Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, February 18, 1888, Page 1

S g "THE OMAHA DAy BEE OMAHA, SATURDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 18, 1888, OMAHA A PORT OF ENTRY. Secretary Fairchild Issues the Necessary Order. ALL THE DETAILS ARRANGED. A Report From the General Land Ofce Regarding Sales of the Omaha Reservation—-Presi- dential Prattle. Omaha's Greatness Recognized. WasRINGTON BUREAU THE OMAHA BRE, 513 FOURTERNTH STRERT, WasnixatoN, D, C., Peb, 17. Secrotary Fairchild to-day issued an order making Omaha a port of entry. The details have all been placed in regular form and sent tothe surveyor. This will enable imported #00ds to be shipped in bond direct to Omaha, snd will be a very great advantuge to import- ers in the great west, It will obviate all de- lays and appraisements at the ports of the east and elsewhere and turn the business directly over to the collector at Omaha. Sen- ator Manderson called upon Secretary Fair- child this morning and urged immediate action, which brought about the result. The Nebraska delegation in congress have been working to this end for some time and the finishing touches given it to-day afford source for congratulation to not only those ‘who have been working for it, but to the cit- izens of Omaha. THE ALLISON BOOM WAXING WARM. Senator Allison’s presidential boom has taken an advanced position. To-day he was the recipient of many letters and telegrams from all parts of the country assuring him of cordial support from new sources. No man spoken of for the nomination receives more calls than he and no one s given more cn- thusiastic personal assurances. Several days ago it became known that Senator Pad- dock wanted to purchase a span of horses and Senator Allison offered to sell him his pairof animals, They are very beautiful horses and Senator Paddock took them for trial. This afternoon he met Senators Alli- son and Eyarts at the capitol and informed the former that he had concluded to take the horses, adding, jocularly : “I suppose, though, that they are spavined and ringboned and doctored. If they prove to be I am_going to get even with you, senator, by refusing to support you for the presidency.” o this Senator Evarts rejoin had better raise him another £10, lison, and waive all promises.” The horses were paid for und Senater Pad- dock separated with the twain of presidential possibilities, Nearly everybody that ap- proaches Senator Allison now refers to his presidential boom, and the Iowan receives the taunts good-naturedly. This evening's Star, in the course of a lot of gossip about presidential booms, says: “Senator Allison’s prospects are regarded as having been greatly improved by the Blaine . His loyalty to Mr. Blaine in the past i8 ground for the belief that the latter will now reciprocate in kind. It is_said that Mr. Allison is the choice of Mr. Blaine for the nomination and that all the influence of the latter will be exerted in behalf of the Towa senator, Inasmuch as Mr. Blaine's letter takes himself out of politics, it is argued that he can afford to take a boid stand for the man of his choice and rally his clans around Allison. The senator from_ Iowa enjoys the confidence of the cast and he is very pop lar in the west. He has never been identi- tified with any factional quarrels, and there- fore, it is argued, would command the sup- port of all his party.” NEW JERSEY FOR ALLISON AND PHELPS. There are a great many strangers in Wash- ington now, induced here by conventions and interests pending in congress, and many of them are discussing Senator Allison and the residency. T. Woolman, one of the rightest and most_infidential young repub- licans of New Jersey, is here, and says he believes his state will send a sohd delegation to the convention for the Jowan. In New Jersey, he states, the republicans have fixed up a slate of William 1. Allison for presi- dent, and William Walter Phelps for vice resident. In the opinion of Mr. Woolman hese two men would unite the republican party solidly and bring out more than every vote in it. JUSTICE MILLER FOR TIE PRESIDENCY. Much has been said during the past forty- eight hours on the quict about Justice Miller for the presidential nomination. There have slready come to the front for him a number of republican senators and republicans. Said one of them tothe Bek correspondent this cvmimi: ““There is a strong movement on foot to bring absut the nomination of Justice Samuel F. Miller, of Iowa. His freedom from all entangling alliances, the fact that he belongs to no faction and would be cheerfully supported by all, his true and unswerving republicanism, his wise statesmanship and his knowledge of national affairs commend him to all who desire a candidate who will be a credit to the luu'ty, and should he be triumphantly elected no word of scandal could touch or taint him. He left Kentucky because of slavery. He helped organize the repubiican party in lowa. He was the trusted friend and wise counsellor of Lincoln all through his administra- tion. He would bgyng about a united republican party. He would be strong where some others are weak. In 1884 a single slip in the convention on the part of Blaine's friends would have resulted in his nomina- tion. He is to-day the second sober thought t0 all who are wedded to no candidate and simply desire victory. Many of the trusted Rt ar e party ure for him unservedly. He has done more to garner the fruits of the war that all others on the bench, he having rendered more constitutional decisions thun Marshall. He is sound on the tariff and true in his heart and soul to his party. His name would be a tower of strength, and with him at the head of the ticket we would win, and grandly.” THE OMATIA RESERVATION. In reply to a senate resolution inquiring as to what amount of lands upon the Omaha reservation have been sold in pursuance of the statute of August 17, 1882, and how much money due as the proceeds of such sale has been paid into tho treasury, also as to the amounts of money, if any, due and unpaid, and what steps, if any, have been taken to force such payments as due, or recover pos- session of the lands so sold, payment for which have failed according to the terms thereof, the acting commissioner of the meral land office has reported us follows: wount of land sold up to aid includin, December 81, 1887, 46,630.50 acres; amount o money paid into the treasury on account of