f * * THE OMAHA DAILY BEE. ESTABLISHED JILNH 19 , 1871. OMAHA , SATURDAY MORNING , FISBRUAllY 22 , 181)0 ) \VELVB PAGES. SING 1,13 COPY FIT 1C CUNTS HOWE HUNTS A CHAMPION Eager to Pour His Complaint Into Some Sympathizing Receptacle. THINKS RUSSELL IS THE MAN HE WANTS Kill- Written ChnrKen AKitlnsI CollllltlindnntVllNOII IIH SlIOII UN tin1 I.mill CiiniinlN-ilnner He- turiiM to Lincoln. LINCOLN. Feb. 2J.-Snecl ( l.-Mart ) Hone h-as at the office of Lind Commissioner Rus * sell today nlth the charges lie says lie In tends to prefer against Commandant Wilson of the Oratitl Islanil SolJIers' Homo , but lie said he would not present them until the. return ofMr , Russell. Tlic latter arrived from lown today , but Immediately left for Ills homo In Schuyler. Howe fcaid that hn understood that ex-Speaker S. M. Rider had been appointed to hie former position at the home , that of adjutant , but at the gov ernor's cmco nothing had been heard of It. The fomm.iml.int of the homo Is the on/1 to appoint the adjutant. It Is an admitted fact that Governor Holcomh Is quietly pros ecuting an Investigation cf affairs at' the Uranil Island home without having received any formal complaint from Ho\\e. Today Howe stated that he had preferred verbal charges to the Kovornor and tlut the latter bad promised to KO up to Orar.d Island and Investigate them. When It was suggested tint Hone now present his formal charges , accompanied by specifications , to the gov ernor , hn replied that It way too late In the day. day.City City Attorney Abbott Is engaged In se curing signatures to several affidavits In support of a motion for a new trial of the case of Kendall & Smith of this city , .who recently secured a verdict of $61,000 against Lincoln In the district court of Saunders ccunty at Wahoo. The afllda\lts are to the effect that the property said to have Keen damaged to this amount was never north any such sum. The work Is being prosecuted In accordance with n resolution of the city council that Mr. Abbott do all In his poncr to have the verdict set aside , on the ground that should It stand the tax payers of the city will be obliged to fool nearly the entire expense. A question of signatures was before the district court this morning. 12. II. Pearson of Chicago Is suing the Baldwin Lumber company for the foreclosure of a $19,000 mortgage on the company's property. The dcfer.so set up that as the signature to the mortgcEc was "J. A. Buckstaff , presldenti" the company was not bound In any way , as that was not the company's authorized sig nature and In nowise binding. Thus Mr. Pearson was left Vlthout any security , as Rucks > taff held that It was not his Individ ual mortgage. ' The court Inclined to the opinion tlint Mr. Pearson could not lose bis money In this way. but the defense Insisted that It had a long line of authorities to lire- Lent , and the ccutt let It proceed accord ingly. All the offices of the state house and those tlf the district court building will be closed today , the anniversary of the birth of George "Washington. A republican moss meeting has been called for tomorrow nlsht to take steps toward securing the so-railed Crawford system of making polttjcal nominations In the city. Apparently the plan Is meeting with univer sal favor , and many who at first violently oppcsed the Innovation arc now classed among Its warmest champions. Today over 1,800 republicans have signed the petitions. Many leading republicans have consented to address the meeting and explain the workIngs - Ings of the : system. Tomorrow Manager Elche of the Lincoln telephone exchange has Invited the public to call at the new building , 128 South Thir teenth street , and Inspect the added features of the exchange. The company lately put in a new switchboard and the city system was completely revolutionized. It has given perfect satisfaction .so far. Omaha people In Lincoln : At the Lln- dcll Mrs. C. D. Tomson , K. T. Walton , Mrs. AV. B. Mclkle , Miss Rowcna Argglnson , Miss Humphrey. At the Lincoln William J. Welsharis , E. F. Jordan. UI2AR A DM I It Al < K VI'I'13 1IVIXG. Nut Mkely to l.iiHt Through th PIERCE , Neb. , Feb. 21. ( Special Tele gram. ) The condition of Rear Admiral Fyffe IH such tonight that there Is very little hope entertained for his recovery and the chances are that he will dlo before morning. Rela tives In California , Massachusetts and other states have been wired of the admiral's critical condition. \uckollN County KnrmerM to Meet. NELSON , Neb. , Feb. 21. ( Special. ) The second annual session of the Nuckolls County Fanners' Institute will bo held In this city next Thursday , Friday and Saturday. An excellent program has been prepared. Profs. Taylor and Lyon of the State university , AVIllIam Sutton of Table Rock and C. II. Avery of Lincoln , will deliver addresses. These Institutes have become of great 1m- pcrtnnce In this county , the farmers taking native Interest In the world and the business men also fully recognize the merits and benefit ? derived from such an organization. Fremont .Mil ii FHEMONT. Feb. 21. ( Special. ) Yesterday afternoon Frank Wrlghtbower went Into 1'ratl's Jewelry store on Main street after a watch which ho had left there for repairs. He got the watch and at once starte.l for the door , but Pratt got there first and told him he couldn't leave the store with the watch until the repair bill was paid. Wright- bower then struck out with his right and a lively scrimmage ensued. Pratt held his man until a policeman arrived and this mcrnlng Police Judge Holmes gave him $5 and costs for assault and battery. Ml mini rythliuiN Kntertiiln. MINDEN. Neb. , Feb. 21. ( Special. ) Mar- tell lodge of I'ythlnns gave an anniversary banquet In their hall Thursday night , which was a grand taiccesw In every particular , A line supper , followed by an Interesting pro- pram of nuislc-.uiul addressee , filled the time till about 11 p , m. , when they opened the Tfiorno opera house for a dance , which lasted until 2:30 : a. m. Walt's orchestra discoursed the mut'le. The entertainment was never excelled In this city. _ KiinernlN atelxon. . NELSON , Neb. , Feb. 21 , ( Special. ) The funeral of Mre. Matilda Norwood took place from the family residence , north of town , today. The deceawd wna 81 yoara old and one of the pioneers of this county , The funeral of Mrs. James Moore occurred at Oak , In the eastern part of this county , tfil ay. Airs. Moore , with her husband , came to Nuckolla county at an early day , being among the first settlers of this bectlon , I'1 ! . HiililiiHiiii Army tHIIeem iiilertiiln. FORT ROBINSON. Neb. , Feb. 21. ( Spe cial , ) J. II. Buchanan , general passenger uKint , and Frank Harmon , division frelgnt agent of the Elkhorn , after transacting a lot of business In the neighboring town of Craw ford , put In a few hours here as the guests of Colonel James Diddle and the officers of the- Ninth cavalry. The band gave an open nlr concert In their honor , a game of luwn tt'i.nls going tn at the tame time. DentliN ( if il liny In .VeliriiNUn. HASTINGS , Feb. 21. ( Speclal.