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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 7, 1889)
THE OMAHA DAILY BEE : WEDNESDAY , AUGUST 7. 1889. THEY WILL ALL COME IN , Iowa Lines Doalro to Bator Omaha Under Reasonable Conditions. MR. KIMBALL'S COMMUNICATION Ho Rngardn tlio Action of the Itnll- rontl Companion ICclntlvn to tlio Union Depot an in Good Pnltli. KlmbaU'n Cnnununlontlon. The appended communication rotative to the union depot for this city was forwarded to tlio mayor nnd fclty council lam evening by Mr. Thomas L. KitnbnU , general manager of the Union Pacific , Mr. IClraball Incorporates In his letter replies received from the Iowa lines relative to their entering the nlcm Jo pot , either on a rental or ilxod charge based on Interest on the money In- vented. The following Is the letter : OMAHA , August 0. Ib8 . To thti Mayor nnd City Council of Omaha , Gentlemen : I hnvo been nsltcd by many prominent citizens to mnko a personal iiiul unortlcinl statement to the council In further cxpliuiatlon of the projected Omaha union dupot , with the facts , ns 1 understand them , which have direct bearing on tlio maUor of Rood faith liotwocn the Union 1'aclllo comnany and thU city nnd courtly , especially In respect to the transactions by which the bridge location was secured to this city. In presenting a proposition recently to the council of this city for tliu building of an cxtensivo and ocnontlvo union depot , by tlio Union Pacltle and Burlington companies , if the city would construct a Jlrst class viaduct to reach It , wo supposed wo wore malting a plain business proposition , which would bo readily understood and promptly accepted , by which the city would get the bcuelH of an Investment hero of or.o-half to three- quarters of a million dollars In return for its outlay of $100,000 , and at the same time secure to Its citi zens nil tbo advantages resulting from the concentration of travel at u union sta tion nnd passenger grounds which will bo superior to uny In the west ; but wo wcro mistaken. This simple proposition ns been generally misunderstood or grossly misrep resented through some of the newspapers of Omaha and in gatherings of citizens , by par ties who are willing to sacrifice the greater Interests of the olty at largo to gam gome private advantuco for themselves. If the plans nnd purposes of the companies In presenting this union depot urocct ] to the city would bo candidly Investigated and clearly understood by the people , no mar plots or ( selfish schemers would be allowed to defeat tholr acceptance by nn overwhelm ing vote. If the Ijoncllts of this Improvement are lost to Omaha , the responsibility for tlio loss must rest with those who hnvo deceived tliu people , and not with the Union Pacillc or Bnrllngton companies. Our plans briefly slated are : 1. To organize a union passenger and freight depot company , to wtiieh the Union Pacillc and Burlington companies can trans fer the depot grounds necessary 10 accom modate the trains of nil lines centering at Ouinha or Council Bluffs. - . To nlfer such lines the right to talconpro- prletory interest In the Union company on equal terms with the original Incorporation or uuon nn Interest basis , if they prefer , and to aharo In the cost of maintenance and opera tion in proportion to the use made of tlio promises by each lino. ! ) . To cause the building by such Union com pany of a now stonu and brick passenger station , with necessary approaches , which will call for the Immediate expenditure of about { 500,000 , with mi ultimate outlay of probably half as much more. Plans for this improvement have been made and exhibited to tlio public and the cost 03tiunited by one of the oldest and most thoroughly competent architects in the country. These llgures have been carefully vorilled and approved by the chief engineer of the Union Pacllle. The present train house is to bo enlarged nnd materially improved , but the original cost is not included in the above estimate. This is ono of the best structures of its kind hi the west tind it Is the only kind of shelter for passenger trains suitable for any section where snows and cold winds prevail ns they do hero. 4. To nsk of the city tbo construction of a first-class viaduct from the south line of Juckson street to the north line of Mason street , not less than sixty feet wide and so substantially built as to admit of vehicles passing with safety at full speed. If there are legal obstacles to the city's assuming the entire cost of construction , we make the al ternative proposition that it the eity will appropriate $150,000 , secure necessary righl of way and become responsible for abutting damages , the Union IJepot company or the railway companies will construct the via duct. B. To asu the city to release to the Union Depot company Its reversionary interest In tbo property covered by the Saunders deeds , BO that the Uniou Depot company may have such title to the realty oa will warrant the largo expenditures contemplated for im provements on the same. Wo have asked other railways to join in the ownership of these premises , but have no fulth in their do ing so , or of any capitalist investing in the securities of the depot company BO long as there is danger of the Union Puciflo invalida ting its tillo to the property by the act of convoying It to another company. Wo ask also that so much of the property to bo used by the Union depot company as was omitted from the Saumlcrs deeds , bo con veyed as originally agreed. If any member of tbo council or any citi zen Is in doubt as to the extent or character of the contemplated Improvements , ho can satisfy himself by communicating with the architects , Van Hrunt & Howe , or by por- Bonnlly conferring with Chief Engineer Boguo. From a table prepared by the latter from oOlciul clam It appears that the Omaha union depot promises will compare favorably with those of Minneapolis , St. Paul , Canal street. Chicago , Dearborn street , Chicago , Detroit , Indianapolis , Kansas City and Den ver. Taking the yard accommodations proposed nt Omaha for the number of trains or cars to arrive and depart dally at 100 per cent , for comparison with those at the points above named , it is found that Omaha is 52 per cent above the average. On the sumo basis of comparison the area of general waiting room shown that Omaha will bo SO per cent ; tbo dining and lunch room , 53 per cent ; baggage room area , 2'J per cent above the average ut those points ; ami the total areas in favor of tbo Omaha union depot will be ! 