r THE OMAHA DAILY BEE : SUNDAY ? NOVEMBER 26 , 1893-TWENTY PAGES. 11 Pythlacs delcbrato Their Silver ' Anniversary in ft Splendid Manner. SPEECHES OF MEMBERS AND GUESTS UUtory of Ncbrntkn l.odc > " T Shrlner Mnlie n Nlclit of It Tlio KlUs Unnco of the Week In Fra ternal Circle * . A quarter ofa century ago , when n vast proportion ot Nebraska was an uninhabited prnlrlo and but a small town dotted the spot where today stands the stately nnd prosper ous city of Omana , Pythlanlsm was first In- trotluccd west of the AUoghanlos by the or ganization of Nebraska lodgn.No. 1 , Knights of Pythias. It was early In 1803 when several promi nent residents of the modest town of Omaha conceived the Idea of the Institution of the lodge of the Knlghti of Pythias , an order which was then attracting considerable attention throughout the country. The incentive of such n movement lav In the fuel , that Pylhhinlsm it ono of the greatest orders of tlio fraternal world. Fraternity , charity and benevolence ns its foundation. Is solid and substantial nnd will stand as long ns the civilized world. ' .The work of this fraternity is Interesting , Instructive nnd ennobling. During the discussion of the proposition to plant In the mid-west the llrst ledge of the order west ot Jtho Alloghanlcs none amotiir the promoters were more cnthu < nstii ) nnd active than George II. Cragcr. His /cal and enthusiasm hud the desired clfect anil the preliminary meeting was held August in. Application was made to the supreme chancellor for a dispensation. The same was irrnntcd atid the lodge was named Nebraska "No. 1. When the dispensation was Issued , by the supreme chancelloi it was tn the following : George II. Cragcr Edwin Davis , Edwin Stantoti , U F. Babcock C. Skinner , J. 12. Ncal , J. Monlcr , John Taylor and Tlioiniii C. Urunor. To enable them to establish the ledge In a propci manner and upon n sound basis the mom uers secured n loan of $150. The lodgi was duly organized November 211 o the same yoir and It was startcc upon : i perpetual and successful llfo. Th Jlrst ofllcurs were us follows : Edwin Davis C. U.Ulmrlos ; Skinner , V. C. : Dr. U F Uabcock , 1C. 11. nnd S. ; Edwin Stanton , M F. ; T. U. limner. M. E. ; J. E. Ncal , M. a A. : II. A. Monlor , I. G. ; John Taylor. O. G These who desired to avail themselves of the privileges of the membership in No. 1 in lbG8 were not nearly so numerous ns is the case today , owing to the less popu lous community. It was rather on uphill undertaking to keep the ledge from sinking Into n state of Inactivity and it required constant prodding to keep some of the lag ging members from slldlntr backwards. However , the lodge weathered the storms of adversity and achieved magnificent success. During ISC'J ' the membership was slightly In creased nnd the attendance at meetings was very good. The first recorded effort of any lodge to compel its ofilccrs to memorize- rituul was by No. 1 In January , ISO'.l. January 21 of the same year the lodge conceived the luea of nn investment in printers' ink. The schcmo was a good ono , but it failed in the nccom- nllshmunt of Its purpose. Complimentary invitations were tendered nnd ns quickly ac cepted by the editors of Omaha's thrco dally newspapers , Republican , Herald and Times. Free advertising was looked for as n return of the compliment. It was not thus , how- over. This ledge has always been foremost in Joining in the celebration of Important events for Omaha. Whcn'on May 10. 1SGU , 1lm . .ttlvnna nf Om'itin nnli\hfntori thn rnm. plotitlon of the Pacific railway. No. 1 par ticipated and over forty knights were in line under David Carter. Charles Skinner served the first term of the year as chancellor commander and Uou- 1 iiov Dutchcr the second term. For the year 13TO George W. Stallsnllth served the llrst term and T. J. J ano the second. Mr. Lane was rc-elcctcd for the first term In 1871. David Kobortson served the second. J. S. Shropshire was the pre siding officer during 1873 and for the first term of 1S73. T. C. Brunor filled the second. During these years the membership increased - creased slightly nnd the ledge was In a prosperous - porous condition , considering that it was in the pioneer days when membership material was not too plentiful. History docs not record n cry of distress that has gone unheeded by No. 1 , whether n knight or his family required assistance. It was No. 1 that promptly wont to the assist ance of the grand ledge when it was finan cially embarrassed in its infancy. Also in 1873. when the supreme lodge was in straightened circumstances , a per capita from the members of 25 cents each was levied. The ledge has always promptly mot the assessments of the grand lodge , no mat' tor how largo. In 1874 the necessary paraphernalia to work the amplified rank \ras purchased by No. 1 , the first ledge In the state to work that rank and the first knight charged was Judge Gustavo Anderson. At thu annual session of the grand ledge held In Omaha In ISM , No. 1 exemplified the ritualistic work of the order nnd was com plimented by the grand lodgo. The llrst movement toward the Introduc tion of the uniform rank was in 1SS2 , and It was successful. Durlntr the intervening years from 1874 to 18S1 the membership fluctuated perceptibly. The ledge , however , prospered In many ways. The chancellor commanders were for Uioso years : John J. Moncll , D. G. Ander son , E. O. Hylcy , C. E. Reynolds aim E. D. McLaughlin , From