Evening Star Newspaper, April 22, 1895, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th Street, by The Evening Star Newspaper Company, ~ 8. H. KAUFFMANN Pree’t. New York Office, B. ding. 2 ee ee ‘The Evening Star is served to subscrivers in the ity by carriers, on their own account. at 10 cents Realy cao! ait Oy eet chs b it er eacl ly _mail—anyw! Canada—postage prepaid—50 cents Inited States or Der month. Saturday Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with foreign postage addled, . Entered at the Post Office at Washington, D. C., &s second-class mail matter.) ‘All mail subscriptions must be paid in advance. es of advertising made known on application. — The Fve ng Star. ae ee No. 13,145. WASHINGTON, D.C., MONDAY, APRIL 22, 1895-TWELVE PAGES. TWO CENTS. THe proof of the pudding is in te eating. "6 Star contained 66 cofumns of advertisements, madre up of 1,167 separate announce: ments. Bese advertisers fought pubficitp—not merefp space, ‘A BRILLIANT EVENT The Wedding of-Miss Leiter and Mr. Curzon Today AT HISTORIC 8?.- JOHN'S A Distinguished Gathering at the , Leiter Mansion. OTHER SOCIAL MATTERS . seme ti Miss Mary Victoria Leiter, eldest daugh- ter of Mr. and Mrs. Levi Z. Leiter, and the Honorable George Nathantel Curzon, mem- ber of parliament for Southport, Lan- cashire, England, were married today be- fore the bells rang out the noon hour at St. John’s Church, in the presence of a most notable assemblage of official and resident society, and a large gathering of thelr own kinfolks. From over the sea with the happy groom came his brother, s@r. Frank Curzon, his brother-in-law and ister, Str James and Lady Miller, and his friend, Lord Lamington, to be his best man. These represented the important family circle, with whom the future of the handsome bride is now identified, and who looked on pleased and smiling at the cere- mony which united the houses of Curzon and Leiter. Nothing was wanting to round off the perfect harmony of the event, and At the Church Entrance. excepting the interesting personality of the couple, their marriage was much more simple than that of many other couples at the same altar. There was no attempt to surround the occasion with any ostenta- tious display. St. John’s Church is among the smallest of Washington churches, but it is also among the most interesting. Seven yearq, ago another member of parliament, Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, stood before its altar while a fair young American, Miss Mary Endicott, became his wife. Another impor- tant international marriage which took Be in its chancel was that of Mr. Archi- Forbes and Miss Lulie Meigs. The event of today forms another bright page to add to the parish records, which date back to 1815, and in which so many names Prominent in official and social life are closely intermingled. But whatever St. John’s has be2n in the past, it is certainly &@ most fascinating spot for a great many people today. An awning, stretched from the carriage steps to the doors, completely shut off any view of the guests who drove to the church, and the throngs on the side- walks were only rewarded by seeing the few who came on foot. There were many fashionable ladies hovering around the vi- ity from early morning, and if the win- ws of the few residences overlooking the church could have been rented there would have been no difficulty in getting fabulous prices for even this chance to see the no- tables. The same crowds surrounded the Leiter mansion, but as the carriages into which the bride and the family stepped rere driven under the porte cochere close A the very threshold, very little of the glo- rious vision in white satin and tulle, nor the finery of the others, could be seen for all the craning of necks. Shortly after the church was opened, a Uttle before 11, the guests commenced to ur in. Nothing elaborate in the way of ral effects are possible in St. John’s chan- eel, but on either side handsome clumps of ms, white azalea bushes, spirea and les were grouped. On the altar there was @ background of lilies, and the vases were filled with azalea blossoms, A few minutes after 11 o’clock the ushers were put about just a little to give every- ly who came along a good seat. Mr. Bod: Jceeph Leiter, brother of the bride; Mr. W. VV. R. Berry and Mr. Spring-Rice, being ac- quainted with most of the guests, had the burden of the seating arrangements. The Frank Curzon, fourth usher was Mr. There She Is. brother of the groom, who had the pleas- wre of looking at one of the best dressed eseembiages which it would be possible to get together in the United States. The ushers were distinguished by bunches of Fink orchids, two or three of them—twice big as the ordinary boutonniere. Just berore half-past 11 the white-robed choris- ters came out of the vestry and crossed the ehancel to their stalls, singing the proces- gicnal antrem, “O Pe fon.”” There was a wait of fully ten minutes before they commenced to sing again, this re Wagner's “Faithful and True,” while bridal cortege passed up the north aisle. In the lead were the ushers, then the idesmaids, Miss Nannie Leiter and Miss sy Leiter, and last of all, the bride, q@scorted by her father. At the chancel te the groom and his best man, Lord ington, were in waiting. Relinquishing his daughter to the groom the entire party stepped into the chancel, where, in front ef the altar, were Bis Talbott and Dr. Mackay Smith. The latter begar the serv- fce and was followed by the bishop. The benediction was given by the rector of St. John’s. When it was concluded the Bishop and Dr. Mackay Smith shook hands with both bride and groom, and then the former turned around and kissed her fa- ther, who had remained just back of her @uring the service. The choristers then Began the Hallelujah chorus from Handel, and its bursts of melody filled the church till the bridal party had passed out and the choristers were back again in the vestry. The bridal gown was a cream of elegance, but also a marvel of simplicity. It was made of white satin, in princess style, and the train, which was very long and_pro- portionately full, fell from the shoulders in a Watteau pleat. The waist, which had no collar band, was trimmed with rare point lace worn by the bride’s mother at her marriage, October 18. 