Evening Star Newspaper, October 7, 1897, Page 1

( - THE EVENING STAR. eo PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 31C1 Terrsylvania Avenue, Cer. 1ith &t., by Few York Ofice, 49 Potter Building. The Evening Star fs served to subscribers fo the ity by cerriers. on their own account, at 10 ecnis per week, or 44 cents per month. Copies at the ccunter Z cents cach. By mail—anywhere im the United States or Cenada—postage prepsid—50 ecats Fer month. é Saterday Quint saeee, San. $1 per sear, wit! foreizn postage added, $3.00. tEntest at the Fost Omics at Washington, D. C., as secend-class mail matter. C7 All mail subscriptions raust be paid in advance. Rates of advertising made known on application. No. 13,916. WASHINGTON, D. ©. THURSDAY, OCFOBER 7, 1897-FOURTEEN PAGES. TWO CENTS: BIG FIRE IN DETROIT — + Five Large Buildings and Two Smaller Ones Consumed. LOSS ESTIMATED AT ABOUT $700,000 Blaze Started in the Opera House Early This Morning. JULIA ARTHUR’S LOSSES DETROIT, Mich., October 7.—Five large buildin;s and two smaller ones, with all their contents, were destroyed this morning by a fire which swept through a block situ- ated in the center of tne business portion of Detroit and bounded by the Campus Martius, Woodward, Gratiot and Monroe avenues. The total loss is estimated at $600,000 to $700,000. The blaze started shortly before 1 o'clock on the stage of the Detroit Opera House. The origin of the fire is not determined. It was not noticed until the flames leaped out at the rear of the theater, following a blowing out of a rear wall by the ex- plosion of a calcium light. The opera house faced the Campus Martius and was ob- liquely across from the city hall. Its rear end was closely surrounded by the rear of other buildings fronting respectively on Woodward, Gratiot and Menroe avenues, and the original location of the fire was le when the firemen first arrived. few minutes, however, the flames had communicated to the front and roof of the theater, and the firemen began a several ours’ fight against the spread of the flames. Opera House Burned Quickly. The opera house burned at a terrific rate, the interior being a solid mass of flame. Meanwhile the ten-story building occupied by the Henry R. Leonard Furniture Com- pany got afire in the upper stories. Though it was supposed to be fireproof, the flames swept through its inflammable contents from the rear to the Gratiot avenue front, until within two hours nothing remained but the steel framework of the building. The buildings next adjoining the opera house were the large jewelry establishment of Wright, Kay & Co. and the tour-story building ironung on the Campus Martius und Monrve avenue, occupied by the C. H. Michell Table Supply Co. By renuous eNorts the jewelry house 3 ved, al- though the suilding caught tire repeatedly, but the Michell building was gutted and all its contents burned. ‘At 3 o'clock it was supposed that the fire weuld probably be contrelied within its then limits, but aided by an_ increasing northwest wind, it swept along both on the Monroe avenue and Gratiot avenue sides of block. From Michell’s communi- d with the large six-stor: d- joining, occupied by C. H. Werr crock- ery house and by the Grand Union Tea Company, causing perhaps the hottest blaze of the conflagration. and leaving nothing remaining at 5 o'clock but the frent walls. On the Gratiot spread east from the Leona: avenue side the flames 1 building to a building occupied by the Central Storage Ccmpany and Vaughan & Tanner, which as ulso consumed, with its contents. A of the latter building fell upon the roof of a two-story structure occupied by the Parisian laundry, which was badly wrecked and. partly consumed. On the Monroe avenue side, a small shoe siore was crushed to fragments by the fall of the east wall of the Werner building. At bota these points was where the progress of the flames was checked. Julin Arthur's Heavy Loss. The early merning hour and the rapia sweep of the fires prevented saving of any centents to. speak of. Among the losses was that of the Julia Arthur Dramatic Company, which playing its first en- gagement in “A Lady of Quality.” All of its handsome costumes and stage settings were destroyed. Miss Arthur was pros- trated over this serious blow to her enter- 4 ‘Ihe front pertion of the theater was oceupied by the Central S. nd Kinnucan's tailoring estab- . the Upper stories front by various rp buildir ings ba lishme: air shops, located en the dock at the foot ef Dequindre street, pearly three-quarters of a mile distant. ht fire from a blazing brand and veral other fires started in a ‘ous small ones ni fire, but none ri ulted in am Moore, janitor of the Opera and wife, who were sleep- floor, narrowly escaped with thei . Lieut. John W. Hopkins znd Pip: rebibald Bennett and John H. Welc ered a serivus tall, caused by the jerking down of a ladder on which they were build « the front of the Michell nnett’s spine seriously in- » o'clock before the fire Its value is estimated at $8,000. 