs , sailoruian. Lot'is WCLCH , roustabout , nnd a number of others , The following is an additional list of those saved : Mary Hiimsoy , Priscilla Wright am Millie Gentry , colored passengers ; Wil ! Marshall , cabin boy , John Jackson am Thomas Garrow , both seriously burned. There were on the Hanna thirty-throe roustabouts , and eleven belonging to the Josie WT which had been laid up at Monroe Of these thirty-three are known to bo saved , leaving eleven unaccounted for. Tlio follow lowing are additional names of the lost : JOHN HAItLOW , colored , JIM ULANIC , colored , DICK ULANIC , colored , mess room tender STEPHEXJOHNuud MONROE D1GGS , cooks. The child of Priscllla Wright ( colored ) . The survivors were all warm in their praise of the humane people of Plaquemine who spared no pains nnd no money to fur nish them with ijlothes and shelter after their terrible experience. W. H. Hrule mayor of the city , was especially kind to the survivors. None of the men could say what was the origin of the lire. The general impression however , is that some careless smoker threw a cigarette among the cotton bales ant thereby caused the disaster. The death of John Crafton , carpenter was a sad one. Ho was in the upper portion of the boat , struggling to get near the front end. Tlio ilames were twisting and sweepIng - Ing all about him. Ho tried to reach the bow , but dropped nnd burned to death before the oycs of the people , who were not able to render him any help. The second barkeeper of the boat said Mr. Powell was standing near him when they both jumped into the water. Powell , who could not swim , climbed on a floating cotton bale , but two deck bunds jumped on the bale , turning it over and throwing Powell into the water and ho disappeared , The boat was about fifteen yards from the shore when a great many people plunged into the river , nnd several who reached the bank in safety bccamo bogged in the soft mud , and so intense was the heat of the burning boat that they were burned to death before they could climb up the steep bank of the levee. The flro was so rapid that before the pilot hud tlnishoJ sounding the three alarm whistles the entire boat from stem to stern was a roaring mass of flames , and the scene that ensued was terrible in the ex treme. Men yelled nnd ran about the decks of the burniiigstcamcr like maniacs , and others , screaming at the top of their voices , threw themselves into thu dark waters and were lost to sight in the twinkling of an oyo. The second barkeeper said several persons near him struggled in the water and begged pitifully for help , but ho could not render them any assistance , because the water chilled him to the marrow , and his clothing clogged his every movement. A cabin boy , who was an assistant of the steward , said the crow who wcro in the Texas were aroused from their slumbers by the llaines , which roared over them , und they were compelled to dive headlong from the roof of the boat into the river , and many of them were burned to death whllo In the water. This evening the impression prevails that the number of lives lost may not exceed thirty , although , owing to the fact that the steamer's papers weru all burned , it is difll cult to get the eXact number of people on board this ill-fated boat. On the arrival of the train In this city , ambulances were at the depot and all the survivors of the disaster who were suffering from severe burns were at once convoyed to the Charity hospital. Steward Carroll says that the last of the lady passengers on the boat coming down got off at Union Hougo. Ho says among the | ) asscu crs that were aboard at the tlmo of the accident were Captain V. G. Montgom ery , Mr. Harpln , of the board of under writers , and a drover and his son. They wcro nil btivcit. A Times-Democrat special from Plaque- mine give the following account of the death of Captain Holmes : The bravo captain met the most awful leath. Ho remained at his post of duty till every cbanco to save the Hvi's of the passen- 'urs was gone. Then ho attempted to swim to the shore , but it happened to bo boggy and ho was seen to make frantic endeavors to extri cate himself without avail. The burning boat was fast nenring him , and while ho was bn ils knees hi the mud , ho put hU hands up to iroU'ct his back from the Intense heat. It wus tin awful moment for those on shore , , vho wcro making every endeavor to relieve ihnQwlth skiffs and with ropes from lie bunk. Ono man went out to ilm and placed a box between him and tlio linru-3 to protect him from the increasing icat. HosaUl : "Nevermind me. I'll ' bo load In a few minutes , anyway. " He was Inally freed from nis terrible situation by ylug a rope around his body and dragging inn on bhoro , but too late. Ho died about half an hour after being rescued. An Oofati Utc.iiurr Hnrncd. SUATTJ.U , W , T. , Dec. 25-Plvo and por- iiijis seven lives are believed to have boon est by the burning of the propellciLevl Erlckson , off Alkl Point , last nipht. The vessel plies between Seattle and Sydney , and was enroutO'to the latter point nt the time The flro originated in the pilot house and I Is not definitely known what caused it although It Is said to have been n lamp ex plosion. Then ; wcro thirty-six people on bean at the time , and the vessel wa thrco miles from shore. Th