The Omaha Daily Bee.
ESTAHLIHIIEI)
JUNE
10, 1871.
OMAHA, MONDAY MOKNINO, Al'KIL 121, H02.
SINGLE COPY FIVE CENTS.
TO SHUT OUT OPIUL
Jills Pending in Both Houses of Oongreu
Intended to 8uppreu the Evil.
, .
10BBY IS ON HAND TO FIGHT MEASURES
Iraffio ii Better Than a Gold Mine to the
Tew Men Who Control It.
HABIT GETTING A HOLD ON WHITES
LepretentatiTe Grovesnor Pushing His
Anti-Injunction Bill.
NEW STATE BUILDING IS TO BE COSTLY
President Shows HI Indrpridrare
of Congressional Influence In
Appointment of F.naene
F. Ware.
(From a. Staff Correspondent.)
WASHINGTON, April 20. (Special.) A
few 1aya ago Senator Foster of Washing
ton, acting for Senator Mason of Illlaols,
who was temporarily absent, presented a
petition from the Chinese. Empire Reform
association urging the enactment of a law
to absolutely prohibit tha importation of
opium for smoking purposes into the United
States.
It would appear that the time has come
when congress should set. If a tithe of ths
reports concerning tha opium traffic in this
country are true.
A brief history of the negotlstlona be
tween China and America for the suppres
sion of the trade Is Interesting. In the year
1880 a treaty waa formulated between the
governments of tha United States and China
ani In accordance with a stipulation to that
convention marked "Article 2" It waa agreed
that no clttsen of the United States nor any
subject of the emperor of China should en
Joy the commercial privilege of trafficking
In opium between any of the open porta of
China, and It waa further provided that no
citizen of tha United States should engage
in buying opium In any of tha above men
tioned open ports.
This treaty was proclaimed by the presi
dent of the United States In 1881. Congress
In 188T psssed an act to provide for the ex
ecution of the previsions of this treaty.
Thereupon the clause relating to this sub
ject became the supreme law of the land
Immediately upon the consummation of this
act of congress by the president's signature.
Falls of It Object.
s
No person of well balanced mind will
doubt for a moment the good faith and pur
pese Intended by both natlona lu framing
this highly moral bit of International law.
It was evident that the Intention waa to
prevent further trade between the two
countries In an article which was rapidly
destroying the physical and moral standard
of China, and had already gained a dan
gerous foothold In America. But on ac
count of the limited control the United
States aajr tav ever foreigners residing
Ma this country tha treaty and tha atatute
became but blank eartrldges so far as tha
opium trade was concerned, for they only
served to transfer the t raffle from the
Chinese and American traders Into the
hands of foreigners.
Under the present conditions the wonder
ful profits that are known to accrue from
the aale of this perulcioua drug In the
Vntted States are divided, strange as It
may seem, between three prominent resi
dents of 8an Francisco. When It became
evident to the Chinese merchants that It
would be unsafe for them to attempt the
importation of opium they cast about for
some foreigner who might be Induced for a
heavy consideration to act aa their agent,
he to assums before our customa authorities
that he waa the sole Importer and that ha
was In no way coanected with Chinese or
American traders. Thsy found such an
agent In H. O. Playfalr, an English banker,
residing In 8a n Francisco.
Of course this was a mere aubterfuga
calculated to dodge tha law, but it worked
most satlsfsctorlly to all concerned. There
la one agency for the great opium firm of
Macao, China, In Saa Francisco. That
substantially imports all tha opium that Is
sold In this country. This, of course, must
be done through the connivance of their
English go-between. The foreign agent re
ceives a commission of $5 on each caae of
opium Imported. Thia accounta for two of
this trinity. Now for the third. Of course
there must ba some one to act as customs
braker. This has been Intrusted to one of
tha most prominent brokerage firms of that
city.
Retailers Make Mtle Profit.
Such Chines as are engaged In the re
tall opium trade of the coast declare that
they receive no profit worth mentioning
from the aale of the drug. Besides, all
well-thlnklng Chines are more than anxt
oua that opium be placed upon the list of
contraband artlclea. It may seem astonish
tshlng, and serve as a kindergarten lesson
to the good cltlsena of the United Statea
when they are told that the toy kingdom
of Hawaii many years ago forbad the im
portation of opium to the Islands, realising
that tha use of the drug meant tha certain
destruction of the Hawaiian race, and It
aeema almost Incredible that with all our
boasted civilisation, tha lawmakers of
America have never ahowa that same re
gard for the morality of our cltlsena as
waa evidenced by this soml-clvilUed mon
archy In the Pacific Isles.
It must be palpable to all right-think-Ing
Americana that there la a crying need
' of nstlonal legislation to check the spread
of this Aalatlo plagca. opium smoking,
smoug our own cttls.ns; it must be pal
pable, tor tha reaaoa that nearly every
municipality of Importance In the United
Statea has psssed most, stringent lawa to
exterminate the evil, and It would oar.
talnly occur to an observer that these laws
wouia naraiy ee necessary did tb evil
' not rilt.