5S per cent. On the S3d of July Vice Presi dent Ilolcomb addressed the fol lowing letter to the Northwestern , Hock Island , St. Paul nnd Wabnsh companies , and lias received the following replies : M. II. Hughitt , Esq. , President Chicago & Northwestern Hallway , Chicago , III. Dear Sir : Koforrinc to our conversation the last time 1 met you In Chicago , regarding the Chicago & Northwestern occupying n union depot at Omaha If ono should bo constructed , huvu to say the Impression has become nultu general In Omaha that tbo Chicago , Hurling- ton ti Qumcy and Union Paoitlu are not pro posing to construct n union depot that the Iowa lines will occupy. The Munition Is pe culiar. A suitable depot cannot bo con structed unless Tenth street Is covered with n viaduct. To build a proper viaduct will cost over $200,000 , and the Chicago , Uur- lington & Quincy und Union Pacillo have asked the city of Omaha to donate $1&U,000 toward the union depot , for the reason that under existing laws they cannot appropriate tbo money for constructing a viaduct , but it they donate tlio money to the Union Puolflo company and give them the necessary right of way friio of cost for abutting damages for the viaduct , the railroads will construct ono that will bo llrst-cluss In every respect , sixty feet in width and strong enough to curry business rapidly. What seems to bo neces sary now is some written assurance from the Iowa lines that ran bo given to the public through the newspapers of Omaha that When this union depot Is constructed as pro- poied they will occupy the same. I have talked considerably with the Chicago , 15ur- lington & Quincy about this , and know that they feel anxious to have the Jowa lines como in , and are willing to Invlto them In , either on a basis or Joint ownership , or on un annual rental. The Union Pacific can not proceed alone in this matter , for the reason thai they have not sufUclent ground. The Chicago , Uurllngton & Qulnuy uro rather indifferent in roifuril to the construction of a union depot , and If the thing falls to co through now It. is likely to be huiif up for a long time to come. With this explanation I hhall feel obliged If you can consistently give me a letter that con bo published , slating iu general that your company eland ready to come in aud avail themselves of the privileges of n union depot when the same Is completed. Or , If you prefer - for to tnko nn Interest nt once before the depot IB constructed , there will bo no dim- uulty In perfecting na arrantfoniont of this kind. llavo written similar letter * to Mr. Cable , Mr. Miller and to Mr. Hays of the Wabnsh railway. Would like ns early reply as con sistent , ns the city council arudoforring their action to enable u to get some evidence to them , nml through them to the public , that the lowtx lines dcslro to come Into a union depot at Omaha. Yours truly , \V. II. HoicoMii. CuirAOO , July 20 , 1SS9. W. 11. Holcomb , Esq. , Vice President Union Pacillo Hallway , Omahft , Neb. : Dear Sir I nm In receipt ot your letter of the 33d inst relating to the project under consideration by your com pany nnd others for the construction of a uow passenger station at Omaha. lam ploascd to hear that this much needed Im provement Is being .seriously considered , The management of the Chicago & North western company favors naming direct Into Oiimha nil of its tbrouch passenger tr.vlns , and has only delayed doing so bocjuso of the laclcof proper facilities nt Omaha accessible to it. If such accommodations are created nnd opened to Its use on ro.ison.iblo terms , I do not think the company will hesltuto to usa them. Your * truly , M. HUOIIITT , President C. &N. W. Uy. NnwrASTr.n , N. II. , July ill , Ibb9. W. II , Holcomb , Omaha , Nob. : Our company will ba ( ilail to Join in Joint occupancy of your now union depot at Omaha when completed , un fair terms , H. K. CAIII.K , President U. H. 1. & P. MILWAUKEE , Wis , , July Stl. 1889. W. H. Ilolcomb , KvVleo \ President Union Pacille Hallway , Omaha , Neb. : Dear Sir I have your favor ot the 23d lust. As I stated to you In Chicago , this company is desirous of uslug the prooosed Union depot ut Omaha , if iv basis can be agreed upon which will uot bo burdensome. Of course , I cau not clcllnitcly bind the company in the matter , but 1 would recommend to our board und have no doubt that they would npprovo the recommenda tion , that this company should become users Jointly with the other companies , upon a basis something Ilka this , namely : 1. Wo should assume our proper proportion tion of the cost of the same by way of a flxod rental equal to the Interest on such proportion tion nt not exceeding 5 per cent on the cost of the same. I say 5 per cent because I be lieve that any security issued for the con struction of the Union depot , having back ot It the contracts for use by the various com panies , would bo readily taken at n low rate of Interest possibly us low us 4 per cent. 2. Tnat the maintenance nnd operation of the depot should bo paid upon a whcelngo basis , as is usual in similar cases. 3. That the operation of the depot should be under Joint supervision , us is usual in sucu cases. 