Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 November 1898 — Page 2

WEEKLY REPUBLICAN. GEO. E. MARSHALL, Publisher. RENSSELAER, - INDIAN*.

FIRE AT SACEAMENTO

SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAY * SHOPS ARE BURNED. Crossed Electric Light Wire* Cause a Loss of $200,000 in a Very Short Time- Kansas City Woman Dies in Experience Meeting. Railway Shops Burn. A fire which broke out in the extensive railroad shops of the Southern Pacific Company at Sacramento, Cal., caused a loss of over $200,000. It started in the ear and machine shop in the center of a group of large buildings, and, fanned by a stiff northwest wind, destroyed the structure and its machinery in less than half an hour. It next attacked the big saw and planing mill and cabinet shop, filled with seasoned lumber of all kinds, and in a few r minutes the whole interior of the big brick structure was u raging furnace, lluudredsiof railway employes aided the firemen in lighting the flames, which were got under control by daylight. The cause of the fire is not positively known, but it is thought to have started from crossed electric light wires in the car shops. It is only a little more than a year since the pattern shop of the railway company was burned with a loss of nearly half a million dollars. WEDDING IN-TEA!) OP SUICIDE. • * Ohio Young Folks, Who Jumped Into the l.nke, Are Mude Happy. The sensational attempt at suicide of Miss Rose La nor and her lover, J. 10. Klechner, at Cleveland, by jumping into the lake, will have a happy ending, and the couple will be married. Charles Lauer, father of the girl, has returned to Columbus from {Jh'vel.i ml, where he left. his daughter recovering in a hospital, and slated that the couple decided to end their lives together because Klechner's father, now deceased, exacted a promise from h;s son not to marry until the death of Ins mother, and he wanted to die rather than break the promise. The mother has consented to the union. TESTIFIED AND DIED. Peculiar Circumstances at a Kansas City Revival Meeting. “I’m trying to live a Christian life. I'm \ homesick to see Jesus. I’m ready to go to-<lay, this hour, this minute if necessary. Praise the Lord!” Scarcely had these words left the lips of Mrs. Jennie Walker, at a religious meeting at the tJoodway mission in Kansas City, when she fell back ?nto her seat dead. The hail was crowded with worshipers. After a short service people in the congregation arose one by one and began to bear testimony. Mrs. Walker’s death was caused by heart disease. Fire tit Emporia, Kan. Emporia, Kan., was nearly wiped out by fire, conflagrations starting in three different places in the southern part of the city at the same moment. Huge pieces of burning wood were swept through the a:r for blocks. Fires were started in several different places, and people were seen in every direction on their roofs smothering the flames. The loss will foot up nearly $50,000. May Prohibit Seal Hunting. Late advices from Japan state that it is likely that the seal and otter hunter* will be prohibited from fishing and hunting off the coast of Japan before the fleet sails next year. Japan is trying to foster deep-sea fishing, and under the new foreign treaties that go into effect next year, it is believed that the prohibition can be made. Wild Kcusts Enter a Town. Bears and panthers, impelled by the pangs of hunger, are invading many towns iu British Columbia and are terrifying the ranchers. Four bears entered M ldtewater city, in Kootenai, recently at night, attacked the meat safe of the. principal hotel. demolished it and got away in safety with the provender. Two Negroes to Hang. The Missouri State Supreme Court sentenced Frank Harrison and James Brown, colored, to be hanged on Dee. 13, 180 s. Brown killed a negro. Henry l’rater. In Kansas City, on April 1, lSOfl. in a controversy over a girl. Harrison killed Frank Ailriek on an island in the Missouri River in Platte County. Hellenic Cabinet la (lilt. The Greek cabinet has resigned, its members considering that the exceptional circumstances under which they assumed office huve expired. M. Znimis has been intrusted with the reconstruction of the cabinet. Shot Wife and Kills Self. A* the result of a family quarrel James McGowan, of Marblehead, > Ohio, shot and seriously Wounded his wife, and then tired a bullet into his head, killing himself instantly. Hawaii's Sn tnr Crop Contracted. The announcement is made that the entire sugar crop of the Hawaiian Islands has been contracted to the American Bu> gar Refilling Company (the sugar trust). —4 Kev. Dr. 11. L. Wayland Dead. Rev. Dr. 11. L. Wayland, one of the most eminent Baptist divines, died at Wernersville, Pa., after an illness of several months’ duration. Railroad Thief Confesses, At Toledo, Ohio, William Beck, a Lake Rhone employe, was arrested for systematic stealing from express cars, lie eoufeased. Hpnnlsh Warship la I.oat. The cruiser Maria Teresa, Admiral <’ervern’a flagship when he made his memorable dash out of Santiago harbor on the morning of July 3, raised at great expense by Lieut. Hobson and added to the American navy, foundered off San Salvador in m terrible storm. Ctfrfew Law In Bt. Louis. TT»e ‘tJurfew bill,” designed to compel children trader the age of 15 to he off the street* after 8 p. m. in winter and 1) p. m. in summer, has passed the St. Louis City Council.