such sales from the dato of the first payment to December 81, 1887, §154,654 62; amount of interest dne and unpaid up to De- cember 31, 1887, #4,108.06, By the act of con- Kress approved August 2, 1886, the secretary of the interior was authorized to extend the time of nent to purchasers of lands of the Omaha Indians two years from June 29, 1856, who had filed by November 30, 1884, making the first payment due June 20, 1558, the in- terest due on said payments to be paid an nually ut the time said_payments wre now due. Parties who had filed since November 80, 1854, and prior to August 2, 1886, are not Toquired to make first payment until August 2, 1588, but the interest must be paid aunually on August 2. Thus it will be observed that no priveciple is due until June 20, 1888, or August 2, 1888, No steps have been taken to enforce payments of interest due or to recover possession of the lands sold, payments for ‘which have failed according to the terms of the statutes. PUBLIC LANDS 1N NEDRASKA. Acting Commissioner Stocksluger has also reported Lo the senate, in response to i reso- lution calling for the information, a state- ment relative to the public lands in Nebraska as follows: Total number of acres in the torritory and state of Nebraska, 47,077,859, The arca surveyed to June 30, 1587, was 46,080,089 acres, of which there was disposed of from date of organization us a territory to February 28, 1867, 1,066,006 acres, and the amount received therefrom, 389,843, From b A8 0L ths adupisnion of Nebrasks, Murch | 1, 1867, to June 80, 1887, the area disposed of was 26,545,128 acres, and the amount received therefrom 8,521,519, and total in the ter- were 27,611,220 and the total receipts $5,861,062. The area of original Indian reservations was 878, 220 acres and the area of existing reserva- tions on June 80, 1857, was _estimated to be 814,650 acres, The area disposed of was 563,578 acres, for which there has been re- ceived the sum of $1,920,187. Of this amount the state has been allowed and paid §2 5 1g 5 per cent upon $540,879 of the peds received from the sale of Pawnee Indian lands, The area of military reserva- tions in Nebraska at the date of admission embtaced 80,328 acres, the greater portion of which has been restored to the public do- main, but additional reservations have been set apart, so that the total arce of military reservations in Nebraska June 80, 1887, was 81,387 acres. The proceeds of the portion of the original reservation are included in the cash sales of public lands for which the state hus received the 5 per cent. The area embraced in the location of mili- tary bounty land warrants in Ncbraska to June 30, 1887, was 1,051,830 acres. As ap- pears from 'statements compiled and on record in this office upon the value of the lands so located, no allowance of the 5 per cent to the state has been made. SMALL MATTERS, Mrs. Florence H. Kendall, of Nebraska, has resigned from a $900 position in the pen- sion office, ARMY ORDERS, Fifty recruits are to be assigned to the Fifth cavalry rm,zv recruits assigned to the Seventh cavalry and sixteen colored recruits to the Twenty-fifth infantry: Captain Will- iam . Hofman, Ninth Infantry, is ordered to return home to await retirement. Perry S, Hea, Nebraska and lowa Pensions. Wasuixaroy, Feb. 17.—[Speciul Telegram to the Bee.|--Pensions were granted to the following Nebrsskans to-day: Theodore F. Elliott, South Omaha; Edward Thornley, Indfanolaj Andrew H. McFadden, Omaha; Hugh W. Hutton, Pawiiee City; Benjamin F. Leslie, Nemaha City; De Forrest Van Vleck, Alcove. Reissue and increase—Alfred Smith, Rulo. Mexican widows—Thercsa, widow of Adolph Sctiremp, Helena. Pensions for Towans: Original invalid— James Smith, Bloomfield, Hiram Kaster, Strawberry Point; William Dew, Beaman; G. S. Baker, Woodburn; James Jon vern, Increase— green: William rner, Bedford N. Ballou, Osceola; Esau A. Erb, Smyrna; Martin A.Cain, Waterloo; Peter ‘McKenna, Williamsburg; ' Willam J. Banter, Avon} Michael Lynch, Adair: Snmuel H. Barry, Waverly; Allen Rain, Redding; Thomas Goodwin, Bowley: James Harrigan, Des Moines: 'George R. Johnson, Creston. Re- issue—John Newsome, Woodburn; Vincent S. Martin, Des Moines, Reissue—Allen R. Nichlas, ' Haven. Mexican suryivors— William J. Caldwell, Moulton. Mexican widows—Sarah S., widow of John Lester, Bloomfield. Reissue and increase—Isaac Smith, Hopkinton. How Canada is Benefitted. WasHiNGTON, Feb. 17.—In response to & request for information upon the fisheries treaty and kindred subjects, Erastus Wiman has written a letter to the editor of the Mail, Toronto, in which he says, in part: In answer to your inquiry I beg to say the proposed fishery treaty, so far as its contents are known, is in my opinion the best settle- ment of the ugly quarrel that could be ar- rived at under the circumstances. Canada, in the long run, will be the gainer rather than the loser. The provisions of the new treaty will tend to increase the intercourse between the two countrics and remove an element of serious and dangerous difference that was . steadily separating them and threatening their peace. To accomplish a purpose 8o impertant Canada cun well afford to yield all she will be called upon to yield. This is especially the case when it is understood that this settlement will enor- mously improve the prospects of commercial union with the United States. The next most vexed question is the con- flict now impending between the great rai way systems of the two countries. The Can- adian roads are free from the . exactions of the inter-state commerce law, and this free- dom means an_cnormous 1oss of profit to ry other railroad in the United States. This condition of things seriously threatens the repeal of the bonding system by which American_produce is conveyed through Can- adian territory without payment of duty on its entrance into the United States. This re- peal, would mean simply ruin to Canadian roads. It has been suggested that Mr. Butterworth might omit in his bill the clause referring to the fisheries and substitute another which would invite concurrent legislation on the part of Canada, creating provisions similar in that country to the operation of the inter- state act in this, so far as it affects through trafic in which alone the United States is in- terested. This movement would secure the support of the vast railway interests threat- ened in the United States, and it would also secure the advocacy of that movement by English owners of Canadian railway secu- rities whose interests are, at the moment, se- riously imperiled. Committee Work. Wasmixgroy, Feb, 17.