Evening Star Newspaper, December 29, 1894, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. 8 second-class ma‘l matter.) {All mail subscriptions must be paid tn advance. Rates of advertising made known on application. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY, AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th Street, by The Evening Star Newspaper Company, 8. H. KAUFFMANN, Pres't. Now York Offce, 49 Potter Building. paid cave itatssai ‘The Evening Star is served to subseribers tn the ity by carriers, on their own account, at 10 cents per week, or 44 cents per month. Copies at the counter 2 cents each. By matl—anywhere in the United ba or Canada—postage prepaid—50 cents per mont! Saturday Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year; with fore! it ded, $3.00. (Entered at the Post Office at Washington, D. C. Vor 85, Ch No. 21,081. WASHINGTON. Star. Tbe proof of te pudding is in fhe eating. Yesterdar’s Sfar contained 43 cofumns of advertisements, made up of 576 separate announce: ments. These advertisers “SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1894—TWENTY PAGES. TWO CENTS. fought pubficitp—not merefp space, MR. MOTT IN A RAGE Denounces Streep Before the Lexow Committee. +. AN EXCITING SCENE CREATED Inspector McLaughlin on the Wit- ness Stand. TELLS ABOUT HIS PROPERTY Se NEW YORK, December 29.—When the Lexow committee took up its work today Mr. Goff announced that Mr. Mott of the United States district attorney's office wished to make a statement regarding the charges made by the “green-goods” men, Louts 8. Streep and his brother. Mr. Goff said that Mr. Mott was a well-known and esteemed member of the New York bar, and that he had every faith in his integ- rity as a citizen and a lawyer. “We declined to hear Mr. Comstock yes- terday, Mr. Goff,” said Mr. Lexow, “and it would be hardly fair to allow Mr. Mott to make an explanation, when we refused a similar privilege to Mr. Comstock.” Mr. Mott here took off his coat, and, ad- vancing towards the desk, said: “You say you have stricken the evidence as to me from your record. That is not enough to @estroy the besmircaing which you allowed to be thrown upon me. Had I known on last ‘Thursday evening that I was to be assailed in so disgraceful a manner, whether above the ground, or under the earth, on the ocean, or under the ocean, I would have been here to denounce the charge of corruption so scandalously brought against a United States district attorney. "Did any public official of this commit- tee know what this man Streep was to testify? If so, I should have been in- formed and some attempt made to ascer- tain whether his statements were true or no Mr. Lexow—“We have done all in our power in striking out the record. You deny the charge made a. “Deny the charge, t. “Deny the charge,” and his voice rose stfil higher. “A charge made against me by a twice-convicted criminal. Why should I deny anything on such a man's state- ment?” Mr. Goff looked exceedingly uncomforta- ble and seemed to wish that he had never introduced Streep to the committee. Mr. Lexow then grew angry and sald loudly: “If you wish to remain here you vill remain as a witness, and can make a denial on oath. Mr. Mott grew still more angry. “You have no right, sir, to speak to me in such @ manner. I have my rights as a citizen just as well as you, and I have the right to denounce here the base charges allowed to be made against me.” Chairman Lexow rapped his gavel vio- lently five or six times on the desk. ‘You have no right to speak here,” he cried. : “You will confine yourself to the charges made against you by a witness. You must Keep quiet here. You may, if you choose, be sworn, and deny the statements on the record. At this Mr. Mott became furious. the record!” he yelled. have no record.’ Mr. Lexow—“We will else.”” Mr. Mott put on his coat and flounced out of the room, shouting out as he started for the door: “I will not disgrace myself by submitting to your rudeness,” and he then walked ont of court. Capt. Martens Called. Capt. Martens was called. ‘How is Mrs. Martens, captain Mr. Goff's first que.tion. ‘She Is very sick, sir.” Mr. Goff then accused the captain of keeping his wife away, fearing that on her examination she might tell something which would substantiate the charges of corruption which Martens {s accused of. Martens asked to explain his wife's con- dition, but Mr. Goff would not let him, and kept on saying very severe things to the witness. “You may go now, captain,” said Mr. Goff, as soon as he thought he had said anough. “Is Capt. Meakim here?’ asked the in- ouisitor. There was no answer, and again Mr. Goff got off a shower of invectives in which he charged the absent captain with protecting “green-goods” operators, and several other acts of corruption. Capt. Ryan was recalled and he gave his bank books to Mr. Goff in deference to the orders given him when excused last night. Capt. Ryan claimed to have cleaned out the fifteenth precinct during the three months he was in charge of it. He con- vulsed the court by saying that he was glad to be up in Kingsbridge, as he saw too much of the down-town slums. “And now,” said he, “I am out of the way of temptation.” The captain denied that he ever accepted any money and added, “Sure, it would be very foolish for any one to offer me money for protection. I would not touch it, for I'm an honest man.” The captain was then excused. Inspector McLaughlin was next called, but he was not on hand. “He was subpoenaed again last night,” said Mr. Goff, “and we telephoned to police headquarters and received the information that he had left there to come to this court room.” Inspector McLaughlin Appears. When Inspector McLaughlin entered the court room he apologized for not being on hand earlier, but said he had been in con- stant attendance for the last three da; “What age were you when you joined the police?” “Twenty-one years old, str.” “When did