NEW NATION IS FORMED. United States of Central America Begins Its Existence. The steamer Acapulco, from South America, brings news of the coalition of the three Central American States—Salvador, Nicaragua and llon<l uras—which will be conducted under a common administration, to he known as the United States of Central America. The inauguration of the new regime wgs to be ushered in the other day, and a grand celebration in honor of the event was held at Amalpa. which is to be the seat of government. The administration passes into the control of a representative from each of the republics —Dr. Salvador Callegas of Salvador, Dr. Miguel Angel Ugnrte of Honduras and Dr. Manuel Corrodel Matns of Nicaragua. The three gentlemen mentioned will continue in power until the 14th of March next, when they will formally elect a president, who will hold office four years. WORLD’S FAIR FOR ST. LOUIS. Centennial of the Louisiana Purchase to Be Celebrated in 1003. The directors of the World’s Columbian exposition, who arrived in St. Louis from Chicago to hold their annual reunion, were entertained by the local reception committee at social functions. They met the local committee arranging for the celebration of the centennial of the Louisiana purchase in St. Louis in 1903, and on the advice of Director General Davis and his associates it was decided to give a world’s fair there in that year. The visitors present, besides Col. Davis, were Prof. J. I’. Barrett, Prof. F. W. Putnam, Dr. L. H. Peabody, Willard A. Smith, Charles M. Kuntz and James Allison, all of the World’s Fair directory. LONG HIDDEN DEFALCATION. Hanover, Pa., National Bank Cashier Is Short $57,000. A long-hidden deficiency, reaehiug about $57,000, lias been discovered in the accounts of the late John H. Alleman, cashier of the First National Bank of Hanover, Pa., who died about threat-weeks ago. The books have been in the hands of an expert accountant since Alleman’s death and the shortage was thus- revealed. Mr. Alleman had been cashier of the bank for twenty-eight years and at no time was he ever suspected of wrongdoing. His defalcations were cleverly covered up by means of “kiting,” or the use of drafts on different out-of-town banks, and thus deceived even the bank examiners. INDIANS ARE LEAVING. Recent Killing ot Five of a Band of Reds Has Had Wholesome Effect. The Indians are leaving Grant County, Ore., as fast as possible and no further trouble is expected. The coroner’s jury exhumed the body of one of the Indians killed near Izee and found that his death was at the hands of a deputy sheriff and posse, who asked for a peaceable surrender and were answered by the Indians opening fire, killing one of their number, George Cutting. The posse then returned the fire, killing five Indians. Great Sum for Church Work. Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church, who have been holding their semiannual conference iu Springfield, Mass., voted to call for a “twentieth century thank offering” of $20,000,000 from the members of the Methodist Church. The funds will be collected at intervals before Jan. 1, 1901, and the sum wanted is expected to be received by that date. It was voted to devote the money to the improvement of educational and charitable institutions now maintained by the Methodist Episcopal Church. None of it will be used for the establishment of new institutions. The call for the fund will soon be issued. It is not intended to make the collections at one stated time, but to make them so gradual that they will not he a burden. The offering is intended as an expression of thanks for the completion of nineteen centuries of Christianity and will be the greatest effort of its character ever undertaken by any religious organization. .

