Indiana State Sentinel, Volume 30, Number 47, Indianapolis, Marion County, 24 December 1884 — Page 1

ftW

YOL. XXX-rKO. 47. INDIANAPOLIS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1884. WITH SUPPLEMENT. WHOLE NO. 1,554

BROOKLYN HORROR.

Appalling Loss of Ufa In the j Burned Children's Home Tfhlrteen Bodies Hare Been Recovered tod a Large Xurnuer ef the Bojs still Missing. y Tona or ueona to uo komoved Before All Can Be Known. THE BROOKLYN HORROB. Thirteen Chirred Corpse. Found In tha Burned Children's Home One Hundred and Twenty-three Children Still Missing. New York, Dec 19. Brooklyn's latest hor zor.is another evidence of the sad truth that so amount of good intention can atone for the lack of proper precaution and vigilance. Hundreds of children in an asylum were tenderly protected against all harm except that which could have been moat easily guarded against fire. There was a very large water dydrant in the yard with four butts, but there was no hose in or about the building, ncr another means of extinguishing the fire; so what began as a terrible acident ended in an awf al tragedy. The great trouble the firemen had to encounter was the mansard roof on the entire main structure, built of wood, and allowing free access to the flames. It acted simply as a Cue. All the efforts of the gremen were fa tile is their attempts to combat the flames. The gates were also locked, and the young men of the nighborhood, who saw the names first, had to burst the gates in with a lamming iron before they could get in. Chief Engineer Nevins now urges taat ail jn id sard rook be condemned at once as reath traps. The tipper floor of the asylum Was divided ito dormitories by stud and lath partition walls. The flooring and wainscotting were of yellow pine, and the space between the ceiling and the slate roof wtw not filltdineo that tue re rapidly made its way along the upper fleer. There were no dividing walls of brick at any point on tbia floor. At tbe time the tire begun the larger boys in the institution were playing in the court yard, making Fildes cm the newly failed snow, or snow balling. It was visiting day, and many parents of the children had come to see them. About thirty-five children were in the infirmary on the second Moor under the care of Sister Anthony. Their little wan faces were peering at the windows, watching the larger boys at play. Va the floor above were twenty-five more children, suffering from sore eyes under the charge of bister Mary Josephine, who was similarly afllcted. In the laundry below were Mrs. Feeney, the laundress, end assistant laundress and Slater Clerxent. Mrs Feeney noticed a smell of rags iu the drying room, and on opening itj. rtcois a cloud cf smoke poured out. The cry O fire was raised, the boys in the yard too at it up, and Sister Anthony, in charge of the ick cues in the infirmary, heard tne alarmin ft yell and soon saw black clouds of smoke welling fom the windows beneath. She Immediately signalled for attention from tue little ones by clapping her hands. Iu the the room of which ehe had charge seven helpless cripples were iu bed; these Ehe can fed the strongest of the boys to take in their arras, and having made her charges form in line see marched them safely out of the burning buildin. But one floor above, where the half-blind cnildren to the number of twenty-uve, were under charge cl Sitter Joaephine. A scene of the most terrible panic ensued ; the fear-strickea chil.lren ran about the room calling for help, and some rushed down stairs in the blinding smoke; others in their frantic fear huddied in corners, from which they were rescued, and others tied to the roof. Tue unfortunate BUter Josephine, having lott all control over the children under her control, and her semi-blindness intensified by the clouds of smoke that filled the stairways and rooms, rushed for safety to the roof, where she appeared in the midst of the tl&xe and srnke calling loudly on the spectators for help, with the sad result already stated. A fireman, lying prone on the roof cn the main building, attempting to swing hi3 overcoat t" the imperiled sister. The first and aacond attempts were unsuccessful, and on the third its edge jut touched the building's roof, and the sister sprang and grasped iL For a moment it seemed as it her life was saved, and the crowd cheered lustily. For a moment he swung in the air between the two buildings, then her grasp relaxed and she fell to the ground, dyifg soon afterward. A boy and woman were now eeen oa the rof of the burning building. Three men placed a ladder against the wall, but the ladder did not reach within five feet of the room. One of the rren mounted the ladder and the little ff How leaped into his arms and was saved. The woman looked to the bottom of the ladder and then at the flames gradually encroaching. Toe b j 6t anders yelled at her to keep her conn ;e up, bot she looked into the burning buildiiig as if fascinated by the fire, and commenced edging away from the ladder. Suddenly the fiames shot up beneath her feet, and, with a cry of agony, she fell backward into the blazing fiames, and with a crash the root fell afterward, tod booq the entire tuidiDg waa a mnu of flames. JobnDy Kyau, a little fellow seven year, old, attempted to escape by climbing down tbe ater-pipe; the pipe gave way, and he was borne to the hospital with his skull fractured. It is yet absolutely impossible to tell where the inmate, of the Institute can be found. In tbe Station-bouses, car stables and private bouses the waifs found shelter, and late this afternoon a list of tbe children made op and 123 were unaccounted for. While it may turn oat that not one of Ucee is among the ruins, the fact remains that tons of burnt timber, warped iron and fallen bricks have not yet been removed, and may entomb many more corpses than have been recovered. Tbe Trustees of the Home have hired a force of men to continue the search until it is settled byond question that there are no more bodies in the wreck ef tb buildicr. In tbe room of the saved portion of the asylum proper are the bodies vt the e who have been found. They are fed nn in sheets, and any effort to ideatfy tl a would be perfectly useless. In that ro m is tbe story of the lovs of life as far as i own. It is al90 not known how the little patients were so situated as to be almost completely cut oil from escape, and the fiames ran rapidly upward, and taus prevented eeress from the upper part of the hone. Eddy McGrath, one of tbe kitcb-n bejs, twelve years of see, was going Inti the was-n cop when the fire broke oat. lie ran in srd sued his little seven year o d b. other, who was on the second floor.