January 1 , 1883 , C. K. Coleman piloted the lodga along for three years , serving in the capacity for a longer time than any of his predecessors or successors. For the suc ceeding years the chancellor commanders were S. M. Wllcox , J. W. Lounsbury. J. II. Gibson , C. M. Dinsmoor , W. S. Spencer , H. B. Iroy , John Hnyward , J. W. Malonc , George A.Magnoy. During 1893 the loclgo experienced a most prosperous year , and the membership reached 177. This record will bo eclipsed by that of lo'J3 , under the aolo leadership ot M. Ij. Rood or. During' its quarter of a century of llfo the loOgo found a home In many places. It was organized in Good Templars hall , 1U19 Uotic- las street. For a number of years meetings were held In Brown's hall , southeast corner of Fourteenth and Douglas , nnd afterward in n hall on Farnam stroot. From there the lodge was removed to Central hall on Four tceuthstrcot. Thonextchango was to Boyd's old theater , and quarters were retained there until I'.ythlun hall , In the 1'nxton block , was completed. .Meetings nro now held there AVeilnesday evenings. The nioiiborshipof No , 1 embraces semi of the bent and most honored residents o this community and nro Identified with tin business and commercial interests of tin city.With With n record of n quarter of a century o llfo Nnbrnslca ledge No. I stands In the ful vigor of its achievements. It has wcath creU the * storms of adversity and comes from muter1 strong in pros pcrlty , It was but proper and right that-its silver anniversary should bo the occasion for feasting nud u timely commemoration of Us birth and existence. Thursday availing 00 knights and their ladles , with distinguished visitors and spokesmen , gathered about the banquet board at the rooms of the Commer cial club. The club rooms were thrown into , a slnglo apartment , which was none too largo to hold the throng of guests. The large tables were tastefully bedecked with potted plants and shining glasses. An orchestra discoursed excellent music. Tlio earlier part of thoovenlng was spent in forming new acquaintances and renewing old associations , in which the reception coin- niltloo performed a huppv part. At UUO : o'cloou Grand Chancellor M. L. Hoeder led the way into the dining room , where the next hour was passed In discussing a menu of exceptional merit. The culslno and ser vice wuro of the best. After the coffee had been surved the guests were in a hnppy mood to listen to the somewhat lengthy , program of toasts which followed , The address of welcomn was delivered by Mr Iloednr , who compared the circle around the table to that which , centuries ago , had graced King Arthur's round table. In the old tlnio , as now , all were of ono heart and ono mind , tnus proving , according to the pre cepts of 1'ythiauUm , that in union was power. Tiio knight * of old were the colors of their lady lover on their coat * of wall , to give them courage In battle and to over remind - i mind them of the sacrcdness ot the conflict In which they wore about to engage. Today wo wear the pictures of our ladles In our hearts i her colors are those of modesty and honor , worn a * swcot symbols of tender -de votion. Mr. Hodcr then briefly reviewed the history of tlio lodge. iMajor Bomlsrosoin behalf of "Omaha. " A the representative Of the city he extended to tlio ledge congratulations on the prdspcr- ity that had attended Its twenty-five years of life. He should remember this anniver sary not only on account of the occasion Itself , but because the day was nl o the sil ver anniversary of his firstarrlval In Omaha. In the bond ot union that was the founda tion of the order was found a principle that was equally essential in municipal affairs. Union was necessary to protect the city from corruption and corporations and pas companies as well. "The Supreme Iugo" > was responded to by Hlchard O'Neill , supreme representative. Mr. O'Neill said that the history of the supreme premo ledge was the history of every suc cessful organization. It had met with many barriers to Its progress nnd had proudly surmounted them all. There was no lodno in the United States that had taKcn ns active a part In the af fairs of the supreme lodge as had Nebraska lodge No. 1. The first resolution to organize the uniformed rank was introduced by John J. Monull of Omaha. When dissension had menaced thu life of the supreme ledge an Omaha man hud stepped In , and by his voice nnd Influence restored harmony and paved the way for continued prosperity. When it became evident that the ritual was inade quate to the necessities of the order , Mr. E. E. French of Omnlm had remodeled It and adopted It to the enlarged field of the orcnnlzatlou. II. D. Eitnbrook spoke In behalf of "Thoso Who Have I ovcr Hidden the Goat. " The ether toasts were : "Tho Homo and the Lodge , " J. J. Moncll ; "The Knight of the Nineteenth Century. " Mrs. Ella W. I'cattlo ; "The Future of Pythianlsm. " W. S. Hamilton , P. G. 0. ; "Friendship , Charity nd Benevolence , " Her. J. G. Tate ; "Tho Beneficence of the Flag , " T. B. Mlnahan ; "Tho Ladles , " W. F. Bochel , I > . C. Thny I'uunil the Mure. The beautiful , pinky-eyed , sllky-lmircd , long-cared Day Marc , the prldo of the sul tana , which had wandered nwny from the sacred precincts of langlcr temple , Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shnno , Into the desert about Tangier , was recovered Friday and the twenty-six candidates for mystic orders were permitted