-George ) . Lynn , deputy clerk of the ilUrlct court , died very suddenly with la grippe thU < morning. The ih'ccau'd wan 74 years old and has re- tided In this city since1687. . during which time be hau always figured quite prominently In politics , but never held cilice until this year. The funeral will bo held Sunday af ternoon at 3 o'clock from the family resi dence , 766 Minnesota avenue. STOCK YAHIIH AMI STOCK HAISKHS. llrncr Meriillneh | ) | NIMIS < ' < I IIP OIK * for ( tn > Kdllleatlon of tlu * Oilier. LINCOLN. Feb. 21. ( Special Telegram. ) At this morning's session of the Improved Stock Breeder * ' assoc'ntlon Editor Bruce McCulloch of the South Omahn Dally Stock man cave an Interesting history of the growth of the stock yards Interests at South Omaha , A dlwusulon followed In which Mr , McCullcch said that ome American packers were In the habit of placing an BnelUh. brand on American pork under the mistaken ImrroxMon that a finer flavor was founJ In English pork. He sad ! the flavor of Amer ican pork Is the equal of any packed In thp world. Palmer L. t'lark , the horseman , rtad a very Interesting paper on "The Farmer's Oppor tunity with the American Horse. " Ho con- \cyeil the Impression that In horse breedIng - Ing the firmer could find his highest profit. He mid that the decrease In the production of colts In Nebraska during the past -'mir years wns alormlnc. The limited demand for ycarllnns was only due to hard times , "tandard bred mnres , ho believed , would be found the most profitable. The morning sewlon closed with a paper en "Alfalfa Without Irrigation. " The pro gram of the afternoon was : "The Special Purpose Cow , " W. A. Appcrson , Tecumsuh , and "Dairying for Pioflt. " I. W. Chaprcll , Normal. The following officers were elected : W. O. Whltmorc. Valley , president ; WlU'am Fos ter , Salt llo , ipcretary-trcasurcr ; vies presi dents. A. L. Sullivan of Lincoln , I. W. Chap- pell of Normal andM. II , Wescott of Malcolm. The three vice presidents represent the brefd- Ins Industries ct horse ? , cattle and swim1 , respectively. Tin choice uf the next place cf moetlti- wo * intt open and will be settled by the president and secretary-treasurer. THMi THK MmTii i.otii' HITCH ( Sreelej County CltUeiiM Determined In Ilnve n Cuiiiil. NORTH LOUP , Neb. , Feb. 21. ( Special. ) Immediately following the recent defeat of the Irrigation district proposition a proposi tion frcm the farmers resident In the Greelcy county division of the proposed district has been presented to the management of the North Loup Irrigation and Improvement cm- pany. looking to the extension of Its canal on down the river t-o as to cover the lands of the several applicant * , and the proposition Is now under advisement bv the company. The probabilities are that satisfactory ar rangements will bo entered Into without ma terial delay. In which case the construction will begin at once , as the ground Is not thought to be sufficiently frozen to Inter- fee with grading. This extension will place a fine additional body of land In reach of water , and the enterprising farmers Inter ested are too throughly convinced of the great benefits derivable from Irrigation to abandon the scheme , now that the confusion Incident to the district struggle Is out of the way. \VII.I. UK A VICKY I\l : i2 ACHKACUO. KiirinerN Around Corn it Dolim : Much FleM Work. COZAD , Neb. , Feb. 21. ( Special. ) Some fanners are beginning work in the fields. A number are sowing wheat. The weather teems almost like spring. The Irrigation companies are at work putting their ditches In order for operation. There will be a very large acreage of , binall grain sown this spring. Winter wheat and rye are loklng Supreme Court Ciillx. LINCOLN , Feb. 21. At the session of the supreme court Tue : < lay , March 3 , the follow ing cares will be called : Ferbrache agaln&t Buchanan , Sloan against Bain , Van Etten agalnat Edwards , Falrfleld against Kerns , Garber against Palmer , Blanchard & Co. , Lively against Hamilton , Regler against Snruck , State Bank ot Lushtcc against Kclley company , Chicago , Burlington & Qulncy Railroad company against Beatrice Rapid Transit and Power company , Mahoney against Gaston , Skinner against Columbia National bank. Smith against Smith , Richard. ton against Alexander , Oakland Home In- sMiiance company against Bank of Commerce of Grand Island , Schuster-Hax Na tional bink against Pen a" , Hy- mer agaliut Crandall , Omaha Street Railway company against Martin , Sloore against Omaha Street Railway company , Omaha Real Estate and Trust company against Reliefer. Omaha Real Estate and Trust company against Shaw , Omaha Real Estate and Trust company acalnst Kra. .s- ccw , Chicago , Burlington & Qulncy Railway company against Hague & Steele , Omaha & Republican Railway company against Kray- cnbuhl , Louis against Union Pacific Railroad company , Omaha Brewing association against Wuethrlck , Barnhousa against Village of Adams , Ball against Mitchell , Crosby against Rltchey , Abbott against Berton , Gllmorc against Armstrong , Rls.ser against Sloman , Dayton Splco Mills company against Sloan , White nealnst Grater. Winters against Means , Davlson against Cruse , Lewis against Mills , Farmers' Loan and Trust company against Memmlnger , Gibson against McClay. IiidiniiH FlKlit Fire. GENOA , Neb. , Feb. 21. ( Special. ) Fire broke out last night In the laundry of the Indian school , at this city , a large wooden structure. The two Indian fire companies of the school were promptly on hand with their lines cf hose , and had It under con trol before the city flro department reached tlu * ground. The Inside of the building was was nearly burned out. _ _ \eliriiNkii X The local music department of Bellcvue college gave a concert Thur Jay evening , un der the direction of Prof , Kratz. The pro gram was well rendered. The twelfth anniversary of the marriage of Mr. and Mr ? . Jame& Felon of Fairmont was made the occasion for a celebration at their resilience by their numerous friends. A meeting of citizens was hold at Hyannls , this week , to protert agulnnt the bill now before - fore congress , which proposes to cede the vacant lands In the rand hlI ) to