—The sub-commit- tee of the house postofiice committee to-day reported adversely upon the bill to prohibit the circulation through the mails of news- papers containing lottery advertisements. The bill to amend the law prohibiting alien persons and corporations from acquir- ing lands in the United States received the approval of the house committee on mines and mining to-day. The amendment pro- vides that the restrictions of the law shall not apply to mines of gold, silver, tin, lead, cin- nabar or copper or any interest therein., The senate committee on privileges and elections to-day considered the Turpie case, ordered the papers printed and referred the subject for further consideration to a sub- committee consisting of Scuators Hoar, Spooner and Eustis. ‘The house elections committee having dis- posed of the Dufiie vs Davidson Alabama contest in fuvor of Davidson, the sitting member, will meet next Tuesday to decide upon further order of business. It isthe general expectation that the Illinois contest of Worthington vs Post will be taken up for consideration. Warfield Story, counsel for the Union Pa- cific railroad company, to-day submitted to the house Pacific railroad committee the modifications of the Outhwaite funding bill desired by President Adams, The only change of moment suggested in the original bill is the Km]lo!lunn to fix payments to be made by the company upon its debt at one- tenth of lrcr cent for the first five years and one-half of 1 per cent for the second term of five years instead of & uniform llmynmnl. for the first ten-year poriod of one-third of 1 per cent. Roughly calculated the effect of the Hmpowd change would be to re- uce the puyments by $200,000 during the first five years and increase them by a corresponding sum during the next five years. The cowpany was desirous of having the charge lightened during the next five years, because it had very heavy pay- ments to make and would be able to make up the deficiency within the next five-year term, The committee has invited the Pacific rail- road comiissioners to appear before it next Friduy to furnish any information they may possess for the guidance of the committee, It was stated informally by one of the com- mittee that Anderson of lowa had declined to appear before the comuittee in support of the bill directing eriminal prosecution of the Pacitlc railay ofiicials. Postal Changes. Wasmxaroy, Feb: 17.-~[Special Telegram to the Bee.| —~The postoflice at Seandinavia, county, will be discoutinued Feb- P e 3 Socialistic Laws in Germany, . Bruwix, Jan. 17,-'The reichstag has re- jootéd the goveruiment's anti-socialist billand profonged the existiug laws o \Wo yours, ON TRACK OF THE MURDERER Identity of the Slayer of Millionaire Snell Discovered. SON OF A WEALTHY MERCHANT. Chief of Police Hubbard Offers a Reward of $2,000 For the Arrest and Detention of William B. Tascott. Snell's Slayer ldentified. Cnicaco, Feb. 17.—The police are at last positive that they are on the track of the murderer of Millionaire A. J. Snell and the developments given out are of the most startling character. Chief of Police Hub- bard to-night issued the following circular: TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD. Took out for and arrest A. J. Snell's al- leged murderer, -William B. Tascott, alius Gehright, alias Moore, alias Scott, aling Clark, twenty-two or_twenty-turce_years of age, b feetSor O inches high, 165 pounds weight, slim built, very erect, full round face, heavy eye brows, very fair complexion dark brown hair, thin on top of head, cut short, large blue eyes, small thin dark mous- tache, may be dyed; wore when last seen brown and gray striped pants, stripe one-half inch wide, ‘dark coat, vest and overcoat. black silk hat, square fop ring set with gar- nets and pearis, one pearl missing. He may carry a cane with round goid head engraved with “W. B. T. mohogram, also a russet- colored, oval valise, 18 inches long and 8 inches ' deep, hung by & strap over his shoulder. The above reward will be paid for his capture and detention until officers ar- rive. The startling features of the case are that William B, Tascott, the man wanted, is the son of the prominent and wealthy Colonel J. B. Tascott, a leading wholesale paint merch- ant of this city. He was born and raised within a few blocks of the murdered man, Snell. Though well educated, he early dis- played a liking for the companionshipof wild boys. It is said that he has served a term in the Kentucky penitentiary for burglary. He returned recently and his family and friends tried to reform him, Oneof these friends, Mrs. Henrietta Ousley, invited him to her house, and young Tascott returned the kind- ness by robbing her. The theft was discov- ered, but Mrs. Ousley refused to -prosccute. For several weeks before the Snell murder Tascott boarded with Mrs, Wicks, in the same neighborhood, under the name ot Scott, and is thought to be the one who committed all the burglaries which took place in that vicinity before the murder. Since then no trace of him can be found. Jennie Clifford, the proprietress of a dis- reputable resort on the west side, has given the police valuable information regarding Tascott. She says that he came to her house on the Monday night about 12 o'clock just, J}rcoe«\ing the murder, and re- mained till the next morning. Hi displayed a pearl-handed revolver—the ve: same, it is thought, with which Mr. Sneil was shot, Tuesday night he called at the house again and staid a short time. On that occasion it was snowing and he wore a seal cap:otherywise he was dressed just as Mrs. Wick describes him. Miss Clifford expected him back Wednesday night, but he came not. She has not seen him since. ~ Friday or Sat- urday after the murder she to think over the queer made when at and remembered that he cacried mmwhen there a mahogany case just like the one found at Snell's house, filled with his tools. she was willing to aid the police as far as possible. Afterward she identified the ma- hogany case as the same she had seen in Tascott's possession. At the house of Mrs. Wicks, where Tascott boarded, an investigation of the closet of the room revealed a quantity of silverware, two cols of fuse of the thickness of a pencil, a brown