! l I i II THE OMAHA DAILY BEE. T WENT Y-SECON D YE All. OMAHA , WEDNESDAY MORNING , AiPIUL 12 , 1S93-S1XTEEN PAGES. jSTMBKU 207. BY WIND m HAIL Yesterday's Furious Storm Out a Broad Swath Through Thrae States. NEBRASKA TOWNS SUFFER SEVERELY Pr.ge , Holt County , Almost Wiped Out by the Whirling Oyclone. OTHER PLACES WHERE DAMAGE WAS DONE i Many Towns in the Path Report Meagerly on the Eesult. MEN , WOMEN AND CHILDREN INJURED Ho I nr an Known No OllcVm Killed , lint Several M y Dip of Their HurU Story of the Di'Ktroj er'ii Drrud ul Snoop. PLAINMEW. Neb. , April 11. [ Special Tele- f ran , to Tun HDE. ] Word lius just bcoti re ceived from Pape , Holt county , a small town i'n ' the Pacific Short Line railway , that a c.ulone struck that place at about 4:20 this afternoon Tin- storm was traveling In a northeaster ! } direction and swooping every thing tti UN path. Mrs Wupor and two cliildrcn , wife and daughters of Mr. Wager , hardware dealer. .1 ttic firm of Wager Bros. , was very dan- pcrousl.v injured , perhais fatally. Four houses were totally demolished and man } others badly damaged. The creamerv was damaged to the extent of about $1,000. The Short Line depot was damaged , loaded cars wi-rc blown from the track and torn from trucks No damage is reported done to truck , but obstruction will delay trains. The passenger tram will run as far as Page to- nipht and a wrecking train will follow. No communication can be had with O'Neill. The wires are probably down between Page and O'Neill. Much DumriKo Near lining. L'XMSO Neb. , April 11. [ Special Telegram to 'Jnr BIT. j About 4 o'clock this after noon a r.\ clone swept through from Little , .sixteen miles southwest of here in this count } , passiai : in a northeasterly direction west of Stafford. The residence of E. J. Larue was blown to atoms Laruo's collarbone was broken and one or both of his wife's legs broken. The residences of Hopkins and McClary were destroyed. Hopkins' daughter was seriously hurt. MeClary's family nearly all injured. Surgeons from this place have been sum moned to attend the sufferers. Particulars of the damage done cannot bo obtained until tr.iniing It-is very probable that many more have been injured. Cedar ( Jr < kM VlHltatton. Cr.iiAK CHEEK , Nob. , April 11. [ Special Telegram to THE BEE. ] This place was visited by a cyclone this afternoon at 3-ATi. , T A Connor's large grain house , eighty feet long , was completely torn into Kindling wood lion F. E. White's elevator power house was completely torn to pieces and nearly cverj" outhouse and small builaing in town were blown over. All the buildings in the place suffered more or less. No lives are reported lost at this writing. Sniid Sturm nt tliiKtlncii. HA'-TIXOS. Neb. , April 11. [ Special "Cole- pram to Tin : BEE. ] A tempest of almost cy clonic ferocit } raped m Hastings this after noon , accompanied by line sand. now AKitoN sirrriiiKii. : OIUMT Antic * of \Vhlrlitlnd In Its Ciiuri.ii Tlirouch Iowa. Siorx CITY , la , April 11. [ Special Tele- Rrani to THE Bnn. | The town of Akron , la. , on the line of the Chicago , Milwaukee t St. Paul road , thirty miles north of this city , which has a population of about I.IKK ) people ple , was devastated oy a cyclone this after noon Shortly after 2 o'clock it commenced to prow dark , and in half an hour it was necessary to have lights. About 8 o'clock the storm struck the place. It wns a regulai whirlwind and came from the northeast. Houses wore thrown f.iom their founda tions ana overturned and many of thorn blown to pieces. A double span wapou brUge across the Sioux river was wrenched fnm the piers and dashed up against the rlvor bank The iron rods were twisted and bent into an inextricable mass. A large elevator was demolished and the debris arrieul across the railrpad tracks to where the lumbar yard was and deposited , while th < lumber yard and buildings were earned Iwk and deposited where the olova- toi ttood. C'ar.s ' loaded withstontt that were standing on the railroad tracks wore picked up by the wind and turned completely over. Nrarlj every building in the town was more or less damaged. Chimneys were blown duwn and crashed through the roofs and man } roofs blown off and carried far from the houses. The damage In the town cannot be estimated at this time , as dark ness came on soon after the storm was over and everything is in confusion. The streets were i.iterod with bedding and articles of ho'jseluJd furniture. Away riiroiiKh tli Country. The sturm then started to the southwest , nud from Akron to Wostfiold farm houses .nd hart.s which wore in the path of the j.torrn were either wholly demolisUod or badl } d.unngcd. At one place where two hay stacks stood tn'side e\ch : other , one was twisted to the left anJ the other to the right , and the sur rounding country litterm ! with. hay twisted in buncht'h resembling a rojKi. Prom Wcstfleld the storm crossed over the Missouri river into Nebraska. Heparts in- tllcat" that it went in dips , doluj but little dan.as until tli town of Pajre , x-00 , 100 n lies we ft of IIBI-B , on the Short Line road , \tasrcachi-a The storm burst on the place with a.l Us " . f".ry Mmiy houMJti there wore \nr"-Yu ; or ttt noli hed. The Short Line dcr tas wrecked and uuw were blown from thr 'rack. Man , tiiiildink in the county were dam- a-cd .wl reports indicate huavy uumnge all n''UC ( 'bf path of thw storm. in Ak 11 ; there was no loss of life , only one person \ > r tig injured. That was a man who had an arm broken. IE the country e&st of Westfk'.a a mn and his wife were caught in the debris of their home and were Wiled. Their names have not yet been obtainable. At Page a woman and -her child wore seriously and perhaps fdtally Injured. Tele graph service i nearly demolished in this section. I.OK Will Ke.icli Many Thouiaiuli. Latest advices from Akron arc that the los < i to private property in that city will be J.VMXX ) . The loss In the country will proba bly fur exceed that amount. The names of the man and woman killed nearWestfleld will not be obtainable