the state. The cat-a of L. A. Mellttcr against the Farmer * * ' and Merchants' Insurance company , tried January 20 , at Mlndcn , was decided Thursday In favor of the plaintiff In the sum of $500. An opera boua company hao been organ ized In Grant county , for the building of an cpsra house. The enterprise Is meeting with good tuccess , and Is assured. The flock tian about all been taken. Rov. I ) . U. Forsythe , pastor of the Mcttiodh't ' Episcopal church , at Cozad , last evening clcid a three weekV revival meetIng - Ing at Grace church. Over fifty conversions were made during the meetings , and the en tire community arourcd to a great Interest In religious nmttera. The equity term of the district court of Grant county , convened thlt ) week at Hyan- tils , Judge Grimes presiding. Judge Grimes exchanged places with Judge Kendall. A number of cares were dU'poped of , and ull the remainder ore ready for the May term , There was the largest number of cases upon the docket In the hletory of the county. A petition Is being circulated at North L3Ui | praying for the removal of Receiver Post , now In charge of the affairs of the de funct Lcup Valley bank , reciting a reuhons therefor Inattention to business , needlessly tacrlflclng the property awots of the Institu tion , and other rlmllar charge * It appears questionable whether a majority ot the cred itors of the concern will allow their names to bo placed un the petition , lleiijiuiilii lliirrlNiiu fiucN UiiNf. INDIANAPOLIS , Feb. 21 Benjamin Harrison risen left over the Pennsylvania line today for New York , accompanied by hl secre tary. It IH understood thai this will be Ills last trip to New York until next April , when ho und Mrs. Dlmmlck wll ! be married. Gen eral Harrison will return to Indianapolis next week. Many artists have made tK etc lies of the Harrison homestead pre paratory to the marriage utory , but ru fur Interior views huve been itfused , IS MANY THOUSANDS SHORT Ex-Olork of Lancaster County District Court in Trouble. ALLEGED TO HAVE HELD BACK THE CASH Kiln * IliiUrr Churned lijlllx .Snc- i-e hiir Mltli I'nllliiK t Pay Oxer I'nrlN of Viirlou * FlIlltlM. LINCOLN , Feb. 21. ( Special Telegram. ) Ellas Baker , ex-clerk ot the district court of Lancaster county , U tonight reported to be short In liln accounts from $6,000 to ? 10,000. The present Incumbent of the office , Clerk of the District Court Sam Law , mid tonight that the shortage would bo nearer $10,000 than 50,000. For seven weJks law has been In possession of the office and duilng that time has tried In every way In his power to secure a settlement with Baker. Thlu afternoon he went before the Board of County Commissioners and laid the state of affairs before It. "I did thls > , " ho sn'd tonight to a repre- "entotlvc of The Bee , "for my own protec tion. At the time 1 assumed my duties as clerk I discovered that Baker's accounts were f.ir from being straight , and demanded that hs turn over to me all money due the r' flee. Mr. Baker nnltl that considerable of II \vua In such shape that he could not Im mediately collect It. The deficit Is made up principally ot Judgments that have boon paid Into Haksr's hands , fines that belona to the county , witness fees and various other funds. Ono of these Judgments Is for $2,700 , vt nny time I am liable to bo railed on for the money and It was for self-protect on lhat I reported the facts to the commlssolners. I told Mr. UaUer the last time I had a lull ; with him that I felt sorry for him , but In Justice to my. elf I must move at once. " Ellas Baker was elected four years ago on the populist ticket. He has always en- Jtycd an excellent reputation for bushiest ability and Is considered a man of most exemplary habits. His alleged shortage is a great surprise to people of all shades of. political belief , although It Is known that he expended large sums of .money .last fall In the campaign against Low. A great portion , If not all , of Air. Baker's property Is In the name of his wife. She has a gent's furnlsn- Ing store on O street and also a faun a few miles cut from the city. Baker's bondsmen arc all farmnrs and It Is said that some of them are Judgment proof. FOH KII.I.I.XG A CHILD. IIOMton Unite KMilnteN u Fein-fill Crime uii the CiiIlowM. BOSTON , Feb. 21. Angus D. Gilbert was hanged In the Charles street Jail today for the murder of Alice Sterling , a child , on April 10 , 1895. Gilbert was a man of all work and his victim was the little daughter of a barber , whoso shop Gilbert frequented. He had p'etted the child until she became fond of him , and when , on the day ot the murder.he took her walk'ng , nothing was thought of It. She never returned to her home alive. Thtee days after her disappearance her body , showing evidence of brutal treatment and with the head backed with an ax , was found burled beneath the stable In which Gllbart had a room. An effort was mode to save the murderer on the plea of Insanity , but 11 was ineffectual , the supreme comt affirming the decree of the lower'tribunal. FATALLY SHOT HIS 1M113TTY COUSIN. Jenloiixy 1'roiuplH ii'Cnlloiv Youth to n lleliionx Crime. JOHNSTOWN. Pa. , Feb. 21. Daniel Rcs- ler of Cramer , Pa. , yesterday shot and fatally wounded his cousin , Ella Ressler , aged IS years , and then committed suicide by shoot ing himself In the head. Jealousy , caused by the refusal of the girl to marry him , prompted the deed. Ressler had. made fre quent proposal ! ) to the gin , which were re- furcd. He had ! made many threats to kill the girl and twice armed himself and lay In wait for her , but the pistol was taken away from him both time ? . He had a bad reputa tion and drank heavily at times , which was one of the reasons why the girl refured to marry him. Merelmnt AttemiUM Snlelile. CHICAGO , Feb. 21. Almus .Butterfleld , 55' years old , a well known commission merchant and reported to be worth at least $200,000 , at tempted suicide today by cuttlnc bl3 throat. He succeeded In Inflicting po . ? lbly fatal wounds. The deed was done In his sleeping room at 178 South Water street , over hie store. Though he way possemcd of sufficient wealth to live in luxury , his room was almost bare , the furniture consletlng of several dust- covered trunks , a rickety table where he transacted his business , and a bed without oven a covering except same cast-off clothing. Here he had lived for a dozen years. Killed noted DeMierndo. | GURLEY , Ala. , Feb. 21. Dick Chlldress , a noted desperado , was shot and killed by Policeman Dick Erwln here la t night. Chil dren was sentenced to the state penitentiary for a term of six years about eight years ago. Ho