to look upon the sacred animal , us sacred to Shrlncrs us the white elephant to the Siamese. Wasted in Its long fust amid the sands of the desert , the beast was mild and gentle and the novitiates formed n strange liking for the newest gift from the sultan to Tangier tnmnln. M'hn ilnsnrt sands blazed hot and the caravan which set out at 5 o'clock Friday evening to reach the shrine was ono of the largest tnat ever crossed the mlrage- bauntcd wastes. Twenty-six of the unro- gcncratcd sons of the desert were shown the beauties of the holy of holies and safely Invested with the star and crescent. Accompanying the caravan were thirty-five nobles from Sesostrls , Lin coln , under the chaperonage of Attorney General Hastings , twenty nobles from El- kablr , Davenport , white along the wav the procession was Joined by nobles from Kaaba and other nearby cities of the orient , comate to worship at Tangier's temple. After the ceremonies , which wore of a high order of merit. 230 nobles sat down to the tables loaded with milk and honey , with meat from the breast of the ibcs , and then the bi ? men of the different temples talked , nnd the talk was llko unto the sweet ( lowing of mountain streams , fresh and very lovely to the tired feet of the newly init iated. Poems were read by Nobles Robert French of Koi'moy and L. M. Hheom of Omaha ; speeches were made by Attorney Hastings and a Swede noble , Mr. Shepherd of Lincoln , told of his visit to the Midway plalsancc. There was sweet music by a quartet of well-tuned vocalists , and the nlcht was made joyous by the siren voices of the sacred sjhlnxs. Tha itl < Dance. The members of Omaha lodge , Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks , enjoyed them selves Thursday evening at Chambers' Dancing academy and treated their ladles tea a pleasant evening. Dancing was the order and the pastime was enjoyed until a late hour. The members very generally re sponded nnd the event was a success. Each month the'Elks give un entertain ment , a now committee being in charge of each. Considerable rivalry has sprunc up and each committee is endeavoring to outdo the others. Improved Order of Itcd Men. Yah-nun-dah-sls tribe No. 2 , assembled In the wigwam In the Continental forest on the sleep of the 20th sun , to congratulate the past sachem , J. II. Flannagan , on his elec tion to the chair of the great stichom of this state by the great council of Nebraska , hold at Lincoln last wek. This is not only an honor to Yah-nun-dah- sis tribe No. 1 , nnd to the other tribes of thU reservation , but to J. H. Flunuagnn , whoso untiring exertions for the order has succeeded in establishing it on a firm foot hold , with ether secret orders of this state ; also to show their appreciation of his knowl edge and efficiency in conducting his ofllco as great chief of records for the last great sun of the great council of Nebraska. Speeches were Indulged In b.v the mem bers , nnd at the call of the great sachem , Mr. Flanmigan made a very appropriate speech , thanking the brothers for their con gratulations mid urging the trlbo to renewed vigor In attendance nnd in bringing new palo faces into the tribe r also a perfect knowlcdgo of the ritual ana the working of the decrees so that with pride ho could say to thorn , well done. After the council llro'was quenched the brothers returned to their homes well satisfied with the events of the evening , and at the elec tion of olltcors on the " 7Hi sleep of bover moon ( hey hope to sco officers elected who will attend regular to the advancement of the order. DIED OF HIS INJURIES. Cd Collliu' Victim Die * from the lifTecta of Die bhootlnc. Louis McPherson died at the county hos pital tit 4 o'clock yesterday morning ajid the remains were at once convoyed to the morgue , Thodead man was shot tit Volley last Satur day night and was brought to this city for treatment. At the time of the shooting Me Phcrson and his friend D.ilo , were standing by a coal car Intending to steal n sack of fuel. Before they had curried their Inten tions into effect a shot was flrod , and Mc- Phcrson dropped to the ground with a bullet in his head , The Injured man was brought to Omaha and placed in thn county hospital. Dilo , the man who WAS with him , was hold as a wit ness nnd Ed Collins , ono of the toughs of Valley , was locked up for doing tlio shooting. In his dying statement MoPherson said that Dale did not shoot him , and thus all the sus picion rests on Collins , who U now In the county Jail. The pollco glvo Collins n bad niuno , as ho has been arrested in Omaha several times. It Is the opinion of two of the spccla agents of the Union Pacific who were in Valley that night that Collins was after ; them because they had caused his nrres several times for stealing from cars lof standing on the tracks at Valley. It hap pened that these railway detectives gave il out that they would leave on a certain train but , for sonio reason best known to them elv s , did not do so. They think that Col llus mistook Dale and McPherson for th railroad detectives and shot to kill. At noon yesterday the coroner had a post mortem on the remains , which was con ducted by Surgeon J. E. Summers. Several I otnor physicians . .were present. After the i ikull cau had been removed un examination of the bruin was mnaoand part of the bullet t was found , Hemorrhage of the "brain had I set in and the surgeon remarked after examining the brain that nothing could 1 huvo