you join the force?” “On November 26, 1868,” “How much money had you when you joined the force?” “Six thousand dollars. I had three trucks im West Washington Market for four years previously, and 1 saved $4,600 and sold my wrucks and horses for $1,500. I gave the money to my mother to keep for me. She ve it to me before she died, on Septem- r 12, 1870. I gave the raoney to my sweet- Beart, to whom I was married on Novem- ber 14, 1870." “Then you had no confidence in yourself when you gave your money to your mother and then to your sweetheart to keep for you?” inquirea Mr. Gort. “No, sir; but I thought they could take motte care of it than I could,” was the re- ply. “What age was this young lady at the time About twenty-two years.” ‘Why did you give it to her? ecause she was a business woman.” You were a business man and must ave been 2 saving man to accumulate such a sum of money in four yi Ee.” the trucking business?” ‘The witness flared up at this question d appealed to the senators. He said fict {twas an unnatural and unmanly question. Mr. Lexow told Mr. Goff to ghange the question and ask in what bust- bess the young lady was engaged. “In the candy business,” was the ready reply. Bir. Goff then asked him If he ever got “Deny “Why, you say you permit nothing back the $6,000 from his wife, but the in- spector hedged around and finally said that his wife paid $7,000 on a house in 1885, but he did not take this as a pay- ment to him of the $6,000, Mr. Goff went on putting the same ques- tion repeatedly, “Did you ever get back that wo?” Finally he answered: “I have received several moneys from my wife, but as to that original amount I cannot say I ever got it. “Were you ever engaged in any business since you joined the force?” “Yes, 1n ISN1 I invested $1,750 in a patent switch. My brother-in-law, Frederick Hills, bought the Jeffrey Clark switch patent for $14,000. ‘There were four notes of $3,500 each, payable at three, six, nine and twelve months. The notes were met,,and I made about $35,000 to $40,000 out of It. I had no papers of partnership. My brother-in-law attended to all the business. He sold the royalty to several manufacturers and rail- road companies.” “Name some of them.” “The Ajax Force Company, the Adams Company, the Union Iron and Steel Com pany, all’ of Chicago; the Missouri Paci and the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Companies. There were others, but I don’t remember the names of them. There was a suit brought against the com- pany in 1886, in which Hills was beaten, and he sold the patent to the Weir Frog Company.” “Were you ever in Chicago?” “Never in my life.” “By whom were the notes made?” “By my brother-in-law.” “Was your name on them?” A recess was then taken, ——— PROMINENT ARMY OFFICERS. A Namber Will Attend the President's New Year Reception. There will be an unusual gathering of prominent army officers at the President's reception on New Year day. Brigadier General Thomas H. Ruger, commanding the department of Missouri, at Chicago, Il, and Brigadier General E. 8. Otis, com- manding the department of the Columbia, at Vancouver barracks, Wash., have al- ready arrived in the city for the purpose of paying their respects to their com- manderin-chief on that occasion. Major General A. McD. McCook, commanding the department of the Colorado, at Denver, Col, has also received permission to visit this city, and he will probably get here temorrow. ie principal object of his visit is to personally thank the President for the high compliment implied in his recent Promotion, It is also probable that Major General N. A. Miles, commanding the de- | iphone of the east, at New York, will at the White House on New Year day. DEATH OF “BONANZA” FAIR Ex-United States Senator From Nevada Passes Away. His Estate Worth Forty Millions at a Moderate Estimate—Only His Son at the Bedside. SAN FRANCISCO, December 20.—Ex-Sen- ator James G. Fair died suddenly at the Lick House, at 12:20 this morning. Senator Fair has been in poor health for some time, suffering from asthma. A few days ago he caught cold while going out in a rain storm to view some of his property improvements at North Beach. The cold did not appear to affect his lungs, but set- tled in his kidneys. Last evening he was feeling better than for the past few days, and his death was entirely unexpected. He pitss2d away at his apartments, the hotel being part of his vast possessions. He had been in bed since Monday. For veral hours before the end came he was unconscious. The doctors said that death was due to diabetes and Eright's disease. Charles Fair, his son, was at the bedside when the old gentleman breathed his last. When it was obvious that life could not last long, frequent bulletins were sent to Mrs. Herman Oelrich and Miss Virginia Fair, the daughters, who are in New York, by "Charles Fair. This son was the only relative of the Senator present. Dr. Livingston, his physician, who was the Senator’s near friend, as well as his physician, says the ex-Senator left no spe- cial message for his family er other per- sons. Before the fatal attack came on he mad? a will, in which he revoked the ac- tion he had taken to disinherit his son Charlie. As to the value of the estate, the doctor says that two years ago, when the ex-Senator was complaining of his physi- cal sufferings, he remarked: “I would not pass another such a night for every cent of my $38,000,000," ‘The doctor added that Fair knew almost exactly what he was worth at that time The estate would aggregate about $40,000,- 000 at a moderate estimate. Senator Fair was bern in Ireland and was United States Senator from Nevada. He made his fortune in the Comstock Lode, and was a member of the famous “‘bonan- za” firm of Flood, Mackay, Fair & O’Brien. He largely increased his wealth by invest- ments in San Francisco and California real estate. In the early seventies Fair was a poor man. He had no prospects in his mines, and