was charged with complicity In burning the Jail at Gurley , cremating two men. On account of bad health , his sentence was com muted. While In a drunken condition last night he was brandishing his pistol , frighten ing people. The officer was called. Children Etarted to shoot , but Erwln was too quick for him. T < FiirmerM IiiHtiuitly Killed. WINCHESTER , Ky. . Feb. 21. The west bound passenger train en the Chesapeake * & Ohio railroad ran Into a buggy lait nlghf containing Richard Steele and his brother. John Steele , when near Tubbs station , six mtlea west of this city. The vehicle was deirollahfd and both men were Instantly killed. They were among the most prom inent farmers In central Kentucky and were connected with the best families. Both were mairled and leave families. The crossing has been considered a very dangerous one. Illooileil Cuttle lluriied to Uentli. PULASKI , Tcnn. , Feb. 21. S. P. White's barn , one of the finest In the county , one and one-half miles from Pulaskl , was de stroyed by fire about 10 o'clock last night. A large amount of corn and hay was burned , also fifty-two graded Jersey cows and two fine bulls. His milk house and two out- hyuses alee burned. The fire Is vald to have been Incendiary. Hollheil II Little IVIIIIHIIN 1 la ill. . LAWRENCE , Kan. , Feb. 21. A bank at McLouth , twelve miles north of here , In Jefferfon county , was entered and the' safe blown open last night , the robbers securing $3,500 In cash. The burglars then stole a team and drove to Liwrencu , where they bought tickets for an eastbound train. No further clew , _ DeliH UN I'olltlriil Caiiilliliile. CHAHLESTON. 8 , C. , Feb. 21. Presi dent Eugene V. Debs of the American Hull- v.'iiy union , who Is In Charleston today , was aeked by nil Associate J preps repre- fcntatlve regarding the dlt-pateli fiom Suuth lleiul , 1m ! . ; stating that hu bad accepted the prj nllBt nomination for governor of Indiana , .Mr. Debs Mild thut some < f hlH entlumibtlc friends are anxious for him to be u can didate , but that he has refused. He de- claret ) hu bait no taste for volltlcs and no ambition In that direction , KeuliirUj'K Srnnlorliil Untile. LOUISVILLE , Feb. 21. A tpeclal to the Post from Frankfort , Ky. , says : The twenty- eighth ecnalorlal ballot today resulted at > follcwi : Hunter , fX ) ; Blackburn , & 0 ; Evany , 3 ; Carlisle , 4 ; Bate , 1. Tht > joint assembly tbtu adjourned until Monday at 12 o'clock , n.M'OMITIO.V COMM1TTI3IJ 3IKKTS. Opposition to n l.nrne dumber of Govern men t CoinmlxnlonerH. A me-etlng of the Transmlsslsjlppl exposi tion committee was held yesterday In the rooms of the Commercial club. Secretary Wakefleld was Instructed to communicate with Senator Thurston and Congresnmn Mercer , Informing them that. In the Judg ment of the exposition comm'.ttec. congress should be asked to appropriate $2oO,000 tor the government's chare In the exposition , the manner In which this amount fhall bo appropriated to be declued upon by Ne braska's senators anrt rtprctcntatlvcs. President Wattles and Commissioner Ult were appointed a committee to plan for a trip to Salt Ijikc City In the Interest of the exposition. The object Is to do tome mis sionary work among the members ot the Utah legislature , which Is now In session. No arrangements will bo made tor this trip until It Is definitely dec'.dtd whether or not the western trip ot the Omahn Jobbers will bo ta > en. The meeting developed considerable opposi tion to the appointment of a government commission for the exposition , which was t'upgcsted at the conference with Senator TiiurMon. The bill now before congress was lead , and showed that a commission , con- pitting of the headn of 411 the executive de partments of the government , as well ns a vies president frcm c.icli state wert of the .Mississippi river , had been provided for. It win tbo sense of the meeting that the ap pointment of any additional government com mission would only afford an opportunity for political work , to the detriment of the real Interests of the exposition. A motion to the effect that no government commission other than that provided for In the" bill before con gress should be appointed , wa pjsr-ed. Considerable time was spent in discussing the manner of soliciting stock subscriptions. U win thought that the present was an in opportune time for thlo wotk , although a gen eral dppotton | ! to subrcrlbe had been mani fested. H was deemed best to < lo no solicit ing at present , as more effective work could bo done at a later period , and a motion to tl.at effeit was passsd. COAL Ut'STI.KIIS ' 1'LACEIJ I.JAIL. . I'llloll rnelllo I'l-opoNeM to ItrenU t'i | u Thlevlliu- tiling ; . C. A. Raw , Frink Manalmn and James Manahanuore brought to this city from Odessa Thursday by the United States au thorities to answer to the charge of stealing coal from the Union Pacific company , and have been placed In the county Jail. The company has been unnoyea by thieves and the crusade against ( hem was begun several weeks ago. A number of persons have been arrested and It Ja thought that the practice Is almost broken up , The three men arrested had their head quarters In Odessa , but their operations ex tended along the line for a considerable dis tance. They , as well as others , have been bearding coal trains at some station and riding for some distance. At certain points they would -lump a quantity of coal along the track and confederatesiwoiihl carry It off. The thieving has by no , means been con fined to coal cars. Quite-frequently freight cars which contain valuable goods have been broken Into and the contents carried away. Considerable property has been stolen In this way and the company hastsuffered almost as much loss thereby as from -tlie stealing of coal. coal.The policy of turning therprlsoners over to the-federal authorities has but recently been adopted. It was done In orderithat tbe cul prits might be punished. 