, Match Girls on Strike. Millionaire Edwin Gould is the president of a match-making company in Passaic, N. J. He has a strike on his hands. One hundred Hungarian girls who have been employed as packers have refused to submit to a reduction in wages. They have been making from 80 cents to $1.25 a day. They do not want to work for GO cents a day. Even the reduced scale represents wages higher than usually paid to factory girls iu any employment. Put to Ilenth by a New Device. An improvement in the electrical appliance at the penitentiary annex at Columbus, Ohio, was tried on Charles Nelson, colored, with eminent success. The new device is a wire hat lined with sponges saturated with salt, water, which is adjusted after the victim is strapped to the chair. Nelson was sentenced to death'for the murder of James Zimmerman at Bowling Green. Collision Damages strainers. The river steamer J. D. Peters, bound for Stockton, nnd the Czarina, returning from Port Costa, collided in San Francisco hay. The Peters carried passengers and the Czarina was in ballast. The Czarina was towed to her dock. The Peters was leaking badly and it was decided to beach her on Angel Island, the United States military reservation. All the passengers were safely landed. Female Burglar. A female burglar is at work in Lniisville. Ky. According to the police she curries skeleton keys, burglars’ tools and all the appliances of the well-equipped house breaker. She was surprised by Mrz Solomous in the act of rifling her house. There was a short struggle, but the worn* an succeeded in getting away with some booty. Indians Ratify n Treaty. The Secretary of the Interior has received unofficial advices that the Creek Indian nation in Indian territory has ratified the agreement reached between its commission and the Dawes Indian commission iu the reorganization of Indian territory. Four Soldiers Badly Injured. An explosion near the rear entrance to the eastern barracks at Fort Wayne, uear Detroit, resulted disastrously to four soldiers, who are now lying burned nnd braised in the regimental hospital. They are all members of the Nineteenth infantry. , Fire nt Oklahoma City. The Commercial Hotel, city livery stable and n saloon between the two were burned at Oklahoma City. The guests had time to escape from the hotel, which was entirely consumed. Four horses were burn ed to death.

TWO BOATS DAMAGED.

1 COLLISION NEAR THE PORT OF BUFFALO. 1 i Starrucca and Muritana Come Together with Disastrous Results for Both—Five Villages in the New Hebrides Buried by a Volcanic Eruption. Collision of Steamers. The steamer Starrucca, while leaving Buffalo the other night with a cargo of coal for Chicago, collided with the steamer Maritana, which was bound in with iron ore. The night was smoky, but it is thought a misunderstanding of signals was the cause of the accident. The Starrucca immediately whistled for assistance nnd the tugs Fabian and Davis were sent out, arriving in time to tow the steamer into shallow water below the breakwater before she sank. She now lies with her main deck out of water. Tugs brought the Maritana into port and towed her to her ore dock, where she settled to the bottom. Her bow is smashed and her forward compartments are full of water. The Starrucca is the newest boat of thh Union Steamboat Company, having come out this season. The Maritana is dne of the largest steamers of the Minnesota Steamship Company’s fleet. MONEY LENDERS SWINDLED. Firm at Warrensburg, Mo. Loans $2,000 on a Forged Deed. . Jack & Jarrott, money lenders at Warrensburg, Mo., were swindled out of $2,000 by a forger a few days ago. Two weeks ago a young man appeared in the William Benton neighborhood, north of Ivnobnoster, and announced that he had purchased of Len Taylor of Colorado Springs, Colo., a IGO-acre farm adjoining Benton’s. To verify his statement he exhibited a warranty deed alleged toTiave been duly executed by Taylor and wife. This deed he filed at Warrensburg, thus perfecting his title to the farm. He then borrowed $2,000 of Jack & Jarrott, giving a mortgage on the land. This was the last seen.of the stranger. The deed and its attestation proved to be a forgery and the money lenders are out their $2,000. VILLAGE buried under lava. Volcano Lopeira in the New Hebrides in a State of Eruption. The Royal Mail steamer Aorangi brought news that another, volcanic eruption has occurred in the New Hebrides, more alarming than its predecessors. The volcano Lopeira, after remaining quiescent for twenty years, broke out. Five villages were huddled at the base of the volcano, and the houses were buried deep in scoria at the first outbreak. The sea for miles around boiled at a high temperature, and jets of water leaped high into the air. None of the inhabitants of the five destroyed villages were buried under the melted lava. * hip Burned at Sea. A disaster at sea, fortunately with a small loss of life, five persons in all, was , made known at Vineyard Haven, Mass., by the landing there of twenty-two persons, who escaped from the burning steamer Croatan of the Clyde line, bound from New York to Wilmington, N. C., and Georgetown, S. C. The disaster occurred about eighteen miles north Afc-Cape Charles, and about 200 miles from New York, from which port the steamer sailed with a general cargo and eight passengers. Gave Up the •■truggle. A man apparently GO or 65 years of age, who registered at the Jefferson Hotel in Cleveland as John Jones, Boston, Mass., was found dead in his room. An empty vialjlabeled chloral hydrate, accompanied by the following note, told the story of a suicide. The note read: "My name is Smith; live in Boston, and I am a brass molder by trade. Am out of work; iet the grave digger do the rest.”