no one-had the hardihood to predict fortune for him. He went in the stock market with Flood, Mackay and_ others. The great manipulators won fabulous wealth. Fair never gave up his mining interests, but ne abandon-d the speculative feature of them and turned to other flelds. He be- gan to invest in local real estate and owned acres of it before he died. He owned the Lick House, but it was simply an Item in a long inventory. He possessed some of the best business and residence property in San Francisco. His rent roll each month was a fortune for an ordinary man. Ho was one of the heaviest taxpayers in the city. He owned forty blocks of land in the northwestern part of the city, For months he has employed hundreds of men improving it and establishing a desirable water front. South of Market street Fair owned several manufactories, some of which he was directly interested in to the extent of hundreds of thousands of dollars. of his wealth, however, was in his He had exclusive ownership of many, not only in this state, but in Nevada. He owned them at the time of his divorce from his wife. Then they were considered of little value. In the last few years a boom gave them value. Nine years ago Senator Fair was worth no more than nine million dollars. ‘The disposition of the estate {s a matter of exceptional interest. It is believed that he left very little, if anything at all, to char- ity. They believe that he divided his tm- mense fortune among his children, share and share alike. These children are Mrs. Herman Oelrich, Miss Virginia Fair and Cherles L. Fatr. The doctors will make an autopsy today to satisty themselves as to the internal condition of the Senator's remains. — Personal Mention. Dr. C. N. Hewitt, professor in the Uni- versity of Minnesota and secretary of the state board of health, is in the clty, the guest of his brother-in-law, Col. Tichenor, on M street. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis C. Ehle of Chicago are on a visit to this city. They are stop- “OsnOH HIGH ey? 3e Sud ——_—__- e+ —____. On the Retired List. First Sergeant Emil Propping, battery M, fourth artillery, at Washington bar- racks, D. C., has been placed on the retired list of the army. A CONFERENCE Reasons Why the Republicans De- sire One Soon. POSSIBILITY OF AN EXTRA SESSION ee A Line of Policy Must Be Defi- nitely Agreed Upon. LOOKING TO MR. REED Is there to be a republican as well as a democratic conference in the near future? ‘The necessity of such a step on the part of the republicans ts conceded. ‘Ihe proba- bility of an extra session of the Fifty- fourth Congress increases. The situation may change and the emergency pass, but the longheads among the republic n lead- ers are alive to the supreme necessity of being prepared for anything that may be presented. If the President, having failed to impress his financial views upon this Congress, should decide to submit them without delay to the next Congress, that body, it 1s generally admitted, should be ready to give him prompt consideration and make a prompt response of some king, Kepublican plans, up to a recent day, had beep formed upon lines allowing for a leisurely digesting of unsolved problems. ‘The idea was that between March and De- cember there could be full and free dis- cussion by letter and through the news- papers of what the country demanded of the new Congress, and that when that bedy met in regular session a definite policy, carefully arranged and explained, would be brought forward. The new Con- gress was to take this policy up, put it through in short order and adjourn, ap- ealing to the country no less upon the wisdom of that policy than upon the busi- ness-like manner of its adoption. A sharp contrast was to be instituted between a body with business methods, and under the control of a united party, and one that had exhibited only discords and delays throughout its period of legislative power. In Case of an Extra Session. It is apparent to the republican leaders that a great deal of work will have to be done in a very short time and under hur- ried circumstances, if they are to be re- quired to take up public questions on their own responsibility in April instead of in December. Such an appeal by the Presi- dent from his own party to the opposition party would not in its operations be alto- gether against the democracy. The retlec- tion on his own party would be severe, but the effect on the republicans might be to Gisclose serious embarrassments on that le. it is not denied that, as the case now stands, some serious embarrassments exist. The financial question is the only question that would be presented to Congress in ex- tra session, and the western republicans, especially in the Senate, are as little in agreement with the majority of their party as to what should be done on that line as the eastern democrats are with their couth- ern and western brethren, The President, presumably, would repeat to the new Con- gress the Suggestions he has made to this Congress. For one thing in particular, he would ask that provision be made to pro- tect the gold reserve of the treasury by authorizing the issuance of a short-time, low-rate bond. But, the point is made, would Mr. Teller and his western friends support such a proposition, in the face of their repeated declarations that the only remedial legislation must necessarily in- clude terms and provision for more silver money? And, if they should decide to block such a proposition, could they not do it? And, if they should pursue such a course, and thereby make their party re- sponsible for any new deiay and new em- barrassments, would the party not suiter in the east and become bracketed with the democracy on the score of helplessness? And would not the new Congress assemble at the regular session in something of a discredited state because of the divisions revealed at the extra session? Some of the most far-seeing of the republican lead- ers