Semi-weekly Express, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 14 December 1897 — Page 2

JEKYLL AND HYDE

"BEMABEABLE CAREER OF HENRI ABLY, AN IOWA MERCHANT.

Sp

Dnal ^ife^Expasert—Shot While Bob' 4 ^blng Store—Stole TTaeon Loada of •,*, Goods—Had Burglar's Tools. "J *,««. W«Vt «-c

vl

Chicago, Deo, 13.—Tha Times-(Herald's special from Belle Plain, Iowa, says: Jus tice is likely to be frustrated in the remarkable case of Henry Ably, of Sheffield. This man, worth 156,000, who for years has suecessfully played the role of Dr. Jeykil and Mr. Hyde, now lies in the Franklin, county jail wounded unto death. He received Ws injuries while perpetrating a robbery, 4nd bis sensational career is soon to -end. He has for years plundered the country round, has acted as a fence for other robbers, and possessed one of the finest kits of burglar's tools ever turned out. His daring record has seldom been equaled in the annals of romance.

A ruthless robber by night, he became in the daytime apparently an exemplary citi zen. He took a leading part in the development of local affairs in Sheffield, and his contributions to public enterprises and Dhurches enabled him for years to conceal his true identity and to carry on his nefar lous business almost with, impunity. As the force of habit grew upon Mm he became bolder, and finally was shot in one of hie -burglarious exploits.

The grand Jury has returned eleven indietmente against Ably and fixed bail at $15,BOO. The people of Sheffield are exceedingly anxious that he will not be able to give It, although personally worth several times the amounnt, because since his true charac ter is revealed Ably swears if he recovers he will kill the men who trapped him. Ably grew so daring of later years that many people suspected he was running a fence, but Ably's local prominence forbade them voicing their suspicions. Despite these impressions, Ably conducted the fence and sold goods, generally shoes and rubber goods, to the citisens at figures which the other merchants claimed were under wholesale prices.

STOLE WAGON LOADS OF GOODS. Among Ably's possessions were a spank ing team of ponies and a road wagon. These he seldom used for any evident purpose of pleasure, but he drove away frequently at might. This, in a measure, explains how three bicycles, stolen from C. S. Hobbie, at Hampton, were found in Ably's quarters in Sheffield. Merchants of Liscomb, Chapin, Rockwell and other towns are said to have identified property found in Ably's place.

Ably is an expert locksmith and gunsmith.. His shop was equipped with every description of tools for either purpose. There were also kits of tools such as burglars use. Upward of twenty-five cigar boxes .were filled with keys and key blanks. In the hundreds of robberies Ably has commit ted in the last ten years he has never broken open a door. Be had a key to every store in Sheffield and all the surrounding towns, and each key was marked with a system of dots, made with a fine steel punch, enabling •him to rob a store without breaking into it. He had a key to unlock every door, and then abstracted goods in such quantities as would' not be missed. He never robbed a store except on very dark, windy nights went dressed in a garb of black from head to foot, and never used any kind of a light under any circumstances.

Ably's robberies were confined principally to shoes, and in an upper room of his big store was a car load of new paper boxes into which the goods would be placed and the marks on the old ones removed by a liquid eraser, a bottle of which was found in the place. His only trouble in' this line was that he would run short of sizes

In the back yard stands a small shanty, one whole side of which is on hinges. Inside, the building is a square hole almost as large as the entire floor. Tt looks to be shallow, but the lifting of a top covering reveals a depth of ten feet below. This lovyer place was filled with the finest brands of whiskies and wines. How he managed to elude the revenue officers so many years is a mystery.

A MYSTERIOUS CELLAR. There is a feature in the construction of the house which so far no one has explained. The authorities could not find a cellarway, and for some time it was supposed that there was no basement at all. But one of the floors was noticed to have a hollow sound, and a hole was sawed through it. disclosing a chamber twelve feet square and ten feet deep.

Up. to this time it has not been discovered to.jvhat use the place was put, but it is believed to have a secret entrance, and this together with its purpose, the officers hope to bring to light.

The business houses into which, for the purpose of trapping him, Ably was allowed to enter in the company of Night Watchman Clock, were those of W. C. Hockins, general merchandise Aborn Brothers, druggists, and Shaffer & Reynolds, general merchandise. The first raid was on Hockins' place, the second on Aborn Brothers' and the third was on Shaffer & Reynolds'.

Qn each occasion the act was watched by riijzens, and when Ably hauled out a sack fr$m the latter "place and was about to relogik the door they rushed upon him and commanded him to submit to arrest. At a gUuice Ably knew that his long career of crone was exposed, and he fought like a madman to escape from his captors. In the struggle he was shot and dangerously wounded, eventually overpowered and landed in jail, wfrerd be now lies, likely to die at any time.

Nothing is known of the man's record before he came to Sheffield, a dozen years ago. He is supposed to have been a bachelor though carried op a most extensive correspondence with women. He made a practice of answering advertisements in matrimonial papers. At one time he had been a man of good appearance. He had nfiujy photographs of himself taken, on which occasions he dressed in his best.

