Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, May 29, 1916, Page 1

THE BEMIDJ - I DATLY PIONEE me- ';OT A @R}CM : VOLUME XIV, NO. 131. BEMIDJI, mmo'n, HONDAY EVEHING, MAY 29 1916. FORTY CENTS PER MONTH - Twenty Lives Endangered When “The City of Bemidji”’ on First Trip of the Season Burns to The Water’s Edge ALL PASSENGERS = SAVED; BOAT IS TOTALLY DESTROYED “Back Fire” of Engine Believed to Be Cause of the Flames. MILE FROM DIAMOND POINT WHEN ACCIDENT OCCURRED Two Women and Two Children Aboard Launch; Loss is $5,000. Twenty passengers, including two women and two children, narrowly escaped death by drowning ordeath by fire when the passenger excursion boat, “The City of Bemidji,” caught fire on Lake Bemidji Sunday after- noon. Although the boat was burn- ed to the water’s edge, none of the passengers were injured. On First Trip. The boat was owned by Captain William McLachlin and began its summer season Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock. The entire boat had been overhauled during the past few weeks and was thought to be in ex- cellent condition. New equipment had been purchased for the engines which were supposed to be in perfect running condition. New Spark Plug. When the boat was about a mile out in the lake, headed for the dam, which is located about eleven miles down the Mississippi river, one of the engines stopped and upon examina- tion it was found that one of the spark plugs was dirty and needed cleaning. The old spark plug was taken out and a new one substi- tuted. Fire Nearly Out. Several minutes later one of the engines caught fire and a chemical fire extinguisher was used. The fire was thought to have been extinguish- ed when a short time later flames again sprang up. This time Captain McLachlin was slightly overcome by the gases of the fire extinguisher and the fire got beyond control. Heads for Shore. Captain McLachlin quickly headed the boat for the bar at Diamond Point, operating with one engine. Life preservers were distributed to all the passengers by Captain Me- Lachlin and his assistant, Alvin Olson. In spite of the fact that the flames swiftly enveloped the entire hood of the engines, the passengers were not forced to jump until they were near enough to shore to wade in. Passengers Break Rail, Shrieks from the passengers at- tracted a large number of launches who attempted to aid in the rescue of the passengers. When the boat neared shore, the passengers in panic broke the railing around the boat, throwing a large number of the passengers into the water. Several of the men passen- gers rescued the women and children and an aged man. Soon after the boat was abandoned, an air tank exploded. No ome was injured. Fire Department Called. A line was fastened to the boat and it was towed to shore. The Bemidji fire department was called and chem- icals were used on the flames. The boat was burned to the water’s edge. The gasoline tanks, however, did not explode. Several Travelers. Blankets and shawls were given to the passengers, who were taken to Bemidji. A large number of the passengers were traveling men who were spending Sunday at the Mark- ham hotel. The origin of the fire is a mys- tery. It is believed to have been cauged by a leak of the carburetor and t.ha “packfiring” of the englne it s KRHK KKK KKK KKK KX STORES TO CLOSE A large number of the stores in Bemidji will close tomorrow noon so that the x [3 x *® * * x * employes can observe Mem- * * * * x * dk ok kkk ok ok ok ok kA orial day. The meat markets will close at two o’clock tomorrow af- ternoon. KKK K KKK KK KF Crossed wires also may have started the fire. Valued at $5,000. The boat was valued at $5,000 and was partially covered by insurance. The accident was an especially lucky one. There wa: but a slight wind. Had there been a strong east wind, it is believed that the heat would not have been able to make the bar. Wide Knowledge of Lake. ‘‘Had it not been for the presence of mind and knowledge of the lake which the captain possessed, I fear we might all have had a watery grave,” said one of the rescued pas- sengers shortly after being rescued. “I consider myself extremely lucky that it occurred where it did.” Among the out-of-town passengers board the boat. when the accident oc- curred were T. Halloek of Fargo, E. E. Norton of Breckenridge, M. T. Tenneson of Chicago, William Auer- bacher of Minneapolis, L. L. Ostran- der of Cedar Rapids, Ia., C. D. Merri- man of Buffalo, N. Y., and V. A. Pra- ger of Chicago. No More Boats. “I am through with the boat busi- ness,” said Captain McLachlin this morning. “I do not intend to build another boat. “The accident yesterday was very lucky. I don’t know what caused the fire but I believe that it was a back fire. “When the_ fire first broke out I turned a