Grand Rapids Herald-Review Newspaper, December 28, 1901, Page 2

‘ Che Herald Beview. By FE. C. KILEY. GRAND RAPIDS, - MINNESOTA. Another bank teller has overdrawn his account a matter of $100,000. The man who would wreck a child's faith in Santa Claus would wreck a bank. When your firmness pleases, it is resolution. When it doesn’t it is just bull-headed obstinacy. A powerful effort is under way to make the golden rod our national flow- er. What's the matter with celery? A Chicago preacher says Sunday schools are of no value, but they are pretty well crowded just now, all the same. King Edward’s coronation rites will Jast four hours, during which time he will be compelled to abstain absolutely trom smoking. Footbal! is more profitable than prize fighting, if not more elevating. Yale, despite her defeats, has cleared $70,000 this season. Cheating at cards is legally held to be larceny in the State of Washington. in some of the other far western states it is merely suicide. A smokeless stove for soft coal has been invented. Now give us a coalless stove for hard prices and our happi- ness will be complete. Andrew Carnegie seems to be having trouble in establishing his title as laird of Skibo, but nobody will contest his right as universal librarian. The old method of killing yourself by going over or through a fence and dragging your gun after you, still pre- vails in some parts of the country. The educational test for immigrants unfortunately will not meet the case ef the anarchists, many of whom are educated too much for their own good. By a decree of fashionable Paris, neckwear must henceforth be con- servative, However, a pronounced red is considered to be conservative in Paris. Tf all the crown diamonds in the country shall be worn at the coming coronation of King Edward the com- mon people will have to wear smoked glasses. It has again been demonstrated that two such substantial bodies as steam locomotives cannot safely , pass through the same section of space at the same time. As to the woman of 50 who has sued for damages on account of breach of promise of marriage, there is no occa- sion for mirth. It is a serious matter to a woman of that age. Encouraged by the success which at- tended the extraction of sunbeams from cucumbers, another Baltimore company has been incorporated to ex- tract whisky from watermelons. An anarchist orator in Chicago has just said that he bows down to the assassin of presidents and ranks him as a superior. Congress will shortly provide a place for these promoters of murder. “It’s a hard job,” says a Yoakum (Tex.) editor, ‘for a fellow to grind out poetry, collect subscriptions, run the gob press and manage a paper, all at the same time.” So it is, brother. Quit grinding out the poetry. We earth people are not awake; are asleep. We are dreaming now; we are just God's dreams. Wait till we awake, and then watch our smoke sweep up and smother Mars and a few million of the other peopled planets! we A New Yorker has promised a job to Joban Beck, the man who crossed the ocean in a box in the hold of the Ham- burg-American steamer Palatia in the hope of finding work here. Beck had been in the box about fifteen days when he was discovered and was nearly dead from cold, hunger and terror. A man who has the nerve and the endurance to survive such an ordeal should cer- tainly be taken care of. Edward John Eyre, who died recent- ly in London unknown to current fame, was the largest figure in British poli- tics thirty-five years ago. John Stuart Miil leading one side and Thomas Car- lyle the other, a fierce and prolonged national contest was fought over the question whether Eyre, as governor of Jamaica, had not suppressed a negro insurrection in that island with need- less and shameful cruelties. Eyre was formaily exonerated, but retired at ence and forever from public life, It is not given to everyone to enjoy music. Like Goldsmith’s schoolboys with their “counterfeited glee,” the music critic must run across many peo- ple with counterfeited ecstasy. At the same time, even the bitterest scoffer against music and musicians must rub his eyes when he reads that a young fiddler just come to America will re- eeive $100,000 for 100 concerts. A thou- sand doilars a concert! Well, we sup- pose he is worth the price, for, as a rule, managers are not Carnegies. A genius is cheap at any price, MANY LIVES LOST TERRIBLE CATASTROPHE OCCURS A'T A FIRE IN A TOWN IN MEXICO. FORTY-FIVE CITY MARKET BURNS AND MANY ARE CAUGHT IN THE RUINFS. BUILDING SUDDENLY COLLAPSES UNFORTUNATE VICTIMS BEG TO BE KILLED BEFORE THE FIRE REACHES THEM. San Antonio, Tex., Dec. 24.