Richmond Palladium (Daily), 6 January 1904 — Page 1

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WEEKLY ESTABLISHED 1881. DAILY ESTABLISHE U 1876. RICHMOND DAILY PALLADIUM, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 1904 ONE CENT A COPY.

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THE

IROQUOIS

HOLOCAUST

A GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION OF THE BURNING OF THAT FAMOUS THEATER. PEN OF RICHMOND BOY Picture of the Awfulness of the Scene Suicides, Funerals, Etc. Crime of Century. (Correspondence of the Palladium.) Chicago, Jan. 5, 1904. That the burning of the Iroquois theater in Chicago on "Wednesday, December 30th, was one of the most colossal crimes of the century is being brought out in the investigation now being held in Chicago. That such structures are permitted to be built under the "supervision and direction" of city building departments is a sad state of affairs. If we can not look to those duly elected to office to see to it that buildings devoted to amusement enterprises are made safe and secure, then why have such offices? It seems impossible to realize the terrible holocaust and the borrow of it all. Who" dreame.il the magnificent ediScc; so lately thrown open to the public should prove to be such a fire trap. None were loth to risk the precious lives of mothers, wives and children; they were in holiday attire; out for a holiday treat and had looked forward to the matinee with anticipation; many of m the tickets having been Christmas gifts. One moment the vast audience in the groat auditorium was screaming with delight, as they gazed on the gaily brilliant tinselled costumes of the "Pony Ballet," appearing in their famous song entitled "Pale Moonlight" and the spot light which is necessary to enhance the beauty of this scene, and which had been -working badly, hung in the loft of the stage, and which ignited, and in less than sixty seconds was created into a roaring furnce. Suddenly the awful cry of fire was heard. Some of the prominent performers in "Mr. Blue Beard" appeared dressed in their .grotesque costumes, and made up, rushed to the front and tried to' quiet the fears of -the women and children who struggled on the lower floors, but the fire had gotten too great headway; none of the necessary appliances were at hand, and too late, the flimsy, so-called fire-proof asbestos curtain was lowered. In the rush of flame all were panic stricken. Strong men temporarily insane trampled beneath their feet weak women and tender children; their only object being to reach the exits, many of which were locked and barred, and bolted or rusted so that it was impossible to open them. In less than five minutes the "fireproof curtain" was reduced to ashes; flames and smoke filled the vast auditorium, and hundreds were stricken, really before they had time to leave their seats. No pen can picture the awfulness of the scene. Bodies of men, women and children wre piled one upon another to a height of ten feet in the stairways, and in less than fifteen minutes from the time the first sparks shot from the spot light nearly six hundred souls had' gone to their Maker. Why was there no fire alarm attached to the theater? Who can answer this question? But true it is, that fully twenty minutes had elapsedbefore a single fireman was upon the scene, and then it became their work, to carry out the bodies of the victims, and ready hands of both firemen and citizens gathered up the dead, and carried the bodies to near by stores, where ministers, priests, doctors, nurses and Sisters of Charity worked side by side endeavoring to restore, if possible, and, if dead, caring for the bodies, which were placed in ambulances, patrol wngons, private hospital wagons, and, there not being sufficient number of those, wagons were sent from the big stores on State street, from Marshall, Field

& company, Mandel Brothers, Stevens and many other stores, in which wagons the dead were taken" to the different morgues, where, for hours, relatives and friends searched for their own, many going from place to place for days before finding those for whom they sought. The list of the dead is gradually increasing, it now being almost seven hundred; many who had been injured and taken to hospitals have not recovered and either die from injuries sustained or from, shock and fright. - , Two or three suicides have, been reported, owing to the terrible loss of whole families, and the funeral trains on Sunday last were appalling. Early in the morning did they begin to start for the different cemeteries, and, at one tfme, there were fortytwo hearses in one cemetery at one time. The entire country has been stirred by the awful holocaust, and " to. locate the blame is now the work of the people, and much depends upon the outeome of the coroner's inquest to be held on January 10th. Let us hope the proper parties may be punished; for the blame must rest some where, and where would it be except with the