saved tbo patient. An Inquest will bo ncld Monday. Acquitted Alter 31 ore Than Two Yeari. LVXKOK , Kan. , Nov. 25. The Jury in the case of Fred Tucker , charged with murder in causing tbo death of four persons by wrecking a Santa Fo train at Barclay on August Si , 18U1 , yesterday brought in a ver dict of not guilty. The jury , it is laid , was of the opinion that Tucker had nothing to do with the wreck , but the evidence , it i ) claimed , showed that tba wreck was inten tional. JUDGE FERGUSON'S ' DECISION After Several Years of Litigation Over Owe , Omaha Holds the Sack , DOUGLAS STREET GRADE CASE DECIDED Foreman ItnUi That the Aue < - mcnr l'rncecillnc Wore Irregular nml Voltl tlnclco Scott Drcldei Upon the 1'jty ot City Il cUtr ri. The Douglas street grade cases have been disposed of , so far as the courts ot this county arc concerned , Judge Ferguson hav ing hold that on account ot irregularities in appraising damages , assessing benefits and levying taxes the city of Omaha Is perpetu ally cniolnrd from collecting the tax which the council , sitting ns a board of cquallziv tlon , assessed against property that was not bonellted by the change of grade of the street. * Anna Meredith was the owner of a lot sit uated at the northeast corner of Twentieth and D-wlgo streets , and Joining with ether property owners who were off of Douglas , the street on which it was proposed to change the grade , she protested against the award of the appraisers , Augustus Pratt , W. A. Gardner and Gcorgo C. Uassett , who assessed the sum of WU12 against blocks 108. UH , 110,114 , llf. and 110. During the year 1891 the council , sitting as n board of equalization , levied a tax upon all of the property from Eighth to the west end of Douglas street and upon the in tersecting streets between Dodge nud Farnam. This took In THE BBB building and the Now York Llfo property , and at once the owners of these two buildings , who had been assessed benefits in the sum of &WO , each appealed from the award and asked for n reassessment. E. W. Slmeral was employed to look after the case and in the courts secured an injunction restraining the collection of the tax so levied. As a re sult of the finding of the court the council ordered another assessment nnd the appraisers went to work again , this time omitting from their assessment all of the Douglas street property east of Fourteenth street , the Life and THE Bnr buildings , but taking In some additional Dodge and Farnam street lots. By reason of the new assessment the lots owned bv Anna Meredith and located on Dodge street were assessed for benefits. Not being able to figure out how she was benefited she emplopod E. W. Slmeral nnd tnaf t-iinlnil lum t.n Hirht- the rimn. tn thft tmd. Other suits were talked of , but. bv a com promise. It was decided that the decision in the Meredith case should govern in all mat ter where the points at issue were prac tically the samo. On December ! H , 181W , this case was commenced by Anna Meredith securing the temporary restraining order , which later on was argued on an application lor a perpetual injunction. The grounds on which the order was asked were that the appraisers return did not state that in awarding damages , benefits , if any there were , were taken Into consideration , as required by the charter. Another reason for asking the perpetual order was that as the appraisers had declared that the lot of the plaintiff was damaged the council had no Jurisdiction for assessing it for benefits. This position was sustained by Judge Ferguson in giving his opinion nnd what the result will bo is hard to toll , as It is a fact that the owners of some of the lots sittmted similar to the ono which brought abou tints legal controversy have paid their tax into the city treasury. Whether they will sue to recover the money or let the matter drop Is a question which is now agitatintr the city. city.Originally Originally , when the damages were paid , the money to pay the same was advanced by the telephone company nnd A. J. Hanseom , but it has slnco been paid back , the city hop ing to collect from the lot owners who have | been IntercsteU in tharoutcomo of the suit which has just been decided. This decision has left the city holding thn saclc , as it will have to foot the bills unless the supreme court should reverse Judge Ferguson. This suit docs not in any way Involve the question of the pay for the grading of Doug las street , but simply effects the payment of the expenses and costs arising from the change of the grado. PAY Of ICUUl&TUARS. Soott Interprets the Law and De cides it Test On DC. From this time on registrars of election will know where they aroat _ and what com pensation they will receive for their serv ices , ns Judge Scott of the law court has decided a case which settles the matter for all time to como , provided the defeated party docs not go to the supreme court and a reversal of the judgment is ordered. Jn the fall of 1801 Adolpb Landor- grcon was appointed a registrar of election for the period of one year , ana ns such ofllcer , ho duly qualified. Durlnc the early summer of 1892 the city council ordered n special electionin order to allow the voters of Omaha to cast their ballots for or against the proposition to vote bonus in aia of tno Nebraska Central railway scheme. For three days preceding the holding of this election , tnat tno voters of the city might bo registered and that the registration lists