Unique Jail-Breaking Scheme. A dozen prisoners in the county jail at Bueyrus, Ohio, nearly gained their freedom the other night in a strunge manner. The*- conducted gas by means of a tube to tne stone wall, and when it was heated turned cold water on it, shattering the stone. They were discovered before they could get away. Fatal Injury to Bridegroom. While William P. Ming, a young St. Louis mechanic, was passing nlong Eighth street, a brick fell from a building. Striking him on the head, producing a fracture of the skull. The wound is fatal. A sad and distressing feature of tlfe accident ts that young Mink was married only the previous evening. Ilig Cotton Goods Firm Fails. Mohn 11. Mason & Sons, cotton goods manufacturers at Providence R. 1., have tiled a voluntary petition in bankruptcy. The petition shows that the firm’s liabilities amount to SBIO,OOO and the assets to about SBOO,OOO. The partners have ulso tiled individual petitions in bankruptcy. Gen. Fitzhugli Lee's Mother Dead. Mrs. Anne Maria Lee. mother of Mnj. Gen. Kitzhugh Lee, died at the home of her son. Capt. Dan Lee, in Stafford Comity, Va. She was nearing her eighty-eighth birthday and had been totally Wind for years. Her death resulted from a fall. Fire in Htarch Works. The works of the National Starch Company at Glen Cove, L. 1., were seriously damaged by tire. The volunteer tire department from Glen Cove and surrounding places were unable to check the tinmen. The loss will amount to about SIIOO,OOO. Boiler Test Proves Fatal. By the explosion of u new boiler at the Oil City, Pa., boiler works two men were killed, two fntnlly injured and a dozen more slightly hurt. The boiler was being tested when it exploded. The works were damaged to the extent of SII,OOO. Approved l»y Chilian Congress. The Chilian congress has approved the protocol between Chili and Argentina for the settlement of the Puna de Atacama dispute. William I. Buchanan, United States minister to Argentina, will act as iinal arbitrator. Depew Applied for Receiver. A receiver has been appointed in Jersey City for the Penny Magazine on the application of Chauncey M. Depew, a stockholder, and Thomas Quinn, president of the company. The assets and liabilities are small. For Pocks at Honolulu. President McKinley ha* issued a proclamation reserving lands for uuvol docks and wharves at Honolulu.