LETTERS FROM WOMEN*.

in his private room, where there was found so many gold watches, diamonis, riags, jewels and other valuables, was found ani old chest partially filled with letters written by women in Waterloo and Marshalltown, la., and in Dekalb, Laealle and Waukegan, 111. One of these correspondents, a rather fine looking woman ef perhaps 23, gave her full name as Ella Ewing, writing (ram both Waterloo and Dekalb. In a large d||wer in a desk was found a package of hqfhly perfumed letters from a young worna^ named Novella Wright, living in Marion, Si C.» revealing the fact that Ably was engaged to her and was to have married her early jiext year. The tone and wording ot- the letters from Marlon indicate that Miss Wright is a lady of talent and social standing. The authorities have communicated with her. but up to the present time have been unable to elicit any response.

Ably did his own cooking in a summer kitchen in the back yard. His only companion was a dog, which immediately after his arrest hunted up the marshal's place, *od thus far has refused to separate himself from the captor of his master.

After Ably was arrested he asked to be taken to his house, where, from a pile of rags on the floor he picked up a quantity of currency and coin which had fceen hidden tfiere.

This case surpasses anything of a crim--"••9*1 nature in the history of Iowa, and "Je revelations being made are almost be/ocd belief. Ably i*Uww to talk to a ay

iiSi

TERM?

one except his attorney®. ft Is Bdt Mfteved that lie had- any confederates, because it would have been impossible to have carried oa his operations through so many yeans without being detected long ago. He had no business or social confidants. Mingling in the best society, he was active in charity affairs, gave liberally of his ill gotten means, and while ther# were some who entertained suspicions of his true character, the man's superb audacity awed them into silence. They did not cere to encounter .'the frowns of the community by divulging their suspicions and so kept silent. What will be the result of this most remarkable case erf .deception, intrigue, stealth, cunning and crime, a real "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" life, is eagerly awaited by the people of this* part of Iowa.

ECKEL'S SUCCESSOR,^ ir_f "•.

Mr. Dawes Is Well Qualified for the Position. Special to the Indianapolis News.

Washington, Dec. 13.—Probably one ol the most papular men of ibe McKinley administration will be Charles G. Dawes of Evanston, 111., who will be appointed comptroller of the Currency in a few days, to succeed Mr. Eckels. Mr. Dawes will be the youngest man ever appointed comptroller of the currency, having only attained the age of 32 last August: He is an Ohio man, having been born and educated at Marietta, graduating from the Marietta College with honors in 1884. He graduated from the Cincinnati Law School two years later, and became chief engineer of an Ohio railroad, which now constitutes a portion of the Toledo Ohio Central. In 1887 he removed to Iincoln, Neb., where "he was a close neighbor and intimate friend of William J. Bryan. He practiced law for seven years in Lincoln, and was very successful in his profession and business matters. He took an active part in public affairs and figured conspicuously in the discussion of the freight rate schedules in Nebraska, about the time of the passage of the interstate, commerce law.

Mr. Dawes brings a ripe experience in financial affairs to the office of comptroller. He has been a student of finance for many years, and has published a book entitled, "The (Banking System of the United States." In 1894 he became interested in the gas business, and removed to Evanston, 111. Having been an Intimate friend of William McKinley for many years, he took up the work of organizing the McKinley movement in Illinois, and was recognized as the executive head of that faction, made up chiefly of the ypunger faction of the Republican party, who went out and so completely upset the calculations of the Illinois state machine that it resulted in instructions for McKinley in the Springfield convention of 1896. At the president's suggestion he was made a member of the executive committee of the Republican national committee, and was one Of the most valuable members in the work of managing the Western campaign.

Mr. Dawes was married in 1889 to Miss Caro D. Blymyer of Cincinnati. They have two children, a boy of 7, and a girl of 5 years of age. He is a son of General R. R. Dawes of Marietta, who is an ex-member of congress from Ohio, and was one of the commanders of the old Iron Brigade of Wisconsin.

Very few of the officers of this administration have the confidence of the president to a greater degree than Mr. Dawes. This was manifested during the campaign, not only by his designation as a member of the executive committee, but in the numerous appointments that have been made in which the president consulted bis advice. Mr. Dawes was invited to become private secretary to the president, but declined that honor. He was allowed to select, his own office,, and it is the verdict of nearlyeverybody that- he was fortunate in the selection

The office of comptroller of the currency, which was created and made famous by Hugh McCulIoch of Indiana, is one of the most important under the government. It is rapidly becoming of wider significance than any cabinet office. The office is one of dignity and semi-judicial in its charac ter. The comptroller of the currency is appointed for five years by the president, during which time he is not subject to removal except by impeachment of the isenate. He supervises all the national banking institutions of the country, and appoints examiners and receivers for national banks.