—By the burning of the city markethouse at Zacatecas, Mex., fully ferty-five lives have been lost and over a score of per- sons seriously injcred, some of them so badly that they cannot recover. Fifteen bodies have been taken from the ruins and a large force is at work clearing away the debris in order to recover others, though there is no hope that any of those caught in the col- lapse of the big structure will be found alive. Among those caught In the collapse were several of the minor officials charged with the management of the building. The markethouse was one of the largest buildings in Zaca- tecas, and was owned by the city. Its lower portion was composed chiefly of cold storage cellars in which local mer- chants stored their perishable goods, and it was in the basement section that the fire originated. The flames had gained such headway when dis- covered that the entire building was seen to be doomed and the efforts of the firemen and citizens were directed to save goods from the storage com~- partments in the basement and on the first floor. Hunireds of men were formed into gangs and were busily en- gaged in the work of saving goods when the entire superstructure, weak- ened by the Rapidly Spreading Flames, collapsed without a moment’s warning, crushing and burying dozens of those engaged in the work of salvage. ‘Those who escaped uninjured from the blaz- ing ruin$ were so panic stricken that it was some time before an organized at- tempt at rescue could be made, and in the meantime the moans and cries of those who had not been killed outright, could be heard. Many of them begged to be killed before the fire could reach them as they saw there was no hope of rescue. The fire department is poorly equipped and the supply of water in- adequate so that no effective resistance could be offered to prevent the spread- ing of the fire, which finally burned itself out, leaving many unfortunates buried beneath tons of wreckage. AS soon as possible an effort was made to get out the bodies’ of the dead, but the heat droveback the rescuers for hours and only fifteen.of those who were nearest the outer walls of the building could be removed. Exactly how many have been killed cannot be known un- til the ruins are completely cleared away, and this work, with the primi- tive methods in use, will occupy days. FOUR BURNED TO DEATH. Family Awakens to Find Escape Cut Of by Fire. Dubois, Pa., Dec. 24.—Word reached here yesterday of a terrible holocaust that cecurred about three miles from Summerville, Jefferson county, Satur- day morning. The home of John Ash- baugh, a farmer, was destroyed by fire and four persons were burned to death. One other is burned in such a manner that recovery is very doubtful and four others are seriously burned and in- jured. The affair happened at an early hour in the morning and the fire was undoubtedly caused by an overheated stove. The family were sleeping and Mr. Ashbaugh being awakened by the smell of smoke hastened to arouse the other members of the family. He ran out of the house with the two smallest children and returned for the others. He was, however, driven back by the flames, and the others becoming be- wildered, perished in the flames except Mrs. Ashbaugh, who jumped from a second-story. window and sustained serious injuries. BEAT DYING WIFE. HIS Man-brute Merely Grins When Given a Tongue Lashing. New York, Dec. 24. — James Cum- mings, a machinist of 156 North Ninth street, Williamsburg, was sentenced to six months in the Kings county peni- tentiary by Magistrate O'Reilly in the Lee avenue police court Saturday for brutally beating his wife, Sarah Cum- mings, who is dying of consumption. He was drunk when he reached his home, and he dragged his wife from the bed and beat her. When the man was arraigned the magistrate received a note from Dr. James O'Connor, who is attending Mrs. Cummings, stating that the wornan had only a few days to live. On sentencing Cummings the magis- trate said: “You are a dirty scoundrel and a leafei and are a disgrace to the com- munity. I only wish it was in my power to give you six years instead of six months.” Cummings took his sentence with a grin. FRANCE HAS FASTEST TRAINS. Statistics Iways in German Paper Prints