In the city of Saa Francisco, It baa been
ststed that there are at tha loweat esti
mate, at least 10.000 white persons who are
connrmea opium smokers. This form of
dissipation. If the curse may be dignified
by such a name. Is about as well known In
Chicago, Denver and New York as it la
mere, ana there Is scarcely a village oa
the Paclfle coast without Ita resort for
white opium smokers. Even some of the
small towns In New England hsve found
U necessary to drive these degenerates
across their municipal lines as a protectioa
agsinst me spread of the opium plague
among the young men and women there.
Keaiislng the demoralising Influence and
effect of this decidedly un-Amerlcea vice.
Senator Mason of Illinois has Introduced
a bill In the senate, and a similar bill has
been Introduced In the house by Represen
tetlve BUkeney of Maryland, which will
put an end to the importation of opium
to this country as soon as either of the
bills become s law.
A rather respectable lobby has arrived
t 1 (Continued, oa Second Page.)
v':-THE,NQUIRY
Ctt,"rt la flamar Talks
. 'tf he
. c
i
- i
MANILA, April 20. The United Ststes
army trsnsport Buford left here today for
Fan Francisco after having been detained in
quarantine for five days.
General Jacob H. Smith, who was In com
mand of the forces In Saniar at the time
Commaoder Major Waller of the marina
corps is said to have executed natives of
that island without trial, was to have gone
home on Buford, but has disembarked her.
Orders have been received here from
Wsshlngton to hold a court of Inquiry Into
the general conduct of affaire In Satn.ir.
General Smith asserts tbst to the best of
his belief the officers and men of his com
mand In flamar had to face insurmountable
difficulties, that the difficulties they en
countered were almost unbearable and that
the treachery of the natives of the island
la unequalled In the history of warfare.
He says the American soldiers acted in
the circumstances with the greatest fore
bearance shown in the wsr in the Philip
pines. "Campaigning in Samar Is not a
pleseura trip, but a stern reality," said
General Smith.. He also expressed his
doubt If the troops of any nation In the
world would or could have acted in the
circumstances In Samar as did the Amer
icans. CHAFFEE COMPLIMENTS BELL
Sends a letter A Ion a; with the Con.
grutnlatlona of President
Roosevelt.
MANILA. April 20. General Chaffee has
forwarded to General J. Franklin Bell the
congratulations sent the latter by Presi
dent Roosevelt upon the recent campaign
In Batangas and Laguna provinces, con
ducted by General Bell. Gcnersl Chaffee
forwarded the president's communicstlon
through General Lloyd Wheaton and In an
accompanying letter he expresses his great
pleasure at the receipt by General Bell of
the president's congratulations. No Amer
ican troops, says General Chaffee, have ever
before been charged wlih a task more dif
ficult of accomplishment. So unique has
been the situation in Batangas and Laguna,
continues General Chaffee In his letter, that
only a person thoroughly familiar with It
by actual contact can appreciate the con
ditions which have been met and over
coma, or fairly determine what were the
best methods to accomplish the objects,
namely the recognition of the sovereignty
of the United States and the establish
ment of peace and order in the disturbed
sections.
NEVER WISHED ANYONE HARM
Assassinated Russian Minister Has
Nothing hot Kind Words oa
Death Bed.
ST. PETERSBURG. April 20. The Novoe
Vremya has published the first authentic
account of the last moments of M. Slpia
gulne, tha minister of the Interior, who was
assassinated by a" student last Tuesday In
the ministerial offices. According to this
paper M. Slplagulne recovered conscious
ness after his wounds had been dressed. He
Immediately realized he waa dying and ex
hibited the greatest fortitude. He could
only utter broken sentences. He expressed
a wish to see the emperor and demanded
that his wife and a priest be sent for. He
muttered, "Death la hard for an unbeliever.
It la impossible to live without faith. I
never wished any oue anything but good."
His wife tried to persusde him that sleep
would restore bis strength, but M. Slpta
gulne shook hla head, declared that waa
tbelr Isst Interview and asked for a final
kiss. He had an affecting leave-taking with
M. Vannovsky, the minister of public In
struction, and the other ministers. He
finally lost consciousness before he was
taken to the infirmary.
BLOW UP MILITARY BARRACKS
Conservatives In Nicaragua Cisie
Explosion Which Kills One Hun
dred and Fifty.
MANAGUA, Nicaragua. April 20. Some
member of the conservative party caused
an explosion in the military barracks here
on Wednesday night.
Nearly 160 lives were lost In the ex
plosion, and the barracks were destroyed.
There has been considerable bitterness
shown by the conservatives against the
liber si party, which is In power, and of
which Presdeat Selaya la the leader.
EPIDEMIC OF SURRENDER
Small Parties of Philippine lusurg-
ats Hive I p Arms to
Americana Dally,
MANILA. April 20. Surrenders to the
American authorities of small psrtles of in
surgents are reported dally and these have
Increased since the recent surrender of the
Insurgent general Malvar. General Rlflro,
with twenty-six officers and J75 soldiers,
has surrendered to tb native constabulary
la tb province of Mlsamls, In Mindanao,
where tb constabulary la co-operating with
tha military.
Moaameat to Cavalry Commander.