5 quite fully insured. C. J. Whitney, lessee of the billding and , lo: rs about $2 Juli ”), partially in- 3 Arthur Company's loss is ever $2,000, with $10,000 insurance. The Michell building was owned by Geo. H. Barbour. Its value was $20,000, fully in- sured. The Micheli stock was worth d was 9 per cent insured. mnard building stock and building is es- ‘d at $l),00, and was fully insurea. rincipal other losses, most of which irly insured, are as foliows: Central nk. $1040; Hugh Connolly, 310,000: Vatghan & Tanner, $0, Werner, $45,000; Traugott t estate, owner of Werner building, ; Grand Union ‘Tea Company, $25,000: Parisian Laundry, 315,000; Central Storage : Trunk repair shops, $1,500; other minor sur The WHO TANGED MITCHELL. Grand Jury at Urbana, Oblo, Could Net Find Ont. Special Ti » The Evening Star. The men Rho ly Mitchell at Urbana last pe punishment. The grand after having been instructed te inv the ha: = Of Mifchell, has made Refi phi oe glo have ex- amine! twenty-ane witnesses in the matter of the hanging of Chas. Mitchell.and, after a thorough »and © sez: ing €xamination, ave been upahle, to.ascertain. such evi- dene would warrant us in returning an indictment againsé aay, -O8- persons." The people of Urbana ate much pleased with the report «andsfow-hak any ‘idea that it weuld be different. . 3 Gen. William Themypson Dead. TACOMA, Wasb., October 7,—Gen. Wil- liam Thompson, U. S.-A. (retired), is dead, peed eighty-four. Deceased Served throughout the civil war, retiring 2t -his’ owt? request“Wwith the rank of captain in the 7th Cavalry By an act of the lust Congress he was brevetted brigadier general in the regular army. FAVORS POPULAR ELECTION| AT THE WHITE HOUSE|T© Discuss Fist! GULTUR:|FQRFST FIRES RAGE|DISMAL SWAMP ON FiRE General Fitzhugh Lee Discusses His Possible Candidacy for the Senate. If He Makes the Race He Will Tai the Stump Against All Comers. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. RICHMOND, Va., October 7.—Consul General Fitzhugh Lee was interviewed last night in regard to his rumored candidacy for the United States Senate. Said he: “It is too far ahead to talk much about it now, and I have already said that I would make no announcement of such candidacy as long as I was consul general to Cuba, but, whether I am a candidate or not, I think that any man who shall be a candidate should see that the people have a chance to express their will on the, syb- ject. “An earnest and praiseworthy effort was made by the Roanoke convention to allow the people to say who should represent them in the United States Senate, but it was defeated; but that defeat must not be east 1 should be a candidate I shall an- nounce it and express my willingness to submit te the decision of the people by challenging any opponent to meet me on the stump and thus give the people the op- portunity to choese becween us. The ques- tion in that way would be brought before the people when they select, thelr repre- sentatives to the legislature. n. Lee said he had been urged by many friends to announce himself a candidate for the Senate. When asked along what tines e would conduct his campaign if he: de- Bited to ect in the race after his return from Cuba, Gen. Lee safd: “I should insist that the next, senatorial campaign shall be conducted in such 2 tanner that one aspirant shall have ro advantage over another. It is not proper for one candidate to be placed on the ex- ecutive committee cr other committees, where he will be in position to.promote his own candidacy; those who are chosen by the democratic party to conduct its affairs ought to be entirely impartial as between candidates within the party Se MORMON APPEAL FOR UNITY. President Wilford Woodruff Time Hax Come to Act. SALT LAKE, Utah, October 7.—President Wilford Woodruff, speaking at the Mormon conference, said: “The day has come when the mouths of Wilford Woodruff, George Q. Cannon, Joseph Smith and the twelte apostles should rot be closed. God Al- mighty requires you to unite in your tem- ple work and unite in your politics. You should unite to.elect your city council and zlso all your state officials. You must put aside your democracy and republicanism, as latter-day saints, unite, and you not be taxed to death. —— CODY BROTHERS DISCHARGED. Says Montana Sherifi’s Papers Insufficient to Detain Them. BUTTE, Mont., October 7.—The Cody brothers, held at Red Lodge for the North Carolina authorities, have been released on habeas corpus on the ground of the insuf- ficiency in the sheriff's return. ‘The men are under sentence of death for burglary in North Carolina. eee VICTIM OF NEW CASTLE WRECK. Little Doubt That Col. E. Smith Was on the Train. TELLURIDO, Colo., October 7. scarcely rocm for doubt that Smith, Indian agent at Price, Utah, for the Uncompahgres, and correspondent for the Associated Press, was a victim of the wreck on the Denver and Rio Grande rail- road near New Castic on September 10. Mrs. George Shoemaker of this city, daughter of Colonel Smith, received news from her father the day before the wreck occurred stating he wauid leave, Denver for Salt Lake on the ill-fated train, and noth- ing whatever has been heard concerning bim since. L = Sa GINTER’S WILL FILED. Bulk of Hix Fortune Goes to Relatives —Gifts to Charity. Special Dispateh to The Evening Star. RICHMOND, Va., October 7.—The will of the late Cigarette Magnate Lewis Ginter has been filed for probate in Henrico cir- cuit cpurt. Geo. Arent and Thomas. F. Jeffress, both of the American Tobacco Company, qualified as executors. Tax was paid on only $2,000,000, which does not by any means represent Major Ginter‘s wealth. The testator gives the bulk of his estate to his relatives and makes liberal bequests to a score or more.of his personal friends and servants. He leaves handsome sums «to ry charitable institution, in Richmond and Henrico. - —-— NEGRO GRAND JUROR INDICTED. MAJ. Novel Action of a Federal Jury at Atlanta, Ga’ Speci] Dispateh to ‘The Evening Star. AT TA, Ga., October 7.