4. That the bridge toll which we should bo obliged to pay in order to reach the deuor , should bo lixcd at n rate that wo could afford to pay. It bus hitherto been considerable of u burden. When used to onahlo other rouds to reach the union depot the charge ought to bo a nominal ono thoextr.i expense Is not applicable to the owners of the bridge. I have no doubt that wo can ngreo on all these points. Whenever you deslro to do so and nro in position to glvo n delln.to statement of the plans and cost , I nm ready to agree with you upon terms of contract which I will recom mend to our board , nnd 1 have no doubt that wo can readily arrive nt an agreement. Yours truly , HOSVVCLL Mn.i.na , Pres't and Gen. Man. C. M. & St. P. COUNCIL UM'pra , Iu. , August 8 , ISS'J. ' W. II. Holeomb , Esq. . Vice PresldentU. P. railway - way , Omaha , Nob. Dour Sir : Answering your favor of July SO , this company Is desir ous of availing themselves of the privileges of the Omaha union depot when completed , provided satisfactory arrangements cau bo made. Yours truly , 1 < \ M. GAUI.T , Gen. Man. O. & St. L. . H. R. Having in view the fact that a very largo portion of the people of Omaha to-day have settled hero within the past few years nnd have no personal knowledge of the circum stances connected with the location of the bridge and depot grounds in this city. I ueem it advisable to submit to your honorable body from the records a brief synopsis of the facts. AH the statements to which I shall call your attention nro oflicial , nro capable of verillcatiou by any one , und cau not bo con tradicted. Turning to the record wo find that the flrst important olllclal action was the following : On the Sth of January , 1SOS , the Omaha city council passed the following resolution : "Bo it resolved , etc. , That the city of Omaha assume and bear the expense and cost of securing to the Union Paeillc railroad company , free of cost , the right of way for a truck from the bridge crossing of the Mis souri river , known as line No. 2 , or iowur crossing ( the present bridge site ) , to its in tersection with the track of aid company al ready built ; and also for a track from the said crossing to the present machine shops and depot of said roud ; and also such grounds for depot purposes as may bo deemed neces sary by the chief engineer of said road , being about twelve acres , as shown on the maps in the engineer's ofllco ; and in case the upper Onmhn crossing shall bo adopted and the bridge located at or near that point , wo pledge the like aid ; and that the mayor may and is hereby directed to cull an election far the purpose of deciding whether or. uot a loan shall be made by the city of a sum sufll- clent for that purpose. " Tills resolution was followed by a written ruarunty of 150 citizens of Omaha , guaran teeing to the Union Pacific company the above rights of way unO depot grounds , all us set forth in the resolution , with this ad ditional proviso : "This guaranty shall not bo binding on us unless said bridge shall bo permanently lo- cutcd on said crossing ; but when so located and upon such location , this guaranty shall become operative and valid for the purposes hereinbefore mentioned. " The location of the bridge , therefore , nt the point where it is located , was the only condition in any way appended to this dona tion of rights and lauds. At about this time the Union Pacific engi neers decided that the aito nt Child's ' mill , about nvo miles below Oumhn , was a more economical one for the proposed bridge than uny point in Omaha by several hundred thousand dollars. The committee of Douglas county citizens who wont to New York to confer with the railroad company und to urge the location of the bridge at Omaha , rather than ut Child's mill , signed the following agreement with the Union Pacific people : i "Memorandum of agreement between Thomas C. Durant and Sidney Dillon , on the part of the Union Paeifiu railroad com pany , aud Knos Lowe , O. P. Hurforu , Ezra Millurd and A. Kountze , committee on the part of Douglas county , have this day agreed on the following terms touching the erection of a bridce over the Missouri river at Omaha : ' 1. That (2.50,000 bonds are to bo issued by Douglas oouuty , to run twenty years , and bearing 7 per cent interest per annum , pay- ablosetnl-annually at Now York. ' 2 , Said bonds nro to bo delivered to the sold railroad or bridge company from time to time as the construction of the bridge pro gresses. " 3. The Interest of the bonds shall accrue to said bridge company only from the date of delivery , " 4. Proper trustee shall bo appointed on the part of the railroad company and com mittee acting1 In behalf of Douglas county , who shall hold the bonds and make delivery of name in accordance with agreement. " In connection with the negotiations lead ing to this agreement , Governor Saumlors , as chairman of the Douglas county committee - tee , addressed the following letter to Colonel Me Co nib , chairman of the railroad bridge committee ; ST. NICHOLAS HOTKL , Nr.w YOIIK , March 24 , ISftS. Colonel H. S. MeCoinb. Chairman of the Hrldge Committee , Union PuellloHull roud Company : Sir I have the honor to ac knowledge the receipt of a copy of the reso lutions passed by the committee on the loca tion and construction of the Missouri river bridge 13th lust. , und am instructed bytlio committee representing the interests of the city of Omaha to stale that , your proposition being rather indefinite in not having nuuiod tbo amount it necessarily will require to make up the difference in the coil of the bridges at Chllds' Mill and at Omaha , and in uot naming the quantity of grounds necessa rily required for depot grounds , etc. , ou the so-called Alnsworlu route , uud further in not naming the character of the bridge , whether a high one or a low ono , It