broadcloth overcoat which she had_ never seen him wear, and which he used in making up his disguises; some scarlet underwear, a new white shirt with an embroidered front, two small solid silver castors, several old chisels and handles of chisels and bits, a book on machnists' tools, a lot of silver knives and forks and spoons, a mandolin, a pair of ladies' kid gloves, o’ pair of woolen mittens, anda pair of low-cut shoes. Mrs, Wick also discovered in a small drawer a pair of burglar's felt slippers, and three sperm_candles, one of which was half burned. The Sunday before the murder of Snell, Tascott is said to have gone into the jewelry store of Thomas G, Clarke, at No. 481 West Madison street and tried to make arrange- ments for melting a lot of silver-plate which he wanted to dispose of. Buta trade could not be struck. While in the store itis claimed that he was introduced by a man named Dick- son, and that the two dined together on the north side that day. Jeweler Clarke claimed last night that he could not recall the cir- cumstauces, but admitted that such a thing might have occurred. 'he silver plate that was found in his closet is still in the possession of the police, and 1t is pretty certain that some of it has been identified by C, H. Case, of No. 201 Ashiand avenue, whose house was robbed. shortly be- fore the Snell affair, and the rest has been traced to the ownership of six different fami- lies on Ashland avenue and Washington boulevard, Tho police have found two or three ac- quaintances of Tascott's who have agreed to assist in the search for him. Inspector Bon- field says that he expects to have the burglar behind” the bars in the next twenty-four hours. Detectives were out all night look- ing for T It is believed that he'is still in hiding in this city, and it seems im- possible for him to escape. His accomplices, whoever they are, have not been thoroughly identified. 'he plunder found in Tascott's room was examined, and a woman or two, who are sup- posed to know a good deal about the burg- lar, were put in the sweat-box. The meeting was very carefully guarded, and after it was over those present refused point blank to say what it was about. It is the aim of the po- lice to verify every point of evidence against Tascott and to establish a sure case against him by the time he is captured. . Mr. Suell's estate was probated to-day. It was estimated at #4,500,000, but of this §3,000,- 000 was conveyed to his wife four ycars ago. He left no will and the balance of the estate will be divided among his widow and four children, Ll HETZKE MUST HANG. The Murderer of Little Max Gilman to Pay the Payalty. Cnicago, Feb. 17.—([Special Telegram to the Bee.]—Death was the punishment the jury this morning decided to inflict in the cuse of August Hetzke, who beat to death his little step-son, Max Gilman. No man ever received the same announcement with less show of emotion. When the verdict was read the few words dooming the guilty man to the gallows fell upon his hearing without any apparent significance. He made no mo- tion nor never, for a single instant, took his eyes off the floor. The big muscles stood out on his neck aud the veins were full about his temple, that went to show he was fully con- sclous of whatwas going on, although he pretends to be unable to understand English, The murder of little Max Gilman was a peculiarly brutal one, The boy’s mother died in June last and Hetzke's cruelty drove the lad away from home. After one of those runaway episodes the little fellow returned to his step-father's house November 20, and that night he was given & terrible beating. Hetzke used a strap and beat the child so that his body from head to foot was one huge . Several times during the night people living in the house at No. 422 Lincoln' street G ¢ Child viyilng and wace ey heard She notified the police and said’ him praying. In fh@'morning he was found dead. When accused of having killed the child Heitzke's ly was : ‘'The loafer oughtto die.” The man, ever singe his arrest and all dur- ing the trial, showed no regret or any feeling of sorrow for his crime, and when it beame known to-day that the extreme penalty was to be meted out in his case the judgment was that he deserved it and that the verdict was a just one, One man Voiced the popular feel- ing when he said : A few more juries like the one that tried Hetzke is what e want just now."” Once before his arrest for killing his step- son Hetzke came under the notice of the po- lice for his share in a piece of petty persocu- tion. It was August 22 last that he presented himself to Licutenant Schumacher at the West Chicago avenue station with a com- laint that his house had been robbed. He ad a list of the goods alleged to have been stolen, and said the thief was his house- keeper, a blooming young German girl named Johanna Ketzke. The articles alleged to have been stolen were a lot of worthless trinkets belonging to the deceased Mrs. Hetzke, 'When the girl told her story-a new state of facts was revealed. It appeared that etzke wanted to marry her and she refused A week after she came to his house Hetzke proposed marriage, but the girl told him she was already engaged and put him off, but Hetzke kept on proposing and when the girl told him she did not like him and would never marry him Hetzke swore he would send her to the penitentiary. The trumped-up charge of theft was the conse- quence and the girl was dismissed. ranisit b ON TRIAL FOR MURDER. An Unsavory Couple Before Kansas City's Criminal Court. Kaxsas Ciry, Mo., Feb. 17.—[Special Tele- gram to the Bee.]—Paul Enders was placed on trial to-day in the criminal court oa the charge of murder in the first degree. The indictment charges Enders and Blanche Con- nors, alias Mattie Mason, with killing Joseph Peters on Chyistmes night for the purpose of robbery, The evidence adduced at the pre- liminary examination showed that Blanche Connors and Peters went to the house of Jane Grigsby, No. 11 East Bell street, on Christmas night. There they met Enders and some others, A quarrel followed, and Euders, Peters and Blanche Connors went outside. A few minutes later there was a cry for help, but the inmates of the house paid no attention to it. Enders and the ‘woman soon rejoined them. An hour later a policeman discovered the dead body of Peters on the sidewalk in front of the house. There was a large knife wound in his groin. Enders and Blanche Connors were arrested the next morning. ——— Prospective Labor Troubles. Kaxsas City, Mo, Feb. 17.