might be revised for the November election , the registrars sat in eighty-eight election districts in the city. As such registrars they < : onimonccd their labors at 8 o'clock in the morning and con tinued until ! ) o'clock at night. When the bills of these registrars reached tbo council , they were allowed $9 each , or S3 per day. Most of the mon accepted the monov , but Adolph Landergrccn refused the tender , claiming that as a registrar , ho was working unUor the eight hour law of the states ; that ho was entitled to $3 per day for each eight hours of tno thrco days and double pav for all over time. This bill the city refused to pay after which Landergreon for himself and for nearly 100 of the other registrars , brought suit against the city , each man claiming $20,25 for the oxtiu tiuio over and above the eleht hours. To the petition the city , through Its legal representatives demurred , and the case was argued before Judge Scott something llko a year ago. In passing upon the case yesterday , Judge Scott quoted the provisions of the eight hour law and then said , "It will not bo con tended that the plaintiff performed the work ot n merchant , nnd hence ho does not coma within the terms of'tho descriptive word , "merchant , " as used in the act. The work did not involve the art of construction , nor require ono skilled In mechanical art or occupation , nor was the plaintiff n servant within the meaning of the terra as applied In the act. "Tho.plaintiff was not nn employe of the city , out was un appointee of the city coun cil , his componsaton , ' duties and duration ol service being llxod by law nnd not by ap pointing power. Ho was appointed to per form onlclnl , oxccutivo , judicial and minis terial duties for tha electors within the precinct , which uutlcs were defined by law. law."The "The plaintiff was not a laborer within the meaning of tha term , but was a public ofllcer and could not bo removed except for cause , and as such an ofllcor ho took the onli'Iul oath , not the oath of n servant mechanic or laborer , but as an oftlcmf of the city , Every net and auty required of hln was an oftlclalactor duty , under on oftlcln oath. Whatever clerical or scrivener work he performed was a part of his official duty , as much as passing Judgment uion | the right of'an appllcan to bo registered , ordering the arrest o aUturbors of the peace at tno place of regls tratlon. The duration of his official services was fixed by law , as well as was the com ponsntlon which ho was to receive. As a public ofllcer of the state the plaintiff i entitled to recover the salary provided b ; law , (3 per day , moaiurod from 8 o'clock li the morning uncll U o'clock at night. "In this case the plaintiff docs not com within the law defining1 a legal day's work t' ' bo eight hours , as that law docs not appl , to nor Include public officials. Any othe construction would bo unauthorized and un warranted. His salary as such publlooOlccr and measure c ? time of lorvlco U ilxcd by tbo law that created the onico and cannot be increased , changed or diminished , save by the enacting power of the state , "The petition docs not state f acts sufficient to constitute a cause of action and the de- murrer is therefore sustained. " New riumblnc Ordinance. Tlio new plumbing ordinance is in the hands of the commtttcHon sewers and will undoubtedly bo returntll to the council with recommendation that It do pass. Tills or dinance provides forand creates the office of plumbing Inspector apft' assistant plumbing inspector , and fixes the salaries at tl.SOO nd $1,500 , each. NJ&nb shall bo eligible to Ithorof the positions unless having served , n apprenticeship of thrco years at thb rndo of plumbing and .houso drainage , and n addition shall Tiara been actively engaged n the business of plumbing and housedrain- igo as n master plumber , Journeyman number or plumbing Inspector continuously or the last five ycarsrnbst preceding tils an- > ointmont. Before.'entering upon the dis- ihargo of their duties they shall each exe cute u bond In the sum ot $3,000 , conditioned jpon the faithful performance of their "utlcs. The plumClne Inspector shall have the en- 'orchil ? of all ordinances relating to plumbIng - Ing and house drainage insldo of lot lines , abject to the directions of the Board of Icalth. Hu shall also keep a correct record f all Inspections in ml a in such manner as tn easily accessible at nil tlinrs , He shall nave the right during business hours to jnter upon any premises In the discharge of Ills duties , and ho shall cause the arrest of Any person found violating ordinances over which ho has supervision , The assistant plumbing inspector shall act under the direction of the plumbing inspector , nnd shnll have llko authority as the plumbing in- ipoctor , nnd in the absence of the plumbing .nspector shall have full authority to net as such uhd perform all tlio duties of such officer. Both officers shall bo appointed by the mayor nnd bo confirmed by the council. A new system will bo Inaugurated In the office when the now ordinance becomes a law , tn case It does , A complete record ot' all Inspections made will bo shown by n. diagram of the promise ? . These diagrams will bo shown in n book kept for tlio pur pose , and n glance at the same and the spcci- [ icatlans and explanations will show the plan ot the plumbing and the defects it there bo any. The salary of the plumbing Inspector is increased $300 over