is souio- whnt dlfUculv for thorn to determine the ex act manner in which to make their reply. Nevertheless , the committee being ex tremely anxious not only to procure the loca tion and building of the bridge at Omaha , but also to show such spirit of liberality as shall make it both the Interest an J the pleas ure of the company to locate and build it there , I am instructed by the committee to make a proposition Doth for u dish und for n low bridgo. L Then , our committee propose to furnish frco of cost to the railroad company sultablo depot grounds and the right-of-way on the Omnha side , whether thov shall conclude to go out upon their present line or shall adopt Lho so-called Alnsworth route , said grounds to bo the sumo as proposed by the citizens of Omaha In answer to your chief engineer in December last , or on equal amount of other lands nro selected. Also to donate to the company the sum of $ ? M,000 ) In bonds of the city of Omaha , or of the county of Douglas , In Nebraska , the Interest to bo payable semiannually - annually In the city of Now Yorit , und the coupons shall be at all times receivable for county and city tuxes. 2. In CIMO four company shall decide In favor of n low bridge nt the point known ns the Upper Omnha crossing , or In foot nt any iwlnt opposite to the company's property In Oranhn , where you will use your own grounds , thus relieving us from the pur chase ot tlcpot grounds and right-of-way ploilgca upon the other route ( estimated at $100,000) ) to donnto to the company the sum of four hundred thousand dollars ( f 100,000) ) , In city or county bonds as aforesaid. In the opinion of our committee cither ono of the foregoing propositions , taken in con nection with tbo property heretofore Pre sented to the company by the city and by citizens of Omuhu. ns near ns we can esti mate the value , will fully moot the require ments of your proposition. In reply to that portion of your proposition In regard to flxlnc a rate at * winch the com pany property in Douglas county should bo taxed , would remark that It must bo appar ent to you mid every member of your board , that such power docs uot exist with our com mit mo , We , however , do assure you that In our opinion the people of Omaha will fully appreciate the uro.it advantages extended to thorn b.v your company In locating the bridge to suit their wishes and Interests , and that everything will bo dotio by them that may favor an enterprise Hint brings to the city such vast benefits. Vofy llesuectfully , A. SAUNtiniis , Chairman Omaha Committee. Afterwards the board of county commis sioners voted a special election on the ques tion of the counUv issuing these "bonds to the Union Pacific railroad company , to the amount ot $25,000 , " with twenty-seven nog- ntlvo votes. rate of interest , etc. , as In the above memo randum , using the following words in the resolution : "Tho object for issuing the said bonds being ( n consideration of the said Union Pacific railroad company establishing their permanent bridge crossing within the limits of Omaha , Douglas county. Nebraska , es tablishing also their passenger depot within the limits of said city. " Then the proclamation for this bond elec tion contains these words : "Shall the county of Douglas , for the pur pose of securing the location , nnd aiding in the construction of a railroad bridge across the Missouri river , between the Union Pacille railroad and such other roads as may seek n connection therewith at Omaha city , contribute thereto in county bonds the sum of 'i50,0001" This proclamation also provided that when ? 300,000 had been expended in the construc tion of the bridge , $100,000 In bonds should bo delivered to the company ; the same amount to bo delivered whan 4)00,000 ) had been expended , nnd the remainmgfSO.OOO to be delivered when the bridge was completed. At the election on July la , 180 $ , the bonds carried with only twenty-seven negative votes. On the 4th of March. 1871 , the chief en gineer. Mr. Sickels , certified to the county commissioners that $325,674.02 had been ex- peuded on the bridge and asked for the first installment of bonds duo the company , but received neither bonds uor satisfactory rea son for withholding them. Whcu more than SMO.OOO had been expended and certified to the county board , September 10 , 1871 , Mr. Popploton , general attorney of the company , made formal demand for the second install ment of bonds duo. Ho received no bonds , but the board kindly voted "to consult their attorney" and adjourned. The county bud voted its bonds to the rail way company on no other conditions than these stated in the foregoing record , i. e. , * o secure the bridge nnd passenger depot . .c Omaha ; the city had , for the same considera tions , agreed to furnish the requisite right of way and depot ground * , or as Mr. Popple- ton wrote Mr. L.OVO , April 12 , 1371 , "Under the arrangement made b.v the company with the city of Omaha the depot grounds aud right of wa.v for the brldpo were granted by the city free of costs to the company as an nbsollltr. donation. " The company had complied with its agreement nnd was rapidly bringing the bridge to completion at the close of 1371 ; but the city und county would neither deliver the bonds it hud earned nor convoy the right of way and depot grounds until the company would execute a new and wholly different agreement from that on which the aid was voted and the bridce con structed. This is the true history of the omnibus contract for January , 1872 , which was loaded with a multitude of conditions never thought of by either party to the origi nal contract. Omaha had the bridge as it couldn't then bo profitably moved to Bellevue - vue and also had the bonds and the lauds. The company had In good faith put its money into the bridge ; it was in straightened cir cumstances ; needed