HANOVER, Prussia, April 20. Emperor
Wllllsm, Crown Prince Frederick William
and representatives of all the cavalry regi
ments of tha empire were present today at
the unveiling here of a monument erected
In honor of Qeneral von Rosenberg, the
commander of the Thirteenth Uhlan regi
ment during the war of 1870. Emperot
William and Count von Waldersee, who
was commsnder of the allied forces Is
China, made speeches st the banquet whlcll
followed the unveiling ceremonies.
Seven Lives I.ot In Fire.
LONDON. April 20 A fire broke out at
midnight last night in Hackney, popular
auburb of Ixindon, In a printer's warehouso,
three stories high, the top floor of which
was used for living rooms. A doien flr
engines sod esrspes arrived promptly st
me scene, tut the flames were of overmas
tering power and It was IraposMbl to enter
the building. When the flames were finally
under control the charred bodies of a mao,
two women and four children were found.
Bishop O'Oormaa In Rome.
ROME. April 20 Bishop Thomas OOor
man, D. D., of Sioux Falls, 8. D.. who Is
a member of the Aniertcsn mission ap
pointed to confer with th pop with refer
enc to church questions in th Philippines,
arrived here today. Governor Taft. who
Is to stop here n route to the Philippines,
and Judge 8mlth. srs expected shortly.
I aabla to Cheek C holera.
MANILA. April 20. Th cholers situation
shows no Improvement. There has been a
total of t8s esse sad 00 desths In Msnlla
and I6 easse and to) dealb la th proy-luiea.
PURPOSES OF THE MERGER
Clement Grisoom Talks Freely of New Deal
in Transatlantic Serrioe.
PRESERVE IDENTITY OF ALL THE LINES
Capital to Re Two Hundred Million
Expect to Give Retter Service on
All Lines at Reduced
Rates.
PHILADELPHIA, April 20. Clement A.
Griscom, president of the International
Navigation company, one of the five trans
atlantic steamship companies which hsve
been merged under the direction of J. P.
Morgan, today talked freely concerning the
consolidation. Its purpose; and probable
effects.
Mr. Griscom said he was unable to spesic
definitely regarding the financial plan, as
that was a matter for the conslderstion of
Mr. Morgan and his partners, which will
perhaps be derided on within the next two
weeks. In any event. President Griscom
said, the consolidated companies would
probably be In operation under the new
conditions within a few months.
So far as the negotlstlona regarding the
merger are concerned, they have been coin
pleted. Agreements for a controllog Inter
est In each of the various lines have been
secured and all that now remains to be
accomplished is the organization of the
holding or parent company. This matter Is
new In the hands of J. P. Morgsn V Co. and
their lawyers.
It la possible, though by no means certain,
that the International Navigation company,
whose chartered powers are very broad,
will be made the parent company. The
question now under consideration Is tho
desirability of this plan as against the
organization of an entirely new company
to control the operations of the combined
steamship lines. The published statements
as to the financial basis of the combine,
Mr. Grlecom said, were entirely speculative,
as that detail had not as yet been com
pleted. Capitalisation of Company.
"The capitalization of the consolidated
companies." said Mr. Grlacom, "will be In
the neighborhood of $200,000,000, which sum
about represents the property absorbed.
Working cspital of course, will be provided
and the profits and reserve fund should
enable us to build the necessary additions
to our fleets. While control of the com
pany will be held la this country. It will
be a strictly International organisation, fos
tering the various companies Included In
the consolidation, preserving their autonomy
and respecting tbelr national and local sur
roundings. "The object of the combination," continued
Mr. Griscom, "Is to give better transat
lantic service at a reduced cost, as hereto
fore tb trade has been extravagantly con
ducted and we propose to operate more In
telligently In the future. We expect In
time to inaugurate a system of dally de
partures froir New Tork, an Innovation
that la a real necessity.
"There Is no political significance In this
deal. The negotiations have covered . a
period of many years and was Interested
In the subject as far back as 1884. Tha
passsge of th ship subsidy bill would have
but on effect, so far s the new enter
prise Is concerned. It would enable us to
sail ships now building and hereafter built
under the American flag on an equal with
the ships of other countries. The published
statements that the ship subsidy bill would
ensble us to sail our foreign vessels under
the stars and stripes are Incorrect as the
bill specifically states that only American
built ships csn benefit by Its provision, and
furthermore such a course Is contrary to
the whole scheme.
Only Fonr Benefited by Subsidy.
"We have existing only four small ves
sels that might ben fit by the passsge of
this bill snd tbey are on the Pacific. While
In the coastwise trade, in which they are
now engaged, the provisions of the bill
would not apply to them. After our pres
ent mail contract expires the four Ameri
can transatlantic liners of ths International
Navigation company are eligible for a new
contract either under the present postsl
Isw or under any new act that might be
passed by congress."
Mr. Griscom denied the published stats
ment that Liverpool would be abandoned as
a passenger port. He ssld that question
had not been discussed. "Every port," ho
said, "will be developed, along, the lines to
which each port Is best adapted. We will
establish an economic and sensible manage
ment." Mr. Griscom ssld it wss possible tho
company would carry its own insurance.