flro spread with incredible rapidity Captain John II. NibDo endeavored to launch the lifo raft , but found tlio passengers al ready struggling to get it overboard. In the struggle to get the raft properly launchci the captain was carried overboard with it whllo the passengers , seizing the lifo preservers servers , firewood , or anything that wouk float , jumped overboard. The steamer Sknglt Chief , en route to Ta coma , saw the flro nnd crowded on full stean to como to the steamer's assistance Her crow succeeded in rcscuiiij seven people from the water The steamer Mountaineer , which was fou miles away , also saw the flro nnd came up When within half n mile ot the burnlup ship they found people struggling in the water and lowering boats , succeeded in rcscuinf nineteen persons , Ono unknown man diet after belne taken out of the water. The list of the lost , so far as known , Is : MlSS AS'NIR TOU.XBU. J. 11. Nonsous. JACK SI.NMONS , of Sydney. T. SMITH , of Colby. And two women and a man , whoso names are not ascertained. Neither of the rescuing vessels went to the burning steamer , as she was completely enveloped in flames. No IJVCH ! Ijon. PoitTMioUTit , N. II. , Dec. 35. The steamer Silver Star , of Uar Horbor , was sunk this morning about 1:30 : o'clock ' about three miles eastof ] Whulcsbuck light. Sfio struck n sunkci wreck , staving a hole amidships and filling with water. Captain Parker and the crew o eight men took the boats , saving only the clothes they had on. Sail Itoiit. Capsized. SAN FUAXCISCO , Dec. 25. Late this after noon while a party ot seven were out sailing on the bay about six miles out the boat was capsi/.cd and six of the occupants drowned The following are tfieir names : Andrew Slctrcl , Kate Siegel , Gcorgo Strunp and wife Mutt Cox and Mary Morales. A DESTHUCTIV10 FIR 13. The Town of Marblchcnd , Mass. , Nearly Destroyed. MAIUIIXHCUI , Mass. , Dec. 25. 12:30 a. m. Marblchead is on lire. The entire busi ness portion is in ruins and a dozen firms are burnt out , also the Boston & Maine depot and several other buildings. It is the largest tire that ever visited this city and the people arc panic-stricken. The telegraph oftlce has been destroyed and this dispatch is sent will : great difficulty over a hastily improvised wire and communication is liable to bo inter rupted at any moment. At midnight it is estimated that scroll acres have been burned , and the entire loss will bo at least $500,000. Among the build- inirs that have been burned arc the Powers block , William Goldthwultc's three-store building , Monroe's largo shoo factory , a three-story block occupied by dry goods stores and the Hoston branch grocery story on tlio first floor , Masonic hall on the second , and a skating rink on the third , tlio four-story Allerton block , tlio American Express building , Simon's variety store , the dwellings of Dan iel Uroden , George Church nnd Thomas Falls , Metcalf's box factory , and other build ings. Two families lived in Power's block , where the lire originated , but fortunately. escaped. Nearly the same locality was burned over about twelve years ago. The first fire started in nearly the sumo place. Many of to-night's victims wcro also sufferers by the former fire. The shoo business , which has been quiet for several months past , was just starting up and many operatives will now bo thrown out of work the entire winter. The fire is still burning. It is impossible to get definite losses , owing to the great excitement pre vailing among all classes. - A $ 'tr OOOO Fire at Cincinnati. CINCINNATI , Dec. 25. A flro which orig inated early this morning in the works of the Jacobs Cordage company , nt liudd and Harriet streets , burned to ashes the factories and dwellings , covering three acres of ground. The fire spread rapidly in the build ing in which it started , nnd soon extended to the yards of the Cincinnati , Hamilton & Dayton road , which were filled with cars. These soon caught fire , and though but little wind was blowing , the intense Heat from the wooden buildings and cars sent the flames bounding over a largo area. The fire department worked with desperation , but despite their efforts the works of the Hudd Street Furniture company , Central Furni ture association and Qucon Twine company , were soon in llamcs. From these buildings the 11 ro spread rapidly to the adjacent dwell ings , and several were destroyed before the firemen could subdue this conflagration. The total losses aggregate about $350,010 with an insurance about half. Thrco llrcmeu were quite seriously injured. Train llollcrn at Work. TnucnrK , CalaDec. . 25.