Speaking to a Union reporter, McGrath said there were feven boys in the infirmary on the third Cool afllicted with sore eye? and a bo nt twenty-t hree sick with tu al fever, tie said the seven were i . leave their beds, and suggessed trntJ ably they were the first victims. Thect dren were received at the home on various conditions. Most cf them were orphans and some half orphans. In addition to these a few had been committed by the police magistrate when their parents are either incapable or unwilling to properly care for them. The boys, forming the last named class, were in great part unwilling inmates, and these, it is believed, compose mainlj the missing 12:5, having been set free by the fire, prefer to remain at large. The iaentity of the remains of the woman found in the ruins may be helped by a statement of Sister Veronica. She said "I let two visitors into the infirmary, who went up stairs. They were Urs. McCanan and Mrs. Halloren. I think they got out, but I am sore," she continued, "there were not more than ten or twelve children on the apoer floor cf the infirmary when the fire broke out. Tnis floor was used as a dispeu3ary, where the children's ailments were treated, and was not for occupancy exoept at such periods." Sister Veronica was m the infirmary building when the fire was discovered, and said it seemed to originate in some dish towels that hunt; on a rack. Bister Clementine was there, too, and ran up stairs to get water to throw cn tne tlimes. Before 6he got back the fire had gained such headway that it was useless to try to check it, and their e Hurts were directed to saving the children. Mrs. Feeney, who is laundress of the institution, wis found in the farm home of the asylum at the east grounds, and about 500 feet distant. Here she passed the night with sixty five of the smallest children, mho ranged from two years to eight. Several of the sisters were also present. From Mrs. Feeney's statement there seems no doubt the fire originated in a room which was is tbe basement of the annex. On the first floor was the laundry, on the next the drying room, and on the third floor the infirmary. ' I was in tbe laundry," said Mrs. Feeney, "with Sister Clementine and the assistant laundress, who&e name I don't know. It was during the recreation hour, and 1 was making some remark to Bietet Clementine about the boys in the yard. Suddenly I saw a flame in tbe drying press. I turned and saw some-towels were in a blaze. Before we could hardly move the place was in a blaze. There most have been at least thirty-five boys in the inlirnary un-stairs, under tbe care of Sister Mary Anthony. I can't imagine how many got out" Mrs. Fteney was prevented from making a further statement by a sister who drew her aeie and warned her not to talk. Had the fire broken out at night, ant in the crowded train building, instead of in the inärmary, one Mhudders to think what a list of casualties there would have been. Bishop Langblio is the nominal President of the society which has care of the orphans. The actual ollicers and managers are laymen. These laymen exer'"i -utire control and direction of mam: . There are now many expressions of indignation easiest the management, which made it possible for "bolocAusting to heaven" so many little ones committed to their guardianship. The df ad recovered until a late hour this afternoon numbers 13, It is said .$3,000 worth statues have been saved, with the picture of Mctber Baptista, who died two years ago, and constituted about all in tbv building net burned. Bister Mary St. Josephine, killed, was thirty-five years old, and has belonged to the order fifteen years. She has a married sister at Troy, N. Y and a few days ago visited them with her father, eightyfonr years old, who recently came from Ireland to Ete his children. The walls of one wieg of the asylnm having been saved the pecuniary los will not be a heavy as at first reported. Tb total insurmce is $07,500. Tbe Coroner to-Jay empaned a jury and then adjourned the inques:. TUE ASYLUM HORROR.