"The consolidation," declared Mr. Griscom,
"nlll result In better transatlantic service,
steadier and more uniform rates, a Just
distribution of traffic over all America
and Canadian seaports, Increased lines on
the Pacific and services to South America
as traffic may be found to justify them.
Having lines between Great Britain and
Australia and New Zealand and Intimate
connections with the far east American
manufacturers will be able t distribute
their products on through bills of lading
and avoid the expense of trsnshlpments
which they now Incur.
"The products of the farm will be shipped
from the seaport most convenient to that
of production. , In a word, it Is Intended to
reduce transportation charges as far as
possible to every one; to improve facilities
and the company experts to make its In
creased profits over the condition of the
past fiom economical management. To
what extent these new services will bJ
conducted by steamships built In this coun
try and aailed under the American flag de
pends upon congress."
PRESIDENT RETURNS HOME
Arrive In Washington on Sunday
After Ceremonies at Co
lambla Iniveraiiy.
WASHINGTON. April 20. President
Roosevelt returned to tha rlty at 7:30 this
morning from New York.
WASHINGTON. April 20. The president's
daughter Ethel returned with him to Wash
ington, the other members of ths party
being Dr. Urle, th president s physician,
and Mr. and Mrs. Cortelyou.
Mrs. Roosevelt will remain In New York
for a day or two. The return trip waa with
out special incident.
Governor Crane of Massachusetts waa on
th same train oa his way to Washington
with reference to some private business
matters and spent some time with the
president. Their meeting was accidental
and nothing of public Interest developed
therefrom.
Bandits Attnrk HsmIssi.
PFK1N, April 20. A post on ths outskirts
of New Chwang. garrisoned by forty Rus
sians, has been attacked by bandits. On
Russian cr and tour pfivaua wars
DALLAS GETS A SCORCHING
Flame Burst Out Almost Slmul
taaeously In Severnl Sections
of the City.
DALLAS. Tex., April 20. Two persons
were fatally injured. Fire Chief Magee was
prostrated and a property loss of fully $370,
000 waa caused by several fires which oc
curred here shortly after 3 o'clock this
mornlr.
At that hour an alarm was turned in
from the Dorsey printing establishment and
In a short time one of the fiercest confla
grations which has visited Dallas In years
was In progress. T sdd to the trouble of
the ftiemen several other alsrms from dlf---t
nans nf the city were turned In
In quick succession.
tigming the fire for two hours Chief
Magee waa prostrated and the command
was turned over to an assistant. The rhk-f
was rescued from the flames by the police
and was unconscious for several hours, but
was later reported out of danger.
Fireman Will Spurr waa struck In the
face with a brick and fatally Injured.
The young son of Fire Chief Magee was
found on the floor of the engine room at thx
fire station with a fractured skull. It Is
supposed that the lad attempted to slide
from the bunk room to the engine room on
one of the Iron poles used by the firemen
and fell to the floor below. He probably
will die.
The Dorsey Printing company's plant was
totally destroyed, the loss being about $200,
000, half covered by Insurance.
Twenty Bulldlag Consumed.
While the Dorsey fire was in progress
fire broke out on Lamar street, near Collins,
snd twenty buildings were destroyed. Half
of them were ordinary business houses and
the remainder boarding houses snd dwell
ings. The Griffith Lumber company Is one
of the principal losers In that section of
the city, where it Is estimated the losses
will aggregate $150,000. of which Griffith
Co. sustsln $50,000, with Insurance of $25,
000. Tho loss of the Keating Implement com
pany Is heavy, but not accurately known.
About a dozen smaller mercantile and
manufacturing establishments wore de
stroyed, the losses ranging from $8,000
down.
While the two big fires were raging a
third one broke out In the residence dis
trict of Fisher lane,' In South Dallas, two
miles distant, which destroyed four cot
tages, worth $20,000, the insurance on which
cannot be obtained tonight.
Insurance men are positive that the fire
In Fisher lane was Incendiary and the police
and fire departments are atrongly Inclined
to believe that all were due to Incendiaries.
USE CUBANS AS DRUMMERS
American House Employ Inlanders
and Mexican with Excellent
Itesslts.
WASHINGTON, April 20. Mr. Frederick
Emory, chief of the bureau of foreign com
merce, today made public aa interesting
extract from that portion of commercial re
lation f the United Staff, aow In pes.
which deals with our "trade with Mexico,
Central America and the West Indies. Our
goods are favorably known in Mexico, It Is
stated, but In certain lines, such as dry
goods, hats, shoes, notion and men's and
women's furnishings, our exporters seem to
have made practically no attempt to gain
the Mexican trade.
Americans are more fully realizing that
they must accommodate themselves to the
wants and peculiarities of the Mexicsns.
and aa a result trade Is growing.
Many United States houses have adopted
the plan of sending -tut young Mexicans or
Cubans a traveling salesmen. These men
are acquainted with the wants of the Latin
American trade and excellent results have
been achieved.
Business failure are rare in Mexico. For
example. In Mazatlan there has been only
one In the last fifteen years, and that was
due to the failure of the main house in
Paris. Commercial travelers who come to
Mexico. It Is stated, will find a conserva
tive class of merchants, who take pride In
paying their debt promptly.