- The express car on the cast bound train was robbed last night two miles cast of Clipper Gap. The express messenger , Johnson , and his helper , Miles , wcro busy In the car when suddenly the glass transoms over the doors wore broken simultaneously , and two revolvers thrust through , covering tlio messengers. Johnson was compelled to open thu door and let thu men in. Onu robber then covered tlio mes sengers with his revolvers , while the other took from thu safe all the coin packages , which ho placed In a bag , The men then lumped from the train , which was running slow. When New England mills was reached tlio messenger gave a dlscription of the robbers , who wcro both young men , and liorsemcn started in pursuit. Two trumps have been arrested on suspicion. The amount of the loss Is not known , but is ru- iwrted to bo several thousand dollars , al though express representatives say $1,000 , will cover it. PAIIIS , Dec. 25 , General Houlanger's cause las received an immense accession in the candidature of General Montalban for a scat n the chamber of deputies. Hia appearance as a candidate in the department of Soinmo conjoined with General Houlangcr , opens 'avorubly for thoHoulanglsts a most moincn- -ioiiB oleetlou campaign. The ministers fuel .ho danger acutely und to-day thgy held a council at Elysco to consider how to fnco the situation. General Moiitulbuu's election ad dress Is a fruiii ; espousal of the Houlangcr irogrammc. Ho denounces the chamber of deputies und demands thu summoning of a constituent assembly as alone competent to express the national will. Ijr.lior Troubles at Hnvlor. ST. Louis , Doc. 25 , Trouble broke out afresh to-day at Hcvlor , Mo. , the scene of ho recent mine troubles. The negroes wcro ho aggressors , and not only did they grow > olaterousL but attempted intimidation by hofroo use of flro onus. The militia acted iromptly , and to-night fiveof the euders are in the guard house , Train AVrccIccd. , Deo. 25. A freight train on the road Jumped the trade while round- n a curve near Lime Creek to-day , wreck- ug cars and killing Fireman Martin and Jrnkeuiau Hobcrl Ilurliu. UNDER THE' ' NAME OF LAW , Sad Storey of ri , TBoy lu nn Iowa Poultbntlary. STOLE TO KEEP FROM STARVING How Chester Turncy AVim Given n Mock THnl For a. TrlflltiK Tliolt and Sentenced to Seven teen Years. A Motlior'i I'loa for Pardon. DnsMoixns , la. , Dec. 25. [ Special to Tim 13 nn. | In Oswego , N. Y.nbout twenty years ago was bom u boy wiioso lifo for the past five years has been ono unbroken scries of misfortunes , sueh as even In this world of sorrow nro sclilom experienced. This boy , Chester Turncy , bccamo fatherless ut the ago of thrco years. His mother , being poor , was compelled to bo separated from her boy in onlor to make a living for herself and him. She engaged in teaching , and , following the custom of the tlmo and plncc , boarded nround among the patrons of the school. Tlio boy Chester was adopted by Hov. .Tames and Mrs. Uceohcr. Hcv. James Ucochcr was the youngest brother of the late Henry Ward 13ceehcr , and at tltat tlmo pastor of n church In Oswogo. For several years the little fel low remained in their home , where ho was carefully trained anil cared for. After n while it became necessary for Airs. Turncy to go west to the homo of her parents , anil wishing to take Chester with her the Uecchers gave him up. In 'their now homo Mrs. Turncy and her boy found many hardships , but managed to live , the mother teaching , sawing , caving for the sick , and doing whatever she could find to do. One day while engaged in her house hold work she accidentally stepped through a trap-door and broke her leg. This was in deed u terrible blow to the poor woman. She had by industry and the strictest economy managed to accumulate about $300 , but this sum was soon gone , used to pay for board , lodging , and doctors' bills. Chester nt this time was employed on a farm near the httlo town of Preston , in Jackson county , Iowa. Ho had contracted for a year , und notwith standing the illness of his mother and her straightened pecuniary circumstances , his employer refused to pay him until the time hait expired. The poor boy worked hard and faithfully , eagerly looking forward to the time when ho could collect his wages and contribute his httlo store to the sunport of his mother , who in Iho meantime had been compelled to accent aid from the town of Sa- bula , in winch she was living. This humiliating circumstance was keenly felt by the proud and sensitive } > oy , and the mental worry it occasioned , combined with the hard physical labor , rapidly destroyed his health. When lite term of scrvic ended ho was still unable to collect Ills wages , his employer pleading inability to pay. The dis- npuointud boy went to visit his mother , and found her unable to leave her bed and the forced recipient of public charity , while he. who through long , weary months had toiled early and lute , was unable to aid her. The sick mother bravely endeavored to hide her own anguish and comfort her child , but it may bo well believed , that it was a difllcult task. Knowing that" the employer was soon to receive u lur o sum bl money , Chester returned turned to Pretijon , tthinhing thut.if ho were present when the money was received ) ho would 'surely get .his pay.Vhilo waiting for jt ho worked around the town wherever he * could find anything to do , but the severe physical and mental strain proved too much for him , and a long , lingering fever was the consequence. For days he raved in duliruitn , and weeks passed away before ho could leave his room. At this time cumo the ahockjng intelligence that his mother had boon sent to Michigan a pau per , and died on the way. This was the climax of his woo. No light penetrated the gloom surrounding him. His star of hope seemed set in endless night. During his ill ness n great deal of expense had necessarily been incurred , and ho now endeavored to get work in order to pay the proprietor of the hotel where ho had been during his sickness. One day about this time a young man approached preached him , and requested him to buy a re volver and watch chain of him , claiming to bo far from home and without money. Ches ter explained to him that ho did not wish the articles , but If it would help him ho would take them , as the young man offered them very cheap. In a short time Turnoy. was ar rested for stealing. It seems Unit some par ties in Preston whom ho had offended in some way had induced the young man to get those stolen articles Into Turnoy's posses sion. Ho was taken before a justice and fined ? 