There is no office within the gift of the administration that holds more promise for future advancement than that of comptroller of the currency. All of the ex-comp-trollers stepped from the office into high (Salaried places in national banks or trust companies. Mr. Eckels will go to the head of the Commercial National Bank of Chicago, one of the oldest institutions of that it

Mr. Dawes has been in Washington for a few days at the, invitation of Mr. Eckels getting acquainted with the duties of the office, and he has impressed everybody very favorably. He bids fair to take a high place in popular esteem. There can be no ques tion about his ability, for he has demon strated it in a professional and business way and in politics,

GENERAL CUT IN WAGES.

Cotton Manufacturers Decide That Officiate* Salaries Must Stand Reduction.

Fall River, Mass., Dec. 13.—It is learned that the manufacturers' committee which has charge of the details of the pending situation of the wages of mill operatives will recommend that the salaries of the treasurers be reduced in the same proportion as the wages of the employes, and each member of the committee has agreed to bring about this reduction in the administrative cost In his own mill. The committee also decided th^t all overseers and others not usually included in cut-downs should 'come under the order. The ratio for weaving a cut of print cloth will be reduced from 18 to 16 cents, and in departments where the least pay is received the full cut of 11 per cent will not be made. T$e committee also agreed that a cut of lflr per cent was as much as the operatives could bear, in view of the curtailment of tUte productions of Fall River mills during the past year. The committee is unanimously in favor of including everybody connected with the mills in the reduction and also in opposing a strike in every way possible since, if'the mills should be closed, competitors would obtain a great advantage.

Reputations Made In a Day vj

Are precious scarce. Time tries the worth of a man or medicine. Hostetter's Stomach Bitters is a forty-five years' growth, and like those hardy lichens that garnish the crevices of Alaska's rocks, it flourishes perennially, and its reputation has as firm a ba|e as the rocks themselves. No medicine is 'n%e highly regarded as a remedy for fever and ague, bilious remittent, constipation, liver and kidney disorders, nervousness and rheumatism.

Really Dead This Time.

•Lockport. N. Y., Dec. J3.—It was thought last Tuesday that Mrs. Robert Drew, reputed to be the wealthiest woman in Niagara county, had died at her home In Middleport. Physicians pronounced her dead, and after the body had lain for five or six hours an undertaker's assistant began preparing for burial. The woman revived and recovered consciousness. She lived twenty* fonr hours and then died.

TO CURE A COLD IN ONE DAT Take Laxative Broroo Quinine Tablets, All druggists refund the money it it fails to cure. 35c- The genutac has L. B. Q. on each tablet.

STORY OF LYNCHING

PETER HOSTVTUIB HAS AN OfTEEVIEW WITH THE GOVKKHOR.

He is tbe Xecoy Wbo Aided in the Arrest «I th* JOplsy Couty Km Wlrn Were Lysclusd. t'-w-M.. -.A

Peter Hostutler, the man who,, employed as a decoy, turned over the Ripley Wttnty authorities the five thieves that were'tjhaphed at Versailles, talked with Governor Moaij^ an hour and a half today, about lynching, and there is every reason to belie** that he placed at ihe disposal «I the state information that may lead to, the arrest of some of the men that were in'thS'mob, says yesterday's Indianapolis News. A little after 10 o'clock he entered the public "Waiting room at the governor's office. He looked to be an overgrown, weather-beaten country youth. Much exposure to weather had roughened and tanned his face. His shoes still held some of the yellow clay, they had picked up while he was walking from his home in the southern part of fiipley county to Madison, where he took a train for this city. He was not an unexpected visitor. "My name is Hostutler," was the only introduction that accompanied his entrance. "Oh, yes," said Private Secretary Wilson. "You want to see the governor?" "Yes." «?r "He will see yon.'

The story Hustotler related to the governor will not be made public. The impression is that he furnished the names of men who were in the mob and set forth reasons for believing that certain men j.articipated in the lynching. It has been suggested that Hostutler has been in the employ of the state for some time, assigned to the task of running dwn evidence, but from the (best information obtainable it seems that the state officers had not Iiad any communication with hihi until about the middle of last week, when he first write announcing that he had some fact? be wished to lay before the governor.

Hostutler impressed those who met him here as a tough, but as a rough-anJ-.'umble young man of fairly good intellect, who prides himself on his bravery when there is "trouble In the air."

CONDITIONS IN THE KLONDIKE.

HAUTE EXPRESS, TUESDA2 MORNING. DECEMBER 14 1897

"said

"I want ait least an hour with him, the young man. PRIVATE TALK WITH THE GOVERNOR.