what It Is now , placing the same b.iclc at the old figures. The salary 'was ' reduced nearly two years ago. "Sliding hcnln" HUM Don't Go. Yesterday morning Judge Walton of the oquit ] court passed upon the meaning of n sliding scale , as applied to bids , and bidders who seek tosecure contracts for the furnish ing of supplies and materials to cities and counties. Something llko a year ago the county com missloncrs of this county asked for bids for the year for furnishing piling for bridges , hard and soft wood lumber. There wore three bidders , Kaymond Bros. , Charles Leo and C. Li. Chnffee. When the bids were opened it was found that Haymond Bros , were the lowest on the piling , L.CO the lowest on the haul wood and Chnffoo the lowest on the pine lumber , though all of the men had bid upon all of the material. In awarding the contract , each man was given what ho was the lowest bidder on furnish ing. Chaffcc- refused to accept the award , claiming that he was the lowest in the ag gregate , and tnat therefore ho was entitled to the whole of the contract. Ho sued the county , bringing mandamus proceedings and alleging that the .commissioners had no authority to separate- the bids , picking out any particular nrtlclo upon which any com petitor might bo thp lowest. The commissioners hold his $100 forfeit check and ansxyered , claiming that they could tudopt tfib . .sliding plan and piokout the low articles and award the contract in accordance with thp findings. Yesterday Judge Walton decided the case , holding- that Chaffce would" forfeit his $100 if ho failed to slgnrtho contract Mid accept the award of the commissioners. Ho also hold that when a number of bidders s ib- mittlng bids upon a number of articles the commissioner had1 the authority to select such articles upon which any contractor bid low and award him the contract. Young's 1'nper Not Good. The courts of this county have decided that deeds which come via Brigham Younjt and the Mormon church are not worth the paper upon which' tK'cy were written. Long years ago when Young and the other Mormon elders hold full and undisputed sway at Florence , they entered a largo plot of land where the town now stands. When they pulled up stakes and emigrated to Utah they loft the land behind. After that and in the name of the church of the Latter Day Saints , Brigham Young deeded the lauds and lots to parties who would accept the title. Some of the land was squatted upon by people who would not contribute to tho. tithing house fund , and among thcso parties was Alfred Woolfo , who some twenty years ago built a house and took possession of a block of laud right in the heart of the little city , whom for ten years ho held undisputed possession. A few years ago . V. G. Langtry got ono of the Young deeds to this tract and commenced an ejectment suit. The case was fought ut > and down all of the courts , but a trial was never reached until a few days ago , when the hearing came on before Judge Dufllc. After the arguments had beea completed , the case was taken under advisement and was decided this morning the court holdinc that Woolfo was the legal owner ot the tract nnd that the deeds from Young and the ether Mormon elders wore void. This is regarded ono of the most Im- joitunt decisions hanucd down In many.n Juy , as much of the Florence property lias hcso Mormon deeds hanging over the title. Stilt for D. E. McMurray 1ms sued Henry Flitter in nn notion to recover the sum of $2,500 dam ages. lie alleges that not long ago ho was running u meat market , where he was doing : t prosperous business , Ho rented the buildIng - Ing of the defendant and avers that not long since tnat this same defendant broke down , he door , entered tlio store nud took into his lossossion all of tlio appliances for running ho market. rjC2'.1l ! > Oil' J.JIE U ible Musses iot Charred Fleg'.i Taken from tlio Knltit ( it Dutrolt , DETUOIT , Nov. 23. Throe bodies have now been recovered from the ruins of the EJson , Moore & Co. building , which was burned Thur&day , and two others are supposed to be burled beneath the mass of debris. None of the bodies have been positively identified , but the remains found yesterday are now be- llovcd to bo these of P. J. Parkoy and these this morning of Edward Genther and Ed ward Viol , A large force 6f men is engaged night nnd day In clearing away the rub bish , but it may bo , several days before the romuluins bodies arp discovered , Mill Helen 'rioulii'w Intended. CHICAGO. Nov.2S1 / Railroad men hero seem to think Mips Helen Gould intends to wed L. S. Thorno , third vice president of tlio Texas PaeiildiTallro.id , to whom Miss Gould Is reported , to bo engaged , "I know Mr. Tliorno well , " said Mr , J. E. Ennis , division passenger agent ot the Missouri Pacific uud Texas Pacific rands , I think very llk'ely ho may marry Mlts Gould and I knoiv * that when Jay Gould and his daughter visited El Paso , Mr. Thorno and the Goulds wore always together. Ho is very friendly wlth'the Gould family and the story that ho is to murry Miss Gould Is not at all unlikely. " ' Doctor * Iliiit u Hand In It. ' SEATTLE , Nov. 23. Hannah Whltnall , whoso mysterious death has caused a sensa tion at Mason City , la. , died In this city No vember 13. She came hero on that date with hfir foster parents. Mr. and Mrs. .George Pollock , and they stopped at the Now En gland hotel. That night ho died in convul sions and the fact became known that she was about to become a mother. The Pol locks were greatly astonished at the dis closure of her condition and when she was dying threatened to leave her to her fate. They relented , however , and when she died had nor body embalmed and burled. The physicians held n post-mortem and removed the child , of uhch | they kept possession without informing the Pollocks. 