10 and costs , which made the sum total ? : iO. Not having the money ho was sent to jail for ton dnys. After thrco days' imprisonment , however , the Jailor released him , telling him that his imprisonment was unlawful. Sick mid weary , and burdened by this new sense of disgrace , the poor boy wandered about , dreading to meet anyone who knew him. Near Preston lived n farmer who iiad been u friend to his mother. Ho resolved to sco him and explain his case , thinking the man would believe him. Hut approaching the house In the early morning ho found the farmer.was not nt homo and his wife outdoing chores. At llrst ho thought ho would tell her , butconcludcd ho couldn't.nnd ' after talking with her a while passed on. Thouch the lady kindly invited him into thu liqusc , ho Was determined not to enter it without a full explanation of his late terrible experience. Grief for his mother and his own sickness and trouble had completely crushed the boy , and nt length in n Htatc of despair and , it may reasonably bo believed , : emporary insanity , Chester fled from thu haunts of men and sought rcfugo in thu woods. For days ho lived on nuts , resolving never to go near n human habitation again , nit finally the gnawings of hunger overcame iis resolution , and forced him to seek food. Ho loft his retreat , wont near the house of a farmer employer and watched for tin oppor- unlty to get into the house unobserved. At ength itcamo. Ho went in , and finding the tnblo set for a meal , ho took something teat ; at , and the very revolver , for buying which ie had been sent to jail. Passing out of ho house ho concealed himself in Bomo shrubbery in the garden until dark , and then wentto the barn , where ho stayed all night. Oh leaving in the morning 10 took with him an old HulTalo robe to wrap ilmsolf up. About this time ho also entered a hardware store through an open window , and took some bags of shot in order to kill fame to support himself in the woods , Not icing strong enough to carry It till , ho loft it nt the rear door of the store , and returned for it on the following night. During the next day parties bad been notified to bo on viitch and shoot.at sight , So when ho ap- icured , ho received a shot In his leg , but nnmiged to escape'to the woods , only to bo captured the nnxt day. When found , ho was lumlculfcd und dragged through thu streets of Preston with a rope around his neck , nnd n drunken , infuriated mob howling around iltn und-threatening to lynch him. A gen- Ionian made hiu way through the irutul crowd , und , with revolver in mud , rescued the boy from mob violence , Jut for this tiiaely aid ho would probably mvo been hanged. Ho was immediately aken to jail , and wliilo awaiting trial , re- clved n letter from Ins mother , whoso sup- > osed dcuth und thu .gad circumstances ut- ending it , had driven him to dospcnitlon , rcvlous to this ho hod been in u listless , iputhctio condition , evincing no emotion at ils futo. Hut his mother's letter aroused ilin and ho now desired to bo frca. In duo line his eo-callod trial came off , His purse , utors selected the Jury. lie was not ul- owed in the court room , The mob , terrified it the Idea of justice being visited on them i case of his acquittal , resorted to the most astardly means to secure his conviction , Us attorney , in a weak , half-hearted way , iiUtrcd a plen of not guilty , und the whole iocccdlngs were conducted in the plainest iolutlon of the tow and tlio constitution r the state , The result ot this miserable farce was n sentence of seventeen and ono-half years In the penitentiary at hart ! labor , and In less than thrco hours after the court convened , Chester Turney was on the road to Aimmosn to bo Incarcerated in a dun geon for seventeen nnd one-half years for tukinR something to cat , when grief , sick ness , inability to obtain work , or collect pay for work already done , and urgent Imprison ment had driven him to starvation and In sanity. This poor , innocent boy has now been wear ing the garb of a convict for nearly three years , in nn Iowa penitentiary. Had his mother really died , it is very probable that his sad story would never have been told. During the thrco years ot his imprisonment , this heart-broken woman has been traveling over the state , telling her sorrows and en deavoring to enlist sympathy for hei-boy. Her story seemed so stran go that many pronounced it a fiction and heeded it no further , Some , however , Impressed by her intelligence , ro- flnea manner , and the air of truthfulness with which she related this awful tale of woe , Investigated the case , and found her statements absolutely correct In every par ticular. There is now no doubt existing In the minds of any who desires to know the truth of the case. The railroads of Iowa have , nt the solicitation of Mrs. Turney's friends , recently given her passes over the principal lines , and she now goes over the state nt will , over pleading for her sou. Mrs. Turnoy has In her possession letters from Chester , all breathing n spirit of filial devo tion nnd displaying a remarkably calm , phi losophical mind. All who have visited the penitentiary are impressed with his manly appearance and bravo endeavor to bear up under his terrible fnto , but the trials of his young llfo nro rapidly exhausting his vital energy , and it is probable that only u speedy release will prevent his curly death. k Ititrglnrn nt Missouri Valley. Missotmi VAI.UIY , la. , Dec. 