In little while the governor was done with the gentlemen who were making a call on him, and Hostutler was admitted to the private office. The door leading to the reception room was closed, and every one who called was told that the governor would be engaged until noon. Deputy Attorney General Merrill Moores, who also knew of the appointment with the man, who is supposed to know all about the lynching, dropped In once to see that the Interview was taking place as arranged for. It was a quarter past 12 o'clock when Hostutler came out smiling, and evidently .pleased with his visit to the governor. "I want to treat newspaper men well," said he, "but I can not tell you the things I 4old the governor." "The inference is that you furnished him some information in reference to the lynching?" "Well, now, of course, I khow you, know I wouldn't come up here to talk with him an hour unless I had something to tell him You might say in the papers that it is said that I furnished the governor some information." "It has been said that you are not satisfied with the treatment you have received from the Ripley county authorities?" "I say this, that they have not paid me for the work I did in uncovering the gang of thieves. They got me to do the dangerous work, and now they refuse to pay me. I was employed to act as a decoy, and I got in with the men that were robbing in. the county. I was with the gang the night the store at Correct, in the southern part of the county, was robbed, and you will remember that two of the men who were lynched were arrested in the act that night."

NEARLY GOT HIM KILLED. "It was a bunglesome job on the part of the officers they came near getting me killed, when it was not necessarv to fire a shot. The trouble was they did not tike my advice. I was a good rellow so l(ng as I was turning up the gang, but as soon as I want the money they contracted to pay me they go back on me." "Are the relatives bf-the men who were lynched still 'sore' at you?" "They did have it kt for me for a whiie after the lynching, but they ha ?e got over all that. They realize now that it was not my fault that the men were lynchel. I did not have anything to„ do with it." "It seems probable that, with our acquaintance in the county, you might be able to furnish the names of the men who were in the mob." "I am not going to say that I can name them. You might say this, that some of the men that were in the mob wanted the men in jail lynched because they knew, that if there was a trial they (the citizen3),i would be called on by the prisoners for, help, and that the help would have to be forthcoming, or the men on trial would 'peach' on the men ca'.led upon and thatj applies to some of the prominent citizen^ that were in the mob, too." "Have the local officers done anyiaiftg fo-f ward causing the arrest of the men who were in the mob?" "No, not a thing and the newspapers down there are in on it, too.

go. The man that can't do anything here, and is absolutely -worth nothing to his family, and had as well he dead as alive, should get his life insured and go to the Klondike. I exp£C$ to see half a million people go up there next year, and half of them will positively starve. "The best place to buy an outfit is at Junato. A man could not give me an outfit her^ ^Jou can buy as cheap at Juneau as in St. Louis, and it is jacked ready for the deal^t Is absolutely impossible to buy anything to flfct"ltf%)*lrsbn City, and you mast take food with you. "ft jfs always bestjto go in company, if possftrer. A company' that will stick togetifeFand invest money wisely can scarcely fail ^f°succeei£

Mi? Purceli tHMfSs the company which Mrs. AIHA'KOES, a wealthy widow, of this city, will kVbompany to the Klondike, startin abeat-sAtarch 1st. The boat is now being built- 6t St Michaels, at a cost of $66,000. It Willie built similar to a dredge boat, and will ply the waters of the Yukon river.

CREED0N IN TRAINING

A DAY AT THE AUSTRALIAN'S QUABPALOS Si-I^es. S in" Colonel Hopkins' Han Fears No New-Fan-gled Blows—Contest With McCoy Takes

**Loog

S

MAY TELL THE WHOLE STORY, "Some of these times, may he, I will tejli* the whole story. Tbe tryih of it has neve^ been told, and it is going to come out some time. I haven't been treated li^bt down there, and I am not in the habit of taking unfair treatment. Yes I am going back there. I am going back tonight or in the morning. I married my wife in Kipley county, and I am not afraid to stay there. I grew up at Kokomo, and,' while I raay have been a little tough, in that I used to drink a little and get in ft few fight#, I have never been a bad man."

Who Has

Letter From a Missouri Man Been There.

Vincennes, Ind., Dec. 13:—A'letter recently written to Frank Pur cell, of Mexico^ Mo., who lately returned from Klondike, after A

there is but one practicable roilte, is down &

the Yukon by the Chilkoot pass. The dis-!

tance of this route is about 1,850 miles, as

?E.l7

'Before, the present week is ended the great middle-weight battle between Dan Crecdon and Charles (Kid) McCoy will he a matter of history, says the Chicago Inter Ocean. The interest in the contest is second only to that of the Fitzsimmoss-Corbett fight, and it will doubtless prove as scientific and as hard fought as the famous Carson City battle. Both men are training for the fight of their lives, and the reports from both quarters have them in excellent condition.

Creedon's training quarters are situated near the beautiful summer resort, Palos Spri-gs, about thirty-five minutes' ride from the city over the Wabash railroad. It wo aid be hard to find a pleasanter spot to tradition one's self for a hard physical contest. The secnery is beautiful and the house where the pugilist resides is on a hill, the highest point in Cook county, about tnree minutes' walk from the little station of Pa10s.

Yesterday was a red letter day with Dan as regards visitors, over fifty of them coming out from the city. The man who expects to put the quietus on McCoy, however, did not let them disturb aim o- keep him from his work. He spent two hours la the morning running and walking, and that was,the extent of his Sunday exercise.