the bonds und the grounds , nnd to obtain them had to "stand and deliver" the now contract. In this connection it may be Interesting to note that about the time this contract was made the following memorandum was filed with the company : "This may certify that I , as trustee of the grounds for depot purposes and right of way in the city of Omaha , Nebraska , do hereby ugrco to and with the Union Pacific railway company as follows , to wit : "That I will within ninety clays from this date deed to said company the land south of Pacific street In snid city of Omaha , ns mapped and plattedfor purposes of standing cars , or other depot uses , unless within that time the city of Omaha shall furnish other property adjacent to the Union Pacific depot grounds , that shall bo of equal value nnd ad vantage to the Union Pacific Hailroad com pany us the above mentioned tract south of said Pneillostreet , such other property adja- bent to the Union Pacillo depot grounds to bo satisfactory to the Union Pacific Hailroad company. " ALVIN SAUXDEIH. Trustee on the part of the city of Omaha , Neb. NEW YOHK , January 23 , 1872. Th9 bonds wcro finally delivered in 1872-4 , aud u portion of the land convoyed ; hut af terwards the county instituted legal pro ceedings to enjoin the company from dispos ing of the bonds , and to compel thnlr sur render for cancellation. The company is still without title to some of the donated lands. The bridge was finished nnd opened to the pubho in March , 1872. Notwithstanding the manner in which this compulsory contract was obtained , every effort possible was made by the company to induce the Iowa roads to bring their trains over the bridge , in compli ance with the provisions. Wo were mot by n fiat refusal , aud the demand made to run our trains to and from the other side of the river. Wo declined to do this und had recourse to the bridge trains for service , the only alterna tive loft , and maintained this from March , 1872 , to the last of 1875 , when wo wura com pelled to abandon It and run our trains to und from Couucll Hluffa by mandate of the United States court. In the opinion of the supreme court , de livered by Justice Strong , he says : "The alternative writ as amended , com manded the railroad company to operate the wuolo of its road from Counci. HlulTi west ward ( Including that portion thereof be tween Council HlufTs and Oambn and con structed over nnd across their brlduo span ning the Missouri nvor ) , as ono continuous line for all purposes of communication , travel and transportation , and especially commanded them to start from Council Hluffs their regular through freight and pas senger trains westward bound und to run their eastward bound trains of both descrip tions through and over tbo said bridge to Council IJluffs under ono uniform time schedule with the remainder of their road , aud to desist and refrain from operating said lust mentioned portion of said road as an Independent und uepnrato line , und from causing freight or passengers westward or eastward bound to bo transferred nt Omaha or to show cause why they do not obey the writ. " This of course carried with It the necessity to provide suitable passenger and freight facilities at the "transfer , " and these were promptly demanded. It should bo notO'i that the contract of 1873 provided for the expenditure of at least $100.000 on certain designated grounds fur headquarters building , depot , oto. The company 1mb fully complied , oxceot in polntof time , and final location of headquar ters , by spending on the depot during lb7M ! and 5 , $125,069.1)3 ) ; ou lots 1 and 2 In block 231 for the abandoned headquarters building : , during 1873-4 , * 25,174.41 ; aud on its present headquarters , from 1875 to the present time , (15iU5U,48 ) , as uhown by the auditor's accounts. Expenditures for remodeling the Interior of the building from IS33 to the by the actlvo efforts of icltlzons and business men who protested against the point selected at Tenth and Mason streets , as too far A way from the center of bushtftss for tholr conven ience In dealing with ti | $ company's oulclals. In conclusion I noull | respectfully suggest that the pending proposition bo considered by you upon Its merits , abd acted on without unnecessary delay. In my Judgment It in volves Interests of much greater importance to this city than to'-llid companies making the proposition. iTiios. L , Ktstnu.L , I 4 Cusliman's Menthol-Inhaler , cures catarrh , headache , neuralgia , asthma , boy Fever. Trial free at your druggist. Prieo GO cents. UXAVI3XOED. Tlio Perpetrator Adds Another Victim to Ills Iilst. A mysterious murder. In v/hlch nn old- tlmo citizen of Omaha was the victim , was recalled to mind recently by the receipt of private ndvlccs from Mnuvlllo , Wyo. , of the death , of u woman of that plnco. Her nnmo was Wilson , nnd she was the wife ot a farmer near the village. After an illness of less than half an hour she died , and there were present In her ease all the symptoms of nouto poison. She was burled on the day of her death. 