People's Pilot, Volume 2, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 January 1893 — Page 2

LOOKING BACKWARD.

A Glance at Some Leading Events of the Dead Year. Statistics of the Loss of Life by Disasters of Many Kinds—Hangings, Lynchings, Murders, Suicides, Fire, Embezzlements, Etc. THE OLD YEAR AT HOME. The year 1892, so far as its progress has affected the United States, has been a memorable one in many respects. It will be remembered for the many eminent Americans who have passed away from their various departments of labor; for the remarkable prosperity which has accompanied business interests, and the equally remarkable development of the national resources; for the unprecedented progress of the arts, education and religion, and the splendid benefactions which have made that progress possible. Legislative. The legislative history of the country is not so copious as it has been in some other years. Congress reassembled January 5 and adjourned August 5. Within that period of seven months the notable events in congress were the refusal of the house to pass the senate joint resolution to send a national vessel with supplies to Russia; the ratification of the Brussels anti-slavery treaty; the passage of the pure food and post office building bills by the senate; the issue of the president’s proclamation reimposing duties upon Venezuela, Hayti and the United States of Colombia for refusing reciprocity; the defeat of the free coinage bill; the passage by the house of the Chinese restriction, free wool and free cotton-bagging bills, and the signing of the first named by the president, notwithstanding China's protest; the passage by the senate of the bill for American registry for foreign-built ships and by the house of the huge fifty-million river and harbor bill; the passage in the house of the bill admitting Arizona and New Mexico; the passage of Stewart’s substitute silver bill in the senate and the refusal of the house to take it up; and the passage by the senate of the Canadian retaliation bill. In the present session of congress no legislation has been matured, the disposition being to consign everything of importance to the next congress Foreign Relations. In our relations with foreign powers several matters of special interest have been adjusted. Early in the year Italy took steps to resume its relations with this country. A modus vivendi was agreed upon, the United States paid a small indemnity, and Baron Fava returned to his post January 3 Chili expressed regrets for the assault upon American sailors, which were not altogether satisfactory. After much correspondence and an unavailing attempt on the part of Chili to secure Minister Egan’s recall an ultimatum was sent demanding the withdrawal of the insolent Matta letter and complete reparation. This ultimatum finally was accepted by Chili. Ample apology was made and the required indemnity has been received at the treasury. The Behring sea difficulty is on the road to final adjustment. The treaty was signed by Great Britain February 29 and was ratified by the senate March 29, after somewhat voluminous correspondence touching the preservation of the modus vivendi of the previous season. The agreement subsequently was effected. Justice Harlan and Senator Morgan will represent this country as arbitrators, Judge Blodgett, of Illinois, E. J. Phelps, of Vermont, aud James C. Carter, of New York, as counsel, and John W. Foster as agent. Lord Hannen and Sir John Thompson will be the English arbitrators, and Baron de Courcelles is one of the French arbitrators.

World’s Fair. World’s fair matters have played an important part in the congressional record, beginning with the visit to Chicago of members in February last. Two days after the visit the president sent a message to congress recommending the fair appropriation. No important action, however, was taken until July 13, when the senate attached non-liquor and Sundayclosing provisions to the bill. July 27 the house concurred in the five million appropriation, but its enemies, by filibustering on the motion to reconsider the vote, succeeding in cutting the gift in two and reducing it to $2,500,000 and thus it passed both houses, and the money is now being accumulated by the sale of the souvenir half dollars. Meanwhile the preliminary Columbian celebrations began in New York city October 12 and were follpwed up in Chicago by the grand dedication pageant, October 1921, though the public rejoicing was clouded by the illness of the president’s wife, which had a fatal result four days later.