are active now and urgent in the in- terests of an early and complete under- standing. Mr. Reed’s Task. Especially prominent in all of this dis- cussion is the talk about the task of Mr. Reed. An extra session would mean much to him. Organization of a House of Rep- resentatives is a difficult matter at any time, end organizing the next House will be especially difticult. Mr. Reed knows the old congressional “hands” thoroughly, and will have no trouble in constructing the more important committees. But the full work of committee making requires time and care. It is thought likely ‘that Mr, Reed is now giving this matter some con- sideration, though with the full list of members before him in his study at home, and eight months in which to perform the work, he could proceed with greater sat- istaction. Despite gossip here and there, no serious thought seems ever to have been enter- tained about Mr, Reed's course with re- gard to the next speakership. He has never claimed it as his owa by right, of course, but he could not escape the knowledge that it was instantly assigned to him by the public as soon as the complexion of the new House was determined. His friends laugh at any discussion of whether or not, cousidering his political fortunes, he should take the office. They simply point to the man and his record He never runs away, they declare, with pride in the sand he has heretofore exhibited. Nothing, they as- sert, would be so certain to destroy his chances for presidential preferment, look- ing at the question from that standpoint, as an exhibition of timidity on his ‘part touching the speakership. If there ts to be any peril in that office it will be the party’ peril, they peint out, as well as Mr. ed’ ‘Tho ‘party {x looking for him to carry 1 through the danger safely as may be. A pilot who declined for fear of personal in- jury to himself to take the speakership wheel would never be asked or even thought of to take the presidential wheel. Mr. Quay’s Suggestion. Those of the Reed men not amused by this talk about their favorite resent it rather warmly. They dislike particularly that feature of the story attributing the suggestion that Mr. Reed keep out of tho Speaker's chair to Mr. Quay. They are not advised as to whether Mr. Quay actually expressed such an opinion, but they seem anxious to have the fact recalled that here- tofore Mr. Reed has not beer accustomed to look to Mr. Quay for guidance, In the Fifty-first Congress, when the Pennsyl- vanfa Senator assisted in holding up the force bill after it had passed the House, Mr. Reed entertained some very decided opinions about that transaction, and ex- pressed them with very great emphasis, Mr. Quay came in for a full share of the Maine man's excoriation. This, of itself, the Reed men say, is sufficient reason why any suggestions from Mr. Quay about their favorite’s course would hardly be likely to carry everything before them, ——+o+—___ Army Order Leave of absence for three months has been granted First Lieut. James M. Ar- rasmith, second infantry. A similar leave has been granted First Lieut. 8. L'H. Slo- cum, eighth cavalry. First Lieut. H. A Shaw, assistant surgeon, has been ordered to temporary duty at Camp Merritt, Mont., at the conclusion of which he will take station at Fort Snelling, Minn, CHINESE >STUDENTS Those Who Studied in This Country and Have Acquired Dirtinction. Four of Ten Recently Recommended for High Honors Were Educated in Northern Institutions. United States Minister Denby has sent to the Department of State an interesting sketch of the history of a number of Chi- nese students who were educated in the United Stetes and afterward returned to Ching. Thirty of these boys were sent to this country in 1872, and others were sent afterward. They were put in charge of Yung Wing, a graduate of Yale. Charges were made that the boys were losing or had lost their patriotism, and in 1881 they were all recalled, and, unfortunately for China, their system of education was aban- doned. The legaticn at Peking and the American friends of these boys. have watched with interest their careers since their return. A previous dispatch reported the gallant conduct of five of these stu- dents during the action with the French at Foo Chow, wherein one lost his life, and Minister Denby says {It affords him pleas- ure to report the distinguished bravery and gallantry displayed by some of these Amer- ican students in the great naval battle off perl mouth of the Yalu river, September 17 Four Distinguished Students. Of ten persons recommended for distinc- tion by Li Hung Chang, four were former American students. Wo Yin Fo studied in the Sheffield Scientifie School at New Haven, and served in the northern squad- ron. He has been brevetted a commander, with a red button of the second rank, and with special decorations for bravery’ and good service. Tsoa Kan Chiong studied first in North Hadley, Mass., and gradu- ated at Phillips Academy. He also served in the northern squadron, was brevetted captain, has a second rank red button and commands a steel cruiser. Tsu Chung Tong studied in a Massachusetts academy, served in the northern squadron, has a second rank red button, and is first officer of a cruiser. Shun Son Quan studied in a Connecticut school, served in the northern squadron, was brevetted captain, has a cond rank: red button, is first officer of a cruiser, and chief of the gunnery de- partment. Two Lost Their Lives. * Two former American students have lost their lives, after securing honors, as fol- lows: Chin Fin Quaf studicd at North Hadley and graduated at Phillips Acad- emy. He served in the northern squadron, and was first officer of the ill-fated cruiser Chih Yuen, sunk by Japanese shells. He was among a dozen men suved, but had lost an arm, and died next day.’ His body was buried with honar, and his family will be pensioned. Shuuw Sow Cheong stud- ied in Massachusetts, and was in the tor- pedo service on the cruiser Chi Yuen. He was killed while escorting the Kowshing, and buried with honors. His son will be pensioned. —— a NO DEMAND MADE. ‘hina Not Asked for Satisfaction for Killing Japanese Students. United States Minister Denby has mado no demand upon the Chinese government for satisfaction for the killing of the two Japanese student spies, as reported. It is said at the State Department that this gcoverrment is not in a position to make any such demand, which is usually con- strued (o mean an indemnity. About six weeks ago the mini-ter did ask the Chinese government to explain how It came to pass that these students were executed be- fore his return to China from the United States,when the Chinese minister at Wash- ington kad promised in behalf of his gov- ernment that their case should be kept in abeyance until Mr. Denby arrived on the scene. No answer has yet been received from the Chinese government, but it is expected that in the end it will shift the blame upon some provincial governor who acted withcut reference to the imperial authorities. No matter }>w it turns out, however, it is said at State Depart- ment that our government Is not able to do more than to express disapproval of the line of action pursued, for the reason that the Japanese government itself has admitted that the men were spies and were properly surrendered to the Chinese. Gen. Foster's Selection. Minister Kurino of Japan says that the published statement that Gen. John W. Foster’s selection as the representative of China in the peace negotiations has the approval of the Japanese government grows out of a misapprehension, Mr. Kurino views the mission of Gen. Foster as a private a‘fair, wholly between him and China. The minister does not think it calls for an expression of approval or disapproval from himself or his govern- ment. Personally he hag never thought of rrotesting or objecting to the appointment, as he recognized China’s right to go where she chooses to select a confidential officer. This attitude of indifference, he said, has apparently led to the erroneous conclusion that he has officially sanctioned the choice of Gen, Foster. The minister says the se- lection of a private American citizen as China’s adviser will in no way affect the peace negotiations. Japan has her own purposes and policy and will proceed ac- cording to the judgment of her authorities, without reference to who may appear as the representative of China. —_——_+-e+—___ THE NEW AUSTRIAN MINISTER. Formally Presented to the President Today. Mr. von Hengenmuller, the new Austro- Hvungarian minister plenipotientiary, was formally presented to the President by Secretary Gresham this afternoon. The ceremony took place in the blue parlor and the usual courtesies were exchanged. In responding to the minister's address the President spoke as follows: “In accepting the letter whereby his tm- perial and royal apostolic majesty accred- its you in the capacity of envoy extraor- dinary and minister plenipotentiary to represent Austria-Hungary at this capital I extend to you a cordial welcorffe, doubt- ing not that his majesty’s choice has fitly fallen upon one who, by large experience in diplomatic life and by reason of previous official residence in this country, ts quali- fied to advance the interests of both na- tio Your assurances of a purpose to ald in strengthening the ties of friendship al- ready happily existing between the two countries are received with gratification, and I promise you the cordial co-operation of the officers of this government. “In accepting his majesty’s letter recall- ing your worthy predecessor I am agreea- tly reminded of his long service here, and I avail myself of this opportunity to ex- press ths wish that he may be successful in the new field to which it has pleased his majesty to send him.” —___—__+- 2+____ School Tenchers Received. Tho President gave’a special reception in the east room of the White House at 1:30 o'clock this afternoon, in honor of the v iting school teachers from New York and Massachusetts. —_——_-e+_____—- Wants to Go to Ecundor. Judge Hugh Ewing of Chicago is said to be an applicant for the vacant diplomatic mission to Ecuador, He W FORTY-ONE PERISHED] Tragic End of Christmas Festivi- ties in Oregon, ANUPSET LAMP CAUSES A FATAL FIRE Two Men. Killed in a Fire at New York. LIFE LOST AT TOLEDO Se as KLAMATH FALLS, Ore., December 29.— News has just reached here that a most horrible holocaust occurred at Silver Lake, Lake county, Ore., on Christmas evening, in which forty-one persons were burned to death and sixteen badly injured, five of whom will die. A large crowd had assembled in Chrisman Bros.’ Hall to attend a Christmas tree fes- tival. While the festivities were at their height some one climbed on a bench, from whicl to get a better view of what was going on. In doing so his head struck a lamp hanging from the ceiling, overturning it. The oil immediately caught fire. Every- thing being of a dry and inflammable na- ture, the root was soon a mass of flames. Some one shouted “Shut the door and keep quiet; it can be put out.” By this time the confusion was so great that people began scrambling in a wild en- deavor to reach the door. Women and chil- dren were trampled under foot, and, as there was only one exit to the hall and the fire being between the majority of the crowd and the door, many rushed heaglong into the flames. ‘The dead are: Mrs. John Buyek and two children, Mrs. Owsley and two children, J. J. Buyek and daughter, Mrs. Snelling, Mrs. Howard and two children, W. O. Hearts and wife, Mrs. Coshow, Frank West, wite and two children; Ed. Bowen, Miss McCauley, T. J. Labrie and child;Mre. Ward, Mrs. A. Bashir, Frank Horning, Mrs. ‘Payne, Mrs. Nettie Williams and child, W. Clay Martin and wife, Robert Small, Mrs. Ella Ward and child, Frank Ross, mother and sister; a child of Roy Ward; Mrs. Hamilton, Mrs. Gus Schroeder and child. The five injured likely to die are: Mrs, T. J. Labrie, Mrs. Robert Snelling and sis- ter, Edward’ Payne and gon. The building was a two-story frame structure. In the first floor wes the hall which was used for gatherings of ail kinds. Silver Lake is a smail village in Lake county, Ore., of about 100 inhabitants, and it is 160 miles from the nearest telegraph Cltice. ‘ CHIEF AND MAN KILLED. ‘alling of a Floor During a New York Fire. NEW YORK, December 29.