Showing Speed om Ri Europe, Berlin, Dec, 24. — A German paper has published statistics in regard to the relative speeds of the fastest trains of the European countries. According to this table France leads with an average speed of 58 miles an hour. England cores next with nearly 55 miles. Ger- many follows with 51, and Belgium comes next with 49. These figures ap- ply only to the fastest trains. PERSONS KILLED: eal MILES CENSURED, Previficnt Personally Lambasis Him For a Recent hinaerview. Washington, Dec. 24 — President Roosevelt Saturday privately scored Lieut. Gen. Nelson A, Miles for his Cincinnati Interview commending the report of Admiral Dewey on the Schley case. Subsequently, by the special direction of the president, Secretary of War Root sent to Gen. Miles an official letter of censure, which was given to the public by direction of the president. Practically at the same time Secre- tary Long promulgated his letter ap- proving the findings of the court of in- quiry, disapproving of the report sub- mitted by Admiral Dewey alone, and declaring that this minority opinion could not have been submitted without impropriety. Miles, Dewey and Schley were all made the recipients of official and pub- lic displeasure within a few hours. Maclay Told to Resign. The one ray of light from the Schley point of view was the fact that the president immediately on receiving the report of the court of inguiry showing that Schley had not been a catiff and a coward telegraphed for the resigna- tion of Edgar 8. Maclay, who wrote the remarkable naval history which pre- cipitated the court of inquiry. The approval of the findings of the court was a foregone conclusion, and it was well understood that President Roosevelt, in spite of his own personal opposition of Schley, would not hest- tate a moment in putting Maclay out of the service; in fact, would have done so long ago had he not feared such action might prejudice the court of in- quiry. Roosevelt Censures Miles. The sensational feature of the day, of course, was the terrific arraignment of Gen. Miles, both personally and by let- ter, and his official censure, an act which is not usually resorted to except under the gravest provocation, The president assumed the entire responsi- bility for the censure of Gen, Miles, and not only that, but he took matters in- his own hands, received the lieu- tenant general commanding the army in one of the window seats of the president’s office, and flayed him alive for the interview he gave out in Cin- cinnati. The president was much in earnest, and he told Gen. Miles without mincing words that his printed interview com- mending the course of Admiral Dewey, and by inference denouncing the ma- jority of the court, was a gross breach of military discipline, which could not and would not be tolerated. ‘rhe president went at his work with the impetuosity characteristic of him, and was so much in earnest and felt that Gen. Miles was so much to blame that he made no attemptto conceal the raatter. Flays Miles in Public. On the contrary, it appears to be trug that Gen. Miles was humiliated by having the scathing rebuke heard by many other peovle. According to com- mon report it Vv even more severe than the ofticial letter of censure signed by Secretary Root, but which is un- derstood to have been practically dic- tated by the president himself. Gen. Miles freely admitted the au- thenticity of the interview. He de- clared, however, that he had not the remotest idea that his words reflected upon the court in any way. He told the president—what he said in his let- ter--that the interview referred en- tirely to those persons who had de- clared Schley to be a coward and pol- troon, and cast no reflection at all upon the navy department or up2n_ the court. President Out of Pati tnce. This personal explanation was not received as at all sufficient by the pres- ident, who was entirely out of patience with Gen. Miles, and told him that an officer of his experience should have sense €nough to refrain from any com- ment whatever upon a controversy which concerned the navy department alone. The rebuke to Gen. Miles came from the commander-in-chief to the lieuten- ant general, commanding the army, a personal subordinate. The fact that a young and impetuous president, him- self a veteran of the recent war, was rebuking in the strongest possible terms another gray-haired veteran of the Civil war did not render the affair any the less a military function. Gen. Miles, having presented his two letters and having made his oral state- ment, took his rebuke like a soldier. He wilted as a matter of course, be- cause the president was terribly in earnest and spoke frum deep convic- tion of the proprieties of the case. ALGER’S CONDITION SERIOUS. General In Operated on and His Chances of Recovery Are Fair. Detroit, Mich., Dec. 24.