Political Appointments. The political appointments of the year have been: January 7, William R. Morrison, James W. McDill and William M. Lindsey, interstate commerce commissioners; William D. McCoy, minister to Liberia, and William B. Hess, consul general to Constantinople; January 16, Lindsey declined the appointment; April 28, T. Jefferson Coolidge, minister to Paris, vice Whitelaw Reid, resigned; May 9, Charles E. Smith, minister to Russia, resigned; June 4, Secretary Blaine resigned, and William F. Wharton was designated as acting secretary; June 29, John W. Foster was appointed secretary; July 1, George D. Johnston, civil service commissioner; July 19, George Shiras, Sr., supreme court; July 21, Andrew D. White, minister to Russia; A. L. Snowden, minister to Spain; Truxton Beale, minister to Greece; July 26, A. B. Hepburn, comptroller of the currency, vice Lacey, resigned; July 27, Watson R. Sperry, minister to Persia; August 7, H. W. Cannon, Senator Jones, F. A. Walker, Senator Allison and Joseph B. McCreary, delegates to the international monetary con-

ference, Mr. Walker subsequently resigning and President Andrews taking his place; November 15, William Potter, minister to Italy; David P. Thompson, minister to Turkey; December 12, Person P. Cheney, minister to Switzerland, and James W. McDill reappointed interstate commerce commissioner; and Dwember 22, Frederick J. Grant, minister to Bolivia. National Politics. The presidential campaign has been the exciting political event of the year. The republican convention, June 10, nominated Benjamin Harrison for president on the first ballot and Whitelaw Reid for vice president by acclamation. June 23 Grover Cleveland was nominated for president and Adlai E. Stevenson for vice president by the democratic convention. June 30 the prohibitionists nominated John Bidwell for president and J. B. Cranfill for vice president. July 4 the people’s party nominated James B. Weaver for president and James G. Field for vice president. August 26 the socialist labor convention nominated Simon Wing for president and Charles H. Matchett for vice president. The lists completed September 22 by the farcical woman suffrage convention, which nominated Mrs. Victoria Woodhull-Martin for president and Mrs. Mary L. Stowe for vice president. It is needless to state the nature of the platforms upon which the various candidates stood. The issue was joined November 8 and Cleveland and Stevenson were elected. As closely as can now be figured the popular vote for Cleveland was 5,617,012; Harrison, 5,184,261; Weaver, 1.001,301; Bidwell, 268,017; Wing, 16,429, in a total of 12,087,020 votes. The electoral vote probably will stand as follows, assuming, as now seems likely, that the vote of North Dakota will be divided evenly between Cleveland, Harrison, and Weaver: Cleveland, 276; Harrison, 145; Weaver, 23. The democratic majority in the house has been reduced considerably, but it is probably that by union with the populists the democrats will have a majority in the senate also.

Miscellaneous Events. Other important events of the year have been the blow dealt at the New Orleans lottery by the decision of the supreme court affirming the constitutionality of the law excluding it from the mails; the failure of the Canadian reciprocity commission at Washington; the three great strikes—July 9, that of the employes of the Carnegie works at Homestead, accompanied by fatal rioting and the attempted assassination of Manager Frick, and in August, the coal miners’ strike in Tennessee and the switchmen’s strike at Buffalo —all of which have ended in the discomfiture of the workmen and great loss of time and wages; the arrival of cholera steamers at the New York quarantine from Hamburg and the intervention of the federal government to protect the country from the pestilence, entailing the probability that measures will be taken by congress for restricting immigration and strengthening quarantine next year, and, lastly, the alarming illness of Mr. Blaine, which, however, in the closing days of the year took a more favorable turn, giving the shadow of hope that his life may yet be prolonged for some time to come. Our Southern Neighbors. On this continent Central and South America have had their customary share of revolutions. Honduras and Costa Rica have both been the scene of sanguinary encounters, ending in the defeat of the rebels, and at present there is a boundary quarrel between Costa Rica and Nicaragua. The Chilians at last have secured an apparently stable form of government. A revolution against the government of Venezuela broke out in March which has been successful. Palacio was forced to resign and is now a fugitive in France, and Gen. Crespo, the leader of the insurgents, has been declared president. In Brazil, in January, President Peixotto was given unlimited power by the legislature, but some of the states are still in rebellion. Our neighbor, Mexico, has elected Diaz president for four years, and he is now dealing with a small rebellion in the northern part of the republic precipitated by the Garza revolutionists. In Canada the most cheering event is the growth of annexation feeling.