ItGrairiirariH Farther DlneoTart.aaad I toll Multiply Eighteen Jtodie. Ho Far Have Been Found. New York, Dec. 20. Like tbe Brooklyn theater, tbe Brooklyn Catholic Atrium grows In hoTors with the hours. Up till half-past one o'clock today seven more bodies of the missing children bad btu liel from the ruins; ata, tne body of a men. Contractor McOcna'.d, wita a force of twelve seen, commenced work at six o'clock, and their pick ami crow Lai a made no unnecessary oisturt-ance of the piled up muss of warped Iron, charred timber and frozen mud that lay ca the floor. At 9 o'clock the workmen, who bad cleared oiF top of the debris', noticed the section of a thighbone protruding from behind a gnirled n! twisted piece of iron. It, was gently aUcngtuted from Its holding in tbe frozen tnans that surrounded it, an-i tbe trunk and vertebras of a fullgiown adult followed. Tue ies ildftby part of the lody were burnt to the bone, and tho intestines and i pine were charred. Tne left arm was deep in tbe frozen mm, auJ invetuigation showed it 'ill retained lu al its dietorilou a bent form. It clasped what bad becu the nerkof a child. The latter body, f.-oin being smaller, and not po well clad. was buruel to a cinder. The little trunk Uropned from its it Rtins place anrl rolled until a boulder stepped it progreM. Thes bodies were completely recovered, at least as completely as the ames It ft tfcetri. Tbee two remains of humanity were douMlesn all that remained of the devoted lather, who peiished in an attempt to save the life of tbe sit-lE and may be crippled, and therefore helpleston. The workmen, proceeded. Now they tooK up a heap of burnt aches and sifted It carefully, cn 17 to discover a part cf a shoe or tome other article of wearing apparel that had been more fortunate than lu owner, iialf a tq 'ia.ro of the space that intervene between the boiler and the cantenr wall of the basement of the infirmary had been silted a) 11 o'clot . and the workmen, proceedidg in their Ujk, quickly came upon two little bodies lyin? together a?ai ubt tbe Iron atanchioa. They now, at 1 o'clock, bad unearthed two more bo lle, making eignteen, all tuld, up tone time stated. The bodies recovered to-day are in a better condition than tbe ten discovered jeter.ly. the tiesb. ot tbe latter having been completely burned off, leaving rtothin but t racked splinters of the larger bones. Tbe bodies to-day, although burned beyond identification, are not cremated beyoad recoanitioa aa tho remaina of human beinea. Tbne trunks, with the tendons and muscles torn and birntd, were placed In the baring pans t&at contained tbe daily bread of the orphaaa. A heap ci t.rea bked ix-yoml any uaa ly in a corner. The Lip bones and vertebrae of an adult person were in the bet.t state of preservation. The skulls have been in moat instances detached from the bodies. Corner have not been examined, and unless all signs fail, they are likely to bold a larse contingent of charred corpses The remains of Flbtcr Mary Josephine were viewed bv Coroner Hese and jury, and the inquet adjourned nntil such time aa may be died to hold an Investigation upon all tbe bodies. The body of the sister was burled this afternoon In ?L Mary's Cemetery, at Flushing. The corpse was followed to the g-rave by the Mother Kuperior of t John's Home, and by several of tbe eistera. and by some relatives. The solemn mass of the requiem was celebrated. Arrangements for the Interment of the other bodies has not yet been made. The quartern in fct. Mary's Hospital, now beioc uted for tbe houfeen children, was built orlmnaily for a stable. The mtoing children are still belna picked up in the streets. Account OlOer aa 10 the number of chll lren In tne Infirmary at tbe time of the disaster. The Mother Superior states there were but twenty, while another claims that the infirmary had thirty ßve uCerin inmates. There i now no doubt as to where toe fire originated. Mary f triey, who was In the laundry, natie a statement in whioh she reiterated what she bvl previously aid, that a mell of burtiiug rx in the drying room was the firt location of the fire. Vice President Fhanahan. of the Orphan's Society, said to a reporter that tbe wins and the maiu buildInf were not only applied witrj iron tlre-ecapea. but bad galleries running their whole length upon each floor, so that escape in cae of emergency was eay. 'But this new bulMintr, where the laundry and bakery was, had po fire-eviapes?" "So, it bad not." "A nd tr1 was wtir all the live were lotT" "Ye Of rr.une u.:h a 1 alamiif could not have been anticipated. The 4-euUemcn who bal con

trol of the main building were very careful to adopt meat urea and plana that would give tbe Children ample opportunity to escape la case of an emergency, but when the laundry bulldini waa put up it waa not intended at the time to use it as a bocpltal, and consequently fire-escapes it not erected." b you tell, Mr. Shanahan. now many callirn trein the home at the time of the fire?" V r. Tbe books how there were 734, and of til- number we have accounted for 663, which leaves siity-one missing. All tbe Sisters are accounted for and caped uninjured, exceot the unfortunate Bister, Mary Joaephiae. In addition to the bisters, and there were thirty-two of them, there were thirty a tendants, all of whom have been accounted for. The bodies found leave forty-aiz children yet to be accounted for. We, of course, bope tbere are no more children in the ruins, but we can not tUl until the basement has been cleared." Rev. oRene Mahoney, Chaplaln'of the institution, was aeked by a reporter if a list of the names of the children was in the possession of tbe Mother Superior DcChantel. lie said it was, and when asked if tbe reporter could obtain it he answered it was not far the press, and Inquired if the reporter thought the fciiters had made It out for the special benefit of the press. The bister, acting under lan ructions, refuse any information to the reporter. The total insurance is 05,000, and the estimated 10M is HH.iCO. Ibe Brighton Beach Racln ir Association makes a contribution of S1.34A, of wbicn snm tieorve H. Engtiran contributes Jl.fOO. Colonel Sinn, of the Park Theater, and Mayor Low each give 31C0. Other contributions make theagzregate sum already received t i.T.l. A NOT II EK ItKOOKLYIf FIRE.