—An operation was performed yesterday on Gen. R. A. Alger, former secretary of war, who has been suering for a long period from severe attacks of gall stones. At 7 p. m. the following bulletin on Gen. Alger’s condition was issued: “Temperature normal, pulse 74. Only slight nausea following the anaesthetic. All the symptoms are favorable. —“H. W. Longyear, M. D., —“C. G. Jennings, M. D.” Dr. Longyear said that there would be no more bulletins issued unless an entirely unanticipated change should oceur. “Gen. Alger is in no immediate danger,” said he, “although his con- dition is serious. His chances of re- covery are very fair.” Bad Freight Wreek. Cheyenne, Wyo., Dec. 24. —— A bad freight wreck at Buford, twenty miles west of here delayed traffic ten hours. ‘Three engines were smashed up and Fireman D. H. Fenton was seriously hurt and the head brakeman slightly injured. The freight ran into a light engine taking water. Capt. Cook In Better. Washington, Dec. 24.—Capt. Francis A. Cook, formerly commanding officer of the Brooklyn at Santiago, is better. It probably, however, will be some time before he recovers from the severe at- tack of stomach and heart trouble which has caused his present illness. Large Building Destroyed. Utica, N. Y¥., Dec. 24.—A four-story building known as the Union block was burned yesterday. Loss, $175,000; in- surance, $100,00, A fireman was injured by a falling wall but will recover. GIGANTIC FRAUDS, Mead of Army Panished Severely For Comments on Navy Matters. Kansas City, Dec. 24. — A gang of forgers ‘of railroad tickets has been operating in Kansas City successfully during the last few weeks, according to H. C. Townsend of St. Louis, general passenger agent of the Missouri Pa- cific railroad, who has been in this city investigating the fraud with the aid of George H. Foote, secretary of the local passenger bureau, and J. A. Stew- art, general Southwestern passenger agent of the Rock Island. Mr. Townsend raid of the frauds: “The losses of the Western railroads will amount to thousands of dollars. There have been three classes of for- geries. Some days ago Mr. Foote dis- covered that a bogus perforating stamp had been used To Imitate the Stamp that is used to mark tickets at the union depot. The forgers tried in Chi- cago to buy a stamp exactly like the one that is used at the Kansas City union depot to stamp return ticket coupons, but the manufacturers sus- pected something was wrong and re- fused to sell it. ‘The forgers were not baffled. They bought a stamp that is in use in banks for perforating checks, changed the dies from ‘‘Paind” to “K. C. U. D.,” and have used it on many forged tickets, The second class of forgeries included conductors’ train checks. The bogus ones are fairly good imitations of the genuine ones, but they have smooth edges instead of perforations. Wholesale frauds have been committed by using forged live stock contracts, which are exchanged for tickets. We have no means of knowing how many Began Live Stock Contra and conductors’ train checks have been used. I know that hundreds of fraudu- lent contracts were printed here in Kansas City. We have evidence to show that a Kansas City ticket broker knows something about the forgeries. We have engaged an additional force of detectives, and hereafter conductors will watch carefully for forgeries. The Missouri Pacific has suffered severe losses, but our road is only one of many that has been defrauded.” Dozens of the, forged tickets have, it is said, been cecured by the railway of- ficials. Mr. Townsend has telegraphed for C. C. McLeod of Chicago, chairman of the Western Passenger association, to come to Kansas City as‘soon as pos- sible to make an effort to prosecute the ticket forgers. THE MARKETS. Latest Quotations From Grain anw Live Stock Genters. St. Paul, Dec. 24. — Wheat — No. 1 Northern, 75@751-2c; No. 2 Nort a, 74 @ 743-4c. Corn No. 3 yel_w, 64 1-2@65¢e: No. 3, 64@641-2c. Oats--No 3 white, 45@45 1-2c; No. 3, 44 1-2' Minneapolis, Dec. 24.