The Omaha Daily Bee.
ESTABLISHED JU2STE 19, 1871.
OMAHA, SATURDAY MOUNTS G, At'IUL Ll, 1000 TWELVE PAGES.
SINGLE COPY EIVE CENTS.
DEAD OR DISABLED
Belief that Colonel Baden-Powell No Longer
Octnmindi at M&fekln
i
BOERS NEAR BLOEMFONTEIN RETREtf
Oountrj in Terrible Condition and Fever U
Decimating Mafeklng.
FLOOD WATFRS ADDING TO HARDSHIPS
Cecil Rhodii MaVei Unexpected Departure
from London for the Cape.
FIGHTING CONTINUES ABOUT WEPENER
1'osllliin Mnile Ynrnnt liy Dentil
Urnernl loulierl of Trnnsvnnl
I'orccs I" 1 1 1 -l Trouble In Asli
nntl to lie Unfiled.
of
(Copyrlght, 1000, by Pros Publishing Co.)
iLO.ytar It
LONDON', April 31. (Now York World j htnleH ministers should bo consecutively do
Cablegram Special Telegram.) Is Colonel I celved In the terms of a promise or should
Baden-Powell, tho hero of Mafcklng, dead j ,mve reached similar misunderstandings,
or sick? Tho approval which tho Stnto department's
Tho rumor that ho Is one or the other I '"test nctlon seems to have received In
camo from Boer sources early this week. Kuropo was anticipated, it being realized
Of course. It was discredited, but it Is re- horo that several of tho continental powers
markablo that for three weeks now tho having claims slmllnr to our own against
dispatches received from Mafeklng tho last Turkey, being themselves prevented from
dated April 11 do not mention his name 1 initiating nny forciblo demand upon the
Until this sllcnco Colonel lladen-I'owell's , Turkish government by reason of tho
name, his varied activities, his schemes and Jealousy of their neighbors, nro cntltcly will-
his Interchanges of hostilities with tho Door
forces Investing Mafcklng, filled all thu
Mafcklng dispatches.
Lady Sarah Wilson's latest dispatches
inako mention of "tho commandant," but
Iladcn-PowcH's namo Is conspicuous by Its
obsenco.
The War ofilco's reply to my Inquiry about
tho colonel was, "Wo havo no Information."
If tho war officials had nny evidence to con
tradict the nocr report they undoubtedly
would quickly publish It. Yot that report
remains uncontradicted.
That tho British authorities should desire
lo suppress nowa of Uadcn-Powell's death
(If true) as long as possible is easy to
understand, for publication of It would em
.lioldcn tho Doers to mnko a final dash for
tho possession of Mafeklng.
Major Lord Edward Cecil, son of Lord
Salisbury, must bo In command If Colonel
Uadcn-Powcll Is dead or disabled.
ON TO PRETORIA, THE CRY
Itcpnrts of KiKlitliiK Tnkrn nit Imll
cntlon tlint British Advance on
Capital la llmlcr Way.
X.ONDON, April 20. A cable from Bloem
fontein reports fighting, nt Karee siding, six
in Ilea north of (lien. This Is an Indication
that tho British forces have -begun tbo
advanco on Pretoria, but oven if this were
only an unimportant skirmish there aro
snany other Indication) that Lord Roberts
Is either starting or has already started for
tho northern goal.
4-v,' h "itiH'Ivw'i j....ar tttWa
dato-says:
"Tho censorship restrictions have been
Kreatly Increased owing to tho movements
of tho ( troops." All tho dispatches bear
traces of tho strenuous efforts of tho corre
spondents to glvo their papers an Inkling of
what Is afoot.
"Tho Boors south of Bloemfontcln are
reported to bo retreating. Largo commandos
wcro seen April 19, near Thaba N'Cbu,
moving to tho north. Their progress was
slow, howovor owing to the terrible condi
tion of tho country. By way of Protorla
comes a report that fever Is decimating
tho Mafcklng garrison and a letter from
tho mayor of Mafcklng nays Lord Roberta
asked Colonel Baden-Powell to hold out
until May 20.
An Elandslaagto dispatch dated April 19
pays: Yesterday tho British patrols dis
covered another party of patrols on the
British loft, on the same position from
which tho cnomy recently flred on tho
South African horse. In this Instance, how
ever, thcro was no firing.
Native deserters confirm previous state
ments with respect to tho fortifications and
strength of tho Boers along the Rlggars
"jorg range, Tho cnomy have recontly estab
lished a largo hogpltnl, which Is already
tilled, and similar hospitals are being estab
lished by them at various railway towns.
Tbo Boers nro losing many horses. Tho
rank and fllo aro not allowed to forago for
supplies. Their sugar Is exhausted and
only bush tea Is avallablo. The Boers aro
reported to wish to leave the Blggnrsberg
nnd to tnke up a position at Majuba, but
tho commandants refuse.
IIoit Losses nl Wepener.
From Allwal north comes news that Cap
oln Llttlo of Brabant's horse, Lieutenant
llolbcck nnd Mr. Mllno, a Heutcr corre
spondent, fell Into tho bands of the enemy
whllo they wcro trying to reach Wepener a
rweek ago, Everything wus taken from tho
prisoners, who were sent to Pretoria. Their
native servants, who escnped from tbo Boer
laager near Wepener, say that there were
four guns d Ira bled nnd that the Boers had
lost 100 111 killed alone.
It Is also ascertained that the Boers made
n night nttnek on April 11, but wore dis
covered whllo creeping along a deep ditch
liy Cape, mounted rifles with Maxims, who
llrrd Into them at a distance of 200 yards,
rwlth the result that tho Boers lost flvo
iwagonloads of killed and wounded. A
I'lmultancou- nttack lu other quarters was
repulsed by tho British, who used their bay
onets. Tho Boers still surround Wepenor.
(but there has been llttlo firing lately.
Kncmy Active Ncnr KlniiilnliinKtr.
Unci, (o Cupe (iurs Itlitnlcs.