1866. The upper part Altar Decoratiens. of the tulle veil, which completely covered the dress, was trimmed with rose point lace worn by the bride’s grandmother, Miss Nancy Fish, on her marriage to the bride's grandfather, Benjamin F. Carver of Utica, N. ¥. Around her neck was a superb dia- mond necklace, having large pendants. The upper part of the tulle veil was folded back from the face, and the lace border fell just around her shoulders. A diamond coronet, a wreath of diamond roses, held the veil in Place. Her hair was worn smoothly brushed back from her brow. Instead of flowers she carried a white- bound prayer book, from which the service was read, and wore no gloves. Miss Nannie Leiter's gown was of pink moire antique, the bodice of puffed chiffon, and a narrow border of sable gave a_be- coming finish to the bodice, which had no collar band. The groom's gift, a diamond brooch, gleamed amid the chiffon frills. Her hat was of pink chiffon. Miss Daisy Leiter’s gown and hat were the same. Both carried shower. bouquets of pink orchids. Mrs. Leiter came into church without a bonnet. Her gown was of deep purple vel- vet trimmed with point lace. Lady Miller wore black satin, with a jacket bodice of blue embroidered in silver, and small bon- net with yellow flowers. A diamond and pear! necklace was also worn. As a turnout of fashionable people, ar- rayed in all the glory of the latest fashion, it was the event of the season. The ladies wore gowns of the lightest colors and all the jewels that they could put on in keep- ing with a daylight toilet. Diamond ear- rings and pearl and diamond necklaces were very numerous in the front rows of pews. Mrs. Cleveland wore a pretty bonnet, trimmed with yellow roses, and a light cape, covered with deep lace. When the wedding party filed out of the church Mr. Leiter escozted Mrs. Cleveland to her car- riage. One of the most elegant toilets was worn by Mrs. John R. McLean—black-and- white-striped silk and lace. Mrs. Harrison Garrett of Baltimere accompanied Mr. and Mrs. McLean. Mrs. S. S. Howland wore a striking gown of rcse pink crepon, and a hat, very much one sided, with deep yellow lace frills around the edge. A string of large pearls was around ber neck. Outside the church the scene was one such as is rarely witnessed in this city, and reminded one forcibly of the occurrences about the White House when a big recep- tion is on. Long before 11 o'clock the crcwd began to gather in 16th street, and when the first carriages drove up to deposit their precious burdens the street was solid- ly banked with humanity, anxious to catch the least glimpse of the wedding party. As is usual in such crowds, the women out- numbered the men as ten to one, and the way they pushed and shoved in their ef- forts to secure advantageous positions was hardly in keeping with such an occasion. There were probably a couple of thousand people in the immediate vicinity of the church, and the police, of whom there were @ number on hand, had all they could do to keep a passageway open for the carriages. A canopy stretched from the 16th street en- trance of the church out to the sidewalk, but so closely were the women packed about the curbing that the carriages could not get within four feet of the carriage step, and even then the invited guests were crowded and elbowed between their Car- rage doors and the church. A number of well-dressed women man- aged to crowd their way into the awning, and it was with some difficulty that the police were able to eject them. They pushed and fought to keep near the spot where they could see the bride as she descended from her carriage. It was a curious sight, and the only wonder is that some one was not hurt in the crush. The street was banked solidly with people from Mr. Hay’s house across to the church, and frequently the people crowded so closely onto the horses that it seemed only a miracle that some were not run down by the prancing steeds. It was one of the finest turnouts of horseflesh ever seen in this city, and the elegant carriages, with their liveried foot- men and coachmen, added greatly to the general display. By 11 o'clock there was a linz of equipages extending from beyond I street to the church door, and as each one drove off there was another to take its place. In fhe line there were many open carriages, and the ladies, in the hand- somest of spring toilets, came in for a large share of attention and admiration. Many people came on foot as weil, but had it not been for the friendly assistance of the po- lice they would have fared hardly in getting through the surging crowd. About 11:20 a carriage drove up from the direction of the White House, and the line coming the other way was stopped, for it was seen that the carriage was the one be- longing to the President. Inside sat -Mrs. Cleveland, and as the crowd recognized her there was a general movement in that di- rection, which even the mounted police could not stem, and the driver had no easy task guiding his big pair of bays up to the door. She was alone, and entered the church unattended. A few minutes later one of the family carriages drove up, bringing Mrs. Leiter and two of her guests, and this was fol- lowed by another, in which were the bridesmaids. As they were recognized there was a big struggle to get nearer, and some women cried out that they were pepe crushed and many came near faint- Ing. Promptly at 11:30 o’clock the big double earriaga in wh’ rode the bride dashed up with a clanking of chains and the clat- ter of hoofs. It came in a direction op- posite to the main procession. The cur- tains were not drawn and the crowd hai a splendid look at the beautiful face of the woman who was so soon to lend luster to an English name. She looked pale, but fair as a lily, if a dark-haired