'J'ho body was exhumed and sent to Mason City , where Investigation caused tha discovery of the fact that the child was mlssm ? . The ofll clala thuro bcllavo the girl to have been poisoned , and have asked the Seattle oftl dais to investigate. SHALL make your overcoat ? irnol WHY NOT ! ' DO YOU KNOW how fair our prices arc ? That we 'do the largest tailoring business in the world ! That we have large and busy stores in all the principal cities in'America ! That we buy for cash you know that this enables us to give you the most for the least money. . ' v That we sell for cash only ( you'll have no one else's loss to pay ) , That we can , and do make an excellent Overcoait or Ulster GilftrantcolnB Dt , trimming nud workmanship from a largo variety of fabric * . That for ยง 25 to $30 we'll 'make an overcoat silk satin or wool-lined , that you can't duplicare for Itfss than $40. That our BUSINESS SUITS TO ORDER AT $20 arc selling so rapidly that the best patterns will soon be gone. That the Trousers at $5.00 will tempt you to buy two pair. Our chance is good if you know all this. Nonresidents address x- 201 151 our Mail Order Departm't I KARBACH BLOCK. V.ERN1E COY'S GREAT PLUNGE I'cll Ilcndtone Nrnrfy Seventy Pcot , Iliit Iiln H > Toll tlia Title. Vornlo Coy , the 18-year-old boy , who has boon employed as elevator conductor at the Merchants National bank building for the past eight mouths , will have a story of per sonal experience to tell for the remainder of hls.lifo that can bo equaled by few and probably excelled by none , for ho look a sheer fall of sixty-eight feet down the ele vator shaft Friday evening ami is not only allvo today but is able to toll how It hap pened. A Bun reporter called yesterday to see him at his home at 1044 South Thirty-fourtn street and found him in boil , suffering quite a little pain , but perfectly rational and able to tell what ho Knew about the accident. He said that ho left tha elevator at the fifth iloor for a few moments , and when ho re turned ho found that the cage had "crept up" during his absence and that the bottom of It w.xs about even with the top of the elevator door. lie opened the door nnd took hold of the wire rope governing the movements of the cage and pulled it a little in order to bring it back to the fifth floor , but It seems that in his hurry , or because of the dim light ho caught hold of the wrong rope or pulled it , the wrong way , for the oago shot up , ami his hand was Knocked off the roue by coming in contact witn the screen surrounding the shaft. This caused him to lese his balance , and he plunged headlong down the snaft. Of what happened for some time after that , _ ho has no recollection , and whatever sensa tion ho may , have experienced during that fearful fall is now completely lost to him , for it "seemed to take his breath awav right at the start , " and he only realized that ho was whirling around. It is quite certain , however , that he struck the sides of tbo shaft at least twice during the descent , the sfatemont of a boy who was on the fourth floor being to the effect that Coy struck the further side of the shaft just after ho fell , and ho also struck the opposlto side at the second Iloor , there having been auQlciontof n rebound to throw him across the shaft. This contact again deflected his course to the further side , and to this fact is undoubtedly duo his escape from an instant death , as it caused him to barely miss falling on the eight inch water pipe that runs diagonally across the bottom of the shaft. There Is nothing on the sides of the shaft on which ho could have caught to materially break his fall , and it could hardly have been retarded except by the friction of the falling body by contact with a vertical wall. The space in the cellar , directly under the sljflft , is needed for machinery and it was because of this that instead of allowing the shaft to continue to the concrete flooring n platform floor had been constructed across the bottom of the shaft between the bottom of the cellar and the floor of the basement , so that it was upon this board flooring that young Coy landed after making his aero- nnutic trip without the aid of a parachute. The floor is constructed ot inch boards , covered with zinc , nnd laid upon six 2x ( > stringers , sevoif feet long. Everyone ottho JxOs was broken. Ono was snapped squarely In two in the middle , another was split Its entire length and thcothcrs were ns badly split and splintered as if they hud gone through n railroad wreck , while the entire leer was Knocked out of Its original position. Janitor Luther was going up the stairway vhcn the accident occurred , and when the body whirled past him ho thought that the cage had broken loose nnd fallen , Ho hur ried down , and In company with the iugilioer opened the basement door at the bottom of the shaft , then discovering that the aerolite had been n human body. The boy was gro.inlnir , but conscious , and when asked , "Vemle , Is that you , " replied."Yes. " A doctor was hurriedly called ami the in jured youth was examined and taken homo , where ho was