management of the theater? This dreadful calamity has east a deep gloom over the city of Chicago, and spreads out over every portion (Continued on eighth page.) II COLORADO LOOKING FOR A RUSH COUNTY GIRL WHO WAS MISSING. MISS BESSIE TRUXALL The Girl Found in Company With a Leader of a Religious Sect. Charles F. Edgerton, formerly of this county, but now of Rushville, just made a flying trip to Colorado, in quest of a young lady relative of his who suddenly disappeared. The following dispatch tells the story: "Colorado Springs, Col., Jan. 5. J. W. Lowery and Charles F. Edgerton, of Rushville, Ind., appealed to the local police yesterday to aid in finding Miss Bessie Truxall, whom they said was missing. "The only clew the officers had was that a girl and William L. Morrow, leader of the Williamsites, a religious sect, had been seen driving toward Ilusted, and to that point the local officers made their way. The capture soon followed and the girl was returned to the uncle and his companion, who proved to be her fiance. "The entire party left over the Rock Island tonight for the east. No action has been taken against Morrow except to cause his arrest for fast driving. Had Very Bad Effect on the Railroads. The recent blizzard in New York and Pennsylvania has been playing havoc with the schedule of the Pennsylvania through trains from the east. Yesterday afternoon they were all late to a greater or less degree, and this morning train No. 25, due hre at 4 :45 was seven hours late, traia No. 27, due here at 4:47 was also seven hours late. Train No. 21, due here at 10:10 a. m. was five hours late. The blizzard has been so severe that many of the trains had to have snow plows go before them to clear the way as far as Pittsburg. The trains from all directions have been from twenty-fie minutes to on hour late for the pael few days. The snow, while not venJeep, has been causing a great, deal of inconvenience and nearly all of the trains have wooden snow plows at t ached to the front of the engine.

ED-EETI

ZERO WEATHER

A SHOCKING WRECK

On the Rock Island, Near WHIard, Kansas The Whole Train Demolished

AND T WENTY PERSONS WERE KILLED

Dozen or More Physicians Sent From Topeka Where the Dead and Injured Were Taken.

Kansas City, Jan. 7. The Rock Island express which left Chicago at 11:30 Monday night for the west collided with a cattle train near Willard fourteen miles west of Topeka, after 1 o'clock this morning. , The wholo train was demolished. Twenty persons Avere killed and every one on the train was injured. The train was composed of a combination baggage and mail ear, regular baggage car, smoker, tourist sleeper and standard sleeper. A dozen or more physicians were sent from Topeka to attend to the injured. All the dead and injured were taken to Topeka where the injured were placed in hospitals. Some bodies are unceognizable. Who to Blame. None of the trainmen seemed to know who was to blame for the wreck. A passenger train left Topeka thirty minutes late but- the conductor said he had the right of way and the cattle train had no right on the main track. The trains met at a curve and the engineers barely had time to set A. G. COMPTOH At Meeting'of State Board of Tax Commissioners. The State Board of Tax Commissioners began their annual meeting at the state house, Indianapolis today. Attorney C. C. Hadley reviewed the work of the assessors and many new phases of the work were brought out. A. G. Compton, of this city, was made chairman of the resolutions committee. He was also placed on the committee of instruction to township assessors. Reports of committees were heard today. TRIUMPH "LOB GE Elects Officers for Year Roll Call Meeting Jan. 8. At the last meeting of Triumph lodge No. 115, K. of P., the following officers were elected for the year 1904: M. of W. Chas. Kuhlow. C. C. narry Galloway. V. C. Joseph Schattel. P. Harry Besselman. M. at A. John Schattel. I. G. George Westenberg. O. G. Ota Rees. K. of R. & S. William Balzer. ' M. of F. August Schroeder. M. of E. John Noss. Trustee John Meerhoff. Representative to Grand Lodge George Wagner. Installing Officer F. J. Neff. Triumph lodge Jias just closed a very successful year and the outlook for the coming year is brighter still. On next Friday evening, January 8, the lodge will have a roll call meeting, which will be followed by a smoker. OFFICERS ELECTED. Earl ham cemeterv lot owners met yesterday at Bradbury & Son's office and elected officers as follows: President, J. W. Newman; seci-e-tary, M. II. Bill; superintendent and treasurer, Wm. II. Bradbury. C. W. Ferguson is the other director, and E. G. Hill was elected to the place of the late P. C. Graff.