woman may be sald to be fair, and the gown she wore was a vision of delight. The long train was spread out on the front seat. She wore no gloves. On the left hand there were no rings, but on the third fin- ger of the right hand she wore a splen- did ruby, set with a diamond of equal size on either side, the engagement ring. Mr. Leiter rode in the carriage with her and assisted her to alight. Inside the awning she was met by a maid, who assisted her with her train, and walked behind her up to the church door, where the wedding Party were awaiting her coming. The wedding presents were numerous and valuable. Mrs. Clevelan@ {s credited with having given the bride a silver loving cup. The bride has spent the Sundays lately in the country with M land. Mr. and Mrs. Leiter's pr elude a diamond necklace. The decorations of the Leiter manston were in perfect harmony with its sub- stantial elegance. Light, gay effects were attained by the use of spring flowers, branches of peach, cherry and apple blos- soms, brought from the far south, with orange blossoms, iris, bouganvalley and white magnolias, with lilies, tulips, hya- cinths and daffodiis. Perhaps the prettiest of all were the peach and cherry blossoms, which were used with profusion in every direction, In the empire drawing room the mirror above the light marble mantel was framed in maldenhafr fern and festooned with white ribbons. Palms reached up to it on either side, and in front of this taste- (Continued on Seventh Page.) HE WROTE A LETTER |4M84ssaporeustis'sPEECH Details Regarding the Charges Against Ex-Consul Waller. TRIAL LASTED LESS THAN FCUR HOURS Taken on Board the Vessel in Chains. = NOW LODGED JIN PRISON \ MARSEILLES, April 22—The case of Mr. John L. Waller, formerly United States consul at Tamatave,Island of Mada- gascar, who was recently sentenced by a French court-martial to imprisonment for twenty years, and who arri on Saturday last on board the steamer Djemnah, is attracting considerable at- tention in view of the fact that it has been announced that the United States ambassa- dor at Paris, Mr. James B. Eustis, has been instructed to inquire into the mat- ter. The Trip to Marseilles. Mr. Waller was manacled while on board the Djemnah between Tamatave and Ma- junge, on the northwest coast of the Island of Madagascar. But from that port on he was allowed to take two hours’ exercise daily on deck, guarded by a soldter. During the voyage Mr. Waller spoke but little, although he frequently asked to be allowed permission to write. The Hrerch officials declined to ¢ is request cn account of his refusal to them the letter he intended t before the court-martial Mr. Wat! claimed, refused to speak in Frez the ser¥ices of an interpreter hi employed during the trial. Another American Implicated. Mr. Waller’s nephew, who is twenty-five years of age, is said to be implicated in the proceedings which led to his uncle's arrest, trial and condemnation, and the young men was condemned to expulsion from the Island of Madagascar. He em- berked as a seecnd-ciass passenger on board the Djemnah, but landed at Zanzi- bar without having been able to communi- cate with his uncle. For the present Mr. Waller is incarcerat- ed in the prison at Fort St. Nicholas, at this port. It is thought probable that he will again be called upon to appear before a@ court-martial. The Letter Waller Wrote. PARIS, April 22—The correspondent of the Temps at Tamatave, Island of Mada- gascar, states that John L. Waller, for- merly United States consul ut that place, was indicted on two charges—namely, vio- lation of an order of the French admiral governing correspondence, and, secondly, writing to the enemy. The evidence, the correspondent adds, showed that Mr. Waller intrusted to an officer of a steamboat a bulky letter, which was posted at Natal, and which was ad- dressed to “M. Tessier, merchant, Anta- nanarivo, via Vatomandry. Unfortunately, the Engli mail was not dropped at Vatomandry, but was landed at Tamatave, where the envelope at ed the attention of the authorities, who open- ed it and found that !t contained particu- lars regarding the strength of the French garrison, the number of portance of the outpost velope, it is further stated, also contained an inclosure addressed to Mr. Waller's friend, F. Underwood Harvey, editor of the Madagascar News, asking the latter to insert it in that paper. This inclosure it is stated, contained abominable calum- nies regarding the conduct of the French soldiers, and denounced two of Mr. Wal- ler’s compatriots, American merchants, who were going to Antananarivo, as being spies in the pay of Franc The trial of Mr. Waller, continues the corespondent of the Temps, lasted ‘only three hours and three-quarters, at the end of which time he was condemned to twenty years’ imprisonment. Mr. Waller appealed against this sen- tence, but it was eventually confirmed. According to the correspondent of the Temps it was a son-in-law of Mr. Waller, Paul Bray, a native of Texas, and not his nephew,who accompanied him on board th Djemnah. Mr. Bray, it is added, was ex- pelled from the Island of Madagascar for constant hostility to the French authori- ties and troops, and for complicity with his father-in-law in communicating with the enem; Bray, it is stated in conclusion, was handed er to the American consul at Zanzibar. Ambassador Eustis Not Instructed, United Stafes Ambassador Eustis, in an interview today with a representative of the Associated Press, denied that he had received instructions from Washington to investigate the case of ex-Consul Waller. ee TO DIE ON WEDNESDAY. Date Fixed for the+Execution of Buchanan. SING SING, N. ¥., April 22—Warden Sage has fixed Wednesday morning at 11 o'clock for the execution of Dr. Buchanan. Buchanan, who two weeks ago showed signs of breaking down, is now displaying wonderful nerve. He still has hope, and told his wife so when she called on him yesterday afternoon. She remained with Buchanan for over two hours, and wept most of the time. When she asked him if he was preparing