Cecil Rhodes returns to Capetown to
morrow. Tho announcement of his de
parture was unexpected. Never has a man
ho prominently connected with the vital
questions of the day paid such a quiet
visit to London. It is learned that tho so
called "empire maker" camo to England
purely on business connected with tho
British Chartered South Africa company
nnd the Deliver Mines company. He has
accomplished his objeets. and, hating In
nctlon nnd not wishing to meet people or
Xrcely express his views, has suddenly de
termined to return to South Africa, whero
ho will watch the Interests of these two
companies. Mr. Rhodes has absolutely
refused to bo Interviewed, though privately
lie has expressed scathing comments on
several of tho generals still holding com
mands nt tho front, Utdy Gatacro will
lw a fellow passenger of Mr. Rhodes. Sbo
Is going as far as Madeira to meot her hus
band, the British general, uho has been
sent back to England.
Troop Kent lo Interior,
According to a dispatch from Lagos,
llrltlsh West Afrlcn, dated April 20,
COO Nigerian troops havo been dis
patched overland to tho daman coun
try, northwest of Aahnntl, whero tho Brit
ish resident reports a recrudescence of
(Coutluued ou Second Page,)
ACTION AGAINST TURKEY
Htnte Drpnrtliirnt Prorn-illnn tilth
Cniillon In IIh Work on
the Mutter.
WASHINGTON, April 20. Secretary Hny
roturno.1 to Washington today from Now
An accumulation of departmental
awaited him, but nothing in tbo
ultimatum directed to tho
.'mcnt was Included In tho
mats otTfBTondenco.
It If) nppBwnt that, though determined
upon positive action, tho Stato department
Is proceeding decorously and with duo pre
cautions against being led Into any position
which It cannot maintain. It may be stated
by authority that tho State department Is
entirely satisfied of the accuracy of Minister1
Straus' statement relative, to the promises
made to him by the porte, notwithstnnd
Ing tbo nttetnptt'd explanations and efforts
to becloud tho Issue by declarations that the
sultan's promises wero conditional.
Tho minister's dispatches, sent while ho
was In Constantinople, arc couched in exact
terms; his written statements wcro fully
confirmed by his oral explorations to the
department upon his return to the United
Statr, and, moreover, tho pledges) ho se
cured wero similar to those made to tho two
preceding United Suites ministers to Turkey,
In tho opinion of tho State department olll-
rla'" 't ' Inconceivable that three United
ing that tho United States government shall
act as n pioneer In this matter nnd clear tho
way for a prosecution of their own claims.
It Is also believed hero that the European
powers are hopeful that tho attitude as
sumed by tho United States may Indirectly
servo to deter tho Turkish government from
tho proposed nrbltrary Increase of 3 per
cent In customs dues which It seeks to mnko
In deflation of tho Joint protest of tho
European powers. It appears that our gov
ernment Is lending Its moral support to
this protest, for whllo not Joining with the
others In tho combined nolo, our charge, Mr.
Orlscom, has been Instructed to raako rep
resentations on 'our own account In opposi
tion to tbo lncrcnso of duties.
AMERICA'S STAND APPROVED
Firm Attitude the Only One Which
Will Avnll at Con
stnn t Inoplc.
CONSTANTINOPLE), April 20. Tho firm
attitude of tho United States government re
garding the claims of Americans for losses
nnd massacres In Armenia Is entirely Bp
proved In political nnd commercial circles,
nnd It Is hoped that tho United States will
steadfastly maintain Its demand, such a
courso being tbo only ono likely to succeed.
It Is thought that all tho powers should fol
low tho samo courso, not only concerning
Indemnities, but also with regard to tho In
crease of duty.
Negotiations regarding American Indomnlty
nro now being conducted In t Washington,
owing to tho presence tboro it United States
Minister Straus. When tho prohibition
against American pork wns Issued Lloyd C.
Orlscom, American chargo d'affaires, ad
dressed an energetic note to tbo porte.
TO CONNECT TWO OCEANS
Ilullranil Across Meilco ndnn Itnplilly
I'tmhetl to Comple
tion, CITY OF MEXICO, April 20. Work Is
now going on In tho reconstruction of tho
Tehuantepec railroad across tho narrowest
part of Mexico nnd gives nssuranco that
the road will be as solid and of as per
manent a chnracter aB the Vera Cruz rail
road. As tho Tehuantepec road will havo
a maximum grado of half per cent com
pensated, It will be In a position to handle
any Irntllc that can bo secured on very
economical terms. At present tho Panama
railroad handles 300,000 tons of freight per
annum, 60 per cent of which Is destined
for or arises at ports north of Panama.
Tbo bulk of this naturally belongs to Te
huantepec. In nddltlon, however, the road
will capturo a largo volume of tho trnlllc
at present carried by railroads to tho
Pacific coast from tho Mississippi valloy,
and It Is confidently anticipated that this
railroad will be doing as large a trade as
the Panama within Ave years from Its
opening. Tho dlstanco from Coatzacoal
cos to San Francisco via Sallna Oruz. Is 100
miles less than the dlstanco from New
Orleans to San Francisco via the Southern
Pacific nnd tho dlstanco across tho gulf
from New Orleans to Coatzacoalcos Is only
800 miles, and within a very fow years
thcro will bo dally service boats between
tho two ports. Tho now terminal portj at
Coatzacoalcos, on tho Mexican gulf, and
at Saltna Cruz on tho Pacific will be
ready for handling very heavy freight trade
In three years from now. Although tho
port of Sallna Cruz may not bo flnnlly com
pleted by that time they will be converted
Into first-class ports, accessible In nil
weather. It Is expected that tho Mexican
Isthmus routo will bo nblo to receive
freight In one ocean and put It on board
ship In tho other ocean within twenty-four
hours nt n total cost not exceeding 7 or
$8 stiver per ton, tho present charges nt
Panama being nearly double.
P0ULET PEERAGE CASE ENDS
Ormin (irlmlliiK Viscount lllnlon Wins
IIIm Title niiil tlit llcnvlly
Kuril inhered Km tit to.
(Copyright. 190i, by Press Publishing Co.)