tonight. The co'intry between Akron and Page has but one telegraph line , and advices as to property loss nr extent of storm there are meager and unsatisfactory. First rcjiorts of the storm came from Akron at 8 o'clock and the last of it was at Page at 4IO : o'clock. The storm trareled 'JOO miles in that time. Local storms are reported from many places in South Dakota , but no damaco was done. Much rain fell throughout this section today. \Vntrr Spout nt I'oncn. A water spout burst in Poaca Creek valley near Ponca , Neb. , this afternoon in the path of the storm. Much low land is inundated and several bridges on the Chicago , St. 1'aul , Minneapolis & Omaha road are dam aged. Cloud IlurKt lit Ottumwa. Orrt'MWA , la. , April 11. ] Spesiul Tele- cram to THE BEI : . ] A cloud burst occurred in the city about 8:15 : this evening. Side walks and small buildings were washed off the hills down into the main streets of the city. Cellars are flooded and water stands in several business houses. A skylight In the Hotel Balllngall was broken and a jiortlon of the hotel Hooded. The storm was accompanied by a severe wind and hail , and the damage to merchandise stock is quite heavy. South Dakota CropSutler. . Snirx FALLS , S. D. , April 11. [ Special Telegram to THE BEE ' A dispatch from Mitchell states that this afternoon a severe storm passed over that city , accompanied by a high wind and tremendous hall , and that great damage was done to buildings and the freshly seeded land. The same storm vis- Hed Akron , la. , forty miles snutti of here , and took the nature of a cyclone , destroying a number of buildings , leveling the wires and washing out the railroad. IN KANSAS AND MISSOUUI. Meager Dlipatrhes Trll of a Devastating Cyclone Down There. HIAWATHA , Kan. . April 11. Meager dis patches received here tonight from the southern part of Kansas state that a cyclone passed over that part of the state and that three towns. Willis. Everest and Powhat- tan , were laid in ruins. As communication with these points is slow , it is almost impos sible to estimate the loss of life or property. It seems almost certain that some lives were lost , and it is feared tnat but few in the vil- lasres named escaped injury. Hail broke hundreds of windows and it is feared spoiled prospects of a fruit citip this year. Near itobinson the 14-year-old sou of E. P. Poleton , a wealthy merchant , was struck by lightning and instantly killed. Parker , a small station on the Missouri , Kansas it Texas , was struck by a cyclone at 7 o'clock this ovcninc The business part of the town Is a complete wreck as well as half tht ) residence portion. Several iiersons are reported killed and a large number seriously injured. No estimate can he made of the loss at the present hour. Another cyclone s'truclc Walnut , in the northern part of the state , about o'clock , and after causing much dam- ape there , switched off northward into Missouri and struck successively the towns of Mayview , Page City and Higginsville. All alonp the route houses were blown down , outhouses and fences destroyed and numerous cattle killed. In Higginsville and Mayview the damage was slight , but in Page City it is said that the whole town was laid waste. A man named Walker and his two children wore caught in the ruins of his house and all were killed. Telegraph wires are down and all com munication is extremely difficult and it will be impossible to get further details of the storm's ravages before morning. TOICHII ; AT ST. LOUIS. \Vlml , Lightning , Kitln and Hull Frighten thn I'xojilc of that City. ST. Lon . Mo. , April 11. Thunder anc lightning , hail , rain and wind combined this evening to form the severest storm this city lias had for years. It began aliout b:15 : p. m. , and lasted nearly half an hour , coming from the southwest , where ominous nous clouds , constantly illuminated by brilliant tiastics of lightning , prevailed some time previous to the outbreak of the storm proper. Many were apprehensive of a cyclone. Hutu fell gently lor a few minutes , then , suddenly , a violent downpour of rain and hail began and the electric features of the storm made themselves fearfully evident. The streets at once be came flooded , the sewers helnir inadequate to at once carry off the immense volume of water. Basements in all parts of the city w. ere Hooded. No serious accidents of any consequence are reported. Electric car traftie was , for the time , completely suspended. It being necessary to shut off all power from the trolley wires. The worst effects of the storm are now apparent in the telegraph service. The Western Union has had but few wires to the west and south since 0 p m. Wind storm at 11 p. m. tore four boats from their moorings. All are reported sunk , with a loss of life. Storm In South Dakota. Siorx FAI.U. , S. D. . April 11. [ Special Telegram to THE BEE. ] A dispatch from Mitchell states that this afternoon a severe storm passed over that city , accompanied with a high wind and tremendous hail and that great damage was done to buildings and the freshly seeded land. The same storm visited Akron , la. , forty miles south of here , and took the nature of a cyclone , destroying a number of buildings , leveling the wires and washing out the railroad. > rnNTirit'Ai.i.Y I'ecullar I'homiincim Noticed In Connection with the storm In Omnhu. Tjic center of a storm of considerable mag nitude hovered over Omaha and vicinity yes terday and last night Captain Hunt , the looal forecast oitlcial. looked for a severe storm in eastern Nebraska and western and central Iowa , but had an idea that Omaha would escape the worst of it on acount of lying almost in the center of * < bo trough of the course southwestern storms generally take. take.Vcr. Vcr.