'Jo. [ Special to Tun Hnn.l Burglars broke into the post- ofllco hero last night nnd stole $50 ill cash nnd nil the postage stamps in stock. Tom Carlisle , n cousin of Speaker Carlisle , is the postmaster , and , with a partner , runs a gen eral store , as well as the postoftlce. The partner was sleeping in the store nt the time of the robbery , but was not aroused. There is no clue ns to whom the robbers were and no arrests hnvo been made. Wliilo Mr. nnd Mrs. Goodrich were at church burglars entered their house nnd took all the valuables they could lay their hands on and stole several articles of wear ing apparel. It is supposed that tlio same parties robbed both. places nnd have made their escape. They are supposed to bo now in Omaha. FOll THK I'OOH. Distribution of 1'resentn From the I'ust-IMspiitcli CliristmnH Tree. ST. LOLMS , Dec. 25. Thcro was a rare sccno at the Exposition building to-day , the occasion being the distribution of presents to children of the poor from the Post-Dispatch Christmas tree , for which a fund of nearly $10,000 had been subscribed by the general public. Tlio subscriptions wcro started with a 10 cent contribution , with no idea of the magnitude the affair was to assume , and the result far exceeded the most sangurrlo expectations of the projectors. Fully Ifi.OOO children received presents and for hours the streets in the vicinity of the ex position building wcro blocked with hu manity. The Cavalry depot band , by per mission of the secretary of war- furnished the music. There will bo a fund of several thousand dollars remaining from to-day's entertainment and it will ho utilized for pur chasing clothing , shoes , etc. , for poor chil dren. John Li. Jennings , editor of the Post- Dispatch , originator of the project , was pre sented with an elegant gold watch by the citizens' committee. Anarchists Observe ChriBtnms , Cuic..oo , Dec. 25. A Christmas tree , sur mounted by a red flag several yards long , was the center around which danced to night , in Arbeitcc hall , scores of anarchists and socialists with their scarlet decorated Wives and children. Gifts from the tree were distributed to the youngsters in regula tion Christmar. fashion. Then caino a speech from Paul Gttkan , who , the supreme court of Wisconsin1 just decided , still owes the state penitentiary several month's service for his part in the Milwaukee riot. Uuliko on former occasions , Grottkan's ' remarks this evening were studiously free from anything incendiary. Christmas , ho explained , was not a time for a discussion of "economics. " The bitterest remark of Grottakn was that "if Christ Himself came here to-day , and preached the doctrine of communism which His followers practiced , ho would , judging from recent events , bo hanged. " * The I'rcsident-lJIcct. INDIANAPOLIS , Dec. 25. Quiet has reigned in the Harrison homestead to-day , the gen eral remaining at homo all day. The first half of the day was devoted to work in his library. This week , or at least a portion of it , will bo devoted to outlining the inaugural address. There wcro but few callers to-day , and they were all friends from this city. Presents were exchanged , between members of the family and some orilio more intnnato friends , of this city , sent in some presents. The parlors grow moro and more lilse a curi osity shop with each day. Address to Wool Growers. COLU.MIIUS , O. , Dec. 25. Columbus De lane , president of the National Wool Growers' association , has issued tin address to the wool growers of the United States , calling a meeting of the oflccrn ) of the na tional and state associations at Washington January 10. The address sets forth that the wool schedule pending * before the senate fails to afford adequate protection , and it is to consider the question of relief that the meeting Is called. liol'outed. CINCINNATI , Dec. 25. A shooting match took nlnco hero to-day between Captain A. II. Hogardus and Al. Handle of this city. It was at 100 live birds , Hurlinghnm rules , ex cept In the case of Handle , whoso gun was a nine and a half pound tun gauge gun , The score WUH : Uandlp ICO , Hogurdus M3. 