Bradburyy

the brakes and jump. Heroic Doctor. : Dr. Bell, New York City, a young physician, though slightly hurt and walking on crutches, did heroic work in directing the rescue and in bandaging wounds, using torn strips from sheets and pillowslips. He saved the. life of a fireman by tying an artery, using only a' penknife and piece of string. Latest Report. The total number of dead is twenty. All were not identified at 1 o 'clock. As far as known then the dead are: C. A. Wright, Kansas City. Jane Griffin, Claremont, Mo. W. S. Martin DeKalb, 111. William Wells, Jacksonville, 111. , General Fuller, Blockton, Iowa. Young girl. Mrs. Henry Kaiser , and child, Germany. " Fay -Fuller, aged seven. E. II Meyers, Buffalo, N. Y. ,

ELLIS IilCTEB By the Preble County Grand Jury. Fred Ellis, who is in jail at Eaton, charged with robbery, and who a week or so ago tried to escape, wa yesterday indicted by the grand jury in two separate counts. One is the robbery of C. C. Shute, of whom he secured $10 on the public highway, and the other is for entering the home of Mrs. Anna. E. Shute, where he stole a pair of shoes and other things. Good Social Time at Their Hall Last Night. The Modern Woodmen had a most interesting social gathering at their hall last night. Speeches were made by several members, and a good sociable evening was enjoyed by all. This organization is one of the best in the city, and, besides the insurance part of it, the members have social times that count. A W WALTZ Published by Clara J. Leahey The many friend s in this city of Mrs. Clara J. Leahey (nee Miss Clara Esmaker) will be pleased to knoAv .that she has jus published a new waltz, "Patricia," composed by her and now on sale. The music was published by N. Wilson, 184 Dearborn street, Chicago, and is respectfully dedicated to her sister, Mrs. Frank Garver, of this city and Miss Mamie Esmaker of Evansville. The waltz is in D flat and is very pretty and is pronounced by musical critics to be an excellent production. Mrs. Leahey is now a resident of Chicago, but for years taught music in this city and was very popular. The music sells for 50 cents and no doubt a large number of copies will be sold. WHEAT GOES UP. (Bv Associated Press.) Chicago, Jan. (. War news sent wheat prices up two to three cents at the opening sales today.

MODERN WOO

... GARFIELD NOTES. At opening exercises Monday morning Mr. Heironimus announced that for the remaining Monday mornings of the term talks will be given by the pupils of the 8 A history classes. ' Work in the gymnasium will begin for the boys this week but the girls' games will not be resumed Till the weather moderates. It is no small thing of school education to give the girls social organization. The regular course of study makes little provision for this, so it becomes necessary to make use , of any opportunity that may arise incidentally. For this reason the pupils of Garfield school are asked so far as possible to assume the management of school entertainments, school athletics, etc. Yesterday the 8 A class chose a committee to arrange a program for their closing exercises, Feb., 5.Those chosen were 8 A 1 Olive Wildman, Paul Furnas. 8 A 2 Florence Gaj-le, John Clements. 8 A 3 Marguerite Green, Thomas Campbell. The 8 B arithmetic classes completed just before the holidays their exhibit work for the St. Louis exposition. It consisted of work in colored paper and drawings illustrating the principle, the square of the hypothenuse of a right angled triangle, is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides. Also concrete problems applying the same.