\ few people , " said the captain last night , "know that there is leak danger from tornadnos iu the center of a great storm than around the margins. The tendency of the winu is toward the center , but it whirls aroutul the central point much as water circles around the center of a hole through which it is ( touring. It is aroim.l the mar- glns of these luverttnl funnels that the tor- iiudoofc usually generate. Siqall fragments oi thn ponenil storm , commonly called cyclones bnmk loose from Ilia circular course Hud ofU'tttinittfi cause frichtful devasta tion" For soverHl hours yesterday the exact center of the storm wns over Omaha and its presence was easily understood by the dead calm in and about tht cit > . while all around , for from 150 to 500 miles , the wind was bU > w- mg at from thirty to flft : , miies an hour As the storm center moved over western Iowa [ OONT1NICU OS bCCO.XD 1' > &K.J EDWARD MASON ON TRIAL Must Answer for His Connection with the Oole Murder. TESTIMONY OF HIS DIVORCED WIFE Cni.o of the Stnte Uesto on TIH | ! Hasl * and the Dctcmc U Confident of llclnp Able to Secure a r vorahlo Verdict. HASTINGS. Nob. , April 11. [ Special Tele ; pram toTiiE Br.B.J EJward B. Mason wns put on trial this morning , charged with be ing an accessory to the munlor of D. S. Cole. For the state County Attorney W. I1. Me- Creary and Mayor B. F. Smith appeared , M. A. Hartigan and Judge William Gasliu de fending the prisoner. The work of securing a jury was at once begun and nt noun the regular panel was exhausted , the state hav ing used one peremptory challenge and the defense two of theirs. Sheri IT Crane began a hunt for talesmen and at 2 o'clock the jury was finally accepted and sworn , both sides waiving portions of their peremptorlcs. Mrs Hickman. the sister of Mrs. Mason , testified ns to the strained relations existing between Mason and his wife and to the fact that they did not live together. On the evening of the murder Cole and .lames Fer gus were at the Hii-ktnau place making some repairs. Thev left about II o'clock The next morning Mrs. Mason loft for her hus band's farm in the buggy. Both before and after the murder the two carried on a cor respondence and held consultations. Chris Collins lived at Cole's house , and testified that Cole came home and then loft about 10 o'clock , and the next morning was found dead. May Mitchell , the hired girl , testified in the same strain. James Fergus also related the incidents that transpired at Hickman's and told when Cole left for home. At this juncture the state asked for a recess until tomorrow , which was granted by the court. Tomorrow will occur the sensational part of the trial. Mrs. Mason is now serving a four years sentence in the penitentiary , given her on her confession to the murder ana plea of guilty. She has been telegraphed for and will arrive in Hastings tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock in charge of penitentiary officials. A strenuous effort will , of course , be made by the defense to exclude her testi mony as it is the most direct evidence against Mason. A few weeks ago a divorce was obtained by her on a cross bill filed after Mason had asked the court for a divorce , nnl the de fense will hold that the communications made between husband and wife were priv- ilcpcd. and the state will claim that the di vorce granted her has taken away such privilege. It is a question on which lawyers do not seem to be agreed , and a stronp fight mav tie expected. Mrs. Mason's testimony , if admitted , will probably be quite racy. rrrtnont Ne\VH Notes. Fitr.MOXT , Neb. , April 11. [ Special to THE BEE. ] Mrs. O. E. Strong , a sister of Char ley Douglas , who died in South Omaha Sat urday was brought to tnls city last evening for burial. D. G. Eldredge , Gl years of age , who died yesterday will be buried tomorrow by the Masonic fraternity , of which he was a mem- oer. Hev. H. W. Tate , pastor of the Baj > - tist church , will preach the sermon. The deceased was born in New York state , has resided in this city seven years durinp which time he has been enpaped in the coal business'and has been an aclhc member in the Baptist church , and was hiphly re spected b.v all. He leaves a wife and two married daughters. Articles of incorporation were filed yester day under the firm name of the Parlor Furn iture and Mattress company , by the men who came from Uacine , Wis. , to this city last week. The authorized capital is $100- 0H ! ) . They will manufacture all kinds of furniture , mattresses , upholstered goods and bedding. Judge William Marshall convened the April term of district court yesterday morning and spent the day in assigning cases for trial , hearing motions , etc. Some time since the J. T. Itobinson Notion company of Omaha received a judgment against J. V. N. Biles of this city and had some of his city lots sold to satisfy it. The sale was set as'de. The attachment was dis solved in the case of Ivilpatrick-Koch Dry Goods company vs Henry J. Bremers of this city. Josh Waldron. RobertMclntyre. James Skillen and George Davis each pleaded puilty to the charpo of stealing hops from the Buy State Cattle company's ram-h. Sen tence will doubtless be given during this term of court. The grand commanacry. Knights Templar of Nebraska , convened in the Masonic build ing in this city this afternoon for their an nual conclave , whiph will last several days. A very largo number are expected to be iu attendance tomorrow. iliiHtlncH Milooni , Cicmocl. HA > .TIXOS , Neb. , April 11. [ Special Tele gram to THE BEE. ] Hastings will be dry tomorrow. Eleven petitions for saloon license were presented to 'ho new city council for action tonight. On the other side a general remonstrance was presented , signed by ! ! 00 or ) ( ) ( ) persons , which alleged that some of the signatures on the petitions were not bona fide freeholders. The matter was laid over until tomorrow nipht for trial. The licenses expiring tonight , none of the saloons will be allowed to open tomor row. There is a pretty fair chance that some of them will not open at all. as a sec tion of the Slo.