'It 'WOE found to be next to Impossible to convict prisoners by juries composed of farmers. ' f DIDOT LUCK * Tlltf VKIiniCT. jVllK'le ThollKTht that He Had the Short 1C nil of tlu ; Slid ; . The Jury In the county court which heard the evidence In the case of Nagle against TImnie returned a sealed verdict Thursday night. Judge Baxter notified the parties to the suit that the verdict would not be opened until each side had deposited $ ( > for Jury fees. This deposit was made yesterday and the verdict was announced to be In favor of Tlmme. Naglo was surprised at the verdict and Insisted that he "had beat Tlmme. " Ho Intimated that somebody was giving him the \vorat of the deal. It took some time for Judge Baxter to convince hm ( that the Jury did not vlow the matter. In the same light , and ho left the court room swearing to get o\en with Tlmme somehow. NoleH of the Court * . The Harvester King company , an agri cultural Implement concern , has sued T. G. Northwall In the district court for $825 on two notes. The Jury which heard the evidence In the Cnse of Charles Hoag , a boy charged with stealing a set of double harness , returned a verlct of not guilty and the prisoner was dis charged. Mattlc Frank has applied for a divorce from her husband , John , on the grounds of desertion and non-support. She asks that her maiden name of Kelley be' restored to her. The parties were married In' September , 1832 , in Council Bluffs , and have no children. Judge Fawcett and a Jury , have been en gaged all this week In hearing a case In which the First National bank of Hastings sued the Omaha National bank on a draft for $922.83. Yesterday tlie jury returned a verdict In favor of the defendant. The trial of Jens M. Hermansen for the killing of John Starotska , which had been eet for hearing yesterday In the criminal , court , was postponed until' Monday , for tbe reason that no court will be held today , It being Washington's birthday and a holi day , and for the further reason that a now- Jury panel will come on duty Monday morn- ng , the three weeks for which the old panel was called having expired. lliilnh llroivii'M Hot Hide. Western Unlrn Messenger , Ralph Brown made the trip from the Exchange building South Omaha to the Western Union office In Omaha yesterday , a distance of five miles In fourteen minutes , This Is considered remarkable riding In the faceof a cold wind , rough car tracks to cross , n'3 the heavy clothing that tbo boy wore. This ride gives the beatl time to Brown , beating a former trip by 'Kdghill ntarly a minute. It to thought Harry will not let It rest here , however. , A great deal of rivalry 'exists ' among tno boys , au to who can make i the best tlmn over this course. A boy \ tent each mornIng - Ing to the South Omaha brandli office for the messages of the preceding day. They Were T'ln ful I'lipn. J. S. Blake of 530 Soulh Twenty-zoventh street appeared In policy ? ourt yesterday on the charge of keeping a vicious dog. It was charged that he owned three vicious bull dogs , and that they tore up everything and everybody In sight , Blake tated that the brood consisted of a terrier , a foot high , and two puppies. The prosequtlnj ; witness was not on hand and the case W4 net for next week. Mm. Chniil'M lift-lure. Mra Laura OrmUton Chant will ypeali Sunday morning at 10:30 : at the Crelghton theater , which has been placed at her dis posal by Managers Paxton and Burgess. Mrs. Chant'u subject on tlilu occasion will bo "A , Now Heaven and a New Earth. " Admission will bo free. Mlnlxler Itmi } IIM'H Itein'iiluM Arrive. NEW YORK , Feb. 21. The body ot the late Theodore Runyon , 'ambassador to Ger many , wait on board the attamor Havel , which anlved today. The remain ? were conveyed to Newark , where they will lie In state In St , Paul's Methodist Episcopal church until the funeral. SOIIN of lift oliilloniirx ttlre * . The annual meeting of the Nebraska Society of the Sous of the American Revolu tion will be held In the liarlor * of the Commercial club at 3 ' o'clock thli after noon. After the meeting there nlll bo a supper and a few short upetctes. Pretext for Incrofisecl Charges in Omnba Groundless , BUSINESS MEN WANT BETTER TREATMENT DlMerlniliiKtloii Alinliint Oniiihn IIH Compared vlth Cltlen Hunt mill Went IteKUtiirly I'rnetleed hy the Underwriter- ! . During the fall of 1S94 the question of In- rufficlont flro fighting facilities occupied the attention of the officials and the heavy prop erty owners of Omaha. A number ot large fires had occurred. The water supply was plainly Insufficient and In one or two cases there were charges that tbe fire apparatus had been Improperly handled. One effect of these conflagrations had been to Inflict sxmio heavy lowcs on the tnrurancc companies. The local agents of the various companies were lead ing tplrlts among the men who demanded better flro protection. They declared that If the then state of affairs was allowed to continue their companies would be forced to withdraw altogether from the bushies * ) In Nebraska. Their efforts were reinforced by the appeals of the general body ot but'lncsD men and property owners' , who had discovered that the rates which they were compelled to pay to.Insvjranco on their buildings and stocks were rapidly approaching a prohibitive figure. Al this Juncture the Insurance com panies added to the force of their appeal by placing an additional rate on all buildings nbovo the fourth story. The result ot this- agitation wn ? that cpccI.-U committee , ! were appointed both by the city co'incll and the Commercial club to Investi gate the situation and recommend such action ni they might consider advltuble. These Joint co.iimltteos held numerous sessions , at which all features of the proposition were exhaustively Investigated. On December r. the council committee reported to that body and the recommendations were approved. It was found that the water supply wa Inadequate and that the fire department was not sup ported at the highest degree of efficiency. Immediate steps' were taken to sscure an en largement and reinforcement of the water works system In the downtown district. It was ) nlso provided that a fire chief of recog nized ability should be engaged to take charge cf the fire department and effect srjch a reorganization as might be necessary. At this time the Insurance companies de clared themselves entirely satisfied with the plans proposed. Their agents publicly de clared that if the council would carry out tl.e provisions of the report then adopted the obnoxious rates would be reduced to a reason able figure. figure.FEW FEW LOSSES BY FIRE. The city authorities Immediately set to work to cairy out the proposed plans. An ar'angcment was concluded with the water works company , by which the company agreed to thoroughly overhaul and adequately reinforce the pipe system. In order to ob tain this concession the city waived all rights previously claimed on account of the failure of the water works company to live up to Us contract with the city. The plans for the enlargement of the mains weie advanced as rapidly as possible and the entire down town system was enlarged to SWBtafmmtS-Its previous-capacity at an ex pense of nearly S2DO.OOO. Withina few days after the council committee had compjcted Us Investigations John Redell was elected as chief and the