—Wheat- hard, 783-4c; No. 1 Northern, 75 3-4¢; No. 2 Northern, 741-2@75 1-4c. Curn— No. 3 yellow, 61 3-42, Oats—No. 3 white, 441-4c: low grades about 4c. Duluth, Dee. 24.—Wheat—Cash, No. 1 hard, 771-4c; No. 1 Northern, 74 %-4¢; May, 775-8c? No. 2 Northern, 71 9-4c; Np. 3, 691-¢c; flax, cash, $1.49; te ar- rive, $1.491-2; December, $1.49; May, $1.54; corn, 63i-2; December, $1.49; May, $1.54; corn, 631-2c; barley, «9@ Milwaukce, Wis., Dec. 24. — Flour is steady. Wheat higher; No. 1 Nortaern, 761-2 @ Tic; No. 2 Northern, 749-4 @ 75 1-4c; May, 793-8c. Rye steady; No. 1, 64c. Barley—No. 2, 63c; sample. 80 621-2c. Oats steady; No. 2 wnite, 431-4@ 481-2c. Corn—May, 66 2-Su, Chicago, Dec. 24. — Cash Wheat—No. 2 red, 81@83 1-2c; No. 3 red, 7833 cH 2 hard winter, 761-2@78c; No. 3 hard winter, 70@77¢; No. 1 Northern spring; 72@76c. Corn—No. 3, 641-4c. Oats—- No, 2, 46@46 1-2c; No. 3, 45 1-2@46c. Sioux City, Towa, Dec. 24.—Cattle— Beeves, $3.50 @ 5.75; cows, bulls and mixed, $1.50@3.85; yearlings and calv Hogs, $5.75@6.30; bulk, $5.90 $2.50@3.65. @6.10. Chicago, Dec. 24. -- Cattle—Good to prime steers, $6 @ 7; poor to medi- um, $3.75@5.90; stockers and feeders, $2 @4.50; cows, $1@4.65; heifers, 3 canners, $1@2; bulls, $1.75@4.50; calves, $2.50 @ 5.75; Texas steers, $4.30@5 Hogs--Mixed and butchers, $5.80@°6.40 good to choice heavy, $6.25@6.50; rough heavy, $5.80@6; light, $5@5.85; bulk of sales, $5.70@6.25. ° Sheep, $2.75@4.50; lambs, $2.50@5.50. South St. Paul, Dec. 24. — Cattle — Fancy butcher steers, $5.60@6; prime, $5@5.50; good to choice, $4.25@4.90; com- mon to fair, $@4;. fancy butcher cows and heifers, $4.25@4.75; prime, $3.75@ 4.15; good to choice, $3@3.70; common, 2.70G2.90; canners and cutters, $1.50 2.65; good to choice butcher bulls, $2.75 @3.50; common and bologna bulls, $2@ 2.70; good to choice veals, $4.2504,75; common to fair, $2.50@3.20; good to choice stock steers, $2.65@3.15; common to fair, $2@2.60; good to choice steer calves; $2.60@3; common to fair, $2@ 2.50; good to choice stock cows and heifers, $2.40@2.75; common to fair, $2@ 2.35; good to choice heifer calves, $2.40 @2.75; common to fair, $202.36; stock and ‘feeding bulls, $1.50@2.50; good to choice milch cows and springers, $32@ 40;*common to fair, $25@30. Hogs — Light, $5.30@5.85; mixed and butchers, $5.70@6.20; heavy, $5.85@6.45; boars, $2.50@3; stags, $450@5; pigs, $4.50 @5. Sheep—Good to choice fat lambs, $3.90 @4.25; common to fair, $3.50@3.85; good to choice fat wethers, $3.25@3.4 mon to fair, $3@3.20; good to choice fat ewes, 2.80G3; common to fair, %2.50@ 2.70; killing bucks, $2@2.50; good to choice stock and feeding lambs, $3.65@ 4; common to fair, $3.25 @ 3.60; buck lambs, $2@2.50; good to choice feeding wethers, $3.25@3.35; common to fair, $3 @3.20; good to choice feeding ewes, $2.50 75; common to fair, $2.25@2.40; stock Sommersville, Fla., Dee. 24.—-A battle with firearms occurred Saturday after- noon five miles from here between the Hogan and Dorman families, all of whom are well known in this section. A feud has existed between the tw? families for a long time and on former oceasions a fight was almost precipi- tated. The dead are Jorhua Hogan und William Dormen; the wounded. Andrew Nain and Thad Dorman, the latter said to be fatally wounded. Lewis Hogan is missing. MEET AT HELENA GOVERNORS OF NORTHWESTERN STATES WILL DISCUSS THE MERGER. TO SUIT CONVENIENCE DATE GOV. VAN SANT WRITES GOVERN- ORS OF THE STATES AF- FECTED. WASHINGTON LAWS ARE CLEA ATTORNEY GENERAL MAY MAIN- TAIN ACTION IN TRE courTs. St. Paul, Dec. ‘The conference of the governors of the Northwestern states to discuss taking action against the merger of the Great Northern, the Northern Pacific and the Burlington railway lines, under the Northern Se- curities company, will be held at Hel- ena, Mont., Dec. 30, if that date is convenient. Goy. Van Sant has written to the governors of North and South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washingten and Ore- gon, asking whether Dec. 3¢ is a con- venient date. If the other governors prefer it the conference will be held later. Gov. White of North Dakota has expressed his intention of attend- ing the conference, and other replies are expected this morning. The attorney generals of the states will also be invited to the conferendp. Attorney General W. B. Douglas will attend if it is possible for him to, get away. It was stated yesterday that besides Senator G. P. Wilson of Minneapolis and M. D. Munn of St. Paul, no counsel would be engaged by the attorney gen- eral in the case against the Northern Securities company. How Washingten 8 din. Olympia, Wash., Dec. 24.