to meet death, he re- plied that he had not come to that yet, and that he would not give up all hope un- til one more final appeal was made to Gov. Morton. When Mrs. Buchanan took her leave of her husband he made her promise to go to Albany this morning and ask Gov. Mor- ton to grant him a respite of thirty days. Warden Sage is taking every precaution in Buchanan’s case. The food which the condemned man eats is prepared from the warden’s private table, the meat being cut in small pieces, so that Buchanan can eat without either ‘knife or fork. Law Gibbons, Buchanan's counsel, stated this forenoon that he did not see that he could do anything more for the condemned man. He said that if any ap- peal was made to the governor today for a | furth it would probably be made by Buchanan's w Lawyer Gibbons said ho understood that the New York Medical Society would hold a meeting today and pass a resolution petitioning Gov. Morton to commute Buchanan's death sentence, ee CANDIDATES APPEARF. NEW Those Who Want to Be Assistant Con- troller of the Trensury. . New candidates have appeared for ap- pointment as assistant controller of the treasury. Missouri claims the office on the general ground that it belongs to that state. Judge Mansur, the late assistant controller, was appointed from Missourl. ‘There are several candidates from that state, ex- Representative Arnold being apparently in the lead. Other applicants are ex-Repre- sentatives Cooper and Bynum of Indiana, ex-Representative Wise of Virginia and ex- Representative Pearson of Ohio. It is ex- pected that the President will make an ap- pointment to this office about the end of the ‘week. He is embarrassed by the weafth of material at his disposal, His Vigorous Deliverance o2 the American Foreign Policy. pulse of the Moment, but the Result of Strong Conviction— His Reputation for Frankness. The vigorous deliverance of Ambassador Eustis at a banquet in London the other night on the foreign policy of the United States recalis the fact that for several months after the democratic success of 1se2 the name of Mr. Eustis was very gen- erally canvassed in connection with the premiership of the incoming Cleveland ad- ministration. Many prominent members of the party, north and south, were strongly in favor of the appointment. ‘They knew the man, had observed his course while he Was a member of the Senate, and had fermed a very high opinion no less of his <eurage and character than of his intellec- tual quality. They likewise knew that he was widely read on subjects of interna- tional scope, and that as a member of the Senate committee on foreign relations he had taken a distinctly American stand on every proposition presented for considera- tions There was nothing resembling a movement if Mr. Eustis’ behalf. The char- actcr of the office and of the man alike forbade anything of that kind. But when it was ascertained that Mr. Cleveland would not recall any of his former advisers to the council table, it was suggested to the President-elect that the ex-Senator from Louisiana would make a capital Secretary of State. Mr. Cleveland assented most cor- @ially to the propositicn, but intimated, without at that time going into particu- lars, that there w:re other important posts to be filled, and that it might be necessary to command Mr. Eustis’ fine abllities for one of these. Shortly afterward followed the announcement of the selection of Judge Gresham for the State Department and of Mr. Eustis for the French mission. Value of His Tribute to This Country. It was conceded at once that Mr. Eustis had been admirably placed. Not only would his capacity for diplomatic business “ be brought imto play, but his residence in Paris would be most agreeable to him. Speaking the French language like a na- tive, and familiar with the country from re- peated visits there, he would be almost at home, and certain to command the more attention by reason of being able thus to meet the Frenchmen on even terms in every way. It is said, too, by those in position to krow, that Mr. Eustis ts filling the re- quirements of his office in the most com- plete manner, and that the business of the legation at Paris was never more satis- factorily dispatched. ‘The real value of Mr. Eustis’ tribute to his country is thought to grow out of the fuct that he was not speaking as the result of any hasty observation, or from impres- sions gathered from Bmited opportunities. He was not giving hts hearers the benefit only of two years of experience as a diplo- mat abroad. He was not detailing merely the gist of conversations on public affairs that had reached his ears since taking charge of his country’s business. at the neh capital. He was a traveler before he became a diplomat. He was personally acquainted with many of the public men of Europe before he appeared among them with an official commission in his hand. When he stood up in London, therefore, and compared his own country with foreign countries on the score of humanity and a recognition of the rights of others he spoke ‘an, and one in every way entitled ard. He knew his subject thor- and his friends have noted with the greatest pleasure that in stating it he was never in better oratorical trim. The cable, while giving the speech briefly, gave the points that were most characteristic, and these are thought to show that Mr. Eustis was in fine speaking fettle. Famous for Frankness. This speech also recalls the fact that Mr. Eustis has always been famous for frank- ness. The President himself can bear wit- ness to that fact, and it ts said really to be the basis of the very high regard that he cherishes for the Louisianian. The first note of criticism he heard from any repre- sentative man in his party after his first term in the White House began came from Mr. Eustis, at that time a Senator from Louisiana. The ball had not opened to suit the democracy. The mugwumps were making big claims of influence. The Pres- ident’s position was not clearly defined. He had made several appointments that were displeasing