—[Special Tel gram to the Beg.]—It is thought iu some ci cles that there will be serious labor troubles here this year since the stonemasons have resolved to demand eight hours asa full day's work from the bosses. Whether the bosses will yield or not is the question. This the bosses refuse to answer until it is put to them by the Stonomasons’ union. A boss bricklayer at work on the New York Life In- surance building was asked if it was true that the bricklayers would join the stone- masons in their demand. *I think not,” he said, “‘We demanded that nine hours be a day's work and our demands were granted. We got all we wanted and so have no cause ick. Yes, I believe the stonemasons are ing on workinmn hours.” Theé solu- tion of the prob) will probably be that both sides will compromise and that nine hours will constitite & day’s work at nine hours’ pay. . | ———— Suicided in Kansas Oity. Kaxsas City, Mo., Feb. 17.—[Special Tele- gram to the Bee.] 2 Laura Leeper, adissolute colored woman, twenty-one years of age, liv- ing at 309 Broadway, was found in her room about 7:80 o'clock this morning suffering from morphine poisoning and will die. The woman's parents live in Keokuk, Ia., and her husband at Omaha, Neb. In this city she hus gone under the name of Laura Mills, et Suing For Attorney's Fees. Kavsas City, Mo., Feb. 17.—[Special Tele- gram to the Bee.]—Samuel M. Chapman and Milton D. Polk to-day filed a suit in the oftice of the clerk of the United States cir- cuit court against Hugh D, Marshall. The plaintiffs constitute a legal firm in Platts- mouth, Neb,, while the defendant lives in Putnam county, this state. In the petition the plaintiffs allege that in September, 1885, they defended Marshall when he was on trial in Cass county, Nebraska, for assault with intent to murder, On this they want §,500. They also want &50, the balance due on a £500 fee for defending him when he was sued for §5,000 damuge by the man who assaulted hil In this latter case they received a re- taining fee of $150. —— Passenger Rates Threatened. Kaxsas Ciry, Mo, Feb. 17.—[Special Tele- gram to the Bee.]—The Rock Island lowered the rate on packing house stuff to 11} cents to-day to meet the Burlington, but that was about the only reduction made. All the roads are down to a point where there is no money in almost any line of freight and the agents are making very little effort to secure busi- ness, There are né signs of a let up, how- ever, and there s every indication that the ‘war will soon strikq passenger rates, Unable to Kaxsas City, Moy, Feb. 17.—[Special Tele- gram to the Bee,|—Charles A. Schaffer, ar- rested on the charge of embezzling $49,000 from J. H. Onstott; hias not yet secured bail, his former friends ‘having apparently abun’ doned him, ——— A Clerk Suspended on Suspicion. KAaxsas Cry, Mo., Feb, 17.—[Special Tele- gram to the Bee,]—Edward L. Greenwood, clerk of the city recording court, was to-duy suspended by the mayor, pending further in- vestigation of his aécounts, ——— Somnambulism and Death, Bostoy, Feb. 17.—[Special Telegram to the Bee.]—The body of John M. Underwood, a wealthy resident of Oak Knoll, Danvers, was found this morging about a quarter of a mile from his house. For some years Mr, Uuderwood has been afflicted with somnam- bulism, and within a few nights past has been found wanderiag about the house in his sleep. As he did et appear at the usual hour this morning. his sister went to his room, but he was not there. Word was sent to the nearest neighibors that Mr. Underwood was missing. They instituted @ search, Mr. Fish gring toward Beaver Creek station and Phillips taking opposite d rection. Mr. Phillips was quickly-recalled by ashout from Mr. Fish, who had Mound Mr. Underwood’s body lyiug in the road. He was clad only in his nightdre d death had undoubtedly ensued hours before the discovery. It is thought he must have left the house about midnight. The mereury stood at daylight at from 8= t0 10> belpw zero. Years ago Mr. Underwood left his house under much the same circumstances. The night was very cold, but he was segn by neighbors in season to save his life, e The Denver & Rio Grande. NEW Youk, Feb. 17.—The statement of the Denver & Rio Grande railroad for the year ending December 31, 1857, shows: Gross earnings, §7,953,419, an increase of 1,2 oyer the previous year; operating expenses, §4,742,045, an increase of §514.6 ings, §3,241,370, an increase of 81 —r Weather Indications. For Nebraska and -fowa: Fair weather, warmer, followed b slightly colder weather, light to fresh winds, generally from south to For ‘Eastern and Southwestern Dakota: Slightly colder, fair weather, followed in northern portion by light snuw, light to fi¢sh variable winds NUMBER 215, AN OLD MAN'S DEVILISH DEED Horrible Tragedy Enacted By Adam ‘Wirts Near Burlington, Ia. FATALLY CUTS HIS SON'S WIFE. And Then Burns Up His Two Grand- children and Hangs Himself— Dubuque Gamblers Ratded —lowa News. A Most Revolting Crime. BuRLINGTON, Ta., Feb, 17.—[Special Tele- gram to the Bee.]—A horrible tragedy oc- curred to-day in Jackson township, twelve miles north of this city. An old man named Adam Wirts, living with his son, attacked his daughter-in-law with a corn knife, in- flicting probubly fatal wounds. Two of the children fled from the house and hid behind a straw stack. Wirts then set fire to the house, which burned down and consumed two little children, one an infant only two months old. He then shot the best horse in the stable, broke the gun in pieces and hanged himself in the haymow. The daughter-in-law, escaping from the burn- ing house, dragged herself to a neigh- bor's, half a mile distant, where her husband was at work. She fainted from exhaustion and loss of blood, being terribly cut and bruised. Wirts was about seventy years old, of a bad dispo- sition naturally, and inclined to make trouble. 1t is believed that he committed the inhuman crimes from pure deviltry. It is the most re- volting and saddening tragedy ever happen- ing in this county. gL Picked Up in the Lobbies. . Des Moixes, Feb. 17.