15o- gurdus used a seven and a half pound gun , twelve bore. LiittcHt AdvlcoH I'Yom Wnlmlak. ST , Lot'is , Dec. 23. Latest advices from WahalaU , Miss. , the scene of the race troub les , are to the effect that three more negroes have been captured , but their names ore withhold. From the prisoners Just taken it is learned that George Maury , Cash Maury and Gcorgo Colcman were wounded Ju the fight of December 10. in Now Vork City. NEW YOIIIC. Doc. 25. Such a Christmas day with bright sunshine nnd warm air as Now Vork has had to-day is not remembered by the oldest inhabitant , On Fifth avenue and Upper Hroadway there was n gay nccno of proniBiiudors. Two big feasts wcra given to newsboys by the charitably disposed. They ute nn abundance of turkey. The pris oners in the city institution did likewise. From Drink. W. Vu. , Df.c. 25. Tills afternoon Fount Horner , aged twenty , be came crazy with drink , and obtaining a club ran through the streets , knocking down und severely injuring several people. The last man ho struck , Edward Ames , drew u knife and killed Ills assailant. Saved by tlio JUvcr. Niw CuMiiDiiiiANii , W. Va. , Dec. 25. A flro , originating from a natural gas Jet , do- uestroyed W. A. Scott's drug and jowulry store last night , together with Pnuser'a jewelry * > wro , a barber shop , four dwellings und scvnrul other buildings. The river cut Hie ( Ire oft from the rest of the town , and was ita only salvation , TofU loss S15.050 , ) WITH The Kinporor Hrcelves An Knttitislns tlo Welcome nt IlrcMleiitown , HEIIMN , Dec , 25. [ Special Telegram ti Tun Hcn. ] The burden of Christmas com mcnt of the press and pulpit reverts to tin anxctics prevalent nt the samejporiod for tin last thrco years , nnd to the existing prospect ! for peace. The weather has not been Christ mas like. Instead of n crisp frost , there hni been n prolonged period of dump , cold am rainy weather. The streets of the capita abound in mud. hast evening , after the Im perial dinner nt the palace , gifts wcro dls tributod. The household ofllclals of the empress - press and Dowager Kmprcss Augusta made unusually largo purchases for illstributloi nmoug the poor. When the emperor visited the Vulcan shipbuilding works nt Hrcdontown , Satur day , ho was greeted by 8,000 workmen who lined the approach to the works. A crown of laurels was offered to his majesty , whc in accepting it said : "I thank you. These nro the llrst laurels that have been offered me. 1 am happy to thluk they are laurels of peace. " The staff appointments for the Kmin relief expedition will bo necessarily delayed until the government's plans assume moro dell- nito shape. In connection with the report that the gov ernment Intends to appoint an imperial com- issary to the colonial force , Lieutenant Wiss- man is already named ns the probable ap pointee. Count Pfeil , agent of tlio East Africa company , who is personally known to Hismarck , is mentioned as the probublo gov ernor of Iho territory. The chancellor's illness , which has given rise to alarming rumors in the progressist press and French newspapers , docs not hinder his work. He has wired his congratu lations to Lord Salisbury regarding the English victory in Suakim. Prince Hismarck ignores the appeal of Sir II. D. Moricr , Hritish ambassador at St. Petersburg , to authorize the official contra diction of the charges recently made by the Cologne Gazette , of his having unti-Gjrmnn leanings , mid of having , while at Darmstadt lu 1S70 , sent the llrst. . news of the advance of Germans across the Mozello to London , ' whence the news reached Hazlnc. _ , The English embassy do not expect that Prince Hismarck will direct the somi-ofllcial press to adopt u moro moderate tone. On the contrary , they think that unless the ob jects of the attack are attained , ho may order that ti more aggressive attitude bo assumed. Herr Hleichcrordo , the banker , privately entered Fricderichsniho yesterday. It is surmised that his business is for the purpose of consulting with Prince Hismarck in re gard to coining imperial loans. Immediately after the visit a Frankfort syndicate , which was arranging a loan of 7,000,001) ) marks for the Hulgarian government , received ofllcial notice that the issue ot such a loan would bo impossible within German territory. More changes are nuide in high military commands. General Winterfeldt , governor of Maycucc , has been retired , General Hclb- netz replacing him. Since the emperor be gan thu work of reforming the service sixty- five generals have been placo.l on the retired list. list.The The rifle factories at Spandon Dantzican- derfurt are turning out 50,009 repeaters of the now pattern every month. The French government , during the recent stay of the Uussiiin grand dukes in Paris , offered to place thu Label rifluat thu disposal of the czar on the condition that the whole supply bo made in France. The czar has as yet caino to no conclusion regarding thu pro posal. Although neither the Austrian Mann- licher rifle nor the German repeater is smoke less , like the Lcbel rifle , both are believed to be reliable. Reform in Our JlniikltiK Laws. DAVID CITV , Neb. , Dec. 21. [ To the Ed itor of Tun Hun. ] The recent failures of the banks nt Valpariso and Fairmont recalls to mind afresh the dire necessity for strin gent laws regulating the business of bankers and brokers in Nebraska , and the much needed appointment of a few competent bank examiners under the supervision pf the state auditor. Such robberies as tlio J. Robert Williams' affair , in Hutlor county u fexv years ago , whereby chattlo mortgages and notes in duplicate , and oven triplicate , wurc obtained from innocent fanners to the tunn of some $30,000 , and sold to cap italists in Lincoln , Omaha nnd