—Since October 1 a United States grand jury has been in session here investigatuzg the moonshine industry in northern Georgia and has brought in many indictments. Oné of the r.est active members of the jury was Louis Phinizy of Campbell county, a negro cot- ton planter of some wealth. Last night twenty-three, of. the twenty- four on the jury found an indictment against Phinizy for making licit whisky, and this morning presented it to court. Phinizy filed a_minorfty’ report, asserting his innocence, but will have to be tried. The case is the first of the sort on record and has seriously embarrassed the federal authorities. —_———-—-— CAPITAL TRACTION DIRECTORS. A Protracted Meeting Being Held To- day Over Improvement Plan The directors of the Capital Traction Company held a meeting today at the Union station in Georgetown, ‘at’ which the general plans for the, rehahWitatjon,of she read were gone over and discussed. Vice President Glover said at 3 o'clock, while the meeting was still in session, that noth- ing had been accomplisked of importance enough to be publisheds/svihse O18 ¥ Gem It is understood that bids for the con- struction of the new underground electric system and the machinery necessary io supply the power were received from scv- eral bidders, and that the directors* were examining them with a view .to reaching a definite conclusion befere adjournment. ee Increase in the District. The total tonnage of the District of Co- lumbia, all of which ts sap domes- tic trade, shows a slight fncrease over last year, although a falling,off inthe of vessels. There are #9). ie ee of 13 741 tons, compa! 12,670 tons last year. ; i ihe whole tonnage abVhe Sinise cott be made up into one not be as great as the. liner Kaiser Wilhelm der Qwosse. steam tonnage of the District amounts to thirty-seven vessels of 10,83¢tent, céfit- pared with forty vessels of 16,301 tons last number Four New Consuls Appointed by the President. CONFERENCE WITH PENNSYLVANIANS Short Chats With Prominent Callers. OLD STORY ABOUT UNIFORMS The presidential consul mill is siowly turning out consulates. The appointments today were as follows: Rufus Fleming, Onio, at Edinburgh, Scot- land; Samuel A. Macallister, Delaware. at Barbados, West Indies; W. W. Ashby of Norfolk, Va., at Colon; Edward Nye of Danville, Ill, at Hankow, China. The latter two appointees are newspaper men, Mr. Ashby being Washington cor- respondent of the Norfolk Landmark and Mr. Nye being connected with the Danville Commercial. Samuel A. Macallister has been promi- nent in republican politics in Delaware for nearly thirty years. He was assistant as- sessor of internal revenue for the district of Delaware from 186) to 1872. He is at Present engaged in the practice of the law in Wilmington, and is also a United States commissioner for the district of Deiaware. He is identified with the Higgins faction of the republican party in Delaware. Senator Penrose and Representatives Bingham, Wanger and Brumm of Pennsyl- vania conferred with the President today about matters in which their constituents are interested. With them -was State Sen- ator Saylor, who is being urged for a diplo- matic post. The delegation is also push- ing State Senator Coyle for a_ consular place. Senator Penrose was asked if he would make any speeches in the New York city campaign. He said that he did not think he would, as he had plenty of work to do in Pennsylvani Senator Thurston was another of the President's callers today. He has been at work in Ohio and is to make more speeches there. He said that he had been ten days with Senator Hanna, and that they had ad- dressed “wonderft!] meetings, at which good nature and contentment weve evident. It is rare that free silver is mentioned. The outlook is splendid for republican success.” Senator Tkurstor was asked if he would make any speeches in New York city. He said that he hed been csked to do so, but had not decided. If he did talk it would be in the interest of Gen. Tracy. “He is the regular republican nominee,” said Sen- ator Thurston, “and I do not see how a republicaz pport anybody else."” Rerrese Alexander and Sher: of New York were visitors during ihe Prefers Black Horses. ‘The bay hcerses whick have for months been attached to the carriage in which Mrs. McKinley takes her morning drives bave been superseded b¥ a pair of geutle black horses. Mrs. McKinley has taken a fancy to the pair of blacks, and prefers them to the bays. The blacks were bought seme time ago by Secretary Porter, who has placed them at the disposal cf the ress of the White House. McKinley rarely misses her morning It is one of her greatest pleasures. Visitors to the city are beginning to learn the hour of her departure on these drives. and go to the White House to see her and to be'the recipients of one of those gentle, sweet stiles which she bestows. No White House Uniforms. ‘The threshing of old stories about White House employes being required to wear uni- forms has no foundation. It was started months ago. Secretary Forter has made no orders in regard to uniforms for em- pleyes, and it is not expected that there will be any general uniforming. Secretary Porter believes that it would be better that the White House people