LONDON, April 20. (New York World
Cablegram Special Telegram.) It Is statod
that an amicable settlement of the Poulet
peerage case Is now In courso of arrange
ment. The ferms of tho agreement nro said
to provide for tho full ndmlbulon of Organ
Grinder Viscount Iilntou's claim to tho
earldom, also his full tltlo to tho estates,
subject to a certain annuity for tho younger
claimant. William John Poulet, son of tho
late earl's wife. The estates havo a nominal
annual vntuo of $110.00(1, but aro greatly
Involved, owing to the extravagance) of the
late earl. Tho amount of tbo annuity for
the younger claimant Is not stated.
Will of n Millionaire.
CHICAGO, April 20.-Tlie will of Rufus
Wright, who wus mysteriously Bbol nnd
killed In the I.eland hotel last Saturday
night, was Hied for prolmto today. It dls
(loses of an estate valued at JsOO.OuO. This
is bollovod to be a conservative estimate
und It Is expected that the estate will
llguro up over $1,000,000. According to tho
petition Hied with the will the personal
property valuation Is JGod.OCO and the real
estate Is valued at $200,000, The dead mil
ltomilre manufacturer distributed $12.S0o In
personal bequests among relatives and
others, but left nothing to charity or pub
lie institutions.
Hunk OfUclnl liulleli'il,
LIMA. O.. April 20.-N. L. Michael, for
mer vice president of the American Na
tional bank, wMch wns robbed here two
years into of HS.txx), was Indicted by tbo
fraud Jury this afternoon for tho robbery.
HAVOC WROUGHT BY FLOOD
Millioni of Dollari Worth of Property Dt
slrojed in the South.
FARMS DENUDED AND HOUSES WRECKED
Money IrIiiiiiI, the oteil (inme I're
JMTvo SiilinierKril lliillrond Trnlllc
Illoukeil Sltimllon Is Very
(ilooiny.
NEW ORLEANS, April 20. The flood
which commenced tho early part of the
week has already caused, at a conservative
estimate, fully $3,000,000 Iojh In central nnd
Southern Mississippi, to any nothing of tho
daliMigo sustained by the railroads. Tho
extent of the losses havo not yet been fully
realized, nnd It may be somo days yet bo
fore nn accurate total can be renched, for
mail communication hns been totnlly cut
off between thoso localities which havo suf
fered most and the outside world.
In Ixmlwlanu, ' too, the dnmage done by
the unprecedented rains was great.
A special from Columbus, Miss., received
late tonight, fixes the lens In that little
town nnd Its Immediate vicinity nt $300,000.
Many farm housed wero carred nwny by tho
mad waters, the occupants barely escaping
with their lives, and tho number of cattle
destroyed was great. A great many cotton
gins and mill houses wcro washed nwny.
Nearly every bridge around Columbia was
swept down street. Tho Pearl river Is now
higher than It ha been known for many
years. Miles and miles of the Now Orleans
& Northwestern track Is still under water.
Honey IhT.muI, tho rendezvous of a uotdl
train robber, is burled under twenty feet of
water, and tho Island, which has for ycar.1
been ono of tho natural gamo preserves of
the south, Is now devoid of wild animals.
Hundreds of deer were drowned and tho hills
near the banks of Pearl river are now tho
temporary abiding places of nil manner q(
four-footed life. Tho log booms In tho
neighborhood of Pearl river Islands wcro
nil carried awny and tho losses sustained In
this direction ulono amounts to thousands
of dollars.
I)lstnrlug news comes from Hickory,
Miss., a small town on this road, which Is
now completely surrounded by water, and
Inundated In many localities. .Hundreds of
hogs and cattlo near this point were drowned
nnd miles of fencing havo been wnshed
away. The. latter advices from tbo town
of Enterprise stnto that tho losses havo been
very heavy. Half a scoro of towns aro com
pletely cut oft from tho outsldo world, as
they have bocn (Unco tho early part of tho
week. From tho Chunky river near Enter
prise comes tho nows of n heavy loss of lite.
Tho Illinois Central road Is still crippled
badly.
Tho Now Orleans & Northwestern, tho
East Louisiana nnd tho Yazoo & Mississippi
Valloy nro as yet unablo to movo trains and
the Mobllo & Ohio Is also a heavy sufferer.
People Flee tn lllllx.
MOBILE, Ala., April 20. The flood con
dition of tho .Mobile & Ohio railroad has
not Improved, although It Is believed the
Hood has reached Its limit. Tho railroad
company has 500 men at work repairing
breaks and tho offlchilfl oxpect through trains
jylll bo run by Monday. A special from
Uuckalunnu says that, tiic loss of stock to
farmers Is enormous, many of tho farms
being ton ifeet under water. Families havo
been forced to sock the hills for safety.
Tho Southern railway Is In 'bad shape be
tween Meridian nnd Selma and there will be
no trains beforo Monday.
Thero aro from 1,000,000 to 3,000,000 logs
In tho Paschgoula river boom, threatening
damage to tbo LouIbvIIIo & Nashville bridge
below If tho boom breaks.
MEMPHIS, Tenn., April 20. Tho flood sit
uation In Mississippi Is gloomy, with but
llttlo change In tho conditions, ns reported
last night. Authentic reports regarding tho
crops In country districts adjacent to Vlcks
burg by the heavy rains of tho early days
of tho week havo Just cone to hand. From
these reports tho devastation and ruin Is
widespread, crops, especially corn, being
nearly a total lots. Tho first train from tho
south over tho valley road slnco Monday
night renched Vlcksburg at o'clock to
night. Ofllclals of tho road announce that
tho regular schedule will bo In force tomor
row. Cotton planters will bo the greatest
sufferers. Seeds aro very scarco and imme
diate replanting will bo necessary to produco
a now crop.
Reports from flooded districts nraund
Meridian tonight nro gloomy, showing no
prospect of tho resumption of traffic beforo
Mcnday or Tuesday. Tho water In tho
larger streams south of Vlcksburg continues
to rise.
preside"nt at paterson
Mr. nnd Mrs, MrKlnlar 5nrs at tlic
residence ol Mrs,
llolmrl.
PATERSON. N. J., April 20. President
McKlnley, who with Mrs. McKlnloy Is tho
guest of Mrs. Hobnrt, widow of the late vlco
president, nt Carroll Hall, took advantage of
the beautiful spring wcathrf today and went
nut for a rldo In the electric automobile of
Mrs. Hobnrt's son Oarret.