Chicago , resulting in great hardships nnd suffering to thu victimized , and the recent collapse of the State Hank of Hrninard , whereby many de positors wcro robbed of thuir hard cariiiuus , besides thu making of fictitious notes and mortgages , anil , swindling people east by false representations of values , us well as the Fairmont bank of the Chases , whereby another lot of confiding people wore deprived of their baviugn , could not bo practiced In our state if thu state required personal nomi nations to bo made by good accountants , the same as is now in forcu under the national bunk act. Every man or bank authorized to receive deposits from the public should first bo com pelled to obtain n permit or charter , and bo required to make n ccrttiin deposit with the state treasurer , of sccurites to cover all lia bilities to depositors , besides being required to constantly lump on hand from 15 to 25 pur cent of its deposits m actual cash , so that the state examiner may cull at any time , un announced , and count it , examine all its re sources and liabilities , with power to order a a strict compliance with the laws. No bank or broker ought to bo allowed to loan to any ono person or firm nun ; than 10 per cent of its or hia capital , all noted taken tu he well secured , und if a notu is six months oust due , without payments being made , it should bo stricken from the resources and cease to be consid ered of any value. This agitation , no doubt , will create con siderable opposition from all concerns that are in reality bankrupt now , and that on call for u report and examination , would bo compelled to close up business ; but no man in the busi ness , who is honest , and intends to do an honest business in this line , can object to it. The present sybtom b.v which reports nro made to the ntntu auditor , Is of no avail , whatever , nnd is perfectly useless for making a true showing , us every business man knows who is conversant with the actual facts. At present , a convict leaving thu peni tentiary in Texas or California this week can come to Nebraska and the next week open a banhnot with the drill and crow-bar ) and receive deposits , loan money , buy und sell notes , bonds , and cuinniordiil papers , nnd after a whllo take an excursion to Canada. The next week or month after that prison bird has had u chancuto plume and fly away , another comes along ami goes tlirouph the same performance , Thin is not a mure figure of imagination , if reports are true. Neither should a mun he allowed to act as a hrokor , Including the loaning on ehuttul and real fstatn mortgages , unluss ho tan : clearly es tablish his right to pursue that linu of busi ness , It may close the doors of a good many usury sharks in Omaha , Lincoln , nnd even in thu rural districts , but in the end the people will have more moiiuy and enjoy moro confi dence ut homo and abroad. Our state will become moro prosperous b.v offering better security nt IIOMO to depositors and obtain more confldcnco and credit abroad by strict stiite examinations of banks , brokers , and all money loaners and dealers in securities HlI.N WJillo LiKK VJU.AOI : , M , H. Dec. 25 , ( J. H , Heuontind H , L. Uonon , father und son , and Aminor. Veasy , wcro drowned la Hound Huy , near here , tins afternoon , whi Mr. Harrison Thought to Favor Illnx ns Mnndorson's Successor. AN EYE ON SHERMAN'S SHOES. lliitterxvorlh Ambitious u > Siiccnctf tlio Ohio Statesman tfllo I * ( 'ailed to the Cnuliu't InilrU's Con dition DungcroiiH , WASHINGTON Huunvu Tun OMUH UKR , I Mil FouiiTr.KNTit STIIIIKT , WASIIINUTOS , D. C. , Dec , 2\ | The New York Herald hns this paragraph ! "You are to oloot n United State * senator from Nebraska this winter , aren't you I" In quired our representative of a prominent citizen of that state. "Yes ; and some interesting facts are de veloping lu that roime-cUon. Hofuro the presidential nomination this year It was gen erally conceded that Senator Mandorson would bo elected to sin-coed himself , but by the election of General Harrison , now ami unexpected conditions are Introduced. There was no element In the Nebraska delegation to the Chicago convention at all Interested in thu nomination of General Harrison , and there was nothingdouo by that delegation that should cause the president-elect to fool under any obligation to Nebraska , " "Well , nro you going to inond that , now that the conduct of the delegation Is a matter of record. " "Certainly , but lit becomes a question whether some other prominent man may not bo elected in plaeu of Senator Mundorsoii. Mr. Alvln Kuumtors , who wes formerly United States senator from Nebraska , has been in town , and his presence has caused some comment , because of his possible re entry into public life. Uussell Harrison , son of the president-elect , married the daughter of ux-Sun.Uor Saumters , and this necessarily brings * the two families nearer together. It would not bo surprising if Nebraska should change front for the purpose of getting n United Status senator who can have the fa vorable consideration of the administration. MIIKItMAN'H SIIOKH. An intimate friend of Congressman Hut- tcrworth , of Ohio , snld , this afternoon , lu reference to the speuhorahlpcontest : "Major Huttcrworth Is not really a candidate for speaker. I know , of my own