reorjranlzatlon of the de partment was Immediately begun. A first class steamer and other apparatus was pur chased and from that time to the present not a single fire of any proportions has been seen In Omaha. The- record of 1S95 was something unprecedented In the Insurance statistics of any large city In the United States. The total losses to all the In surance companies doing business In the city amounted to only $80,060 during the twelve months. Of this amount nearly $10- 000 was on buildings outside of the water limits and where the department had no means of extinguishing the fires. Several Incipient conflagrations which menaced large blocks ot property were squelched In a manner which Indicated that in point of efficiency and otganlzatlon the rejuvenated fire department was second to none In the country. The Insurance men have been loudest In their expressions of satisfaction with the manner In which the city has been pro tected. But the rates are still maintained at the same exorbitant figure. It Is true that the threatened additional rate on high buildings wts not enforced , but aside from this doubtful concession , which only affects a few buildings , there has been absolutely no reduction In Insurance rates. The re cently published statements of the Insurance business in Omaha during 1895 show that all the companies enjoyed a tremendous pros perity. In spite of the shrinkage of busi ness on account of the hard times their profits were excessive. The Bee has taken the trouble to obtain authentic statements of the Insurance rates that are charged on the principal buildings of a large number of westetn cities. The figures conclusively establish the fact that the rates In Omaha are from 25 to 100 per cent higher than In other cities that enjoy no better fire protcctlcn. In fact , out of a bcore ot cities from which rates were obtained only one or two show figures which even approximately approach the high premiums exacted from Omaha properly OMAHA RATES. The proprietors of the Paxton hotel , for Instance , pay a rate of $2.20 per $100 for their Insurance on building and contents. The owners of the Mercer hotel pay $1.90 and other hotels are held up for similar In' office and mercantile buildings the rales ate somewhat less , but still excessive. The Bee building , a strictly fireproof struc ture , surrounded by fireproof buildings and having areawaya on all sides , nuking It ac cessible to the flro fighting force , was orig inally rated at 60 cents per $100 and tmbjc- quontly raited to 81 cents , the came rate as Is charged on the Merchants/ and the First National banks. The lowest rate charged on any office building la on the Brown building , at the corner of Sixteenth and Douglas Wreets. which Is 80 cents per $100. This building abuts directly against a block of combustible store buildings ) . This , however , la an excep tion made for Home unexplained reason. The. rate en office buildings , with wooden In teriors , poi'ts , stairs , etc. , ranges ) from $1,10 to $1.50. The into on the Karbach building Is $1,10. The Crelghton building at Fifteenth and Douglasi streets * pays $1.50 on building and $1.80 on stocks. The rate on the Puttertoii buildings at Seventeenth and Farnam and Seventeenth and Douglas streetu to $1,80 on the buildings and $2.10 on stock ? . The Arlington block 1st Insured at $1.CO , the Brown block at 80 cents and the building of the Continental Clothing company at $1,10. A few Illustrations of tbo rate.i fixed by the Insurance combine show the following' The Llrilngcr Agricultural Implement com pany payi $1.10 on Its building and $1.20 on stuck. The Mollno company payo $1.25 on building fliid the name on stock. Paxton & Gallagher , grocers , pay 90 eenta on building and $1 on ttcck. Steale , Smith & Co. pay 90 cents on building and $1.10 on otock , SOME IOWA RATES. Now compare thew rates with those pre vailing In Council Bluffe , Ues Molnes and Sioux City , In Council Bluff the Insurance rates are conoldorably lower than In Omaha , tn rplte of the fact that the fire department consists only of four hose companies , Including twenty men. men.The Merrlam building hasi four sHorlen and a basement. l { Is us > ed for all torts of buvl- net ) ; . Including gasi cfDces , manufacturing plants , ntore of several klmln and office * In tlm upper Btorlts ; the rate Is $1.25. The Shugart-lleiio building contains the Citizens' ' ' bank with ulores , and offices ujutalra. The rate Is $1.15 ; the Daldnin building , five stories and bas-cmcnt , has savings bank , drug store and offices ; the rate H $1.05 , Stewart Droi. . wholcnilo grocery , four stories , with full line1) of goods' , Including meats and oil ? ; rate S3 rent ? . Oronoweg & Schoentgcn thtee-ptory wholcixilc grocery , S3 cents. Rates on Implement buildings and wares : David Bradley * Co. pay $1.30 en their five- story brick building and $ l.r > 3 on contents. The McCormlck company and the Pioneer Implement company have five-s < tory buildings. They pay St.10 en the buildings and $1.35 on the decks" . DM Molnes ; has no fireproof buildings ex cept the state capltol , which \f \ not Insured , the policy of the state being to carry no In surance. Hoto are the rates on ronic ot the principal buildings : The Equitable Life buildIng - Ing , eight stories , semi-fireproof , pays 60 cents : Youngernmn block , peven ftorlcs , no tcgatil for flro protection In Its construction , $1.20 : Clapp block , plx rtorlep , similar con- stiiictlcn , $1.20 ; Iowa Loan and Trust buildIng - Ing , slMorlcii , Rime construction , $1 ; Van Ulnkol block , nine stories and tower of five Dtorles additional , no flreproofing , builder's rlfk , $1.50. The Dcsi Molnes newspapers am all located In buildings that are styled fire traps. The Reglslcr payp $1.CO. the Leader $1.33 and the News $1.20. In Sioux City the following rates are paid on the two larget : buildings : Security. $1 on stock and $1.25 on contents ; Toy building , simo rate ; Journal building , extra hazardous , $1.35. In Minneapolis the Phoenix building , a fire proof structure. Is Insured at the rate of 25 cents per $100. The New York Life buildIng - Ing , the Lumbar Exchange and the Guaranty Loan buildings * aru Insured at rales running from 35 to 40 cents. Rates In St. Paul are very nearly the same as In Minneapolis. IN WESTERN CITIES. West of the Missouri river In Usnvrr. Kan sas City , Portland and San Francisco , it will bo seen that rates ? are much lower than In Onnlm. In Denver the fireproof buildings , the Brown Palace hotel and the Equ'table buildIng - Ing , are Insured for 75 and CO cents , respcct- Iv-pli- . In St. Lculs the