—Battalion Fire Chief John J. Bresnan and Fireman John L. Rooney of truck 12 were killed to- day by the falling of a floor, during the fire which gutted several stories of the gas and electric fixtures factory of Cassidy & Son Manufacturing Company, 124 to 128 West 2ith street. The fire did $60,000 dam- ege. Assistant Foreman Wm. Hennessy of engine 18 had a leg broken, and three other firemen were slightly injured. At 4 o'clock, an hour before the fire was discovered, the watchman made his rounds of the building, accompanied by one of the managers of the factory, Mr. Howard. The latter had been out of the city for some time on business for the firm, and wished to make an inspection of the premises be- fore the workmen came on duty. When the fire was discovered it had made considera- ble progress. ‘The building is six stories in height, and extends through from 24th street to 23d, where it occupies the num- bers 153 and 135. On the ground floor the building extends through without a break, but above that there is a well hole, which leaves a space of twen five feet between the two buildings, direcUy in the center of the block. When the firemen responded to the alarm che flames were bursting through the three upper floors of the building. ‘Ail the fire was on the 24th street side, and did not cross the weli opening to the 23d street building at any time. The flames must have started in the fifth floor, where the chandelier arms are made. here are a number of bulling machines on this floor, and it may have been a smoldering spark from one of these that caused the outbreak. Except the second floor, which is occup! by the fu ture manufacturers, H. RK, Horner & Company, the Cassidy Company occupies tue whole bu'lding. Chief Bresnan was on the fourth floor di- recting the movemeats of his men, when suddenly the two upper floors came down. ‘Where was a heavy water tank on the roof, and the flames having weakened its su ports, it came tumbiing down, carr, with it the fifth floor, The whole mass of blazing debris fell on the firemen, pin- ning Bresnan and Rooney under the gir- ders. The other men were near the head of tie stairs, and with the first cracking of the timbers hastened toward the stuirs. They reached them in safety, but the stairs fell as they were hurrying down, and the men fell in a heap on the third floor. Assistant Foreman Hennessey’s right leg was broken and Fireman Aernman was also injured. Their companions dragged them to a place of safety. Then an heroic effort was made to rescue Bresnan and Rooney. The flames were kept from at- tacking the bodies of the two unfortunate men, but they could not be reached by their comrades. The smoke within the building was suffocating, and the danger of another fall from the upper floors was so great that it was not deemed prudent to expose the would-be rescuers to death. FIRE CHIEF PROSTRATED. A Long and Desperate Fight With the Flames. * LOUISVILLE, Ky., December 29.—Fire last night, which was gotten under control at 4 a.m., was one of the fiercest that has ever visited the wholesale district of Main street. From midnight until 4 o'clock the battle for supremacy raged between the almost frozen firemen and the flames, and it vas not until the plucky firemen, under the leadership of heroic Maj. Hughes, were almost prostrated by the cold, that the progress of the conflagration was checked and the block from 6th to Sth streets saved from destruction. As a result of the fire the buildings occupied by Stucky, Brent & Co., on 6th street between Main and Water; J. H. Quast & Co., 5833 West Main street; J. A. Gerst, 581 Main street, and C. H. [iiss & Co., 529 West Main street, were completely gutted and the entire stocks totally de- stroyed. ‘The losses, so far as known, were as fol- lows: Stuckey, Brent .& Co., $80,000, in- surance $83,000; building, owned by Mrs. Mary R. Tevis, $30,000; J.M. Robinson, Nor- ton & Co., $75,000; J. H.Quast & Co., $40,000, insurance, $38,000; Bliss & Co., loss will reach $50,000, partly insured. Gerst & Co.'s lces is not definitely known, but it is thought the aggregate loss will probably exceed $300,000, Joseph Hughes, chief of the fire depart- ment, is now tying in a critical condition at engine company No. 2 house, having been carried from the scene of the fire suf- fering from a congestive chill brought on by standing in water a foot deep, and ex- posure to the extreme cold, Several other firemen were removed, having fallen from: exhaustion and cold. COST "ONE LIFE. Rurning of Elevator B of the D. and M. Ratlway at Toledo. TOLEDO, Ohio, December 29,—Elevator “B" of the Dayton and Michigan Railway Company burned this morning, involving the loss of one life, Chris Dandelion, an old employe, was in the top of the building when it caught fire and was unable to es- cape. Probably no vestige of the body will ever be found, as the heat was terrific. A small residence near by was also destroyed and several others damaged. The elevacor contained 625,000 bushels of wheat and 40,- 000 of corn, worth $116,800. The elevator building was valued at $150,000. Total loss, $566,800; on which there is $350,000 insur- ance. The cause of the fire is absolutely nn- known, The elevator stood at the dend cf the river, on the east side, and a_ stiff breeze was blowing down stream, which fanned the flames so that the fire depart- ment was absolutely powerless. Within an hour the building was entirely consumed, and nothing but wreckage and a huge heap of smoking grain marks the spot. ESCAPED LN NIGHT CLOTHING. A Farmer and His Family Driven Out by the Flames. REGINA, N. W. T., December 20.