—Considerable oppo- sition 18 being developed to the districting of the state for the election for railroad com- missioners reported yesterday by the com- mittee. The original plan was more favor- ably received but the one reported is alleged to give the district in southwestern Iowa into the control of the Rock Islund and Bur- lington roads and the northeastern into the control of the Illinois Central, the Milwau- kee, and the Cedar Rapids rond. The convention of Towa jobbers, manufac- turers and shippers at Des Moines, February 16, passed a resolution favoring the principle " that the charge for a shorter haul should not exceed the charge for a longer; that the commissioners be em- powered to make maximum rates to classify freight and change rates; that the legislature enact a schedule of maximum rates; that the commissioners be appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate; that the rail- roads be prevented from discriminating as between persons, firms or corporations, and that when freight, originating at points in Towa, passes_over two or more lines before reaching its destination in Iowa, it shall be billed at one through rate on the basis of a legal tariff for the entire distanc ‘1t is rumored that the house committee for the suppression of intemperance has dis- carded the Redman and Custer bills, and that the sub-committec of both houses will draw up another. A delegation of blind men spoke this morn- ing before the committeec on charitable .in- stitutions stating that they wished appropria- tions for establishing for them an hll,s institution by which they might make them- selves self-supporting and recommending the cottage plan, The senate committee on commerce has considered the charges made by B. W. Blanchard referred to it by the governor, who refused to have the communication printed. The committee recommends that the communication be noted, and be returned to the state auditor. The Iowa Legislature. Des MorNes, I, Feb. 18,—In the senate to-day the Weber bill to repeal the acts of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth assemblies re- lating to voting tax and bonds in aid of rail- roads, was to-day discussed and indefinitely postponed, being thereby virtually killed. A resolution was introduced by Mr, Kegler and postponed, providing that in the selec- tion of trustees for the state institutions both great political parties should have represen tation, the party in power to have the oddj number. Senate file No. 146 relating to changing articles of incorporation of companies was ordered engrossed. A concurrent resolution was adopted rec- ommending the pardon of Edward B. Wild- man from the Fort Madison penitentiary. A joint republican caucus for the purpose of nominating trustees and regents of the state institutions is to be held on the evening of February 22 in the hall of representatives. Senate file No. 99, pertaining to live stock and meat inspection in cities of the first class and under special charters, was passed. Bills were pussed amending the law pro- viding for the relief of the poor, the manner of obtaiping the same, and providing for criminal punishment for violent acts; also amending the law relating to furnishing clothing and transportation for inmates of the deaf and dumb institution. In the house the resolution passed asking the speaker to request ministers of the Roman Catholic church to open the house with prayer. It was passed on account of the failure of the Ministerial association of {._)clslflniuenwplm such ministers on the ist, A number of measures were introduced. Among them were: By Mr. Eilers—Appropriating funds for a ing on work at the Anamosa peniten- jary. By Evans—Relating to enticing females under fifteen years of age and providing a penalty. The house refused to recede from the amendment requiring lye potash to be labeled “poison” and @ comYerence committee ap- pointed. The following bills were passed : Relating to the construction of viaducts over or under railroads on public streets, Relating to appeals from justices of the peace. Requiring teachers comtracts to be filed with the secretary of the board Providing that persons convicf demeanor, under sixteen years of age, be sent to the industrial school. Providing that the interest on loans of the permanent school fund shall not exceed 7 per cent or be less than 6 per cent. Providing that cities under special charter may elect a recorderr, assessors, treasurers und collectors for two years. Both the house and senate adjourned until Tuesday. Dubuque Gamblers Nabbed. Dusuque, Ia., Feb. 17.—The police swooped down upon the gambling joints of this city early this morning and bagged nineteen prisoners, besides a wagon load’ of truck, such as tables, chairs, chips, cards, gnd 0 on. It was a complete surprise. This morn- ing the prisoners were brought into court and tined from 85 to §15 each. One man who is believed to have informed against the places was himself captured in one of them, and the justice fined him $20. Among the prisoners were a few ‘‘respectable’ citizens, Whose appearance in a police court as culprits created a decided sensation, but the majority of those captured were professional faro players. Oue of the proprietors is the son of a prominent Dubuque merchant. R Located at Ames. Des Moixes, Ia., Feb. 17.— [Special Teley gram to the Bee.]|—The trustecs of the state agric ultural college met here to-day to arrange for, the establishment of the new agricultural experiment station as provided by the recent act of congress, They deaided 10 locate the station ay Awes as u separate department of the agricultural college there, with its own independent buildings, outfit, ete. They elected as director of the station Captain R, P. Speer, of Cedar Falls, ata salary of #2,200 per annum, —— An Allison Club Organized. Des Moixes, Ia., Feb. 17.—|Special Tele- gram to the Ber.]—The first Allison club for 1888 was organized at Emmetsburg, Palo Alto county to-day, and has opened the cam- paign for the Iowa 'man for president. -— A Prominent lowan Dead. Wixterser, la, Feb. 17.—[Special Telo- gram to the Ber.]—Major G. D. Palmer, for- merly a prominent politician of Towa_City and later publisher of the Winterset News, died here this morning. -—— - FIFTIETH CONGRESS. House. ‘WasniNgroN, Feb. 17.