—Attorney General Stratton. yesterday banded down a seven-page opinion on the Northern Securities company. The sit- uation is briefly summed up in the closing paragraph as follows: “I am of the opinion, from an exam- ination of the authorities, that without further legislative enactment the state, through its attorney general, may maintain proceedings in the court to protect its people against trusts and monopolies and unlawful combinations, either under the constitutional provis- ions prohibiting them, or under the common laws. While the law is thus clear, the facts which I have been able to gather are so few and the real trans- actions so little kncwn that it is not possible for me to say at this time whether the facts exist upon which a suit could be successfully maintained by the state. WERY PLUCKY WOMAN. Sherif’s Wife Prevents Escape of Prisoners. Walla Walla, Wash., Dec, 24.—Eight prisoners in the county jail overpow- ered Jailer Malone as he was locking the cells last night and were about to make their escape when Mrs. Susan Kees, wife of the sheriff, stepped up with a revolver and drove the prisoners back into their cells. Sheriff Kees and his family live in the jail building, and when Mrs. Kees heard the commotion she rushed to the rescue of the jailer and released him from the prisoners who were beating him into i nsibil- ity. BUCKSHOT WITH MEAL. Two Hunters and th Are Woend Chatfield, Minn., Dec. - Thomas Ferguson, Jr., and Burt Winans were preparing to go hunting Sunday when one of them laid a shotgun on a settee. A little boy picked it up and. dis- charged it. The charge broke ali the breakfast dishes on the table, wound, ed Ferguson in the head, his wife in the thigh and Winans .in the head. None are seriously hurt except Mrs. Ferguson. It’s the old story of “I didn’t know it was Joade: Wite of One SHAW FOR GAGE’ lowa Governor Offered the Cabinet. ‘Washington, Dec. 24.—A tender of the office of secretary of the treasury to succeed Secretary Gage has been made to Gov. Leslie M. Shaw of Iowa, but it is understood that up to a jate hour last night nd response had been re- ceived from Goy. Shaw to the inquiries sent him. At the White house no in- formation on the subject is obtainable pending a definite authorization that a successor to Secretary Gage has beep obtained. PLACE. a Place in Vicious Dog Atincks Two Girls. Anoka, Minn., Dec. 24. — J. Dahl- heimer of Hassan bought a huge mas- tiff and had it chained to a wagon box with a log chain. Two little girls passed near the dog and were attacked by it, it biting both and tearing the dress off one. Dahlheimer could not get into his wagon to. go home and it was necessary to shoot the dog. Queer Verdicts. Jamestown, N. D., Dec. 24.—The cor- oner’s jury in the case of Engineer G. C. Moalworth, who was killed in a col- lision near Urbana, blames the engineer for running with a defective headlight, and criticises the train dispatcher. It also says that had not one of the trains stopped the collision would have oc- curred at another place. Aged Boscobel Woman Dead. Bosccbel, Wis., Dec. 24.—Mrs. J. N. Walker, wife of one of the oldest and wealthiest citizens of this county, was buried Sunday. Mrs. Walker was sev- enty-one years of age and was well known and highly respected. Farmers Build Skimming Station. Sauk Rapids, Minn., Dec. 24. — The farmers of this locality are making preparations to erect a building for the purpose of establishing a skimming ‘station. About $2,000 will be expended upon the project. AS Yel HAD TOO MANY STAMPS. Man Supposed to Know Mach Aboot ago Postotlice Looting Is Held in New Haven. New Haven, Conn., Dec. 24.