chemical fire extinguisher on it and I thought that I had stop- ped it. However, the fire broke out again a few minutes later and when I turned the extinguisher on it, I was overcome by the gases of the extin- guisher. I gave the extinguisher to my assistant and headed the boat for the bar at Diamond Point, operating the boat with one engine. Preservers for All “Life preservers were distributed to all the passengers. Some of the passengers were on the front end of the boat and the others were on the back of the boat, the fire being in the engine reoms between. “Several times I had the fire prac- tically extinguished but each time it broke out anew. “When the boat was near the bar the second engine went out of com- mission and the passengers in their eagerness to get to shore broke the railing, throwing a large number of the passengers into the water. The water was not deep and all were able to wade to shore. No one was in- jured” “The City of Bemidji,” which was constructed several years ago, has been caring for the summer cottage trade along the lake and will be a big loss to the summer resorters. Efforts are being made to secure boat men to place a passenger and excursion boat in the lake for use of the hotel and summer cottage visitors. Pioneer want ads pay. BASEBALL SEASON T0 OPEN AT NEW PARK TOMORROW PROCLAMATION. Whereas it is a well known fact among people who have an inclination toward athletic sports to give attention to the publicity acquired by those who are successful in such sports, and Whereas Bemidji has been de- nied such publicity in the past several years by reason of fail- ure to maintain a successful baseball team, and ‘Whereas a number of citizens who are followers of athletic sports and who desire such pub- licity for the city, have banded together with the idea of secur- ing and maintaining a baseball team and have gone to a large expense to make grounds and to ~ secure equipment for such a team, and Whereas Memorial Day has been set apart for the opening game of the season, and Whereas it is desired that there:be7m-largésattendance at the first game, 1 urge as many business places as possible to close their place of business from noon until five o’clock in the after- noon tomorrow, Memorial Day. Furthermore, I urge every citizen to attend the opening game. CHAS. W. VANDERSLUIS, Mayor. Time of game—3:30 p. m. Contesting teams — Bemidji vs. Fosston. Place—New Bemidji athletic park. The 1916 baseball season will open in Bemidji tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 o’clock at the new athletic park south of the Minnesota Electric Light & Power company plant. The game will be between the Bemidji and Fosston teams. : The new park will be opened when Mayor Vandersluis tosses the first ball. Frank Lycan, president of the city council, will attempt to catch the ball. He has given the mayor the privilege to “even throw a rainbow.” The Bemidji band will be present and it will be a gala occasion. The lineup of the Bemidji will probably be as follows: Kaunerberg of Minneapolis, Paul of Bemidji, or Ralph of Edmonton, pitchers; Frank of Minneapolis, catcher; Berrigan, first base; Howe, second base; Diedrich, shortstop; E. Bailey, third base; Trafton, C. Bailey, Tanner and Bell, fielders. NYMORE BALL TEAM DEFEATS LOCAL NINE The Nymore baseball team defeated the Bemidji Juniors Sunday after- noon at Nymore by a score of 11 to 10. This was the first game of the season for the Jumiors. Carroll C. Hill is manager of the Juniors. team London—Two British forces are rapidly closing in upon German East Africa. This is the last of the kai- ser’s colonies unconquered. SCOOP zerorrer REPORTER EY TELL ME YOU ARE. TH' CHAMPION WOMAN BASEBALL PITOHER. OF TH' WORLD-MY PAPER SENTME OUT~ FOR AN INTERVIEW- TH BEST WAY FORYOUTO SERVIGES HELD FOR SENIOR oLASS 0F HIGH SGHooL Rev. I.. P. Warford Delivers to the Graduating Class. BANQUET AND BALL GIVEN BY Jmol! Graduation Exeroises to Be Held at the Grand Theater Baccalaureate services were held at the Presbyterian church Sunday evening. The church was crowded with friends of the graduates. A spe- cial music program was given. Rev. L. P. Warford delivered the sermon,using as his text, “As thy days, s0 shall thy strength be.” - His sermon was as follows: Gives Strength. “There are two ways of looking at this text. First—God in the gredt source of supply to his people. He supplies the strength which they need each day. The supply is inex- ‘haustible, and is suited to the need. In second place we can interpret the text in terms of our own daily liv- ing. As we live today, so shall we have the power to live tomorrow. If we live good lives today we shall build up virtue and happiness for to- morrow. “In this latter sense let us cun- sider the text for a season. is