The Distinguished Dead. The necrology for 1891 was remarkable for the long list of distinguished names it contained; that for 1892 is hardly less remarkable. The most celebrated names in this country are those of George B. Clarke, the tele-scope-maker; who died January 1; Gen. M. C. Meiggs, the engineer, January 2; Randolph Rogers, sculptor, January 15; Judge Joseph P. Bradley of the United States supreme court, January 22; Dr. Noah Porter, ex-president of Yale college, March 4; Max Strakosch, impresario, March 20; Dr. D. H. Agnew, surgeon, March 22; Walt Witman, poet, March 26; Cyrus W. Field, financier, July 12; George William Curtis, essayist and editor of Harper’s Weekly, August 31; Daniel Dougherty, lawyer and orator, September 5; T. W. Parsons, poet, September 5; John G. Whittier, poet, September 7; Maj. Gen. John Pope, September 23; Patrick S. Gilmore, band leader, September 24; Mrs. Harrison, wife of the president, October 25; Lieut. Frederick Schwatka, explorer, November 2; Theodore Child, art critic, November 20; Alexander H. Wyant, artist, November 29; Jay Gould, capitalist, December 2. Great Britain has lost Sir George Biddell-Airy, astronomer royal, January 5; Prince Albert Victor, January14; Cardinal Manning, January 14; Rev. C. H. Spurgeon, January 31; Sir Morell Mackenzie, surgeon, February 3; Lieut. Gen. James Augustus Grant, African explorer, February 11; Prof. Edward Freeman, historian, March 16; Arthur Goring Thomas, composer, March 22; John Murray, publisher, April 2; Amelia B. Edwards, novelist, April 15; Alfred Tennyson, poet, October 6; Sir Richard Owen, scientist, December 18. The prominent Frenchmen were Ed-

ward Victor Antoine Lalo, composer, April 26; Ernest Renan, Historian, October 2; Cardinal Lavigierre, the enemy of the African slave traders, November 26. Germany has lost Prof. Theodore Mommsen, historian, February 3; Grank Duke Ludwig IV. of Hesse, March 13; Mme. BrandtGoetz, prima donna, April 19; Robert Franz, composer, October 26; Dr. Ernest Warner von Siemens, electrician, December 6. Besides these the list includes Emile de Lavalaye, the Belgian political economist, January 3; Tewfik Pasha, khedive of Egypt, January 7; Cardinal Simeoni, ex-papal secretary of state, Italy, January 14; Grand Duke Constantine, brother of the czar, Russia, January 25; Francesco Lamperti, music teacher, Italy, May 7; Deodro da Fonseca, first president of Brazil, August 23. Summary of Disasters. So far as reported 3,188 lives have been lost on the ocean and 158 on the lakes and rivers of this country (a total of 3,346 as compared with 3,505 last year and 5,015 in 1890), 4,428 by railroads, 657,217 by disasters in the old world and South America, and 7,725 by disasters in the new world, making in all 672,716 as compared with 283,203 in 1891, 114,543 in 1890, 107,013 in 1889, 74,697 in 1888, 199,164 in 1887, 123,791 in 1886 and 387,463 in 1885. The serious disasters of 1892 have been as follows: In January 20 were killed by a steam launch accident in Bogota, 8 by a drowning accident in Holland, 12 by a similar accident at Port Townsend, on the Pacific coast; 65 by a mine disaster at McAllister, I.T.; 80 by drowning at Tiflis, 19 by the burning of the surgical institute at Indianapolis, and 50 by a falling building at Slobodskai, Russia. In February 40 lost their lives by a flood in Breslau, 30 by the burning of the Hotel Royal, New York; 18 by a railroad accident in Roumania, and 300 by a storm along the coast of Portugal. In March 40 perished by a storm on the coast of Newfoundland, 50 by a railroad accident in Brazil, 215 by a mine disaster at Anderines, Belgium; 9 by a boiler explosion at East Jordan, Mich.; 13 by a railroad accident at Sonsonat[illegible] Central America; and 200 by a fire at Mandalay, Burmah. In April 75, lives were lost by a cyclone in Kansas and the Indian territory, 10 by an explosion at St. Petersburg, 250 by a flood in the Tombigbee river, 100 by flood in Japan, 12 by a mine disaster at Minersville, Pa., 24 by fire at St. Petersburg, 12 by a theater fire in Philadelphia, and 45 by fire at Tokio. In May 20 were killed in a mine in Japan, 15 by a storm in the same country, 44 in a mine at Roslyn, Wash., 30 by the fall of a rink in Buenos Ayres, 60 by drowning in Galicia, 125 by a waterspout in Hungary, 11 in the Anaconda mine at Butte, Mont., 15 by a cyclone in Texas, 35 by flood at Sioux City, 27 by an earthquake in the Trans-Caucasus, 1,200 by a hurricane at Mauritius, 36 by flood in Arkansas, 17 by drowning at Melbourne, 53 by cyclones in Kansas, 21 by fire at Carbeil, France. In June 400 were killed in a mine in Bohemia, 106 by fire at Oil City and Titusville, Pa., 15 by explosion at the Mare Island navy yard, 15 by lightning at Mollana, Spain, 20 by explosion at Brage, France, 32 by a bridge disaster at Newport, Ky., 50 by a cyclone in Minnesota, 15 by explosion at Brest, France, 24 by a landslide in Italy, and 150 by a flood in Cuba. In July 20 were killed by fire at St. John's, N. F., 34 by flood in Japan, 11 by drowning in Strasburg, 19 by a cyclone at Peoria, 230 by an avalanche in Switzerland, 10,000 by volcanic eruption in the Philippine islands, 10 in a mine in Ireland, and 16 in a mine at Pottsville, Pa. In August 14 perished by fire at Rzecze, Poland, 9 by drowning in Tunis, 18 by drowning at Victoria, B. C., 11 by dynamite explosions in Rome, 810 by flood in Japan, 11 by fire at Tredegar, England, 7 in a mine at Swanse, 12 by a flood at Gratz, Austria, and 111 in a mine at Glamorganshire, Wales. In September 23 were killed in a mine at Hainault, 300 by a hurricane in Japan, 14 by a fire at Olkusz, Poland, 11 in a mine at Bessemer, Mich., and 400 in a second storm in Japan. In October 9 were killed in a mine at Shamokin, Pa., 14 by a sewer accident in Hamburg, 700 by flood in Sardinia, 20 by a railroad accident at Pensa, Russia, 60 by an earthquake in the Trans-Caucasus, 50,000 by flood in China, 11 by drowning at Douro, Portugal, and 50 by flood in Mexico. In November 10 were killed by a railroad dister at Thirsk, England, 25 in a panic at Vinagora, Austria, 12 by drowning at Jappa, 40 by the fall of a mill in Moravia, 9 by a falling house at Bejar, Spain, 80 by a waterspout in China, and 19 by a storm in Japan. In December 36 were killed in a mine in Japan, 50 in a mine at Wigan, England, and 14 in a fire at Berson, France.