—The Blair educa- tional bill was laid before the house and re- ferred to the committee on education. The urgent deficiency bill was then taken up. The amendment instructing the public printer to enforce rigidly the provisions of the eight hour law was adopted and the bill passed. The bill for the relief of Nathaniel McKay and the executors of Donald McKay was passed. Mr. Stone of Kentucky moved to recon- sider the vote and lay that motion on the table, pending which Mr. Springer moved to make a verbal amendment to the title and upon this motion took the floor in opposition to the bill. Quite a lengthy discussion ensued in which Mr. Springer argued that if it was right to grantrelief to the McKays it was right to grant relief to Secor and other contractors who had precisely similar claims, and quoted from a speech made by Senator Grimes of Towa, upon & similar bill, in which that gen- tleman stated that if claims against the gov- ernment which rested upon the same grounds of equity as the claims of naval constructors were paid the government would be called upon to make expenditures of over 60,000,000, Mr. Cox of New York and others antago- nized Mr. Springer and_his amendment, so the title was rejected and the motion to re- consider the vote by which the bill passed ‘was tabled. After some other business the house pro- ceeded to involve itself in a parliamentary tangle and finally adjourned until Monday. Dorsey's Bill Favorably Reported. WASHINGTON, Feb. 17.—The house commit] tee on Indian affairs has ordered a favorable report on Representative Dorscy's bill ex- tending for two years the time of payment of the purchase money for lands sold on the Omaha Indian reservation in Nebraska. AVENGED 1118 HONOR. Though Fatally Wounded a Missouri Husband Kills His Wife’s Paramour. St. Louts, Feb. 17.—In tsald Knob town- ship last night, Thomas Waltham found Jim Blakeny in his wife's chamber. Blakeny shot Waltham three times and one of Walt- ham’s children once. The injured husband shot and killed Blakeny, and then fell in a dying condition. The child may recover. i my The Fire Record. PROVIDENCE, February 17.—A fire this morning destroyed several business build- ings, and caused a 10ss of about $150,000. It ‘was discovered at 8 o’clock this morning and raged for three hours; The fire started in O. D. Mett's bullding on Broad street. The flames from there worked their way into the ‘Wells biock, and from there into Segar block, 8 three-story building adjoining. Turning the corner of High street, the Stillman build- ing, a three-story frame structure; Bradford block and Niantic bank building, a two-story brick, were burned. The thermometer was 84 degrees below zero, and thirteen firemen suffered severely from exposure. The total loss is now estimated at $840,000, and insurance at $56,000. CnicaGo, Feb. 17.—The grain warehouse of J. S. Smith & Co., on the river, was damaged to the extent of 75,000 or §100,000 shortly after midnight, i —_— Falled to Make Peace. Cicaco, Feb. 17. —Every interested line in the northwest was represented to-day at the managers’ meeting of northwestern lines. The matter of existing troubles was put into the hands of a committee which, after con- sideration, reported that the only way to se- cure peace and harmony was to merge the Western, Southwestern, and Northwestern associations into one, to be governed by the same rules and regulations and with one head. A committee was appointed with in- structions to confer with the managers of southwestern lines and arranged a joint con- ference at the earliest possible moment. A resolution that all rates be restored March 1 to the tariffs in effect prior to January 81, was defeated, the Burlington lines refusing to restore rates until a permanent agreement ‘was adopted. e Reform in Manitoba. WiNniree, Feb. 17.—Premier Greenway was seen in reference to his statement at the Portage La Prairie meeting that he had a bona fide offer to build the Red River Valley railway. The offer was to build the road from West Lynne to Portage La Prairie, the government to pay a small cash bonus and an annual subsidy for a period of twenty years, This solved the financial problem, and that solved, he would like to seo what could prevent the road from being built. Yesterday's elections resulteq in a tremendous triumph for the Greenway gov- ernment and the Red River Valley railroad, insuring the building of the road at the ear: liest possible date. . ———— The Vandalia Litigation. IxpraNaroLts, Ind,, Feb. 17.—In the fed- eral court to-day the attorneys for the Cin- cinnati, Hamilton & Dayton road dismissed the previous application and filed a new suit against William R. McKeen, president of the Vandalia road, to recover $380,000 paid on the contract to purchase from McKeen a con- trolling interest in the Vandalia line, and asks that the coutract be set aside. e ——— Examining the Fisheries Treaty. Or1TAWA, Ont., Feb. 17.—A draft of the fishery treaty arriveddrom Washington yes- terday and was, it is understood, considered at a meeting of the cabinet in the afternoon. The nature of the document will be kept se- cret until it is laid before parliament. B The Swiss and Italian Syndicate. GENEVA, Feb, 17.--A Swiss and Italian syndicate has been formed which will ad- vance the Italian government 50,000,000 francs to enable it to complete the Simplon railway tunnel and the railway lines which will con- nect therewith. e A Skibbereen Blast. DubLix, Feb. 17.—A package containing gunpowder, to which was attached a leaden ball, was thrown into the house of Police In- spector Kelly, of Skibbereen. An explosion followed, wrecking the furniture and fillin, the house with choking fumes, from which the inmates bareiy escaped with their lives. The German Crown Prince, Beruiy, Feb. 17.—The North Germau Ga- zette (Bismarck’'s organ) denies the state- ment made by the Freissinige yesterday that a bill will be introduced in the reichst viding for the appointment of a re of the crown prince in the event of his being summoned to act as regent. Lord Dufferin Accepts. Loxpox, Feb, 17.—Lord Dufferin has uc- cepted the post of ambassador of Italy. Sir J. Saville Lumley, the present ambassador | w will retire from the diplomati servica, OLD MAN HATFIELD'S STORY The Patriarch of the West Virginia Outlaws Talks. LAYING IT ON THE M'COYSs He Confesses to Having Five Wives But Charges the Murders on His Kentucky Enemies—Attorney Ferguson's Views. Safe in Loulsville Jall. LouvisviLLe, Ky., Feb. 17.—[Special Tele« gram to the Bee.]