Tbe Astral Oil Wotkauf Eastern Brooklyn Set on Fir. by an Explosion A Lurid Spectacle, Niw York, Dec. 21. An explosion in I'ratt's ABtral Oil Works, in the eastern parte! Brooklyn, called out the whole fire department of that city. The first explosion commingled the flame of one oil tank with the gases ot the second tank and a second explosion fallowed almost immediately. These two explosions made a fire of 10.000 barrels of oil, and all this faming mass "catching on" ta the river of melted snow, was carried into every nook and cranny of the works, and the result was, all the buildings and tanks of the works, excepting the large brick building in which the canning is done, were deet yed, besides tbe long docks on the creek. Vb- loss will reach between $000,000 and $aO,G0O. The fbock of the two explosions broke the windows of all the houses in the neighborhood, and eent people in terror Hying into tbe streets. The building of the Williambnrg Gaslight Company.on the opposite side of Twelfth street, shook so violently flat eome persona thought it would fall. The building, later,was in great danger from the spreadicg of the Ilames. Tbe heat waa 90 intenae that the firemen could not get clcse enough to render tbe necewary services. Chief Engineer Nevins and bis associates undertook to cut off tbe fire from the gas house, as tke flaming and blazing oil seemed to be surging that wav, and were successful. The very noise of the seething fiames cou.'l be beard blocks away. The tcg-t. -its Brilliant, Daylight and Duval took no positions on tbe river and sent tbeir heaviest "t reams into the cauldron cf flame, but ila wind veered and carried the names out at them, and they were compelled to steam away. Then the fire had complete control of the river side and was slowly eating its way toward First street. Explosion followed explosion and burning masses of oil were carried long distances Thousands of spectators gathered, standing in the slush of snow and under heavy rain watching the conflagration, A long train of Manhattan Beach cars on tha track near Buehwick Creek was crowded with exCited onlookers. A dividing wall had been erected in the yard to prevent the fire front going beyond it A great stream of fiames cracked tbe safety wall and it came down with a crash. After that the tire raged over the entire premises. The wind shifted, blowing to landward, and the fire-boats have now got to work again. At the same time the firemen ashore were driven away, one hand so hurriedly that they had to abandon the engine, which, in a loll of tbe wind and the subsidence of the fiaa8, was soon recovered. The fire-boats and firemen then obtained tbe mastery, and the fiames were brought under control. Pratt & Co, it is understood, insure themselves. AN INFAMOUS TRAFFIC A Startling; Discovery at Boda Peath Hungarian Maidens Decoyed by Various Promises, and Sent to Egrjpt to Fill the Butnii, Ktc. London, Dec 21. The action of the Austrian Vice Consul at Marseilles in sending back to their homes eight girls who were being exported for immoral purposes, has led to a startling discovery at Buda Pestb. It has keen ascertained that a regular traffic in Hungarian maidens has long been in existence with headquarters at Buda Festh, and has grown to large proportions. Some of these unfortunates have been deeoyed to Brazil, as in the case of those who were intercepted at Marseilles last week, but most them have teen sent to Egypt to recruit houses of ill-fame at Cairo and Alexandria, or to become slaves in the harems of Egyptian Beys and Pashas. The Austrian Imperial Government gained some knowledge of this infamoos traffic a few months ago and issued an order prohibiting tbe exportation of women to Egypt, unless each was accompanied by some male relative or legal guardian. Since this order has been enforced the agents of the Egyptian procurers have adopted new tactics. They now engage their victims to go to America for domestic service, assuring them that they will find good homes and situations, with the chance of marrying well and becoming American ladiss. Tickets for tbe passage ti America are shown to the girls, and BtniU amounts of money are Riven to them with which to porchaee outfits. They leave Bada Pesth in charge of the agents, but as soon as tbey get beyond the Austro-Hungarian frontier the route of the journey is changed and they are shiuped to Egypt. When they once arrive at Alexandria there is no farther hope of their escape, and they are thenceforth fated to a life of the most debasing servitude. These reveletions have ranted a tremendous sensation at Bada Pesth, SDd several men and women alleged to be procurers have been arrested. A Freshness and a Fierceness looked iJr Whan Congress lieconvenea. Special to the Sentinel. Washisoto.v, Dec, 22. It is expected that when Congress reconvenes ia January there will be a freshness and a fierceness in the proceedings that Las not beeu noticeable heretofore. Unless Mr. Randall throttles the work, as has been intimated In these dispatches be may do, tbere will be some lively icenes in the discussions. Bit seven weeks will be left In which to pass nearly all the appropriation bills and dispose of the Inter-State commerce, Mexican war pension, bankruDt, and other measures which must come oft the floors in some shape. "The work will be quick," said a member to-day. "Yes," he continued, "the tiRhtine will be at suca short range that we must use kniyee."

THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT. An Invitation to All Civil, Military and Naval Organisation of the United States to AtUnd Its Xdletlon Tha Fro. gramme. Washisoto5, Dec. 17. The Congressional Commission to arrange for the dedication of tbe Washington monument invites, through the medium of the Associated Press, all civil, military and naval organizations in the United States to attend the ceremonies which will be held at the base of tbe monument on the 21st of February, 1885. Any organization accepting the invitation ia requested to notify Lieutenant General P. II. Sheridan, U. B. A , Marshal of the day, of the number of persons in such organization, whereupon he will assign to it its proper position in tbe procession, to be provided lor by the Commission. At a meeting of the Commission to-day the prjramme was decided upon. The morning is to be devoted bv the Marshal of theDay to the concentration ef societies and troops on the ground. The ceremonies at the monument will be ein precisely at 12 o'clock. Senator John tiherman. Chairman of the Congressional Commission, presiding, tie programme to be as follows: Mnsio. Trayer by Ilev. Mr. Suttor, of Christ Church, Alexandria, Va. Remarks by W. W. Corcoran, First Vice President of the Washington Monument 8ociety. Remarks by the Engineer of the Joint Commission, turning ever the completed structure to the President of tbe United States. Acceptance by the President for the people of the United States, and dedication to the memory of General George Washington. Mosic. During the performance of the music the procession will be formed and will proceed ' along the eastern front of the monument, thence alonr its northern front, thence between two email lakes on the monument lot, north on the elliptical to the gran plot in tbe White Houre lot, thence by Executive avenue, between the 8'ate Department building and the White House te Pennsylvania avenue, thence eastward along Pennsylvania avenue to the western entrance to the Capitol grounds, where it will be reviewed by the President of the United States, The procession will continue past the northern end of the Capitol to the Esplanade, east of the Capitol, where it will be dismissed as the various organizations arrive. Such persons aa have tickets for the House of Representative will proceed to their seats. The following is the order of procession: The Chief Marshal with the Chief of SUfT, and an Aide from every State and Territory. HilUary rscort Ueaeral Commanding. Brigade of Artilcry. Brigade of Infantry. avai Brigade. Battalion of Marines, Chartered Military Organizations (taking precedence by tbe dates of tbelr charters, and temporarily oreanizert in rexlmentrf and bri dea.) Civic f rocesMon. Congressional Commission. Mem bent and ex-Members of tbe Joint Commission for tbe completion of the Monumeut. Engineers of the Menument and a detail of Worklngmen. Washington Monument Society. President of tbe United utates and Orator of the .Day. President and Vice Prident-elect of the United ftatca. Ex-Presidents of tbe United States. Judges of the Supreme Court. Diplomatic Corps. Governors of States ana tbeir respective Staffs (taking precedence In the order of the admission cf their tov.e into the Union ) Senate and tiobjeof Representatives, Commissioners of tne District of Columbia. Society of the Cincinnati Manonlc Fraternity, With other organizations which oilicially contributed stones or money fur the erection of the Monument. Citizens of States ai d Territories with Civic OrgacJsitlocs from those States, without partiran Hut's or emblems, (eacn State taking precedence In tbe order ot admlaaion into the Union.) Fire Department of tho District of Columbia and visiting Firemen,