GREAT OFFER FROM JAPAN. American Company May Establish Electrical Plants for Mikado. The Siemens & Halske Electric Company o£ America is considering a proposition from the Japanese Government to form in Chicago a syndicate with a capitalization of about $10,000,000 to install and operate all electric street car lines and incandescent lighting and electric power plants which are to be established in the domain of the mikado as another step in the modernizing movement in progress there. The franchise to be granted is exclusive and would be one of the most valuable permits ever granted to one syndicate or corporation. It is understood that the Elkins-Widener syndicate of Philadelphia will be interested in the new company if it is formed. PLOT TO WRECK A TRAIN. Chicago Detectives Frustrate a Fiend- , ish Plan for Robbery. A plot to wreck and rob a Clover Leaf train was unearthed by W. C. Merritt, a Chicago detective. Merritt met the two men who put up the job in Delphos, Ohio, and was taken in as a partner. The train was to be wrecked at the curve north of Delphos by removing a rail, after which they were to rob the dead and injured. It was planned that detectives should arrest the men at the point of rifles as they were about to carry out their plot, but a fear that some one might be killed led to the officers’ confronting the men with the details of their proposed crime and ordering them out of the county. They went. Troops Ordered to Neuvitas. The War Department has issued a general order for the movement of troops to Cubit. The first troops will leave on or about Nov. 22, and will comprise a brigade under Brig. Gen. Carpenter. The brigade will be taken from the Seventh army corps and one of the regiments to go will be the Third Georgia. The brigade will be sent to Neuvitas, Porto Principe. The following named officers, recently appointed, have been ordered to Santiago and to report to the commanding officer Ninth regiment, U. S. V. infantry, for assignment to duty: First Lieutenants Alexander Richardson, Edward Williams and William Wilks; Second Lieutenants Robert G. Woods, Jacob C. Smith and John W. Brown. They are all colored, and were formerly attached to the Twentyfourth infantry or Ninth and Tenth cav-' airy. They were promoted on account ol distinguished personal gallantry in the field at San Juan and El Caney. Official < nnadian Returns. Official figures on, the recent vote taken throughout Canada on the question ol prohibition have been given out by the State Department. The majority in favor of prohibition is 13,884. Only 22 per cent of those entitled to vote, though, cast their ballots for prohibition. Kentucky Salesman Kills Himself, George S. Lieber, 30 years old, a traveling salesman employed by Watson & Co., wholesale liquor dealers of Maysville, Ivy., killed himself in the Grand Union Hotel iu New York by inhaling illuminating gas. Lieber had been in financial difficulties.

Fishermen Lost at Sea, During the past season fourteen vessels of the Gloucester, Mass., fishing fleet were lost, eighty-two men drowned, twentythree women made widows and fifty-five children left fatherless; property loss, $170,000. .Dig Failure in Detroit. Thomas B. Rayl, president of the T. B. Rayl Hardware Company of Detroit, Mich., has filed a voluntary petition in bankruptcy. Liabilities, $1,500,000; assets, $12,000. Kills Himself While Sick. Charles Offutt, a well-known Omaha attorney, while temporarily deranged through illness, shot himself through thf head, dying instantly. Holds a Town at Bay. Adam Hammer, a machinist at Beaver Dam, Wis., became violently insane and shot nine men (none of them fatally) before he was arrested. France Will Yield. The Paris correspondent of the London Mail says: “France will retire from Fashoda unconditionally and without asking compensation.” Los Angeles Clxoscn. Los Angeles will entertain the next annual meeting of the National Educational Association if favorable rates can be ob tained. Omaha Exposition Closes. The Transmississippi Exposition at Omaha has closed. It was a success financially.

MARKET QUOTATIONS.