Globe-Democrat pays an Insurance rate of 05 cents on Its building. This Includes an additional 10 per cent , which Is added on account of the fact that a numi- f.icturlng jeweler Is located In the basement. The rate on the New York Life building In Kansas City would be G3 cents , but the own ers get n better rate by Insuring In New York. The rate paid on the American bank building Is GO cents , and other buildings In proportion. The Portland Oregonlan , In a fireproof office building , pays an Insurance rate ef 70 cents. Twenty cents extra Is charged be cause a printing plant Is In the building. The city hall , In the same city , Is Insured at 45 cents , and the public library building at the same rate. San Francisco Is a wooden city , yet the Chronicle pays 25 cents on Its building , 40 cents on pres > scs , typs. etc. , 30 cents * on furnl- turo and fixtures and 40 cents on dynamos , lamps , etc. This Is a cut rate , but the high est rate ever charged on the building was 30 cents. The Inquiry Instituted by The Bee was chlsfly directed to ascertaining the relative cost of Insurance on high class buildings , es pecially on fireproof office buildings , occupied by newspapers. MCHOl.S STANDS ON HIS ItKiHTS. 1'rojioKen to Have Pay for Ice Alonn the Shore. A fight between the South Omaha Ice com pany and a squatter , John Nichols , over an Ice platform that the company erected upon the river bank"tb "be"Us6a ln liarvo9ttnE"lc'c Is In prospect. Nichols say that the land 911 which tha platform was built belongs to him by squatter rights * . He objected to Its erection union ? he received a rental. The company refused to make any agreement and Thursday erected the platform , despite the protests of NlchoU. Nichols appeared In police court yeiter- day and had a warrant Issued for the arret't of John Doe , general manager of the Ice company , on the charge of trespass1. He stated that he owned the property and would compel the company to pay rental or force It to remove Its platform. Koiiiid AVIiere the Money Went. Detectives Savage and Dempsey have In ono sense of the word located the $45 which was ptolen frcm a Cozad farmer named Feltz. They have discovered that the money was given to a colored man. Frank Stewart. Stewart , however , Thursday barded a train and Is supposed to have skipped cither to Chicago or Sioux City. Pearl Jones and Alice Smith , the two women who were sus > pected of the theft , were arraigned yesterday on the charge of being lewd women. They pleaded not guilty and the trial was est for next Tues day. It was found Impossible to prosecute them for robbery , ns Fcltz was unable to Identify them. CoiuierM ( ilven Ninety lll > . Yesterday John Connors , ono of the assullante of Officer Rcntfrow , withdrew his plea , of not guilty to the charge of assault with Intent to do great bodily harm and pleaded guilty to assault and battery. Police Judge Gordon at once sentenced him to ninety days In. the county Jail , the middle ten of each thirty to be on bread and water. This 19 the same sentence that Ted Powers obtained for resisting Rcntfrow. The police are of the opinion that they have found the third member of the gang. His name Is J. Murphy. A warrant hurf been Issued for his arrest on the charge of assault and buttery. Mother nnd Children DeMllliire. Mrs. Belle Tinker of 1213 Davenport rtreet ban written a pathetic letter to the chief of police. She states that she IB the mother of four children , who nro absolutely without any food and almost without clothing. She Is s > lck In liixl and Is unable to provide tor them. She EIIVH that she has heretofore been "too proud" to ask for assistance , but that the condition cf her little ones hasi com pelled her to do so. "If a little something could bo done for them until I am able to work again , " she writes , "I would be BO thankful. " .Minor MiillerH In 1'ollee Court. Muiy Butney , a girl about 16 years old , was sent to the reform school for lncrrlKlblity. : ' Frank Waak was arraigned yesterday charged with stealing COO pounds of coal from the Union Pacific. He pleaded not guilty Und his trial was t > et for next week , S. Sonnenberg has > offered a reward of $250 for the recovery of the goods stolen from his pawn shop at Cripple Creek. The property was valued at $500 ( , and consisted almost entirely of watchss. The case of Frank Schmidt was nailed also. Schmidt was charged with Bteallrie Juilfi ) Fawcett's hone and huggyi whlnh he drove over to Iowa , He was captured over ( hern und brought back , the rig being rs- covered , The case of B. Worthing uan also nailed. Worthing was charged with the fccductlon , under , promise of marriage , of Clara McKee - Kee , a 17-year-old girl , but a settlement was effected with the girl by Worthlng'K attorneys. The cases of William McVey arid Sam Athcrton , charged with burglary , were nollctl hy the county attorney. These boys were charged In the same case with James Mul- lut , v.'l.o was convicted of petit larceny In Eteallni ; four sets * of pool balls. Three peddlers , L. Hornstlne , J. Cohen and J. Waxenberg , were arraigned before Judge Cordon yesterday for raising a dlstuibr ance at .Sixteenth and Dodge streets. Each ono appeared to have been more or lft.8 bat tered In a fight which eiibueJ. Hornstlne pleaded guilty and WHS fined $5 and costs. The others entered a i/lea of not guilty , Frank Fryron was fined $ C and coats. ' yuy- ttrday for fighting with hlu alleged wife , Lulu Fry on. The two , both colored , en gaged In a fistic encounter In Hamcat alley Thursday afternoon and were fceparatcd by Officer VanouB , who arrested both. The woman said that 1'ryaon only tlapped her , but the blow drew blood. Fr > son tried to how that she shied a brick at him , but could Dot prove It , and the woman was dUcbartsed. WASHINGTON IN THE SCHOOLS Birthday of the Father of the Hepublia Ccletmtcil. EXERCISES AT MOST OF THE BUILDINGS .Mneh Hone In theM > of Pntrlntlu Oeeorntlon MIIIU * , 11 eel In 11 on * l the Children Mlth j Washington's birthday ls cno ot the occa sions on which thu pupils' of the public schools ) arn allowed to enjoy a brief relaxa tion from the regular curriculum nnd dc- vote an afternoon to the contemplation of the special feature of the day. As the holi day happens to arrive on Saturday this , year most of thu schools anticipated the oc casion and their celebrations ot the mini- \eisaty of Washington's birth were helJ yesterday afternoon. It ls > the misfortune of the teachers and pupils alike that nonu of thu school buildIngs - Ings nto provided with assembly looms In which nil the pupils can be congreflnted for a general