should wear uni- forms, but it is entirely voluntary with there. Doorkeeper Simmons had a uniform made for himself tive months ago, but he is the only employe, with one. SSO WILL MEET THE 0C€ 5 SION. Chairman Jones on the Contention in New York. Senator Jones of Arkansas, chairman of the democratic national committee, is in Washington. When asked by a Siar re- porter if he had taken or intended to take any position“with relation to the contention between Tammany and the Henry George people for recognition of the regular dem- ocracy, Senator Jones said that he knew nething of the situation in New York, ex- e little he bad learned through the “I stall not,” he said, “as- sume any authority that does not belong to me as chairman of the national committee, nor shirk any respensibility that properly fails upon me.” Mr. Jones had very little to say about politics generally, but spoke contentediy of the way things were going with the demo- crats. —— Naval Orders. Capt. J. W. Philip has’ been detached from the Boston navy yard, October 16, and ordered to command the Texas, October 18. Capt. W. C. Wise has been detached from command of the Texas, October 18, and ordered home to wait orders, Capt. G, H. Wadleigh has been detached from special duty at the Boston navy yard and ordered to be captain of the same yard. Naval Constructor J. J. Woodward has been ordered to be superintendent of con- struction at Newport News, Va. Lieut. J. B. Blish has been detached from the Philadelphia and ordered to the Marion. Lieut. J. M. Ellicott has been detached from the Marion and ordered to the Balti- more. Ensign F. L. Sawyer has been ordered to the Wilmington. Chief Engineer W. H. Nauman has been detached from the Marion and ordered to the Monadnock. Assistant Gunner T. J. Shuttleworth has been ordered to the Indiana. ee Internal Revenue Service Changes. The Treasury Department has made the following appointments in the internal rev- enue service: Leo J. Snavely and. Hugh M. Strachan, storekcepers and gaugers at Sacrameato, Cal. Four reinstatements have been made in Kentucky, as follows: Louls F. Sasseen, gauger; George Lang, store- keeper; Oliver M. Boyer, storekeeper and gauger; Willard H. Lawson, storekeeper. ——e<—______ To Be Presented to Hartford. The city of Hartford, Conn., has cent out inviations to cfficials here to attend the celebration of Farragut day, October 19, aad Chief Constructor Philip Hichborn has teea invited to present to the-city the ola head of the famous flagship Hart- _ A’New Yerker’s Death in Japan. Vice Consul Sharp at Hiogo;-Japan, has Walsh of New York city, at Hiogo; Septem- ber 16, from an attack of: heart disease. sul at Nagasaki. At the ti; of his death he was manager of the in which he had an interest, paper mill, The Congrers-to Be Held at Tampa in January. Harmony Among the States in Legis- 5 tion to Be Sought—Spongen and Oysters. ‘The fish commission 1s very much inter- ested in the national fishery congress, which convenes at Tampa, Florida, in Jan- wary, 1898. The congress will, it is be- Neved, prove to be one of the most note- worthy gatherings of the kind ever held in the country. A large attendance of rep- resentatives of the various state fish com- missions, angling and fishing associations, and the national fish Commission is expect- ed, and all persons interested in fishing, angling and fish culture will be welcomed. The United States government has. ex- tended invitations to the governments of Great Britain, Germany, Russia, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Sweden and Nor- way, Denmark, Belgium, Austria-Hungary, Greece, ‘the Netherlands, Japan, China, Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela and other coun- tries, It is proposed to organize an inter- national fishery association at the con- gress, The call for the congress was issued by Governor Bloxham of Florida. One of the main objects is to secure Turmony among the states in providing fer the preserva- tion, propagation and protection of their water products. Fish culture, oyster culture, turtle cul- ture and frog culture are down on the pro- gram for discussion. The application of modern methods to the cultivation of oysters is a subject in which all the coastal states will be interested. Turtle culture is an innovation, but is fast becoming a necessity in the absenee of protection to the young and eggs cf the green turtle. The utilization of waste riarsh land and ponds for the rearing of bullfrogs for market is a subject of great interest to many thousands of people. The opportun- ity for those of small means to engage in this business is excellent. The Sponge Inda@stry. One of the timely topics that will be promiently presented to thé’congress ts the sponge industry. While Florida is the enly state actively participating in the sponge fishery, every state is indirgctly interest Already some of the bést &ponge ground: have been depleted, and the mecessity for artificial measures to maintain the supp is being generally appreciated. Sponge cul. ture is one of the most promising ficlds row opening in connection with the fisher- ies. With unlimited water*bettom of suit- able character for plantimg, and with a home demand far in excets of the presen? output of the Florida reefs, the growing of sponges ought to engage the attention of many people in the next few years, and it is expected that this congress will give an incentive