Mr. and Mrs. McKlnley and Mrs. Hobart
will drive this afternoon In Mrs. Hobart's
carriage to Cedar lawn cemetery, whero they
will visit the grave of tho late vice president.
Tonight Mr. McKlnley, accompanied by
Oarret A. Hobart, Dr. Rlxey and Secretary
Cortelyou, will visit tho fair which Is being
hold for tho benefit of tho general hospital
at tho First regiment armory.
A prlvato box has been set aside for the
use of tho presidential party, and It has
been hani'.eomely decorated with flags for the
occasion. President McKlnley will havo a
military escort of tho Now Jersey National
Guards to and from the armory.
Tomorrow morning President and Mrs. Mt
Klnloy, Dr. Rlxey nnd Secretary Cortelyou
will go to New York, where they will stop
nt the Manhattan hotel, in tho evening the
president will attend tho Ecunemlcal confer
ence on foreign missions, which will bo held
lu Carneglo hall.
MAIL OF "HEALER" HELD UP
I'ostoinVc Authorities nt Huston SeUe
TIioiisiiiiiIs of Letters Conliiliiliii;
.Money for Fronds Truth,
BOSTON. April 20. Twelvo sacks of mall
addressed to Francis Truth, the "dlvlno
htialer" who was arrested recently, charged
with fraud, havo been Impounded by the
United States government undpr tho usual
"fraud order." Many of the thousands of
lotters contained In the twelvo mall sacks
carry money for "absent treatment."
Truth's usual charge was $5 for absent
treatment, so that necessarily tho amount
of money contained In tho letters Is very
; large. The twelve sacks of mall will be
I opened by the postal authorities. The let
I ters which bear names nnd addresses on
, the envelopes will be returned to the writer.
I Tho other letters will be sent to tho "dead
I letter" otllce at Washington to bs opened.
What money Is contained In these letters
will bo returned with tho letters to thu
writer.
STRIKE PRACTICALLY OVER
Over Three Hundred .Men nt Work on
Cornell lln in Troops Will WltliJ
ilrmv Knrly .Vexl 'Week.
CROTON DAM, N. Y., April 20. The tarao
men who replied yesterday to tho summons
of tho whistle nt 7 o'clock reported for work
again this morning, bringing a dozen moro
with them, At the quarry 132 men appeared
for work. This was fifty-two moro than
yesterday. In all .it 2 men -went to work
this morning nnd nt noon this number was
Increased to about 330. This Is about half
tho number at work beforo tbo strlko.
Tho contractors announced yesterday that
tho places of tho strikers would bo kept
open until noon today and all who wished
to return to work this morning could do so.
Accordlnclv. lifter tho noon hour It wns
'announced no strikers would bo taken back
and It was said their places would bo fluW
with new men, Today tho contractors nn- ,
nnunccd that In response tn appeals from '
somo of tho Italian women, ths limit for j
going back to work, had been extended until I
Monday morning. Tho women said their !
husbands, sons and relatives had gone to
New York or other places so ns not to bo
In nny way mixed up in any .'trouble tbero
might be nt tho dam nnd had -not yet re
turned, but would do so as soon as posslblo
nnd they urged tho time limit? had been too
short. I'
It U reported that thero aro three nn
nrchlsts In tho camp of tho Italian strikers I
and that they have btcn urging tho men
to keep up tho fight. An. Italian deputy has
been nt work among tho strikers trying to
Identify them and arrest them If possible.
Tho seven Italians who wcro arrested laot
night without warrants weio nrralgned to
day beforo Justice of tho Pcato Baker at
Croton Lnndlng. They were rharged with
carrying concealed weapons and threatening
llfo nnd property. Two of the prisoners,
Joseph Pnrmossa and Domlnoe- Muslra, were
sent to tho White Plains Jail to await the
action of the grand Jury. Tho five other
prisoners Inslste-' on having ho 'examina
tion, and their cases wero set' down for a
hearing tomorrow. . -
Tho contractors' paymaster arrived hero
today and tomorrow will pay out about
$30,000 to the men. Oencral Roo said to
night that from present Indications the
troops will not havo to stay' here long. The
troops will remain over until Tuesday or
Wednesday to seo that tho new- workmen
aro not Interfered with. The places of tho
strikers not filled Monday will bo filled Tues
day by men from New York.
STEEL KINGS IN COUNCIL
Mtnr-Clinntbcr MectiiiMT In .New York,
lint Cntrs in Still on Deck No
C'liuitKC, He Mays.
NEW YORK, April 20. A special meeting
of tho directors of the American Steel and
Wlro company wns held today Jn tho New
York ofllces of the company. Tho chief pur
pose of tho meeting, according to reports, la
to tako some action relative to' tho recent
closing of twelve of the company's mills by
order of tho chairman of .the cxecutlvo com
mittee, John W. Gates. The meeting was
scheduled for 11 o'clock. At that time
Mr. Gates and three or four directors of tho
company wcro present, hut , T'resldent Lam
bert, who arrived from Chli jo last night,
had not put In an. appcanir ,
Henry Scllgman of J. & . 3ellgman &
Co., nnd j-epreseqtatlvo ofY j.nra, entered
tho room VnOrtly aftor A o'cio'ek. Tho
Sellgmans aro supposed to represent the
antl-Gntcs faction. Mr. Scllgman declined to
discuss tho probable outcomo of tbo meet
ing. President Gary of tho Federal Steel com
pany called at tho ofllces during tho meeting
and remained but a few moments. Ho son
returned, howovor, nnd went Into tho ofllco,
accompanied by II. H. Rogers of the
Standard Oil company and Robert Bacon of
J. P. Morgan & Co.
When Mr. Gates was Been nt the closo of
tho meeting ho would only say: "There
has been no chango In the management of
the company."
,Mr. Sellgman and Mr. Strauss declined to
say anything as to tho action taken. Later,
when a rumor spread to the effect that
! they and Thomns Dolan of Philadelphia had
resigned from tho board, Mr. Sellgman said:
"Wo havo not resigned and the meeting
wns adjourned to Mny 7."