celebration. As It In , each grade Is compelled to ha\e n program of Its own * and none of these can bo mndo so elaborate as they might be It the energies of nil the pupils and teachers could bo combined , Thu programs ) rendered In the various schools yesterday were similar In char acter , so that the vlsltcr > . > io paw the en tertainment at one svbooi would be fairly familiar with what occurred at thu others. The higher grades' In each schcol furnished somewhat more pretentious program , but not the least IntercMtlng to the observer wcto the exercises of the kindergarten and lower grades. At the High school there was a very In teresting program given by the ninth nnd tenth grides , the Inck of sulllcleiit room preventing - venting the other grades from Joining. It had been arranged that General O. 0. How ard should deliver a brief address' to the- pupils , but as the train which was bringing the general to Omaha was fcvcral hour * late ho did not arrive In time to be prccnU The program was at follows : FRESHMEN EXERCISES. Composition Washington Mr. Llbbcy ; . Violin Solo Mr. Woodnn ! ' -V Recitation Washington Mr. .Manila Vocal Duct..Misses Potter and McGunn. Composition Lincoln Diar.chc lloxewntcr Debate Resolved , That Lincoln WaH n Gieater Man Than Washington , . . . Affirmative , Frank Itowell ; negative , Otla -Alvlson. Recitation Orn Slitmrock Piano Solo Corrlnne Paulson SOPHOMORE EXERCISES. Recitation Washington M IBM 1 Inlsllp Recitation Miss liyles Debate Resolved , That Washington Was Greater Than Lincoln Affirmative , Mr. Cutter , Miss McNuIrt negative , Mr. Hairous , Miss Potter. Piano Solo Mr. Irons. Reading Washington Mls MeCiinc Recitation Mr. Hlioles Reading Washington Miss Reed Piano Solo Mr. Cuscaden RECEPTION AT LAKE. " At the Lake school the celebration was. made one of the most Important of the- year and unusual care was taken In the pro grams which were rendered In the various rooms. The interior of the building was ap propriately decorated with flags an ; ] bunt ing and In ( he hall as well as In the various , rooms the work ot the pupils was displayed .tfirriho benefit of the visiting parents ; . In the hall was a miniature art gallery which con tained over 100 specimens cf the drawings of the pupils. Some of these wereT'especlally . creditable. They were all drawn with no better material than a common crayon , but In several cases the result was surprising to those who ate not acquainted with what can be accomplished by the public school yystem of drawing. Among the specimens was a picture of a pair of worn out shoes In which a very simple subject was made to Indicate * a very high degree of artistic talent. Others consisted of water sets , vases and similar articles' , In many of which was displayed no ordinary degree of skill. Each of the 800 pupils of the school car- iled home at noon a written Invitation to the parents to be present during the afternoon , and FO many responded that the school house was well filled before the hour for the exer cises to begin. After the programs had been icndeicd the parcnto and other visitors were given a reception , which lasted until after 4 o'clock. The principal program at the Lake school was the following : America School Song Eighth Grudo- Birthday of Washington Selection Margaret I'earman Giinrtl Our Native Laid Sixth and Seventh Gradest. Independence Hull Mabel Betebcner Debate Resolved , That WnHhlngtsn. . . . IH 11 Greater Man Tlian Lincoln. Affirmative , Alfred Howie. Negative , Dale Mcrow. The Soldiers' Chorus. , Debate Con tinned.-7" Afllimatlve , James llllo. Negative , Ray Gould. Tbe American Flair. Juno Dennett Vocal 8olo The King's ) Own MlH.H 'Arnold , Audrcss Washington" Mr. John L. Kennedy. Violin Selection National Airs Joseph , Jonufon , Accompanist Emily Warclmm. Flag of the Free Eighth Grndo Bnttlo Hymn of the Republic School Wat.hlngton'8 Address to the Army. . . . Pan' Robinson. Vocal Solo Miss Marlon Turner Piano Solo Gracu Km si I e At the Farnam bchool Rev. S. Wrlghti Butler addressed the pupil ? of the sixth , seventh and eighth grades. Thin was fol lowed by a program consisting of slngltiK "America , " and other patriot c .songs , Inter spersed with appropriate quotations ) by the pupllsi. Earlier In the day the eighth grad devoted an hour to a debate on the qucs-tlon. "Revived , That the Eighth Grade Should Have Special Privileges. " The grade was divided Into two rides hy lot and each pupil was heard briefly. Today the eccond and eighth grades accomplished a feat that has ) been made an objective point all winter. Each of these grades finished the week with an attendance of 100 pupils each day of the week. PATRIOTIC IN THE EXTREME. At the Long i chool there were several piogramri , the man elaborate being that given by the eighth grade. This was : Reading Birth of Washington..Edna .Marsh Maxims of Washington Quoted by the Pupils Sonp-Star-Spniiglcd Banner Heliool Patriotic Thoughts ) Rend by the Olrln Recitation For Liberty..Jeanetle Newlenn Ileudlnif Our Flat ? May Kdholm Hong Guunl the Flag Bchool I This was followed by u representation of I the "Continental Congress , " In which several scenes from the deliberations of that body were enacted by the boys In the form of a dialogue. The Long kindergarten also observed the day by a brief program of exorcises , In whlcn the small pupils took an enthusiastic part. The work of the department during the wesk had been devoted to the history of Washing ton and all. the principal events of his life had .been Impressed on the Infantile mlndx In their dally play. Today each boy and girl was given a ( lag arid a flag drill was a feature of the program of the afternoon , Then they tung portions of "America , " "Star Spangled Banner" and "Tramp , Tramp. Tram ] ) , the Boys Are Marching , " and added a number of Interesting exercises , In which patriotism was the distinguishing feature. The. Comenlud kindergarten has ulna spent the week on "Washington work , " and Its afternoon was spent In exercises vry similar to.Uiosu which were given at the other kindergartens. Short programs were also given In the other rooms , after which an elaborate flag drill was given In the mala hall. The walls In all I lie rooms were adorned with specimens of the work of the pupils for the Inspection of their parents , ot nhcm a large number attended tbe excrclstft. Exercises vlmilar to thcie were given at nearly t-vciy school In the city and In each case a special effort WHS made to Induce the parents to attend. Singing of patriotic ronu was a feature In each cane and several of Hi * esbays and recitations possHietd exception * ' merit.