His regular daily programme gives niri little time for rest. In the morning he sprints and walks fast for four or five miles, boxes fifteen minutes with Tracey, uses light dumbells, skips a rope, and wrestles with his strainer, Benny Murphy. The afternoon wprk begins with six or eight fast threemimite rounds with Joe Choynski. Then foilhws wrestling and roughing it with this same fighter. A little running is indulged in and Dan is through for the day.

EATS WHAT HE LIKES.

Creedon does not believe in the old idea of starving one's self when in training. While not a very heavy eater, he eats whatever he feels like eating, and as mucii as he pleases, and seems the better for it.

His bill of fare is something like the following: Breakfast—Soft boiled eggs, staak, green vegetables, and coffee. Dinner— Roast beef, chicken, vegetables, stale bread and ale, tea, or claret. Supper—Calves' foot jelly, cold meats, baked apples and toast.

Creeilon does not place, much, confidence in M,cCoy's reported "new blow." Of course 1 cannot say how I will fight this tnan McCoy," said Creedon yesterday. "In fact, it is all foolishness for a fighter to map but a plan of battle beforehand. He only knows what he will do he cannot know anything about the other man's style, even if he has seen him fight often before. Suppose I should map out a plan to use when I step in the ring with McCoy. I naturally would picture him with his left foot and arm extended. Jtow, there is nothing in ring rules to prevent him from extending his r'ght foot and right arm when we face each other. ,I£ this should happen, or if he did not fight ju& as 1 expected him to, all my plan? would (gO-for naught. All I can say is that I will fighj»^/""best and whatever style he uses

I will try to whip him at it. I do not ssy I will win, or I do not say I will lose, but I dfcisay I will put up the fight of my life, and •if, jMcCoy whips me fairly and squarely I •will have no complaint to make, and will consider him .the better man. You may rely jOn'it, however, that no new-fangled blows w!ill be used by either of us. The old-time blows are good enough, and the battle will be won and lost with them."

In speaking of McCoy Creedon uses the ^same term Mitchell did when speaking of "Oorbett: "They say he is clever, but we shall see." There is quite a resemblance, tpo, between Mitchell and Creedon. The latter is more rugged than the Englishman, but as regards size and general appearance he is much like him. His opponent could, in some respects, be compared to Jim Corbett. He is a clever boxer, about the same size, and resembles him in many ways.

Creedon is cognizant of this fact, but laughingly remarks that there will be a difference in the two fights.

THE TRAINING QUARTERS. S The house where Creedon stays is not, as one might imagine, a rustic looking, wooden affair, but a pretentious, three-story, brick residence. It is the home of a substantial German farmer, who has charge of the picnic grounds at that place. The house contains about twelve or fourteen rooms, and Creedon and his party occupy seven of them. The bag punching is done in an outhouse a few steps from the door of the residence. A room in the house is set apart for boxing. The others are used as sitting rooms, bedrooms and a dining room. Dan at present seems to weigh about 163 pounds. It is probable that both fighters will scale between 160 and 165 pounds the evening of the fight. It is a peculiar fact that they signed articles to fight for middle weight championship at catch weights.

Creedon will do a little work this morning and will start this afternoon for New York and will arrive there tomorrow night. He will go at once to his old training quarters "at Coney Island and remain there until the afternoon of the fight, Friday. It takes

abo"uttwo and 0ne-half^hours

making a rich strike, regarding the country. brought the following response:: "Ths best fighting arena. The party will be made up time to start to Alaska# about March 1st. You can then he in Dawson City by May 18th. The best route, in my judgment, and

follows: From Seattle to Jttaeau, is 1,050 Hopkins, his manager, thinks he is In miles, and from that place togpawson City about 800 or 900 miles morjjJP^

It is hard to say just -what the trip should eost. I went out the first time on $150, but, of course, it will cost more now. I would say that a man should make this trip to Dawson City nicely t»fe$500. This will include the cost of an- outj}t to do for one year. If a man does not go prepared to buy a mine, but depends upon prospecting and his own work, he should go to stay five or six years. You wox«'t pick up any money there,-but will have to earn every dollar you get. A man is foolish to go" just- for one season.'' "About one out of every thousand ^strikes it rich, and no man who bas a living should

to go from his

training quarters at Coney Island to tbe

of the following: Creedon, Choynski, Colonel John D. Hopkins, Trainer Murphy and probably Parson Davies and Tom Tracey.

not as yet

ot

certain that Tracey will be

the party. He fcr "scheduled to meet Wal-

co^

here a week from tomorrow, but Colo-

such good Condition that the trip cannot possibly d^him any harm. Parson Davies will of course be at the ring side, Bik Jtosiness may not permit him to go East with^'the Creedon party. His protege, big,1?o| Armstrong, bas a couple of fights About the second week in January Se jne^ts Joe Goddard in a fifteen round go, and a week after the Cree-don-McCoy fight be meets Mike Donovan's pew wonder, "Yank" Kenney, before the, Athens Athletic Club, just outside Philadelphia. The men will go fifteen rounds. Armstrong is still wifb Walcott at Roby. "Parson" Davies says that the former has. dug a hole which be gets into and boxes

Continued oa fifth na»

G0MPERS 'HEAP TALK'

SIOESSm Of HIGHER UNION DUES IS POIXTED OUT.