Tho presenco nt the meeting of Robert
Bacon and President Gary of tho Federal
Steel company caused pome speculation. Mr.
Bacon is a director of the Federal Steel
company. He refused to talk about tho
object of his visit to tho meoting today and
President Onry was equnlly reticent. An
other director of the Federal Steel com
nanv wns seen and asked to clve his vlows
as to the portability of a coalition of in
terests of tho two companies. Ho said that
so far as ho Vnew thero would be no closer
relations between the Federal Steel com
pany nnd tho American Steel and Wlro com
pany than exlBt at present.
There were various rumors regarding tho
part taken in the meeting by Presldont
Gnry and other ofllclals of tho Federal
Steol company present. According to ono,
notice was served that a contract for 50,000
tons of steel billets which tho Federnl Steel
company has with the American Steol nnd
Wire company will be canceled unless Mr.
Gates is put out of tho chairmanship. An
other rumor waB that tho steel and wire
company would bo held strictly to tho con
tract nnd not allowed to postpone tho ac
ceptance of the billets. The latter was
thought moro likely to bo true, ns the bill
had been contracted for nt a very high
price.
FREIGHT RATES CANCELED
Ailvnnee Will He Slnilc liy Trnimcoii 1 1
neiiliil HoiiiIh In Thrniiuli lliiHlnrNH
from I'uelflo Const.
NEW YORK. April 20. It is announcel
by n Wall street nows agency that tho
through freight rates between the Pacific
coast and nil points south of tho Ohio nnd
oast of tho Mississippi river wcro canceled
today. All of (ho Interested roads, Includ
ing tho Southern Pacific, havo Issued no
tices to that offect. As a result of this
action, the transcontinental rates east of
tbo Mississippi river are ndded to tho rate
between San Francisco and tho river nnd
tho through rate advanced In tho exact
amount of tho added local, which ranges
from 30 cents per 100 pounds to $1 nnd moro
In some Instances.
To Disrupt t'nlteil Typotlielne.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., April 20,-Presl-dent
Samuel U. Donnelly or the Interna
tional TvDocrnnlilcal union stilted in an In-
, tervlew today Unit he thought n movement
was on toot to iiisrupi wie l niicu 'i:'po
thetae. The radical members, who will not
consent to arbitrate In nny way nor recog
nlzo tho union, have becomo Identified with
tho Master Printers' association of the
United States, formed In Cincinnati In
Mnreh. The olllcera are: H, Conkey of
Chicago, president; A. II. Pugh of Cincin
nati, secretary; W. P. Hennebery of Chi
cago, chairman of tho board of directors.
A ;Maco on the board was offered Kdwnrd
Freegard of tho Typothetae, tut ho de
cltned, Morrison HciicIich .Vimv Vork.
NEW YOUN, April CO.-Fornier President
Benjamin Harrison and Mrs. Harrison re
ceived ninny calls at tbo Fifth Avenuo
hotel toilny . Mr. Harrison will preside nt
the Ecumenical conference which convenes
here tomorrow. When questioned regarding
tho political outlook he said: "I must de
cline to distil that sublect I do not caro
to meddle In political affairs."
LIRE "MULBERRY SELLERS"
Remarkable Career of Actor Morelfdge, Who
Tamed Bandit.
SCHEMES WITH "MILLIONS IN THEM"
Once the Promoter of C'olonlnt Ion nml
lrrlKiitlon CoinpiinlcN of Vnst Pro
portions He (iocs to Prison
for n I.oiik Term,
KANSAS CITY, April 20. C. E. Moro
Icdge, an actor, who last winter "held up"
two restaurants and a saloon In tho center
of tho business district slnglchatided, lu
order to get money sufficient to put his
company on tbo road, was found guilty In
tho circuit court hero today and given a
sentence of twenty-flvo years In tho pcnl
tcntlury. Ho pleaded Insanity.
Morcledge Is a remarkable criminal. Ills
career as portrayed by wttnesic3 showed
him to bo a rcnl "Mulberry Sellers." Ho
was ono of tho original promoters of tho
Topolobampo co-operatlvo colonization
schenio nnd bo originated n scheme to dam
tho Missouri river nt Bismarck, N. D., ami
to divert tho entire flow of waters In a
gigantic ditch that would How southward
through Nebraska and Kansas nnd' have
lateral ditches that would irrigate tbo
wholo of tho western parts of thoso states.
"Thero is millions In It," read IcttoM
written years ago by Morcledge nnd which
wero presented In court today by his nt
torney In nu effort to provo tho prisoner's
Insanity.
Another scheme projected by Morclcdgo
wns to revivo tho Ancient Order of Magls
and still nnother wns that to build a big
co-operative coinpartmimt house that would
cover several blocks.
James A. Flnlay, who was clerk to tho
Indian ngent nt Pino Rldgo, S. D., in 1830,
during tho uprising of tho Sioux Indians
there, testified about how Morclcdgo made
"big" money there. Morclcdgo was there
with a photographing outfit. After the bat
tle of Wounded Knee General Brooks Issued
nn order thnt no one on tho ngency should
go beyond a certain line, because the In
dians wero In grout numbers and very
Bloodthirsty.
That night Morcledge was missed and a
search was made for him. Tho next morn
ing he enmo to town. Ho had spent the
night on tho battlefield of Wounded Knee
taking flashlight photographs of the dead
soldiers and Indians, and ho afterward had
theso pictures copyrighted nnd mado a
great deal of money selling them.
General Brooks had to banish him from
tho agency because of his recklessness and
disregard of orders.
SOUGHT SOLACE IN DEATH
Wo m mi Attempts (n Hnil Her Life liy
I.enpliiK Into Xciv York liny
from Brooklyn IlrlilKC.
NEW YORK, April 20. Miss Mario
Dlnso of .this city Jumped from the Brook
lyn brldgo at 2 o'clock this nttornoou with
out serious injuries. Many men havo made
this leap Into tho waters of tho East river
since the brldgo has been completed. Most
of them, havo perished, but Miss Dlnso Is
tho second woman who has ever attetnptod
to cad her life In thlo-way. Qn September
C, 1895, a Mrs. McArthur jumped from the
brldgo nnd wns but slightly injured. She
was discharged when arraigned In a pollco
court. On August 30 of tho same year Mrs.