-utn law was found which stipulates that when a petitioner has been found guilty of violating the law during the year previous he shall be refused a license. Many of them have paid fines for keeping open on Sundays and so there is a possibility that II istinus will have only two or three saloons this year. DlHuppmnti'd In li\c. HASTIN-OS , Neb. , April 11. [ Special Tele gram to THE BEE ] Coroner U. .1. Irwin was summoned to go into \Vunda township to hold an inquest on the body of J. Walter Baugh. Bauph was a young Kcntuckian 111 years old living in a nulshlwrhood of Ken- tuckians. A month ago he became ac quainted with a very comely young lady , Miss Clara Powers , some five years his senior. He immediately became enamored ol her , but Miss Powers did not return his passion. He threatened to kill himself and she took a couple of boxes of poison away from him. Sunday afternoon he took roughen on rats and in twenty-four hours was dead. Ho left it note to the young lady in which he stated that she knew what WHS the cause of his self destruction. A verdict of suicide was rendered. Captured a Younc Thief. HASTINGS , Neb. . April 11. [ Special Tele gram to Tur. BEE.I Clyde Munden , a H- ye.ar-old candidate for the reform school , was arrested today . -charged with stealing u bolt of dress goods. There nre numbers of youngsters of his stripe iu town , and the police and authorities are trying to break them of the pilfering habit. Talile ICork Notes. TAIILK HOCK. Neb. , April 11. [ Special Tele gram to THE BEE. ] Julius Devore , a brakeman - man , " } csterday had his foot run over by a truck. No bones were broken. He has been taken to his home \Vyniam. . A very line foundation is being laid for the new opera house. The stung is quarried here. Nut < iiilltj ol .Murder. PI..VTTBMOVTII , Neb. , April 11. [ Special Telegram to ' ! HE Br.B.J--The ease of the -tutcuis'ainst Ed L'arr for the shooting of Andy Hess at Eagle a couple of weeks ago was concluded this afternoon , Carr was acquitted. Hon. W. J. Bryan assisted County Attorney Travis In the prosecution and Judge Sullivan of Plattsmouth repre sented the defendant. Tho'cnse was closely contested on both sides , County Judee Hamsay. after summing up the evidence. stated that he did not believe that Carr would be convicted ncfore a Jury and in his Judpmeut the ease should not be carried to the district court thereby entailing n vast amount of needlesuj.'xpense for the county. The verdict gives ( jreneral satisfaction. cei ! by I'lrp. CunTH , Neb. . April 11. ISjieclal to THE BEB. ] The lumberyard of John L. lx > eas discovered on fire at 2 o'clock this morning. Loss , probably S2.00J ; insurance , $2KK ( ) io the Hockford , IS.O.X ) in Grand Ilapids Fire and fl.ooo in St. Paul Fire and Marine In surance i-omimuy. The safe was 'found broken open , the combination having been knocked off by thieves. The fire Is be lieved to have oripinated from this source. The line farm residence of George Fischer , llrlnir four miles east of this city in Lan caster county , was totally destroyed by fire late yesterday afternoon. Insured in the Farmers Mutual Insurance company of the surrounding country. Miullton .lull Itlrdn l > caie. MADISON. Neb. . April 11. ( Special to THE BEE ] Two prisiners broke Jail here last uieht. One had been convicted of forgery and the other of horse stealing They were to have been taken to the penitentiary in a few days. A horse was stolen from Henry A Barnes , a farmer living three miles east of town and it is thought ttic prisoners took this means of escape. The locks of the cells were taken away , and as the jailer , who lives on the sn-ond tloor , hoard no noise , it is the opinion of the officer that some person from the outside opened the doors. Will Not Stand Taxation. Nr.niiAsKA CITY , Neb. . April 11. [ Special to THE BEE. ] In antldpatijti of a move by the city authorities to tax telephone itoles inside the city limits. Hon John C. Watsou appeared before the old council at its last meeting Monday evening and stated that in case the company is subjected to taxation it w ill carry the case to' the courts. Then if it is decreed that the poles must be taxed , the lines will be taken down. It'is generally be lieved that the new council will take uo ac- tionagainst the company. Chlislnp Thieves ut r'alrmolit. FAIUMOST , Neb. , April 11. [ Spaeial to THE BEE. ] Thieves forced an entrance to Henry Coatsworth Co.'s lumber oflice last night and blew open the s ife. Tlrey secured - cured no money but carried away a large number of notes and other valuable papers. It has been found that the parties broke into the carpenter shop of J. T. Dennis and se cured drills , etc. , with which the work was done , and that they also tialon ? in Fairmont. An effort will be made to bring the thieves to justice. _ Not Too Olll'to Mim > t. HASTINGS , Neb. , April 11. [ Special Tele gram to THE BEE 1 This afternoon William Simmons and Murray Houston , a couple of younp painters , found an old rusty handle- jess 2i-caliber revolver. Simmons examined it and handed it to Houston , who cocked it and looked it over. When he handed it back the antiquity wn discharged. The temporal artery in Simmons' head was pierced and a diflercnccof Jialf an inch alone saved him from receiving the bullet in his brain. _ Interested a Large Audience. CHAITEM. . Neb. , April 11. [ Special Tele gram to THE BEE. ] Hon. B. F. Clayton of Indianola. la. , president of'-the Commercial bank at thls-place and .a large real estate owner in this and adjoining counties , de livered u splendid lectur.to a large 'audi ence in the high schol building Sunday evening on the subjuet'of the "Great Con- lllct Between Right and Wrong , " \vhich was well received , as expressed by a vote of thanks by an appreciative audience. Hill-Clark ul lleatrlco. BEATHIOE , Neb. , April 11. [ Special Tele gram to THE BEE. ] The grocery store of Kerr d. Son on West Court street was en tered by burplars last night , the safe blown open and considerable cash and valuable papers were stolen. From appearances this morning the charge of powder used In break ing the safe must have been excessive , as barrels and boxes near the safe were blown in every direction. No clew. Misfortune * nt 'Wvinorc. WVMOUE , Neb. . April U. ( Special