—The house of ‘William Thompson, a farmer, liv- ing twenty-five miles north, burned yes- terday morning, the inmates barely escap- ing in their night clothes. Mrs. Thompson and two children were badly burned, one child dying shortly after being taken from the house. Placing his wife and the’ re- maining child in a hen house, Thompson set out for a neighbor's one mile and a quarter away, having only some rags around his feet and head, being otherwise nude, although the thermometer was thirty degrees below zero. He reached within 100 yards of the neighbor's house, when he fell exhausted and almost frozen stiff. rtunately, he was seen and was carried into the house and cared for. When assistance reached Mrs. Thompson und child the frost had added to the torture of their burns, and it is doubtful whether they van survive. Thomp- son is 2lso in a critical coniition. Three Children Burned, ROME, Ga., December 2).--Last night Dora Williams locked her three children in her home and went visiting. The result was that the home and all the children were burned. COLD BRINGS SUFFERING Many Poor People Need Coal and Olothing. Fears of a Freeze Up on the River— Tintlic Muy Be Delayed—Oysters Are Plentiful. The continued cold weather causes in- creased suffering among the poor, and the police and charity organizations are rendering what relief they can in extreme cases of distress. Last evening and this morning there was a decided increase in the number of applicants for assistance. As stated in yesterday's Star, the police charity fund is exhausted, and there is but little being given by the police lieu- tenants ut the several staticn houses. A number of cases of distress have been re- ported to the potice. In each of them a personal investigation ts made before as- sistance is given. ‘This morning Chief Clerk Sylvester of the police department received a pathetic letter from a widow with six children, who asks for relief of some kind. In the letter she says she was sick with the ty- phoid fever all the summer, and now, al- though willing to work, she {s not strong enough to do hard work, but willing to do plain sewing. ‘The letter was delivered by a bright litile boy, son of the woman, who had walked all the way from his home near the eastern branch to police headquarters. Mr. Sylvester telephoned the fifth pre- cinct as soon as he received the letter and directed that an officer be sent out to make an investigation, One of Many, This, however, is only one of many cases of the kin@ that have come to the atten- tion of the police. If South Washingion a number of cases have been reported, and some little assistance rendered. The police in making the investigations find that lack of employment is the cause of a great amount of the suffering, while in some homes whisky has been the cause of the appearance of the wolf at the door. While a number of distressing cases have been reporied, the number this year is much smailer than this time last year and this is the re which lasted until Christi pal edging house and Central Union Mis- tiled with lodgers last night, who were driven in by the cold weather, but the action of the police and the court in arresting and holding so many of them as vagrants had the effect of decreasing the number in the stations last nig There were only twenty-two lodgers in all at the nine police stations, and four of them were taken to court and sent down, It is certain that many of the lodgers who were released by the court yesterday left on freight trains, and made their way south, River Trafic. The cold weather is causing some uneasi- ness to river men, who fear that a coating of ice will soon appear and greatly inter- fere with the steamboat and oyster traflic. Rivermen think that the high wind yester- day and last night prevented the river from freezing, but they fear that anothe day or two of cold weather will do the work and cause a great amount of suffer- ing among those who depend upon work about the river for support. The northwest wind has had the effect of lowering the tide to such an extent that some trouble ts being experienced in load- ing freight on the steamers at the wharves. The steamer Arrowsmith, due here early yesterday, did not arrive-on time, having been delayed at Piney Point on account of the high winds. The steamer got in early this morning, however, and without a sin- gie mishap, The freezing of the river will greatly af- fect the oyster business, and it was said at the oyster wharf that ice in some of the creeks on the lower Potomac has already stopped some tonging for oysters. Last week some of the dredgers quit work be- cause they found the business unprofitable on account of the immense supply of bi- valves and correspondingly low prices. Oysters Are Plentifal. It is reported that there were three hun- dred boats h oysters In Baltimore last week, and because of the low prices some of the owners will not open their boats. There is a good supply of oysters at the wharf here and even should there be a vere fri e they will fill the demand for several days. Oysters have been very cheap here al the winter, but the boatmen have taken advantage of the cold weather and raised the price. In event of a freeze their boata would be safer here than down the river, and as the stock will keep well this cold weather, the captains are not anxious to sell what they. have on hand unless they get good prices, |MOTION OVERRULED Capt. Howgate Must Plead Again to Indictments. BIRNEY SUSTAINED MR. Arguments by the Counsel in Court Today. eee emanates ANEW DEMURRER Arguments on the pleas in abatement filled by Capt. H. W. Howgate yesterday to the three indictments recently returned against him was resumed this moruing before Judge McComas in Criminal Court No. 1, When The Star's report of the case clcsed yesterday