—The nine West Virgin- ians known as the *“‘Hatflelds" arrived here last night in charge of a deputy United Statea marshal and the jaiter of Pike county. The; will appear before Judge Barr of the Unite States district court Monday, when the habeas corpus application of the governor of ‘West Virginia will be further heard. Valens tine Hatfield, the *‘old man' of the gai after stating that they had been well treat while in Pike county jail, gave the following account of the celebrated feud: “The whole trouble, so faras I know, began about six or eight years ago. Ihad five brothers, Ellison, El Anderson, Smith, and Patterson. Ellison was the first ona killed. Three of the McCoy boys shot and cut him on Blackberry creek, on the Ken tucky side, and he died the next day. The trouble, I believe, was started by one of the McCoys attempting to arrest Anderson Hate field's son, Johnson, about eight years ago. There was @ row then, bub I dow't remember exactly Whal it was, Aftor Ellison Hatflel was killed Talbert, Richard and Farmer Mo~ Coy, all young men, were killed by a crowd supposed to have come from West Virginiay The killing was done on the bridge between Blackberry and Mate's Creek. ““The next Pike county grand jury indicted alot of people in West Virginia. No one was arrested, however, and after that Jeff McCo, who is Bill Daniels’ broth law, hea Daniels’ and Tom Wallace abusing the Hate fields, and & quarrel ensued. gh'(_‘oa' af tempted to arrest Wallace and a fight mufi place. This resulted in L‘filmin Hatflel arresting McCoy, and when McCoy tried killed by the men who we r' him. It was said that Captain Hate field and Tom Wallace killed hi “Some time after this a squud of men W“lla to Randolph McCoy's house and killed one of his sons and a dasughter and beat -uj his old woman. 'his was _ charge to the Hatfields, but I nevel knew anything about it until some time afte: the murders were committed. A short time after this a company of Pike county men wag formed to follow the Hatfields and kill thean They came into West Virginia and found Jint Vance and Captain Hatfield on o bridge neay Thacker’s creek. They shot Vance to deat! and wounded Captain Hatfleld. After th: the Kentuckians came in and captured us while we were at work on our farms. Non of us resisted and no injury was done us, bu if there was uny authority for confining us l! Jait T never heard of it.” County Attorney J. Lee Ferguson, of Pike was questioned concerning the claim of rriannurs that they were innocent. ‘fl Whghed at the idea, and said that while thi ‘worst,'of the Hatfleld crowd had not the 1 “who are ired had not been unlawfully. imprisoned b after having crossed the border line bet West Virginia and Kentucky had legally arrested and taken to juil by the roper_officers. He did not deny that th West Virginians had been forcibly take: from their homes, but held that the Ke tuckians were justified by the dan threatening them'in taking the matter their own hands when the West Virginii authorities refused to assist in restrainin and punishing the outlaws who had only cross a narrow stream to commit the mosf atrocious crimes and then cross back agai safety from law. Mr. Ferguson assel positively that he had creditable informatiory that a state officinl of West Virginia had be retained witha fee of 00 to prever Governor Wilson from recognizing the requ! sition issued by Governor Buckner. Hi charged also that the Hatfield crew hi brought other influences to bear, and tnat thg worst of the gang were now in comparative security. Of the prisoners now in Louise ville jail, Mr. Ferguson says that Valenting Hatfield recently confessed to him that hg had five living wives and thirty-three livin, children. Nine of his children have die Mr, Ferguson states that Hatfield has culiar ideas of polygamy and does not mar; his wives according to law, but takes the, and apportions his time out between them. The Hatflelds. LouisviLLe, Feb. 17.—Nine West Virgirty, ians, known as the “Hatflelds,” arrived herd Iast night in charge of a deputy United Stal marshal. They will appear before Jud, Barr, of the United States district cou Monday, when the habeas corpus appnufi of the governor of West Virginia will be ther heard. —_—— A Cleveland Sensation. CLevELAND, O., Feb. 17.—[Special Teles gram to the Bee.]—When Mrs. Josephin Ammon, a wealthy Euclid avenue lady, wi committed to jail for contempt of court ii refusing to reveal the whereabouts of the heiress, Joecphine Blaun, she based he hopes of release on the fact that Probal Judge Tilden was soon to vacate office, and that his successor, Judge White, would ree move the obnoxious guar dian, and thus pere mit her to open her hps. To-day Judge White decided that Miss Blunn must be pro- duced in court before any steps can bé taker for changing the guardian. This means th Mrs. Ammon must remain a prisoner in th county jail until she chooses to change he: barren quarters there for her luxurious hom on the avenue by answeriag the question of the court as to the hiding place of the miss ing heiress, or, which would amount to th same thing, producing the young girl i court. Mrs, Ammon declares she will neveg do this, and so far has withstood the entrea i&s ‘é{l her family, friends and lawyers co ned. e The Standard Again on Top. Burraro, N. Y., Feb. 17.—(Special Teld gram to the Bre.|—The pluckiest combath ant the oil interests have had in late yoars is in trouble. The Buffalo Lubricating M‘ company, through the failure of the indes pendent combination, finds itself in financia} difficulties, and in the hands of a receiver, It has three suits for damages pendin against the Standard. Ono is for $1,000, in which the Buffalo company got &' verdiod for $20,000, und asked for a new trial on t| ground that the evidenco called for award of a greater sum. Anot is for $230,000, based on grounds of cons piracy, th same as the famous criminal action of spring which resulted in the conviction g two of the leaders of the Standard's intel ests. The Standard has now made an off of $25,000 in settlement of all suits, and th receiver asked instructions from the suprem court. 'The settlement is opposed by most of the stockholders and creditors of the Buff COmpAnY. A Chinese Lottery Raided. BaN Fraxcisco, Feb. 17.—The police to-d: raided what is known us the Awmerican lof tery company, but which is conducted by Chinese. The entiro operating force of th company wus secured, The company is o8 mated to be worth $100,000 to $500,000, an does @ business estimated at $10,000 to 820, per day. e Powderly's Illness. Serantoy, Pa., Feb. 17.--Owing te Por 's -illness the ‘executive committee thi ame here to confer with him on hg l Reuding strike situation,