Dlseases. The prevailing pestilence during the year has been the cholera. The total number of deaths reported has been 563,341, as compared with 33,220 in 1891 and 50,000 in 1890. The distribution of the cholera ravages has been as follows: Russia 205,760 Germany 300 Persia 250,000 Holland 99 Arabia 15,000 Antwerp 67 Cashmere 12,450 Naples 50 Hamburg 11,510 New York 28 China 4,000 Odessa 8 France 3,898 Vienna 4 Hungary 363 London 4 No reports have been received from India. Battles. Though there have been no great wars during the year yet the loss of life in battles amounts to 26,521, as compared with 22,627 in 1891, 13,789 in 1890 and 40,276 in 1889. The loss is distributed as follows: The French wars in Africa, 7,463. Soudan,*100. The Chinese rebellion, 9,000. Tonquin, 183. Afghanistan revolt, 3,500. The Venezuelan revolution, 3,975. Honduras, 300. Bolivia, 1,000. Brazil, 1,000. Aggregate of Casualties. The complete list of casualties in the old world and South America, where the loss of life was serious enough to be reported by telegraph, including those who perished by disease and battle, was 657,217, as compared with 270,675 in 1891 and 90,680 in 1890. Various Disasters in the United states. The following table gives the loss of life resulting from various disasters in this country as telegraphed during the. year: Drowning 3,174 Mines 515 Cyclones, storms.. 448 Lightning 368 Fires 1,775 Falling b’ld’gs, etc. 655 Explosions. 790 • Railroad Disasters. The loss of life by railroad disasters for the year is 4,428, as compared with 3,261 in 1891 and 3,420 in 1890. The number of seriously injured was 3,383, as compared with 2,707 in. 1891 and. 2,740 in 1890. Murders.