to the party managers, and that scemed to thréaten a little more non-partisanship than at that time they could bring themselves to approve. There was a good deal of murmuring, but most of it was in a minor key. The democratic leaders were overrun with applications for places from their constituents, and they were slow about making open or too point- ed complaint for fear cf injuring their standing at the White House. But Mr. Eustis broke the silence in an interview that sounded in the ears of the politiclans like a bell at night. As a democratic Senator from Louisiana he, too, wanted recognition for many friends, but, regardless of this, he ex- pressed himself without reserve, declared’ that the President could not afford to pur- sue the policy about appointments that the mugwumps were advertising without wrecking his party,and closed with a polite demand that the claims of the rank and file of the democracy be first considered. It was regarded as a very bold step, and for.a time the President, it is said, was somewhat displeased. The criticism, how- ever, was so clear and so frank and so en- tirely devoid of all threat or bluster that after Mr. Cleveland had examined fully the source of it he conceived a hearty regard for Mr. Bustis, and in the campaign of 1802 conferred with him on more than one occasion about matters of the highest im- portance. Mr. Eustis took the stump in that campaign and spoke effectively in several of the states then considered doubtful. Those who know him assert that if Mr. Eustis were in the Senate now he woukl be found standing shoulder to shoulder with Mr. Morgan in support of what is called an ambitious foreign policy for this government. oe The Repairs of the Aqueduct Bridge. Maj. Davis, corps of engineers, who has charge of the repairs to the Aqueduct bridge, said today that there had been some delay on the part of Shailer & Sching- lau, who have the contract for the con- struction of a coffer dam at the defective pier, but that he did not expect any serious trouble in consequence, nor did he look for any further delay, inasmuch as one of the contractors has come to the city for the special purpose of remedying existing de- fects and expediting the work. —_—__-e-—____ The Perry at San Diego. A telegram was recetved at the Treasury Department today announcing the arrival of the revenue cutter Perry at San Diego, Cal., on her way from New York for San Francisco. She is behind her schedule, and will not be able to accompany the fleet for Bering sea, which will start north from San Francisco tomorrow. ———_o+___<_ Government Receipts. National bank notes received for redemp- tion today, $229,479. Government receipts— From internal revenue, $802,476; customs, $042,437; miscellanecus, $75,917. Gone to Naw York. Secretary Gresham has gone to New York on private business for a few days and Second Assistant Secretary Adee is in charge of the affairs of the State Depart- ment, DARK TALE OF CRIME Billy Williams’ Confession Hangs Together. THE POLICE AT WORK ON CLUES Young Offutt, His Accomplice Still at Large. THE PRIZE FIGHT SHOOTING The Star’s story Saturday of daring crim- inal exploits, in part of which Billy Williams was, and nearly all of which he saw, was a surprise to ali concerned, to Williams himself, no less than to others. Travel overnight enlarged the tale by Sunday morning, but the whole truth, so far as Williams’ statement to the grand jury goes, was contained-in The Star’s account Sat- urday. The fact that there has been a gang of bold, skillful, unscrupulous crimi- nals operating in Washington’ during the past winter is plain. That they are respon- sible for all the crimes committed here in that time is possible, but Williams’ story to the grand jury did not assume so much. In a communication received from him this morning Williams verifies The Star's account. Williams Verifies the Account. His letter ts as foyows: UNITED STATES JAIL, CELL 67, WASHINGTON, D. C., April 21 To the Editor of The Evening Star: How you obtained such an accurate ac- count of what I testified to before the grand jury is a mystery to me. The Star is always alive to almost every important event that is going on, hence it is not surprising when one sees in The Star a report of some great happening. I de- sire to correct one statement, which does me an injustice. While I may have been a dangerous man, yet I have a human heart and a soul to be saved. In regard to the assassination of Sergt. Daley, I said that his life was in danger for three months. I refused to do the job. I told the parties who offered me §s00 and a fine horse and carriage, that I could not kill the man in cold blood, and I would not do it. Finding out that I would not do the job, an ex-policeman, who was dismissed from the force through Sergt. Daley, vol- unteered to kill him if I would help him, which I refused to do. With this correc- tion, your publication of my testimony be- fore the grand jury is correct. Very respectfully, WILLIAM WILLIAMS. ” Not in All of Them. As to the various crimes with which hearsay connects Williams, they are evi- dently guess work. Williams was cate- chised about a number of jobs other than the three h2 confessed, but he could tell the grand jury nothing except in one case. He was not in the Georgetown post office case and knew nothing of jt. He had noth- ing to do with the Rosslyn robbery. He denied knowing anything about holding up R. A. Goldea with the purpose of. robbing him. Neither did he rob the old man in Georgetown who had $1,500 saved up. The Conroy job oa the Long bridge is news to Williams and comes from race track cir- cles, filtered through hangers-on around police headquarters, The only crime, aside from the dock safe-blowing job, the burn- ing of the Lady of the Lake and trying to assassinate Sergt. Daley, is the Dobbins shooting case out at the Bateman-English sparring match near Bladensburg. He knew all about that affair, but did not, he says, take part in it. He says Dobbins, the sporting man, knows all about it, too, and