McArthur mado a second attempt to Jump
but was stopped by tho brldgo police. The
woman who Jumped today is now in the
Hudson street hospital. Tho physicians
found that no bones were broken, but they
say it is possible that sho has sustained in
ternal injuries.
In the cnrrlngo In which sho drovo to tho
middlo span of tho brldgo was found a
brooch on which was engraved "M. Dinse,
May 22, 1887," and sho was oIbo identified
through papers on her person ns Miss Dlnse.
She Is about 32 years old and wns formerly
a part owner of a boarding house In this
city.
For non-payment of installments nnd rent
Miss Dlnso was dispossessed on Wednesdny
from a boarding Iioupo that sho and a man
named F. Maudln wero running on Twonty
thlrd street. Slnco that tlmo sho has been
melancholy nnd has remained In her room
most of tho time.
SIX GUILTY OF MURDER
Hnlf n hor.en of lllolers Who Killed
nn Illinois Sheriff Convicted nml
Sen ten ceil One Acquitted.
ST. LOUIS, April 20. Tho Jury In tho
Barnlckol murder enso at Bclvlllo, 111., ren
dered Its verdict this evening. Six of the
seven mon wero found guilty. Ono was ac
quitted. Charles Hastings wns found guilty and his
punishment wns fixed at eighteen years In
tho penitentiary. The punishment of thu
other live. James Allen, Georgo Godfrey,
James McGeecbln, Michael Kennedy, nllas
Harry Wade, and Richard Framko, was fixed
at fourteen years In tho penitentiary.
John Dugan, tho youngest of tho prisoners,
was declared not guilty.
Thero Is ono moro man to be tried. Ho Is
Monk Baxter, who obtained a chango of
venuo to Clinton county.
Barnlckol, who wns sheriff of St. Clair
county, Illinois, was shot Ip January last
whllo engaged In putting down a riot among
tho prisoners In tho Bcllevlllo Jail nnd dlod
two weeks later from tho effect of the
wound. Ho killed ono of tbo ringleaders
during tho melee.
DYNAMITE WORKS BLOW UP
i:ploslon of the PnekliiK House of
the AJnv Dynniulte Works
Kills Three Men,
BAY CITY, Mlch7"Aprll 20. The packing
house of tho AJax dynamlto works, near tin
vitiligo of Kawkawiln, this county, was
"blown up this nftcrnoon, killing threo men.
Tho dead wriffe William Weaver of
Kawkawiln, Edward Halligan of Kawkawiln
nnd William Van Vlnssler of West Bay City
All left young wives nnd children. Their
bodies wero torn to shreds, only enough
being found to fill n bushel basket. Great
trees wcro uprooted or torn to tpllntcrs
and housps and stores In Kawkawiln wcro
wrecked by tho force of tho explosion.
H. H. Thomns of Bay City Is tho owner of
tho works.
It Is believed that tho explosion, which
wns tho fourth In seven years, was caused
by ono of tho men dropping a pailful of
dynamlto on tho floor. Tho financial loss
Is slight.
Mysterious Ailvnnee In Unmix.
rUUCAflO, April 20. Securities of the
Street Elevated railway, a system over
which thero has been litigation nlmost from
lis completion foveral ye-ars ago, took n
big Jump on the stock market today. In
come bonds advancing i',-j points. Tho ad
vance was nceompanled by n report that
a settlement had been or was iibout to be
made with thu '.legler Interests In their
claim for Interest on tho par value of their
holdings, umountlng to nbiiut Jmo.ijw, Hit.
km (Ion over which has bwn pending in the
federal courts for years, Thn l.nko Street
company oillclnls in thla city rofused to dls
cum the matter,
CONDITION OF THE WEATHER
Forccnst for Nebmskn
Showers ; southeasterly winds.
Tonipernttire nt Oninlin yeslerdny i
Hour. Dck Hour. lieu,
" ", in p, pi 71
I n. in Ml i! p. ii Tit
7 n. in .11 Jt p. in TIJ
S n. in .IS I p. in 71
i II. in Ill ,-, p. m 711
" o. in 1.1 p, tn Oil
I in II 7 p. in (Ill
i- in 711 H p. in Ill
II p. in II'J
WIPED OUT BY FAST FIRE
Business I'orllon of n Norlli Dnkotn
Ton n Ciitlicly Destroy el To
Women Lose their l.Ues.
GRAND FORKS, N. D April 20 Word
wns received hero this afternoon that Elln
burg in tho northern part of Walsh county
wns burning nnd nlmost Immediately nfter
tho first Information camo to hand tho tele
graph wires went down nnd It wns Impos
sible to got further Information from thnt
rource. A telcphono message to Park River
brought tho following particulars from n To
llable source:
Tho llro started at 3 p. m. In the rear of
Flatens drug store, Mnndlng at tho south
end of tho business portion of tho town. A
south wind aided tho Haines In quickly
spreading and beforo nnyono was nwaro
what had happened tho whole town wns
ablaze. It was Impossible to learn bow tho
llro originated.
Severn! people attempted to save their
personal belongings, but wero compelled to
nbundon the attempt nnd llco for their lcs.
Two women, Mrs. Llndnhl ond Mrs. B. J.
Orson, perished In tho tinmen und one child
barely escaped. Tho rcsldcnco portion of tho
city Is uninjured. Tho chief surferers nro
business men nnd tho pcoplo who occupied
npartments above stores.
Twenty buildings wero destroyed and two
elevators. Not a, ventage of anything re
mained, nnd so fierce, was the fire that not
oven food enough was loft to feed tho In
habitants nnd thoso who assisted in tho
rcscuo work.
A Great Northern engineer ran his engine
In to pull out n train of freight cars that
was standing In close proximity to the fire,
but no sooner had he made thci attempt
than tho wholo train caught llro and ho was
compelled to leave his englno and mako his
escape. Tho southbound express was de
layed and a special train was sent from
Larlmoro and a, wrecking crow from Grand
Forks. Tho train may bo released from tho
debris about midnight.