Tele gram to THE BEE j This morning at 0HO : Mrs. C. W. Dairson , wife of a plasterer liv ing here , fell dead , supposed to be froir * heart disease. Julius F. Grorer , who was hurt last Sun- da } at Table Hock by 'having both feet run over by a pair of trucks , underwent the am putation of a foot this morning. Hastings Lnwyrr Convicted , HASTINGS , Neb. , April 11. [ Special to THE BEE. ] The lury in the case of the state against T. Judson Ferguson , charged with obtaininp money under faine pretenses , brought in a verdict oMiot pulltv today. The evidence in the case ; was strong enough to disbar Ferguson a few weeks ago. but not enough to send fcim to the penitentiary. Nfbruhk-i Clti 1'rriliyti-ry in Smhlon. TECI-MSEII. Neb. , Apifil 11. [ Special to THE BEE. ] The annual session of the Nebraska City Presbyjcry of the Presbyterian church convened in this city last evcninpfor a three days session. Nearly 100 delegates are present , including those from missionary and endeavor sot ieties. Great interest is being manifested by all. j Death of a I'roinliiniit NeliraHkan. BRATUICE , Nob. , April 11. [ Special Tele gram to THE BEE. ] H. W. Parker , one of the oldest and most prominent citizens of the city , died today. His death was not un expected as he hud btfon ill for some time. His loss will bo severely felt both in social and financial circles. 1 J'lHIM Letter from thu 1'renlacnt of That Kepuhllu to a NewOiTljuiiB rrlu-ml. NEW OULEAN-S , La. , fVnril U. Th follow ing is a copy of u letter received today by General Beyer of thoBtaff of General Vus- quuz , in command of the povernment troops of the Honduras army , from President Lelva , now stationed nM'ue.rto Cortes. This letter contains news of'the revolution now in progress there and is absolutely authentic. The letter , writteuin , Spanish , reads as fol lows . I'ruirro COIITES , Honduras , April 4 , 1H1I3. ( ji'lieral Charles 1) ) . llpjror. New Orleans. I.a. Sly Dear Sir : The force * of llonillu. which at tacked the town of Tesur4salpa on the 'JHth of March , were repulsed and defeated with pruat loss by the po\erninent tn > np > In the encase ment that followed. The remainder of the defeated revolnthmUtii afterwards re united and entrenchiHl themselves In HI I'lciicho. ahovo the Leouu. which position , ac- cordlnc to telegrams rec-rlwd by me today ( April-Ii , Uiey uvacuaUidyestHrduy. In dolnp so they were attackud liy thu piiverninent forces and hiistaliiuil many Uilled and Mounded. It I > prul > iil > ] that the Mime parties may continue to maintain u mountain narfare Disaster in Goal Pit Near Frightful a Pont-y- Pridd Yesterday. TERRIBLE HAVOC CAUSED BY FIRE AND GAS Over riftv Men l.unr Their Uton In the lliirnlni ; Colllrrv Viun Attempt tti Iti- - cuu tlm t'liiortutmtrH Agonizing Scenes U ItliCHScd , Losnox , April 11. While the coal mine near Pont-y-Pridd was in full blast today a spark from an engine caused the gas in the mine to explode. Terrible Invos followed It is believed that hundreds have perished. There were203 men in the mine and the engine house catching fire lessened their chances of escape. The rescuers who went down were driven back without bolng able to bring up more than five of the dead. The most agonizing scenes were witnessed among the crotvd of men , women and children who i quickly crowded around the mouth of the pit. pit.The The pit is worked in sections , one lining above another , the fire resulting from the explosion breaking out in the eastern sec tion. From this section seventy men suc ceeded in reaching the surface thr.mjh the main dip working , Jed by a miner who know the road. They had a terrible struggle to get out , forcing their way through fire an ! smako. Many of them were scorched and all were terribly exhausted when they emerged to safety. They brought no good news ns to those who wore left buhini , bat on thn contrary expressed their dread that all those in the mine had perished. r.ist < preuillni ; riitincs , At 0:45 : o'clock this evening it was still impossible to obtain more than m iare de tails of the accident in the Pont-y-Pridd coal mine. The first alarm was given at 2:31) : ) this afternoon. Flames and smolto gave to the 200 men at work in the scain the first warning of approaching danger. All ran toward the landing. Many were overtaken by the fire and smoke , fell and wore left to their fate by their comrades in advance of them. Comparatively few of them who were in the s-jam at the time of the explo sion reached the landing. At the entrance of the shaft a rescuing party was formed by the pit surveyor. The party got as far as ' .ho landing at the seam where the fire started,1)ut was driven back almost immediately by the dense smoke issuing from the seam. The surveyor took his men back to the surface. After half an hour's rest the } went down again and forced their way ten yards into the workincs. Tuey fo'-nd fo'ir dead bodies which they brought back with them. Attempts to go further into the workings were in vain , as the wood work was burning and large masses of ruins were falling incessantly from the roof. One of the rescuing party who ventured too far was killed. The men who saved themselves immedi ately after the fire broke out worj ton much confused and frightened to observe the posi tions of their fellow workingmea. They were unable to give any clear account of the distribution of the miners , and the work of rescue must therefore proceed under all the diflicultics of uncertainty' . ? , . - Nuuiorouft Voluutecrg. There are scores of miner's families at the mouth of the pit. There are numerous vol- uuteers to undertake the work of rescue as soon as it becomes possible. At present the llamcs and smolre would render any 'such undertaking vain , if not fatal to the party maklnc the descent. There is little doubt , moreover , that most , if not all of the men left below , have been suffocated or burned to death. Hand grenades , barrels of water and pipes attached to lire enpines on the surface are being used to extinguish the flames in the mine. In two