Gompcn Felicitates Himself oa tbe Fact That Attempt to OWW* Labor Movement Had Palled.

Nashville, Teaa., Ded 13.—TSe National Federation of Labor met is its seventeenth annual session this afternoon, President Gompers presiding. Among delegates present were Havelock Wilson aad Edward Herford of England, After the delivery oi the addresses of welcome and responses President Gampere presented his annual address.

There is a world of 4njustlce to eradicate. There is a universe Hilled with wails of sorrow and grief awaiting the hosts of intelligent, progressive and aggressive organised workers to nevei falter in the contest for alleviation .and emancipation. Keeping the goal of our movement as our guiding star, organising, federating, agitating, educating and contesting on every field yielding fruitful results we shall, as the hours of the day, advance from the deepest gloom to the full midday of glory of light—the light of hope, happiness and humanity.

We started oft 1a the year with newly formed national, unions Jtor the islated locals of a number of trades—the Bicycle Workers International Union, the Engineers' National Union, Core Markers' International Union, Brotherhood of Paper Makers' and the Meat Cutters' and Butcher Workmens' National Union, charters to each of which have been issued. These unions are malting excellent progress, they having respectively forty, sixteen and twenty-seven local unions attached.

During the year the following national unions became a filiated with our Federation, charters being issued to them: The International Brotherhood of Blacksmiths,, the Plumbers, Gas Fitters, Steam Fitters and Steam Fitters Helpers United Association of Aemrioa the United Brotherhood of Paper Makers of America, and the Gold Beaters' National Union. A number of local trade, unions and federal labor unions were organized ahd chartered during the year. New central bodies were organised, and old ones wntch had become defunct, revived. Charters to eighteen central bodies, 189 local unions and eight national unions were issued.

With two exceptions, all our affiliated national unions report' a large increase of local unions and in membership. There is an increasei of about 34,000 members in the organizations affiliated, and for whom per capita tax is paid over the number at the end of the last fiscal year.

It has been the constant aim of the trade union moVement to exercise its power and influence to organize our fellow workers engaged in unskilled labor. With the invention of new machines and the applications of new forces, the division and subdivision of labor, many workers who have been employed at skilled trades find themselves with .their occupations gone, and to which they have devoted long terms of years to acquire. Thus we see the artisan of yesterday, the unskilled laborer of today. It is a source of gratification to report that within this past year a very large number of Federal Labor Unions for unskilled workers have been organized and from them a much larger number of trade unions.

Your attention is again called to the necessity of impressing upon the minds of our fellow unionists the establishment of Uie principle of high dues in their unions. The question of the creation of a defense fund should also receive your careful attention.

During the early part of the year my attention was called to the fact thai there was an effort to divide the labor movement of the country on geographical lines. This was studiously taken tormented and afterwards openly avowed. Steps were immediately taken to counteract the consumation of this suicidal policy and it is a source of gratification to be enabled to state that, at least for the time being, the evil thought to be accomplished has been laid at rest, let us hope, never again to be revived. The employing class, the wealth producers, the corporate power of our country, allow no geographical lines to interfere with therecognition of tbe identity of their interests. In everything that affects them, alike they stand a unit. It is worse than folly for any of the workers of our country to attempt to enter the wedge of discord into the ranks of organized labor and disrupt it for any cause, much less sectional or geographical lines. "There have been quite a number of strikes within the past year, but the change In the causes which have produced them are worthy of note: The strikes of this year with few exceptions have been for higher wages, shorter hours and the extension and recognition of union principles. Our organization report, with gratifying unaninity, the very large number of successes achieved, advantages gained and the growth and extension of the power of organization enjoyed.

It is interesting to note the constantly increasing demand for union labeled products.

The movement to reduce the hours of labor is always one which commands the first attention of organized labor.

The daily improvements in machinery, in methods of production and distribution, the extension and application of the forces of steam and electricity, the Improvement in the tools of labor, the division and subdivision of labor and the intense desire of the employing class to utilize machines to their .fullest possible exteht, that is, the longest number of hours per day, must, of necessity, unless met by another counteracting influence tend to supplant labor and throw numbers of our fellow workers out of employment. This counteracting influence is logically and of necessity the organized effort of our fellow workers in trade unions that movement being the reduction In the hours of labor so that the evil of long hours of labor on the one hand and lack of employment on the other, may both be remedied at one and the same time. It is not the diminution of the productive power of labor which prompts out course, as it is to give greater leisure and larger opportunities to those who are. employed, making of all a greater consumptive power, thus giving an impetus to and creating the opportunities for employment of those who are now vainly seeking it. We hold that no condition is satisfactory nor apny solution complete which fails to eliminate the curse and degrading influences of non-em-ployment and so Ion* as this evil shall be with us our best efforts will be concentrated to the reduction of hours of labor of all until the desired end is obtained.