given an anaesthetic , nnd he slept much of the night. Yesterday the nYirati'isui mmln n. niora comnleta examina tion and found that two ribs had been torn from their fastening. ! , the second too on the lott foot was broken nnd tlio back of the vic tim was n continuous bruise. A small bruise was npp'iijent on the forehead and a lump appeared on tlio sldo of the head , but there were no other outward indications of injury , although it was apparent that there were internal injuries , but their extent could not bo determined. The indications were , however , that the young man would rapidly recover unless un expected complications developed. It Is statsd that young Coy Is n Young Men's Christian association gymnasium boy , nnd some of his follow athletes advance tjio opinion that when ho foil ho Instinctively pulled himself together and lauded on his back tn a compact ball , Instead of with arms nnd legs extended , and that this explains the fact that ho escaped without broken limbs. Coy has been regarded by the tenants of the building as n very careful boy , much more so than any of his predecessors , and it was regretfully commented on that ho should bo the ono to suffer in this way , us ho was very popular with the people who wore hit regular passengers , Death of U. .1. llniillojr. O. J , Bradley died at noon yesterday at his rooms at COO North Seventeenth street. A number of years ago Bradley was a member of the Omaha police force , but for ( ho last few years ho has served business houses on Farnam street by acting as private watch man , The deceased was well known in the city and had many friends. Though nearly 50 years ol.ago ho was active and attentive to his business and was respected by those who know him. Heart fnluro ( Is supposed to bo the cause of death. The body Is at Maul's , awaiting Instructions from relatives in the cast , bhot and Killed Illi Son. MATIIOK , O. , Nov , 20. Charles Brundlgo , a prominent farmer of southern Marlon county , murdered his 21-year-old son , James Bruudlgc , early this morning by shooting him with a shotgun. The affair Is said to have resulted from a quarrel. Only yester day the venerable tuther ot the murderer w s laid in his grave. STERLING VENTILATOR TH E OF AIR TIGHT OAK STOVES ; ALL PRICES AND-SIZES. . RANGES From$22to$5O > STOVES Specially Reduced' TO Hard Times Prices. We know what the people want , and are giving it to them. DOUGLRSST. ing OF OMAHA. ABSOLUTELY INCANDESCENT FIRE PROOF , ELECTRIC LIGHTS PERFECT NOT A-DARK VENTILATION OFFICE IN THE BUILDING NIGHT AND DAY ELEVATOR 68 VAULT , ? , SERVICE , DIRECTORY OCCLJPAN-TS : BASEMENT FLOOR : CV TRUST COMPANY. Mortgigo .ion i-RiNTiNO co. 1,0 IMS. Sl'El'lIKN A. ORUWB. lluffot , WYOKOKK. SHAMANS & ni.NKDIOT , Horn- R. U CAMl'ltHLU , Court Rotunda , Clears anl liintnii Pypowrlturs nnd SiiDpllua. Tobacco. I'OUKST l v.Viji ! \IK rnjlr ASSOCIATION THP. OMAHA LOAN AND R IJIMMNd AS * \VAI/riiC : KMMON.S. llarbor Bliop. KOOIATION. O. M. NnUliiKfir. Hocrotury. UMAHAllKAh Udi'Al'K AM ) TUOdT O3. MIITUAI , LOAN AND RUIliDlNU AHSO- CIATION. FIRST FLOOR : nun misiNnss orpicrx P. P. niCnNRHUO. Kroseo P.ilntor AMKIIWAN WATBll-WUItlvS COMPANY. SUl'niUNTttNDKNJ.1 HKK IIUIUHNO. , IMtANO \ , . HIMIVKH ft CO , . Control-tort. N UNION THli BORA I'll OiVlOEl OIMTKAI , COMMITTM * SECOND FLOOR. MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL Ml'H I.SSUIt- IIARTMAN ft RonniNS. AMK CO. C. HARTMAN. Insimotor I'lro Inmiranoa. C. H. KMUTTER , haw Ollloo. MANHATTAN LWR INHURANOB CO. ISAAC A U A MS. LawOniou. II. A.WAUNKU , A oiitUnltu.lHUt * * Acoldont flit. UIIAIlljK.S UOSIUVATKK. Inbiir 11103 Co. CHRISTIAN .SOIENCi : KlSAIMHa ROOMS. DR. .1. H. IMtCHNKMi. NtHo nwl Ttiroat. .1. W. HQtIIItll l.oiins. IWMTAIK.U MlOri ASiURANOB bOOJEIY. UKO. K. TUUIUNOl'ON Attornoy-at-Liw , JOHN \VAICKKIEhU \ , Uimbor. THIRD FLOOR. II M. PATRICK. I.uw Olives. KQUITY COURT. Itoom NO. 0 UMTEII STATES MIT. INfllJUAN'O 00. PROVIDENT riAVlf OS MI-'C CO. ANIJUJ-AMr.RlUAN MORTOAun & Jilt. ( i. R. I'A'L'TtiN. DontlHt. COMPANY. TUB riltANT ASPUAI/r PAVINO AND. 1)11.0. S IIOIWAN. SLAOOUTIIIOCO. U. H. TIlAUKIlMANAUorney. RKORUB U .SMITH. Justice of the I'uaoo. KQUITY COURT. Room NO. 7. OKNTRAh LOAN AMI TRUST OO. 13. W. BIMHRAU WM. 8IMKRAU I.nw Offices , FOURTH FLOOR. MUTIIAI. urn AND CONNECTICUT MUTUAL LIFE INSDIU : AUK uo. ANCK CO. W A. WEU8TKH. lloal Hstnto. fiTAI'M'.TON LAND CO. WKI1&TKU. HOWAltl ) ft Co. , Kiro l/siuanoe. PiNN : MUTUAL UKK INSURANCE CO. HAMMOND TyPKWIUTKU CO. OMAHA TITLE AND INDEMNITY 00. J. I > . llliAOK , Olvll KiiKlncor. . A. M. IIOl'KINH. Court S-oriosruphsr. O. W. SUI'riiCO. , Solloltoruof lUtonts. INTERNATIONAL IMJULISIUNU ANI11'OR. STANDAUD ACfilOUNT 1NSUUANOI- . , ' I'oroy II. Kurd , Agent. . LEOriNQ AND HEPOIITINO. DIt.OltANTOUI-l/i.MOUnOoii'.lbtand AurloU AQUN'oy. OMAHA COAI < i ; > : on.\Hor. W. IA OOdH. Cnal. , K. I' . KVANH. I'ooplu'a Inventiiient Oo. W , K. 1'INDLEy , Architect. MO , VAI UV LOA.S & I.NViriTMi.NT : : CO. .0. 0. 8TANIKY , I'utent ItlKhti. FIFTH FLOOR. AP.MY HEADQUARTER ? , DEPARTMENT | 01 > "TI1B 1'LATTE. SIXTH FLOOR. EDITORIAL ROOM ? . i MISSOURI VALLEY ORAIN OO. 1IBBCOMP081NO ROOM. HAMILTON LOAN V TRUHTOO. O. K. JIEINDURKK , Architect MANUKAOTURfcRd AND OONaUMEB" A3-- U , B UOVERNMBNT PRINTING OWICE. 1 KOOIATION. SEVENTH FLOOR. UOYAL ARCANUM LODGE KOOMB. . I A few more elegant office rooms may be had by applying ; R. W , Baker , Superintendent , office on counting room floor ,