afterncop Mr. A. 8. Worthington had not concluded his argu- ment in support of the pleas. He con- cluded in a few minutes today,. however, being followed by District Attorney Bir- ney, who briefly replied. The arguments were concluded about 11:30, and then, after devoting half an hour or more to the preparation of his opinion, Judge McComas sustained the dis- trict attorne§’s demurrer to the pleas. Dilatory Plea. The plea in abatement was a dilatory one, said Judge McComas, and required the utmost certainty and accuracy in its ulle- gations. Such accuracy, he thought, had not been observed in the pleas in abate- ment filed in the present instance. Such pleas referred to divers persons unknown by the defendant, who were alleged to ve appeared before the grand jury and were not sworn. No affidavit was attached to the pleas save that of the defendant to show that the facts alleged in the pleas were true. Therefore, t.¢ rule requiring the highest degree, of certainty and precis- fon in such pleas was not observed. As to the allegaticns in the pleas which charged that the grand jury heard und considered the testimony of unknown per- sons as to the fact cf the defendant being a fugitive, ete, and who had no kuowl- edge of the facts, the pleas signally cmit- ted to designate who those persons were. Hence, the pleas did not deny that persons who did have knowledge of the facts testi- fied. So, too, as to the third section tn the pleas, which referred to the defendant's whereabouts from April 12, 1882, to Septem- ber 27, 164, the name by which he was known during that time, and that ‘he grand jury found the indictments without hearing any testimony at all on those points. For there was no allegation in the pleas that none of the witnesses whose names were indorsed on the indictmeats had testified to the facts stated. The defendant had not, as he was re- quired to do, made known to’ the govern- ment in the pleas such facts as would have enabled the prosecution to make good the indictments. The court, therefore, could but conclude that the pleas were insuffi- cient in form and bad in substance. Grand Jary Room. It was no right of the defendant, raid Judge McComas, to be informed of the particular evidence on which the ‘adict- ments were founded, nor of the manner in which the grand jury proceeded. If cuch trivial and light objections were allowed, there would, said Judge McComas, be few trials of criminals and the ends of justice would be defeated in many instances. If there were grave irregularities in the grand jury room the court might, in its discretion, allow an inquiry as to proceed- But in the present case, said in the ings there. Judge McComas, the allegatton: pleas were in the ordinary term: out that certainty and precis! would warrant the court in beli the matters contained therein were true, and in that way questioning the orderly procedure and integrity of fhe grand jury. The demurrer filed by the government to the pleas in abatement, conciuded Judge McComas, would therefore be sustained. District’ Attorney Lirney thereupon ask- ed that Capt. Howgate be again arraigned and required to enter another pica to the three indictments. Before that was doné, he wever, @ recess was taken at 12:0 until which ing that After Recess. When the case was resumed after recess Worthington filed a motion to quash as to each of the three recently returned indictments, stating that the motion was substantially the same as the pleas in ebate- ment. Mr, Worthington explained that be- cause of the similarity between the mo- tions to quash and the pleas in abatement, counsel for the dant would argue them. He would, however, ask Cie court to allow the defendant an oj nity to prove, by the testimony of District’ Ate rney Birney and his assistant, Mr, Lewin, that ihe alle, are true, and other witnesse: tions in ihe motion to quash also by the testimony of Judge McComas suggested t the dis- trict attorney m if he so desired, make a statement, but Mr. Birney declined ta do S80, stating that he preferred to rely rights as the representative of the ment, not admitting that such could be mz y to an ii on his s whose ments . How- es were indorsed on the had testified to the fact that gete was a fugitive from justice. Counsel for the defendant objected question and answer unless they wer mitted to cross-examine Mr. Birney. McComas overruled the objection, to the defendant exceptes which , and then’ the court overruled the motion to quash. That done, Mr. Worthington filed murrer to each of the three new ments, declaring that the indictme fatally defective. he demurrers were similar to those filed several weeks ag inst the old indict ments, and Judge McComas adjourned the hearing until 10:30 Monday morning, when the demurrers will be argued. lit HARRIS RELEASED. a de- indict= were Ww. B. He Says He Will Sue for Damages for His Arrest. CINCINNATI, Ohio, December 20.—W. H. Harris of New York was released from jail today by reason of the revocation of the warrant by Gov. McKinley for his re- moval to New York by Detective Reilly. Harris was arrested here about two weeks ago at the instance of Charles Dear- din of New York, a stockholder in the Natural Gas and Iron Company of New Jersey, which is the lessee of the Amert- can Gas Company, whose headquarters are at Washington, D. C. The warrant now revoked was issued December 19, Harris would have been in New York for iliness which prevented his removal and for a writ of habeas corpus now pending. He was charged with being @ fugitive from justice. Harris proposes to sue for damages for his arrest, —_ Naval Movements. The Castine has arrived at Bath, Me., on her way to Castine, Me. The training ship Essex has salied from Norfolk for New York, and will probably reach the latter city tomorrow. =i ~— A Leading Prince of India Dead. Chamrajendra Wadiar Bahadur, the Maharajah of Mysore, one of the m im- portant of the native princes of India, i dead.