The total number of murders committed in 1892 shows a large increase, being 6,791, as compared with 5,906 last year, 4,290 in 1890 and 3,567 in 1889. In fact, the record of murders during fifteen years past shows a steady increase and unquestionably one out of proportion to the increase in population. The causes of these murders may be classified as follows:

Quarrels 2,937 Highwaymen kl'd 148 Liquor 748 Self-defense 81 Unknown 769 Insanity 11l Jealousy 513 Outrages 28 By highwaymen 376 Strikes 82 Infanticides 314 Riots 6 Resisting arrest..... 240 Suicides. The number of persons who have committed suicide in the United States during the year is 3,860, as compared with 8,331 last year, 2,640 in 1890 and 2,224 in 1889. The total is much larger than that of any of the eleven preceding years. Of this number 3,055 were males and 805 females. It is somewhat remarkable that physicians continue to head the list of prominent persons who have taken their own lives. Last year there were 23 physicians and 12 clergymen in the sad catalogue, while this year there are 37 physicians and 11 clergymen. The causes of suicide were as follows: Despondency l,443 Liquor 315 Unknown 684 Disappointed love.. 249 Insanity.. . 520 Ill health. 278 Domestic infelicity 296 Business losses.... 55 In these cases of self-murder 1,300 shot themselves, 1,000 took poison, 608 hanged themselves, 396 drowned themselves, 319 cut their throats, 15 burned themselves, 91 threw themselves before locomotives, 50 stabbed themselves, 56 jumped from windows, 1 froze himself, 6 starved themselves, 1 killed himself by placing his head under a triphammer, 6 killed themselves with dynamite and 1 beat his head against a walk Hangings. The number of legal executions during the year was 107, as compared with 123 in 1801 and 102 in 1890. The executions in the several states and territories were as follows: Alabama, 3: Arkansas. 9; Connecticut, 2; Georgia, 14; Illinois, 3; Kentucky, 10: Louisiana, 4; Maryland, 1; Mississippi, 2; Missouri, 2; Montana, 1; Nebraska, 1; New York, 5; New Jersey, 3; North Carolina, 4; Ohio, 3; Oregon, 2; Pennsylvania, 4; South Carolina, 5; South Dakota, 1; Tennessee, 4; Texas, 10; Venhont, 1; Virginia, 5; West Virginia, 2; Washington, 2; Wyoming, 1; New Mexico, 1; Indian territory, 2. Of the total number 57 were whites, 47 negroes, 1 Chinaman, and 2 Indians and 4 women. There were 29 executions in the north and 78 in the south. Work of Judge Lynch. Judge Lynch has executed during the year 236 victims, 281 men and 5 women, an increase over last year of 41, and much the largest number ever lynched in this country before. The lynchings in the various states and territories were as follows: Alabama, 21; Arkansas, 25: California, 5; Florida, 11; Georgia, 16; Idaho, 8; Illinois, 1; Kansas, 3; Kentucky, 9; Louisiana, 28; Maryland, 1; Mississippi, 16; Missouri, 6; Montana, 4; New York, 1; North Carolina, 5; North Dakota, 1; Ohio, 4; South Carolina, 5; Tennessee, 28; Texas, 12; Virginia, 7; West Virginia, 5; Wyoming, 9; Arizona, 3; Oklahoma, 2. There were 155 negroes, 80 whites, 1 Indian and 5 women, among the victims.

Fires. The total losses by fire during the year amount to $156,324,585, as compared with $166,047,000 in 1891, $108,412,694 in ,1890. $143,902,070 in 1889, $100,000,000 in 1888. 130,000,000 in 1887, and $115,000,000 in 1886. Embezzlements. The embezzlements of the year aggregate $8,887,547, as compared with $19,720,294 in 1891 and $8,622,956 in 1890. Generous Deeds. During 1892 there was a total of $29,061,927 given to charity, education and popular entertainment in sums of $l0,000 and upward.

WORSE THAN CHOLERA.