COURT HOUSE 7 NEffS NOTES

THE BERTRAM CASE WILL BE CALLED ON JANUARY 18. THE COMMISSIONERS Going Over Poor Accounts Township Trustees Have a Meeting. In the Bertram case, which eomes up on the 18th, a letter written by the defendant on the 26th day of March, 1903, is asked to be produced in evidence. The letter was written by Bertram to Miss Hill and will cut an important figure in the case. . The county commirsioners are ir session today settling poor accounts. The township trustees are having a meeting today. Several important matters are up for settlement. Luther O. Draper, of Steele & Draper, Spieeland, Ind., is before the meeting with a large county map made by this company. They make especially fine county maps, and are trying to interest the trustees in the purchase of some for Wayne county. The following business was dis patched at the meeting: The diploma examination will oc cur on March 39. Commencements follow and will be grouped so as not to interfere. 1 The trustees agreed Jhat teacher?, attend the Chautauouas to be' "held 'here. The county institutes to meet in conjunction with Chautauqua. The trustees arranged with Steele & Draper to furnish each school with a county map, showing rural routes; etc. . An assessment was made to pa; for the display at the St. Louis exposition, amounting to about $208. A regular meeting day was set for the trustees. The next meeting will be the third Thursday in February, and once a month thereafter. A marriage license was issued tc Jonathan Claxk Brown and Viola Lieb. MEETING ON SATURDAY. The Wayne County Horticultural society holds its January meeting at the court house on Saturday afternoon next. The incoming president, Mr. Oliver Burgess, will deliver his inaugural address, and the report of the executive committee will be read.

FARMERS' ANNUAL INSTITUTE

OF WAYNE COUNTY, HELD AT HAGERSTOWN, JANUARY 18 AND 19, 1904. EVERYBODY WELCOME John Macy is the Chairman and Elias Hoover, Secretary Good Subjects of Interest to Fanners. The following is the program for the farmers' institute to be held in Hagerstown, January 18 and 19: Monday, January 18. 9:30 a. m. Opening remarks, by the chairman, John Macy. Music. Invocation, by Rev. Frank E. Hay. Music. "Soil Fertility and Plant Growth" D. B. Johnson. Discussion. "Poultry ori the Farm' John Bunnel. Discussion. Afternoon Session. 3 :30 p. m. Music. : "The Share of the Farmer's Wife Mrs. Oliver Kline. Discussion. , Music. "Fresh, Ripe Fruits" Walter S. Ratliff. Discussion. "Let the Farmer's Boy Select His Own Avocation" Robert Allen. Evening Session. 7 p. m. Music. ' - ,--J. Recitation Lawrence Macy. Song High school. , Recitation Miss Edith Fox. "What is Education?" Mrs. Oliver Kline. Solo Miss Wanda Persells. Recitation Eva Hoover. Song Hish school. "Our Native Birds " Walter S. Ratliff. Music (America). Tuesday, January 19. 9:30 a.m. Music. Invocation Rev. Warbington. Music "The Clover Plant from Seed to Manager'7 D. B. Johnson. Discussion J. W. Lea veil. - Selection of place for holding next annual institute. Afternoon Session. 1 :30 p. m. Music. "The Culture of Corn" Asa Pitts. Discussion. "Growing Hogs for Market" Whit tier Beard. Discussion, T. A.' Shafer, Oscar Dering, Wm. Leavell, Harry Macy and others. Adjournment. ? POLITICAL NEKfS Meeting of Fifth Ward Republicans. A call has been issued to fifth ward Republicans to' attend a meeting to be held at Hodgin's shop Friday. January 8, at 7:30 p. m. Matters of great importance to the ward will be brought ip. : ' t Republicans, attend your ward meetings. Next Saturday is the day for holding the convention, and all wards in the city ought to be represented.- ' ' Connersville Courier : Representative James E. Watson, of Indiana has received a "mention" for vicepresident. And the suggestion is by no means absurd. "Our Jim" wou?d make a great campaigner, and he is not only of vice-presidential, but Presidential size, in experience anc natural capacity. He is sure to come to the front. Rushville Republican. 'James E. Watson and family left for Washington to remain during the present session of congress, or until about the first of June. They will live at the PorilaVid, where Mr. Watson has secured rooms. Rushville Republican. u , j . ,