13aok of the bare announcement ot her death is as thrilling a drama as was ever unacted in real life. This Wilson woman figured in the murder alluded to , and the opinion is not controverted that she was tnurdorod by the man whose llfo she was once Instrumental in saving. Three years ago there lived In Omaha a man of seventy-two years of ago , widely known nnd well-to-do Mr. O. 13. Soldcn. His homo had been in Omaha since the spring of 1854. About three years ago his wife's health be came very poor , nnd there seemed no remedy but the mountain air. So tho.v started west , nnd stopping at Valentino , Nob. , mot a man named Shoffor. This man represented to Seldon that no owned a valuable mica mine in Wyoming , but lacked capital to dovclope it. Ho was looking for a partner with money. Sulden was mtorostod , and arranged to buy un lutorest in the property. So Sheffor went on west to the mine , and Seluen sent $700 to him nt Choyonno. Shortly after ho moved out to where the mina was located , nnd with Shoffer began to build the town of Manvlllo. ToBethorthoy worked todovolop the mine , nnd , having some success , Mr. Soldon re- turucd to Omaha and sold a one-quarter In terest to L. IJ. Williams and S. H. Johnson , well-known local capitalists. For this inter est bo received Jt.OOO.belng $2,000 cash down and $2,000 the notes of Mr. Johnson. Then ho went west again and gave Shcffcr $1,000. The now arm of four , however , did not agree very well together , so Sheffer and Selden bought out Williams nnd Johnson , Soldcn paying the latter gentleman $ lCOO , of his own money , nnd with his partner agree ing to release Mr. Johnson from paying the notes. Seldon took Shelter's note for his half the cash payment , prSSOO. This note was written hurriedly on a page of Mr. Soldcn's memorandum book , and in some way it oocurred that no one , not oven Seldon's wife , know of its existence. Time passed , and the firm of Shelter & Seldon was still conducting the mine in the summer ot 1837 , ShofTor at the same time acting ns postmaster of the place. The post- olllco and the ofiico of the firm occupied the front half of the buildlug in which Scldcn lived. Late ono Sunday evening , Soldon sat with his grny-huired old wife in the front room back of the front ofllco. His chair was drawn up next to the table infd'no was writing. His wife sat in another part'of the room read- lug. Suddenly a heavy rifle ball crashed through the window , and the old man fell forward upon the fioor , dead , 'i'hu concussion put out the lights nnd to that fact the old liuly owed her life , for a second later another shot was fired , passmc within n foot of her head. Shoran ran outside screaming and called for Shorter. Ho called back to her from the outside of the house. Ho told her lint to enter the room where her husband lay , until he went to call the neighbors. They were called , and the country searched for miles around , but nociuotu the murderer could bo found. A coroner's inquest was held , mid though Shoffor was strongly sus pected , there was no motive shown , and ho was acquitted. Soldon's friends were not satisfied , how ever , und presented a charge of murder against Shoffer. Owing to tlio creation of now counties and the consequent disarrange ment of court matters a trial was uot reached until last May. The prosecution presented n strong array of circumstantial evidence. Before the eor- orner's Jury Sheffer had sworn that ho had no nun , but a search of a small cave in his revealed the of shot/- front yard presence a / - gun. Then someone showed how the fatal bullet a C2-callbro slug must , had it been ilrod from a rifle , have gone through the body of the victim and beyond. But the slug did not penetrate his body , so it was evident that the ball was fired from a shotgun. Soldon's wife testified that she had , since the inquest , learned of the existence of the note written on a page of her husband's memorandum. The book , whluh lay under her husband's ' hand when ho was shot , was missing for several davs alter the murder , and when finally found was In Shelter's pos session , thrco pages being torn out. On one of them was the note , u motive for Shelter's crime and proof of his guilt. At that time , though , no ono knew what had boon written on the thrco missing pages. Ono day Mrs. Selden ran across an entry in another memorandum of her husband , stilting that on that day ho had taken Shoffor's note for $ SOO. Where was the note I Tnat was the ques tion she us Hoi ] herself , and searched every where to find it , but without success. Within a little time after this discovery Mrs. Selden had a falling out with Sheffer , mid they agreed to settle up their accounts and go out of business. While the account ing was in progress Mrs. Selden went to Shoffor , told him of the entry in her hus band's memorandum , saying she guessed Sheffor had never given the note at all. Her tone was angry and ShofTor angrily replied : "Yes , I did : and I wrote it on a page of his memorandum. " Then It Hashed in a second through Mrs. Scldcn's mind that here was'thn explanation of the mlsslnir leaves , tbo note , und what thov had bought to find ut the coroner's in quest , u motive prompting Shelter to murder Seldon. At the trial , hold last May nt Manvllle , all those bits of circumstantial evidence alluded to above wore brought up against the pris oner. Public sentiment ran high against him , and as usual in country towns it was mixed with agroatdeal ; of blind , unreasoning prejudice , so that overybne who know nn.v- thlni ; of the case was expected to give Shut- for the worst of it. .Among these was Mrs. Wilson. Up to a short time previous to the trial she was relied upon as . , one of the state's strongest witnesses , haying been nt the Sel den residence among the first after the mur der , and conversant with facts then and some weeks later , and titul freely expressed herself to various piifttes Interested in the prosecution in substantial statements ma terial to their success.A - On the witness stiyui , she demonstrated that she had been the willing tool of the de fense , denying point ulaiik her former state ments , and telling n < plausiulo story in Sheffor's interest , wueh.whilB | it did not re move the almost unanimous conviction of his guilt , nor fail ! rt"public estimation to brand her with duplioityi and perjury , yet from a legal standpolui-korvod to clear Him. From that time until her death she was in timate in the Sheffer family. Perhaps she did not suspect that her knowladtro of facts would provo her doom. To-day she is regarded - gardod simply as another victim for Shoffer's rapacity for