that the police can get at all the facts easi- ly enough. Would Not Be an Williams’ story of the attempt to as- gassinate Sergeant Daley is likely to be proved true and result in several important arrests today or tomorrow. It is a horrible revelation of the depths of villainy to which men can fall. Williams was approached, he says, by a well-known saloon keeper of South Washington, who said that a syndi- cate of whisky men wanted Sergeant Daley out of the way. They feared he would get after them in his crusade against speak- easies and groggeries. This saloon keeper offered Williams a race horse and carriage and $500 if he would take the contract. He was told how to do it. Various plans were talked over before Williams said whether he would accept or not. Shooting was out of the question on account of the noise; stabbing was safer, but the chances were that Daley would be too alert to be caught. Dynamite to Be Used. Finally the syndicate agreed on using dynamite, and an old blacksmith shop on 7th street, in South Washington, was chosen as the colgn of vantage. Williams was to hide up overhead in the shop, and as Daly went by he was to kill him by throwing a dynamite bomb at him. This course seemed available, and the syndicate went so far as to furnish the bomb that was to do the business. But to kill a man in cold blood was just over and above Will- iams. He was tempted by the offer, but the job was not exactly in his repertoire. He declined the offer. Then the plot took on another character. An ex-policeman, said to be a member of the Fat Men’s Club, was found who would listen to the proposition. ‘This man had a grudge against Sergt. Daley for getting him discharged from the police force, and he was willing to go into the thing. But he wanted Will- iams to stay in, even if he didn’t commit the crime. The dynamite scheme was ad- hered to, and the ex-policeman was to throw the bomb. Williams was feared be- cause he had been talked with, and the syndicate and the ex-policeman wanted him to be‘implieated if possible. The last Williams knew the hired assassin was still on the watch for his chance, but Sergt. Daley seemed to know that something was up, and the chance never came. Whether Williams was the one who warned Daley or not is not-known. = Williams Not to Be Seen. This morning a Star reporter called at the jail and asked permission to see “Billy” Williams, knowing the prisoner would be willing to talk to correct some of the stories that have been circulated about him. ‘There was no porter about the big brown- stone building to convey the information, “Mr. Williams is not at home.” He was there, and was in room 67, a large, com- fortable cell, but Warden Leonard said he was not at home to reporters or others. The district attorney had given orders that no one, and especially reporters, should be allowed the privilege of seeing the prisoner upon whose information so many indictments will probabiy be found. His information given to the grand jury had surprised even those officials, who had expected he would tell about the safe rob- bery or “squeal,” as such conduct is termed. ‘They had expected he would make a con- fession and thought he might possibly clear up two or three cases other than the safe- blowing job, but when he told of the con- spiracy to murder Police Sergeant Daley the officers were very much surprised. When Williams made this full confession to the members of the grand jury he told his story in a straightforward way, and very little cross-questioning was done. The members of the grand jury were favorably impressed with the story of the crimes and his demeanor was such that they wanted but little corroborative proof in order to find indictments. This proof was found by Detectives Horne and Weedon, who have Assassin. had the case in hand, and the safe-blowing indictment was returned. Now the officers are investigating the part of the affair relating to the mtended killing of Sergeant Daley, and it is thought that after the arrest of one of the two in- dicted parties at large some more “squeal- ing” will be done and the case will be in such shape that indictments for this al- leged murderous conspiracy may be re- turned. z The grand jury ts now in session, and while it is rumored that some indictments may be returned, no definite information on this subject can be obtained. Why He Confessed. Just how “Billy” Williams came to make his confession some of the officers claim to be ignorant. The fact that he was mar- ried, his old companions say, caused“him to make the confession, and soon after his ar- rest some of them’ predicted that such would be the case. Detective Horne, who has known Wil- liams better than almost any other officer, was also satisfied that he could not hold cut and be separated from his wife. Soon after Williams’ arrest his wife ap- peared at the police station to see him and employed counsel for him. When he was sent to jail she went there to see him, and has visited him there cn two occasions. It is said that she begged him to confess all he knew about the matter, and save himself from a prison sentence, and this, it was thought, had had great weight with him. She told him that if he did not squeal first some of the rest of the gang would seize upon the chance, and he would be convicted and sent to prison. As long as his connection with the gang would necessarily be shown up she told ‘him he might as well get some advantage out of the thing by making a confess‘on. Williams was careful in what he agreed to do, and it is said that he was }-romised full immunity from punishment for any implication in any of the crimes in which his name has been mentioned. When he gave his evidence before the grand jury copies of his evidence were made and Major Moore and Chief Hollin- berger of the detective corps were each iven a copy. These copies they kept Where no one could see them and when ‘The Star published the exclusive story of the confession Saturday the officers were more than surprised. Who “Alton” Is. The young man called