sections of the mine the fire was put out. The extinction of the flames has been followed in each case by the accum ulation of pas. and it is feared that explo sions may follow shortly. Another attempt to enter the seam in which the fire started has proved rcsultless. Although the rescuers saw six dead bodies , they were prevented by smoke and heat from reaching them. When the fire had been extinguished they were also unable to make any progress , as they could not remain in the foul atmosphere. The number of the men still in the mine cannot be ascertained , although it Is known to be well above fifty. There is little hope that some of them found refupe at such a distance from the burning sections that they are still alive. At midnight the nre was again burning in all directions. The service pipe , which was used tp pour water into the mine , has burst. The difiieultk's In the way of quenching the fire have increased greatly , and the rescue of the men below is regarded as hopeless , ATTUMrrii > TO KILL A CARDINAL. INrape of the Prlniuto of Hungary from Death ut tlm llumlx ol itn Ah ussln. VIEXSA , April 11. Conllicting reports are circulated regarding the attempt yesterday to assassinate Cardinal Vaszar.y , primate of Hungary. From best informed sources it is learned that the attack was made upon the cardinal in his private palace in Pesth , and his assailant was a man named Cholics , who had been employed in the palace us cellar- man , but who had been discharged. Cholics , it appears , was desirous of being reinstated and to gain that end. prepared u petition , which ho presented to the cardinal. The latter informed Cholics that he must consult the household oftlcials. ( 'holies became in sanely enraged , drew a carving knife and made a desperate lunge at the cardinal , who evaded the blow by springinp around the corner of a desk. KIT. Dr. Kohl , the cardinal's secretary , rushed toward the in- funatod man Just as Cholics started toward the cardinal again. In the struggle Dr. Kohl received live severe wounds in the shoulders nt > d breast. The would-be assas sin was then grasped by servants and over powered. sr.i/.iu ; nv .IAJ-AX. Spanish IMamlx in thw North I'uclllu TnUcn rottcuKion OI li.v thn .Mlkitiln. MAI win , April 11. Much excitement has been caused by a dispatch to the effect that Japan has seied the Pilew islands , claimed by Spain , and lying in the North Pacific , be tween the Phlllippines and Cardincs. both under Spanish rule. It is thought Japan in tends to encroach on Spanish territory in the Pacific , and grave complications are likely to result. Looking to CikrdlR for Aid. Uixnox , April 11 Josheph Wilson , presi dent of the Sailors' and Firemen's union , is taking an acthc part in holulf of the strik ers at Hull. He has gone to Cardiff to en list the dock laborers and sailors' and tiro- men's unions in their behalf. He has great influence with the men and there is every evidence that the shipping tra .o of Cardiff about to become involved in the struggle with the sailors and tiremeus union. The latter have demanded an increase in wages to go into effect toaay and threaten to block the sailing of ever.v vessel unless their de mands are complied with. Makri. the System ! . < * CompllrHtt'd. Hum/is , April 11. The lower house of the Prussian Diet lias given its final 'approval to the bill reforming the system of elections in Prussia. The bill does not materially inter fere with the discriminations in favor of the proHrty ) class , but makes the system of elections somewhat lofct complicated. Only an JIIHUMK , Mun'n Antlrt , Li = noj ; . April 11It is onkiall } stated that the report of the attempted assassina tion yesterday ol King Carlos , is untrue. THE BEE BULLETIN. n'tatlitrfor Omntia and rirlnllu 1'ntr ; HHjM Cohl ll'tirr. t'ayt. I. Nrhrn kn luul town Miller I'clone. lliiMlncMietfl Another M on Si'tiviUon. Three lltimlred Wrl.h Miner * Killed , lown Cirnrrnl News. y.V11I Test OinnhaV Street I.l htx. Itloixly Crimp snuperted ut M. l.oulx. .1. Council lIlullH Local Nr ft. 4. KilltorlHl mid roinmrnt. ! " > . Lincoln IOM.Much Through Tire. Senator * Milking I'ulltlc * . lloyil lloiulv to Help Hlii rrienili. (1. ( Commercial anil l'lminclit : Mattcrn. 7. South Omih : 'n Council Ortranl7c . K. Howard II. Itule.v U Ariinltted. II. The I'.i'cV Circulation > hoMlni ; , lit. WorliMlcriilil'H Mih Tlitlon ] Lint. 1-1. Allldnxitfi from Carrier HIIJK. IT * . Malting Monopoly * ! . Mold stronger. Another l'aBsoni.-cr Apent Short. The story had its origin in the antics of an insane man mined Solomon Azancot , who labors under the delusion that he Is a brother af the Uinsr Azancot declares when he aprroached the kinir it was merely for the purpose of havinir a conversntion with him. The man had no revolver or other weapon. Azaurot was pronounced inspno and taken to an asylum tills morning. m'l.t. SIEIKI : coi.i. Dock LaborerVcukenIns and thv Walk out rrinnlnrx to ll > < u ( 'allure. Hri-u England. April 11. It looks very much as if the dock laborers' strike was about to prove a failure. A lot more non union men were put to work this morning under police and military protection , making the whole nuuibor of nonunion me.ii who have taken the places of the strikers 2,0'JO. ' This afternoon the strikers show evidence * of weakening , as a number of them applied for and were given work. The firms in the lumber carrying trade , whose vessels have laid idle since ftie strike bctrau , notified their men that unless they returned to worlt at once their places would b ? fllleJ with nouun'nn men. Thr dock laborers at Liverpool , Shields and elsewhere nre orpanizing to assist the strikers here. Tlm Ship Owners Federation is organizing to support the masters. It now looks as if there will be a general strike of all union hands in the shipping trade. lldlliKnle Hill UUfUKM'il. Loxnox , April 11. The first speaker in the Commons today , on the motion for a second reading of the homo rule bill , was Ashmcad Bartlett , conservative , who earnestly op posed the bill. He was followed