Disease Among Arkansas Convicts Is Declared More Swiftly Fatal. DALLAS, Tex , Jan. 3.—Mr. H. Pettibone, of Little Rock, Ark., is in the city. In reference to the reported existence of cholera among the convicts in the penitentiary of that city he says the disease has the symptoms of cholera but is more swiftly fatal than Asiatic cholera. It first appeared among a detachment of convicts at work cleaning out a sewer on the Iron Mountain road. The uncovering of the sewer liberated a gas which, it seems, generated the disease. Eight convicts at work in the sewer died, five of them half an hour after they were stricken down. From this sewer the disease was conveyed to the penitentiary. Mr. Pettibone thinks the suddenness of the deaths disposes of the theory that the disease is due to bad sanitary condition of the penitentiary. He says the question is whether cholera generated in the United States will spread like that resulting from an imported germ. The disease has caused something like a panic in Little Rock.

IT COSTS MILLIONS.

The Total Expense Attending the Taking of the Eleventh Census Will Be About $8,100,000 Washington, Jan. 3.—All work on the eleventh census will be completed and the matter turned over to the secretary of the interior by December 31, 1893. This will be required by the appropriation bill now being framed by a house sub-committee, of which Mr. Sayers, of Texas, is chairman. The tenth census cost in round numbers about $5,000,000, and the present will cost $8,100,000, the increase being largely due to the enlarged scope of the census. Up to date the cost of the census has been $7,260,000, and Mr. Porter was before the committee Monday to urge the passage of the bill appropriating $240,000 to carry him from March 4 to the end of the fiscal year.

A VALUABLE BOOK.

The Agricultural Department Issues a Report on the Sheep Industry. WASHINGTON, Jan. 3.—One of the most valuable publications ever issued by the government is a report on the sheep industry of the United States, prepared under the direction of the secretary of agriculture. It treats of the history and conditions of the industry from the early settlement of the country down to the present day and is handsomely illustrated. It bids fair to rival in popularity the work on the diseases of the horse published by the department some time since. It is for distribution by the secretary and through members of congress. King Humbert Honors President Diaz. ROME, Jan. 3.---King Humbert has conferred high decorations upon President Diaz, of Mexico, and the Mexican minister in this city.

REVIEW OF THE YEAR.

Trade Has Followed the Lines of an Enlarging Prosperity--The Most Prosperous Year Ever Known. NEW YORK, Dec. 31.—R G. Dun & Co.’s weekly review of trade says: The meet prosperous year ever known in business closes to-day with strongly favorable indications for the future. From nearly all points comes the report that the holiday trade has been the largest ever known, and while wholesale trade is not usually active at this season of stock taking it is remarkably large. Settlements through clearing houses outside New York in December were apparently the largest ever made in any month, exceeding last year’s by more than 10 per cent. For the year the volume is also about 10 per cent larger than last year, and the largest ever known. Railroad earnings in December show an increase of about 3 per cent. over last year, and for the year an increase of about 5.5 per cent. Foreign trade has been smaller than last year in volume of exports—at New York $7,800,000 in value for the last four weeks, and at cotton ports about $10,000,000 less—but imports at New York have been $3,000,000 larger, and the month still shows a great excess of exports. For the year the excess of merchandise exports has been not far from $70,000,000, with the largest imports and the largest total of exports and imports ever known in any year. The year closes with all woolen, cotton and silk machinery fully employed, and unsold stocks of goods much lighter than usual, while the demand for the coming season already exceeds the capacity of many mills. The orders in dry goods are extraordinary. Sales of wool at the chief markets have been 309,000,000 pounds, against 246,000,000 last year, and foreign imports have been the largest ever known, with a domestic supply but slightly behind the largest. Boston reports a quiet wholesale trade. Wool is quiet but firm. At Philadelphia iron is weak. At Pittsburgh iron is slower, and the demand for finished products is diminishing, but glass is fairly active. The shoe trade of Cleveland is excellent and other trade good, though in iron no improvement is seen, and 4,000,000 tons iron ore remain on the docks. The clothing trade is good at Cincinnati, and machinery and foundry business up to the usual mark. At Detroit trade is maintained. Business at Chicago is good in all lines, especially in heavy dry goods. Holiday trade was very good at Milwaukee. At St. Louis retail trade unusually strong. Business at St. Paul exceeds last year’s and is large at Minneapolis, though lack of water restricts the flour output. The lumber trade is most prosperous. Business at Omaha and at Kansas City is satisfactory. At Nashville trade is good and at New Orleans active, especially in sugar. In iron the trade is weaker, the demand for finished products being at present light. But steel rails have been reduced to $29 per ton, and sales of 78,000 tons have followed. This great industry has been much affected by the market for securities, which has been pressed for some months by foreign selling and monetary uncertainties, so that companies have been restricted in purchases of rails and supplies. But for the last week stocks have been stronger, gaining about $2 per share in average prices. Speculation in products has been comparatively inactive, though wheat has been advanced by a western pool nearly two cents. Cotton has been steady and strong, with diminished receipts. The year 1892 was remarkable for fewer failures than have occurred in any other year since 1886, the numbers reported being 10,344, or 2,029 less than in 1891. The indebtedness of firms failing was but $114,000,000 in 1892, against $189,000,000 in 1891 and about the same in 1890. The average liabilities of firms failing in 1892 has been only $11,000, the lowest average reported since 1878. In 1892 only one in every 113 traders, failed, against one in every ninety-three in 1891 and one in every 102 in 1890.