Chicago—Cattle, common to prime, $3.00 to $(5.00; hogs, shipping grades, $3.00 to $4.00; sheep, fair to choice, $2.50 to $4.75; wheat, No. 2 red, 65c to 67c; corn, No. 2,31 cto 32c; oats. No, 2,23 c to 25c; rye, No. 2,52 cto 53c; butter, choice creamery, 21c to 22c; eggs, fresh, 17c to 19c; potatoes, choice, 30c to 40c per bushel. Indianapolis—Cattle, shipping, $3.00 to $5.25; hogs, choice light, $3.00 to $3.75; sheep, common to choice. $3.00 to $4.50; wheat. No. 2 red, 67c to 08c: corn, No. 2 white, 32c to 34c; oats, No. 2 white, 27c to 28c. St. Louiß—Cattle, $3.00 to $5.75; hogs, $3.50 to $4.00; sheep. $3.50 to $5.00; wheat, No. 2, (59c to* 70c; corn, No. 2 yellow, 31c to 32c; onts, No. 2,25 cto 27c; rye. No. 2,51 cto 53c. Cincinnati—Cattle, $2.50 to $5.25; hogs, $3.00 to $4.00; .beep, $2.50 to $4.25; wheat, No. 2,67 cto (59c; corn, No. 2 mixed, 35c to 37c; onts, No. 2 mixed, 26c- to 28c; rye, No. 2. 58c to (50c. IVtroit —Cattle, $2.50 to $5.50; hogs, $3.25 to $3.75; sheep. $2.50 to $4.25; wheat, No. 2,70 cto 72c; coni. No. 2 yellow, 35c to 36c; onts, No. 2 white, 28c to 29c; rye. 52c to 54c. Toledo —Wheat, No. 2 mixed, 69c to 71c; corn. No. 2 mixed. 33c to 34c: oats. No. 2 white, 24c to 2(5c; rye, No. 2,53 c to 54c; closer seed, old, $4.90 to $5.00. Milwaukee—Wheat. No. 2 spring, 65c to 67e; corn. No. 3. 32e to 34c; oats, No. 2 white! 27c to 28o; rye, No. 1,52 cto 53c; barley, No. 2,40 cto 48c; pork, mess, $7.75 to $8.25. Buffalo—Cattle, good shipping steers, $3.00 to $5.75; hogs, common to choice, $3.50 to $4.00; sheep, fair to choice wethers, $3.50 to $5.00; lambs, common to extra, $5.00 to $5.75. New York—Cattle, $3.00 to $5.75; hogs, $3.00 to $4.00; sheep, $3.00 to $4.75; wheat, No. 2 red, 76c to 77c: corn, No. 2,89 cto 40c; oats. No. 2,29 cto 30c; butter, creamery, 15c to 24c; eggs, Western, 21c to 22c.

TIME OF QUIETNESS.

GENERAL TRADE IS STEADY BUT NOT BRISK. Wheat Relapses Into Dullness Upon Withdrawal of Excited Foreign De-mand-Supreme Conrt Declares Nebraska's Occupation Tax Law Valid. Quiet Prevails in Trade. Bradstreet’s says: “Further quieting down of new business in iron and steel, the relapse into dullness, though at steady prices, of wheat, consequent upon the withdrawal of the excited foreign demand and some slight increase of,quiet in general trade, chiefly at the South, are all features calling for special mention this week. Among the more actively favorable features are the price steadiness displayed by most staple articles and the enlarged distribution of staple goods at many Western and Southern markets as the result of improved weather and removals of quarantine. Confirmatory of the quire favorable reports as to general trade during October are the returns of Ixink clearings for that month and scattered reports as to the increased business doing at many centers in that mouth as compared with one year ago. Export statistics of grain, too, are beginning to show that an ample basis for the stories of heavy foreign buying really existed, week being the heaviest on record. Wheat, including flour, shipments for the week aggregate 0,773,643 bushels, against 5,560,991 bushels last week. Corn exports for the week aggregate 3,566,640 bushels, against 2,424,376 bushels last week.” OCCUPATION TAX VALID. The Nebraska Supreme Court Decides Against the Burlington at Lincoln. The right of a city or town to assess an occupation tax on a railroad corporation whs sustained by the Supreme Court at Lincoln, Neb., which holds that such a levy is not in violation of the interstate commerce act, nor void because it taxes a business transacted wholly within the city. Further, the court says, it is not an attempt to impose a tax on the railroad depot in-addition to the tax arising from the general assessment of the railroad’s T>roperty. The case in point was that of the City of York against the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy. The railroad fought the ordinance, and was sustained by the lower court. The Supreme Court reverses and remands. The ordinance expressly exempts interstate business from he action. FELL OFF HIS ENGINE. Engineer Found Beside the Track with His Skull Fractured. Joseph Desmond, fireman on a Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago locomotive drawing a fast passenger train, near Columbiana, Ohio, suddenly discovered that Engineer W. B. Sourbeck was not on the engine. Conductor Hollaway ordered the train run back, and Engineer Sourbeck was found lying unconscious beside the track with his skull badly fractured. It is thought he climbed out upon the running lxmrd, and, losing hjs balance, fell to the’ ground.