PICKPOCKETS AND THIEVES. Proposing to Take a Contract to Keep the People Attending; tbe Dedication of the Monument and Inaugural Ceremonies From Being ltobb L Special to the Bentinel. Wasuisotojt, Dec 17. Quite a stir has been raised among lecal detectives over the letting of - the contract to protect the citizens of Waehington against robbers, burg'ars, pickpockets and like bad characters during the dedication of the Washington Monument and the inauguration of Pmident-elect Cleveland. Tbe duties are very great, and it will require several hua dred detectives and the most vigilant work to perform them well. For the duty on the inauguration day and days of excitement consequent thereupon. Detective McDeyitt has submitted a proposition of $5,00). McDevitt isone of the shrewdest detectives in tbe country, and probably Knows more bad characters than any man in this section of the conntry. Speaking of the duties to be performed be said to your correspondent to-day: 'It will require at least three hundred men to do the work well. I should expect to employ twir e that number, however. I am well acquainted with the profession all over the conntry. I would get at least one ' detective from each lace cf prominence; one at least from fuch places as Indianapolis, Toledo. DetroU. Co'umbU3, Syracuse, Buffalo, etc., and -from five to ten from cities like Baltimore. New York, Cblcaeo, St. Louis, SL Paul, etc. I woald take 200 men from the cities all over tbe country ; then I would get a lot of them from this city. I can secure many of thete men by simply paying tbeir expenses. They want to attend the inauguration, anyway. Many of them, however, would require good salaries, and the responsibilities are very great." ' Yon have been in the detective service here on inauguration days. Do people lose mrjch by piclpocaetsT' "Five hncdred people a day are robb9d, and as many bouses plundered," replied Mr. McDevitt. "I should, if given the contract, i.'ene instructions to visitors and residents about guarding against thieysi. Then I would keep the crowds opened and all crooks shadowed. By my plan of seeming detectives frota U the principal cities, jou 6ee, we wni 1 know every crook tbat came, and 'hey would bs shadowed and taken in on the first provocation. Tbere is every advantage bavirg a good patrol, a good body ot operatives, and knowing bow to operate the n, it is my impression that I would fill our station houses brim full of floe fellows some time before inauguration day, and keeo them tbere until the visitorshad dispersed.' Inauguration Day has for many years been the occasion of a regular carnival of thieves. They have flooded the city. There is rot, however, in Washington many of those deadfalls and pits and darkened streets where footpads can operate, and then tbe police force is te be doubled and trebled against that. It is the pickpocket, the coiüaenee man, tbe abort card and three-card monte. the bunko and that class that are t3 be floored. THE WEfHCB. A Cold Wave aud No Mistake This Time. Chicauo, Dec 18. The weather ia the severest to-day in this city thus farexpsrienced daring the present winter, and the same is true throughout the entire Western

and Northwestern States. At 7 o'clock this morning in this city the thermometer stood 11 below uro, and at 9 o'clock it had dropped to 12. Great ice floes have formed in the harbor from the share, and the view from the lake outside is obscured by great clouds of vapor. Tugs are kept busy plying up and down the river breaking np the ice. Comparatively few pedestrians are abroad, and the rush of Christmas trading has been in a measure checked, owing to the severe character of the weather. At 11 p. m. the severe stress of weather here and throughout the Northwest continues to-night. In this city a temperature of 16 below zero is indicated, with a tendency downward. The following reports from Northwestern points to the Associated Press and by specials show tbe temperature at G o'clock this evening ail below aero: Bloomington, 111., 1G; Laporte, Ind., 11; Rock Island, Ii!., 21; Mat toon, Southern Illinois, 10, and growing colder; Oshkosh, Wis., 25; Des Moines. Iowa, 20. At G o'clock this morning the following temperatnrrs were reported: Dubuque, Iowa, 14; Waupaca, Wia., 28: Milwaukee, 22, and colder to-niht. Bt Paul reports 20 to 43 below at points in Minnesota. Ore ab a reports the thermometer 15 below, St, Paul 20 below, Des Moines 13 below, Dobnaue 20 below and Fargo 30 below. CLJviLAjfn, Dec. IS. The thermometer indicate el 1 above zero this morning, andia still falllrg. Lvschbcro, Va., Dec IS. A snow storm has prevailed since early this morning, and the fall promises to be heavy. Kanpas Citt, Dec. 18. Temperature at neon 11 above zero, 2 above this morning.

