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 ,
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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.