Floating Sample Store.
Attention Is called to an interesting ex
periment which American firms are trying
In the shspe of a floating sample store. A
vessel is to leave the United States for the
western coast of Mexico, Central America
and South America, having for aale sam
ples of merchandise of all kind suitable
for tropical trade, each line of goods being
In charge of an expert salesman.
American enterprise has figured conspic
uously in the development of the large city
of Monterey, Its water works, sewerage,
gas plants, railways and founderlea being
for the most part American.
In the Danish West Indies the importa
from the United States are advancing
yearly, in spite of trade depression. The
uncertainty of communication is the main
drawback to our trade, it is stated. At on
period of last yesr fifty-two days passed
without a single direct steamer to the
United States.
.Machinery Score a. Hit.
In Guatemala our machinery Is highly
appreciated, although Ita delicacy will not
admit of the Ignorant handling of the Indian
labor unlveraal to the country. However.
It is realized that It is fsr superior to
other machinery in the matter of fuel
economy and aa the fuel auppty of the
country grows less each year, this tact is
expected greatly to Increase the sale of
American machinery.
Three-fourths of the Import of Honduras
come from the United States, but trade
that has been ours has diverted to the
Germans on account of close quarantine of
the Louisiana Board of Health during th
last year.
In Jamaica the United mates has sup.
planted England In many lines of sale, and
shoes, cotton goods and coal are almoat
exclusively supplied by us.
An Incressing quantity of goods Is being
consumed In the Dutch West Indies, more
than half ths Imports now being American.
Our mschinery has a firm foothold in
Cuadeloupe and our trade Is good In Hsytl,
though it would be Improved, H Is ststed,
if United States merchants were willing t
extend the credits granted by European
sellers.
Three years ago it was hardly possible
to find a shoe or hat of Amerlrsn msk in
Santo Domingo. Now these srtlcles ars
handled by a number of houses and trad
In other line la increasing largely. Besides
85 per cent of the provision trsde, we sup
ply all of the lumber that Is Imported and
a good portion uf other building materials.
Blots In Streets of Stockholm.
STOCKHOLM. April 20.-Mass meetings
in fsvor of universal suffrage mere held
today in all towns of Sweden. In Stock
holm the meeting was attended with con
siderable disorder. Tb demonstrators tried
to march to th palac of King Oscar, they
wer charged by the police and aeveral
war wouoded. Other were arrested. The
approaches to th palaca ar now guarded
ATTEMPT AT DOUBLE MURDER
airs. Katie Simet Shoot Nine' Timet at
George Baker.
BAKER THEN BRUTALLY ATTACKS WIFE
Trouble Start by Man Attempting to
Beat Hla Wife While She I
Visiting at th Simet
Home.
Mrs. Katie Simet took nine shots at
George Baker Sunday afternoon with a 32
caliber revolver, two of which took effect,
one In the left arm between the shoulder
and the elbow, and the other In the right
foot behind the Urge toe. A third bsll
psssed through his left shoe grszlng the
large toe. After the shooting Baker re
turned to his home, where he had been pre
ceded f-om the shooting by bis wife, and
beat her severely. He was taken to the
Clarkson hospital, and Mrs. Simet, Charles
Sltxmsn and Mrs. Baker were lodged In
Jail, the two women being detained In the
matron'a department.
The shooting occurred at the home of
Mrs. Simet, 116 Hickory street, at 2:30
o'clock, and was caused by Baker attempt
ing to whip his wife, who was visiting at
the Simet house. Baker and bia wife had
trouble Sunday morning and the latter went
to Mrs. Simet's, and wss followed In a
short time by her husbsnd, who was under
the Influence of liquor. When he srrlved
at the house Mrs. Baker, Mrs. Simet and
Sltzman, who la related to Mrs. Simet, wer
In the sitting room. Belter went Into the
room and demanded that his wife return
home. She refused to go and he struck her
and attempted to drag her from the bouse.
Mrs. Simet Interfered and Baker knocked
her down.
Rapid Flrlnsr Begin.
Baker then turned his attention to his
wife, and the two struggled Into the kitchen,
where Mrs. Simet soon appeared with a re
volver. She Immediately opened Are and
shot five times at short range, none of
the shots taking effect.
Baker then stepped out of the door, as
though to leave the house, and Mrs. Simet
reloaded her revolver. Baker soon re
turned, re-enforced with sn axe. As he
started in the door Mrs. Simet took four
more shots. Baker dropped his axe, threw
up his hands, and with the exclamation:
"My God! you hit me!" walked away.'
Some one aent In an alarm for the police
and Officers Vanous, Caasane, Wilson and
Detective Johnson rushed for the scene.
Upon their arrival, both Baker and Mrs.
Bsker had left the house. Mrs. Simet and
Sltzman were, arrested, and Johnson and
Cassane made a run for Baker's house, at
1817 South Second atreet.
Upon their arrival they found Mrs. Baker
lying on the bed, almost unconscious, moan
ing for some one to save Iyer from her hus
band. Her face and clothing and tb bed
spread were covered with blood, which
flowed from a gash In her head, and from
her nose and mouth. Her head lay on a
pillow, In tha indention of which waa a
pool of blood.