Alton, whose name has been kept out of the papers, in order to assist the detectives in locating him, is really named Offutt. He has been con- rected, so it is said, with the Dempsey- Desmond-Williams gang for a year, and it was he who got all the necessary informa- tion around the dock before the ferry com- pany’s safe was blown open. Young Offutt is highly q@onnccted, and it is believed he could command the use of influence and meney to save him from arrest and punish- ment. He was frightened by the arrest of Williams when the raid was made on Alexander Island, and went to Williams’ house in South Washington and promised Mrs. Williams to secure counsel and bail for Williams, and was at work in that ef- fort at the time that Williams was pre- aed upon by his wife to make a confes- sion. Nearly Caught Offutt. He was to have come to Williams’ house Thursday evening with papers to show that he had secured A. A. Lipscomb as lawyer for Williams and the necessary bail. As soon as Williams told his stery to the grand jury and it was learned that. Offutt was to be at Williams’ house that night, detectives were stationed near the house to make the arrest if he came, But he did not show up and has not been seen since. The last heard of him was that he had gone fishing up near Rockville. One item of proof which is expected to make the case clear against Desmond is the discovery of a Grand Army button on which his name was engraved, which was Seen on one of the men who took part in the Dobbins shooting near Bladensburg. This was found in Desmond's valise, and connects him directly with that aifair. Burning the Lady of the Lake. Williams’ statement in regard to the burning of the Lady of the Lake must be taken with considerable allowance for the present. He declared that he was ap- proached with a proposition from a party interested in the insurance, offering him a handsome sum to burn the boat. The de- tectives are said to have connected young Offutt with this crime, and several im- portant arrests are looked for hourly. At the office of the People’s Transporta- tien Company, the organization which owns the Lady of the Lake, none of the officers were to be found. The two young women employed there as clerks were the only occupants of the office, and they were lit- tle inclined to talk about Williams’ state- ment. From what they said it did not ap- pear that anybody had as yet received any insurance, and it was highly uncertain who would receive it. That the full force of Williams’-charges was known and un- derstood was admitted, and it was said by one of the clerks that detectives had acquainted them with Williams’ story some dczys ago. Yet the young women said none of the officers if the People’s Transporta- tion Company desire to make any state- ment whatever. Reared in Crime. “Billy” Williams began his criminal career when he was not more than ten years old. At that time he was locked up in the old jail here on a charge of till tap- ping. and his father, also called “Billy” Williams, who was the driver of a “night- line” hack, was also in jail. He was sen- tenced to the penitentiary and a few years later his son followed. “Billy” Williams, ir., Is now about thirty- eight years old, and the police say he has served nearly twenty years in prison. He served four years for burglary here, five years in the Cherry Hill, Pa., prison and five years in Richmond for the murder of Policeman Arnold. Many crimes have been attributed to him which would have sent him to the penitentiary, but he man- oged to keep from getting caught. He has always associated with dangerous criminals and has served time in jail, in addition to terms in state’s prison. eS GOVER? A Prospect of a Deficit Instend of a Surplus. The exhibit of government finances for the week which has just closed ts said to be very diccouraging to the Secretary of the Treasury. The statement shows that the surplus which he so strenuously in- formed Congress would exist at the end of the present fiscal year seems certain to be turned into a deficit. The receipts for the week which ended Saturday were $877,621. The expenditures for the week were $1,571,- 461. The receipts for the six months ended Saturday were $17,085,435. The expendi- tures for the same period were $27,754,824. That is a total deficit already for the cur- rent six months of $10,669,389. It is an- nounced, moreover, that by May 1 the com- missioner of pensions will make a draft on the eeesury, of $12,000,000 for pension pay- ments. The Secretary of the Treasury is sald to be greatly disappointed in the receipt from income tax. The claim now is only $14,- 500,000, yet that represents only the re- turns, and it is believed that there will be a large margin between returns and py: ments. The payment of a very consider- able portion of the amount returned will, it is thought, be contested, and a large part of the tax upon incomes returned will not be in the treasury by July 1, The Secretary of the Treasury !s, more- over, greatly disappointed in customs re- ceipts from sugar. The present indications ere that the treasury, instead of recelving $42,000,000 from sugar duties in the fiscal year under the new tariff law, is not likely to receive more than $28,000,000, even if the importations keep up to the usual figures. Thus far there seems to be a pretty heavy falling off in importations. The March receipts have falien below those of any March since 1890. ETHER EXPLODED Patent Office Photographic Room Completely Wrecked, EMPLOYES BURNED AND SCORCHED A Midday Sensation in a Business Quarter. DETAILS OF THE ACCIDENT Shortly after 1 o'clock today the busy neighborhood of 9th and F streets was shocked by the sound of a heavy explosion, followed by the crashing of the windows in the southwest corner basement room of the Interior Department building. There was a rush of flames and dense smoke from the openings. Buildings in the vicinity were shaken, and two or three passers-by were Partially stunned by the rear. The first ar- rivals of the immense crowd that quickly