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.