to the enterprife. United States fish commission is'said to be consid- ering the transplanting. of some of the finer grades of Mediterranean sponges to Florida waters, The best Turttish and Af- rican sponges bring $40 to $0 a pound,while the chotce8t of the Plorida sheepswee] sponges are worth only $2 or $3 a pound. Fishery Legisinilen. The condition, extenty, fhetho@s and needs of’ the, great commercial fisheries will re- ceive corsiderable attention, as, will the question of fishery legislation. “Exhibits of fishing apparatus, fishery products “and appliances for preserving or preparing fish are solicited from dealers, :anufactur- ers and others. Some device for frying fish like fruit is said to be much needed on parts cf the southern coast. A session of the congress will be de- voted to the angling interests, and an op- pertunity will be che afforded for an inter- Ze of experiences by anglers from all s of the country. An engling tour- nament and competitive tests in fly casting, with appropriate prizes, have been provided fer. OLEOMARGARINE LAW VIOLATIONS. Deputy Collector Hamlet Says They Will Be Rigorously Prosecuted. Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue Hamlet, in charge of the-Washington of- fice, said today that he was determined that the laws should be strictly enforced in the District. “I wish to state,” he said to The Star re- porter today, “that the internat revenue laws shall be vigorously upheld during :ay connection with this office. CoHector Par- lett ha» especially instructed me as to the existing and flagrant violations of the iaws and regulations in certain, sections of the District, notably in regard’ to the oleomar- garine violations, which ‘The Star has m Uoned. We shall go to wprk and find out exactly where these laws are being broken and will prosecute the offenders to the full- est extent of the law. | “I do rfot care to speak of what has been done in the past. I. have just talten charge, with Mr. Nesbiit; and realize that there fs a chu to make a good record, and shall take advantage of this fact. 1 do nct wish to impugn,the motives of iny predecessors in the least.” Mr. Hamlet sald, furthér that every ef- fort uld be made to feétret out the vio- lators of the liquo: vs in different sec- tions of the cit articularly in that known as the “Division. = Only two of the four députies have been ted, and it is not definitcly known the other appointments will be made —s - MAY APPOINT MR. HERBERT. ‘ = Defending the Godvernment Suits of the Cramps. It is not improbable that ex-Secretary* Herbert will be appointed special United States assistant™altorney: to represent the government in the sufts cinstituted by the Cramps cf Philadelphia ito recover about $2,000,000 damages fromthe Unit®d States on account of losses illeged have been sustained by that firm tm the fonstructton of vessels for the navy by reasun of changes made in the plans ami by delays in the delivery of tne: necessary armour plate. The matter is ‘unfer @onsideration by the Attorney Generali” ‘ --— Armor for. the! Alniama, The Carregie Company to@my shipped half of the diagonal armer for the battle- ship Alabama, now ‘Buildirg at Cramps’ ship yard. This armor istbeing supplied by a private afrangement.‘between -the ship- builder and the steel ni@kers. in order to tide over the Satine of Law last Se, sion:to appropriste mon r-the ‘comple- tion of thbbattieships: © = ts Personal Mgation. Gen. Anson Mills, Uy & A, Fetired, is at 2 Dupont Circle. ye Col. Jacob Klein, 21%t Infantry, Is in the city on leave of absence. He is stationed at Plattsburgh, N. Y. ger, Lieut. B. K. West, Gi Cagalry, 1s here on leave of atsen Re Tes ; :Capt. F. W:), in the Widespread Destruction to Life and Property in the Northwest. a MANITOBA THE WORST SUFFERER Hairbreadth Escapes of Some of Those in Burnt Districts. ILLINOIS AND INDIANA FIRES eee WINNIPEG, Manitoba, October 7.—The forest fires that have been raging in Mani- toba, close to the boundary line, for the pest ten days, have broken out more furi- cusly than ever. Ten or twelve persons are reported to have been burned to death, and the fire is rapidly spreading over the boun- ¢ary line into Dakota. Firemeh have been fighting the flames night and day trying to keep the fire from getting into the more thickly populated districts. Hundreds of thousands of dol- ers’ worth of timber has been destroyed and considerable grain, as well as sume farm buildings. Up to this time the fire has been confined to the Canadian side of the boundary, but the Swath line between the United Siates and Manitoba has been obliterated and great fears are entertained that the fires will get beyord the control of the settlers Wolves Driven to the Open. The flames are driving hundreds of wolves and coyotes out into the cpen coun- try, and large flocks of geese and ducks have been seen flying over the burning forests. Near White Mouth, H. Laundry, a trap- per, was burned to death. A German wo- man living near where the fire burned most furious yesterday is reported to have been burned to death and her children are miss- ing. A dispatch from White Mouth says the fire is spreading rapidly. East of V Mouth the situation is very critical. The section foreman at Darwin and his wife and men were picked up by a freight tra and brought into White Mouth. Road Mas- ter Horner on a hand car attempted to run from Darwin, but his men nearly