gathered saw several persons climbing out through the fire and smoke to the parking outside, and ran to their assistance. Albert Flint, a young man residing at 1420 F street northeast and in charge of ‘the photographic blue print room of the patent office, was picked up nearly un- conscious, and when carried to Williams’ drug store, in Masonic Temple, was found to have been terribly burned. His injuries were temporarily treated by Dr. Heineck and he was then removed to the Emer- geacy Hospital. G. M. Parker ef 303 G street northeast, employed as a watchman in the Interior Department, was also pain- fully burned on the right hand and his hair and whiskers were badly scorched. As the injured men were being removed the engines and the reserve police force rived in response to an alarm that had been turned in from several of the near ty emergency boxes, and a fight with the fire that was making considerable headway re- sulted in its rapid extinguishment. Details of the Explosion. The explosion took place in the photo- graphic room of the patent office. G. Thiel- kuhl and Flint were handling a large car- boy of ether, containing about 500 pounds, when it broke. Mr. Thielkuhl says he thought the ether, pouring from the broken carboy, ran over on the stove. Another of the assistants said that he believed the ether vapors reached the lamp in the dark room, which he was then approaching. Whatever the means of- ignition, there was a tremendous explosion, which communi- - cated the flames to another carboy, also containing 500 pounds of ether, and this exploded immediately after the first con- cussion. Flint fell into the mass of flame that im- mediately spread all over the room. He lay writhing on the ground, his clothing afire, and calling piteously for help. The other men had blown from the room by the _ force of-the explosion. Thielkuhl says he found himself outside of the window. He does not know whether he jumped or was blown out. $ J. C. Wheat, who neds og the paper for printing the photograpl was by Flint’s side when the ether ignited. He says he was hurled against the wall and then found his way out into the corridor, which . was by this ‘time densely filled with smoke. He could hear Flint calling for help, but could not go to him. It is a curious fact that Wheat, who is okey cue ysaearanet. bin in the johnstown and escaj unharmed, although his brother was killed. In this disaster he was immediately by the side of the man who was worst hurt and did not receive a scratch. Thielkuhl had his eyebrows singed, and was a bit shaken up by the force of the ex- plosion. C. F. Blackledge, another assist- ant in the photograph room, was blown from the window and was quite badly shocked. His hair and brows were singed. The hats and coats of most of the men were burned and soaked. Flint, who was the worst burned, is about twenty-three years old, and unmarried. He lives with Dr. Thomas Taylor of the Agri- cultural Department, on Capitol Hill. Files Damaged. The -flames rushed out of the photo- graph room and communicated with the files, which are stacked from floor to ceil- ing in the corridors adjacent. These files belong to the patent office, and are of some value, being the sets of duplicate drawings and specifications of patents that have been issued. They are preserved for sale to private individuals, and bring $15 a set when complete. They were not badly burred, but were completely water soaked. The firemen detected smoke coming from one of the cases after they had succeeded in putting out the fire in the photograph room, and tore down several hundred of these sets in an effort to locate the flames, They probably, destroyed many of the doc- uments in this way. Attendants were busy at once picking up the papers and trying to preserve them, but a good many dollars’ damage was doubtless done before the fire and water had ceased to do their work. There were also in these corridors some of the original drawings, and these may have been destroyed. This will be a great loss, as these drawings constitute the offi- cial records of the patents to which they appertain. Through a Solid Wall. Miss Annie Nevius is in charge of the telephone switch in a little room just east of the photograph room, on the F street side. There is a solid wall between her nook and the scene of the explosion, but the shock and the cries of the injured men reached her atid caused her to faint away. She was found by some of the men who had hurried to the rescue, and taken out unconscious. She revived at once, and went away unharmed, but considerabl shocked. A rumor spread that she ha been killed by the explosion, and many anxious inquiries were made by her friends. Her brother, who is chief operator at the telephone office, could not raise the patent office switch, and sent a man to the scene of the explosion in hot haste. Mr. Flint’s Injuries. At the Emergency Hospital Mr. Flint’s injuries were more thoroughly examined, and he was found to be covered with burns all over the body and limbs, his clothing, apparently, having been no protection from the fiery flames of the ether. It was also found that he had probably inhaled some of the burning vapor. His injuries are not such as to cause any serious fears of his early recovery. —___+-0+—____. THE DISTINGUISHED SICK. Representatives Hitt and Cogswell Are Both Reported Better. Representative Hitt of Illinois, who has been suffering frcm grip and rheumatism, which has affected his heart, is reported slightly better this morning. It is now be- Meved that he will recover, though his con- dition is serious. The condition of Representative Cogs- well of Massachusetts is aiso reported to be improved. His attending physician says he is better than he was upon his return from the West Indies. Mr. Cogswell has kidney trouble. o-—_____ Rehearing Denied. The United States Supreme Court today denied a rehearing in the case of the Havemeyer and Elder Sugar Refining Com- any against the collector of the port of New York, being a claim for refund of cus- toms duties.