EXPLOSION OF GAS. Several Natural Oas Explosions Keported, But the Most Wonderful Is tbe Miraculous Escape of a Family of Six. PiTTsiiCBo, Ta., Dec 21. Natural gas has been playing sad havoc at different places in Western Pennsylvania within the past twenty-four hour?, reports ot explosions attended with fatal and serious results having been received from Butler and Washington, while in this city a building on Magee street, occupied by B. Studt as a grocery store, was completely demolished this evening by the explosion, which terribly frightened residents in that vicinity, and partially damaged property to the extent of 2,0OO. At Washington, Pa., the reeidence of William Rabe was partly wrecked, and Rabe and his wife and child injured so badly that all have since died. Mrs. Rabe arose during the night and went into the cellar, with a lighted candle, when the explosion took place- A Post special says the excitement at Washington is intense, as many people living there hava natural gas in their bonsea. An explosion at Butler, Pa,, oocorred about 1 o'clock this morning and came very l early ending in a horrible disaster. A special to Commercial Gazette just received says tbe fine brick residence of John Gates is entiiely demolished, and the family, consisting of himself, wife and four children, all grown up, were buried in tbe debris. Fortunately the entire family were?reecued without having sustained fatal injuries, although they were more or lesB seriously hurt. It appears that tbey retired about 10 o'elock. and probably in two hours Winnie, a daughter, aged twenty, who slept down stair, awoke audjioticed a tiny blue name phAjing on tbe hearths ton?. She got up and pnt it out, and then called her brother John, who, with a light, went to the cellar to investigate. He bad no sooner opened the door than a terrible explosion followed, and the buildiog was raised from its foundations and came down a mass of ruins. People living a quarter of a mile felt the shock and in a short time plenty of willing bands were at work trying to save tbe lives of the six human beings who were known,to have been in the buildiog at the time the explosion occurred. Tbe first one taken out was Leonard, aged twenty-eight years. He was painfully bruised and it is thought sustained internal injuries. John Gates, Jr., was next found. He was badly burned about the face, neck and arms, but not seriously hurt. Mr. and Mrs. Gates escaped with a few bruises, and tbe daughters, Winnie and Emily, were found in tbe coal vault uninjured. The escape of all from instant death was miraculous. The los on the building and furniture will reach $9,500. Mr. Gates has been in the gas and coal business for seventeen year", and this is the first time he has suffered from an explosion. There is a good deal of mystery surrounding the accident There waa no natural gas in the house, and the gas mains are thirty-five feet away and bnried three feet under ground. It is supposed tbat there was a leak in the main line, and that dnring the late cold spell the ground was frozen so as to hermetically seal all the escape. This being the case, the gas impregnated tbe ground and found its way to the cellar throngn rocks and crevices. A thorough investigation will be instituted at once by the Coroner and town authorities. AN ECCENTRIC WILL. Prospective Millionaires Dying in the Poor House, Lo5Doy, Dec 21. A remarkable case of eccentricity in will-making is just reported from Bradford, and rivals in real life Eugene Sue's dramatic atory of "The Wandering Jew." Mr. John Taylor died at Bradford in 1800, leaving considerable wealth and a will directing that all his property should be so administered as to accumulate for twenty five years. The only charges that were to be paid were the cost of maintaining and investing the property, and of discharging certain mortgage bonds as they became due. At the end of twenty-rive years the property was to be divided among certain heirs named in the will, or among such of them as should then be living. Ia ease none of the heirs should then be living, the share of each one as apportioned in the will was io be paid to his or her natural heirs. The beneficiaries named in tho will were all relatives of Mr. Taylor, but were all po r. Tbey vainly sought to set asids the will, and they vainly appealed Um aud agil a to tbe executors for some relief out of the shares which were eventually to come to them. The executors rigidly adhered to the terms of the will, and some of the heirs, although prospective millionaires, became reduced to great poverty and want. Several of them died in poor-houses. Only eight sow survive to share the property, which is to be divided ainond them early next spring, and which amounts to no less than $20,000,000. The Sentinel la the Canv&as. Crawfordsville Review.l There is no room for doubt that the Indianapolis Sentinel largely contributed to the successor Cleveland and Hendricks. Blaine's feint on Shoemaker's strong lines will be an event long remembered by the Indiana Dv mocracy. It was the beginning of the end. Burcbard's blunder, tbe hippodrome of tbe dudes, a higher tariff, a wider bankruptcy of overproduction and the drunken visions of tbe stock gamblers at Delmnnico'd altogether, were not more effective for good than Shoemaker's fairy tales of early Mormonism in Kentucky.