murder. That ho killed a partner for plunder in the UlacK Hills country some twelve or thirteen years ago ho has openly boasted. That ho murdered O. U , Solden in cold blood for plunder is the positive belief of of nlnooutof ten men conversant with the evidence in the case , and the murder may yet bo proven against him as will bo shown further on. And equally clear Is it to the citizens of Munvlllo that If he did not poison Mrs. Wilson , ho at least mutilated the crime , and there i a strong demand for a new und more searching investigation. From Mr. D. .1. Seldon , of this city.brother of the murdorcd man , who was visited Im mediately on receipt of tbo news of Mrs. Wilson's death , a strange story , which has never before been printed In connection with the mystery of O. U. Seldon , was learned. Ono day. some mouths prior to 10 trial ot Shoffor , a man stopped into Mr. Scldon't of fice , nod , introducing hlcasolf as Mr. Harris , of Now York , stated that be wanted to see tbo brother of the man who was murdered out In Wyomlnp. The case , ho said , had a peculiar interest for him , because of certain facts which ho proceeded , to relate. Ills family , ho smd , were wealthy Now Yorkers , nnd no was a morphine ilond. Ho had been educated nt nn eastern university , and was a practical druggist. Ho had wun- dored about in every part of the country , ashamed to return homo , nnd ovor.v year the morphine habit took a stronger hold upon him. Finally ho drifted to Omaha , nnd here fell in with a couple of cheapvarloty players who were engaged at the People's theatre. They , too , were inorphino eaters , but wore unable to got the drug. Thuy supplied the money , and Harris , being a druggist , got the drug , thus cementing the friendship between the trio in the flrmnt possible manner. Ono ulght. In n burst of confidence , Harris' friend , whoso nnmo was Urown , told him that ho had n friend In Cheyenne who wanted a man put out of the way , nnd would pay $ . * > OJ to hnvo it done. Harris said ho would do nn.vth ng to get money , and Urown told him that they must go over to Council Uluffs next ulght and moot the Cheyenne man's agent , who would nrrango terms and glvu Harris instructions. They mot in a little sa loon , which is now used ns n food store ami mndo the bargain , though Harris affirmed that ho never thought of killing auy ono. Ho had to have money for morphine , and this was an easy way to pot It. Ho wont west to Cheyenne , mot Brown's friend , who was n follow named Parker , and was told that his Job was at Manvlllo , and his victim's uamo was Soldon. The man who was to pay for the killing was a miner nt Manvlllo , nud the motive for the deed was to satisfy an old fuod. Harris wont to Manvilto. snw Soldon , nud prompted by curiosity examined the ground nnd promises surrounding the house care fully. Ho stayed there a day or two and then loft for the Black Hills country. Ho got money from homo at Deadwood and went on cast. While visiting at homo bo heard of the murder of Solden. Ho thought ho know who the murderer was , nnd de clared unhesitatingly that during his stay in Manvlllo ho saw enough to convince him that Shoffor was the miner who was to pay for Suldcn's removal. Having uo occupation but traveling nt random , ho cnuio west , nnd nftnr a time reached Omaha and learned o ! the fact that D. J. Soldon was a brother of the man ho had once agreed to murder for money. Further , ho said that while at Manville ho brought about an acquaintance with Shoffor , and after ho left the Wyomlnc village , n correspondence followed. In one of these letters from Shoffor which , by the way , were written In n woman's hand Harris was solicited to toll If there was not a poi son by which a person could bo killed and no trace remain in the stomach. This story made n very deep impression upon Mr. Selden , nnd ho arranged with Har ris to bo present at the trial. Hut when the time came neither Harris nor Brown could bo found. Tbo former was traced to Kan sas City , but the attorney for the defense , Jacques , of Ottumwa , To. , had mot him first , and he had disappeared completely. ' WBfl ! Brown was found to have gone to Denver from Omaha , but the trail was lost there , and the secrets they hold were never brought to light. Perhaps , as a revival of the old feeling against Shelter , consequent upon the death of Mrs. Wilson , a now effort to find these men may bo tnado , and with bettor success. Mr. Hussell Mvrick , of the firm of Myrlck & Henderson , Fort Smith , Ark. , says ho wishes to add bis testimony lo the thousands which have already been given as to Swift's Specific. Ho says he derived the most sig nal benefit from its use to euro painful boils and sores resulting from impure blood. Getting Points nn Saloons. In accordance with the action of the fire and police commission at ita last meeting , Chief of Police Scavey has issued an order directing Sergeant Sigwart to Investigate and report the names and location of all sa- looos in the city nnd the place of rosidencc of the proprietors , the names and residences of the bondsmen , the names of all barkeepers nnd their residence , the number of wine rooms connected with each saloon , and the number of bottling establishments In the city , with their location and whether or uot they p.iv city license ; also the names of all parties who have sold their saloons and the uamo and residence of person to whom such transfer has been made , together with the name and residence of the boudsmon. Officer Graves has been detailed to act as rounds man. The Sticrod Heart academy , for day pupils , situated on St. Mnry'a ivvonuo and Twonty-sovonth streets , is nn insti tution devoted to the moral and intol- lectuul education of young girls. The course includes everything from n pre paratory department to a finished classical education. Besides the ordi