suc- cumbed through suffocation and were com- pelied to take refuge in a passing freigh All the telegraph poles for several mi east of the town are down and trains are tied up. At Broken Head, Manitoba, the county is on fire. On both sides of the Broken Head river enormous damage is being done. The smoke is so thick that it is im- pessible to see twenty yards in any direc- tion. ‘Took to the River. Mr, and Mrs. Young, living soutt of Broken Head, about eight miles, losi ev- erything, ard .only saved their lives by staying in the river for twelve hours. At Beausejour, Manitoba, seven persons have “been ‘burned to death, Mrs. O. -W. Thomas, her young son and a daughter had afrace’ with the flames for several miles. They had a team of horses, which they kept on the run. Sparks from the burning limber were blown into the dry grass of a prairte which they were compe.led to cross, and soon they were surrounded by the flemes. The frantic horses staried to run straight gnead into the burning timber. Before they had gone far the carriage overturned, and they were thrown down aan embankment into a small creek. This prob- ably, saved their lives. They were badly burned. A report from. Morris, Manitoba, says a prairie fire has been raging there, and that one family of four persons is known to have perished. The fire is supposed to have originated froin the sparks of an eng’ Drouth in Southern Mlinois. MUSCOUTAH, IIL, October 7.—In the ex- perience of the oldest settlers in St. Clair and adjoining counties the present drouth is without parallel. For two months there has been practically no rainfall in this sec- lon, and the temperature has ranged above 9 degrees in the shade almost daily during all that time. The demage done by the drouth in south- ern Mlinois cannot be accurately estimated, but it has been great. The heaviest loss to the farmers is on the corn crop, which has been cui down 50 to 65 per cent by the dry weather. It has also done great damage to all late vegetation and to the fruit crop generally. A water famine is threatened over a large area of country. LA GRANDE, Ind., October drouth, which is without northern Indiana, has been partialiy broken by light rain. The fire in the ‘tumarack swamp has increased, but the larmers are now so crganized that they anticipate no great damage uniess the Mird suddenly changes. Great fi re burning in the marshes near Roches! ii —The precedent in Wisconsin Fire Visited. KENOSHA, Wi October 7.—Old settiers of the Kenosha say this has been the driest season for years in this part of the coun- try. Vegetation has been parched and crops blasted. Wells and springs have Gried up and as a result of scarcity of water stock has suffered greatly., Prairie fires in Sorers and Bristol, caused by sparks from passing engines, destroye.l conside:able property belonging to the farmers. All kinds of means have been adopted to stay the advance of the flamcs. In some cases where the fire was uppar- ertly extinguished it continued to burn be- icw the surface. Kankakee Marsh Ablnze. VALPARAISO, Ind., October 7.—The Kankakee marsh fire is rapidly spreading in this county, though the farmers have given up all other work and are fighting: ail hours of the day and night. Several houses were destroyed last night. The big marsh near Tassinong caught fire again last night and the flames swept over acres of land, destroying everytning in their path. Potatoes Rousted in the Hills. NILES, Mich., October 7.—East and north of this city the terrible marsh fires still continue. Farmers haye fought the flames night and day for a week, and are utterly exhausted. They have moved their house- hola goods to places of safety, and have sacrificed their homes. Near Berrien Springs, on what is known as the Big Meadow, hundreds of acres of potatoes have been roasted in the hills. ‘The fire is the worst that has occurred in this vicinity since 1871. Cornficlds Swept Away. Famous Virginia Jnngle Likely to Be Swept Away. Whole Surrounding Cou: y Envelop- ed by Pall of Smoke — Wild Animals Driven Out. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. RICHMOND, Va., October 7.—The Dis- mal Swamp has been on fire for more than a week. Large quantities of undergrowth and shrubbery killed by the frost has been slowly turning and the smoke in the en- tire vicinity accund has become almost un- bearable. The Norfolk and Western trains gonig through that section pave to se their windows to keep the dence smoke from filling the cars. The fire was'started by some hunters in the swamp, Many deer, bear and foxes, raccoons, opossums, squirrels, rabbits and smaller game have been seen running out of the thickets and urderbrush to higher points in order to escape the dense smoke. Some of the bear have become annoying to farmers in the nélghborhood by killing their sheep at night. The long-drought has increased the fire, and there Is little prospects of extinguish ing it until a heavy rain comes. Very little destruction has been done, since the fire is contined to the swamp. Much discomfert and inconvenience has been caused by the smoke, which has spread as far as Norfolk, where it is at times quite dense. Many Cattle Cremated. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star, NORFOLK, Va., October 7.