BROUGHT TO JUSTICE

Bow One ef the Men Who Stole 40,000 In 1883 Was Caught. Niw York, Dee. 22. A aealed package containing $40,000 in currency was sent by the Marine National Bank of this city to the First National Bank of Susquehanna, en the night of June 20, 1S83. The money was for the payment of the hands employed by the Erie Hallway Company at their shops at Susquehanna. Similar shipments were made every month. The package was brought to the United States Express Company's office in New York by a clerc of the Marine Bank. The money clerk of the Express Company placed the money in a canvas pouch, which he sealed with the company's private seal and attached to the pouch a tag bearing the name of the agent of the express company at Susquehanna, It was received at Snsqnehanna and locked up in a safe, which was in tbe ticket office. On the following morning the pouch was opened and its contents emptied on a table. In place of the money was a number of packages of brown manilla paper cut to the size of bank bills. The case was placed in the hands of Pinkerton's National Detective Agency, and the investigation was under the direct supervision of the late George H. Bangs. It wa3 determined that the pouch left in the safe was a dummy rorcii placed there to delay the discovery of the robbery. It was cotcluded by Mr. Bangs tbat some employe of the railroad or express company was the thief. DuriDg the investigation Mr. Bangs and Mr. Allan Pinkerton died, and Mr. Kobert Pinkerton took charge of the case. In July last it was learned that George H. Proctor, the foreman of tne boiler shops of the Erie Railroad Company at Susquehanna, had thrown np his job and bad gone to Buffalo. He was followed there and watched. Proctor freouently visited the offices of three different private bankers and brokers, and it ws noticed tbat be rccaaionaliy visited the Erie County Bank, the National Bank of Buffalo and Erie Bank. He sometimewent to Canada and met professional thieves. It was learned that Proctor had from time to time deposited in these banks ?11,00 in the names ot his wife and children, he being trustee for each. On November IS Proctor was arrested in Susquehanna by Robert Pinkerton. He said that in 1SS0 he made the acquaintance xf a man naed Martin, whom he eaw frequently afterward. Several months before the robbery be told Martin that nearly flO.000 was shipped to Sasquebanna between the 18th aad 21st of each month by express; that it CAME ON THE KIGIIT I RA 15, and arrived at midnizht, when it was locked up in tbe safe. At Martin's request he got him a description of the pouch and teal, and an impression of the keys of the ticket-oQice door and the eafe. On the night of June 20, 18S3, which was the following pay-day, Proctor said the money was carried off, and two weeks later he west to Canada, where he received $11,000 as his share of tbe plunder. Martin and Collins said that a third man helped them, to whom they bad given some of th money. Martin told him not to use any of tbe money for a long time, because the Erie Bailrcad Company never let np on any one who had robbed them. He told him to take bis money home and seal it in a glass fruit jar and bang it head downward sd that the moiBture could not get to iL Martin also told him not to give up his job inside of a year. He buried the money in the garden of his house, but in the following winter dag it up and took it to BuCalo. He speculated in oil and made money nntil the failure of the Marine Bank and Grant Al Ward, which caused a depression in the oil market, which SWAMPED IIIM. Proctor represented that he was simply a tool med by Martin and Collins, and as he agreed to aid in their capture he was allowed his freedom. He fled to Canada, and told everything to Collins and Martin, who were there. One ot Pinkerton's men managed to gain his canfidence, and induced him to o to Portland. On Thursday afternoon Mr. Kobert Pinkerton arrested Proctor at Portland. Proctor ia now locked up in the Susquehanna County Prison. The investigation brought to light the f&ct that Proctor was at one time a professional burglar, and had been sentenced to a long term in the Massachusetts State Prison from whence be escaped. He went to Canada, and being a royal arch Mason, succeeded, through the influence that this position gave him, in getting employment in a machine shop. It was through his Masonic standing alto tbat he succeeded in getting information at Susquehanna which led to the robbery. BARKER'S F AI LUKE. Barker's Charges Against the First Comp troller's Office Have Completely Failed. Bpeclal to tbe Sentinel. WAEHI5GT05, Dec. IS. The fiasco of Barker, the fellow who went up in the investigation of the First Comptroller's office like a sky-rocket and fell like a stick, is an instance of how sensational inquiries into tbe offices of the Government end when conducted by a man backed by prejudices only. Had Barker had neverlso maoy good points at his own command in the investigation, they could have availed nothing as soon as it was shown that he was acting revengefully and was a fellow of no character. Of late years it is one of the most necessary adjuncts to a successful prosecution before Congressional committees to prove good faith and good cause and character on the part of the leading prosecuting witness. Keach of these perquisites Barker failed to show, and as coon as the defense began producing testimony Barker became a laughing Btock. It is said at the Treasury Department that Barter's connection wita the Florida land claim will be probed deep aa soon as Colanel Brooks, Chief of tbe Secret Service, gets out of his sick bed, and that at least a bad report will be rendered aeaines him. It is questionable whether Barker is criminally cal nable in tbe matter, even though the fraudulent certificate was being engineered through by him, and it can be so proven. It is safe to predict that Barker is done witu Congressional investigations, however. ICfiTDEK PARTICULARS Of the Hallway Accident Near Bremen, Indiana. Chicago, Dec 22. The facts in regard t the accident on tbe Baltimore and Ohio Bailrcad, near Bremen, Ind., were made known here to-night. The train was the fast express from Washington City, due here about 9:30 o'clock in the morning. It was running at the rate of forty miles per hour, when it struck a broken rail, or sjnie similar Imperfection in the track. The engine and forward part of tbe train passed safely, but the dining car aud two sleeping coaches

were derailed, and overturned. The dining car took fire and was burned np, but the sleeping coaches were saved from destruction. There were sixteen persons in the sleepers, some of them in public life, and it appears almost miraculous that none of them were killed or fatally hurt. Congressman Shively, of South Bend, Ind., suffered f ainful but not daccerous bruises about the ega. Hon. Hiram Y. Smith, of Des Moines. Iowa, suffered laceration of tbe feet and legs, and Hon. O. G. Gifford, of Canton, Dak., was hurt about the shoulders. Others were more or less shaken up. The occupants of the dining car suffered most severely. Edward McCabe and Joseph H. Pratz, cooks, and Edward Gray and R. McNanghten, waiters, were rescued, badly wounded, scalded and burned, and in all probability all will die. Steward Dody was only slightly hnrt. The wounded were brought to tuie city this afternoon. TBE DEAU.LOCK

