Nebraska Newspapers

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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.