a physical lesson to be taken. There is no time in life when we desire happiness more than during the per- iod of youth. There is a surplus of pysical energy, responsibility is light, cares and worries have not come, and life stretches out as a prospect devoutly to be sought. Tolstoi says that youth is the most selfish period, [James J. Hlll Empire Builder, | Historical Society Dies at His Home in St. Paul; Had Been lll for Past Ten Days SR NS A COMMUNITY PICNIC HELD AT BAGLEY IS BIG SUCGESS reaching out continually for all the | Farmers and Business Men Rub pleasure and happiness to be had. It is not possible to be in fullest happi- ness if we are sick. Must Build Strong. Elbows and Break Bread. “If we are building up for tomor- EXCELLENT PROGRAM row_we must build ug to be physic- ally strong, to be able to hold the- head high and not bent down by our GIVEN. SATURDAY careless habits lower and lower to Laigelt Gg,then'_ng of People Ever the earth like the beast. There is a tendency to seek all the luxuries, and rich ‘bribes which are found in our civilization today, and they are the same bribes which caused the fall of Babylonia, Greece and Rome. Still we admire the traits of thrift when we seen them. Who does mot feel (Continued on Page 4) WOMAN IS AWARDED $10,000 DAMAGES IN DISTRICT COURT Miss Margaret Hausmen, an in- mate of the state sanatorium at Walker, was given a verdict of $10,- 000 damages by a jury in the dis- trict court at Park Rapids Sunday morning against the Western Union Telegraph company and the North- western Telephone company. Miss Hausman charged that she became tubercular as a result of working in offices of the companies at Luverne, Min., which were too cold. She was represented in court by Judge M. A. Spooner and Attorney Van. Coppernoll of Bemidji. XK KKK KKK KKK K* x TELEGRAPH NEWS | * KKK KKK KKK KK KKK Berlin—French attacks at Cui- meres last night were repulsed. Mexico City—An 8,000-word mes- sage sent by Carranza to the United States may be made public tomor- Trow. ‘Waukegan, I1l.—It is believed that the Will Orpet murder case jury will be completed this afternoon. London—Brisk fighting between the Greeks and the Bulgars occurred at several places along the border fol- lowing Bulgaria’s invasion into Greece yesterday. The Ladies Are Getting Right Good At The Game GOSH SHES WINDING—' GET SOME IDEA OF MY PEGGING) UP JUST LIKE WALTER CLASS 1S TO PUTON A GLOVE TDHNSON -HEX-TAKE AND LET ME WING- ONE. Dafactivae AT EASY-Yov kKow b o, Had in Clearwater County. (By Special Correspondent.) Bagley, Minn.,, May 29.—Business men and their wives and families and | farmers and their wives and families rubbed elbows and broke bread to- gether here Saturday in a ‘“‘Commu- nity Picnic.’ Every resident of the county had the ‘“‘community spirit” and endeavored to make the other “fellow” feel that he was his brother and neighbor. Many People Present. The picnic was held under the aus- pices of the Bagley high school, its eight sasociate districts and the creamery. It was very much of a success and one of the largest gath- erings ever gotten together in Clear- water county was present. The program was as follows: Parade, headed by the Bagley cor- net band with 410 children of the Bagley and associate districts in line. 11:30—Singing by Bagley and as- sociate school districts. Music by the band. 12 M.—Basket lunch at picnic grounds. 1 P. M. to 3 P. M.—Speaking by Prof. Wilson and Dean Woods. 1:30—Auto ride for all children from country to and from Bagley to the Eastwood farm, 5 miles east of town. Thirty-six automobiles were in line. 3 P. M.—Game of baseball, north end of county vs. south end. Races Are Staged. 4 P| M.—Races: Foot potato, sack and three-legged by the school chil- dren. 4:40 P. M.—Moving picture show at Daniels’ theater. One hundred and sixty-one farm wagons loaded with human freight pulled into town before 11 a. m. 10 witness or take part in the day‘s cele- ICl#I?ii‘fiill*i TROUT 1§ CAUGHT IN LAKE BEMIDJI x « x x P *x N. R. Bricklen caught a * speckled trout in Lake Be- * midji near the second point * Sunday afternoon. This is the * first instance for some time ¥ that a trout has been caught % in the lake. The trout weigh- * ed one pound and three-quar- * ters. *x Today is the opening of the * \.the_ggnte and * x * * *x *****************t*v lers are out'arter the “finny™ tribe.” KEKKKEK KKK EXK KKK BOYS OF ‘6 TO BE HONORED IN BEMIDJI TOMORROW Parade to Be Held in Morning Be- ginning at Ten o’Clock From City Hall. Bemidji will honor “the boys of ’61” tomorrow, Memorial Day, by ap- propriate services. Parade in Morning. In the morning at ten o’clock & parade will be formed at the city hall. The naval militia, the mem- bers of the G. A. R. and Circle, school children and citizens