by Michael Davitt. who made a forcible speech in favor of the measure. Davitt said the bill would be accepted by IJUKK'.OO. ) of the Irish race as a part of a peace to be honorably observed. The Irish , U.ivitt continued , dil not wish home rule to cost the British Parliament a single penny and they would not shirk from their fair share of the imperial expenditures. MitlhiiiirneV llnnk I'ullure. LoxnoN , April 11. Tne London share holders of the Commercial bank of Aus tralia , which recently suspended , held a meeting today and accepted the scheme of reconstruction , which had been adopted at Melbourne. The chairman assured the shareholders that their money was not lost , but that it was merely loeknd up. He was convinced , he said , that the bank would bo proved an institution of unexampled strength. Anarchists on Trlnl. PAUIS , April 11. The trial of Pierre Jean Francois and two other anarchists named Bricon and de Lange , on the charge of hav ing been c.oucc.rnel in the explosion in the Cafe Very on May 2.1 last , begun today. The public show but small interest in the trial. Trouble In llclglnm. BurssKLS , April 11. In consequence of the rejection of universal suffrage by the Cham ber of Dsputics the general council of the labor party will at once order a general strike. The civil guard is held in reaoincss to suppress disorder. Shouted lor Dnlverntil SutTragc. BHCSSSEI.S , April 11. A thousand socialists paraded the streets this evening shouting for universal suffrage. The civil guard was called upon to disperse them. After a slight skirmish the parade was stopped. 1'hoU'ra in I runcc. PAHIS , April 11. There was but one new case of cholera in the town of L'Orient on Monday. In the vicinity there were eighteen new wises and six deaths from cholera. Strictly rrlvatr. . PAUIS , April 11. The Bering sea court of arbitration was in session for six hours to day. The proceedings were strictly private Even the secretaries were excluded. ] * rot * Htlii ( ; A uliiht thn Tax. MADUti ) , April 11. The members of the bourse yesterday and today protested against the new tax on bourse transactions by sus pending all dealings. Talked irlth I'rancls .loscjih. Br.itux. April 11. Emperor Francis Joseph today gave an audience to M. Stambouloff , the Bulgarian prime minister. T/IOJUViO.V GUII.TI. J'hin ol a South Dnkota AVoninn to .Sccnru Money that Palled. Sioux FALLS. S. D. , April 11.-Special [ Telegram to.Tnc BEE.J The trial of Mrs. Deliah Thompson for Minding obscene and blackmailing letters through the mails was completed today. The testimony was Intro duced'by the government in a great mass including the confession which the prisoner made to Postolllco Inspector Fosness , prov ing beyond question that Mrs. Thompson had written all the letters which have kept the swell society of High more in a state of ferment for the past two years. Attorney Gnnderson made no attempt to rebut the evidence , but contented himself with a strong plea to the ofloct that the cul prit was insane and that her insanity was proven by the vile character of the missives. The jury was out only a short time , and re turned with a verdict of guilty on three counts. As the court in the charge to the jury look stronp grounds against her , it is ex pected that the sentence which will be pro nounced tomorrow will lie very nearly the extreme limit. The maximum penalty is J.'i.UUJ for each count and imprisonment for live years. The two sons of the convicted woman are here and arc heart-broUcu over the result. Trlpp'H Ilitrcuiii nllh Cleveland. YAXKTOX , S D. , April 11. [ Special Tele gram to THE BUE J Hon. Bartlett Tripp , envoy extraordinary and minister plenipo tentiary to Austria , reached hit , home in this city at 1 o'clock today and has already begun his arrangements for departure. He will bo accompanied to Vienna by his wife and daughter , and they expert to tto at the American residence there and fully settled b.v June 1. Judge Tripp has already quull- ijed and his visit borne is simply a vai.'ation of six weeks accorded him by the president. In his interview today Juile Tripp said tlmt it was all ar- raiijfed tielorc Mr. Cleveland's inauguration that he , Mr. Tripp. should be aK ) > inUid at torney general of the United States , a place very much to his liking , but wns nec-ossary to change that program. Then the com- miheioncrsl'ip of the general land oflice was tendered him , but hit dm'linwl tiiat. Thh > foreign appointment surprised him some what , but it suit * him very well. He bald Eckels would be confirmed" comptroller of the cur rency in spite of Tamilian ; . ' protest and that the protebt of South Dakota democrats upainst Hufrhft , Kast would avail nothing C'ommodon S Ii t OU.HUII of this < Jt.wtr . < is seeking appointment as roiiec-t r ut the post of Kltka AlasKa stands an excellent chance of appointment , says Mr Tripp , GREAT DAXCER OF A FLOOD High Water in the Missouri Doing Much Damage Near Sioux Oity. FALSE WORK OF A BRIDGE WRECKED Workmen Carried Down with thp Struc ture lint MIIIIUK * ' to MMO Their Liven After a l > c prratc III the riiuxl. Siorx Cirr , In. . April 11.-Special [ Tele- pram to Tim llEr.-The ] Missouri river hero is higher than for ye u-s The piles tram- wapor false work of the Missouri Bridge company , extending l.tkhi feet Into the river , have been carried it way. Three laborers went down with it. but all succeeded in clambering upon a rafter and were rescued a mile down the river. The loss to the com pany will aggregate several thousand dollars and a long delay will be occasioned to its bridge construction work. The water Is cutting away great areas of farm land at Sioux Bend , a few miles aliove the city , and at intervals of a few moments pieces of the Stanton and C'ovington town sites , across the river from this c-it.v. as largn as town lots have slipped into the river ] If the inroads keep up many buildings in Covlnpton will have to be moved bark from the river to I'scapo destruction. Steamboat traffic is tied up. The stream is full of logs and trees , indicating heavy inroads on the banks above the city. The current is esti mated at sixteen mile an hour and the water is still rising. Saloon Keeper * DNuppnlntiuI. Citu-iTON , la. . April 11 [ Special to TUB BEE. ] When the city election resulted in the choice of n lib.