nary academical course , music , paint ing , drawing and the languages are taught. French is included in the or dinary course. Difference of religion is no obstacle to the receiving of pupils , provided they conform to the general regulation of the school. The scholastic term begins - gins the flrst Tuesday of September. Classes commence at 0 a. HI. , and are dismissed at 8:30 : p. in. , an hour for recreation being allowed at noon. The ijnnvcnwortli Times Kntfl. LnAVENWoitTii , August 0. [ Special Tolo- grnm to Tun BEE. ] The Leavenworth Times ouieo ceased to bo a union offlco last evening. A force of non-union men are at work. Killed His Wife nnd Suicided. SAN FiuNcisco , August 0. Yesterday John Carter , n guard at the San Quontln orison , shot nnd killed his wife and then suicided. Jealousy was the cause. IF not remedied in season , is liable to become habitual and chronic. Dras tic purgatives , by weakening the boweln , confirm , rather than cure , the evil. Ayer's Pills , being mild , effective , and Btrcugtliouiui ; in their action , are gener ally recommended by the faculty as the best of aperients. "Having been nubjoct , for years , to constipation , without being ablu to find much rcliiif , I at lust tried Ayer's 1'llls. I deem It both n duty and a pleasure to testify that I have derived great ben efit from Uieir us . i'or over two years past I have taken one of these pills every night before retiring. I would not willingly bo without them. " G. W. luwuHUi,2U East Main at. , Carlisle , 1'a. "I have been taking Ayer's Tills and using tlinm In my family since 1857 , and cheerfully recommend them to all in need of a safe but effectual cathartic. " John M. Hoggs , Louisville , Ky. "For eight years I was afflicted with constipation , which nt last became so bad that the doctors could do no mow for me. Then I began to tnko Ayer's I'ills , and soon the bowels recovered their natural and regular action , so that now I am in excellent health , " S. L. Lioiiglihrldgo , llryan , Texas. " Having used Ayor'a I'ills. with Rood results , I fully indor.su them for the pur poses for which tlwy uro recommended. " T. Connors , M. D. , Cuiitru Ilrldge , I'a , Ayer's Pills , rRBPARED BY Dr. J. C. Ayer & Co , , Lowell , Mass , Bold by all Diuggiiti and Dealeri In Medicine. The old oaken bucket , The iron-bound bucket , The moss-covered bucket was probably the ono used by the house-maid to convey the washing water from tha well. The hardest of well water can bo softened with "BOLD DUST which is purely vegetable and will not injure the finest fabric. Ask your grocer fora FREE SAMPLE. N. K. FAIRBANK I GO.- , Pi S. For a bright , clear complexion , use "Fairy" Soap. For the cure of nil DISORDERS OF THE STOMACH , LIVER. BOWELS .KID NEYS , BLADDER , NERVOUS DISEASES , HEADACHE. CONSTIPATION COSTIVENESS , COMPLAINTS PECULIAR TO FEMALES. PAINS IN THE BACK , DRAGGING FEELINGS , &c. , INDIGESTION , HILL1OUSNESS , FEVER , 1NFLAMAT1ON OF THE BOWELS , PILES , nnd nil dci-aiiproiuent of the lutot- ual Viscera. RADWAY'S PILLS are a cure for this complaint. They tone up the internal secretions to healthy action , restore strength to tlio stuinuch und enable It to perform its functions. Price U5o nor box. Sold by nil druggists. RADWAY & CO. , Now York , For sale by M. H. Blisa , Omaha , Nebraska. Handsomest and Most Satisfactory for PRICE LIST SENT OH APPLICATION. Those who have USED THEM will BITS" NO OTHER BRAND. TRY THEM. SOLE AGENTS FOR ALL MARKETS : ETCHINGS , . U3PKMERSON , ENGRAVINGS , J8 CT & DAVIS ARTIST SUPPLIES ] E MOULDINGS , .iia PIANOS&ORGANS j 1B13 Douglas Street , Omaha , Nebraska. STRANG & CLARK STEAM HEATSND Steam and Hot Water Heating and Ventilating Apparatus and Supplies. Engines , Boilers , Steam Pumps , Etc. FEMALE ACADEMY tniulc , urt , K. > ' . llutuuu , l-rinSjinl , rfu.luunviutf.'jllf ' * NOIITUWKSTICIIN Conservatory of Music Nllnnonpolls , Minn. PIANO lloBt tbucliera only In every depart. nii'lU. Uuuqualied opnoituulty for Htudy. OHO AN 'A ) lessons for J15. J'roo udvuntat-os worth prlro of tuition. All IimiumunU. Lan guages , lllatory. I.Uvrature. YOKJU-Hemf for calendar. UUAIlUiS H. MOltaiS. Director. ILUliiS MILITARY AUAUEiVIY Huporlor location i excellent faclllllei , 'j'tior * nuuli preparation for collsue , fccluntltlo tcbonl or bimliiOM Full txrni beulns Huiu IM | > I'lNUY.I bTEVE.NH A H I'rm Morcnll I'nr 111. T. JOHN'S JMIMTAUV BOIIOOL , MANUUB. N Y. Civil Kugiuccrlnir. ( 'Usalcx. . Hr. ItKV F \ > . IIIJNTINfnON , I'rtnlrtont , _ LT.C'ou W. VHUUr.UK.BuiierlnteiuU-nt. VTKWVOIUC MIUTAIIY AOAUMV. CO UN 1 > wall-oii-llinUon. Col. 0 , J. Wilglit. II. S , , A. MM aupu ; U. I' . Hyatt , ComU.tof t'aileu. fcp0 * > tfl STEEL COLO MEDAL PARIS EXPOSITION MS. Nos. 3O3-4O4-I7O-CO4. THE MOST PERFECT OP PENB 8B BtaH 0iVgBaU ! B fl BfKIYSUF JrorI.08TorPAn.INa HANHOODi rUdlllUC General and HERVOUO DEDILITyi fJTTTS rj WMkn.i. of Body nd MindEff.ct4 : 1 J . &JC4 ofErrorBcrEicenei In Older Vounr. Uobo.l. obl. BlMIIKIUfullr IK.I r.J. lla lo fnl.nc. .j Kirt jibt iTKikL'XnrrurruIIHUIMI ) t tuinter nuur. ik.olil lr rilllir IIOHIl 1Kl. T l.VT-HiM < U U < l > r ( u l Uftrat 41 6UII1 , l rrll rl , and r rrl | tcxi.lrl.i. To CKN writ * tb M. llouk , full 11tU tUe > , ! > < pr * f. M ll 4 tntlifli ( rt. . Udmi f Bit ttltlrtl 0 , , SUlf AID. H. v. miMHI.KTUBUl.AaCAR CUSHION ! U > p > nfcrui < llillaell7 , Coi l lt U . iu IUU11MU4 l > Kk4 ftwtt | Xlariitnl'nrknoar ( < : iilcai ; < j ) . Hoarding ! JBclmcil fur ( Jlrli uud VOUIIK J > a < llt i. For I tlOKunaditrc > aJ.TIIAVlilt..l. . I ) . . Uorptn 'urkJU.urS7iltnllioiiBiruBt , Chichi.1 . . SHOE DEALERSinSE Inica of Iloota and Hlioe * manufactured by U. M , JlKNlir.iiHOW & Co. , or CHIOAOO Knqtorlen at ClilciiKo ; Dlxoii. in unil Fan Iu Lan , wis.-nhouM writ * i < AM N WATSON. Heilaetirxj.KKKJlONl'.NiiU , Ttuvellaic AuuuU Uv diiuarters for Itubbon.