Drink Beers a Blood Flow.
Baker was seated at a table calmly drink
ing from a can filled with beer. His hsnds
and arm were covered with blood, which
had trickled down from the bullet wound
In the upper part of his arm. When ques
tioned as to the cause of his wife's condi
tion, he would make no statement, except
to repeat over and over: "I ain't afraid of
no woman, no gun, nor no man."
Baker and hla wife, Mrs. Simet and Sltz
man were taken t the police station, and
after his wounds were hastily dressed by
Police Surgeon Benawa, Baker was removed
to the Clarkson hospital. He refused to
make a statement ss to the cause of the
shooting, but said be waa greatly worried
because be was afraid the wound In his
foot would make It necessary for him "lay
ing off from work for a few days."
Dr. Benawa then dressed Mrs. Baker's
wounds, which consisted of a gssb several
Inches long on the top of her bead, a
smaller gash behind her left ear, both eyes
blackened and the right eye almost closed
from the effects of a blow. Sbe suffered
Intensely and her condition Is serious.
Kick Wife In Hend.
After being shot at the Simet house,
Baker walked four blocks to a saloon, got
a can of beer and went home, where Mrs.
Baker had preceded him. He Immediately
knocked her down, ahe said, and kicked
her In the bead and beat ber almost sense
less, after which he left her on the floor
and proceeded to drink hla beer. She then
managed to get upon the bed, where she
was when th officer arrived. Four week
ago, she said. Baker bad broken four of ber
ribs and she was still weak from th effects
of that beating.
Mrs. Simet said: "Mrs. Baker came to
see me and while we were In the room talk
ing Baker came to" (he bouse and demanded
that his wife return home with him. When
she refused he began to swear and struck
her. I interfered and he knocked me down.
I then went into another room and when I
came back Baker and his wife were In a
rear room and as he started for me I fired
at his feet, trying to scare him. He then
left th bouse and I thought had gose away.
I then reloaded my revolver and by the
time I bsd finished he was starting in the
door with an axe In hla hand. Then I shot
four more times. After he wss struck he
dropped his axe and walked away and Mrs.
Baker soon left for borne."
Mrs. Simet Also Braised.
Mrs. Simet has several bruises n her
fsce where taker struck her. She Is the
wife of a section foreman In the employ of
the Burlington railroad, who is ill at St.
Joseph's hospital and Is la a rrlticsl condi
tion. She Is the mother of a little boy aod
girl, who are with her in the matron's de
partment at the police station. Sbe weighs
about 110 pounds, Is below the medium In
height and about 28 years of age. She
broke down at the police station and cried
plteously while telling of the shooting, her
greatest fesr being thst ths shock will have
a bsd effect upon her sick husbsnd.
Bsker Is employed at th distillery and Is
sbout 34 yesra of age. He took th shooting
as a light mstter aad remarked that It took
more than a woman with a gun to kill him.
Sltzman has been In the city about two
weeka and he corroborated Mrs. 81met's
statement of the trouble. From hla state
ment h evidently did nothing during the
trouble except to get out of th wsy.
TO OFFSET ROCiX ISLAND DEAL
Santn Fe Make Extension In Okla.
koma and Indian Territory to
Square Choctaw Purchase.
GUTHRIE. Okla.. April 20 Th Santa F
Railway company is commencing a great
number of extensions, covering 600 miles.
Active construction has commenced at
Shswnee, Psuls Valley, Ralatoo. New kirk.
Cushlng. Tecumseh and Owoeso.
It is rumored hr thst tb Ssnta K
will attem.pt to gain control of Indian Ter
ritory line running eaat and aest to offset
the advantage gained by the Rock Island
to tb puxUass it it Choctaw. ,
CONDITION OFJTHE WEATHER
Forecast for Nebraska Showers Monday;
Much Lower Temp'rsture.
Temperature at Omaha Yesterday!
Hour. re. Hoar. le.
I a. m not 1 p. m Kt
a. m ftT 8 p. ni
T a. m Ml n p. m......
" H a, m ...... RH 4 p. ni Ml
l a. m HI n p. m itu
10 a. m r.tl t p. m nt
11 a. m T4 T p. m INI
12 ni TS H p. ni Ml
II p. m r:t
FIRE MAKES MANY HOMELESS
Fierce Blase In Kunsaa City' Destroys
Fifty llwrlllaga and Leave
Poor Destitute.
KANSAS CITY, April 20. A destructive
Are visited the southwestern part of this
city today, laying waste a section of dwell
ing houses almost a quarter of a mile loug
and a block wlli and doing damage to the
amount of $75,000.
John Sllnne of Qulncy, 111., a spectator,
was fatally Injured by a falling piece of
Iron, and Edward Bennett, a fireman, was
overcome by best.
About fifty dwelling bouses were de
stroyed and sixty or more families wero
rendered homeless. A high wlud, amount
ing almost to a gale, was blowing and the
flames spread with alarming rapidity.
Because of a mistake In the alarm sent
In the arrival of the flremea was delayed
and the Are hd gained much headway be
fore they commenced operatlone.