—A mart carrying a dress sult case partly filled with postage stamps, who was arrest- ed yesterday, is believed by the police to be an important capture. He is sus- pected by them of seme connectiors with the recent robbery of the Chicago postoffice. The prisoner said his name was Henry Bantill, that he was a res~ ident of Providence, R. I., and that his age was thirty-five. Postage stamps worth about $115 and a.number of gold watch cases were found in his pockets and the dress suit case. He is held un- der bonds of $2,000 on a. warrant issued by the United States district court. ACCUSED OF EXTOR' Alleged Deals in Connection With. Proving Up Indian ‘Territory, Townsites, Guthrie, Okla., Dec. 24. — Charges were filed yesterday with Gov. Fergu- son and with Secretary Hitehcocic against Probate Judge Crum of Caddo county, and Probate Judge Brown of Comanche county, and additional charges against Probate Judge Finley of Klow county, alleging extortion and gross fraud practiced’ by these of- ficials in proving up the townsites im the new country. The officials have been ordered to Guthrie for investiga- tion, and all townsite lots have been held up, affecting at least 10,000 se ers, JUDGES STOLE THE PAYROLL. Two Masked Men Get Away With About §800. Leavenworth, Kan., Dec. 24. — Two masked men with drawn revolvers en~ tered the offices of the Abernathy fac~ tory yesterday and got away with the entire payroll, amounting to between $800 and $900. The robbery occurred when the men were about to be called in for their tri-weekly pay. Three shots were fir2d at Omah Abernathy and the clerks, but none took effect. 'The robbers escaped without being identified. : VERYL PRESTON HURT. President of Steel Hoop Company In- jured in Auto Smashup. New York, Dec. 24.—Veryl Preston, president of the American Steel Hoop company, is in Yonkers suffering frony serious injuries received in an auto- mobile accident late Saturday night- Mr. Preston, with his chauffeur and two companions, passed through Yonk~ pid pace and at the northern line of the city the machine was upset ani wrecked. All the occu~ pasts were picked up unconscious. ANDY AS SANTA. Carnegie Gives Danville, HL, a $10,+ 000 Library Building. Danville, Ill, Dec. 24. — The city of Danville received a Christmas present yesterday from Andrew Carnegie in the shape of a gift of $40,000 for a public li- prary building. Mr. Carnegie makes the gift with the usual conditions— that the city furnish a site for the li- brary and guarantee an incomg of at least $4,600 annually. FROST IN ENGLAND. Fatalities Are Reported — Thames Tratiec Stopped by Fos. London, Dec. 24.—The inland coun= ties are suffering from severe frosts. Several instances are reported of dwellers in exposed localities having been frozen to death. Foggy weather prevails along the coasts and in the channel. ‘Traffic at the mouth of the Thames has been stopped by the fos. MAY USE FORCE. Germany Will Insist on Satisfaction From Venezuela. New York, Dec. 24.—According to the Berlin correspondent of the London Standard and the New York Tribune the German government is prepared to resort to forcible measures in regard to the German claims in Venezuela, ng arrived at an agreement with ident Roosevelt. ROOSEVELT TO REST. Will Spend Holidays in Washington but Not at Business. Washington, Dec. 24.—It is President Roosevelt's present intention to remain in Washington during the holiday week, but he desires to obtain a respite from official duties and will see only such visitors as have urgent and im~ portant public business to present. hay SIGNED A PROTOCOL. Argentina and Chile Will Stand by Great Britain’s Judgment. Valparaiso, Dec. 24.—It is reported here that the governments of Argen- tina and Chile have sigred a protocol by which they’ agree to submit the questions pending between them to the arbitration of Great Britain. SCHLEYW’S PIPTANCE. Treasury Department Draws War- rant for His Share of Prize Mone Washington, Dec. 24.—The treasury department yesterday drew a warrant in favor of Rear Admiral Schjey for $3,334, his share of the prize money due him for the destruction of the Spanish fleet at Santiago, July 3, 1898. Alger’s Condition Good. Detroiat, Dec. 24.—Dr, H. W. Long- year, attending surgeon on Gen. Rus- sell A. Alger, stated last night that the general's condition was good. “His pulse is 76 and his temperature is less than 100 and he is very cheerful,” said the doctor. ‘The general says that he feels better than he has for some time, and I have no apprehension at present of a change for the worse,” Fatal Fall From Trolley Car. Philadelphia, Dec. 24.—Archibald Gil- fillon, a Honolulu sugar planter who was Visiting friends here, died from a, fractured skull. He was accidentally thrown from a trolley car. He ‘went from here to Hawaii 37 years ago. Under Seavenger Tax Law. ci Aberdeen, 8. D., Dec. 24.—C. H. Prior of Minneapolis has paid into the county! treasurer’s office nearly $7,000 in re< demption of his property in this county sold recently under the scavenger tax law. }