National Capitol Damaged. An explosion occurred at the national capital at Washington in the basement beneath the Supreme Court chambers, and caused a fire which consumed a part of the Congressional law 7 library, a priceless collection, and destroyed the furnishings of the Supreme Court chamber. The explosion was caused by the ignition of illuminating gas. The damage is irreparable. The damage 1o the building will amount to about $200,000. Alleges Robbery on Train. John Fluett. a wealthy investor of Toledo, Ohio, arrived at St. Louis over the Mobile and Ohio with scarcely street cat fare in his pocket. He reported to the police that he had been chloroformed and robbed in a Pullman car a short distance from Mobile. He lost a gold watch and chain, a diamond stud and S4BO in cash. Kansas Town 4 torched. The town of Little River, Ivan., was almost annihilated by fire. Nearly all the business portion of the place was consumed, including a dry goods store, grocery, feed store, hotel, restaurants, drug stores, barber shops and me:(t markets. The total loss will reach nearly $50,000. Origin oi the fire is unknown. Big Fire in Cleveland. The works of the Standard Car Wheel Company at Cleveland, Ohio, were destroyed by fire. Three thousand car wheels were damaged, and the total loss, according to the owners, will foot up between SBO,OOO and SOO,OOO. Killed by a Splinter. Ilarvey, tlie little son of Mr. and Mi's. Michael Smilh of Newvillo, Pa., ran a splinter in his hip. The bit of wood was extracted and the wound healed, but still the hoy suffered. Finally lockjaw 7 set In and the lad died. Mine Operated Mysteriously. The operation of the Shanty Hill mine at Malvern, Ohio, is conducted with the utmost secrecy. Lessee Wbartman says ihe will not divulge the production of the mine. All the land in the vicinity has been leased. Death of David A, Wells. David A. Wells, the economsf, died at Norwich, Conn, lie was born at Springfield, Mass.. June 17, 1828. He was t)he author of a number of books on tariff and financial questions. Fcven Killed in a Mine. Seven men were killed and three fatally injured in the Exeter colliery of the Lehigh Valley Coal Company, West Pittston, Pa. The accident was due to the alleged carelessness of Engineer David Price, in allowing three loaded cars to full down the 300-foot shaft. $8,000,000 Fire at Hangow. Fire at Hunkow, a Chinese river port, destroyed 10,000 houses, and 1,000 inhabitants Were burned to death or killed by falling buildings. The damage was SB,000,000. Twenty-five Men Baricd. The roof of the New Wonderland Theater at Detroit collapsed, carrying down the Iron galleries of the structure, nnd a great mass of scaffolding and debris. Some twenty-five men were working under the wllapsed parts of the structure. Eleven men were killed.