-ral mayi-mnd a majority of the councilmen with similar views , the saloon keepers were jubilant , as the prospect for a year's business with an otv-asional fine and no interference from other sources was anticipated. Their hopes that have wen fondly cherished have been blasted bv a decision rendered by Judpi Ted- ford in the district court , which has just ad journed. Injunctions have been standing- against six saloon keepers , and ut the March term of the district court County Attorney Bull asked for permanent injunctions ap.iinst the six men and three drtnrgists who had been charged with violating their permits and selling liquor as a bov.-rapo. Judge Todford ren dered decisions in all cases and granted per manent injunctions against all. Judge Tedford's decision has completely upset the plans of the joint keepers. Whether they will attempt to open up or not is a question pom-rally agitated. They have been fiphtinp the prohibition law so lonp and so bitterly that it is thought they are getting wi.-ar.v. Dellnd thr I'atlier. BOCIXE , la. , April 11. [ Special Telegram to THE BEE. ] Martin Halm of Moinpoua came into town yesterday. He was in search of medical treatment for various wounds upon his person. H" said that his daughter who works in Ituonr. accompanied b.v a youthful clerk with a dudish appearance , drove to Moinpona in a bupp } Sunday afternoon to pay the family a visit. The father refused to admit them to the paternal residence , whereupon the mother took sides with the daughter and a general family row ensued. Hahn admitted havitip used violent language toward his wife. This provoked u 20-.year-01d .son to knock the father down and trample upon him. A mob of twenty or more is taid to have collected and with buggy whips and other means of punishment they beset Habn and gave him a severe drUbbing. They took' him out of town and across the river , where it wns proposed by some to hang him to a limb until dead. The advice ol some of the cooler heads in the crowd prevailed and Hahu was released. Terrible Camot Dtipravltj- . DES MOINES , la. , April 11. [ Special Telegram - gram to THE BEE. ] One of the worst cases of depravity ever unearthed in Greene county has just come to light by the indict ment of John Mi-Namara , who lives two miles south of Scranlon. It appears from the testimony adduced that Mc- Namara some years ape married a widow who had three daughters , the youngest of whom was 11 years old. All three of the girls have given birth to illegitimate chil dren , and the youngest was only Ii ) vears old at the time. They all testify that Me- Namara is the father of their offspring In dignation is high in the neighborhood in which he lived. NcNatnara is in theuounty jail , Judge Paine having refused hiirfniail. AHsanltrd the Sup rliitriidiint. CHESTO.N. la. . April 11 fSpecml Telegram to THE BEE. ] Division Superintendent J. H. Dupgan of the Burlington was assaulted Into this afternoon b.v John and Tom Hall The assault occurred in the law office of Sullivan A : Sullivan , just after an adjournment of a meeting of thu > Creslon Ice company directors , in which both parties were in terested. Mr. Duppan was attacked with , out warning b.\ John Hall , whose brother , Tom , kept other parties from interfering with a heavy club. The parties are prom inent citizens , and the affair is causing gen eral comment. The assailants have been arrested. Superintendent Dugpan's face is badly bruised , but bo is not seriously in jured. Killed n.v f.lclitnlni ; . GENEVA , la , April 11. [ Special Telegram to THE BinMrs : ] Daniel Holdt , living one mile soutli of here , was struck by lightning and instantly killed this morning. The fatal bolt came down the chimney and followed a wire which supported the stavepipo in the corner of the room where she was sitting The only visible mark ou the bojy was a small round spot in the back of the neck where the hair was burned off. The ashes were blown out of the stove and the windows dews in the rooms were all broken. Iowa Kdltorj on a Jaunt. DES MOIXES , la. , April 11. A magnificent special train of Pullmans left here this morning , having on board KiO Iowa editors whoso objectvo ! ioitits are St. Louis , Nash ville , Louisville , Chattanooga. Atlanta , Sa vannah , Jacksonville , Pensucola and Mobile , The excursion is m charge of Lufe Young of the Iowa Capital , and George Harmr. gen eral passenger apent of the Louisville & Nashville. The trip will consume two weeks. Crop I'rciKpceth in ln a. DCS MOINBH , la. , April 11. The Iowa weather service issued today the first weather crop bulletin of the season The soil wns never in hotter condition and the bulk of the small grain is sown. The oats acreage is larger and spring wheat less than usual. Fall wheat was not Injured by the winter , but the plant is penerall.v feeble. The condition is variable. The sensim opens two weeks earlier than last year. DnhiKjnoV Kniiinellnp Work * DcHtrfiycd. DrnrtjiT. , la. . April 11. The extensive plant of the Dubuquc Enameling works , the only one of the kind in the country , was destroyed by fire this morning. The fire was the result of un u.\plu .lon of petroleum used as f uol. Two mon watching the furnaces were friphtfull.v burned , unit probabi > fataily. Loss , jftO.OOO ; insurance , 111,003. first > -prln2 Kulnt MiMoi'i-.i VALLEY , lu , April 11 iSpeclal Telegram to THE BEK. ; The first spring rains fell last night and this afternoon and were budlv tie Utxl. MKiclall.v | by grass und small grauiK. A considerable quautfty ol hail fell during thn evenluj. 11 | T I nj n Hi * 1'atnl. . C'KiiAt : HAI-II * . la . April 11. [ Specif.ITtle- pran. t" 1 UK Urn -Juhn Proskcves , who us tliii-ttn fro ; . . Us wagon yesterday by a runaway -\r.n , uiuJ from the rusuit of nil lu ancs today.