Adjacent towns sent relief companies nnd
Park River contributed provisions to the
sufferers. No estimate of tno losses can bo
obtained. It Is thought that tho property
was Insured for about one-fourth Its valuo.
MURPHY IS FOUND GUILTY
Prisoner Must Pity I'lnc of One Hun
dred Dollars For IIoIiIiIiik
l'OHtolllcc,
SIOUX FALLS, S. D., April 20. (Special
Telegram.) After being out only live min
utes n Jury In tho Unltenl States court
brought In n verdict of guilty In tho case
of Georgo Murphy, charged with robbing
tho posUifllco at Dalesburg, Clay county, last
mil.
Judgo Carlnnd today sentenced him ,to pay
n flno of $100 on each of tho counts In tho
indictment and servo two years In tho
Sioux Falls penitentiary. Murphy Is almost
a boy, and In passing sentence Judgo Car
land, probably with the Klrby caso in view,
stated In substance that ho had no sympa
thy with postofllco robbers, but for mis
guided youth ho had, nddlng that he would
advlso Murphy that when he started out to
commit another crlmo to first procure
wealth, then ho could appeal the caso and
ultimately esenpe, that being poor nnd with
out frlendB ho must suffer tho conso
quences. Judgo Cnrland's remarks did not
In nny way reflect on the higher courts.
Not slnco tho pursuit of tho James and
Younger boys nfter tho robbery nnd tragedy
at Northlleld, Minn., has this part of tho
country been so oxclted over the pursuit of
escaping criminals as Is occasioned by ef
forts to roenpturo tho four men still at
largo who mado so daring an escape from
tho Sioux Falls penitentiary yesterday.
Posses, farmers, citizens of largo nnd small
towns both In South Dakota and tho neigh
boring portions of Iowa nnd Minnesota are
engaged in tho search. Every highway and
crofsrond for mlloa Is bplng watched and
patrolled by men nnxlous to gnln tho re
ward offered for tho apprehension of tho
men. Peter Shea, one of tho fugitives, who
was captured today near Hills, Minn., has
been returned to tho penitentiary.
Tho four yot at largo aro Harry E. Lc
Roy, William Dockcry, William Miller and
Lester Luvorne, tho three latter being
United States prisoners. Luvorne, who 's
probably tho most deaperato character of
the lot, has a lamo right arm, duo to a bul
let wound received In a fight with officers
when arrested for tho crlmo for which he
was sorving. Two of tho threo horses
stolen nt Sioux Falls laBt night by tho fugi
tives were recovered four miles southeast of
town, whero thoy had been ubandoncd. This
afternoon a bloodhound was placed on tho
track of tho fugitives.
TANNER HAS GALL STONES
l)r. Sen n DlnKiioscs I'nsc of Illinois
(overnor anil Says that an Opera
tion Must lie Performed,
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.TTprll 20. Gall stones
nro Bald to bo tho causo of tho sovero ot
tttcks of gastritis with which Governor Tan
ner has sufforcd for somo time. Dr. Nicho
las Scnn examined the governor today nnd
tonight gave out the following statement:
"The physicians In the caso positively ex
clude tho Idea of tubcrculpsls or cancer from
tho diagnosis. Wo believe the paroxysms
of pain nro duu to tho presiure of gall stones.
"Wo bcllovo tho governoi's condition Is
such that ho will probably rcqulro a sur
gical operation In tho near future. Tho
operation, although a dellcato one, Is us
ually successful."
,lllK Money In Hire I rlell y.
NEW VORK. April 20. -The annual report
of the General Electric vomumiy Issued to
day shows gross receipts for the year end
ing January 31. UiOO of SJJ.its. 170. Of this
mnniiiit tlusro wns a total profit for tho year
of $3,4T9,180. Tho sum of J1.2S'.'.l!70 was ab
sorbed In paying dividends on preferred
mid common stock and Interest on out
standing' debentures, the patent mcouiit
was reduced by $2,uo0.Wo anil nn addition to
the surplus account wus made of $2,1M, 150
This leaves a present surplus with a bal
ance of $151,50 carried forward from last
year of $2,K3,0,I0.
MotcmeiilH of Occnii Steamers,
At New York Sailed Stnto of Nebraska,
for Glasgow; Kulsurlii Murln Theresa,' for
Bremen. Arrived Pulutlu, from ilumbiii'i,,
At Boston Arrived New England, from
Liverpool.
At Hamburg Arrived Phoenicia, from
New York, via Cherbourg; Wllknrnincn,
from Philadelphia; Kaiser Frledeiich, from
New York, via Plymouth.
At Havre - Arrived L'Aqultnlue, from
Ni"" York.
At Geiioii--Arrlvcd Kins, from New York.
At 'herboirg--8alled -Fuerat liiwnurck.
from Hamburg, for New York
At Southampton - Hulled- Fucrst Bis
nmrck, from Hamburg, for New York, via
Cherbouri:.
LOOKS LIKE A TIE UP
Conference at Lincoln to Launch the Alleged
Lambertson Boom.
THURSTON AND SCHNEIDER MEN TOGETHER
Federal Officeholder! Hake Up a Fair Share
of the Number.
INTENDED TO AFFECT CONVENTIONS
Influence on Today's Meeting Beemi to Be
Object in View.
SECRET GATHERING HELD AT LINCOLN
Well Knott n Politic Inns ,ny Tlielr
llenils Toitftlier nml l'lilinlnit to
Jiliilorseiiieuts for People
lo llntlf Hereafter.
LINCOLN. April 20.-(Spcclnl Telegram.)
At an nntl-Thonipson conference of prom
inent republicans hero tonight (1. M. Lam
bertson of this city was Indorsed for thu
republican nomination for governor and
plans were laid for carrying on nn nctlvo
campaign In his Interest, beginning lu
Lancaster county. Mr. Lambcrtsun nccepted
the Indorsement of the conference and In a
brief speech pleaded for harmony In repub
lican ranks. Tho meeting wm hold In
cxocutlvo session nml Its proceedings were
according to a program previously arranged.