Local laws and ordinances regarding the recognition of labor's demands, such as a minimum wage, limitation of the hours other valuable measures too

of labor, and numerous to mention, have been secured. It is worthy of note that a greater public spirit is being manifested all through our municipal life." And municipal ownership of public works, a bugaboo ot a decade ago, when first demanded by labor, is now fast becoming, popular. It is safe to say that there is now a moro extensive municipal ownership and control of water works, gas and electric light systems, and other features which in their natures, are monopolies, than is extant elsewhere in the world. Our fellow unionists should urge with renewed vigor, the extension and practical application of this principle so conducive to our general well being.

The establishment of a postal savings bank system and also a postal telegraph system, long since demanded by organized labor, seems nearer accomplishment than at any previous time. Powerful allies have been won to our side of these demands, and public opinion bas undergone' much of a change in their favor. A well directed effort on our part will beyond doubt result in success.

It is submitted whether It would not be wise to modify our position in so far as to interpose no objection to the passage of a law providing for compulsory arbitration in disputes between the organized employees of the railroads and the railroad companies, and the giving of an award by such lawful arbitrators but we should hesitate to'give our endorsement to any legislation, state or national, empowering compulsory enforcement of an award and the specific enforcement of a contract to labor.

Inasmuch as there is no doubt that congress will at an early day take up the subject of immigration, our convention should define the attitude which our Incoming officers shall take in regard thereto. For years our movement has been claimed to side with those who favored or opposed restriction or exclusion of immigration. There should be no equivocation as to our position on any question, much less one uf such importance.

Recently one of the branches of the federal courts decided by a majority vote that the boycott is Illegal. We should demand the change of any law which curbs the privilege and the right of workers to exercise their normal and natural preferences. In the meantime we should preceed as we have of old, and whenever a court shall issue an injunction restraining any of our fellow workers from placing a concern hostile t6 labor's Interest on our unfair list enjoining the workers from issuing notices of this character the suggestion is made that upon any letter or circular issued upon a matter of this character, after stating the name ©f the unfair firm and the grievance complained of. the words 'We have been enjoined by the courts from boycottinr this concern' could

b* added with advantage. It Is w«U to bear la mind that this weapon of labor is most potuwt and one which should be exercised with the greatest degree of care and with an Intense purpose to be absolutely just. An unjust or inconsiderate boycott does more to Injure the cause of labor than a hundred victories achieved through its agency.

At the afternoon session Secretary Morrison presented his report. During tbe year, the report states, there wars S4.2S0 a«*r members enrolled. There were 276 strikes officially noticed, involving 1C5.407 workers. Of these 189 woo, 31 compromised sad 33 lost. During the year 217 charters were issued to national, state, centra), local and federal labor un^kwrs. Two (^barters for stats federations 'weTe teued'to*6h& '^y^ Missouri. The repbrt iwrtes^Ae lndi&tioiifc are favorable for a cdOtinuaifee of the use of labels. The secretary recsisteie&ded that the per capita U&' for local and' federal labor unions to the federation be increased from -to 5 oenic $er tnember. Treasurer John B. Lennoa submitted his

report show­

ing the income of tbe federation from November 1, 1896, to Kovember J, 1897, to be $21, 808, wad the expenses $19,113, leaving. a balance in the treasury of $3,€94.

President Gompere annouacedthe regular committees, to which all resolutions offered under the programme were referred. Tbe credentials committee made a report showing ninety delegates had reported. The convention adjourned until 9 o'clock tomor-^ row.

s'

DECISION IS UNSATISFACTORY. $|

"Omaha Kid" B*sts Bezenah, But Referes Decides It a Draw. Cincinnati, Dec. 13.—Oscar Gardner, the "Omaha Kid," and Euilne Bezenah, of Cincinnati, fought a fifteen round draw here tonight at the Peoples' Athletic Club. Gardner in addition to being six pounds lighter, had the worst of it in height and reach. He forced the fighting during ths whole contest, and scored three points Besenah's one. •, Referee Freaney declare# the contest a draw amid much dissatisfaction.

Bobby Dobbs Defeats Sam Tonkin*. New York, Dec. 13.—At the Green Point Sporting Club tonight, Bobby Dobbs, colored, of Minneapolis, defeated Sam Tonkins, of Astoria, in ten rounds. The men met at catch weights and both were in good condition. During th© first three rounds Tonkins had all the better of the contest. Tonkins was bleeding from the nose in the fourth round, and seemed to lose all his cleverness from that time on. In the tenth Dobbs had Tonkins very froggy and one more blow would have put tiim out. But the referee stopped the contest and awarded the fight to Dobbs.