HANGED.

Execution of A. J. Hudspeth at Harrison, Ark., for the Murder of a Man Whose Body Was Never Found. LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Dec. 31.—A. J. Hudspeth was executed at Harrison, Ark., Friday for the murder of George Watkins in 1887. Hudspeth was hanged for the murder of a man whose body was never found. The murderer worked for Watkins on a farm in Marion county. One morning in the spring of 1887 Hudspeth and Watkins went to town. Since that morning Watkins has never been seen. Hudspeth was arrested on suspicion of murder. Mrs. Watkins was afterwards incarcerated charged with being an accessory to the taking off of her husband. She was taken fatally ill, but before dying confessed that Hudspeth killed her husband to get him out of the way so he could marry her. Hudspeth was sentenced to be hanged. The case has been appealed and retried, two respites have been granted, and the fate of execution changed three times, but all efforts to save the murderer failed. Traces of blood in the wagon and a bloody hatchet found in the wagon bed were the only evidences of foul play other than the strange disappearance of Watkins, aside from the wife’s testimony.

UNDER ARREST.

Warrants Issued for Iron Hall Officials in Pennsylvania—Against Extradition. PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 31.---Joseph Gladding, C. H. Baker and J. P. Eckersley, the Iron Hall officials who were indicted in Indianapolis for taking $200,000 of the order’s funds, were arrested here Friday evening on a warrant sworn out by State Bank Examiner KrumbThe arrest was made at the instance of District Attorney Graham, who is also receiver for the local branch of the Iron Hall, to prevent Baker, Eckersley and Gladding from being taken to Indianapolis on the warrants issued for them there. Baker and Eckersley gave bail in the sum of $5,000 for a hearing.

Fixed the Blame.

CHICAGO, Dec. 31. — The coroner’s jury investigating the accident which occurred Thursday morning at the Forty-seventh street crossing of the Fort Wayne tracks, and by which four persons were killed and a number hurt, returned a verdict charging Engineer Rouscup, Street-car Conductor O’Connor and Flagmen Albright and Schwartz with criminal carelessness, and recommending that they be held to await the action of the grand jury. New Domestic Money Order Post Offices. WASHINGTON, Dec. 31. —About 1,400 post offices will be designated January 2, 1893, as additional domestic money order offices. Of the new money order offices Arkansas will have 10, California, 9; Colorado, 15; Idaho, 2; Illinois, 9; Indiana, 2; Iowa, 31; Indian territory, 13, Kansas, 9; Ketucky, 40; Louisiana, 32; Minnesota, 41; Mississippi, 26; Michigan, 2; Missouri, 142; Montana, 5; Nebraska, 90; Nevada, 6; New Mexico, 11; North Dakota, 56; Ohio, 7; Oregon, 33; Oklahoma, 1; Pennsylvania, 3; South Dakota, 2; Tennessee, 85; Texas, 94; Utah Territory, 18; Washington, 8; Wyoming, 9; West Virginia, 6; Wisconsin, 140,

ROBBED AND BOUND.