WASHINGTON GOSSIP

Although Admiral Sampsou’s report, sent through the press dispatches, doe® not contain, a word of censure, criticism or complaint concerning the conduct of Admiral Schley, but simply gives the correspondence and orders in their sequence and allows the department and the puhlie to, judge it for themselves, it places the commander of the flying squadron in an embarrassing position, and explains why the Secretary of the Navy asked Congress not to pass resolutions conveying a vote of thanks to Admiral It also confirms the Story telegraphed from St. Louis that Schley’s fleet remained before the harbor of Cienfuegos for five days after he was informed that Cervera was in the harbor at Santiago, and that he started for Key West for coal, leaving Cervera free to go where he pleased until recalled by sharp orders from the Secretary of the Navy, who then placed Captain. Sampson over his head. Every year the heads of the great departments in Washington are having increased trouble with superannuated clerks. Many of these clerks have been in publicservice from twenty-five to thirty-five years, and there are not a few on the rolls, who havq, been working uninterruptedly for the Government for forty-five or fifty years. Many of these old clerks have been holding-salaried positions for a great many years, but the great majority are middleclass, where the salaries range from sl,000 to $1,400. With advancing years they lose in efficiency and their retention on the , pay roils in important positions is an injustice to younger and better clerks, whoare doing a greater amount of work for less money. Heads of departments cannot nerve themselves to discharge theseveteran clerks, and so they drag on year after year, incumbering the service. Officials of the quartermaster general’* office of the War Department say that those who desire to avail themselves of the Government’s order to transport Christmas packages to the American soldiers at Honolulu and Manila should ad-' dress the quartermaster general, Washington, D. C., for instructions. The department desires to regulate and control the number, size and contents of the packages so far as possible, and will not undertake to pay ocean freight upon everything that may be sent. i Exportation of wire nails from the United States has increased fifteen fold during, the last ten years, going from 1,547,000 pounds in 1888 to 22,894,000 pounds during the fiscal year 1898. This product of American workmen goes to every grand division of the globe and practically every country. Ten years ago the price per pound was 10 cents. To-day it is 2 cents. Thus, the 1,547,000 pounds exported in> 1888 brought $155,000, while the 22,894,* 000 pounds exported during the last fiscal year yielded only $458,000.

Speaker Reed is dead set against keep--ing Congress in session any longer than, is absolutely necessary. His influencemay, therefore, be counted upon to bethrown against a special session. He can practically control the committees in a, short session and keep matters back which he does not wish to have acted on. In a long session this is more difficult and thereis constant danger of the House breaking away from him. This was done twb orthree times last spring and summer. The Comptroller of the Currency findsthat he cannot issue a charter to a national bank in the Hawaiian Islands. This will be a severe disappointment to several ambitious politicians in Washington, who have been planning for month* to secure the first charter for a national bank at Honolulu. The same crowd is after national bank charters in Porto Rico and Manila. It is believed that Congress will have to give specific authorization before the Comptroller can issue charters in any of these places. The Clerk of the Supreme Court is in receipt of a large number of letters from lawyers in nil parts of the country inquiring of him when the Supreme Court will issue rules and regulations for the government of courts in the enforcement of thebankruptcy law. Having no definite information on the subject, Major McKenney is obliged to write non-committal replies to the effect that the court has not ns yet promulgated the rules aud regulations. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee has written a very complimentary letter concerning the work, of the Young Men’s Christian Association among the soldiers in Florida and has requested that their representatives may be authorized to accompany his army to Cuba and prepare for even more extensive work. The United States will have to takecharge of the postal system in Cuba as soon as the Spaniards evacuate, for the Cubans have no governmental organization of any sort and chaos would result at once if this action were not taken. Up to date 2,000 claims for pensionshave been filed by soldiers and sailors and their dependents on account of the war with Spain. Seventy were for victims or the Maine. For lack of something else to talk about politicians in Washington are discussing the probabilities of an extm session of Congress after the 4th of next March. Senator Justin 8. Morrill of Vermont will resign his seat some time during the coming winter in order to permit the Vermont Legislature to choose his successor at its regular session. His retirement wilt be the removal of a political landmark, for Senator Morrill has served without a break since March 4, 1855—a period of nearly forty-four years. While two brothers, Eddie ants Jess* Poindexter, were out hunting crows, near Nelson, Mo., a shotgun in Jesse’a hand was accidentally discharged, seriouslywound ing Eddl%