knowledge , that the Cincinnati member uxpects that John Sherman will bo made secretary of state ; and ho bo'.iovcs that ho can succeed him in the senate. The candidacy for the spoukor- ship Is merely n "blind. " Major Huttor- worth is nt present laying a pipe for the cau cus nomination for thu senate , and there are many reasons why he should succeed. Geographically graphically ho is well located. Ho Is doeld/ edly popular , and would make an aeccptablo senator. " There are a number of members of the house who are of thu opinion that Major Huttorworth has iioverbccn a real candidate for the speaker-ship , and every man who is In the race thinks Huttcrworth would , inuko a fur better senator than speaker. I.AIIIU'S CONDITION. Nothing further has been heard from the bedside of Congressman Laird , but his friends hero beliuvo that he is quite ns 111 us the worst report A make him out to be. The trouble with Mr. Luird is that ho has not the requisite physical stamina to got well. Ho Is of that peculiar temperament which cannot stand pain or discomfort. To all outward ap pearances ho is tlio picture of health , but _ ust before thu session closed ho was worn out by the worries pf tlio campaign conducted at long range. The worry brought on in- nia and insomnia . was followed by a severe nervous prostration. It Vfrom thu hitter difliculty that his present : rouble arises. When ho loft Washington for Nebraska ho wore a troubled air , whloh he seemed utterly unable to shako off. Throughout the campaign ho allowed overyi trille to rullle him , and it is said there wcro weeks , during thu last days of the canvass' , ' ivhcn ho did not sleep ten consecutive min utes. It is thouirht now that the strain ivhieh ho has forced himself to bear , without the slightest necessity therefor , has worn out his wonderful strength , and Ills brain as given way , from sheer inability on the .iart of the patient to believe that ho can re cover Ills health. There is n chance that the delirium accompanying the fever may servo , o aid him , through the oblivion which it ivill produce. IIANnnilOl'fl TO UEI'UIIUCANH , The military committee of the house seems , o bu a bad place for republicans. Colonel ; teole , of Indiana , was absent for nome weeks some timu ago on account of illness , and General Cnichcon , of Michigan , was ompellod to leave in thu middle of the last cbsion on account of insomnia , and it is said lint his physicians huvo ordered him away igain for tno remainder of the present con gress , because of a recurrence of the same imhuly. Ex-Congressman Hepburn , of Iowa , spetit is Christmas in this city. Ho is hero on rivato business and will remain several ays. C. O , Carpenter , of Omaha , Is registered at ho St. James. Senators Manderson and Paddock enjoyed turkey at the table do hole in tlio Portland , with their families. Neither of the Nebraska representatives in the upper house intends to leave Washington during thu holidays. Congressmen McShano and Dorsey. nro In Nebraska. They nro expected hack by nekt Sunday night. PKIUIY S. HIUTII. Tlio Klli-iiin-Hiilllviin Fight. Nuw YOIIK , Dec. 25. Tlio terms upon which Kllraln will insist In the meeting with Sullivan , are that the stakes bu 520,000 a side , open for $ ! jOQ ( ) ; that tiiu battle is to bo fought within 3 > ) t ) miles of any city that may bo mutually agreed upon , the Kllraln repre sentatives preferring New Orleans or Sioux City ; the battlu to bu for the Police Gazette diamond bolt , which ropresants the chatnp- ioiihhip of the world , and to tnko place In three or four months after Blgning articles. Under no conditions will Kilruln's represen tation agrcu to Blgn articles unless the bolt is contended for. Kllruln's representative ! * will iiihist on the referee being appointed at thu posting of the final deposit in order that there bo no wrangle at thu ring and no fiasco. Murder Hin Mollicr. MUSKOOEU , I. T. , Duo. 25 , A terrible tragedy occurred Sunday night five mlles west of here , on the farm occupied by a widow named Johnson and her four children. The ten-year-old son wimt to ti neigh bors on a visit Sunday night , und wnon ho returned homo in iho evening found his mother and twolvo-year-nld Histor dead , thuir heads be ing beaten into pulp with ahugo nhib which lay on the Hood , The threw year-old baby was ulivo , The oldest BOH , nged sixteen. wuri not to bu found , and an ho Is known to he rather a hard character and has had frequent quarrels with his mother , it Is supposed he , in a fit of ruth , committed thu murders. lin'O Hull Indoor * . Pmi.ApRi.i'iiu , Doc. 25. The first attempt to play base ball indoora was made this after noon In the main building of thu PcmibyJ. vanlu btuto fair grounds , The teams were made up of professionals wiutcrlm : in thla city , and were divided Into loams called the "Up Town" and "Down Town. " The diamond mend was rather small , but the ballueod * rendered ruii-eottlng rather a difficult task. About 2,000 people witnessed the game. which , taken altogether , could not tin con sidered u glittering success. The ecoru ; Up Towns , 1 ' , Down Towns , (5. ( AVealliur Nebraska and Iowa : Fair , prteed',4 W light snow in Iowa ; colder , northerly winds. Dakota : Fair , continued low tojuicnujro | , followed WoJnotduy by sllfluiy warmer , variable wl'iJs.