—Forest fir have again broken out in the Great Dismal Swamp, and millions of feet of valuable timber have been destreyed. The big game which abounds tn the swamp has been driven into the open by the flames, and many .deer and bears have been shot. There has been no loss of life, due to the fact that there are few human habi in the fastness of the great swamp. The farmers who allowed their cattle to roam there, however, have suffered heavily, as many valuable cows and horses have seen cremated. 1t is almost impossile tc sub- due the flames, as the forest is dry as tin- Ger, us the result of the long-c et drought. ears NORFOLK COLLIDES WITH A TU Two Men Knocked Overboard, One of Whom is Drowned. The dense fog in Norfolk harbor vester- day morning resulted in several collisions and one fatality. Between 7 and 8 o'clock, while the tug Edith, Captain Bloodgood, was towing a lighter to Sandy Point, s! ‘as in collision with the steamer Norfatk of the Washington line, which was just coming in. The accident happened near Lambert's Point. Jake Ward, colorid, of Porismouth, cook cn the Edith, and Arthur Halstead, a thirteen-year-old white boy, also of Ports- mouth, and a deck hand on ihe tug, were both knocked overboard. Ward was drowned. Haistead swam alon, le the Edith and caught a rope which was hang- ing over her side and was then drawn aboard by the capiain. The Edith’s pilot house was badly stove in. The steamer Norfolk stopped, but shortly proceeded to her wharf in this city. The idith, which as lying at the wharf ef the Norfolk and olina railroad this atternoon, was re- ported as leaking considerably. MARYLAND DEMOCRATS SANGUINE. Largely Attended Conference of the Leaders at Baltimore. Special Dispatch to The Evening Siar. BALTIMORE, Md., October 7.—An im- portant and very largely attended confer- ence of county democrats, including party leaders, candidates of all grades and con- spicuous individuals was held at the demo- cratic state headquarters at the Carrollton Hotel today. It was expected that Senator Gorman would attend, but Chairman Van- diver received a telegram from him stating that business detained him in New York. It is understood that he went to the me- tropolis to cellect campaign funds, and that he has been very successful. The outlook in each county was discussed, and more enthusiasm as to the general situation dis- played then has been manifested at demo- crauc conferences for ten years. . At the conclusion of the meeting Messrs. Thomas Smith and J. Frank Ferd, the candidates for controller and clerk of the court of appeals, respectively, held an in- formal reception. The democratic com- mittee has decide to publish an attack on Gen Allan Rutherford, the repubjicau can- didate for clerk, in which it will be aileged that he-is entirely unqualified for such a position, —_— WARNER CHALLENGES HANNA. Democratic Candidate for Sennte Wants a Joint Debate. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. COLUMBUS, Ohio, October 7.—Gen. A. J. Warner has sent a challenge to Senator Hanna for a joint debate on the coinage question, leaving time, place and conditions to the senator. He says in his letter of challenge that President McKinley has virtually indorsed the monetary plank of the gold democrats at Indianapolis, and that Senator Hanna has proposed to sus- tain the President in maintaining the gold standard. This is the issue he wants to discuss with the senator. Sam. L, Lewis, candidate of the negro protective party for governcr, brought a mandamus suit in the supreme court today to compel Secretary of State Kinney to place the emblem chosen by the party, Abraham Lincoln's picture, at the head of the ticket on the Australian ballot, which XN he refuses to do. —_-+—__. CRUSHED THE REVOLT. Guatemalan Authorities Believe That the Rebellion is Over. The Guatemalan legation has received an official, cablegram confirming the reports that the government forces had recaptured the city” of Quesaltenango, taken some time since by, the rebels, and adding that the uprising was now practically ended. A band of the rebels fied toward San Mar- ces, but are being pursued by the govern- ment forces. The government has now re- established itself in-all of the twenty-two departments of the country, and peace is restored save in the small district to which the rebel bafid has taken flight. ¢ 1t is felt by the authorities that the re- bellion is over, and that normal conditions will be speedily restored in the country. ‘The legation advices show that President Advertising is not an expense. It is a business investment. If you want to invest your profitably you will therefore put your advertisements in such a paper as The Evening Star, that is read regularly and thoroughly by everybody worth reaching. The Star is the recognized household and family journal of the National Capital, and has no rival as an advertising med- ium. THE HIGHWAY CASES Judge Cox Gives Instructions to the Jury of Award. ——_.