The fire started In n grocery store, and
after destroying nearby buildings was car
ried by the string wind up a steep hill,
making the work of the firemen extremely
difficult.
Burning embers were blown more than
half a mile and for a time all of that por
tion of the city was threatened.
After three hours of hard fighting the Are
was under control. Many persons lost all
of their belongings. Much furniture and
other property was destroyed, after having
been plied In supposed places of safety.
Most of the residents who suffered loss
are poor. Those who need assistance are
being cared for temporarily by neighbors
and charitable Institutions.
FIND VERDICT HARD TO REACH
Jury In Case of Negro Held for Mil
lionaire Cooper Murder
I nable to Agree.
8T. LOUIS, Mo., April 20. The Jury In
the case against William Strother. tb
negro charged with the murder of A. Dean
Cooper, the millionaire, who was killed In
a bathhouse several months ago, wss un
able to agree on a verdict after being out
all last night aud at an early hour tbla
morning was discharged by Judge Rysn.
The Jury stood seven for acquittal and
five for conviction. Seven ballots were
taken.
According to the statement of one of the
Jurors, the first ballot stood six tor convic
tion and six for acquittal. Oa the second
ballot . on of tb Jurors changed hla vote
from ' conviction to acquittal. The other
ballots showed no change.
J. J. Kavanaugh, the foreman of the Jury,
in answer to the questions of Judge Ryan,
stated that It was bis opinion that no ver.
diet could be reached. Other Jurors wero
of the same opinion. The Jury was then
discharged from further service.
The standing of the Jury caused great
surprise aroung the Four Courts and to
those who had followed the trial. After the
Jury retired It wai thought a verdict would
be reached in a short time, because of the
strong esse made by the prosecution.
Strother wss present in court when the
Jury was discharged and appeared much re
lieved over the outcome of the trial. Ht3
case will go over to the fall term of court.
HOT WIND DAMAGES WHEAT
Crop In Kansas Must Have Rain Soon
or It Will Be a
Failure.
TOPE K A. Kan., April 20. A dry. hot wind
from the south tas swept over Kansas sine)
early this morning, doing much damage to
vegetation of all kinds. Those Interested
say the wind hss don Incalculable harm to
the wheat. Uuless rain cornea within two
days the wheat crop will amount to very
little. Th ground Is tecomlrg dry and
hard. This is an unusual condition for an
early spring month In Ksnsas.
KANSAS CITY. April 20. The highest
temperature today was 91 degrees. A
furious hot wind, such as might be looked
for In August, blew.
ST. JOSEPH, Mo.. April 20 The mercury
In thermometers began to climb about !)
o'clock today and at noon registered a
high as 02, a change of more than AO de
grees In six hours. A high sound wind set
In snd soon the air wss dark with particles
of dust and sand. Several light buildings
were blown down. The sandstorm did not
subside until night. Rain Is bsdly needed
throughout the ststo.
OFFICER KILLSA GAMBLER
Lawton OOtctal Shoot Man Who
Flrea oa Partner nnd Re.
1st Arrest.
GUTHRIE. Okl., April 20. Chsrles E.
Growles was shot and instantly killed by
a deputy marshal at Lawton last nlgbt a
the result of a fight in a gambling houss
wherein Growles and a partner, Lewis, had
fired a number of shots at each other with
out serious injury.
Lewis had accused Growlea of cheating at
card and tha shooting followed. The offi
cer attempted to arrest Growles and the
latter fired In resisting, forcing tbe officer
to fire In self-defense.
SUNDAY SHOOTING AFFRAY
Quarrel Over Base Ball Results In
Death of St. Loals Saloon
Keeper.
ST. LOUIS, April 20. In a quarrel over
a base ball, that was said to have beea
thrown into his yard by neighbors children.
"Abe" Slupesky, a prominent locsl politi
cian, todsy shot and fatally wounded Charles
Plncksrd. a saloon keeper, with the tatter's
revolver.
Slupesky, who Is under arrest ssys bs
shot In self-defense, after securing posses
sion of Plnckard's revolver.
Police huppress Hlots.
K .iGSTON. Jsmslcs, April 20. A riot
ous outbreak occurred today at Annotta
bay on the north coaat. It saa confined
chiefly to a conflict between the police
and coolies employed on sn estate. Police
reinforcements, ablrh war Immediately
ent from Port Antonio, Immediately put
an end to th fighting. Many persons wer
Injured and numerous arrest were mid.
Hundreds of persons ar being prosecuted
U lb island for Aon-paineat of taxes.
SHIP MASS OF FIRE
Steamer City of Pittsburg Burni to
Water's Edge.
FLOATING FURNACE IN MISSISSIPPI
Three Bcore Perish in Flames or Leap to
Watery Graves.
PASSENGERS STIFLED BY THE SMOKE
Passengers Asleep When Fire Breaks Out
Orated with Fear Hinder Rescue.
HUNDRED AND FORTY ON FATED CR FT
Impossible to Tell at the Preset
Time Jast How Many of Them At
Victim of th Fire and
Water.