County Treasurer Johnson, of Viroqua, Wis., Gives Up $4,000 to Bandits. VIROQUA, Wis., Jan. 2.—After being forced under threats of death to surrender between $4,000 and $5,000 to two masked men who entered his office in the courthouse about 6 o’clock Saturday night, County treasurer John C. Johnson was gagged and bound and locked in his vault, where he was found in an almost exhausted condition by a searching party of citizens about 11 p.m. When Mr. Johnson failed to respond to an invitation to take tea at his brother-in-law’s, Rev. Mr. Aschun, Saturday night, it was thought strange. His wife returned home about 9 o’clock, and finding that he had not been there, caused inquiry and search to be made. The city was thoroughly gone over,and the county buildings also. A second time Mr. Johnson’s office was searched. A thumping on the outside of the vault door brought a faint response from within. Mr. Johnson’s younger brother, who worked in the office, opened the door of the vault. There on the stone floor lay the county treasurer gagged and bonnd. He was weak and exhausted and it was some time before he was able to tell the story of the robbery. Mr. Johnson was serving the last day of his second term of county treasurer and was prepared to turn the office over to his successor. Not an hour before the robbery he had closed his final settlement with the finance committee of the county board. The gentlemen of the committee and other county officers left the courthouse shortly before 6. Mr. Johnson and a younger brother who was temporarily assisting him in the office remained to close up some work. When they were ready to leave the office, about 6:15, with hats and overcoats on, the treasurer said he must remain long enough to acknowledge the receipt of some money, which was later found half completed. The younger men went out and over to the city. Mr. Johnson says his brother had not more than left the building when he heard footsteps coming through the hall and a pull at his office door, which was locked. Thinking his brother had returned for something he stepped to the door, unlocked it, and found himself confronted by two masked men with revolvers drawn, who commanded him to “keep his head shut or have it blown off.” Mr. Johnson complied with the demands of the intruders for a look at the cash. He was forced to unlock the heavy vault door, then the larger safe, and the combination on the safe deposit box within. This done Mr. Johnson was nearly strangled by having a handkerchief forced in his mouth, and another put over his head and tightly tied on the back of his head. His hands were drawn behind his back and securely bound with a strong cord. The money, somewhere between $4,000 and $5,000, was hastily removed and stowed away in the overcoat pockets of the plunderers. Five hundred dollars, which by oversight had not been placed in the safe when the treasurer closed up, was in an open box in plain sight and remained untouched. The booty bagged, the desperadoes closed the vault door on Johnson and made their exit from the office, locking the door and taking the key with them. Mr. Johnson described the men as one large and one medium sized. They were so completely disguised that he could not recognize them, but both wore brown overcoats. They said but little to him and spoke in a disguised tone and accent. No tangible clew has been obtained to the robbers as yet.

INCOME OF THE RAILROADS.

Report of the Statistician of the Interstate Commerce Commission. Washington, Jan. 3.—The preliminary report of income and expenditure of railways for the year ended June 30, 1892, compiled by the statiscian to the interstate commerce commission, will be made public soon. The gross earnings of 128,349.99 miles of railway are shown to have been $951,025,159, from which the gross earnings of the entire railway system are estimated to have been $1,282,711,698. This is an increase of $125,950,303 over the earnings of the previous year, or an increase of S608 per mile of line. The operating expenses for the year were $814,722,082, being an increase of $82,834,189, which leaves an increase in net earnings Of $44,116,114, or $2,472 per mile of line. The actual increase in revenue from passenger service was $31,500,088, or $247 per mile of line, as against an increase in the revenue from freight service of $91,506,671, or $349 per mile of line. It is observed that the railways on which there has accrued the largest increase in gross earnings per mile of line are the lines connecting the wheat-growing territory with the seaboard and the lines in the southern states bordering on the Gulf of Mexico.

SUGAR BOUNTY $7,580,000.

The Crop Which Has Just Been Harvested Estimated at 189,500 Tons. NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 3.—The sugar crop has been harvested and marketed. Nearly all the sugar houses have closed. The crop is estimated at 189,500 tons, which will call upon the United States for $7,580,000 bounty, as compared with $6,882,590 paid last year, an increase of 10 per cent, Although the crop has been harvested and marketed the planters have as yet received only $898,000, or less than 12 per cent, of the amount coming to them.

SUFFERING IN ENGLAND.

British Poor Forced Into the Army for Want of Bread. London, Jan. 3.—-Army recruits have not been as numerous for many years past as they are at the present time. This indicates that the distress among the English poor is greater than it has been for some time. Nine-tenths of the men who join the army do so from sheer want; because they are forced into it for want of bread. All the regiments are filling up. The charities have failed to relieve the poor and there is yet great want and great suffering,