Thu friends of R. 1). Schneider of Fremont
were Instrumental in calling the men to
gether and at the close of the conference
Schneider's candidacy for the national com
mltteemnnshlp was Indorsed.
. Tho following wero among thoso present
nt tho conferenco: I. D. Brans, Adams; II.
O. Paine, Brown; Judgo Cnlklns, Buffalo;
.1. F. Nesblt. Burt; C. E. Toft, Cass; A. A.
Graham, Gage; E. J. Hnlner, Hamilton; A.
E. Cady, Howard; Frank M. Hall. C. O.
Whiidon, J. B. Strode. J. W. Johnson, O. M.
Lambertson, Lancaster; W. T. Thompson,
Merrick; Paul Jcssen, Oloo; J. D. Gage,
Franklin; C. F. llc.ivls, Richardson; F. J.
Sadllck, Sallno; L. E. Grever, Saunders; Tim
Scdgewick, G. W. Post, Dr. McConcga, York;
Ilnlrgrove. Sutton; E. II. HlnBbaw, Falr
bury; Orlando Tcft, Avocn.
Tho largo sprinkling of federal officehold
ers In attendance and tho liberal allowance
of others wheso Intorests nro apparent to
tho ensual observer Indicate plainly n tlc-up
bctwoen Thurston and Schneider. Thero Is
no doubt but tho meeting of tonight is In
tended to havo a bearing on the nctlon ol
tho various county conventions which meet
tomorrow. It Is tho object of the meeting
to glvo tho Impression that Lambertson's
candidacy will In a measuro depend on tho
action of the conventions ns affecting tho
aspirations of Messrs. Thurston and
Schneider. Just what connection there la
between tho governorship and tho position
of national committeeman Is not so easily
apparent as is the Interests represented at
tbo conferenco tonight.
COUNTY REPUBLICANS MEET
Party OrKiiiilxiitliiiis Through thn
Slnle Mime Deli-Kales to (he
Dlirerent Con vent Ions.
O'NEILL, Neb., April 20. (Special Tclo
grnm.) Tho county republican central com
mittee met In O'Neill today for the purpose
of electing stato nnd congressional delegates
and fixing n dnto for tho county convention.
Ilio stato delegation Is ns follows: R. R.
Dickson, chairman; T. J. Smith, I). E. Stur
dovant, William Clovlsh, Andrew Schmidt,
L. Richmond, C. W. Moss, R. H. Jcnness,
D. II. Cronln, O. O. Snyder nnd E. S. Oll
mour. Judgo Klnkaid was nllowed, upon motion,
to select tho congressional delegation. No
resolutions, other than one endorsing tho
administration of President McKlnley, wero
passed. Tho county convention was set
for July 30.
NELSON. Neb.. April 20. (Special Tole
grum.) Tho republicans of Nuckolls county
met In convention at 'this place yesterday.
Tho delegates selected to tho state con
vention nre: T. W. Cole, W. W. Hawloy, F.
A. Scherlzlnger, J. Wnrren Kelfer, Jr., II. E.
Bowman. John Welmer, H. F. Sapp, F. W.
llolllngworth, O. L. Day, W. G. McDowell,
J. 11. Bennlng, C. E. Stlno nnd George Scou
lar. The following wero nnmed to attend tho
congressional convention nt Holdrcgcj:
Henry Fox, Jr.. W. L. Minor, W. A. Borir
Btrcsser, Jno Yost, J. Warren Kelfer, Jr.,
T. E. Mclntiro, G. L. Day, O. H. Marble.
R. J. Comlns. S. T. Caldwell, B. C. Felt,
W. L. Hllllard and W. L. Warren.
An attempt to Instruct tho delcgUi's for
i (V. E. Adnms for congrcis wns defeated. The
convention wus well attended.
CENTRAL CITY, Neb.. April 20. (Spe
cial Telegram.) Tho republican county-convention
hero today named tho following
delegates to tho stato convention: M. L.
Rohsltter, W. R. Morse, E. A. Richardson,
John Patterson, Dr. Owane, William Wor
Innd, R. W. Campbell, G. M. Biirllngame.
J. B, Tomplln. II. V. Persons and A. Scud
dor. A majority of tho delegation nre nnti
Thurston men, but they nro unlnstructed.
Tho congressional delegation: A. J. Bowie,
L. R. Richardson, W. B. Kerr, O. F. New
mycr, W. C Sheldon, M. Mnrtln, II. A.
Wolls, W. H. Balrd, J. P. Spcllman, F.
Sweet, Jamas Jensen nnd W. II, Crltcs.
CURTIS, Neb., April 20. (Special Teln
gram.) The Frontier county republican
convention . wns held nt Stockvllle today.
All precincts except ono wero represented,
Dr. J. A. Andrews of EustU was chairman
and J. A. Williams secretary. Hon. John
C. Gammlll, as candidate for governor, was
given tho prlvllego of naming tho delegates
to tho stnto convention by tho unanimous
voto of tho convention. Thoy are ns fol
lows: S. T. Burson, J. H. Jones, F. C.
Schrooder, A. Wllscy, A. H. Zlgnor, L. O.
Klchurdwn, Eugene Allen, E. B. Austin, C.
II. Tinner. L. II. Wymore. Mr. Gammlll Is
clerk of tho district court, Is an old soldier
and well known, particularly In western
.Nebraska. Delegates to tho congressional
convention aro as follows: W. B. Whltakor,
N. II. Boguo. J. J. Green, W. P. Holme, J.
L. Sanders, N. Y. Davis, J. A. Andrews,
Honry Underwood and 0orgi Kelly. This
di legation !s understood to favor W. S
Morion for congress. L. II. Cheney was re
nominated for county attorney by acclama
tion. D. H. Richards was nominated for
commissioner, Third district. A. Wllsey
was elected chairman of tho county central
committee. J. A. Williams and W. P. Holmes
nro secretaries.
MANY COUNTIES MEET TODAY
Itcpilhllcnns Will Choline Delegates In
the Slate Coin cnlloii Confusion
Annum' the I'lmlonlntu,
Republicans of many nf tho counties of tho
statu will hold their county conventions to
day Tho Cuming county convention at
West Point today will, It Is understood,