CAIRO. 111., April 20. The side-wheel
steamer Cltx of Pittsburg, enroute from
Cincinnati to Memphis, was burned to
the wslers edge esrly this morning at
Turner's landing, near Olmstead, III.,
eleven miles from Mound City, III., and
twenty-four miles from this rlty.
The early reports stated that sixty-five
lives were lost, and that many were badly
burned and otherwise Injured, but the list
of casualties Is not yet definitely deter
mined. Two boats and every available craft from
this city went to the scene of th fire.
Effort were made to catch New South
of the same line at Paducab and have It
steam back for relief, but New South
had passed Paduach upward bound before
the telegram was received.
Most of the passengers were still In bed
when Second Clerk Oliver Phillips gava
the alarm. Tho engineers at one started
all the pumping engines, while the crew
brought all the hose Into play. Amid the
streams of water on all sides tbe flames
from the lower deck and deiue clouda of
smoke, the passengers rushed from their
state rooms and a frightful panio en
sued. The appeals of the officers and crew
could not appease the terror stricken
crowds that Interfered with those throwing
water on the flames, as well as with those
working with life boat. Few could ad
Just life preserver or do anything els for
themselves.
The smoke wss stifling. Grest clouds
floated through the biasing steamer, chok
ing the passenger and adding to th ter
ror. Children cried pitifully, begging that
they be saved. They knew as well a
their eldera that death confronted them
and clung to tbelr mother as though they
alone could save them.
Heroic Work of Boatmen.
. Life boats wer manned and every effort
was made to save th passenger from tha
floating furnace of flames. Sturdy boatmen
rowed ss they svr rord beor (a their
heroic work of rescue.
From the river banka th sparks from
tbe burning craft and dense clouda ot
smoke tinged with tongues of flames from
the vicious bed of Are, made a moat Im
pressive, yet weird spectacle.
Boats were sent from tbe shore to help
In the work of rescue but the Asmes were
only too surely consummating their work
of destruction to save 'all from the Inferno.
Boats laden to their limit with passengers
in the scant attire tbey were able to
gather, were landed at the river banks.
As fast as one boat could bo emptied It
returned to tbe Ill-fated steamer, the
heroic rescuers not waiting to catch . a
breath of rest.
The burning steamer was quickly headed
to the bank, but passengers bad to Jump
off the sttrn, and trying to swim ashore
through th swift current many were
drowned. Many also perished lo tb flames.
Only on yawl waa saved without oars
and the women were taken off.' About
twenty or thirty were taken off in tha yawl.
The rest were picked up from the water,
help, except from people living nesrby, did
not arrive until 2:30 this afternoon and
passengers with only night clothes and
without food suffered terribly.
Long List of Missing.
Among tbe missing Is a child of Pilot Al
Pritchard, and Clay Breex and wife aad
son, and son of Arcbt M. Allen of Pitts
burg. Among the crew missing are:
Joe Redding, Cincinnati, engineer'
stoker.
Fred Jones, Newport, engineers' stoker.
Tom Smith, Memphis, pilot' stoker.
William Bollinger, Cincinnati, first atsw
ard. Henry Thomas, (colored), Cincinnati, sec
ond stews rd.
John Botts. Cincinnati, cook.
Tony GUfulle, Cincinnati, baker, and th
following members of tbe crew whose name
are unknown.
First pantry man.
Three colored firemen.
Six cabin boys.
Two chambermaids.
Six or eight deck hands.
Csptaln Phillips says twenty or twenty
five of the passenger sr missing and th
same number of th crew.
Two women passengers wer severely
burned, but will recover, tbey are:
Mrs. S. R. Lesrh of Bridgeport, O., burned
about tbe hsnds.
Mrs. Ellen Fenmore, Arbuckle, W. Vs.,
severely burned about the face.
Mrs. Faunie McCullum of Leavensworth,
Ind., lost three children.
Pat Burt of Owenaboro, Ky., wlf and six
children, were all lost.
Few Bodies Recovered.
Th body of a rhlld, dressed la night
rlothes wss taken from the river at Mound
City.
Among the first bodies recovered wer
tboee of Csptaln Wesley Doss of Cincin
nati, snd Miss Maria Tlsslm of Coonelton,
Ind.
Tbe Are was dicovered at 4:01 a. m. Tasr
were seventy passengers and seventy all
told In ths crew. A partial list of thos
saved Is as follows:
James Neville. Dayton, Ky., boat carpen
ter. Emma Smith, Padurah, ptasangsr.
Ardu M. Alien and wife, 251 Fourth
avenue, Pittsburg.
L. M. McGraw, Louisville, Ky.
Mrs. Judgs Mulkey of Metropolis, 111.
Arthur Shelley, Buckner, Ky., wstcb
man.
Mrs. Tuny Myer and daughter. Point
Pleasant. W. Va.. badly burned.
Margaret Rrlmlgrs, Louisville, Ky.
Jennie Resslck, Lexlcgton, Ky.
C. K. Stations and wife, Carrlsvtll. Ky.
Head Msts Hhlmers aad wlf.
Miss Leech, badly burned.
Pilot Prttcbard. wlf and child.
Sylvester Doss, auto died aftar heleg
brought ashor.
JkUaa Maria Uster Carroll too, 0 UJ