Of the Two Houses of Congress Will Probably Cause an Extrm Session. Bpeclal to the Sentinel. WAsnrjiGToy, Dec 2i It is seldom that a spectacle in Congress is presented like that growing out of a disagreement on the part of the two Houses to the Naval bill, eni the Senate refusing to take the usual holiday reCess to please the House. It is understood that the action of the higher body is only to impress upon the country its disapproval of the refusal of the House to make a new Naval bill instead of extending the old one on the basis of the current appropriation. An instance of greater firmness has not been shown by the Senate and House for a long time. Both bodies seem pretty unanimous, regardless of that they are right in their respective positions. It is the talk today that it is not altogether improbable that this dead lock will continue until the 4th of March, in which event an extra session of both branches of Ccngress will be required. I that should occur by any means, it ia bs Beved tbe whole question of rehabilitation of the navy and reconstruction of the coast defenses, and the maintenance ot the army and the navy, would be opened, and a long session of Congress would ensue. The action of the two bodies now may appear a little silly to the country, but it involues serioaa questions. COUNTY SKAT WAtt. Tbe Wllmot and Traverse War Over the County Records. Tbavebre, Dak., Dec 21. A spy has just returned from the Wilmot conference of 100 men, held in Mann's office, at Wilmot. The Chairman, standing on the top of the stolen safe, Eaid the combination had been telegraphed for, and if not received by Sunday morning the safe would be blown open, and asked, tWhat shall we do if the books are not in the safe? Amotion was made, and carried amid cheers and howls, to go to Traverse, sack and burn every building, and hang every man found. Every man at the meeting was armed with Winchester! and shot guns. On receipt of thin news the Traverse officers ordere 1 the women and children to leave the town, and they are rapidly departing. The mob is not expected to reach here much before dark. The buildings are being barricaded, and men are out over the country for arms and men. The force In Traverse at present is rather small for such an emergency. The men on tbe ground are well armed, and will make a desperate fight. All the weak-kneed have been asked to leave town. None have left. Men from the northea.tern part of the county are coming to the rescue, but may not get here in time. Governor Pierce will have troops here by to-morrow evening, but they also may be too late. The officers here are cool, and will make the nioet of tbe circumstances. Governor Pierce telegraphed tbe Sheriff to call every man in the county to his assistance, and note every one who refused. The excitement runs high. Tbe county records have been fecreted no cne, excepting the Register of Deeds, knows wh ?re. HISS JACKSOVd S4Ü STOUT. A Cbicagoan Charged With Oemnatttlnc a Fiendish Outrage. Atlanta, Ga., Dec. 20. A terrible outrage was perpetrated on a girl Thursday nlgbt. Several months igo Mr. and Mrs. Gates, of Cincinnati, located in this city, and soon gained admission lnt9 a good class of society. Tber were joined ia a week or two by Gustavus Fenulager, of Chicago, wbo seemed to be a mutual frienl. Mr. Cates was frequently abtent in Florida, when Mr. Penninger was tbe protector of his wile. A month ago, for some reason not explained. Cates drove I'ennloRerout of bis house. Last week Cates went to tioriaa. Last nißht Mrs. Cates asked M las Jack son. a beautiful yonng lady living in the next biotk, to spend tbe nicbt with har. At 4 o'clock Ibis morning Mis Jackson was found at the door of ter father's nouse in ber nlibt robe?, uttering the most pitiful cries and beggiaft for admission. Her screams brought her father to the door, when be Mas horrified to Cud bis aaughter in such a state. 1 browing ber arms around his feet, the poor girl crouched sctoss the doorstep and begxed trat be would kill ber, and ahe could never bear to tee daylight In bt-r shame. She then to d a story of a revoking nature. At about 1 o'elock in tbe moruln a rap catr.e fMra. Cates' dcor. Ttatlady, on fndlnn that It waa rennincFr, admitted him. when, with revolver in band, be advanced to the bed. and by violence and threats succeeded in oatragina; the girl rigbt under Mrs. fates' eyes. It does. not app-arthat Urs. Cates made any effort to aire the aUrm or to save her friend, and the manner in which the outrage happened ba given rie to the horrible suspicion tbat BJiss Jackson may have been beguilcd to her rulu. Pennicger was arrested this morninfr. but i not in jail. He claims to have txen drunk, and to know nothiag wbsterer ol the ni alter. Borne Guards" Hot EntltUd to Pay or Penstona. Special to tbe Sentinel. WAsmituTos, Dec. 22 A. question hsa been determined by the House Committee on Military Affairs which is of interest to tbat class of men who terved their country during the late war as members of local military organizations, known as "Home Gnaids, etc. Tbe instance cited for the decitcn is tbat cf a company of "Home Guards" in Arkansas. It was organized for the protection of the locality where its members lived, and although it was granted subsistence, arms, etc, by order ot Major General Schofield, from the Umt?d States-, it was understood that the men of that sf rvice were in no way amenable to tenf ral militarr laws, nor were they in the service of the United States. They are therefore tot entitled to pay nor pensions. Poking Fon at the Brethern. Philadelphia Record.) It is rather a delicate question to ask our eeteemtd contemporaries who exhausted themselves in advocacy of the present tanC, bntccnld theCobden Club have had anything to do with President A rthnr's message and the leiort of Secretary McCailoch?