Matthews and McK«ev«r Fight a Draw Athens, Pa., Dec. 13.—"Matty" Matthews, of New York and Charles McKeever, of Philadelphia, fought nfteen rounds here tonight. McKeever had the best of the encounter throughout. The fight was declared a draw, it having been previously agreed that if both men were on their feet at the end of the fifteenth round, such was to be the ruling. ..

Gorman Disqualified For Wrestling. Bridgeport,' Conn., Dec. 13.—The boxing bout between "Mysterious Billy" Smith and Johnny Gorman was stopped tonight in tbe fifth round by referee Jimmy Carroll, who disqualified Gorman for wrestle ing.

STAMPEDE FOR DAWSON,

The

Mad Fight of Miners Mountains.

Over th6

Victoria, B. C., Dec. 13.—By steamer Topeka from Dyea news is receiver that more than a thousand Ill-provisioned men have stampeded from Dawson during tije latter part of October, and. impelled by the haunting fears of famine, are now madly forcing their way over the mountains. Auk, the Indian mall-carrier, who brings this report, left the Yukon capital fully ten days after th© Dalton party. He says tho van-guard of the terror-stricken army is following less than a week behind. Auk declares that fully 25 per cent of the stampeding, army will never live to reach their destination. Tho river steamers, Bella and Weare, it now appears, did not land moro than ono hundred tons of provisions on their arrival In Dawson in the early part of October, owing to' "their having beert "help up" at Circla City.

The only bright view of the situation is that the crossing of the pass above Dyea and Skaguay has lately been greatly improved, and within a month will be in excellent condition. Dyea parties, headed by George F. Ulmer, propose to go to the relief of the hungry at Dawson. They will make the United States government an offer to deliver 50,000 pounds of provisions within fifty days after the time of starting for Dawson for the sum of $76,000. They already have 5,000 pounds of provisions cached at Lake Bennett, which they will take in over the Chilkoot pass this winter. Ulmer will go south by the next steamer to lay his report before the secretary of war by wire. It is stated that material for the proposed rattroad over Takau pass has already been shipped from the east.

Steam Snow Locomotives For AlartA. Washington, Dec. 13.—The plan of using steam snow locomotives to open and maintain communication between the outside world and the Klondike country has not been abandoned by any means. *3ecretaly Alger was in consultation today with several representatives of a company which has already made ten of these unique locomotives, and tbe secretary who is Intensely solicitous to extend aid to tho miners who are supposed to be suffering from lack of food authorized them to proceed to ship machines to Alaska, and make the effort to get through to the interior. The plan is to use either Chilkoot pass and the Dalton trail, or White pass, with preference to the former route. The men who were at the war department today assured Secretary Alger, that they could take the locomotives up either ot these pasiwss.

"The Klondike King KS

New Castle, Ind., Dec. 13.—Frank Phis-' cater, "the Klondike king," returned from Washington today to his home in Baroda, seven miles north of this city. He went to Washington to consult Secretary of War Alger as to the best means of getting supplies to the Klondike. About March 1st a pack of 690 horses will leave Seattle, via Juneau, and drive over Chilkoot pass so as to reach the gold diggings by the middle of ApriL General Alger has asked M. Phiscater to oversee the pack train, and see that it is properly started. He is one of the best posted men on Alaska transportation In tbe country. He will comply with Secretary Alger's request.

Another Party For the Klondike. Lagrange, Ind., December IS.—A company of sixteen, in vhich are two doctors, has organized in Noble county and contracted for transportation to tho Kiondiko to start January 15th. They «re going by way of Chilkoot pass, and after reaching! Lake Llndeman will go down the river on sleds on the is e. They will take with them one year's supply of food and clothing.

There la a Clans of People

Who are injured by the use of coffee. Recently there has been placed in all th» gro-^,* ,, tery stores anew preparation called GRAIN D, made of pure grains that takes tbe placet:'' ot coffee. The most delicate stomach receives It with out distress, and but few ova tell it from coffee. It does not cost over one-quarter as mucb. Children may drinic, it with great benefit. 15c and 25c a package. Try it. Ask for GRAIN-O. -.

To Modify Appeal on Habeas Corpus. Washington, Dec. 13.—Senator Perk'fts of California today Introduced a bill to amendt that paragraph of the revised sta:*»r«s relating to the appeal on habeas corpus of criminal cases to the Supreme Cojr: o! the United States. The objeet is to do away with numerous appeals by attorneys cf pris-r oners made with the sole view of saining time. eft..- .i..,

FT-Mlnlater to P«r«la I* Uylner. Lynchburg, Va., Dec. 13.—Hon. Alexander McDonald, minister to Persia under the. last |j administration, and wbo arrived home fremiti bis post only last week, is at the porot of death with pneumonia. He Is not expected to lire through the night.

Iealh oi Thomas Carlylt'l Sister Toronto, Onarlo, Dec. 13.—Mrs. Janet Car* lyle Banning, sister of Thomas Carlyie, ths author and the last member «f the family, died today in tbis city, aged 85 years.