—_—_- ELABORATE PRESENTATION OF CASE Prayers Presented by the Attorneys in the Case. ——__ = JUDGE'S THE SUMMING cp Judge Cox today instructed the jury or commission of appraisers in case 419, Den- ison and Leighton’s subdivision of Mount Pleasant and Pleasant Plains, the first of the cases to be tried: under the highway extension act of March %, 1823, since the United States Supreme Court sustained the law last May. After the court had in- structed the Jury as to their duties counsel on either side proceeded to address them, it being expected that the case will go to the jury some time this afternoon or to- morrow morning. The Judge's Charge. Jedge Cox in his inetructions to the jury sald: “Gentlemen: A number of instructions have been preseated to me, which 1 have been asked ta give you. That is, they are put in typewriting, and I will hand them to you after I get through. I do not know that I can do better than first to read them over to you, with some verbal ex- planation, and possibly summarize them all in words of my own afte : “1. The jury are to co mony which may be introd: to be limited thereto, their verdict may em; acquired from other so: timony. all testi- 1, but not nd in making up ir knowledge 3 than the t “As I explained to you before, you are not like an ordinary trial jury, which finds a verdict only according to the evidence. You are to ke use of your own knowl- edge of the values of pi . and derive what aid you ean in deing that from such testimony as has been presenicd to you. Just Compenusati: “2. As to each of the severs land proposed to be condemued as a public highway. the jury arc to ascertain what Would be a just compensatioa to the owner for such condemnation, an’ in estimating reels of that compensation th the most valuable uses to which said may be put at this time hy the owner er other | persons under present c 3, and {the advantages of the locality for rest- dential, commercial or other purposes. They may a!so consider what land is worth in cash or its equivaient in the market, if a market exists for su prices have recently been puid for land in said vision, and in its viciuity, making due allowance for differences ia ‘situation and conditions of the land soli, and seid value shail be wscertained as of the time of the hearing before the jury. “3. In determining the value of any land taken the jury are not to add anything to What they find'to be its present fair market Value because it ts be taken by process of condemnation for public use without the consent of the owner. Damages or Benefits. . In finding the'r verdict as to damages or benefits the jury should find such ver- dict as to each separate parcel, without regard to the ownership of that or any other parcel. That when any parcel of land to be condemned as aforesaid shell be part of a larger parcel owred by the same person the jury shall assess the just compensa- tion for the part taken; they shall also take into corsideration the damage or benefit which the appropriation of said part for a public highway may be to the owner or owners of such larger parcel by lessen- ing or enhancing the value of the re- mainder not taker, ani shall render their verdict accordingly for the amount of said compensation, less the benefit, if they shall find benefit. ““. Buildings upon the ground taken for a highway in this proceeding are a part of the realty, and the owner 1s entitled to be paid a fair market value therefor in lke manner as for the ground taken; and Where part only ef a building is taken the owner is entitled to the damage done to the residue of the building by reason of the taking of a part thereof, if the jury find that such damages result thereto. Middle Lincs of Strects. . The jury are instructel that the owners of Icts bounding on existing roads and streets in this subdivision are the owners of the soil in the streets opposite their several lots, such ownership exte id- ing, in each case, for the ful width of the ng lot to the middie line of such and being subject only to the right ssage by the public over said street; upon the abandonment of any such the provision land; alsy what “7, and street 2s a public way, unde of the statute under which this proceed- ing is had, such ownership will be 1 lieved of such right of public passage, and it will be the right of any such owner of abuiting land to take possession of such part of such abandoned street and exer- all rights of ownership over the same, epting only where such abandonment shall leave any lot or lots fronting on such Strect without a frontage cn cither an existing street not abandoned or on a street provided for in the plan of extension, in which case said lots will retain a private right of way over such abandoned streets to the nexc cross street on either side, and such abandoned street may aot be closed without the assent of the owners of such lots. And they are further instructed that in determining the damage to any lot, aris- ing from the abandonment of any street, they should consider the benefit which will come to the owner thereof, through such relief of his land in such street from the right of public passage, and his consequent right of complete dominion thereover, sub- ject only to the right of private passage in special instances as above specified.” The General Rale. A word of explanation as to that. The general rule is that where a man lays out @ tract of land into blocks and lots and streets, and then conveys those lots by number to pt sers, he is understood to convey not only the land up to the line of the street, but he conveys the soi! under the street to the middle of the street. In the case of country property, that is quite a substantial property, because if there are trees in the highway, strangers could not cut-them down. That would be an in- jury to the ncenaan In the city that reg of property is much more eval it. It Amounts reaily to a mere theoretical right, because a man would not be allowed to dig the street in town in front of his 8 Hi gad sf alan