will par- ade to Greenwood cemtery where ap- propriate services will be held. At the cemetery the graves of the old soldiers will be decorated and cere- monies will be held near the Old Sol- diers’ monument. Mrs. L. G. Pend- ergast, a member of the Circle, will give a reading. At noon a dinner will be served to the G. A. R. and Circle members at the Odd Fellows hall. In the afternoon beginning at two o’clock services will be held at the city hall. The program will be as follows: Prayer by Rev. B. D. Hanscom, pastor of the Methodist church; song by quarette; remarks by W. B. Stewart; address, “What Constitutes Patriotism,” Hon. L. G. Pendergast; song by quarette; Lincoln’s Gettys- burg address, by Leroy Mattson, a high school student; exercises by children of the Nymore schools; heading by Mrs. H. W. Bailey; ad- dress, Dr. D. M. Fuller; song, Am- bration. WHERED (T G0-2-{TWAS T00 FAST FOR THE. NAKED ENE-T. COULDNT SEE erica; benediction. T DONT KNOW — T ALWAYS SHUT MY ENES WHEN T PITEH AND LOOK FORAT N T DIRECTION MY DEATH FOLLOWS OPERATION; END COMES QUIETLY Magnate is Unconscious; Suffers No Agonies; Mrs, Hill Collapses. WORKED FROM SHIPPING CLERK TO0 “EMPIRE BUILDER” Daughter After Strenuous Race Against Time Reaches Death Chamber. James J. Hill, “Empire Builder,” died this morning at 9:43 o’clock at his home in St. Paul. Death follow- ed an operation to drain a carbuncle at the end of the magnate’s intes- tines. Death Comes Quietly. ,The official bulletin stated that death came quietly. Mr. Hill was un- conscious and there were no death agonies. Mrs. Beard, a daughter, after a strenuous race against time, rushed into the death chamber just in time to grasp her father’s hand as he was dying. Mrs. Hill, the widow, col- lapsed when death came. Well Known. Mr. Hill was well known in Be- , having visited here on several occasions. He was the principal speaker at the banquet given at the opening of the Great Northern depot in this city. Everywhere in Bemidji expression of regret of his death was heard to- day. Greatest Loss. “It is the Northwest's greatest loss in years,” said Tams Bixby, president of the Bemidji Townsite compan; and & close fri ill, when informed “of Mr.~Hill's death by a Pioneer representative. Great Northern stock in the New York exchange went up one point at the opening while Northern Pacific was off one point today as a result of Hill’s death. A history of the life of James Jer- ome Hill is a history of the develop- ment of the Northwest. His was per- haps the most thorough influence in the development of this vast expanse of almost half a continent over which his railroads extend. Fifty years ago today, Hill was a dock clerk in St. Paul—practically penniless. Today his fortune is millions. Born in 1838. James J. Hill was born on a back- woods farm in the vicinity of Rock- wood, Wellington county, province of Ontario, on Sept. 16, 1838. His father was one of the early settlers of that region, coming from the north of Ireland. His mother was a Dun- bar, descended of the famous Scotch family of that name, who trace their lineage to the Stuarts in direct line. The Dunbars, however, were driven from their native country by the Catholics, and were compelled to seek refuge in the New World. It is some- what remarkable that in spite of the fact that his father was an Orange- man and his mother a victim of the old-time Catholic intolerance, Mr. Hill imbibed no religious prejudices. He gave convincing evidence of that fact by donating in all nearly $1,- 000,000 for founding and endowing a Roman Catholic institution, the St. Thomas seminary and college at St. Paul. Disliked Farm Work. Although descended from a long line of hard working tillers of the soil and in spite of the example set to him by his thrifty father, young Hill never liked manual work of any kind. Particularly did he dislike farm work. Neither threats nor per- suasion could induce him to turn from his beloved books to the neces- sary work in the fields. Every mo- ment of his spare time he devoted to reading. From his books he not only gaihed an invaluable education, but habits of industry and application as well, and his reading was selected ju- diciously with a view to ultimate benefit, it became an instrument to aid success which might have been impossible without it. Studies for Ministry. When his father after many abor- tive attempts at persuation and co- ercion came to the conclusion that Jim could not be induced to do farm work, he decided to send him to school and make of him a Presbyter- jan minister. Young Hill was sent to the Rockwood academy, where he de- voted himself to his task of acquiring a classical education for ten years. ‘When the boy had reached his eight- eenth:year he came to the conclusion izl it e R R T T